His friends called him “Rick”, people in the community called him, “Judge”, and we simply called him “Dad”, “Grandfather”, or “Great-Grandfather”. His late wife often referred to him as “HUBERT!!!” Usually as a sign that things were getting off the subject and needed to grounded back to a more austere level.
He was a brother, uncle, father, husband, and a son. His abiding presence always strove for family harmony and mutual respect. Always fast with a suggestion or another way of looking at a subject or problem, he would let it be known what he thought. Sometimes he wouldn’t agree with some of our choices or decisions, but with time, they often were either accepted or debated on a more scaled back dimension.
Close at hand was his calendar. It was full of interesting facts, birthdays, baptisms, confirmations, anniversaries, addresses, phone numbers, and even deaths. A compendium of dates, names, relationships, and facts at his fingers. Tattered and well worn, one might refer to it as “Poor Hubert’s Almanac”. It was his version of today’s pocket electronic organizer.
Birthdays were very special to him. To some of us he might have sometimes seemed annoying or corny when he would call on our birthday to sing over the phone, “Happy Birthday”. Be at home, at work, school or on vacation, he’d hunt you down and make the connection. Morning, noon or night he kept trying till he got you. Always wishing well before we’d start out on a trip. His calls were as dependable as snow in the winter and rain in the spring. That call would come, and for a moment he’d make us feel special.
He lived a life of many lives. From a hometown boy who came home from an incredible war, as a decorated hero, to a distinguished jurist, he never lost sight of his roots and they were planted firmly in “Family” and “Community”.
His talents were many and he gave more of himself than most. From little league to basketball to his golf game his competitive spirit always sought to challenge those who might have wished to sit on the sidelines and just observe. His balancing of judicial matters was light years ahead of his time. Many a wayward youth had their lives touched and redirected by his compassion and understanding of their indiscretions and how the punishment would indeed fit the offense. His use of community service illustrated that he truly was a forward thinker who challenged the status quo.
His gifts to us all were generous and many and given from the heart. His desire for his children and their family’s to have a better quality of life was at the forefront of his largesse. Wanting only for us all to live, love, respect, and appreciate each other were at the core of the wisdom he shared with us over the years.
The loss of his wife sixteen years ago was a devastating blow to all of us, especially dad. He never lost his love for her and her loss seemed to intensify and drive home his message about family, love and respect for each other.
As time went on, the summers in New York and winters in Arizona Dad began age. With his advancing years his health would cause us concern. The change in climate twice each year was almost certain to bring about some illness. But true to form, his tenacity enabled him to over come the set back and it powered his existence. It almost seemed he was going to out live us all.
So it was with great disbelief when I received the call on Tuesday afternoon from the Kingston Police Department that Dad had a heart attack while driving and caused an auto accident. I quickly called my wife Sue and daughter Jennifer. They went directly to his bedside.
Phone calls were made, family members were contacted and time and life hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity. Hours turned into days as his children and family members came to his bedside. Then the call came at 1:15 on Friday Morning that Dad was going home. Minutes later he departed. He finally found the peace, love and happiness he would always write on greeting cards.
While he is no longer here to share in our trials, tribulations, and accomplishments we can take solace in the love, patience and generosity he instilled in our hearts. His legacy is living in us all.
As dad would sign off on birthday and anniversary cards, “With warmest regards. Much love, peace, happiness and respect to you.” He will be missed. Good bye Dad. We all love you and miss you.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Stimulate This!
It's been awhile since I've posted a short novella, but I've sort of been busy. With the economy in the toilet people are not throwing away as much as they did in the past and the winter being one for the books, business has been at best slow.
While all our elected officials can do is urinate away our, our children's and our children's children's future, the small business owner is left to fend for them self. No stimuli here. No TARP money. Nothing, except nuisance taxes and greater scrutiny over business operations. The bureaucracy and the computer age combined with the outsourcing to the other side of the world can leave one speechless. Common sense, civility, and that down home touch is gone. I dam near piss in my pants laughing when I get a customer service representative on the phone calling them self "Debbie" in that thick accent from India. I've made it sort of a game when I get these folks on the phone. They can't think on their feet or deviate from their script. It is just like talking to an automaton.
So where is this going. On Friday the 13th of this month I arrived at work about 7:30 in the morning. I've been going to this same place for the past 15 years. Something just didn't look right. There, inside the facility where my office stood, was a pile of buring and smoking debris. I stood for a moment in disbelief then called Fire Control. I identified myself and then asked if the local Fire Department had any calls the previous night for a structure fire. I was informed that there were no incidents reported or responded to. I then informed Fire Control to dispatch the local Fire Department to my location for a structure fire.
Within minutes, which for those who have shared this experience can seem like years, the local fire department arrived. If you ever want to see how much you can get done in a short period of time, call the fire department and then count the seconds as they respond and do somethings like move trucks, excavators, loaders etc. out of the way. It's amazing!
Several trucks responded but many were turned away. Only one was enough. Before water was put on the fire the local county arson task force responded. Standing on the outside of the burning pit of hot coals, enough to roast a good sized pig, we surveyed what was left and what was missing. Then the water was applied and the fire was out. Not really, it still cooked for two days after.
Our computer, fax machine, credit card terminal, phones, digital scale reader and many other things were stolen. The fire was just the final insult. I'm really mad about the fact that I had a high score on the game of "Mu Shu". Over 375 consecutive games won.
So with the embers cool, the investigations done, we cleared the site and rebuilt within a week. But in the meantime I had to deal with banks, insurance companies, the board of health, the state, the police and every vendor and creditor under the sun explaining to "Lucy" what happened and what I lost and need from them.
Phone trees that lead you to India and Pakistan or some other exotic cauldron of the abyss coupled with selecting a language option are enough to push an already overloaded and over worked individual past the edge. Ever notice how those phone trees never have the exact selection you're looking for? I just keep pushing the "0" key until the system shorts out and I get a live person on the phone or the system shuts down.
So after a week and a half of going though this crap I feel really Stimulated!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Are We In Flushing?
It’s been a few weeks since the Florida trip. Emily was in hog heaven at Disney. What kid her age wouldn’t be after tons of advertising and exposure to the “Disney Experience?” This was my third trip to the Magic Kingdom and it was different this time. I got to step back and really look at what was being presented. It’s amazing.
