Silly title... I know, more about it in a moment.
My first idea was to do a "2010 Year in Review" post since this is the last post I'll enter in 2010. This post could easily turn into a book! We hit the ground running in 2010 and it was GO GO GO for most of the year. There was the STP, the blog for the STP, here a blog, there a blog, everywhere a new blog!
My resolution for 2011 is to stick with one blog, this one for an entire year. Also, only one more domain name. I'm keeping the "Trinity" site of , Old iSkool.com, BobBlahblogs.com, and TheGoalFarm.com. The Goal farm will stay up to gather goals. There were 10 added this year, I'm hoping for 100 more by the end of 2011. It's a farm, it needs time to grow.
Back to, "The Earth IS Flat". This statement sums up current politics in America and the media coverage of it. 2010 has been shouts of "The Earth IS Flat". The fact that it isn't true doesn't have a single thing to do with it. Just keep shouting it louder and louder, you don't have to be correct these days, you just have to be the loudest!
"Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America." states this much better than I can ever hope to. Politics have turned into a circus with the house and senate playing the part of the clowns. Both parties are guilty of childish and unprofessional behavior. But this is America, and we are known for fixing things that are broken. I hope we move in that direction in 2011.
Social media was more in my life than I thought it would be. This is proven by my Facebook and Twitter account.
My best wishes to all the good people in this world next year. A lot of bad has happened in 2010, 2011 will hopefully be kinder to a lot of us.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Snow in the forecast
We are facing a chance of snow for tomorrow. Not more than an inch most likely. The west coast is looking forward to snow while the east coast is thinking, "forget-about-it!". It was nice that a lot of folks had a white Christmas.
The stores are already packing out the Christmas stuff and it won't be long before the Valentine's Day stuff fills the isles.
It is so close to "resolution" time that I practiced staring on my resolution. I've got about 11 pounds to get rid off when the new year starts. I'm going to be ambitious this time around and go for losing about 2 pounds a week. That means I'll have to focus and stay on track for five or six weeks then go back into "maintain" mode.
This year it was the sweets that got to me. I seemed to have gotten a sweet tooth or two back for this Holiday season.
FYI - the old beast is in the shop but it should be ready to roll again by tomorrow afternoon. Equally important, it will be able to stop again too!
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
The stores are already packing out the Christmas stuff and it won't be long before the Valentine's Day stuff fills the isles.
It is so close to "resolution" time that I practiced staring on my resolution. I've got about 11 pounds to get rid off when the new year starts. I'm going to be ambitious this time around and go for losing about 2 pounds a week. That means I'll have to focus and stay on track for five or six weeks then go back into "maintain" mode.
This year it was the sweets that got to me. I seemed to have gotten a sweet tooth or two back for this Holiday season.
FYI - the old beast is in the shop but it should be ready to roll again by tomorrow afternoon. Equally important, it will be able to stop again too!
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Monday, December 27, 2010
The last Monday in 2010
Mondays are not usually my favorite day of the week so this being the last Monday in 2010 is not really a major mile stone. It is just an observation and he first thing I picked for the title of this blog. We are at home today because it is a "Furlough" day. "They" want us to call it a "temporary lay-off" day but since I'm off the clock and off the books, I'll call it whatever I want.
"I wish it was warmer so I could go on a bike ride day" works for today too. It is pretty cool outside and the forecast has a chance of snow in it by Wednesday. I think this will be short because I'm not feeling very gabby today.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
"I wish it was warmer so I could go on a bike ride day" works for today too. It is pretty cool outside and the forecast has a chance of snow in it by Wednesday. I think this will be short because I'm not feeling very gabby today.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Merry Boxing Day!
Guess who didn't get a Christmas Day post on their blog yesterday?
Well, today is Boxing Day and I've got a few minutes to add an update. I hope that all had a great day yesterday and got what the wanted or needed for Christmas. Joanne and I attended the Christmas Eve service at The Tapestry Friday night. We then had breakfast and opened gifts Christmas morning. Then we loaded up the jeep and had Christmas lunch with Duane & Emmy (we're still full! Thanks for all the great food mom!). We attended services today along with a birthday celebrate for our friend Bear. Next up is celebrating with my brother, sister and kids two houses down from ours!
There will be more celebrating tomorrow night too, it is truly a wonderful time of the year! Merry Christmas, Blessed Boxing Day (Aye) and best wished for you and yours in 2011.
It struck me today that we are blessed with such a great number of true friends and family. I bet that anyone of you would be an instant celebrity if the rest of the world got to know you. We are lucky to have each other in our lives and that is a real reason for the reason.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Well, today is Boxing Day and I've got a few minutes to add an update. I hope that all had a great day yesterday and got what the wanted or needed for Christmas. Joanne and I attended the Christmas Eve service at The Tapestry Friday night. We then had breakfast and opened gifts Christmas morning. Then we loaded up the jeep and had Christmas lunch with Duane & Emmy (we're still full! Thanks for all the great food mom!). We attended services today along with a birthday celebrate for our friend Bear. Next up is celebrating with my brother, sister and kids two houses down from ours!
There will be more celebrating tomorrow night too, it is truly a wonderful time of the year! Merry Christmas, Blessed Boxing Day (Aye) and best wished for you and yours in 2011.
It struck me today that we are blessed with such a great number of true friends and family. I bet that anyone of you would be an instant celebrity if the rest of the world got to know you. We are lucky to have each other in our lives and that is a real reason for the reason.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Meet me in the Middle
Thanks to those who have taken the time to check out the "No Labels" website. Also, thanks to those that signed up too. It is another password to remember and it is pretty close to Facebook, another social network.
