Final Disappointment for the Year

I can't say 2013 was the best year, but I can say it had its ups and downs; with some of the things to continue into the next year.

As I watched my stat counter, I had this feeling I might break the 100,000 visit mark. I'm close, but it's looking like even the bots are tired, or determined to go piddle with someone's New Year party.

Anyway, that's one of those tiny disappointment, and the term "It WILL happen next year" is probably true.

So, for those readers going out to bring in the new year at a party, or such: Drive safely, drink responsibly and don't blow a finger off with a firecracker.

For the bots: Learn to write better. Some of your spam comments are beyond belief.

Here's some Dixie Dregs to get your new year charged up.

My Summary Of 2013

January 1, 2013 - Happy New Year......whoosh.....wait; no wait.....whoosh.....I'm not catching up.......whoosh..

...and here we are: December 30, 2013. The rest of the year will pass in the blink of an eye.

Piano Guys, Old Folks and Charlie Brown

Every once in awhile, you find something that touches your heart. With me, many of those things involve older people, since you don't have to spend long with them to realize their hearts are still young, they have much to offer and they can lead lonely lives towards the end.

I like the following video. I think many of you will, also.

The Window to the Soul

They say music is the window to the soul. I think that's a good description and discovering how to imbed videos may turn into an obsession.

Peer inside. You can always click away, if you don't like what you see.

Experimenting with Video

I'm experimenting. If it doesn't work, I'll figure out a way to make it so.

Stupid Things

If technical things don't interest you, then you might want to stop reading at this point.

I've built a few roads, including highways. They're a marvel of modern construction, but they suffer from something that is common and destructive.

That substance? Water.

Every roadbed has either naturally compacted material, or a material manipulated to a density considered best for supporting the completed pavement structure. While some roads are constructed on bedrock, which is removed to a grade that allows the pavement, many aren't and the substructure reacts to moisture. Moisture allows the material to swell, lose compaction or migrate away, through the hydraulic action of the pavement on the subgrade (constant downward movement by traffic is like the ram on a hydraulic cylinder.Since water is not compressible, the force is transferred into the sub-base, which removes material and creates voids.) The result is pavement failures, which can eventually lead to complete replacement.

Moisture under pavement has another problem it creates: Roots. Trees and plants seek the moisture, grow over time and the swelling of the roots destroys paving. If you don't believe this, find an old street, with large trees, and take a gander at the horrible condition of the sidewalks.

This where the stupid part comes into play:

I was driving down a new road in an adjacent town. I remember when it bid, the millions required for completion and the useful purpose this road would allow when it connected new home additions with local businesses. What I saw disturbed me.

The new, four lane, curbed, concrete paving was built with a planted median about 8 feet wide. In this median were trees, which will grow large and a sprinkler system designed to provide water. Otherwise, in a few years, the pavement will unravel to the point repairs will be necessary. Eventually, either the trees will have to go, or the road will need replacing.

How stupid can people get? Wasn't there at least one sound mind involved that could have warned of this error and convinced the city to avoid appearing as dumbasses?

I don't know about you, but I'm reaching the point I'm almost dumbfounded by the pissed off money spent by politicians and bureaucrats. It's like an illness and the ignorance is becoming pandemic.

There's No Doubt

I was reading an article, which explained the difference between common cold and flu symptoms....as if someone would need to ask.

You have no doubt you have the flu. The last time I was stricken, the only description that best fits is: I felt like hammered crap.

The symptoms: They started with an unexpected headache one morning at work. I don't get headaches very often, and this one hurt enough to drive me to distraction.

As the day progressed, I felt a fatigue coming on that was more than any day's work should cause. By quitting time, I felt as though I'd spent days working without rest and my throat was now sore.

By that night, I was vacillating between feeling as though I was freezing and burning up with a fever. My head was pounding, my throat was aching and my sinuses were burning. I went to bed almost delirious, with aches and fever tremors.

I awoke in the middle of the night literally soaked from sweat. To make things worse, I was having a hard time breathing and my sinuses were clogged. The cough I'd developed was dry and I could hear rattling as I breathed.

I stayed home from work the next few days. My symptoms weren't worse, but they were far from better. I spent the entire day suffering between the other symptoms, and new symptoms of intestinal problems. Nauseated, I dared not eat anything, although the thought was far from my mind. Diarrhea appeared somewhere during that time, and I was hard pressed to keep from being dehydrated.