In this day of hyper inflated costs the airline tickets were the real bargain in this mix. Three of us flew from Albany to Orlando for about $75 less than the admission to the parks. It just kills me to pay what they want for these “Amusement Parks”.
Once inside the park I had a strange connection to the past. An almost Déjà vu experience. Yea, we’d been here before and also to the park in California a few times. But this time it was a closer experience. Something from my childhood. I couldn’t quite pin it down until I got home and studied the situation. Suddenly it hit me. It’s 1964 / 1965 all over again! The crowds, the overpriced food, the cattle stalls, the long waits for a short unsatisfying ride or attraction. Were we at the Worlds Fair or Disney? The line begins to blur.
At the time of the 1964 / 1965 Worlds Fair Disney was a huge driving force in many of the exibits and features of the Fair. Here is where the "audio-animatronics," was introduced. Remember Lincoln at the Illinois pavilion? Or how about the largest collection of animated figures at the time and for many years later, “It’s a Small World”. That nauseating song that plays over and over again driving the hardest core criminal to seek solitary confinement. This Pepsi Pavilion exhibit was dismantled and shipped to Anaheim for Disneyland and there is sits with it’s evil twin in Florida.
Sinclair Oil gave us the Dinoland exhibit which also went west to the Disneyland railroad. General Electric and Ford also used the "audio-animatronics," formula for their pavilions. General Motors even asked Disney to design their exhibits but Disney said no, then someone got their ass chewed at Disney and the rest, as they say is history.
As the Worlds Fair closed, and failed, discussion ensued whereas Flushing Meadows Park would be converted to an east coast “Disneyland”. Imagine that, Mickey, Minnie and the gang in Queens! “Shal-la-ka-zoola!
But instead much of the 1964 / 1965 experience was packed up and sent to California and Florida where it lives to this day. Epcot is the closest thing to a permanent Worlds Fair we have.
So if you enter into the Magic Kingdom beware of Déjà vu. Unless you were born after 1965. Otherwise you’ll be suffering from Vuja De. You know, the feeling you’ve never been there before.
In this day of hyper inflated costs the airline tickets were the real bargain in this mix. Three of us flew from Albany to Orlando for about $75 less than the admission to the parks. It just kills me to pay what they want for these “Amusement Parks”.
Once inside the park I had a strange connection to the past. An almost Déjà vu experience. Yea, we’d been here before and also to the park in California a few times. But this time it was a closer experience. Something from my childhood. I couldn’t quite pin it down until I got home and studied the situation. Suddenly it hit me. It’s 1964 / 1965 all over again! The crowds, the overpriced food, the cattle stalls, the long waits for a short unsatisfying ride or attraction. Were we at the Worlds Fair or Disney? The line begins to blur.
At the time of the 1964 / 1965 Worlds Fair Disney was a huge driving force in many of the exibits and features of the Fair. Here is where the "audio-animatronics," was introduced. Remember Lincoln at the Illinois pavilion? Or how about the largest collection of animated figures at the time and for many years later, “It’s a Small World”. That nauseating song that plays over and over again driving the hardest core criminal to seek solitary confinement. This Pepsi Pavilion exhibit was dismantled and shipped to Anaheim for Disneyland and there is sits with it’s evil twin in Florida.
Sinclair Oil gave us the Dinoland exhibit which also went west to the Disneyland railroad. General Electric and Ford also used the "audio-animatronics," formula for their pavilions. General Motors even asked Disney to design their exhibits but Disney said no, then someone got their ass chewed at Disney and the rest, as they say is history.
As the Worlds Fair closed, and failed, discussion ensued whereas Flushing Meadows Park would be converted to an east coast “Disneyland”. Imagine that, Mickey, Minnie and the gang in Queens! “Shal-la-ka-zoola!
But instead much of the 1964 / 1965 experience was packed up and sent to California and Florida where it lives to this day. Epcot is the closest thing to a permanent Worlds Fair we have.
So if you enter into the Magic Kingdom beware of Déjà vu. Unless you were born after 1965. Otherwise you’ll be suffering from Vuja De. You know, the feeling you’ve never been there before.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I'll Take Legal Breifs for $1,000
Being in the solid waste industry you're constantly under the scrutiny of the various police agencies. The local cops, always looking for you to roll through that stop sign, or be caught talking on your cell phone. The State police trying to catch you speeding or out of date inspection. The State Police DOT unit, now these guys are the ultimate. They control any vehicle on the road over 10,000 lbs or greater. They can give out more tickets on one inspection than scalpers have at a big name rock concert. But let's save the best for last; the Conservation Officer.
In the old days these folks were the game wardens. But through a series of political moves this once hidden constabulary of the woods became a police force in its own right. Bag of garbage in the back of your pick up truck, untarped load, $1,500 fine. Rain water dripping from an empty roll off container on a miserable rainy day, illegal discharge of leachate, untold fines and penalties. Maybe even scrubbing the roads with a toothbrush.
Several years ago I was involved in performing closure activities at two local landfills. I brought in wood chips for soil stabilization and out of the blue here's this Conservation Officer with her ticket book. Illegal Dumping! Pleads fell on deaf ears, the Conservation Department, who authorized the use of the wood chips back peddled so fast they could have beat Lance Armstrong going backwards. In the short, I spent $5,000 and two years of my life in court only to be exonerated. Not Guilty!
Fast forward many years. Last February this same officer came into our Plattekill facility and started writing paper. Imagine being ticketed for operating a transfer station without a permit at a permitted transfer station. Go Figure. This is one for the legal scholars to muse over and debate. September rolls around and it's finally court time. My lawyer can't peice this together let alone follow the logic train on this thought process. So before the Judge we go and in a few short sentences of legal mumbo jumbo, a few special incantations and just like Emeril says, "BAM!" case dismissed. Great! Wonderful! But it's not over!
A few weeks later the same officer shows up and this time she's climbing all over my trucks, taking pictures, writing notes, filling out forms, taking measurements. It was almost like Alice's Restaurant.
On Friday December 19 the other shoe dropped. The officer served me with a criminal summons, citing the same charges. Here we go again. So January 5 I went before the bar again. This time the officer provided all of those charts, graphs, illustrations and alike to the court. My lawyer looked at the overwhelming preponderance of details of criminal activity and she couldn't believe it. It was the same case but in greater detail. Same dates, times, locations etc. The officer was seeking a "do over." Don't win the first time, let's try the best two out of three. A few more incantations and, enter Emeril from the side and "BAM! Case dismissed! This time the Judge cited Double Jeopardy attached.