OK, here is my blah blah for tonight.
If a republican found a cure for cancer, half the country would be against it and demand it be band from distribution. The same is true if a democrat came up with a pill to end obesity or diabetes. That just how it seems to go today.
This is a bad example because the drug companies would never let their puppets take the credit for something before they get every penny out of it that they can.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
OK, here is my blah blah for tonight.
If a republican found a cure for cancer, half the country would be against it and demand it be band from distribution. The same is true if a democrat came up with a pill to end obesity or diabetes. That just how it seems to go today.
This is a bad example because the drug companies would never let their puppets take the credit for something before they get every penny out of it that they can.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Hospital High Rollers
Hospital High Rollers
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
An update... a day late.
It looks like things are happening at work. We were scheduled for a "Elimination of Basic Health and employment options" meeting for January 4th. This seems a little premature since the Legislature doesn't meet until January 10th. It will not be official that Basic Health is going away until they meet and hold a vote.
If you haven't been following this, the Governor wants this to be part of her supplemental budget. Moral around the office is pretty low and that is to be expected. I image the moral of the 10 of thousands losing their health insurance isn't too high either.
I'll update this blog as I hear more. For now I'm trying to get through the Holidays in a good mood. This means that I'll lay low on the politics for the next few weeks. What the heck, if Jon Stewart can take this time off, I can lay back a little. I'll check back to see if there are any comments to respond to.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
If you haven't been following this, the Governor wants this to be part of her supplemental budget. Moral around the office is pretty low and that is to be expected. I image the moral of the 10 of thousands losing their health insurance isn't too high either.
I'll update this blog as I hear more. For now I'm trying to get through the Holidays in a good mood. This means that I'll lay low on the politics for the next few weeks. What the heck, if Jon Stewart can take this time off, I can lay back a little. I'll check back to see if there are any comments to respond to.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
A good idea
This was discussed on "Meet the Press" today. http://www.thetakeaway.org/2010/dec/13/no-labels-political-movement-launches-today/ It sounds like a great idea. This is the link to the main website No Labels
I'm checking it out and will add an update to today's post when I'm done.
OK, I am back from spending some time on this website. So far it seems like pretty good stuff. They need money and are working to get the first 25K folks involved. It is pretty cool to get involved with something early in the start up.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
I'm checking it out and will add an update to today's post when I'm done.
OK, I am back from spending some time on this website. So far it seems like pretty good stuff. They need money and are working to get the first 25K folks involved. It is pretty cool to get involved with something early in the start up.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Isn't that what we said?
Too tired to fight about it.
Joanne and I took a road trip today to visit with family. Traffic moved pretty good all the way up and we had a great visit. Family, food, and good times. Traffic didn't move as good on the way back so we turned on the radio to listen check the traffic. It was the usual delays due to rain on I-5.
We left the radio on and listened to a "money line" type of talk show. I forget the guy's name, some dude that goes back to the Reagan era. He called the latest actions Reaganomics 2.0 and Tea Partyonmic 1.0. What struck me odd is the fact that he stated the changes were approved on Thursday and he was already stating that they are responsible for things getting better financially already. About 1.5 days later. OK, I know this is bullshit but it is they way things are played in politics and media these days.
What really shocked me was this guy describing the benefit to "personal income" by the extension of the Bush tax cuts. They were rarely referred to as personal income before the big compromise package was passed but it was a surprise to hear them referred to this way so quickly.
Yes Virginia, there is Santa Clause. He has a sleigh pulled by the working class to deliver bags of cash to the rich.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Joanne and I took a road trip today to visit with family. Traffic moved pretty good all the way up and we had a great visit. Family, food, and good times. Traffic didn't move as good on the way back so we turned on the radio to listen check the traffic. It was the usual delays due to rain on I-5.
We left the radio on and listened to a "money line" type of talk show. I forget the guy's name, some dude that goes back to the Reagan era. He called the latest actions Reaganomics 2.0 and Tea Partyonmic 1.0. What struck me odd is the fact that he stated the changes were approved on Thursday and he was already stating that they are responsible for things getting better financially already. About 1.5 days later. OK, I know this is bullshit but it is they way things are played in politics and media these days.
What really shocked me was this guy describing the benefit to "personal income" by the extension of the Bush tax cuts. They were rarely referred to as personal income before the big compromise package was passed but it was a surprise to hear them referred to this way so quickly.
Yes Virginia, there is Santa Clause. He has a sleigh pulled by the working class to deliver bags of cash to the rich.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Friday, December 17, 2010
No holds barred - Politicians against WWE Superstars
Do you follow politics?
Do you watch wrestling or seen ads for the WWE?
I haven't always been one that followed politics. To be honest, I pretty much listened with one ear and voted "my gut" at election time. An interest in politics for me started in the fall of 2008. I was working from home, alone, so I'd have CNN on the tube while I worked. Daytime TV didn't offer a lot so it was CNN or Comedy Central. CNN got tiring to watch because they would be talking about the same stories at 4:00 in the afternoon that they were talking about at 7:30 in the morning. I turned to listening to KIRO radio while I worked. They have different view points and discussed the topics of the day. They were pretty good but not as entertaining as The Daily Show.
