I turn 37 years old today. For the first time that I can remember I actually feel older on my birthday. This could have something to do with the fact that I'm completely out of shape, and have a little extra baggage around the middle.
I've never really made a big deal out of my birthday. I don't feel a lot of anticipation over receiving gifts. That's mainly because I've reached a point in my life where, when I want something, I just go buy it. This upsets my wife a bit, since it makes me impossible to shop for.
This weekend I was able to spend some time with good friends. That has made me reflect on my life a bit. I realize the person I am today has a lot to do with the friends I've chosen. I'm lucky to have found friends that share common interests and values. As I remember high school, there's barely a fond (and sometimes, not so fond) memory that doesn't involve one or more of my very close friends. Ryan, Adam, and Joey. You will not find 3 more amazing men on Earth. For over 20 years, we've been through thick and thin. Although we've got jobs, family, and countless other distractions, I find joy in knowing that any of them would have my back if I need it. Joey recently moved to Idaho, and I don't get to see him often. But I cherish the 6 Saturdays between August and November that I get to see him. Adam and I are, geographically, the closest. But between my hectic travel schedule and our mutually busy work and family lives, the occasional lunch is all we manage to squeeze in. Ryan, I still see a couple of times a month. We were roommates in college and stay extremely close to this day. I hope it goes unsaid, but if they're reading this, I would like them to know that I would do anything for them. I love you guys!
I've also been fortunate to work for some companies that employee exceptional people. Although not as close as those listed above, I've made some great friends in the last 10 years at work. Even when things at work aren't going well, great colleagues and friends, make working through those challenges a little less painful.
To all my friends out there, thanks for being my friend! I really appreciate each and every one of you.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Random Thoughts: Entertainment Edition
Man Shoots TV After Watching Bristol Palin's 'DWTS' Run
You're kidding me right? This is what it's come to? I've never watched even 30 seconds of Dancing With The Stars. But from what I've read and heard, Bristol Palin's performance has been less than inspiring and she's made it into the finals based on popularity, rather than skill. I watch some reality TV, but nothing that involves the nation voting. Has Sanjaya taught us nothing?
But back to the nut with the itchy trigger finger. The article above mentions the man's problem with the Palin family. Why is this family, and to a much larger degree, Sarah Palin, such a polarizing figure? The right absolutely gushes over her and the left takes pot shots at her at every possible opportunity. I'm kind of 'meh' when it comes Sarah. I don't really get the love\hate affair. I'm a conservative, and can think of half a dozen people I'd vote for before Sarah Palin for President. As far as the left goes, why can't you just leave this poor woman and her family alone? I know she's put the spot light on herself a bit (see her new TLC show, which I won't be watching), but really? Doesn't Tina Fey have anything more provocative to talk about than Sarah Palin? Now there's this 'Dancing With The Stars' thing and this dude shooting his TV. And apparently his reasoning: The Palins made me do it!
Give me a break!
Eva Longoria Speaks Out About Divorce
Tony Parker cheated on Eva Longoria. What? Let me repeat. Tony Parker cheated on Eva Longoria.
I don't get Professional Athletes. It's not the sleeping around I don't get. These guys have women throwing themselves at their feet at every stop, and guys being guys, they do what they do. I've never been in that situation personally, but I can understand that. Here's what I don't get: Why get married???
That's all I've got to say about that.
You're kidding me right? This is what it's come to? I've never watched even 30 seconds of Dancing With The Stars. But from what I've read and heard, Bristol Palin's performance has been less than inspiring and she's made it into the finals based on popularity, rather than skill. I watch some reality TV, but nothing that involves the nation voting. Has Sanjaya taught us nothing?
But back to the nut with the itchy trigger finger. The article above mentions the man's problem with the Palin family. Why is this family, and to a much larger degree, Sarah Palin, such a polarizing figure? The right absolutely gushes over her and the left takes pot shots at her at every possible opportunity. I'm kind of 'meh' when it comes Sarah. I don't really get the love\hate affair. I'm a conservative, and can think of half a dozen people I'd vote for before Sarah Palin for President. As far as the left goes, why can't you just leave this poor woman and her family alone? I know she's put the spot light on herself a bit (see her new TLC show, which I won't be watching), but really? Doesn't Tina Fey have anything more provocative to talk about than Sarah Palin? Now there's this 'Dancing With The Stars' thing and this dude shooting his TV. And apparently his reasoning: The Palins made me do it!