Imagine that, a television program saving my butt in court. Thanks Alex!
In the old days these folks were the game wardens. But through a series of political moves this once hidden constabulary of the woods became a police force in its own right. Bag of garbage in the back of your pick up truck, untarped load, $1,500 fine. Rain water dripping from an empty roll off container on a miserable rainy day, illegal discharge of leachate, untold fines and penalties. Maybe even scrubbing the roads with a toothbrush.
Several years ago I was involved in performing closure activities at two local landfills. I brought in wood chips for soil stabilization and out of the blue here's this Conservation Officer with her ticket book. Illegal Dumping! Pleads fell on deaf ears, the Conservation Department, who authorized the use of the wood chips back peddled so fast they could have beat Lance Armstrong going backwards. In the short, I spent $5,000 and two years of my life in court only to be exonerated. Not Guilty!
Fast forward many years. Last February this same officer came into our Plattekill facility and started writing paper. Imagine being ticketed for operating a transfer station without a permit at a permitted transfer station. Go Figure. This is one for the legal scholars to muse over and debate. September rolls around and it's finally court time. My lawyer can't peice this together let alone follow the logic train on this thought process. So before the Judge we go and in a few short sentences of legal mumbo jumbo, a few special incantations and just like Emeril says, "BAM!" case dismissed. Great! Wonderful! But it's not over!
A few weeks later the same officer shows up and this time she's climbing all over my trucks, taking pictures, writing notes, filling out forms, taking measurements. It was almost like Alice's Restaurant.
On Friday December 19 the other shoe dropped. The officer served me with a criminal summons, citing the same charges. Here we go again. So January 5 I went before the bar again. This time the officer provided all of those charts, graphs, illustrations and alike to the court. My lawyer looked at the overwhelming preponderance of details of criminal activity and she couldn't believe it. It was the same case but in greater detail. Same dates, times, locations etc. The officer was seeking a "do over." Don't win the first time, let's try the best two out of three. A few more incantations and, enter Emeril from the side and "BAM! Case dismissed! This time the Judge cited Double Jeopardy attached.
Imagine that, a television program saving my butt in court. Thanks Alex!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Haben Sie Eine Ausweispapiern?
The title of this blog is "Haben Sie Eine Ausweispapiern". But Hollywood shortened this factual request to "Haben Sie Papiern"?
For those who are uninitiated, the asking for your identity papers during a period of history brought fear and intimation. What did I do? What's wrong? It smacked of Big Brother. Well 1984 is almost 25 years in the past and in many respects the Orwellian world that was described is hear and yet there is much more to go to be that intrusive. George Bush still has a few days left!
So one day last week I needed to get a decongestant for my allergies. So I went into the local pharmacy,(sorry it wasn't Walgreen's), and I took a card off the rack for a package of Zyrtec-D. I went back to the pharmacy counter and presented the card.
All of a sudden I had to produce my drivers license, photo ID sign a book, have the transaction entered into a computer that is tracked worldwide.
I felt like I got caught with my hands in the cookie jar. The Federal Government now knows I have allergies and I take pills to control my sniffling, sneezing, coughing, flem spitting habit. I am ruined!!!!! Wait till this gets out. My neighbors will avoid me. My friends and co-workers will think I have some diminishing communicable disease like TB. Or maybe it's the start of something worse?
It is great that the Federal Government is taking such strides to keep us safe. Yet they can just fork over hundreds of billions of our tax dollars to greedy, self centered, self promoting lying, cheating, stealing, banks and insurance companies without so much as a list of where the money is going.
Washington, you've got it covered. Lean on the little guy and pat the back of your big corporate paramours. Did you ever think about why we have laws against crime? The government hates the competition.
So today it's allergy and cold medicines. What's next, creamy or extra crunchy peanut butter? All I can say is keep your "Ausweispapiern" handy. You'll never know when you'll be called upon to produce it so you can buy a pack of "Sen - Sen".
For those who are uninitiated, the asking for your identity papers during a period of history brought fear and intimation. What did I do? What's wrong? It smacked of Big Brother. Well 1984 is almost 25 years in the past and in many respects the Orwellian world that was described is hear and yet there is much more to go to be that intrusive. George Bush still has a few days left!
So one day last week I needed to get a decongestant for my allergies. So I went into the local pharmacy,(sorry it wasn't Walgreen's), and I took a card off the rack for a package of Zyrtec-D. I went back to the pharmacy counter and presented the card.
All of a sudden I had to produce my drivers license, photo ID sign a book, have the transaction entered into a computer that is tracked worldwide.
I felt like I got caught with my hands in the cookie jar. The Federal Government now knows I have allergies and I take pills to control my sniffling, sneezing, coughing, flem spitting habit. I am ruined!!!!! Wait till this gets out. My neighbors will avoid me. My friends and co-workers will think I have some diminishing communicable disease like TB. Or maybe it's the start of something worse?
It is great that the Federal Government is taking such strides to keep us safe. Yet they can just fork over hundreds of billions of our tax dollars to greedy, self centered, self promoting lying, cheating, stealing, banks and insurance companies without so much as a list of where the money is going.
Washington, you've got it covered. Lean on the little guy and pat the back of your big corporate paramours. Did you ever think about why we have laws against crime? The government hates the competition.
So today it's allergy and cold medicines. What's next, creamy or extra crunchy peanut butter? All I can say is keep your "Ausweispapiern" handy. You'll never know when you'll be called upon to produce it so you can buy a pack of "Sen - Sen".
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Good Bye and Good Luck!
Well the phone call came about fifteen minutes ago. We expected it many times in the past but George always rallied. He had more rallies than a well funded political candidate. But tonight the crowds were gone, the operatives home awaiting the big day tomorrow, and everyone else snug in their beds dreaming of pleasant thoughts.
So it is fairly fitting that on the eve of the most Holy of the days in the Christian calendar that George was called home by the Lord. George always enjoyed a party or any opportunity to get together with friends and family. Good food, drink and a host of jokes that kept the mood festive. So why not? It was a good fit. Yes, family and friends, here on this mortal coil will be saddened. He will be missed but death is not the end of life but the beginning of an eternal journey of life. George will be reunited with his recently deceased brothers. Free of pain and suffering.
