WOW! An actual post.

OK, so I haven't written here in a long time, but here I am.

Yesterday my wife and I and our friend took a journey to the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Part of the National Park Service system, Obed isn't really like your typical National Parks. In reality it is just the river and a small swath of land on either side. There are no touring roads and the park is mostly used by rock climbers and those who travel the river.

We went to the Lilly Bluff Overlook section of the park. There we took a small trail to the boardwalk overlook. After that we decided to tackle the "Point Trail". Listed as "moderately strenuous" the trail was challenging. It really wasn't well maintained with several trees down that we had to crawl over or under. My guess is that the trail doesn't see many visitors (though we encountered 7 other people on it - must have been a busy day). Toward the end of the trail it became encroached upon by plants. Tall grasses, goldenrod and other plants nearly obscured the trail. But we forged ahead. Unfortunately, in addition to hiding the trail, the flora also hid chiggers. We were ruthlessly attacked, but due to my wife's good eyesight and persistence we aren't suffering. Though Obed is an obscure park seemingly in the middle of nowhere, it was worth checking out.

Cleveland Utilities

Is no customer service really customer service at all?



Yesterday at around 10 AM the power at our apartment went out. Being the good citizen that I am (and always looking for a new reason to kvetch) I called Cleveland Utilities to let them know. Unfortunately, they must have gotten wind of my kvetchiness (I think I just made up a new word) and took preventative action. Why do I think this? Well, the first time I called the phone just rang and rang and rang (you get the idea). So I hung up and tried again. 22 rings (yes that is right 22 - I know cause I counted 'em) later the system finally picks up. "1" is the option to report a power outage so I press it. Well, that was about effective as George Bush's foreign policy (as in it got me nowhere). In fact pressing "1" worked so well the message came on again instructing me to press "1" to report a power outage. I distinctly got the feeling that I could have stood there all year pressing "1" and still wouldn't have been able to report our outage.



I don't know about you but I would think that a utility company could afford a phone system that actually worked so that it's customers could report problems.



UPDATE: When I went on their website to tell them of my experience yesterday (yes thats right to COMPLAIN) even though I filled out all the little boxes on their form, the thing wouldn't go through. I kept getting a "connection error" ... man is this company in denial!

Kudos to SkyRidge

It all began Friday when I got home from work. My darlin' and I were planning on a quick trip to Knoxville. She was going to take a national certification for counseling exam and I was going along for the ride. I had been reading Divided Loyalties about Knoxville and East Tennessee in the Civil War and thoguht we might visit a few sites after her exam. On the ride up she had told me that she had a stitch in her side (like the kind you get from running). Well, she took her exam and then asked if we could just take a nice drive home instead of bouncing around Knoxville. Long story short, by 7 pm we were in the Emergency Room of SkyRidge Medical Center.

The wait was indeed onerous (we finally left at 12:30 in the AM) but there was no solid conclusion. The blood tests didn't show appendicitis for shure only the slight possibility of it. They told us to come back on Sunday sometime before noon for another blood test. We did just that but again the results were inconclusive.

Let me pause here to thank the good people at SkyRidge. Everyone was extremely nice and had good bedside manners. I know you hear stories about doctors and nurses that have the personality of a STOP sign, but these folks were nice. It made the whole ordeal easier to go through.

So around noon on Sunday a very cool Dr. by the name of Knabb came in to talk to us. He made us very comfortable and was thorough in his explanations. The result: my darlin' decided to have her appendix out. She was whisked off to surgery and about an hour later the deed was done. She came home on Monday and her Mom came down to help out with the recovery. All is now well on the homefront.

Embrace the Stereotype : City of Cleveland

Kudos to the City of Cleveland (Tennessee that it) and it's utilities department for having the guts to embrace the stereotype of the non-working government worker. This morning on my way to work the two lane road that I travel was down to one lane for some sewer work I guess. Now while several of the workers were indeed going about their job, two were merely standing on the side of the road watching with mild fascination. Now, I know they were "workers" because they were working their little orange vests, but honestly they needed some lawn chairs and a BBQ because they looked more like they were at a tailgate party than on the job. So I take my hat off to government workers everywhere that just stand around and watch their coworkers work while they just stand their taking up space. Thnaks for being the butt of many a comedian's jokes...at least then you were being usefull.

Mind blank...and hating it!