I did follow wrestling when I was younger, being in the South and having TBS was very entertaining! I could go on for hours on the plots and sub-plots acted out by skilled and loud-mouthed athletes. This dates me, but most of my favorite wrestlers where close to retirement by the time Hulk Hogan came on the scene. Heck, Jerry "The King" Lawler was just a kid. That guy is still at it though, he is the living version of "The Wrestler!".
OK, back to the point. It seems to me that the WWE is more believable and credible than the stuff coming out of the mouths of the politicians. It's great that they forget themselves and that we live in the day and age of everything having a video camera strapped to it. At first this seemed like an error in their judgment but now I'm not so sure. It seems the whacker their speech is, the livelier the reaction is. Yes, I am specifically talking about Palin and the Tea Party. These folks have there, "Wrestling Rap" done by golly the do. These are the "dirty" wrestlers, they ones that are not shy about sneaking up from behind and whacking the good guys with a chair. With all due respect to Senator McCain, his roll seemed to be similar to "The mouth of the South"!
One thing as sure as death and taxes in the world of wrestling is that sooner or later the favorite "good guy" wrestler is going to go dirty, switch sides, do his best to agitate the crowd. This was one of the best ways to keep the crowds coming.
It seems to me that some of the politicians are doing the "switch" here in Washington State and in DC. The latest match with the extension of the Bush tax-cuts.
What the hell? Obama is all of a sudden in the other corner drawing the other side into the ambush! This was so much like watching professional wresting in the late '70 and early '80's. The fans new that the dirty guys were planning to gang up on the good guy. The good guy always came out alone with his chest out and head held high just to get jumped and beaten up by the bad guys. Beat up so bad but not bad enough to keep them from their matches coming up this week, see you at the armory!
We pretty much knew that the wrestlers most likely got together after the matches for a few cold ones. Do you think the politicians do that too? It is all a show "for their fans" and all the grand standing is just for show?
Maybe we'd all be happier if the show didn't cost us so much money. Here's a great "Pay per view" idea. Let's put 5 politicians against "Single Payer" in a cage match with 5 politicians for "Single Payer". Winner takes all, only $49.95!
Then again, maybe we just don't need another scripted match where the good guys are beaten by dirty tricks and incompetent referees (ones so bad they could make the right call even with instant replay).
It is getting hard for me to tell the difference between politics and wrestling. Wrestling is more entertaining and unlike politics, most of the time no one gets hurt.
And now for my second thought.
A word of advice to those newly elected politicians. Just because you are elected it doesn't mean that you can pursue every whack-job idea you have. You represent the people, they elected you to represent them. The fact that the elected you does not mean they are behind every whack-job, crack-pot, insane idea you can come up with.
So, if you are a vegetarian it doesn't mean you should be in hot pursuit of legislation to force everyone to be one too. If you have health care provided to you now and think you deserve it because you are more special than anyone else, you are not, you need to pursue health care for everyone.
Has anyone else noticed this trend?
These nut jobs get into office and all of a sudden everything is about their own personal agenda. They don't have the common courtesy to at least pretend they give a shit about those that put them in office. John Boehner can cry on demand with the best of them but I don't buy it. But he does a better job then Glen Beck's sissy snivel.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Do you watch wrestling or seen ads for the WWE?
I haven't always been one that followed politics. To be honest, I pretty much listened with one ear and voted "my gut" at election time. An interest in politics for me started in the fall of 2008. I was working from home, alone, so I'd have CNN on the tube while I worked. Daytime TV didn't offer a lot so it was CNN or Comedy Central. CNN got tiring to watch because they would be talking about the same stories at 4:00 in the afternoon that they were talking about at 7:30 in the morning. I turned to listening to KIRO radio while I worked. They have different view points and discussed the topics of the day. They were pretty good but not as entertaining as The Daily Show.
I did follow wrestling when I was younger, being in the South and having TBS was very entertaining! I could go on for hours on the plots and sub-plots acted out by skilled and loud-mouthed athletes. This dates me, but most of my favorite wrestlers where close to retirement by the time Hulk Hogan came on the scene. Heck, Jerry "The King" Lawler was just a kid. That guy is still at it though, he is the living version of "The Wrestler!".
OK, back to the point. It seems to me that the WWE is more believable and credible than the stuff coming out of the mouths of the politicians. It's great that they forget themselves and that we live in the day and age of everything having a video camera strapped to it. At first this seemed like an error in their judgment but now I'm not so sure. It seems the whacker their speech is, the livelier the reaction is. Yes, I am specifically talking about Palin and the Tea Party. These folks have there, "Wrestling Rap" done by golly the do. These are the "dirty" wrestlers, they ones that are not shy about sneaking up from behind and whacking the good guys with a chair. With all due respect to Senator McCain, his roll seemed to be similar to "The mouth of the South"!
One thing as sure as death and taxes in the world of wrestling is that sooner or later the favorite "good guy" wrestler is going to go dirty, switch sides, do his best to agitate the crowd. This was one of the best ways to keep the crowds coming.
It seems to me that some of the politicians are doing the "switch" here in Washington State and in DC. The latest match with the extension of the Bush tax-cuts.
What the hell? Obama is all of a sudden in the other corner drawing the other side into the ambush! This was so much like watching professional wresting in the late '70 and early '80's. The fans new that the dirty guys were planning to gang up on the good guy. The good guy always came out alone with his chest out and head held high just to get jumped and beaten up by the bad guys. Beat up so bad but not bad enough to keep them from their matches coming up this week, see you at the armory!
