This Needs No Explanation

I've had days like this.

So, Yesterday...

The weather turned to crap. The high cold winds prevented us accomplishing our task, so I shut the job down, which was probably good. Within a few hours, it started raining and did so until after dark.

The temperature was in the lower forties, so the usual tourists were hunkered down in Galveston. I went to the furthest point East possible, and still called Galveston. Desolate is the best word for the area at the time.

Here are some photos:

This is looking South, down the West Jetty

I really meant it was desolate. This is looking down the Seawall to the West.

This seagull was standing about four feet away; looked cold and didn't have any intention of flying.

Fog and Anticipation

I fell asleep hours ago, laying on the end of the bed. The clouds were thick, the air was heavy and the forecast was for rain.

I awoke to the sound of conversation. As I sat and listened, no words were discernible, but the accent was unmistakable, and the conversation was busy.

I stepped outside to have a look. It's now well past dark, the fog is so thick, the adjacent building are barely visible and two hotel staff are at the stairs leading to the upstairs balcony; too loud, speaking of nothing and tugging at their cigarettes as they disturb the evening.

The temperature has fallen and the air is full of anticipation. The tug between Winter and Spring is in progress. Radar shows the front sagging toward the coast; bringing rain and thunderstorms.

I won't sleep well the rest of the night. Too much is going on and the spell of restful sleep is broken. I'll sleep with one eye open and the other on the door. Eventually the rain will start and chase away the detractors.

I'm Not Feeling Very Polite

There's a big stink in Arizona about refusing services due to religious beliefs. They're acting like it's some big thing. Personally, if I don't like the shoes you're wearing should be reason enough to refuse anything.

So, screw the politically correct ass-wipes that believe everyone should accept everyone else. That's not how the real world operates.

And as far as the NFL, keep your Superbowl, stick it up your ass and play it to the wimps that believe football is more important than liberty. May you go broke and have to pawn your trophies for crack.

Horse Thieves

They used to hang horse thieves. Justice was quick, and horse thieves didn't repeat their crime.

I feel that's what we should do with car thieves and hackers....and probably crooked politicians. The damage they cause is life changing, destructive and can ruin lives.

Fooling Yourself

The song is about confidence, getting back on your feet and making an effort that means something.

Investing - The Interesting Word

"Invest" has multiple meanings, which is why the current administration uses it often. While most people think of investing as a method of increasing wealth, the government uses it to describe methods they use to steal more money, piss it off with ridiculous programs, reward political donors, increase power through regulation or to paint lovely pictures of impossible things, such as a future society where unicorns walk through rainbow covered street; bestowing flatulence that keeps the perpetual machines running forever.

When you hear any government official using the word "invest", your butt should pucker. The government doesn't invest in anything that doesn't allow more bureaucracy and abuse of power. They're investing with your money and - in case you haven't noticed - they rarely ask for permission to take more.

I'm Insulted..

...by a multitude of things. Mostly from the mess our government has made of our economy, our liberty and the continuing effort to remove the money from my ass pocket to those that aren't worth the powder to blow them to Hell.

Things will change. They always do. My hope is the cleansing begins shortly and there are a dozens that will find their legacy is spending the last of their lives in prison.

What a Beautiful Early Surprise

Yesterday evening, the fog was so heavy, you couldn't see but about 300 feet and the Galveston traffic wasn't paying attention to the dangerous conditions. To make matter worse, Mardi Gras is this weekend, so the seawall is filling up with campers.

I went back to the motel, locked the door and determined I wouldn't go back out, unless there was an emergency.

Before I went to bed, I stepped out, looked up at all the empty rooms upstairs and made a note of how the motel was hoarding rooms for the anticipated rape  adjusted rates for the upcoming weekend. All above were empty. I knew because the curtains were open.

I woke this morning at the usual time of 4:30. For some reason, I decided to look outside, see if the fog was still heavy and adjust my leaving time if it was. I'm glad I did.

When I opened the door, something about my pickup caught my eye. Focusing on the hood, I could tell something was on it, that wasn't on it last night. I stepped from the door, moved closer to my truck and discovered what it was.

Sometime during the night, somebody stepped to the edge of the balcony upstairs and hurled on my truck. The hood was covered, and the walk in front of my pickup was covered, also.

I quickly dressed, decided I needed to go find a coin car wash and stopped at the lobby on the way out.