We must look at this as a momentous event for all. George was called home to begin his eternal life on the eve of a celebration on the birth of the Savior who gave us, through his suffering and death our own eternal life when we are called home.
So tomorrow, on Christmas Day, let's all take a moment and hug one another, give those reassuring words of love and comfort, and lift a glass high and toast to George. He'd be proud and would enjoy in our celebration of his life and the rebirth of his spirit within us all.
George, you will be missed, but please save us all a place at the table of the eternal feast for some day we too will be there.
We Love you George. Good bye and Good Luck!
So it is fairly fitting that on the eve of the most Holy of the days in the Christian calendar that George was called home by the Lord. George always enjoyed a party or any opportunity to get together with friends and family. Good food, drink and a host of jokes that kept the mood festive. So why not? It was a good fit. Yes, family and friends, here on this mortal coil will be saddened. He will be missed but death is not the end of life but the beginning of an eternal journey of life. George will be reunited with his recently deceased brothers. Free of pain and suffering.
We must look at this as a momentous event for all. George was called home to begin his eternal life on the eve of a celebration on the birth of the Savior who gave us, through his suffering and death our own eternal life when we are called home.
So tomorrow, on Christmas Day, let's all take a moment and hug one another, give those reassuring words of love and comfort, and lift a glass high and toast to George. He'd be proud and would enjoy in our celebration of his life and the rebirth of his spirit within us all.
George, you will be missed, but please save us all a place at the table of the eternal feast for some day we too will be there.
We Love you George. Good bye and Good Luck!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Carbon Footprint
I just love these names people dream up. I think it all stems from the fact that the dictionary has run out of words, so let's invent some more, "Carbon Footprint?"
Days end early, it's cold as a Witches _____, more layers of clothes are needed, the paper is full of ads, some guy on the radio is singing like an Eye Tailian from Brook-a-lyne about a donkey named Dominic, so it must be the Christmas season! No more thinking about the birth of the Savior and living the Christian way. Mass merchandise and crass commercialization. Sell, Buy, Consume! And don't forget to stomp some poor guy, who's just trying to make a living at just above minimum wage, so you can get that 96 inch flat screen TV to watch Infomercials (another one of those new words) on.
So it comes with the times that the World becomes a little more polluted. People go to great lengths to slather and garb their homes in a parade of lights that make Times Square blush.
Days end early, it's cold as a Witches _____, more layers of clothes are needed, the paper is full of ads, some guy on the radio is singing like an Eye Tailian from Brook-a-lyne about a donkey named Dominic, so it must be the Christmas season! No more thinking about the birth of the Savior and living the Christian way. Mass merchandise and crass commercialization. Sell, Buy, Consume! And don't forget to stomp some poor guy, who's just trying to make a living at just above minimum wage, so you can get that 96 inch flat screen TV to watch Infomercials (another one of those new words) on.
So it comes with the times that the World becomes a little more polluted. People go to great lengths to slather and garb their homes in a parade of lights that make Times Square blush.
Stores open early and close late. More lights. More heat. More dinosaurs burned. People travel more to the stores to buy presents so they can out do each other in a half hour of frenzy on Christmas Morning, so more gas is consumed. Thank the heavens that fuel costs are finally down.
But nobody thinks about one result of all of this and that is of the sky. I'm not talking about ozone layer, smog, acid rain. I'm talking about the stars, the planets, the ultimate cosmos (No, not the drink). As we evolve and extend the number of consumable hours in the day, we run out of natural daylight. So "Let's light up the Night!" Turn on the lights. Everything from seasonal lights, notice I didn't say Christmas, - ( I'm not trying to be politically correct here but we now light up our yards for Christmas, Halloween, Fourth of July, Sh rove Tuesday, etc. Any chance we can we are displaying our inability to cope with the dark), - to multicolored lights on the Empire State Building to a huge pyramid in "Lost Wages" (Las Vegas). Lights are on.
In our pursuit to glamorize and achieve beauty here on Earth we are closing the door on Natures night time beauty in the sky above. The constellations once told stories. We now have Satellite TV from the heavens with 800 different ways to show how to keep that erection or to stuff a roast with herbs. The meteor showers and comets would put on a spectacular natural fireworks display. Now we have the transformer on the corner phone pole exploding because of power overload. The biggest thing about the sky is it's unending size. Looking at it and thinking about it really can be a humbling experience. We are nothing bigger than a nat on an elephants ass when it is all said and done. So maybe all those infomercials about male enhancement drugs has gone to our heads. By blocking out the night sky with light pollution we've been able to ensure our own self importance by showing that some day, and that day is coming soon, that our carbon footprint will be bigger than anything Captain Kirk had ever had the pleasure to explore!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Brains Not Included
Back in the day, yes we actually had day and nights back then with all the dinosaurs and cave people (politically correctness), sports figures could be looked up to. I remember such figures as "The Mick," "Whitey,"Gil Hodges, Elston Howard, "The Duke", "Pee Wee,""Roger,"and so on. These guys played their hearts out and the fans supported them. As a kid I could follow their exploits each night when my dad would come home with the evening paper.
You didn't need a second mortgage to go to the ball park. Prices were affordable and games were held, for the most part, during the afternoon. It was always something, especially during world series time, to listen to the game on the radio. During my Junior High School years the janitor, that's what he was called, not facilities engineer, janitor - had a small radio in his room and between classes he'd have a card on his door showing the score. Just listening to the radio and the commentator describe the game as it was being played gave a special feeling to the game. There was always a feeling of anticipation. What was happening next? Today the audience has been desensitized by the high speed graphics, commentary, special interviews with the players about anything. There was no instant replay, no squeezing in commercials as the batter adjusted his hitting glove. They didn't even have hitting gloves back then.
None of these guys got big salaries. They were only traded when their career was on the skids. I knew a handful of kids back in the old neighborhood who actually got autographed balls, trading cards or imagine this, their autograph books signed by the players. These kids didn't even have to pay a dime for this. They just waited around till after the game and the players were more than happy to oblige.
Their playing statistics really meant something. They were true and unadulterated. Not tainted by performance enhancing drugs. Their performance is what mattered and that's how they were judged.
