Actually, an IT Project Manager is looking for a new position. My current contract expires at the end of the fiscal year (September 30th, 2010) and I would like to keep feeding my family.
Serious inquiries only...
As for the title above, visit Marcus Buckingham's website of the same name. There is some seriously good stuff there about discovering, and working in, your strengths. If you are in need of some personal development, that is not a bad place to begin. :)
Pax,
Newbius
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
U.S. Currency Question
Of the paper currency currently in circulation, three denominations have portraits on their face of people who were not presidents.
Can you name the denominations and the people in question?
Pax,
Newbius
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Quote of the Day-Straw Man Edition
Calling it like he sees it, and laying out the truth that exposes the lies inherent in what passes as public discourse today:
"It seems that for so many on the left (and indeed some on the fringes of the right), they see politics as an exercise in venting their spleen. They define an adversary as worthy of opprobrium based not on his own beliefs and qualities, but those they project onto him."B. Daniel Blatt at GayPatriot
Pax,
Newbius
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Patriot's Day Rallies
Yesterday, two rallies were held advocating the preservation of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to a personal matter.
However, reading through all of the news coverage of the events, one thing is very clear to me. Namely, the law-abiding gun-owner is just that. Law-abiding.
If you listen just to the smear merchants and bed wetters, you would get the impression that we are foaming-at-the-mouth Neanderthals itching for a fight with Big.Gov. The truth is, even though the rhetoric can get heated at times, at no point was anybody threatened, harmed, or killed. No violence was advocated. No violence was experienced.
Unlike the protests that the Left conducts (like the G-20 summits recently), there was exhibited a respect for the law and an adherence to the principles of decency that define our Nation for the most part.
Yes, gun owners and advocates got together to protest. One protest was armed and another was not. The difference? The Law.
In Virginia, it is legal to bear arms. In DC, it is not. Even though I believe that the law in DC is unconstitutional, the protesters still obeyed it because we are law-abiding even in our advocacy.
The Progressive Left in America wishes to force a Socialist vision of government-mandated Utopian equality onto the rest of us. We in the Libertarian Right oppose this. Until the day comes where the choice is forced, "obey or die" (implied if the threatened response is arrest and jail time), we will continue to advocate using peaceful means.
Even when displaying our arms in protest, we are obeying the law. We are just trying to bring the Law into alignment with the founding principles of Liberty. Peacefully, if possible.
Pax,
Newbius
However, reading through all of the news coverage of the events, one thing is very clear to me. Namely, the law-abiding gun-owner is just that. Law-abiding.
If you listen just to the smear merchants and bed wetters, you would get the impression that we are foaming-at-the-mouth Neanderthals itching for a fight with Big.Gov. The truth is, even though the rhetoric can get heated at times, at no point was anybody threatened, harmed, or killed. No violence was advocated. No violence was experienced.
Unlike the protests that the Left conducts (like the G-20 summits recently), there was exhibited a respect for the law and an adherence to the principles of decency that define our Nation for the most part.
Yes, gun owners and advocates got together to protest. One protest was armed and another was not. The difference? The Law.
In Virginia, it is legal to bear arms. In DC, it is not. Even though I believe that the law in DC is unconstitutional, the protesters still obeyed it because we are law-abiding even in our advocacy.
The Progressive Left in America wishes to force a Socialist vision of government-mandated Utopian equality onto the rest of us. We in the Libertarian Right oppose this. Until the day comes where the choice is forced, "obey or die" (implied if the threatened response is arrest and jail time), we will continue to advocate using peaceful means.
Even when displaying our arms in protest, we are obeying the law. We are just trying to bring the Law into alignment with the founding principles of Liberty. Peacefully, if possible.
Pax,
Newbius
Monday, April 19, 2010
We Vainly Wrestle
We vainly wrestle with the blind belief
That aught we cherish
Can ever quite pass out of utter grief
And wholly perish
-Robert Frost
From the book "In The Clearing", 1962
Nothing you ever loved truly leaves you.
Pax,
Newbius
Circular reasoning
Birther Alert!
< snark >
If Obama signs the amnesty legislation, does he then become a "Natural-Born Citizen"?