We pretty much knew that the wrestlers most likely got together after the matches for a few cold ones. Do you think the politicians do that too? It is all a show "for their fans" and all the grand standing is just for show?
Maybe we'd all be happier if the show didn't cost us so much money. Here's a great "Pay per view" idea. Let's put 5 politicians against "Single Payer" in a cage match with 5 politicians for "Single Payer". Winner takes all, only $49.95!
Then again, maybe we just don't need another scripted match where the good guys are beaten by dirty tricks and incompetent referees (ones so bad they could make the right call even with instant replay).
It is getting hard for me to tell the difference between politics and wrestling. Wrestling is more entertaining and unlike politics, most of the time no one gets hurt.
And now for my second thought.
A word of advice to those newly elected politicians. Just because you are elected it doesn't mean that you can pursue every whack-job idea you have. You represent the people, they elected you to represent them. The fact that the elected you does not mean they are behind every whack-job, crack-pot, insane idea you can come up with.
So, if you are a vegetarian it doesn't mean you should be in hot pursuit of legislation to force everyone to be one too. If you have health care provided to you now and think you deserve it because you are more special than anyone else, you are not, you need to pursue health care for everyone.
Has anyone else noticed this trend?
These nut jobs get into office and all of a sudden everything is about their own personal agenda. They don't have the common courtesy to at least pretend they give a shit about those that put them in office. John Boehner can cry on demand with the best of them but I don't buy it. But he does a better job then Glen Beck's sissy snivel.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
ALIENS ABDUCT POLITICIANS AND RETURN THEM SCRAMBLED
What the heck happened in DC?
Democrats voting for tax breaks and Republicans voting for increasing deficits. My guess is that this is just a trick similar to "War of the Worlds".
Don't panic, it is all a hoax. Your politicians will be returned to their party lines.
It looks like the Bush tax-cuts will live on at least for the next two years. I think they will live on long past the two year agreement. The rich seem to have a strangle hold on the G.O.P. and for some reason they have brainwashed a lot of the working Americans into supporting their agenda. I guess hoping for scraps to trickle down is a comfort for some.
My vote is to let them expire. I'm not a fan of taking home less money but it is just crazy that the G.O.P. can keep anything from getting done in DC.
In the same news cycle I hear that the Senate approves extending the tax-cuts one minute then I hear that CEO's are getting $144 Billion in bonuses this year. The top 5 banks are reported to have set aside $89.5 Billion in bonuses. The share for the executives is larger because their were larger number of employees laid off. I would think layoffs would be a good indicator whether to give executives a bonus. Basically, if you have to layoff employees to balance the books you do not deserve a bonus. I get that layoffs could happen when companies streamline production. However, good growth should offset the layoffs. Layoffs due to outsourcing are a subject for another post!
This might be a good point to wrap up since I'm starting to piss myself off and that's not good for the blood pressure.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Democrats voting for tax breaks and Republicans voting for increasing deficits. My guess is that this is just a trick similar to "War of the Worlds".
Don't panic, it is all a hoax. Your politicians will be returned to their party lines.
It looks like the Bush tax-cuts will live on at least for the next two years. I think they will live on long past the two year agreement. The rich seem to have a strangle hold on the G.O.P. and for some reason they have brainwashed a lot of the working Americans into supporting their agenda. I guess hoping for scraps to trickle down is a comfort for some.
My vote is to let them expire. I'm not a fan of taking home less money but it is just crazy that the G.O.P. can keep anything from getting done in DC.
In the same news cycle I hear that the Senate approves extending the tax-cuts one minute then I hear that CEO's are getting $144 Billion in bonuses this year. The top 5 banks are reported to have set aside $89.5 Billion in bonuses. The share for the executives is larger because their were larger number of employees laid off. I would think layoffs would be a good indicator whether to give executives a bonus. Basically, if you have to layoff employees to balance the books you do not deserve a bonus. I get that layoffs could happen when companies streamline production. However, good growth should offset the layoffs. Layoffs due to outsourcing are a subject for another post!
This might be a good point to wrap up since I'm starting to piss myself off and that's not good for the blood pressure.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son, send this to all on your buddy list.
There were dozens of titles for the post today. They started coming to mind early this morning and a flood of them came to me after meeting some friends of ours to bowl this morning before church. There were some ideas on integrity and honesty that came to mind when I heard the guys on the radio talking about Mike Singletary. The Hawks are playing the 49ners today so Mike came up in the discussion. The comment was made that perhaps he has too much integrity and is too honest for the NFL. If this is true, I'd like to see him run for office somewhere in this country. We seem to elect folks that understand laws but most of them seem to lack honesty and integrity. It looks like I've abandoned my title already.
OK, why did I use the title I did today?
I decided to check my email before beginning this post. A friend of mine forwarded a cute Christmas story. The story was cute and worth sharing but I wasn't sure of what to make of the last sentence in the email. It is the title of this post, If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son, send this to all on your buddy list.
If I don't forward this does it mean I do not believe in God and Jesus or that I didn't care for the story?
If I do forward this does it mean I do believe in God and Jesus or that I thought the story was cute?
It almost seems like the note ends with pass this on or go to hell.
Do I want to send this my buddy list with the suggestion that they go to hell?
I am sure that my friend that forwarded this to me didn't mean for me to take it this way, at least I like to think so. I am not a big fan of these notes that end with:
That's about it for this subject. The bottom line for me is that I do not think it is fair to do this to our friends and family. If you agree, send this to everyone on your buddy list so they know you respect their feelings. If you do not agree, send this to everyone your buddy list so they know you think they can go to hell if they do not agree with you.