Now look at what we have. Players who will charge $500 for an autographed baseball! Forget about seeing them after the game, it just doesn't happen. Just imagine paying somewhere in the $100 plus range for a ticket to a ball game. Forget about being near the infield. You'll need Congressional Bailout money to afford those seats!
So where is this all going? You've got these multi-million dollar prima donnas screwing up so royally you wonder where the brains of the public really are. Excuse me for my lack of ability, but I can't even begin to try and spell their names, so I'll just say the sport and they'll be guilty by association. This knot-head who plays football for the Giants takes a loaded gun into a crowded nightclub and proceeds to shoot himself in the leg. What was he thinking? Was this athlete so insecure and ashamed of his manhood (or lack thereof) that he needed this phallic symbol to make up for his short comings? Then he wonders why he's in trouble? Mayor Bloomberg said it right - lock him up. Judge Judy would look him in the eye and say "Are You Stupid?" This guy deserves to loose his contract, the position on the team, and any chance of inclusion in the hall of fame for his stupid disregard of others.
Now talk about team work. There's this clown who I guess plays basket ball. His team has kept him on the bench for reasons that are probably straight forward, the guy isn't a team player. Now he sits and cries that he wants to be traded, allowed to play, boo hoo! He signed a contract, a legally binding device that subjects him to the servitude of the team who owns the paper. He plays when they want him to. He sits when he is told. They own him. Period. Get over it.
These are just two examples of the lack of smarts these guys have. And yet, we as consumers buy into it and promote this culture. Brains not included.
You didn't need a second mortgage to go to the ball park. Prices were affordable and games were held, for the most part, during the afternoon. It was always something, especially during world series time, to listen to the game on the radio. During my Junior High School years the janitor, that's what he was called, not facilities engineer, janitor - had a small radio in his room and between classes he'd have a card on his door showing the score. Just listening to the radio and the commentator describe the game as it was being played gave a special feeling to the game. There was always a feeling of anticipation. What was happening next? Today the audience has been desensitized by the high speed graphics, commentary, special interviews with the players about anything. There was no instant replay, no squeezing in commercials as the batter adjusted his hitting glove. They didn't even have hitting gloves back then.
None of these guys got big salaries. They were only traded when their career was on the skids. I knew a handful of kids back in the old neighborhood who actually got autographed balls, trading cards or imagine this, their autograph books signed by the players. These kids didn't even have to pay a dime for this. They just waited around till after the game and the players were more than happy to oblige.
Their playing statistics really meant something. They were true and unadulterated. Not tainted by performance enhancing drugs. Their performance is what mattered and that's how they were judged.
Now look at what we have. Players who will charge $500 for an autographed baseball! Forget about seeing them after the game, it just doesn't happen. Just imagine paying somewhere in the $100 plus range for a ticket to a ball game. Forget about being near the infield. You'll need Congressional Bailout money to afford those seats!
So where is this all going? You've got these multi-million dollar prima donnas screwing up so royally you wonder where the brains of the public really are. Excuse me for my lack of ability, but I can't even begin to try and spell their names, so I'll just say the sport and they'll be guilty by association. This knot-head who plays football for the Giants takes a loaded gun into a crowded nightclub and proceeds to shoot himself in the leg. What was he thinking? Was this athlete so insecure and ashamed of his manhood (or lack thereof) that he needed this phallic symbol to make up for his short comings? Then he wonders why he's in trouble? Mayor Bloomberg said it right - lock him up. Judge Judy would look him in the eye and say "Are You Stupid?" This guy deserves to loose his contract, the position on the team, and any chance of inclusion in the hall of fame for his stupid disregard of others.
Now talk about team work. There's this clown who I guess plays basket ball. His team has kept him on the bench for reasons that are probably straight forward, the guy isn't a team player. Now he sits and cries that he wants to be traded, allowed to play, boo hoo! He signed a contract, a legally binding device that subjects him to the servitude of the team who owns the paper. He plays when they want him to. He sits when he is told. They own him. Period. Get over it.
These are just two examples of the lack of smarts these guys have. And yet, we as consumers buy into it and promote this culture. Brains not included.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Number Please
Let's all face it, we're all connected. Hard wire, cell, Internet, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, grapefruit etc. Look around, somewhere someone is talking, texting (I don't really understand this one. Why take the time to type it out if you're not sending a letter?), playing games, taking photos, some how some way trying to communicate to someone else. I remember a time, and it wasn't all that long ago, that the phone didn't ring for days. You picked up the receiver and it had some heft to it. More like a small barbell. Not this lightweight plastic crap that's molded in some far off locale (stamped with Hecho en Chine). Can't even say Made in China.
I spend more time on the phone than I want to admit or would like to. Having to call some vendor, agency or customer more times than not gets my stomach churning. Like tonight for example. Channel 3 disappeared from our television. I don't watch it too much, actually not very often if any at all. You see channel 3 is actually channel 5 out of New York but it's not the channel 5 I grew up with. Channel 5 used to be WNEW. Now it's some FOX name. There used to be something comforting about those old TV channels, 5, 9, and 11. They were truly New York. Simple, low budget entertainment. Back to the subject at hand.
I called the cable company. Your call is important to us and it may be monitored for quality assurance training purposes. Yea, right! First off, if our call was so darn important they would have some English speaking life form answer. Instead please listen to the following menu selections. Then some quick one liner about if you don't understand uncle cracker and refuse to conform and assimilate into the American culture you can take the rest of the call in some foreign tongue.
The real reason they tell you that are going to tape the call is so they can use it in evidence at your trial when you show up at their door and blow them away. They want to show the stress levels in your voice and how you are going to eat them for breakfast, without letting the jury know they forced you into a corner and made you snap.
Once you get past the pleasantries they ask you to input your phone number including area code. This is sharp! Ever wonder how you wind up on some telemarketers list? Here's how, you sign up yourself. (Try this one on for size, enter some obscure number next time, you know like the local VD clinic or Homeless shelter). Once you've finished giving up your number you're directed to another phone tree. More choices! I never knew how many combinations and choices we have in life. No wonder we can't make decisions anymore. Too many variables.
Finally, after just pushing indiscriminate buttons you get again, more choices! And more choices! Finally you give up muttering some thing about defacing the grave of Alexander Graham Bell or you get a selection of Moo-sack combined with "your call is important to us", or "all of our customer service representatives are busy assisting other customers and they'll be with you momentarily." These are all ways for the place you're calling to cover the time that it takes long distance connections to some hut in rice paddy town in a hot sub contenant to connect.