Eventually the symptoms lessened, and I was left with inflamed sinuses, a severe sore throat and a cough that would bring up terrible looking gunk.

It took weeks before the symptoms disappeared and I felt half-human.

So, if you catch the flu, you don't have to ask. You'll know and the best thing is to drink as many liquids as you can, treat the symptoms with over the counter medications and hope for the best. The flu can kill you. After you've had it, there's no doubt in your mind it can.

Why Not Tax Bicycles?

There are a few articles about this new source of tax revenue, so you can find them with a search engine.

I guess I'm a little amazed. Taxing entities are so desperate for money, they'll do just about anything to find a new source of revenue to waste. Even if they taxed all bicycles, charged a user fee, place tollways on bicycles paths and demanded licenses, the paltry amount of revenue wouldn't make a dent in their budget deficits. Still, they try and never realize they only generate more anger, with a determination to kick the entire lot of bureaucratic imbeciles to the curb.

Dumbasses. This affliction is rampant among government employees. That, and an insane belief people believe they all serve some useful purpose.

The Correct Answer is "No"

Jesse Jackson is demanding A&E and Cracker Barrel meet with his group within 72 hours.  I'm guessing they want to shake down those involved and get some money for their endeavors, which are becoming less important daily.

I know what I would say. The answer would be "no". Jesse Jackson reached the point he's only important to Jesse Jackson. In a desperate effort to continue with a life that now irrelevant, he's willing to appear as a raving lunatic, which I've suspected for a long time is exactly what he is. If he doesn't get his way, he can't hurt either corporation, since they don't cater to those that blindly follow an organization that creates racism, where it doesn't exist.

I have a feeling he's getting desperate and the money isn't as good as he'd like. That sucks, but that's part of business. When your product doesn't sell well, you either find a product people like, or learn to operate with what you get.

Merry Christmas to All My Readers and the Bots

I have a lot of things on my mind. Those things are not all good and the last week brought the winds of change that will influence my life forever. Where the changes lead, will not be as important as what they do to me.

So, without elaborating, I wish everyone that happens to wander to this small corner of the internet the best that life can bring and peace of mind. It's not much, but it means more when the sentiment is shared.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Too Bad About Your Benefits, and Get Your Ass to Another Hell-Hole

The Sudan is turning into another third world toilet.  Not that it already wasn't, but U.S. Marines weren't exposed to gunfire and the danger of anarchy.

Now they are. Meanwhile, the President lounges in Hawaii, his administrative officials lie their asses off and the troops will have more than their share of those that don't care, due to the new "budget agreement".

Damned if this doesn't piss me off more than many other things. It's all hype, until a bullet finds you and your own government will probably shuffle you into some crappy V.A. hospital and hope you die before you get any benefits. All of that, while evacuating those silly enough to even think of going to a crappy location, like the Sudan.

Assholes. Too many people don't deserve the protection they receive. I include about 90 percent of those in Washington, D.C. in this description.

This and That

Susan Rice called Benghazi a "false controversy" during an interview shown on "60 Minutes". That's an unacceptable response. There is always controversy involved with the death of any U.S. citizen, and the fact Susan Rice either repeated false information, or deliberately lied only adds more controversy to the murder of a U.S. Ambassador and three other citizens.

The way I see it: If she didn't know the information was false, she'd be doing everything possible to clear her name and distance herself from the administrative officials involved.

Since she's not, she's culpable, whether as an unwilling dupe - covering for others - or a willing participant in a deliberate effort to hide criminal actions.

Either way, she can't hide forever. She may only carry the stigma through her final days. Hopefully, she spends some of that time, with others, in prison for what they've done.

It's Usually About Money

With the big flap about the comments of one of the stars of a reality show, the one sure thing that appeared was the worry about money.

The sponsors of the show, and the products endorsed, jumped between outrage, dismay and being butt-hurt, when they realized they were kicked in the ass pocket. I doubt they really have any moral dilemma; their statements pretty well indicate they're really not sure which way to jump; except it needs to be in the direction that doesn't hurt their profits.