This seems like a good place to end this post and call it good. It ended on a little sarcastic vibe which was fun for me. There really isn't much more to add other than maybe we should forward things we enjoy, like, or feel passionate about after taking a moment to remove thinks like,If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son, send this to all on your buddy list.
That's just my suggestion. If you agree...
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
OK, why did I use the title I did today?
I decided to check my email before beginning this post. A friend of mine forwarded a cute Christmas story. The story was cute and worth sharing but I wasn't sure of what to make of the last sentence in the email. It is the title of this post, If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son, send this to all on your buddy list.
If I don't forward this does it mean I do not believe in God and Jesus or that I didn't care for the story?
If I do forward this does it mean I do believe in God and Jesus or that I thought the story was cute?
It almost seems like the note ends with pass this on or go to hell.
Do I want to send this my buddy list with the suggestion that they go to hell?
I am sure that my friend that forwarded this to me didn't mean for me to take it this way, at least I like to think so. I am not a big fan of these notes that end with:
- Forward this if you love your country
- Forward this if you love God and Jesus
- Forward this to warn all your friends
- Forward this and cc me if you think I am your friend
- Forward this if you want all your wishes to come true
- Forward this if you don't want a rash on your privates
- Forward this, to everyone in your address book
That's about it for this subject. The bottom line for me is that I do not think it is fair to do this to our friends and family. If you agree, send this to everyone on your buddy list so they know you respect their feelings. If you do not agree, send this to everyone your buddy list so they know you think they can go to hell if they do not agree with you.
This seems like a good place to end this post and call it good. It ended on a little sarcastic vibe which was fun for me. There really isn't much more to add other than maybe we should forward things we enjoy, like, or feel passionate about after taking a moment to remove thinks like,If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son, send this to all on your buddy list.
That's just my suggestion. If you agree...
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
It was over before it started
We headed out in the "Pineapple Express" rain storm to get our Christmas tree and the legislature in Olympia was done and heading home before the lights were plugged in. Wow, that's was an amazingly quick session.
Wait a minute, they voted on $588 million when the shortage is $1.1 billion. That seems like solving 1/2 of the problem. It is really less than half of the short fall. They are going to cut another $27 million from the Basic Health Plan. I can't figure out how they plan to reduce the number of those enrolled from the plan other than not offering any new enrollment. The last time the wanted to reduce membership they doubled the premiums.
I must admit that where and how they are coming up with their savings does not seem like a solid foundation. There is a lot of stuff that they are hoping on like more money from the Feds, more revenues, and folks behind on their taxes sending money to Olympia (a pay now and be forgiven plan).
The big surprise is the lack of any more layoff days or pay-cuts. I'll have to wait to hear the "English" version of the new operating budget. And I'll have to wait and hear what $27 million less to Basic Health means to where I work. At this point it just seems like reducing membership but there wasn't any mention of reducing the cost of maintaining the program. Not makes very much sense right now.
More later.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Wait a minute, they voted on $588 million when the shortage is $1.1 billion. That seems like solving 1/2 of the problem. It is really less than half of the short fall. They are going to cut another $27 million from the Basic Health Plan. I can't figure out how they plan to reduce the number of those enrolled from the plan other than not offering any new enrollment. The last time the wanted to reduce membership they doubled the premiums.
I must admit that where and how they are coming up with their savings does not seem like a solid foundation. There is a lot of stuff that they are hoping on like more money from the Feds, more revenues, and folks behind on their taxes sending money to Olympia (a pay now and be forgiven plan).
The big surprise is the lack of any more layoff days or pay-cuts. I'll have to wait to hear the "English" version of the new operating budget. And I'll have to wait and hear what $27 million less to Basic Health means to where I work. At this point it just seems like reducing membership but there wasn't any mention of reducing the cost of maintaining the program. Not makes very much sense right now.
More later.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Starting my New Years Resolution Early
It is actually yesterday (by the time you are reading this). The other title just came to mind so I started this post with the title and this sentence to job my memory for the post tomorrow.
It is actually today now. To be honest, the steam behind "Starting my New Years Resolution Early" had cooled just a bit. It is tempting to log the title ideas but the posts would be a better read if I just talked about what is on my mind at the time instead of serving up left-overs the next day.
The most pressing thought I have today is from the movie "Full Metal Jacket", "It's a huge shit sandwich and we all have to take a bite.".
Great line, but how does this relate to "Starting my New Years Resolution Early"?
First off, these posts will be how I talk normally not edited because they are going to be published. Second, these posts will be completely honest and nothing will be held back. It doesn't make much sense to wait until the new year to remove the filters.
On the national level, the extension of the tax cuts for the wealthy pisses me off. On the local level, reducing the membership in the Basic Health also pisses me off. It is as though everything our government does goes to benefit the rich and take from everyone else.
I don't have the answer or solutions but I know electing folks that just become puppets for the rich and powerful isn't in our best interest. It blows my mind that the rich have so many of the working class convinced to fight for the rich to get richer at their own expense.
The special session in Olympia tomorrow will be the subject of my post tomorrow. Well, if those jack-wagons do something besides pad their pockets and extend the session.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
It is actually today now. To be honest, the steam behind "Starting my New Years Resolution Early" had cooled just a bit. It is tempting to log the title ideas but the posts would be a better read if I just talked about what is on my mind at the time instead of serving up left-overs the next day.