Well, today was a struggle. Normally I find writing to be fairly easy and don't have such a problem cranking out papers and such. Not today. I am taking an online class and while I was able to crank out the first two papers as easy as can be, I am struggling through this one. At the rate I am going I should have this paper done shortly before the next lunar eclipse (the next total lunar eclipse is in December, 2010 though there is a penumbral one in July of this year).

In other news, I was reading through the Book of Acts (as in it's in the Bible) yesterday morning. I was struck by the way the Apostles decided to replace Judas. In reading the last parts of the 1st chapter we discover that there are two candidates (Justus and Matthias). So being the good Apostles that they are they pray seeking God's will. When they are done, lo and behold they choose Judas replacement by (drumroll please) DRAWING LOTS (or Casting Lots depending upon your translation)!! So in essence they pray and then flip a coin. Personally I like to make life's big descisions by consulting the Magic Eight Ball, but then again I am not an Apostle.

Random picture time!

From time to time I will post random pictures. No rhyme or reason. Here is the first installment...

How hard can this be???

OK, so how hard is it to provide decent cable service? With my move to Cleveland this summer and the switch to Charter I was hoping for a better experience than I had with Comcast. HA! One of the things that we have noticed is that the volume fluctuates on just about every channel we watch. Now I am not talking about the fluctuation that occurs when there is a switch from the show to the commercial. You know it seems that somehow they think that you have suddenly lost your hearing so the commercials are suddenly twice as loud as the show you were watching.

No, I am talking about us sitting here minding our own business watching Two and a Half Men, when suddenly the volume randomly drops…during the show! One minute I can hear Charlie and Allen loud and clear and the next they are whispering. And NO it isn’t the station unless CBS, FOX and the History Channel are all involved in some sort of global volume conspiracy.

On the other hand at least Charter can provide me with decent internet service (though I fight with their on-line bill pay monthly). You would think that in the year 2009 when I can watch TV on my cell phone and HEAR IT, I could enjoy the same service at home.

...and don't call me Shirley...

What a Valentines pair my wife and I were. My darlin' was down with some sort of crud and I did something to my back. Needless to say that made for a less than romantic Valentines day. Plus, I was forced to go into work (hmmm....the Grinch that stole Valentines??).

On the positive side, I did find out just what a great pair we make. On Saturday night we picked up the movie Airplane! Now I thought that with all the dumb humor my darlin' would hate the movie. I was surprised to find out that she didn't hate it...in fact she kinda liked it. Now, don't misunderstand me I am not advocating a "Movie Test" to judge compatibility (that is what the "Cat Test" was for) but it is nice to enjoy sophmoric humor with the woman you love.

Cowboys

What is it about the Wild West that every red blooded American male loves? I'm currently reading Dee Brown's "The American West" and let me tell you there is something about the mythologized West that is quite appealing. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to visit the "Land of the Mormons" otherwise known as Utah. It was one of the best vacations I have ever had. The open sky, contrasting landscape, views that go on forever...all this came back to me reading Brown's book. Like a Billy Crystal character (the movie "City Slickers" comes to mind) I feel the pull from the romance (read that totaly bogus myth) of the Cowboy and the "Old West".

I've come to the conclusion that one of the reasons that I like American History best is that I can actually visit some of the places I read about (read that its cheaper and easier than travelling the world). Tombstone is one place I'd like to visit someday. Same with Little Big Horn...and a host of other places I've read about. But for now, I'll read, and dream, and virtually travel via Google.

Just Plain Irresponsible

Hello everyone. I need to pass along a warning - stay away from a company called Envrioguard...they are a pest control company. Below is an email I sent to the company around noon today. It should be self explanatory. I'll let you know if I get a response.

I was just in the Blimpie in Collegedale getting my lunch when a representative of your company entered the establishment looking for a check that the manager was supposed to leave for him. When he was informed that the manager was not in this individual began acting in an unprofessional manner. He threatened to blockade the store with a fleet of trucks, making the customers run a gauntlet. He continued to harangue the counter help. On his way out the door he addressed the customers in the store stating "I hope you don't get sick".

Frankly, his behavior was totally unprofessional and does not reflect well on your business. I regret that I did not get his name and address this matter with him directly.

Souper Salad! but weak service.

So this weekend my darlin' and I decide to go to Souper Salad! for lunch. We proceed through line and I end up creating the leaning tower of salad on my plate. I was also overjoyed to see that as one of their soups they had the "Twice Baked Potato Soup". Now how exactly you bake soup (and twice nonetheless) I am not sure, but it is dang good. Anyhow, we proceed to our table and sit down. Minutes pass and we are NOT approached by a server who will be bringing our drinks. No matter we begin our munching.