The organization that was so adamant about their position now finds they've wandered away from the security of Hollywood and the wilderness is full of those that find their beliefs far from their own. To add insult to injury, some of the people they supposedly represent are insulted by the reactions. The correspondence they're receiving, from what I've read, is not showing a huge amount of support. This can translate into dollars they won't receive.

So, it's all about money; and the star of the show doesn't care what people think, will go on with his life and will do so without remorse. I don't think he needs the money. I'm betting he'd carve a wooden beak and pick shit with the chickens, before he'd back down from his beliefs for money.

I doubt those that created this faux event have the same resolution. They'll be wondering how bad they were damaged for a long time. I'm pretty sure the hurt won't go away anytime soon, and they probably deserve the pain.

Harry Reid is Exhausted

Senator Harry Reid was hospitalized for "feeling bad, and has now been released, with the okay to return to work.

I don't know about you, but I've been around older folks, when they reach the point of exhaustion. It's a point of no return and the only way to prevent further episodes is to scale back their work and think seriously about their life.

Now, old Harry may say otherwise, but his days are numbered as Senator. His mental acuity will suffer, his stamina will not carry him through tough political episodes and his backers are alerted that they need to find a replacement as soon as possible. Harry may lose some of his reasoning abilities and reveal things some may always want to remain hidden.

So, Harry is finished. How all this ends will be revealed in the near future. Personally, I'm glad he's going. He's not a good person and has damaged the U.S. with his actions.

Goodbye Harry. Don't let the door hit you in the ass, on the way out.

Ducks, Dynasties and Contracts

I've never watched "Duck Dynasty". From what I read, it's popular and the patriarch spoke his opinion, which was printed in a magazine, and the media turned away from anything that is important to focus on this non-event.

First thing: I don't care what he said. It's his opinion.

Second: Since I don't watch the show, still not watching the show will have no effect on the revenues.

Third: No matter how anyone feels, or acts, the final determination on how this plays out will be as civil litigation, if necessary. The contract determines the obligations and - since I don't have a dog in the hunt - I don't care what the contract states. I will read it, for a fee, since I'm not interested, although I doubt anyone will make me the offer.

If anyone is, I'm cheap. You can get me to read your contract, allow me to comment and waste your money for the low cost of $45 per hour...plus expenses. My opinion is worthless in court and will guarantee you a smirk from a judge...if not a contempt citation.

Should I Be Surprised?

A billboard for the tribute of Nelson Mandela, mistakenly used a picture of Morgan Freeman.  I guess I should be surprised, but I'm not, and I'd really be surprised if more than a few dozen people would know the difference.

I'm Beginning to Wonder...

...about my mental state.

I was listening to the news report about the big lottery winners. After listening to the report, and thinking about what I would do, if I won, and I realized I wasn't thinking about what I'd buy; I was thinking about how I could give money, without anybody knowing where it came from.

I don't know if that's normal, or not. Maybe it has to do with age. There's a point where the best things in life are good meals, long naps and pleasant conversations.

State of the Economy

If you watch some media outlets, the economy is recovering and everything is looking better.

If you watch other media outlets, the economy is a mess, and things won't get better for a long time.

If you ask me, the economy is being held down by the government. If they let up, the economy will rebound and the current administration will look like the clowns they are.

If they don't let up, the economy will continue to have problems, although those higher in the food chain of the government don't seem to be having any problems. Their healthcare is free; they have tons of perks; their salaries rise, in spite of how many in the private sector lose jobs, or lose purchasing power due to increases in costs; they ignore the constituents that pay their salaries; and they live in a government Disneyland, where unemployment is down, housing prices are increasing, businesses are doing fine and the harsh realities of a bad economy everywhere, but D.C., is either ignored, or they're oblivious.

Whether those in D.C., and the media, realize it, or not, the rest of the country is fed up and the grumbling is becoming more than grumbling. To make their situation worse, they've pissed off the military, which is the only thing that stands between them and mobs with pitch forks.

I don't know if they realize it, but they're dumbasses. Time will tell how this all turns out, but the seeds of discontent are sown, and the crop of anger is huge.

Some Things You Don't Delete

My blog list on my computer is old. There are broken links, blogs on hold and some that I read, but not very often. The links are transferred to upgraded computers and I don't delete them. It's some kind of superstitious thing, and since it doesn't hurt anyone, I'll keep them as long as I can.