Then, after about ten or fifteen minutes (more like hours) you finally get someone. He says's his name is Bob, but you know from his accent he rode his elephant (you know the one with the little house on it) to work tonight. You start to explain what the problem is and why you're calling and the first thing he asks is for you to give him your telephone number! Starting with area code! You see they really do this because they can and that first time you entered the number did nothing!
Now the guy starts asking you questions and I never can understand what the heck they're saying. Maybe it's the fact they're sitting there eating grasshoppers, rice and curry wrapped in fried dog ears. I then start fighting fire with fire. I interject my slow Texas drawl. I say, ya know, pardner, I'm kinda get'n the feeling ya ain't from around these here parts now are ya? It's now becoming a game. They start talking slower and try to enunciate their words. You know just like the teacher does in ESL (English Second Language) classes do.
I got one of these guys so fed up he actually hung up on me! Score one for our side! It really doesn't matter though, when it's all said and done a repair order taken down the block, across town or halfway around the world still gets lost and they show up two or three hours late anyway.
But just think about it next time, if we can get enough people to all talk to these "Customer Service Representatives" in a John Wayne voice maybe they'll get the hint.
So when it's all said and done you hang up and hope for the best.
I spend more time on the phone than I want to admit or would like to. Having to call some vendor, agency or customer more times than not gets my stomach churning. Like tonight for example. Channel 3 disappeared from our television. I don't watch it too much, actually not very often if any at all. You see channel 3 is actually channel 5 out of New York but it's not the channel 5 I grew up with. Channel 5 used to be WNEW. Now it's some FOX name. There used to be something comforting about those old TV channels, 5, 9, and 11. They were truly New York. Simple, low budget entertainment. Back to the subject at hand.
I called the cable company. Your call is important to us and it may be monitored for quality assurance training purposes. Yea, right! First off, if our call was so darn important they would have some English speaking life form answer. Instead please listen to the following menu selections. Then some quick one liner about if you don't understand uncle cracker and refuse to conform and assimilate into the American culture you can take the rest of the call in some foreign tongue.
The real reason they tell you that are going to tape the call is so they can use it in evidence at your trial when you show up at their door and blow them away. They want to show the stress levels in your voice and how you are going to eat them for breakfast, without letting the jury know they forced you into a corner and made you snap.
Once you get past the pleasantries they ask you to input your phone number including area code. This is sharp! Ever wonder how you wind up on some telemarketers list? Here's how, you sign up yourself. (Try this one on for size, enter some obscure number next time, you know like the local VD clinic or Homeless shelter). Once you've finished giving up your number you're directed to another phone tree. More choices! I never knew how many combinations and choices we have in life. No wonder we can't make decisions anymore. Too many variables.
Finally, after just pushing indiscriminate buttons you get again, more choices! And more choices! Finally you give up muttering some thing about defacing the grave of Alexander Graham Bell or you get a selection of Moo-sack combined with "your call is important to us", or "all of our customer service representatives are busy assisting other customers and they'll be with you momentarily." These are all ways for the place you're calling to cover the time that it takes long distance connections to some hut in rice paddy town in a hot sub contenant to connect.
Then, after about ten or fifteen minutes (more like hours) you finally get someone. He says's his name is Bob, but you know from his accent he rode his elephant (you know the one with the little house on it) to work tonight. You start to explain what the problem is and why you're calling and the first thing he asks is for you to give him your telephone number! Starting with area code! You see they really do this because they can and that first time you entered the number did nothing!
Now the guy starts asking you questions and I never can understand what the heck they're saying. Maybe it's the fact they're sitting there eating grasshoppers, rice and curry wrapped in fried dog ears. I then start fighting fire with fire. I interject my slow Texas drawl. I say, ya know, pardner, I'm kinda get'n the feeling ya ain't from around these here parts now are ya? It's now becoming a game. They start talking slower and try to enunciate their words. You know just like the teacher does in ESL (English Second Language) classes do.
I got one of these guys so fed up he actually hung up on me! Score one for our side! It really doesn't matter though, when it's all said and done a repair order taken down the block, across town or halfway around the world still gets lost and they show up two or three hours late anyway.
But just think about it next time, if we can get enough people to all talk to these "Customer Service Representatives" in a John Wayne voice maybe they'll get the hint.
So when it's all said and done you hang up and hope for the best.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
People often ask me why I'm in a grouchy mood. It's not my mood, but people! Everyday I'm confronted by someone somewhere who thinks because I'm in business for myself I have somehow struck it rich and have scads of money coming out of every orifice. You've got people working for you doing the dirty work while I'm sitting back counting the money. They say look at all the trucks, containers, loaders, excavators, buildings, etc. You've got it made. If I've got it so made then why am I working so hard?
For over twenty some years I was gainfully employed in both the private and public sector. Worked my way up from entry level positions to high level management spots, both in government and the private sector. Still there was always something missing. A feeling of accomplishment. A feeling of doing a good job and being able to share that with others. Yet each of these jobs left a sour taste in my mouth. Regardless of how smart, resourceful or innovative you were in your position either someone else grabbed your idea and got credit for it or the idea was squashed because someone high up the food chain felt threatened by your idea and had the power to kill it. Politicians have the best skills at doing that. They really refine them to the point where it's almost like having bloodless surgery.
Many times I promoted ideas for the common good only to be shot down. Soon after this happened a few times I saw the light. Did just what was expected of my and stayed long enough to get a pension and then I struck it out on my own.
Maybe I'm an idealistic sort, a throwback to my generation of the sixties (before they all sold out - another blog at another time) but I went into business with the express purpose of doing something that would benefit my fellow man, create some jobs, and put a few dollars in my pocket and leave something for my kids.
I still have that sense of purpose but just seeing the way the world is going to hell in a GUCCI BAG, (just used the name as a point of reference, you'll catch on later) it really makes one stop and wonder what any of this is worth.
You got these crazy idiots running our government. No one seeking to unite, only divide and conquer. (Disclaimer - I speak from the heart and I am not politically correct so if you want to stop reading do so now lest your sensibilities be bruised!) Nut jobs willing to die for their god and not for the true essence the betterment of mankind and society. While on the other hand we've got people here who feel that anyone who has saved and worked their whole life or just had that better idea and made money at it should "share the wealth"! Bull tacos! Now we're getting to the real meat of this dissertation, the global quest to have everything, NOW!
