I am missing the Mountain Biking, despite prior injuries!
November 11, 2008
October 14, 2008
Not Letterman, Not Leno, but Craig R. Smith
The snopes article points out that the orignial form of this text came from Mr. Smith, but because of a joke by Jay Leno used with the thousands of email forwards, the entire essay was mistakenly attributed to him. Who knows how Letterman's name got attached to it, probably because most American's can't tell the difference...anyway, what is was written by Craig Smith and passed along so many times is still poignant. He should be given credit.
often see...
' As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.
'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last
year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present
identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and
use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun
and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet
has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.
The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' ' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?
Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way o r a another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!
Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we
sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
David Letterman, er, Craig R. Smith
often see...
' As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.
'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last
year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present
identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and
use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun
and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet
has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.
The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' ' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?
Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way o r a another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!
Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we
sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
David Letterman, er, Craig R. Smith
October 08, 2008
Jeeze, now its fast!
Now IMified is working really fast! I wonder if it read one of my microblog posts about how slow it is. I was about to stop using it alltogether. Now I might give it a go.
Test Post
This is a test blog post from IMified. I entered this text into a chat bot, and the chat bot sent it on to blogger.com for me. Pretty cool, if it works.
August 22, 2008
Two party communication...
My dad used to get annoyed at Sportscasters and Analysts that would say things like "Boy the Twin's pitching was really bad today." He probably still does to a certain extent, but I think I have taken it to the next level, as I will show in a minute here with a work analogy. He used to say "Do you suppose the other team's HITTERS had anything to do with the outcome, or should we JUST blame the pitching staff?" Even as a kid, this made sense to me. Both parties had something to do with it. Same thing holds true in communication. I actually heard someone say this today...
"I wish someone would explain this correctly."
Since I have the ability to instantly translate what people say into what they actually mean, I will share said translation of the above with you now.
"I don't get it. Can you try explaining it to me in a different way?"
I explain things the best I can, and I have had communications classes from high school, college and the military. I was a Toastmaster, I know how to tailor a message to the audience. I am not saying I am perfect, but what I am saying is this:
"If you don't get it, try to at least entertain the notion that it might be YOU, and not just your perception that I am incapable of the 'correct' explanation."
I'm just sayin...
Update: Dad read it and we should probably credit to the guys he first heard it from.
"I wish someone would explain this correctly."
Since I have the ability to instantly translate what people say into what they actually mean, I will share said translation of the above with you now.
"I don't get it. Can you try explaining it to me in a different way?"
I explain things the best I can, and I have had communications classes from high school, college and the military. I was a Toastmaster, I know how to tailor a message to the audience. I am not saying I am perfect, but what I am saying is this:
"If you don't get it, try to at least entertain the notion that it might be YOU, and not just your perception that I am incapable of the 'correct' explanation."
I'm just sayin...
Update: Dad read it and we should probably credit to the guys he first heard it from.
I first heard that thought on Monday night football, prolly more than thirty years ago--Dan Dierdoof said it to Howard Cosell when Howard had carried on for three quarters on how badly X team was playing. "Howard, you don't think those other guys may possibly have something to do with that?"
June 10, 2008
My once a month
A young man found himself talking to God.
He asked God how long a million years was to Him. God replied, "A million years to me is just like a single second in your time."
Then the young man asked God what a million dollars was to Him. God replied, "A million dollars to me is just like a single penny to you."
Then the young man got his courage up and asked: "God, could I have one of your pennies?" God smiled and replied, "Certainly, just a second."
He asked God how long a million years was to Him. God replied, "A million years to me is just like a single second in your time."
Then the young man asked God what a million dollars was to Him. God replied, "A million dollars to me is just like a single penny to you."
Then the young man got his courage up and asked: "God, could I have one of your pennies?" God smiled and replied, "Certainly, just a second."
May 22, 2008
No theories left...
Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories. - John Wilmot
Ok, I didn't have that many theories, and I don't have that many kids, but you get the idea.
Ok, I didn't have that many theories, and I don't have that many kids, but you get the idea.
May 19, 2008
Seth's Blog: The new standard for meetings and conferences
Here's a post from Seth that really, really makes a lot of sense to me.
I come in to my office 5 days a week and some days talk to no one.
Not only is there no face to face interaction, sometimes my emails and voicemails go
completely unanswered until after I have left for the day or even into the next day(s).
Why couldn't I sit at Starbuck's or Caribou and crank out code? I could be anywhere for that
matter, since I HAVE an internet card that works anywhere there is a cell phone signal.
Something to seriously think about.
I come in to my office 5 days a week and some days talk to no one.
Not only is there no face to face interaction, sometimes my emails and voicemails go
completely unanswered until after I have left for the day or even into the next day(s).
Why couldn't I sit at Starbuck's or Caribou and crank out code? I could be anywhere for that
matter, since I HAVE an internet card that works anywhere there is a cell phone signal.
Something to seriously think about.
March 13, 2008
Michael Yon : Online Magazine » Blog Archive » Joe Galloway 12 March 2008
Michael Yon : Online Magazine » Blog Archive » Joe Galloway 12 March 2008
Everyone should read this guy's blog. Seriously.
Everyone should read this guy's blog. Seriously.
January 29, 2008
Belize! Sweet Belize!
The second sentence on the Wikipedia page for Belize says:
I wonder how long before the United States will need to have their Wikipedia page updated with similar language describing the sections, and I mean "sections" of the U.S. where English is the primary language. Also note I said "primary" not official. How is it that Belize can be "officially English speaking" but the U.S., or better yet, her individual States, can not?
It is the only officially English speaking country in the region.
I wonder how long before the United States will need to have their Wikipedia page updated with similar language describing the sections, and I mean "sections" of the U.S. where English is the primary language. Also note I said "primary" not official. How is it that Belize can be "officially English speaking" but the U.S., or better yet, her individual States, can not?
January 24, 2008
How did THIS happen?
I have never been at this crossroads before, in any job I have ever had. Not only am I not qualified for my bosses job, I wouldn't want it if I was. And to add to that particular insult, I am approaching the idea of not even wanting the promotion that I just got. I am seriously considering asking for my old title and salary back. If my current boss is just going to keep doing things the way they were before I got promoted, I can't feel good about being paid for something he is doing. If he wants to martyr himself and be the overworked one, I guess I can't say much.
January 21, 2008
Which is it now?
A couple of months ago, as I waited for my promotion and raise to kick in after the first of the year, I was struck with two different streams in my consciousness...
The first one was "Wow, I am being given the opportunity to lead change and make a difference in this department, heck, in this company."
The second one was "Wow, that's a decent raise, and the whole management by objective thing sounds pretty cool, I can't wait to learn more about that."
As I sit here now, after the first of the year obviously, and ponder the weight of both of those thoughts it becomes clear to me. It’s all about the extra $50 in the paycheck. That’s all that really changed. Oh, and I get new business cards. Someday.
The first one was "Wow, I am being given the opportunity to lead change and make a difference in this department, heck, in this company."
The second one was "Wow, that's a decent raise, and the whole management by objective thing sounds pretty cool, I can't wait to learn more about that."
As I sit here now, after the first of the year obviously, and ponder the weight of both of those thoughts it becomes clear to me. It’s all about the extra $50 in the paycheck. That’s all that really changed. Oh, and I get new business cards. Someday.
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