< /snark >
Someone please clarify for me why a 14th Amendment Citizen is different than a Natural Born Citizen. I believe that I know the answer, and I am not sure that the rest of the country does. It is too bad that the people in charge of curricula nationally no longer think it important to teach Civics the old fashioned way, with emphasis on the Constitution.
The comments section is now open...
< snark >
If Obama signs the amnesty legislation, does he then become a "Natural-Born Citizen"?
< /snark >
Someone please clarify for me why a 14th Amendment Citizen is different than a Natural Born Citizen. I believe that I know the answer, and I am not sure that the rest of the country does. It is too bad that the people in charge of curricula nationally no longer think it important to teach Civics the old fashioned way, with emphasis on the Constitution.
The comments section is now open...
The Dog
Some of you who know me personally are aware of my general dislike for the disgusting antics of my beagle. I have kidded often about how she is "free-to-good-home" if someone would take her. However, even though she can be a right-royal pain a lot of the time, she IS my dog and is true and loyal as only a hound can be.
She has been a member of the family for over 14 years. And, she is dying.
We go to the vet at 10:00 this morning. I expect that by this afternoon she will be gone.
UPDATE: Blood work 6 months ago showed she was normal. A week ago she appeared healthy and, up until 2 days ago, had good appetite. Today, X-rays showed advanced lung cancer. It is over now. R.I.P Chloe.
She will be missed.
Pax,
Newbius
She has been a member of the family for over 14 years. And, she is dying.
We go to the vet at 10:00 this morning. I expect that by this afternoon she will be gone.
UPDATE: Blood work 6 months ago showed she was normal. A week ago she appeared healthy and, up until 2 days ago, had good appetite. Today, X-rays showed advanced lung cancer. It is over now. R.I.P Chloe.
She will be missed.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Bargain Hunting
I like bargains. They are a great way to stretch your resources. They are especially nice when the things you need to buy are horribly expensive to begin with...like auto parts.
A couple of years ago, MiddleChild (Happy Birthday!) backed the truck into the car that the kids use, a '97 Accord Sedan. Being that we bought the Honda well-used already and it already came with a few dings, I thought nothing of the dent in the trunk's trim panel.
Silly me.
MrsNewbius started taking a serious dislike to the dent once it started rusting a little. And, she was not quiet about it. It even made the "Honey-Do" list of things she WANTS DONE.
Soooooo.....I started looking for the part. New and unfinished, it is ~$229. Used, from an online parts recycler, $100 to $200 depending on condition and no guarantees on color.
Local shops and parts houses don't carry cars that old any more.
{SIGH}
By chance, a local mom-and-pop shop directed me to a place nearby that doesn't really advertise. A "pick-your-part" junkyard back in the hills. The kind of place where the "roach coach" has a line, the dog has scars, and the forklift driver has a record. A long record.
So I head on up, not expecting much but willing to get dirty in an effort to save a buck or two.
Or two hundred.
:)
They had the same year car. The exact model. The exact color. And the trim panel was nearly pristine.
Net cost, including the entry fee? $12.00
I love a bargain.
Pax,
Newbius
A couple of years ago, MiddleChild (Happy Birthday!) backed the truck into the car that the kids use, a '97 Accord Sedan. Being that we bought the Honda well-used already and it already came with a few dings, I thought nothing of the dent in the trunk's trim panel.
Silly me.
MrsNewbius started taking a serious dislike to the dent once it started rusting a little. And, she was not quiet about it. It even made the "Honey-Do" list of things she WANTS DONE.
Soooooo.....I started looking for the part. New and unfinished, it is ~$229. Used, from an online parts recycler, $100 to $200 depending on condition and no guarantees on color.
Local shops and parts houses don't carry cars that old any more.
{SIGH}
By chance, a local mom-and-pop shop directed me to a place nearby that doesn't really advertise. A "pick-your-part" junkyard back in the hills. The kind of place where the "roach coach" has a line, the dog has scars, and the forklift driver has a record. A long record.
So I head on up, not expecting much but willing to get dirty in an effort to save a buck or two.
Or two hundred.