The night manager was no help. I knew the room immediately upstairs was now occupied, but they stated it was a regular customer, about my age and would leave in the morning on a helicopter to go offshore. I told the night manager I didn't know who did it, and it really didn't matter, since it was disgusting in the first place and they needed to clean the concrete.

I found a car wash, washed my truck, stopped for a breakfast burrito and made it to the project on time.

The rest of the day was a lesson in futility, for many reasons. I should have known how it would go, by how it started.

They did clean the concrete. I'm glad. I was loaded for bear, and whoever was at the desk would have received both barrels.

Busy Day and Traffic

Today was busy; especially when almost 5 hours were added just driving. The driving would have been better, if a substantial part of it was navigating through traffic. Going wasn't so bad, but coming back was in rush hour traffic that surrounds the Houston Metroplex.

I'm thinking I'll sleep well tonight.

Does This Ever Happen To You?

I had a dream last night. During the dream, I was conversing with my mother. I don't remember what we talked about, but it was as though she was still alive and it was another ordinary moment.

I have these often, with other family members that passed. The dreams are a slice of an alternate reality and those that died are still alive.

Has this happened to you?

Green Energy, Magnifying Glasses and Birds

I'm betting Jeffrey Dahmer started with a magnifying glass; spending hours using the intense focused sunlight to burn insects and torture small animals. The Obama Administration has him beat.

After all, it's only birds, unlike the very important smelt that is more important than humans.

We Never Know Why

I like this song and the songwriter.

A Law We've Seen Broken

18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy

If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

I don't know about you, but the highest members of the current administration have done exactly what I underlined and placed in italics. 

Where's the media? Why, they're breaking this law:

18 U.S. Code § 2385 - Advocating overthrow of Government

Whoever organizes or helps or attempts to organize any society, group, or assembly of persons who teach, advocate, or encourage the overthrow or destruction of any such government by force or violence; or becomes or is a member of, or affiliates with, any such society, group, or assembly of persons, knowing the purposes thereof—

While anyone can disagree with certain provisions of the Constitution, there is a method to amend. Trying to bypass this method is a crime against the United States; plain and simple.  

Minced Words and Philosophical Horse Manure

I read the news. If the source is accurate, there are daily articles, quotes and opinions that mince words. To add to this pathetic effort in civility and philosophical horse manure, the real message gets lost in Constitutional opinions, litigation hocus pocus and what I consider as weak efforts.

Here's the skinny: The Federal government pisses off money it doesn't have; borrows money without any thought of the final effect; steps on the toes of those that pay taxes; panders to parasites on society; ignores the righteous anger of citizens; abuses power and has way too many incompetent, lying, thieving, small-minded, pieces of puke-shit piss ants in positions they're unqualified to occupy and they probably are only there due to the color of their skin, their sex or because they can suck the chrome off a trailer ball.

The media is just as bad. A less polite society would have a season on half of them and there wouldn't be a bag limit.

It's What We Are

The song says it all.

Does the Earth Revolve Around the Sun?

If you answered yes, you are among the 74% surveyed that had the correct answer. If not, you might consider the fact that being a dumbass shouldn't make you proud. 

Whores in Washington

They can say what they want, but Washington is bought and paid for. That's why Boehner gave in. His pimp told him to put on the knee pads, and he did.

A Day's Difference

Yesterday, the rain didn't end until into the night. When I went to bed, the constant light rain, temperatures in the 30's and high wind made it miserable outside.

This morning, it was in the mid 30's and cloudy. The clouds cleared this afternoon, so I stopped on the seawall before a stop at the grocery store.

Traffic was fairly light, and almost no cars were parked along the seawall, which is something you only see at sunrise during tourist season. It's times like this when the charm of Galveston is felt.

From my dealings with the locals, my work clothes signify I'm either one of them, or accepted as a peer. I find that an honor. Galveston is a major port and the gateway to the Houston ship channel. While tourism is special, hard working folks make it happen and many don't find tourists to be their favorite people.

Here's some photos. It was peaceful just standing, watching and the viewing the ships in anchorage; far out on the horizon; now clear and without the summer haze.

A Block Away

I've been to Galveston numerous times in my life. It's an interesting city, but the seawall is probably the most amazing thing. It runs for miles, protects the city and you can walk along it further than your legs are probably willing to allow.

I'm staying a block away. I haven't been, since the weather sucks. The high today was 38 degrees and the rain hasn't stopped since 10:00 this morning.

