Just my random thoughts about life, the universe, and anything else that pops into my head.
Saturday, December 06, 2014
High school football goes to court
Today's Topic: High school sports
High school football goes to court
What is wrong with our country? They are taking the results of a high school football game to court, from what I've seen on the news, apparently there was a bad call at the end of the game and the coach didn't challenge it at the time and his team lost. So, the school took it to the OSSAA, which is the governing body for high school sports here, and asked that because of the bad call by the ref, they want the last half of the game replayed. Well, the OSSAA decided that the call would stand and that the game would not be replayed. The school wasn't satisfied with that, so they filed in court to have the ruling overturned. Talk about a serious waste of our courts time. Now, I've been told that the big reason is that these games have a direct result on the standing of the school and it's rankings in the state system. My next question is why? It's a football game, and an extra-curricular school activity, why in any sense of logic should this have anything to do with a school's standings in the educational system. I think this just goes to show another example of the degradation of our educational systems in this country. It reminds me of something that happened to a friend of mine, seems the school where his kids go decided to reallocate budgetary funds from the sports department back into the education department and as part of that, instead of buying the flashy pro-style uniforms they with a simple uniform with just the kid's name on the back. Once the parents of the sport's kids saw the uniforms, they called for a special session of the school board and forced a vote that banned the school from reallocating funds in such a way, thereby making the school go out and buy all new uniforms for all the school teams. Apparently, the school board also noted in a interview with CNN, that there was a record turnout of parents for this special session, and that a regular session might have four or five parents show up. Guess that goes to show how concerned about education that those parents are.
Well, that's about all for my ranting for today.
Enjoy.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Muddy Ride
I hate road construction. I know, it's something we all have to live with, but sometimes it can be a real pain in the butt. This is how Old Blue looked when I got home yesterday, the whole front of the bike is covered in mud from the road I have to ride to get to work and we've had a fair amount of rain the last couple of days. Well, time to get out the garden hose.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Another year gone
Oh well, life goes on. I hope all of you have a good year in 2011.
Monday, May 03, 2010
The year is 1947
Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 60 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell , New Mexico . This is a well known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.
However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:
Albert A. Gore, Jr..
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Schumer
Barbara Boxer
See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses?
I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.
No wonder they support the bill to help illegal aliens!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Political Thought of the Day
THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY WELL PUT AND I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT'S BY A YOUNG PERSON, A STUDENT!!! WHATEVER HE RUNS FOR, I'LL VOTE FOR HIM.
Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al:
We have stuck together since the late 1950's for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce.... I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course.
Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.
Here is a model separation agreement:
Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.
We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU. Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and you can go with wind, solar and bio-diesel. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell (You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them).
We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, homeless, homeboys, hippies, druggies and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood .
You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.
We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N.. but we will no longer be paying the bill.
We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.
You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right. We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World.
We'll practice trickle down economics and you can continue to give trickle up poverty your best shot.
Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.
Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you Answer which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.
Sincerely,
John J. Wall
Law Student and an American
P. S. Also, please take Ted Turner, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, Barbara Streisand, & Jane Fonda with you.
P. S. S. And you won't have to press 1 for English when you call our country.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."
Sounds like a pretty good idea to me, don't you think so?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
E-Mail of the Year!!
E-Mail of the Year!!
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?
'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed.
Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.
This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.
Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. THEN EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER It'll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.
Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China .
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France , and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
A special note to our neighbors: Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.
Mexico is also on List 2. Its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple thousand extra tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now.
We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska -which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.
It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.'
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America . It is time to eliminate homelessness in America . To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.
To the nations on List 2, a final thought : You might want to learn to speak Arabic.
God bless America .. Thank you and good night.'
If you can read this in English, thank a soldier.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Drive-Thru Lanes
For example, today on my way home from work, I stopped at the bank drive-thru to deposit a check, a quick, simple transaction, just like the majority of the rest of the people in the lines. As I pull in there are a couple of other cars following me in, so I pull into the closest lane behind a truck, my first clue that something was going to be bad were the out of state plates on it, of course by the time I realize this, I'm hemmed in by all the other cars that pulled in behind me. As I sit there and watch several cars come and go in the lanes next to me, this guy is carrying on a conversation with the teller, which is not only delaying me, it's also slowing down the other lanes as well, because now the other teller is having to handle not only her two lines, but also the second line of the first teller. I just had to sit there and watch as the carrier traveled back and forth during their several minute discussion. This is not how it's supposed to work.
This is how it's supposed to go.