:)
They had the same year car. The exact model. The exact color. And the trim panel was nearly pristine.
Net cost, including the entry fee? $12.00
I love a bargain.
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, April 16, 2010
RTFM, and the RULES
Yep. The consequences of failing to RTFM, and of violating the Four Rules, are usually injuries at the very least.
Funny thing, the Four Rules of Gun Handling work equally well for other things with triggers, too. Like gas-engined pressure washers.
I've read the manual. I noted where it said DO NOT CROSS THE STREAM, or something like that. Don't use it to take a shower, don't stick your xxxx into the blast. Really, I did.
Violate more than two of these at once, and you will do some damage. The good news is that the skin will eventually grow back and the finger still works.
Plus, the "Hello Kitty" bandage is kinda cute. :)
RTFM. Obey the Four Rules. Word.
Pax,
Newbius
Funny thing, the Four Rules of Gun Handling work equally well for other things with triggers, too. Like gas-engined pressure washers.
I've read the manual. I noted where it said DO NOT CROSS THE STREAM, or something like that. Don't use it to take a shower, don't stick your xxxx into the blast. Really, I did.
The power washer is always loaded.
Don't point the power washer at anything you don't want to wash
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are aimed at your intended target
Be sure of your target, you are responsible for that water until it stops.
Violate more than two of these at once, and you will do some damage. The good news is that the skin will eventually grow back and the finger still works.
Plus, the "Hello Kitty" bandage is kinda cute. :)
RTFM. Obey the Four Rules. Word.
Pax,
Newbius
Thursday, April 15, 2010
It's Bush's Fault, Except when it isn't...
One of the things that always holds true is that ultimately, the truth will come out. About anything.
If you aren't reading Karl Denninger at The Market Ticker, you should be. Even when I don't agree with his take on things, I appreciate the fact that he DOES research his facts, and he backs up his opinions with hard data.
While reading this post today, I came across an interesting chart which shows the annualized Federal Budget deficit.
Now, Bush was a profligate spender, and no Conservative (despite what you may think), but he was a piker compared to the deficits that the Democrats have run since January of 2008.
Understand this, the Democrats have total ownership of fiscal policy beginning January 2007, since that is when they retook control of Congress (where spending originates). Since that time, the trend-which had been coming down-turned back into the red even further until the point where we have accumulated more debt in the past three fiscal years than the previous 217.
If deficits were going to kill the country when Bush was president, doesn't it make sense that bigger deficits in a declining economy in the midst of arecession Depression would ALSO be dangerous to our country?
Or, are we so blinded by Bush hatred (and remember I do not like the guy) that we refuse to see that Obama is worse?
Tell Congress to cut up the credit cards, restore fiscal sanity to the budgetary process, and balance the budget with SPENDING CUTS.
Pax,
Newbius
If you aren't reading Karl Denninger at The Market Ticker, you should be. Even when I don't agree with his take on things, I appreciate the fact that he DOES research his facts, and he backs up his opinions with hard data.
While reading this post today, I came across an interesting chart which shows the annualized Federal Budget deficit.
Now, Bush was a profligate spender, and no Conservative (despite what you may think), but he was a piker compared to the deficits that the Democrats have run since January of 2008.
Understand this, the Democrats have total ownership of fiscal policy beginning January 2007, since that is when they retook control of Congress (where spending originates). Since that time, the trend-which had been coming down-turned back into the red even further until the point where we have accumulated more debt in the past three fiscal years than the previous 217.
If deficits were going to kill the country when Bush was president, doesn't it make sense that bigger deficits in a declining economy in the midst of a
Or, are we so blinded by Bush hatred (and remember I do not like the guy) that we refuse to see that Obama is worse?
Tell Congress to cut up the credit cards, restore fiscal sanity to the budgetary process, and balance the budget with SPENDING CUTS.
Pax,
Newbius
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Beauty in the ordinary
You find beauty in ordinary things. Do not lose this ability"
My fortune cookie message from the other night. How true, and how appropriate for the times.
I will try not to lose the ability, although it has been difficult of late.