I will go, before the project is finished. I'll sit on a bench and watch the world go by, while the city isn't filled with ignorant tourists. That's when I like Galveston best.

Sixteen Tons

I'm in my fortieth year of working. My body can't do it, but my mind still remembers carrying two sheets of plywood across a bridge with ease. That, and drinking like a sailor half the night, getting up early and putting in 10 hours in a blazing sun.

I was ten feet tall and bulletproof back then. Not any longer; age has given me the wisdom to know the disaster that befalls such foolishness over time.

So, here's a song for the working man.

Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh and the Eagles

I play a little slide on the get fiddle. I'm not the best, but I don't sound like a cat caught in a dryer.

Anyway, Joe Walsh is what I consider a virtuoso. Regardless of my opinion, take a gander and make your own opinion.

Jimmie Rodgers Wrote It

It's not his version, but you can well see the influence he had on generations.

How Does This Work?

I'm not a Constitutional expert, nor anything close to a scholar. That's why I'm looking for professional feedback.

Eric Holder is charged with criminal and civil contempt by Congress. The penalty involves a fine an up to 12 months in Federal prison.

It's obvious the President won't do anything. He doesn't care about law and will allow Holder to continue with his lawless actions.

At county and state levels, such illegal activities can end up with Federal involvement. Citizens are ultimately protected from further harm by the offenders being arrested, charged and prosecuted for their actions.

So, we've now reached a point where we have a criminal being protected by a criminal and there is an unwillingness to immediately halt this process and bring those involved to justice.

In my opinion, this is a crises that should be confronted immediately, but from my standpoint, either those that have the power to stop the criminals are part of the problem, or too weak to do what's necessary.

Who has this power? I know citizens do, but when the government ignores the law, citizen actions are just something else they can ignore. To add insult to injury, the current administration is using hired officials to harass those that make any effort and the results are ruined lives.

Can the military do something? After all, all members swear to protect the citizens of the United States and the Constitution. I know that military officers have the power to remove superior officers from command, when they go out of bounds. Is this what is required?

How about the Supreme Court? As a superior court, don't they have the power to issue an injunction?

There has to be an answer. When the current Administration is willing to destroy lives for the simple reason some people want answers, it's time for someone to be held accountable.

The media could be a tremendous help, as when Nixon crossed the line. Unfortunately, they've decided to be accomplices, which is why I hold the majority of them in contempt. They've become enemies of the United States as ruthless as any terrorist. Failing to inform the public, with the knowledge they're doing so willfully, is as foul a criminal action as any bomb.

At one time, there was a demand of honor and accountability to citizens. Officials knew they were allowed their position, only because the citizens were willing.

This is now gone and the rogue actions by our own public servants will only get worse, if nothing is done.

Opening the Intersection

We'd been working on a new section of road for a local city. Construction was complete, a ceremony was underway, the traffic lights were being changed and I was part of the crew removing the barricades.

We moved the barricades and I watched as traffic transitioned to what wasn't an intersection. Where motorists could drive down the crossing street before, there were now traffic lights dictating the right of way.

The cross street, which before had a stop sign, would now allow traffic to move, without stopping first. This was soon tested.

A car approached the intersection from the cross street, waited for the light to change and continued across the intersection.

A car, with a young driver and passenger, soon approached on the main road and it didn't look like the car was slowing....it wasn't.

Wrecks happen in slow motion to the observer and in an instant to those involved. The passenger in the car, with the young driver, had his arm hanging out the window, when the driver slammed on the brakes, steered away from the other car and they collided.

All I could think of was the carnage I'd soon see. The passenger's arm was where the cars collided and I knew there would be blood and pieces of flesh.

That's now what happened. The passenger must have pulled their arm into the vehicle, moments from the collision. They climbed from the driver's side to witness their friend receive a ticket for failing to observe a traffic signal.

We looked for a few moments, loaded up and went back to work on another project a few blocks away.

I can remember few things about the projects, but that event is still clear in my mind.

The Question is: Why?

According to research by the Pew Research Center, Christians are the most oppressed of religious groups.

I don't need to ask why. Christians are an easy target, since they don't bomb innocent people, or cut-off the heads of non-believers. Otherwise, most don't fear them.

Christianity is a religion of peace and tolerance, but like any religion, there are those that perverted the message and use it as an excuse for something far beyond the teachings of Christ. Those are few and far between and any persecution at this point in time is based on fear, a willingness to adopt cruelty as a measure of power and an unwillingness to allow religious freedom

Where does this all end up? People may be Christians, but they're still people. While Jesus said to turn the other cheek, he never said what to do when they strike again. My thinking is that most won't continue to be bullied, or terrorized. Since Christians outnumber all other religious groups, the outcome may not be pretty.