One, from way back, I keep linked because I really used to enjoy visiting. He had a few nicknames, including "Acidman". I might have commented, but I don't remember if I did. Usually, I'd just read, laugh, or feel the emotions tugged by Rob, as he commented on his life.

His blog name was "Gut Rumbles", and it still exists.

I forgot about the blog, but found it linked in my favorites, which I was perusing. He's been gone since 2006, but still lives on in his blog. If you have time, it's good reading.

Unpleasant

That's the best description for having no recourse, but to use a port-a-can when the temperature is 33 degrees.

They Won't Come This Christmas

Yeah, I know. Christmas is a time of happiness. That's why I'm writing this post. Christmas will never be the same.

My mother passed last summer. It was time. Life took everything she had and there was nothing left. She won't share this Christmas and it's a sobering thought.

So, Christmas is coming, but it will never be the same for me. There's too much now missing and the memories are full of people that I'll never see again during this life.

I'm sad, although the sadness is full of happy memories: Christmases where the wonder of lit trees, smiling faces, the smells of wonderful food and the conversations full of joy and cheer. There were many and my memories are full of these wonderful occasions.

Christmas is coming, but it will be only one day. Make it special, keep those you love close, and place the wonderful day into your heart forever. You'll eventually find only memories remain for many and those memories are yours to create and treasure.

Learning Is a Good Experience

I was thinking about a gumbo I made last week. I'd made one about a month ago, and while my wife thought it was good, she said I could have cooked the roux longer.

I thought about it, determined I could do better and approached the task in a different manner.

In the past, I'd turn the heat higher and constantly stir the roux to keep it from burning. This time, I turned the heat low, added just a touch of bacon grease to the oil for flavor and turned as necessary.

After a time, I realized the roux wasn't getting any darker. I kept turning it and carefully watched to make sure it wasn't burning.

The outcome? After determining the roux would only get darker if I burned it, I knew it was ready for adding the onions. After I sweated the onion, I added the chicken and turned it in the roux for a few minutes. The only thing left at that time was to add some water, more seasoning and the sausage, when it was time.

It turned out good and there's still some in the freezer.

Budget Deal?

I haven't read the bill, so I have no details. I do have the experience of those in the past, and the trillions in debt don't indicate there's any relief for taxpayers in this one either.

The supposed leadership in Washington shows there's only one real goal, which is to continue the operation of the political machine called Washington, the District of Columbia.

It's a huge machine, that once had a purpose. That purpose was to keep the United States safe, keep the ability to communicate a priority and insure all expenditures were based on real needs. It was a simple machine and designed to allow liberty of the citizens.

Now, it's a contraption that is not only expensive, the intended purpose is almost lost in the workings of useless components, wasted resources and the constant fiddling with the controls to determine how much more can be added, without completely destroying the machine.

Like any machine, Washington requires something to supply the energy to make it operate. In this situation, it's money, which is limited. It doesn't grow on trees, can't really be described as renewable and the supply is being reduced by the sheer volume of waste. The suppliers are appalled by this waste, yet those in Washington don't pay attention. They'd rather look to those that too have a part in this contraption of ridiculous purposes and ignore those that ultimately determine if the money will continue to flow and allow this machine to run.

I read that around 45% of those that live in this country depend on Washington and place no money in the pipeline that feeds the machine. That's unconscionable, but I think they don't realize mental concepts and philosophical discourse have no real bearing on the ultimate outcome. Regardless of political beliefs, the machine will fail when there is not enough money to keep it running. That point approaches and whether the machine is dismantled to its original function, or fails completely is the big question.

No matter how this happens, it will and the operators in Washington indicate by their actions they'll be the last to suffer from the effects. They have no qualms about continuing their dereliction of purpose and allowing the financial burdens of the taxpayers to increase, while theirs don't, and they gather wealth with unethical dealings.

So, in Washington D.C., the machine clatters, clangs, and pieces fall off constantly; destroying things as they fall and increasing the amounts of resources required to keep this monstrosity running. In spite of the dire warnings, the operators ignore the problems and too many in the United States are blissfully unaware of the impending failure.

Different Perceptions

I was raised in an industrial, coastal city. It was home, and I never thought much about how it was perceived, but as time when on, I realized my town had a bad reputation. Considering some of the things I encountered, the reputation was founded on facts.

