My primary personal computer got killed in a neighborhood-wide power failure. It was dying anyway and the data was backed up, so no great loss. But, I don't blog from my work computer, and I don't have quite enough scratch saved up for that 27" iMac with the quad-core i7. Soon, very soon. ;)
The kids are all in college now and the house is quiet for the first time in 20+ years. It is going to take some time to get used to this.
I'll catch up here when I can.
Pax,
Newbius
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The days have been hectic
Thursday, the daughter got hit by a woman in a parking lot. Since the woman backed up into my daughter (who was stopped behind her), my daughter is being blamed by the woman for "rear-ending" her. Yes, you read that correctly. This woman is blaming my daughter because she backed her SUV up into our little Honda and, because of the damage location, is claiming my girl hit her instead... (insert some JayG HATE/RAGE here).
So Friday, we got to play the insurance game. More to follow on that one later.
Saturday, cleaned up the garage and set up my little utility trailer because...
Sunday, moved OldestBoy into his apartment at college.
Monday, work, work, work...
Today, Work, Work, Work...
And life goes on.
Pax,
Newbius
So Friday, we got to play the insurance game. More to follow on that one later.
Saturday, cleaned up the garage and set up my little utility trailer because...
Sunday, moved OldestBoy into his apartment at college.
Monday, work, work, work...
Today, Work, Work, Work...
And life goes on.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, August 21, 2010
OK, I'm back
The doctors are wonderful, the medicine is a miracle, and poor widdle me is back functioning again. I wonder how long this will last under ObeyMaoCare?
Have a good weekend.
Pax,
Newbius
Have a good weekend.
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, August 13, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Social Observation
If you want to gauge the relative affluence of a suburban area, count the number of SUVs in the parking lot of any shopping center.
I call it the "Suburban Density".
If the Suburbans, Yukons, Expeditions, Explorers, etc. reach 1 out of 3, you are in the upper-middle-class neighborhood. Note that I do not advocate counting BMWs or Mercedes Benzes. Most of these are leased by newly-minted yuppies and people who are trying to project an image above their station. They are either living in a place that they can afford (an apartment or condo), or they are still living with their parents.
Your average millionaire drives a 6+-year old car that was paid for with cash...
Think about that the next time you are looking for a new car. Are you buying transportation, or image?
Pax,
Newbius
I call it the "Suburban Density".
If the Suburbans, Yukons, Expeditions, Explorers, etc. reach 1 out of 3, you are in the upper-middle-class neighborhood. Note that I do not advocate counting BMWs or Mercedes Benzes. Most of these are leased by newly-minted yuppies and people who are trying to project an image above their station. They are either living in a place that they can afford (an apartment or condo), or they are still living with their parents.
Your average millionaire drives a 6+-year old car that was paid for with cash...
Think about that the next time you are looking for a new car. Are you buying transportation, or image?
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, August 6, 2010
Questions for my readers
If anybody understands social theory, I have a question for you:
What is the average length of time that a normal person should be expected to perform an unpleasant job function, without receiving any positive feedback or additional monetary motivation upon successful completion of the taskings?
If the job that a person is doing provides no personal satisfaction from successful completion, nor is there financial incentive for continuing through the unpleasant times without hope for advancement, should that person remain?
This question boils down to personal motivation. When "thank you" is expected, but not received; and, "Job well done" is beyond the vocabulary of your superiors; and, bonuses are out of the question, what then?
Newbius
What is the average length of time that a normal person should be expected to perform an unpleasant job function, without receiving any positive feedback or additional monetary motivation upon successful completion of the taskings?
If the job that a person is doing provides no personal satisfaction from successful completion, nor is there financial incentive for continuing through the unpleasant times without hope for advancement, should that person remain?
This question boils down to personal motivation. When "thank you" is expected, but not received; and, "Job well done" is beyond the vocabulary of your superiors; and, bonuses are out of the question, what then?
Newbius
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tired
Spent many of the wee hours late last night/early this morning attending to MiddleChild's head trauma. 5 stitches and a sammich later, life is better.
But, I am tired today.
Newbius
But, I am tired today.
Newbius
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Gay Conservative meets the Tea Party
Story HERE.
The reaction is not what you might think, and is exactly what I expected. Tolerance is not found on the left.
Pax,
Newbius
The reaction is not what you might think, and is exactly what I expected. Tolerance is not found on the left.
Pax,
Newbius
Perspective
Today was total crap.
Work sucks. There is minimal direction on what we are supposed to communicate and what we are expected to accomplish in the remaining time on contract. Our customers are going to be unhappy no matter what we do right now.
That's the down side.
The upside? I have an amazing family that I love. I have a church that is finally getting it about teaching Scripture. I have dreams and goals and ambitions. Yet, I know that I am not what I do, or who I lead, or what I make.
All of the surface stuff is less than what it appears...no matter how much stress it causes in the moment. That is some comfort.
I know that tomorrow, I will rise and face the challenges that life places before me. I will be victorious. I will be an example for my children about how to face adversity, and succeed.
Because, my power is not mine. My power is in the Lord.
Is yours?
Pax,
Newbius
Work sucks. There is minimal direction on what we are supposed to communicate and what we are expected to accomplish in the remaining time on contract. Our customers are going to be unhappy no matter what we do right now.
That's the down side.
The upside? I have an amazing family that I love. I have a church that is finally getting it about teaching Scripture. I have dreams and goals and ambitions. Yet, I know that I am not what I do, or who I lead, or what I make.
All of the surface stuff is less than what it appears...no matter how much stress it causes in the moment. That is some comfort.
I know that tomorrow, I will rise and face the challenges that life places before me. I will be victorious. I will be an example for my children about how to face adversity, and succeed.
Because, my power is not mine. My power is in the Lord.
Is yours?
Pax,
Newbius
Monday, August 2, 2010
Srirachini
In a shaker full of ice mix:
4 drops Angostura bitters
1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth
8 drops Sriracha Chili sauce
6 ounces 100 proof Vodka
Shake until your hand freezes to the shaker.
Pour into martini glass and garnish with 1 each Garlic stuffed, Jalapeno stuffed, and Pimiento Stuffed Green Olives on a spear.
Enjoy!
Newbius
4 drops Angostura bitters
1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth
8 drops Sriracha Chili sauce
6 ounces 100 proof Vodka
Shake until your hand freezes to the shaker.
Pour into martini glass and garnish with 1 each Garlic stuffed, Jalapeno stuffed, and Pimiento Stuffed Green Olives on a spear.
Enjoy!
Newbius
More boring stuff
The remodel is almost finished. The new pantry should be completely painted and the doors hung by tonight. This has been a very satisfying little project.
TheGirl is still on travel and should be flying to Kalifornia this afternoon for the second leg of her swing out west. We miss her a lot already and can't imagine having no kids around while they are all at college. This is a new experience for us.
New GAME! (Well, not new for some of you!) Munchkin! You must go get one and play it with friends as twisted as you are. You will thank me later.
Hope your weekend went well.
Newbius
TheGirl is still on travel and should be flying to Kalifornia this afternoon for the second leg of her swing out west. We miss her a lot already and can't imagine having no kids around while they are all at college. This is a new experience for us.
New GAME! (Well, not new for some of you!) Munchkin! You must go get one and play it with friends as twisted as you are. You will thank me later.
Hope your weekend went well.
Newbius
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