Wimps In Washington

The other neighborhood  used to do this when we were kids.  Of course, we wouldn't put up with it and they'd soon leave.

In Washington, they'd rather screw with the citizens, punish the productive and show they're pussies. In the past, such actions would have led to a huge amount of jets and warships to surround the enemy fleet, some practice fire to show they were playing with fire and a general effort to humiliate the offenders.

I'm betting most of the administration is too frightened for a show of force and will go back to their pervert eavesdropping, while trying to figure out how to shave their pubes, without getting chaffed.

Weenies. They're not worth the moisture to spit on their feet.

So, Where Did I Go?

Galveston. We've acquired some projects, and it looks like the scope of work will increase. That will lead to maybe months of out of town work. I'll get a VPN service, so I don't feel so paranoid about using a motel wifi for connection.

Anyway, Galveston is something everyone should see at least once in their life. Why? There is no reason why. It's unique, but a lot of the things I found unique decades ago are now changed.

If you haven't been in a long, long time, you'll find Galveston has grown and many of the things that made it very special floated away during hurricane Ike.

When I was a child, when you reached around 61st street, Galveston became rural. Many of the old WW2 bunkers and gun placement foundations were still to be found on the land side of the seawall. Hotels, strip malls, restaurants and other wonders of urban blight have assimilated the past and turned it into the neon, fluorescent, nationwide clones of modern retail. Otherwise, if you turn your head at the right moment, you could be in any city in the country and feel right at home...if that's what you find comfortable.

The ferry/ferries are still there. The newer ferries are much larger and you can have an option of up to two to ride on any given day. The wait during this time of the year can be short; depending on what time of the day you decide to go for the ride. At night, only one runs and the wait can be up to an hour; even if you're first in line.

Across the ferry - on the Bolivar Peninsula, anything you once remembered is probably gone; except for the old lighthouse. Hurricane Ike turned a substantial amount of the peninsula into clean sand. Most of the old cabins and stores are gone and the new building are not the same as the old. What once were quaint, sometimes almost ramshackle camps, are not built to standards that demand a height above a storm surge and able to take hurricane force winds. In construction code, that means much more money to afford to live there. Many didn't return and the new property owners are more affluent. That may be good, but it removes some of the unique characters you used to encounter along the beach.

I'm not a big tourist type of person, so I'm more comfortable in the other part of Galveston, which is major port. Industry docks far outnumber the cruise ship dock and it's somewhere many people would feel uncomfortable if they happened to wander away from the seawall.

That's where I'm working. The facility processes sulpher (that's a correct spelling too; although Blogger would rather I spelled it sulfur.) That's how the customer spells it, so that's good enough for me.

If you've never been around sulphur, you probably don't know how the wonderful yellow color hides the nastiness of the stuff. It smells bad, catches on fire with as little as really low humidity and the steam heat required to melt it for processing makes a day in the facility similar to wandering around the edge of a volcano.

We wear hydrogen sulfide monitors, since it's prevalent with sulphur. In high concentrations, it will drop you within seconds and the prognosis is dire if that should happen. If you don't die, lifetime problems could become something to deal with.  

So, that's were I've been and probably will be for awhile. As they say in the movies, this week has been a real slice.

Off To Work Out of Town

Blogging might be light - or not. Time will tell.

This Is News?

I won't provide links. All you have to do is look at any major media outlet and you can find articles.

One article is about a famous comedic producer that is a pedophile and was never convicted for molesting his daughter.

The other is about an actor - a good one at that - that overdosed. They'll immortalize him, even if he screwed up royally.

That's not news. The news is the economy still sucks, the immigration crap is just that, Obamacare has harmed millions and the President tweeted a picture of him throwing a football a week after proclaiming he wouldn't let a son play football - if he had one.

The media sucks. They like sensational stories, and avoid the crippling effects of our own government.

Re-Fried Beans

I know you can buy them at the store, but I make my own.

What kind of beans? Whatever you have left over.

Caramelize some onions, add the leftover beans, a little water and start cooking. As the beans simmer, you chop them with the spatula and break them into smaller pieces. If you don't like the size, add some more water, simmer and repeat.