I decided to leave a few years after I was married. The decision was galvanized by an experience one night:

Our dog started barking in the middle of the night. It wasn't the questioning bark; it was the bark that signified something was wrong and I needed to pay attention.

Investigation revealed a group of teenagers walking down the street. Looking at the clock, I realized it was 3:00 am, a school night and they had no reason to be out; much less talking loudly as they sashayed down a quiet neighborhood in the middle of the night.

I didn't like the feeling of not feeling safe. While they were causing no harm, they had the opportunity if they wanted to take advantage. Without the dog, they would have passed by without me knowing and if crime was on their mind, thievery, burglary and other mayhem was a wide open opportunity. They were intruding on my peace and quiet, did so with impunity and there was nothing I could do about it.

I moved to a rural area; so rural they don't deliver mail to my house and there is no cable service. I do have neighbors, but they're not intrusive, will wave if we happen to see each other and will shoot first if the need arises. They'll protect me, my property and I'll do the same, if necessary.  It's an unspoken agreement and necessary. The sheriff department is our only police force and they can be a long time arriving.

I like this arrangement. I like knowing I have the liberty to protect what's mine, know strangers are only welcome if invited and criminals may find something as simple as a burglary may turn into a capital offense. With a rural setting, low law enforcement presence, and the fact any intrusion signifies a complete lack of mental acuity, any criminal can only be considered dangerous and life threatening.

I know many people think living in the city is grand. They feel safer, although I doubt they are. Predators roam at will, and have been allowed to so for a long period of time. Society has broken down and those that have no business roaming freely do so without thought. Where a criminal should have few opportunities due to the number of citizens unwilling to allow their behavior, the opposite is now true. Those willing to support the laws, lock and bolt themselves in their homes, pay for security, allow their ability for defense to be lowered by the removal of their firearms and do so without ever thinking they've reduced their standard of living. They aren't in control of their environment; they're prey and the predators are only waiting for the right moment to strike.

To make matters worse, the predators developed a feeling of entitlement. They have no qualms about sneaking into garages, stealing all that can be found, vandalizing automobiles and burglarizing businesses. They feel you deserve the thievery, since you were so inefficient with protecting your property. Even if caught, they may only get a state jail felony conviction, spend a year or two being clothed and fed, and return to continue their predation. When they become emboldened, they jack cars, knock down doors and terrorize families.

I know many people believe education, understanding, civil discussion and more laws will change this, but they're foolish in their beliefs. Society has created a predator that has no respect for laws, privacy, personal property or safety. They only understand their wants, take what they want without fear of consequence and will never change, until they're either incarcerated forever, or taken out by a citizen without qualms when dealing with a predator.

Like it or not,  when predators threaten society, a healthy society will eliminate the predators, whether they're coyotes or the group of thugs chugging malt liquor down at the corner store. How it's done is always up to the society, but it usually involves deadly force, since predators are beyond reason and only understand violence.

Opinion About the "Selfie"

I think it showed a lack of respect and was in poor taste. Of course, such things are common with this President, so I'm not surprised.

One thing I did notice was the expression of Michelle Obama. It wasn't one of approval and as long as she lives, Obama will be constantly reminded of his error and he will regret the event forever.

It serves him right, and the blonde should be glad Michelle didn't lose her temper, tackle her and pull her hair out. It was a very real possibility in my mind. The women was close to a severe ass-whipping and wouldn't have had a chance.

Emergency Medicine and What's To Come

My wife had a non-cancerous mass removed by a surgeon that specialized in emergency medicine. It was a fairly routine surgery and successful, although there was some nerve damage, which I didn't expect, but knew was a possibility. Numbness was one of the outcomes, which is always a possibility with the removal of fairly large masses.

Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to write about. I wanted to write about my perception of the doctor.

First, he was featured on one of those reality emergency department shows, so he's known by more than the locals. At that time, he was in the process of finishing his residency and the show ended with his optimism for the opportunity he was offered.

He finally ended up here, which I think is good. I like the doctor and I think I like his cut-and-dried optimism, without any sugar coating, the most. He's professional, direct with his statements and isn't going to try and blow smoke up the ass of his patients.

I foresee something in the near future, since he's way up in the food chain at a local hospital: I foresee an almost mind-numbing, daily sorting through tons of bullshit to offer the best care for those that need it.