The most pressing thought I have today is from the movie "Full Metal Jacket", "It's a huge shit sandwich and we all have to take a bite.".
Great line, but how does this relate to "Starting my New Years Resolution Early"?
First off, these posts will be how I talk normally not edited because they are going to be published. Second, these posts will be completely honest and nothing will be held back. It doesn't make much sense to wait until the new year to remove the filters.
On the national level, the extension of the tax cuts for the wealthy pisses me off. On the local level, reducing the membership in the Basic Health also pisses me off. It is as though everything our government does goes to benefit the rich and take from everyone else.
I don't have the answer or solutions but I know electing folks that just become puppets for the rich and powerful isn't in our best interest. It blows my mind that the rich have so many of the working class convinced to fight for the rich to get richer at their own expense.
The special session in Olympia tomorrow will be the subject of my post tomorrow. Well, if those jack-wagons do something besides pad their pockets and extend the session.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Effects of Gluttony and Greed
I had another title for this post but once again I failed to write it down and have once again forgotten another title. Titles are important for me because they remind me of my line of thought earlier in the day.
Today's title came to me as I was snacking on some grated cheese after work. I made sure that I left enough for dinner tonight which worked as a good reminder to not polish it off. There have been times in the past when I have over indulged in something and decided to finish it off and hope that it won't be missed. I'm not proud of the times I have done this and can report that most of the time it does not work.
It struck me that just maybe that is what is happening to the wealth in America. Maybe the rich and powerful got into a feeding frenzy on our money and decided to polish it off in hopes it would not be missed. Obviously, they haven't finished it off but we can see more of the container than we can the ice cream. Sorry to switch snack foods in the middle of this post.
On second thought, maybe the rich and powerful have finished it off. It being the balance of our collective money. We still have the potential to earn more wages if we are employed but the country as a whole is in serious debt.
Do we collectively have enough money to be able to pay off our debt if we needed to?
I'm a software developer not an accountant so I can't answer the question. I can just offer my opinion or feeling about the situation. There isn't a warm feeling when I think about the current economic crisis we are in. The report is that the Great Recession has already ended but that isn't the feeling my gut gives me.
My take on letting the Bush tax cuts expire is to keep the lower brackets for $1,000,000 a year and to extend the unemployment benefits. Must of us have seen a reduction in pay already and will see more after the special session taking place on Saturday. My guess is that my pay/benefits have been reduced around 7.5 to 10% so far and there is talk about an addition 2.5 to 6% coming after this weekend (a rumor that the rate is 10% is going around too).
I'm not a big fan of losing money but I am in an odd situation. The pay cut could be slated to keep subsidized health insurance (Basic Health) around longer. This is a good program but it keeps getting whacked more and more every session. I would be OK with losing more money to keep the program around but here are two concerns.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Today's title came to me as I was snacking on some grated cheese after work. I made sure that I left enough for dinner tonight which worked as a good reminder to not polish it off. There have been times in the past when I have over indulged in something and decided to finish it off and hope that it won't be missed. I'm not proud of the times I have done this and can report that most of the time it does not work.
It struck me that just maybe that is what is happening to the wealth in America. Maybe the rich and powerful got into a feeding frenzy on our money and decided to polish it off in hopes it would not be missed. Obviously, they haven't finished it off but we can see more of the container than we can the ice cream. Sorry to switch snack foods in the middle of this post.
On second thought, maybe the rich and powerful have finished it off. It being the balance of our collective money. We still have the potential to earn more wages if we are employed but the country as a whole is in serious debt.
Do we collectively have enough money to be able to pay off our debt if we needed to?
I'm a software developer not an accountant so I can't answer the question. I can just offer my opinion or feeling about the situation. There isn't a warm feeling when I think about the current economic crisis we are in. The report is that the Great Recession has already ended but that isn't the feeling my gut gives me.
My take on letting the Bush tax cuts expire is to keep the lower brackets for $1,000,000 a year and to extend the unemployment benefits. Must of us have seen a reduction in pay already and will see more after the special session taking place on Saturday. My guess is that my pay/benefits have been reduced around 7.5 to 10% so far and there is talk about an addition 2.5 to 6% coming after this weekend (a rumor that the rate is 10% is going around too).
I'm not a big fan of losing money but I am in an odd situation. The pay cut could be slated to keep subsidized health insurance (Basic Health) around longer. This is a good program but it keeps getting whacked more and more every session. I would be OK with losing more money to keep the program around but here are two concerns.
- Will the money taken from me actually go towards Basic Health or the general fund?
- Am I for funding Basic Health because it is a good program or to keep my job?
Past experience has been that once the money gets taken it goes up for grabs in the general fund. I'm not one of the folks that can site all the times this has happened but I believe it has happened and continues to.
The second question is pretty easy to answer. I thought Basic Health was good program when I worked went to work for it in 1996 and still think (what is left of it) is still a good idea. What really bothers me about the reaction around the office has mostly been, "Save our jobs! What about our jobs?!". So much for public service being about dedication to serving the public. Sadly, I think Basic Health has been kept around just as a campaign bullet point. It keeps getting watered down and whacked away at but kept on life support just so some one can say "Look what I've done for you poor person!".
It's all just bullshit isn't it?