I take this time to pay homage to the Wal-Mart employee in Valley Stream who was trampled to death by shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. What is so all fired important about having to have the latest whatever before the next guy? Do people really care if you got the first whats-is-it on your block? This incident, and I'm sure there are many more that have happened in the past, present and future, will continue because the retail industry in our society has distilled all these consumer goods into a narcotic potion for the masses that they need to have NOW! People have become junkies over consumer goods.
While as a kid growing up in the fifties and sixties we were always slammed with commercials on television trying to get us to pester our parents to by the latest and greatest gizmo's available.
I truly have to hand it to my parents( thanks Mom & Dad) that they gave in little to these consumer fads. The first big consumer fad I can recall was Davy Crockett. Every kid, including my self wanted that coonskin hat, buckskin suit and moccasins. I got a T-shirt that said Davy Crockett and a coon skin hat that ripped into pieces soon after getting it. Next was the Rifleman, Chuck Connors, got to see him in San Antonio in 1966, and his rifle. It was cool with that over sized hand grip lever thing a ma bob. But instead I got the Restless Gun pistol set. This could be a rifle, a long barrel pistol, a short barrel rifle. Then the last item I wanted, before I gave up on things, was the Mattel pistol that shot plastic projectiles. Where was child product safety in those days. Any way I never got one until many years later I would find a working one in some one's trash. So those three lessons really made me think, the world didn't fall apart, I wasn't outcast into some vast expanse of looser land because I didn't get those things. It just made me accept failure better than if I had gotten everything.
So back on track with were this is going, we need a revolution. I'm not talking about a gun toting shoot em up type of fracas, but a revolution of mind and spirit. We have become a society of consumers and need freaks. Haves and have nots. Candy ass liberals who want to give away anything that's not theirs to level the playing field. Tight ass conservatives who want it all and not to let anyone else have it. The country divided!
I say the field should be level to a point but individual strength and forbearance should actually stand for something. Our own Declaration of Independence says it, All men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights, etc. In other words the brass ring is there for the taking, you've just got to get up and get it. Self motivation. Everyone can achieve their own level of success and that's good. Let everyone try. We need to do more with less. We need also need less in society. But how can anyone succeed when anytime someone gets a little success some Politician, who didn't get a taste of the pie, sticks his nose into the situation and drafts a law or empowers a bureaucrat to quell success. This country of our is so dam hypocritical it makes ones senses numb from the speed at which it all happens.
Now I'm turning theological. The plain and simple truth of the matter is that within the Bible the 10 commandments kind of lay out the extent of the amount of law we need to live by. Simple, direct and too the point. Throw in the golden rule and you've got it all together. Real simple. No need for all kinds of lawyers preaching their legal speak. No holier than thou politicians speaking from the high ground of the capitol. Just plain and simple rules. I think what happened many years ago when Moses was summoned to the Mount, he really transcribed more than ten commandments. When he got back off the mountain and saw what the Philadelphia shyster lawyers were doing he saved them time and improvised the original Tort reform by smashing the tablets and then only finding the first ten, sticking them in a box and hiding them so they couldn't be adjusted, tweaked or modified.
Our forefathers saw an experiment in this thing called democracy and felt it was an experiment that should evolve and change in a positive way. They challenged the conventions of their time with the American Model of democracy. It was almost as man evolved and his ideas and ideals evolved and grew to a much higher level so should the manner in which government govern. Yet instead of high minded Utopian philosophies and expectations America instead has produced the largest Whore House in the world with Washington D.C. A place where everyone has their legs spread hoping for their own gratification at the expense of the common man.
So with this entire evolution of our government we have created a society that has become more in tune with what's in it for me rather than what can we do together. Maybe it's time with took a step backward and review what we have staring us in the face. Religious fanatics unable to see into the basic common tenants of their religious convictions and seek death and destruction where ever they so choose. Are these people any different from our society? They want what they want and are willing to achieve it at any price just like our society. Do we kill others in this quest? You betcha! We claim the high ground in making the environment safe, making sure all workers have a safe work place, etc. Yet the minute these costs are figured into American products we walk away and go to the big box store to buy imported crap that is either substandard in quality or is manufactured by some borderline employee / slave in a country that doesn't give a crap about their environment or workers safety just for price. It is any wonder why Americans are the laughing stock of the world?
I'm not promoting protectionism but really why do we as a country have to be the policeman of the world. Why can't we just stay in our backyard, play with our toys and talk to our neighbors over the fence. Why can't we manufacture our goods to those standards we espouse but push aside for price? Why can't we to go visit our neighbors without being judgemental? How can we pass morality on the world when we can't practice it here at home?
The answers are really there but we need to be committed to finding them, implementing them and above all living them. Did you ever see a Brinks truck following a funeral procession? Since we can't take it with us then why bother? What's the point? The reality of it all is that we are eventually going to go the way of the dinosaur so this makes everything moot. We'll all pass on to the great beyond and leave everything we worked for and amassed to someone else or even better yet the government. Give it to the government so they can urinate it away on some bull crap issue or project that serves no one but some mindless politician. Are we passing on happiness or sadness? I really don't think so. Our happiness is contained within and should be shared. Our sadness should be shared in a way that we can comfort others and be comforted ourselves. So when someone asks me if I'm grouchy you can understand my position. But sooner or later for all the riches and losses in the world we'll all be equals for eternity when we take the dirt nap!
For over twenty some years I was gainfully employed in both the private and public sector. Worked my way up from entry level positions to high level management spots, both in government and the private sector. Still there was always something missing. A feeling of accomplishment. A feeling of doing a good job and being able to share that with others. Yet each of these jobs left a sour taste in my mouth. Regardless of how smart, resourceful or innovative you were in your position either someone else grabbed your idea and got credit for it or the idea was squashed because someone high up the food chain felt threatened by your idea and had the power to kill it. Politicians have the best skills at doing that. They really refine them to the point where it's almost like having bloodless surgery.
Many times I promoted ideas for the common good only to be shot down. Soon after this happened a few times I saw the light. Did just what was expected of my and stayed long enough to get a pension and then I struck it out on my own.