Why? Obamacare threw many people into a new environment. Where they could afford health insurance, they now can't and can only enroll in Medicaid, if they can. At that point, they might not have any recourse, except to go to the emergency room for medical care and will find they've not landed in Kansas.

All hospitals won't accept the government plans and Medicaid, which will lead to overcrowding in those that do. A visit will be far from pleasant, since resources will be limited, many visitors will be frequent-flyers or trying to receive medical care for something far from being a threat to life. Long wait times are guaranteed and the ultimate fate of all patients will being treated by those that are either unable, not qualified or too incompetent to leave the facility for better opportunities, or working conditions. Apathy will run rampant and limited resources will lead to patients not receiving the necessary care.

What does this have to do with the doctor I described? I doubt he'll stay. He's damned good and will be in demand somewhere where he can get the pay he deserves. That will leave a vacuum of talent in the local hospital, which isn't good.

I know I'm speculating, but speculation is based on observation, and experience. I may be wrong about my prediction of the future, but the odds are in my favor. That sucks and I hate the fact there's little I can do to change the outcome.

If I Was A World Leader...

...I think I'd be smart enough to avoid the thrown together security for the Mandella funeral services. Otherwise, send a donation, or some flowers. With the corruption, deceit and downright evil events in the world, thinking there will be safety at the funeral is up there with believing in the Easter Bunny.

Stepping In It Again

In an  interview with former health adviser to the President, Ezekiel Emanuel he stated:

"No one has launched a big PR campaign to get these people signed up because of the problems with the federal website," he told "Fox News Sunday." "We are about to launch a big PR campaign, and that, I think, is going to persuade a lot of people to sign up."

I doubt it. It all boils down to money, which many of the young folks don't have, or are unwilling to pay, since they're healthy and don't envision any health problems. When you add they don't have to, they won't. Why should they? They can use the money for something else. 

He went on describing how the Obamacare rollout is just like an iPhone.

"...I know that when I got my iPhone, there were lots of glitches. They send updates for that," he said. "This happens with large-scale enrollment of millions of people...."

That's not a very smart thing to say. I know it's probably the brain child of someone on the Obama staff, but it's a statement loaded with pitfalls. 

People like their iPhones. Those that don't, have tried them before, and don't care for the product still have good things to say about the phone itself. They liked the styling, the quality and really couldn't complain about the product. It was just something they didn't like. In many situations, it was just too expensive and they couldn't afford one. Even then, they had a choice for another product - unlike Obamacare. When you add the fact many people just despise iPhones, forcing them to use the product is galling and unacceptable. 

Nobody likes Obamacare; and without an option, they like it less. It's too expensive, the product is substandard and signing up for the defective product exposes the subscriber to identity theft. When you add they might not really be signed up, avoiding the signup is considered best. Even the faint of heart will wait. They may be timid but they're not stupid. 

So, the PR campaign is failing before it starts, which is predictable. This administration is on the downhill side and those with any initiative are moving on, or losing interest. Nobody likes being on the losing team and it's obvious the Obama Administration has proven to be one of the most feckless ever. All the pomp, PR, glitter and exorbitant expenditures can't hide the fact the "product" they attempted to sale was defective. The competent players will leave as soon as possible and avoid having their name besmirched by the brand considered the worst. 

One other thing: Obama can't use an iPhone. I know this has nothing to do with Obamacare, except it's on of those things that will appear in an argument. Someone states: 

"Obamacare signing is like an iPhone. There are glitches and they fix them."

The rebuttal? "Yeah?, but Obama doesn't even use an iPhone." 

...and the argument is over. 

Egyptians, Space Aliens and Water

That's a hell of a title, isn't it? What prompted this post? I'll elaborate:

I was driving along, when I started thinking about an article I read years ago. The article, which promoted the idea of space aliens helping the Egyptians with the pyramids, used the fact the base of the Great Pyramid is flat within a tolerance of less than an inch. I thought to myself: "That's crap."

Water, when contained, will reach a point where the surface is level, so any enterprising person, with good observational abilities, would know this and use water for control of an elevation.

If I was building a huge pyramid, I'd first seek an area that would hold the weight. What could be a good place? How about a level surface in bedrock? The softer the better. Soft rock is easier to carve.

Then, I'd use water to determine how level it actually is. Placing a berm around the area, I could determine if the surface is level with something as simple as a stick. I could find the deepest spot, and use that as control. Everything higher than that would need removing.