Give me a break!
Eva Longoria Speaks Out About Divorce
Tony Parker cheated on Eva Longoria. What? Let me repeat. Tony Parker cheated on Eva Longoria.
I don't get Professional Athletes. It's not the sleeping around I don't get. These guys have women throwing themselves at their feet at every stop, and guys being guys, they do what they do. I've never been in that situation personally, but I can understand that. Here's what I don't get: Why get married???
That's all I've got to say about that.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Movie Review: RED
RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous), starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren, is about retired CIA agent, Frank Moses (Willis), who finds himself the target of government assassins, while he attempts to find a normal life post-CIA. I enjoyed this movie. The special effects and stunts were over the top, but that's exactly what you want in a movie like this. In one especially inplausible stunt, Bruce Willis exits the front seat of a spinning car, takes two steps to avoid being taken out by the back end of the car to shoot at a pursuer. Completely awesome!
The best character in the movie, however, is Marvin, played by John Malkovich. Moses seeks Marvin's help when he discovers that they are both on a list of ex-CIA agents to be taken out. Marvin had experiments conducted upon him while in the CIA and as a result, he is ultra paranoid that everyone is out to kill him. He avoids, cell phones, satellites, computers and anything else that might allow "Big Brother" to find him. He's completely unstable, and completely hilarious. He wants to shoot first and ask questions later.
Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren are recruited as well. They go in search of who's out to kill Frank and Marvin. I give this movie 3 out 4 stars. It was action packed, and funny (most of the laughs provided by Malkovich). No academy awards here, but I had a good time. That's the number one barometer for me. If you like spy mysteries with lots of action, explosions and cheesy one-liners, you'll likely enjoy this movie too.
The best character in the movie, however, is Marvin, played by John Malkovich. Moses seeks Marvin's help when he discovers that they are both on a list of ex-CIA agents to be taken out. Marvin had experiments conducted upon him while in the CIA and as a result, he is ultra paranoid that everyone is out to kill him. He avoids, cell phones, satellites, computers and anything else that might allow "Big Brother" to find him. He's completely unstable, and completely hilarious. He wants to shoot first and ask questions later.
Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren are recruited as well. They go in search of who's out to kill Frank and Marvin. I give this movie 3 out 4 stars. It was action packed, and funny (most of the laughs provided by Malkovich). No academy awards here, but I had a good time. That's the number one barometer for me. If you like spy mysteries with lots of action, explosions and cheesy one-liners, you'll likely enjoy this movie too.
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Post Office: Government Red Tape at its worst
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101112/ap_on_bi_ge/us_postal_finances
The USPS just reported that it lost 8.5 billion dollars last year. People don't use the Post Office as much as the used to. There's no doubt that E-mail, Electronic Bill Pay and many services on the Internet have decreased the Post Office's market share. I feel bad for those that in management at the Post Office. They're in a tough spot. From what I've read they have come up with strategies for making the Post Office viable. The problem is that the Post Office is beholden to Congress. Can you think of anything more inefficient? In an article from Yahoo News:
There are dozens of Post Office locations all across the country that serve small communities. These locations are major money losers, because they don't generate enough revenue to cover the overhead. But every time someone recommends that they roll these smaller offices into larger ones that may be farther away, but still close enough to provide service, some calls their Congressman and begs and pleads to keep their Post Office open. The Congressman then fights for his constituent's dinky little, money losing Post Office, because he wants these people to vote for him in 2 years.
For those who like to criticize us "small government" proponents, it's inefficiencies like these that we oppose. Is that really so unreasonable? The current administration seems to think that inserting the government into a myriad of services will make everything better. If the Post Office, Medicare, and a host of existing government programs that are as equally inefficient haven't convinced you that Big Government is not the solution, then I don't know what will.
The software company I work for recently landed the FDA as a customer. I'm involved is some other accounts and haven't really been involved with the FDA. My next door cubicle colleague works with them extensively, however, and from what he tells me, it's worse that you can imagine. Even those who work for the FDA realize that most of their processes are inefficient, but they are powerless to make any changes, since that takes an act of Congress.