Pax,
Newbius
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Fundamental Values
It is not possible to rationally consider that the people arguing for re-distributive social justice will be the same people protecting your property rights. To believe otherwise is naive, at best. Your right to property is as fundamental as your right to life. One is the outgrowth of the other.
A Government which does not respect your property, does not respect your life. A Government which seeks to confiscate some of your property to give to another, has declared that they seek to confiscate some of your life. And, that the recipient's life is valued more highly.
Government-coerced welfare is not the moral equivalent of charity.
Think about that.
Pax,
Newbius
A Government which does not respect your property, does not respect your life. A Government which seeks to confiscate some of your property to give to another, has declared that they seek to confiscate some of your life. And, that the recipient's life is valued more highly.
Government-coerced welfare is not the moral equivalent of charity.
Think about that.
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, April 9, 2010
I wish...
Sometimes I wish she would just talk to me instead of holing up alone. She is so afraid that I won't understand, or that I will try to offer advice she doesn't want and won't listen to anyway. Or worse, that I will understand and be able to offer some wisdom borne of having been there once too.
We all have our demons. We all have our pain. Sometimes we are the source of pain in others. All we can do is the best that we can, and to ask for forgiveness for our failings (and give the rest to G_d).
Without each other, we are alone. Loneliness sucks.
We all have our demons. We all have our pain. Sometimes we are the source of pain in others. All we can do is the best that we can, and to ask for forgiveness for our failings (and give the rest to G_d).
Without each other, we are alone. Loneliness sucks.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The First Rule of Blogging
...is "post something every day". By that measure, I am not a blogger, merely a dilettante. But, in an effort to measure up, I am posting this.
I know I owe a lengthy post to a couple of you in response to email queries. I will get to them when I can. In the meantime, check the links at left and enjoy.
Pax,
Newbius
I know I owe a lengthy post to a couple of you in response to email queries. I will get to them when I can. In the meantime, check the links at left and enjoy.
Pax,
Newbius
Monday, April 5, 2010
New Apple App rumored
Apple has been talking to the Catholic Church about a new "app" for the iPhone, iTouch, and iPad that will help the Clergy run their districts more efficiently.
It will be called iDiocese.
Pax,
Newbius
Thought for the Day and a call to action
Dear Donkey,
When all of the anger and frustration have subsided, and you look out and observe the wasteland of lost hopes, stifled aspirations, and crushed dreams; when you see that there is no justice in Social Justice, and no Peace in a brokered peace among opposites, remind yourself that you asked for this.
When you discover that you raised a man upon a pedestal of hope, but that the change he promised was more empty slogans, but with an extra helping of tyranny, remind yourself that you asked for this.
When the tattered remnants of a once great country decline into another social dystopia of central planning and decentralized intelligence, remind yourself that you asked for this.
When you have achieved the pinnacle of the grand vision that you are grasping for, ask yourself: Was it worth it? Was it worth all of the pain and suffering that was required to implement your schemes? Was it worth the shed blood? (Note: if you continue to push all of these central planning and control measures through, there will be shed blood.) Was it worth enslaving your neighbor to assuage your conscience? Was it worth destroying a Constitution to spread consolation? Blaming Bush won't work any longer. You own this one now.
Dear Elephant,
You were complicit and complacent. You thought you could negotiate in the interest of comity with an ideology that brooks no compromise. You were merely a lumbering accomplice in the dismantling of the Republic, slowing but not reversing the damage being done to it. Your hypocrisy is astonishing. Your reckoning will be painful. Don't claim you weren't warned. Firing Michael Steele would be a good first step. Declaring Open Season on RINOs would be a nice follow up.
Patriots,
It is soon going to be time for restoration. The people will demand it. Stay ready. Get active. Go to rallies and demonstrations. Make your voice heard and your presence felt. Have an impact in your community. Volunteer. Vote.
The time is short. The odds are long.
Newbius
|||
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Blogroll Addition
You will now find Daphne on the left bar under "People I read daily". Please make Jaded Haven one of your regular stops too.
Pax,
Newbius
Thought for the day
"You cannot be betrayed by people you do not trust."
This works both ways. Think about it.
Pax,
Newbius
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