But what could they use to remove the stone? I don't know, but if the rock was soft, most metals would work. Even without metals, harder rock could be used to remove the softer rock. It's time consuming, but I don't think they had any real binding schedule, except to finish before someone died.

So, I figured out how to start a great pyramid without the help of any space aliens. Using that as a basis for the rest of the pyramid, I'm thinking someone smarter than me probably existed back then and figured it out. If they were really smart, they'd figure out a way to amaze those around them, manipulate them into believing they had some type of divine intervention, live a life of luxury, and laugh all the way to the bank....or the tent....whatever.

Thieves, Radiation and Uh-Ohs

Some really dangerous radioactive materials were stolen earlier this week in Mexico. The material, Cobalt 60 pellets, is a radioactive source for all types of things, but most importantly, it's deadly. Handling the stuff will lead to radiation poisoning, which is a really unpleasant way to go. 

Long story short: Thieves stole a truck with the material, opened the containers and the pellets were found in a field near the abandoned truck.

Justice may have been served and it's a capital punishment. 

Managing

I manage people. I've done this for decades, although most people would have a distorted view of what my managing tasks entail.

I could spend hours talking about the different things that require my attention and responsibility, but that's not what this post is about.

Managing is judging people It's not something you can acquire from a book, or from years in a classroom: It's a natural ability.

I know some of your might be thinking: "He's an arrogant ass, isn't he?", which might be true in some situations, but it's an arrogance that requires temperance, wisdom and the undeniable fact your decisions - right wrong, or indifferent - are your's only and the responsibility can never be avoided. Arrogance is a requirement if you know you're right and you'll stand by your decision - no matter what.

To get to the point of my post: I always look for people that have the ability to manage. It's part of what I need to make things happen. Someone that can take on a task, lead by example, go the extra length to make it happen and let's any problems encountered be learning experience is someone more than important in my field of work. All projects require an approach where the components are completed in the necessary order and at the best time. The larger the project, the more components; each requiring management; whether by a lead craftsman, or a specific foreman; maybe even a superintendent.

Anyway, what prompted this post was an assessment I made today of some hands on a project. They're good hands; willing to do whatever needed, but lack the extra initiative to complete what's necessary, without further instructions that shouldn't be needed.

It's not a bad thing; everybody has a purpose, but I categorized their actions, thought about what it means and future decisions will be made on what I observed.

This is the part of managing I don't like. Hopefully, it never comes to pass, but I'll be required to decide who is more important on a project. Who will get the job done? Who can be left unattended and the knowledge their decisions are the best decisions and any problems were beyond their control? Who is expendable?

I have to make those decisions, which are included in the decisions to raise the pay of someone that is taking the extra responsibility. When the money isn't there, due to the economy, I have to hope someone with more resources won't lure them away and I'll lose a key employee.

That's managing. When you add the part of managing company owners, customers, suppliers, subcontractors and Mother Nature, it can be a thankless endeavor.  They all look to you for an answer and sometimes the answer is "no".

The Uncle Obama Didn't Know He Lived With

That's a convoluted post title, but it summarizes Obama and his uncle, who he didn't live with, except he did, although he didn't admit that, until after his uncle received permanent resident status.

I don't know about you, but the entire event stinks, just like this administration.

Realistic

If you look at the entire hoopla of Obamacare, think of what's been said, and make a realistic assessment, nothing that was said by Obama or any of his administration has been true.

Now, you can't say they're liars, because that would indicate a level of intelligence that's way past what I'm willing to give them credit for. Somebody told them what to say, they repeat it because they're not smart enough to know the difference and the fawning media - which has become a mob of individuals as dumb as bags of hammers  - repeats whatever they're told.

Sunday Afternoon Thoughts

I'm fighting a cold. That description may seem silly, but it's what I'm doing.

It started yesterday morning, with my sinuses burning and running like a faucet. As the day progressed, my throat and chest started burning, so I knew it wasn't just a little sinusitis.

So, last night I took some generic Nyquil, climbed into bed and hoped for the best. I slept well, woke without the burning sinuses, but they're still running and have done so for much of the day.

If my luck is good, the worst is over and I'll only have to cough what's left out during the next few days. If not, tomorrow will probably suck.