1. Pull in, put your paperwork in the carrier and send it up.
2. Teller greets you and asks if there's anything else they can do.
3. You reply "No thank you."
4. Teller response with a perky "Have a nice day" comment
5. The carrier comes back and you retrieve the contents and drive off.
It's that simple people, nothing more complicated than that should be done at a drive thru, if the conversation has to be more that a couple of short sentences, you should park and go into the lobby and talk to a teller face to face.
And one other thing, have your stuff in order. My stops at the bank on the way home are planned, so before I leave work, I sit down at my desk and get my stuff in order, I make sure my check is endorsed, I fill out the deposit slip and put it all together, ready to pull out as soon as I pull up to the drive thru, that way it takes the minimum amount of time and I don't delay the other patrons of the drive thru lane who are also in a big hurry to get home and plop their butt in front of the TV for the night.
OK, are we all clear on this subject?
Maybe next time I will give my opinion on the chuckle head that has an issue with just ordering a #2 off the quick menu at a fast food drive thru.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday - Monday
OK, since it's been awhile and several things have changed I'm gonna post a few highlights tonight.
1. We have a new dog, a Chihuahua that we named Peanut. She strolled into the backyard last Thanksgiving looking like a walking skeleton, we have since fattened her up to a nice normal weight of 2.5 lbs.
2. Our shop has finally relocated into a larger place, we've got five times the shop area now. Of course now we're having to deal with all the pains of moving, it's been about three weeks now and it's still going on. Tomorrow or the next day I'll be moving the last of my equipment, the engraving table, over to the new shop.
3. Mom has moved to West Memphis, a couple of streets over from her sister, we were all happy about that, now it's only about a five to six hour drive as opposed to ten or eleven hours. While that doesn't seem like much, not having all the insanity of going through St. Louis is a blessing.
OK, that's the biggies for now, more later.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Football vs Education
I got out of doing this mostly because it got boring to me and I didn't really have anything interesting to say. Well, I don't know if this is interesting or not, and I don't really care, it's more of my way of ranting I guess, since most won't care to listen anyway.
I've been listening to the Tulsa school district complain about money here lately, they've been whining and crying about not having enough money, their latest thing is wanting to go to a four day school week to cut costs. This is going to be great for our school kids, it's going to make it so much easier for them to be stupid morons. I know it's just my opinion, but maybe we should be more worried about whether or not our kids graduate, than if they make the football team. It seems to me that if the school district took says half the money spent on sports programs and put it back into educational programs, the district might not have to go to a four day week or have teachers take furlough days.
What do you think?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thanksgiving Weekend
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Another day, another dollar
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I build industrial control panels for a living. Anyway, I got started for a second time on a big one for JJ, had to stop the first time because as usual we were missing parts namely the 24 VDC power supplies, also as usual for a JJ project. They were supposed to be in today, but they weren't, so I got the measurements for them so I could get the panel layed out and start on the rest of it.
Bit of explantion here, I am one of two full time panel builders, they other one is in charge of the panel shop and has to spend most of his time with all the paperwork, chasing parts, dealing with project managers, etc... He does do work in the shop, he just has to keep it to the smaller panels that don't take a lot of time, so that means I get all the big panels, which doesn't bother me, since one of these will usually keep me occupied for a week easy.
Ok, back to the panel. This one's a 60 x 72 inch panel, kinda the norm for JJ, a pair of 17 slot PLC racks and a buttload of terminals. I took a quick look at the layout and spent the next couple of hours laying out and mounting the wireways and din rail (it's what the terminals and other bits clip to) that's when I start on my terminal count for each rail and realize that true to form JJ's draftsman has screwed the pooch again and the actual terminal count and markings don't match up with the layout drawings and he's even screwed up several of the terminal markings as well. So, first thing tommorow I'll spend probally a hour going through the entire wiring diagram and redoing the terminal layout, hopefully it will fit on the the panel.
Oh well, in other words, a normal day at the shop for me. LOL
I feel like doing this to some of these draftsmen, I haven't found one yet that actually checks his work.
Life as we know it
Went to see my folks and picked up a load of our junk.
Been working my butt off at work.
That's been about it.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sweety's New Ride


Monday, March 03, 2008
My what strange weather we're having
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Weekend
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Veterans
When a good Veteran leaves the "job" and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what they are leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.
These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the "job" and merely being allowed to leave "active" duty.
So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God," and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.
Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds' ass that left you behind.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of...
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, "You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!!" Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out OF THEM..... for using your name in vain.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will come and visit you in jail if you goof up badly and chastise you for being there.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will be sitting right there beside you, saying "Boy, we really goofed that one up, but what a blast!!!"
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will forward this.