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Facebook Facelift
60 minutes had an interview with the kid from Facebook. It was a good interview and the guy seemed alright to me. I haven't seen the movie but I will see it once it makes it to cable. The interview mentioned the "New Layout" coming soon to Facebook so I thought I'd give it a try. It's seems alright to me, not amazingly great, but not bad over all. I had to go out to Facebook to add a comment about it.
OK, the initial switch went pretty good. One of these days I'll have to check out more features available in Facebook. I have two pages set up but don't seem to find the time to keep them updated. There is not much time between getting off work and hitting the sack. Activities have to rotate in and out of the schedule.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
OK, the initial switch went pretty good. One of these days I'll have to check out more features available in Facebook. I have two pages set up but don't seem to find the time to keep them updated. There is not much time between getting off work and hitting the sack. Activities have to rotate in and out of the schedule.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A weekend away from the PC
OK, it wasn't completely free from the PC. There was an eBay item I checked in on for Joanne. We were out when the auction ended but it was fun to check in on it.
For the most part, it was a good break from the PC. There were times when subjects came to mind that I thought would be fun to share but then I thought I'd hold off until today. Monday, it is now Monday and I wish I would have written a few of my thoughts down.
We got together with family over the weekend. Joanne had a class to go to so she missed the Toy Run at lunch time. My folks and I got boxed in at the restaurant so we hung out and watched all the different motorcycles go by. It is a great cause and these folks are great to participate. There were some bikes/trikes/trailer/and sleighs that you can tell folks put a lot of time and effort into.
We got a chance to catch the Banff film festival on Saturday night (Thanks again for the tickets Shannon). The Banff film festival is pretty much about outdoor activities. There are always a wide variety of sports represented. The fishing film was very funny as well as amazing.
Seeing the motorcycles and outdoor activities in December is pretty inspirational. There was snow and sleet at the last Toy Run we watched. That was in 2007, the riders had good weather this year for the run.
Then is was back to work today for another day of "as the budget turns". The good news is that we should know more by next Monday (13th). At this point I think it will be better to know one way or the other. Not knowing is the worst part. I'll add information and how it relates to me as I learn more.
The latest rumor is that Basic Health is soon to become history.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
For the most part, it was a good break from the PC. There were times when subjects came to mind that I thought would be fun to share but then I thought I'd hold off until today. Monday, it is now Monday and I wish I would have written a few of my thoughts down.
We got together with family over the weekend. Joanne had a class to go to so she missed the Toy Run at lunch time. My folks and I got boxed in at the restaurant so we hung out and watched all the different motorcycles go by. It is a great cause and these folks are great to participate. There were some bikes/trikes/trailer/and sleighs that you can tell folks put a lot of time and effort into.
We got a chance to catch the Banff film festival on Saturday night (Thanks again for the tickets Shannon). The Banff film festival is pretty much about outdoor activities. There are always a wide variety of sports represented. The fishing film was very funny as well as amazing.
Seeing the motorcycles and outdoor activities in December is pretty inspirational. There was snow and sleet at the last Toy Run we watched. That was in 2007, the riders had good weather this year for the run.
Then is was back to work today for another day of "as the budget turns". The good news is that we should know more by next Monday (13th). At this point I think it will be better to know one way or the other. Not knowing is the worst part. I'll add information and how it relates to me as I learn more.
The latest rumor is that Basic Health is soon to become history.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Good stewards of Public money?
Today was day two of "Budget Slashing in the News" and it got me to thinking about how good we (state employees) have been with the public dollar. It's our dollar too but I'll grant that the majority is from non state employees, the private sector.
It will be easier to start backwards, with the current state agency that I work for. The legislators are proposing cutting the Basic Health plan because it will save $33 million. The sad thing is, we spent around $50 million on a project to replace the eligibility system and never finished the project. I'm not saying we failed, we were told that there wasn't enough money to complete the project. OUCH!
Did the system need replaced?
No, it was fine and is still in place today. Here's what happened. The executive management would tell the legislature that we could complete any of their requests because the system (PAY1) was too old and inflexible. Every response was, "The system was built 30 years ago and all the developers died 10 years ago.". OK, I made up the part about the developers. The system is alive and well and is one of the most stable systems in Washington State because it is a mainframe system. Big Iron old Blue IBM ASCII kicking day in and day out!
Here's where management went wrong. I'll say management because it was not the Information Technology (IT) folks that perpetuated the lie. The economy was strong and state agencies, the Health Care Authority included, was pissing through money like it was a 30 pack of Busch beer. They bought new everything, new overhead projectors, new flat screen TVs, new software, new, new, and more new everything.
Each time a request would come in, it was exaggerated and justified by adding "the system is 30 years old and guarded by evil trolls", or something like that.
I was asked to give estimates for legislative request and always given the "wink wink" which was code for, price it out of this world. It was fun to give an actual and honest estimate just to see the reaction from management. Thinking back on it, this could have been where I fell from grace. If I thought it would take 40 hours, 40 hours was my estimate. I would not budge and turn the estimate into 400 hours.
This post has caused me to answer my own question. No, we have not been good stewards of the public's money. That's my honest answer.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
It will be easier to start backwards, with the current state agency that I work for. The legislators are proposing cutting the Basic Health plan because it will save $33 million. The sad thing is, we spent around $50 million on a project to replace the eligibility system and never finished the project. I'm not saying we failed, we were told that there wasn't enough money to complete the project. OUCH!
Did the system need replaced?