Maybe I'm an idealistic sort, a throwback to my generation of the sixties (before they all sold out - another blog at another time) but I went into business with the express purpose of doing something that would benefit my fellow man, create some jobs, and put a few dollars in my pocket and leave something for my kids.
I still have that sense of purpose but just seeing the way the world is going to hell in a GUCCI BAG, (just used the name as a point of reference, you'll catch on later) it really makes one stop and wonder what any of this is worth.
You got these crazy idiots running our government. No one seeking to unite, only divide and conquer. (Disclaimer - I speak from the heart and I am not politically correct so if you want to stop reading do so now lest your sensibilities be bruised!) Nut jobs willing to die for their god and not for the true essence the betterment of mankind and society. While on the other hand we've got people here who feel that anyone who has saved and worked their whole life or just had that better idea and made money at it should "share the wealth"! Bull tacos! Now we're getting to the real meat of this dissertation, the global quest to have everything, NOW!
I take this time to pay homage to the Wal-Mart employee in Valley Stream who was trampled to death by shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. What is so all fired important about having to have the latest whatever before the next guy? Do people really care if you got the first whats-is-it on your block? This incident, and I'm sure there are many more that have happened in the past, present and future, will continue because the retail industry in our society has distilled all these consumer goods into a narcotic potion for the masses that they need to have NOW! People have become junkies over consumer goods.
While as a kid growing up in the fifties and sixties we were always slammed with commercials on television trying to get us to pester our parents to by the latest and greatest gizmo's available.
I truly have to hand it to my parents( thanks Mom & Dad) that they gave in little to these consumer fads. The first big consumer fad I can recall was Davy Crockett. Every kid, including my self wanted that coonskin hat, buckskin suit and moccasins. I got a T-shirt that said Davy Crockett and a coon skin hat that ripped into pieces soon after getting it. Next was the Rifleman, Chuck Connors, got to see him in San Antonio in 1966, and his rifle. It was cool with that over sized hand grip lever thing a ma bob. But instead I got the Restless Gun pistol set. This could be a rifle, a long barrel pistol, a short barrel rifle. Then the last item I wanted, before I gave up on things, was the Mattel pistol that shot plastic projectiles. Where was child product safety in those days. Any way I never got one until many years later I would find a working one in some one's trash. So those three lessons really made me think, the world didn't fall apart, I wasn't outcast into some vast expanse of looser land because I didn't get those things. It just made me accept failure better than if I had gotten everything.
So back on track with were this is going, we need a revolution. I'm not talking about a gun toting shoot em up type of fracas, but a revolution of mind and spirit. We have become a society of consumers and need freaks. Haves and have nots. Candy ass liberals who want to give away anything that's not theirs to level the playing field. Tight ass conservatives who want it all and not to let anyone else have it. The country divided!
I say the field should be level to a point but individual strength and forbearance should actually stand for something. Our own Declaration of Independence says it, All men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights, etc. In other words the brass ring is there for the taking, you've just got to get up and get it. Self motivation. Everyone can achieve their own level of success and that's good. Let everyone try. We need to do more with less. We need also need less in society. But how can anyone succeed when anytime someone gets a little success some Politician, who didn't get a taste of the pie, sticks his nose into the situation and drafts a law or empowers a bureaucrat to quell success. This country of our is so dam hypocritical it makes ones senses numb from the speed at which it all happens.
Now I'm turning theological. The plain and simple truth of the matter is that within the Bible the 10 commandments kind of lay out the extent of the amount of law we need to live by. Simple, direct and too the point. Throw in the golden rule and you've got it all together. Real simple. No need for all kinds of lawyers preaching their legal speak. No holier than thou politicians speaking from the high ground of the capitol. Just plain and simple rules. I think what happened many years ago when Moses was summoned to the Mount, he really transcribed more than ten commandments. When he got back off the mountain and saw what the Philadelphia shyster lawyers were doing he saved them time and improvised the original Tort reform by smashing the tablets and then only finding the first ten, sticking them in a box and hiding them so they couldn't be adjusted, tweaked or modified.
Our forefathers saw an experiment in this thing called democracy and felt it was an experiment that should evolve and change in a positive way. They challenged the conventions of their time with the American Model of democracy. It was almost as man evolved and his ideas and ideals evolved and grew to a much higher level so should the manner in which government govern. Yet instead of high minded Utopian philosophies and expectations America instead has produced the largest Whore House in the world with Washington D.C. A place where everyone has their legs spread hoping for their own gratification at the expense of the common man.
So with this entire evolution of our government we have created a society that has become more in tune with what's in it for me rather than what can we do together. Maybe it's time with took a step backward and review what we have staring us in the face. Religious fanatics unable to see into the basic common tenants of their religious convictions and seek death and destruction where ever they so choose. Are these people any different from our society? They want what they want and are willing to achieve it at any price just like our society. Do we kill others in this quest? You betcha! We claim the high ground in making the environment safe, making sure all workers have a safe work place, etc. Yet the minute these costs are figured into American products we walk away and go to the big box store to buy imported crap that is either substandard in quality or is manufactured by some borderline employee / slave in a country that doesn't give a crap about their environment or workers safety just for price. It is any wonder why Americans are the laughing stock of the world?
I'm not promoting protectionism but really why do we as a country have to be the policeman of the world. Why can't we just stay in our backyard, play with our toys and talk to our neighbors over the fence. Why can't we manufacture our goods to those standards we espouse but push aside for price? Why can't we to go visit our neighbors without being judgemental? How can we pass morality on the world when we can't practice it here at home?
The answers are really there but we need to be committed to finding them, implementing them and above all living them. Did you ever see a Brinks truck following a funeral procession? Since we can't take it with us then why bother? What's the point? The reality of it all is that we are eventually going to go the way of the dinosaur so this makes everything moot. We'll all pass on to the great beyond and leave everything we worked for and amassed to someone else or even better yet the government. Give it to the government so they can urinate it away on some bull crap issue or project that serves no one but some mindless politician. Are we passing on happiness or sadness? I really don't think so. Our happiness is contained within and should be shared. Our sadness should be shared in a way that we can comfort others and be comforted ourselves. So when someone asks me if I'm grouchy you can understand my position. But sooner or later for all the riches and losses in the world we'll all be equals for eternity when we take the dirt nap!
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