The Post Office won't ever be profitable until Congress allows the people in charge to run it like any other business.
The USPS just reported that it lost 8.5 billion dollars last year. People don't use the Post Office as much as the used to. There's no doubt that E-mail, Electronic Bill Pay and many services on the Internet have decreased the Post Office's market share. I feel bad for those that in management at the Post Office. They're in a tough spot. From what I've read they have come up with strategies for making the Post Office viable. The problem is that the Post Office is beholden to Congress. Can you think of anything more inefficient? In an article from Yahoo News:
"For the Postal Service to improve its financial situation, the government must let the USPS manage its financial affairs in the most effective manner possible, like any other business," he said. "Essential to that process would be for Congress to fix an onerous congressional mandate from 2006, which obligates the Postal Service to make annual payments of $5.5 billion to pre-fund future retiree health benefits. No other institution in America, public or private, has to do this."
There are dozens of Post Office locations all across the country that serve small communities. These locations are major money losers, because they don't generate enough revenue to cover the overhead. But every time someone recommends that they roll these smaller offices into larger ones that may be farther away, but still close enough to provide service, some calls their Congressman and begs and pleads to keep their Post Office open. The Congressman then fights for his constituent's dinky little, money losing Post Office, because he wants these people to vote for him in 2 years.
For those who like to criticize us "small government" proponents, it's inefficiencies like these that we oppose. Is that really so unreasonable? The current administration seems to think that inserting the government into a myriad of services will make everything better. If the Post Office, Medicare, and a host of existing government programs that are as equally inefficient haven't convinced you that Big Government is not the solution, then I don't know what will.
The software company I work for recently landed the FDA as a customer. I'm involved is some other accounts and haven't really been involved with the FDA. My next door cubicle colleague works with them extensively, however, and from what he tells me, it's worse that you can imagine. Even those who work for the FDA realize that most of their processes are inefficient, but they are powerless to make any changes, since that takes an act of Congress.
The Post Office won't ever be profitable until Congress allows the people in charge to run it like any other business.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Everybody does it?
I'm not really surprised that cheaters were discovered. But the amount of those who cheated is a little shocking. Watch the video and pay special attention to the second student's assessment of the situation. If these are the future business leaders in our country, then the current economic crisis is the least of our worries.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/business-15749628/22961197#video=22954742
http://news.yahoo.com/video/business-15749628/22961197#video=22954742
Monday, November 8, 2010
My First Post
Welcome to my blog. I've resisted creating one of these for a while now, using Facebook as my outlet for ranting and raving about various topics. I think my opinions and my fervor for defending my position to the death is starting to annoy some people. So I figured this is the best way to vent, but not display it to everyone I know. I will link my posts from time to time and let people choose to view it or not. This should keep me from being un-friended, I hope.
This weekend I started a bit of a childish argument about in state football rivals. I'm a lifelong fan of BYU. I never personally attended BYU, but my dad and stepdad graduated from there and my uncle is a former All American who played for them. The University of Utah is our rival, and to say that we just plain don't like each other is an understatement of the first order. I said some rather disparaging things about their football team this weekend, mainly, that I hoped they got crushed by TCU. I have many FB friends who are Ute fans, and they didn't take kindly to my comments. My ribbing was good natured for the most part, but the whole thing kind of highlighted how serious we humans take silly things like sports. I'm certainly not guiltless here. I've committed countless childish acts in the name of fandom, but after this weekend, maybe I need to re-evaluate.
This weekend I started a bit of a childish argument about in state football rivals. I'm a lifelong fan of BYU. I never personally attended BYU, but my dad and stepdad graduated from there and my uncle is a former All American who played for them. The University of Utah is our rival, and to say that we just plain don't like each other is an understatement of the first order. I said some rather disparaging things about their football team this weekend, mainly, that I hoped they got crushed by TCU. I have many FB friends who are Ute fans, and they didn't take kindly to my comments. My ribbing was good natured for the most part, but the whole thing kind of highlighted how serious we humans take silly things like sports. I'm certainly not guiltless here. I've committed countless childish acts in the name of fandom, but after this weekend, maybe I need to re-evaluate.
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