Cook until the beans are thickened; about to the consistency of a heavy batter and remove them from the heat. As they cool, they'll thicken.

Some people add some Ro*Tel tomatoes, while cooking, or salsa. Chopped jalapenos add some kick.

Me? I like them on a flour tortilla, or as part of a Mexican meal. They're good as a dip and can be frozen for another day.

I've made them from an assortment of beans, but think my favorite is when made from Great Northern or Navy beans.

Feeding The Wildlife and Irony

A woman was arrested and held without bond, because she feeds wildlife, much to the chagrin of the local Eco-Fascists Fish and Wildlife officials.

"...Once wildlife, any wildlife -- especially bears -- lose their fear of people, then there's a potential for destruction when they're trying to get into people's sheds at food, birds seed, dog food, etc. And there's a potential for danger to people," Morse said..."

Lets summarize this: Feeding people that are unwilling to preserve their health by working, is perfectly okay, but don't do the same with wildlife, because wildlife becomes dependent and aggressive when the free stuff is cut off. 

Is this insanity, or what?

A Challenge

I don't watch sports. I've played, competed, like the idea of moving about and have no problem with the people that do. It's one of those preference things. I have other things I'd rather watch, when I rarely watch television.

I liked the show NCIS. It was a favorite and I'd watch every Tuesday if the opportunity arose....until I started being completely pissed at the broadcast networks and realized the exist because I watch.

So, I quit watching. I refuse to contribute in any way to the alphabet networks because of their participation in the degrading of the Constitution. Most probably do so in ignorance, but that doesn't matter. They're accountable and I can't forgive them for the likes of Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite. Both I consider as traitors and a less polite society would have punished them for the transgressions.

One of the broadcast networks will broadcast the Super Bowl today. They'll reap millions, the NFL (anti-gun by the way) will reap millions and they'll do so with the willing participation of those that have been harmed most by the result of their efforts.

I don't have elaborate on what my challenge is. I think it will be ignored and the rationalization will  be thick on this one.

Good luck. The United States is in a terrible predicament due to apathy and the unwillingness to do the the little things that lead to the big ones.

This Needs No Explanation

Enjoy

So, Where Did They Come From?

I don't know anyone that will admit they find it useful to have illegal aliens in the United States. I know there are those out there that fell is okay, but they're the first that lock their doors, when the news stories appear about how there's a foreign national rapist running the streets. I call them hypocrites and pathetic excuses for citizens.

The first thing anyone should ask: "So how do they survive?"

Many work for your local farmer, that is probably being paid to not raise something. They're notorious for turning their heads, allowing these people to work and disregarding the effect it has on the entire country. That's another group of people that are pathetic excuses for citizens.

Another group are contractors. While most contractors that are on the up an up hire citizens, or documented workers, many don't. You won't find these contractors working on highways, or in industrial facilities. They can't hire illegals due to contract stipulations, the demand for a complete I-9 form and the possibility of losing their license, or being prosecuted. It's the really good deal contractor that you slip some cash to build the new porch, or paint the house and you never ask for documentation.

Many just ply their trade on the street. They'll put a sign, or word of mouth will give them business. People hire them - knowing damn well the cheap price is not due to special overhead - and turn their back on the laws that determine if a person can legally work in the United States.

Some cities have a lumber yard, or a special spot, where illegals stand around waiting to be hired for the occasional odd job. The potential employer just drives up, motions to the worker, a deal for how much is made and they're off to get the fence row cleaned, or a ditch dug.

The problem of illegal aliens would disappear in less than a year, if people would demand documentation before they hired anyone, for any reason; refused to do business with those that do not have the distinction of being a good citizen and letting those that do their displeasure in contributing to a problem that is causing financial hardships on everyone that is legally in the United States.

So, if you were wondering, now you know. The problem isn't the illegal aliens; the problem is us. If you're not willing to be proactive in stopping the problem, then you deserve the hardships that are the result. May your children end up being disrespected, abused and wondering why they can't survive, when they find their adulthood is that of an employee of someone that broke dozens of laws and still avoids being assimilated into American society.

If you don't believe there is a problem, visit a local emergency room and count the number of people that don't speak English fluently; if at all. That's not a group of tourists that happened to catch the flu, while on vacation. Meanwhile, you might wait, or listen to your child cry, while those that can only be described as criminals use the resources you pay for and don't care how much it harms you. They send their money home and if any filters into the public funds, it's not nearly enough to cover the costs.