No, it was fine and is still in place today. Here's what happened. The executive management would tell the legislature that we could complete any of their requests because the system (PAY1) was too old and inflexible. Every response was, "The system was built 30 years ago and all the developers died 10 years ago.". OK, I made up the part about the developers. The system is alive and well and is one of the most stable systems in Washington State because it is a mainframe system. Big Iron old Blue IBM ASCII kicking day in and day out!
Here's where management went wrong. I'll say management because it was not the Information Technology (IT) folks that perpetuated the lie. The economy was strong and state agencies, the Health Care Authority included, was pissing through money like it was a 30 pack of Busch beer. They bought new everything, new overhead projectors, new flat screen TVs, new software, new, new, and more new everything.
Each time a request would come in, it was exaggerated and justified by adding "the system is 30 years old and guarded by evil trolls", or something like that.
I was asked to give estimates for legislative request and always given the "wink wink" which was code for, price it out of this world. It was fun to give an actual and honest estimate just to see the reaction from management. Thinking back on it, this could have been where I fell from grace. If I thought it would take 40 hours, 40 hours was my estimate. I would not budge and turn the estimate into 400 hours.
This post has caused me to answer my own question. No, we have not been good stewards of the public's money. That's my honest answer.
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tax increase of 3% or 4.6%
The news about the House passing the tax break for the middle class but not for those making over $200,000 is being posted around the web. It is hard to believe that the big uproar is over 33% going back to 36% and 35% going back up to 39.6%. This is on taxable income we are talking about.
I think I should have been more outraged when they cut my gross income 5%. There is now talk about taking another 2.5% of my gross to fund the "Basic Health Plan" (BHP). So here I am, already down 5% gross and the GOP thinks I should be behind keeping the wealthiest from paying an additional 4.6% of their taxable income. No sleep is going to be lost for those folks.
Now, about this new pay cut to fund BHP. Here's the interesting pickle I am in. If I do not support the pay cut of 2.5% I could be facing a pay cut of 100%. The 2.5% cut in pay is in addition to the higher premiums and co-pays in 2010 plus even higher premiums and co-pays in 2011.
The bottom line is that I won't have much of a say on whether I lose the 2.5% or my job. It is up to the folks in Olympia to figure that out.
One thing is sure, the cost to run processing for BHP is getting cheaper since we keep covering fewer and fewer members. Part of my job has been to focus on being a good steward of public money but I try to do that by keeping processing costs down not processing less members.
Today is the second day of December and that means there are 10 more days to wait out to see if we'll know the fate of BHP one way or the other. I can't help but think "why bother" if we keep covering fewer and fewer member. The Washington Health programs seems to be a flop too (you can't sell more expensive coverage to folks that can barely afford the lowest rate coverage).
More later...
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
I think I should have been more outraged when they cut my gross income 5%. There is now talk about taking another 2.5% of my gross to fund the "Basic Health Plan" (BHP). So here I am, already down 5% gross and the GOP thinks I should be behind keeping the wealthiest from paying an additional 4.6% of their taxable income. No sleep is going to be lost for those folks.
Now, about this new pay cut to fund BHP. Here's the interesting pickle I am in. If I do not support the pay cut of 2.5% I could be facing a pay cut of 100%. The 2.5% cut in pay is in addition to the higher premiums and co-pays in 2010 plus even higher premiums and co-pays in 2011.
The bottom line is that I won't have much of a say on whether I lose the 2.5% or my job. It is up to the folks in Olympia to figure that out.
One thing is sure, the cost to run processing for BHP is getting cheaper since we keep covering fewer and fewer members. Part of my job has been to focus on being a good steward of public money but I try to do that by keeping processing costs down not processing less members.
Today is the second day of December and that means there are 10 more days to wait out to see if we'll know the fate of BHP one way or the other. I can't help but think "why bother" if we keep covering fewer and fewer member. The Washington Health programs seems to be a flop too (you can't sell more expensive coverage to folks that can barely afford the lowest rate coverage).
More later...
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Passing skills to the next generation
Imagine a seasoned blacksmith bringing along a young apprentice. His days are numbered so he his passing knowledge and years of experience to the next generation. Now picture “the last blacksmith”. His days are numbered but he doesn’t have anyone to pass his knowledge and years of experience to. The coals will go out forever once he stops stoking the fire.
This is the feeling that passes over me as a mainframe programmer. It appears that layoffs are looming in the weeks to come. There is no young or new developer to pass my skill and knowledge to. No one has come to me seeking knowledge on JCL, Natural/ADABAS, or any of the tools used on IBM z/OS.
The next thing I ask myself is, “So what?”.
The blacksmith went away but iron/metal working is still around. “Dude, ditch the anvil and get a torch!” The same applies to me. “Dude, ditch the 3270 emulator and get a host!”.
This was a decision I made over 11 years ago. I was ready to become a “web master” back before all the click and drag editors came out. The need for mainframe developers kept me busy. Except for personal use and a few stints as a web developer here and there, it’s been all EBCDIC, not ASCII. Throw in some MS ACCESS, SQLServer, MySQL, and Oracle here and there and that’s been pretty much my career.
It’s time for me to learn the lesson of the blacksmith and get some new skills. I don’t have a spare IBM390 laying around so I’ll stick with Brinkster (my favorite hosting service!).
Take a minute to visit Old iSkool and The Goal Farm too!
I am sticking with this hands-free data-entry device and still would like someone to volunteer to edit this blog. I'm doing the best I can but it's hard to catch my mistakes and all the times the software doesn't understand me.
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