More minutes pass and I begin to think that an ice cold Coke would go good with all that leafy goodness. I mention my distress that we have been sitting and gobbling for a while and there hasn't been sign of a server.

More minutes pass and my distress turns to irritation...sensing this (and wishing to avoid a scene) my beautiful wife takes matters into her own hands (and our receipt) and searches for a server. She discovers our hero of the day: Caleb.

Caleb points out that we aren't sitting in his section but he will bring us drinks pronto. As my wife relays this information to me I notice a female server talking with some customers that she knows. Yes, in fact she has been talking to them the entire time we have been at Souper Salad! (but weak service) the entire time we have been there - a good 15 minutes!

Caleb brings our drinks and we keep eating and the woman server keeps on blabbing. Eventually she does make it over to our table, but by this time I have finished my salad, twice baked potato soup (once eaten) and am starting my cup of fruit for dessert. When she comes and asks if we need anything I point out that Caleb has taken care of us.

Now I know what you are thinking. you are thinking I let her off easy. Well, not really. As soon as we got back to the hotel I sent an email to Souper Salad! (but weak service) complaining about the incident. And, of course, I am taking them to task here.

One little, Two little, Three little items...

So there we were, my darlin' and I, checking out at Walmart. As we approached the checkout lane with the bookcase we were purchasing we noticed the 20 items or less sign. Now, while the bookcase was heavy enough and big enough to qualify as more than 20 items it was still really only one item after all it was only one box wasn't it?

In front of us stood this woman with her cart overflowing with what was obviously more than 20 items. Since this was an obvious and flagrant violation of the "20 Items Rule" I decided to, in my most curmudgeonly way, point this out. One good breach of Walmart etiquette deserves another, so I decided to count out loud the number of items that she was removing from the cart. "One, Two, Three..." I counted. Meanwhile my darlin', feeling embarassed, tried to distract me with small talk. "Say did you hear that Jerry Springer will be moderating the next debate between McCain and Obama" she asked. "Eight, Nine, Ten..." "You know I was thinking that we should get a pet armadillo for the cats to play with" "Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-one..." "Hey, how about antelope steaks for dinner?" "Thirty-five, Thirty-six, Thirty-seven..."

Well, to make a long story short, I am sure I annoyed the woman who cared little for the "20 Items or Less" sign (or the line of people that she was backing up). She left without acknowledging my childish antics. My hope is that she will remember the incident the next time she braves a trip to Walmart, and while she probably will still ignore the "20 Items or Less" sign, perhaps she will look over her shoulder to see if I am lurking in the shadows.

John McCain Maverick??!!

Like virtually everyone else in the US, on Thursday evening I watched the VP debate between Palin and Biden. Truth be told I found Palin to be more annoying than presidential. The thought has struck me that she would make a great fourth grade teacher, but I seriously doubt she is able to hold her own among world leaders. Let’s face it Margaret Thatcher she isn’t.

I have also noticed that she and McCain like to throw the term “maverick” around a lot. Now I know that they want us to believe that they mean they don’t do things the “Washington way” but the truth is that they are both politicians and speak and act like politicians. As they say (although I’m not sure who “they” is but I know someone has said it) “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck; then it’s a duck”. Instead of handing us this “we’re not like other politicians” load of bull they should be honest. But maybe they are being honest…

The primary definition of the term “maverick” is “An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it”. Now what are the odds that the McCain-Palin ticket is being extremely honest by labeling themselves with the term “maverick”? Could McCain-Palin be announcing to special interest groups that they are for sale? Brilliant!! Advertise yourself in such a way that in government doublespeak makes you look one way to the American people and yet really announces your true intentions to the Washington insiders. BRILLIANT!!

I mean come now, if you really want to vote for someone who runs against the grain of their party then its time to vote for that turncoat Joe Lieberman.

Hey!! Get outta the way!!

OK, today's message is strictly for the bicyclists out there. More specifically the riders that insist on riding down the middle of the road....in front of me. Guys, I know you pride yourself on being able to ride from here to the moon and back without stopping. I know that you do it to exercise. I know that the women out there throw themselves at you at the end of a ride. But do you have to tie up traffic while you are doing it?

Some of the roads that I travel on are barely big enough for two vehicles to pass. Inevitably, one of these cyclists will be crusing down the middle of my lane. Now no matter how hard these iron men peddle, the truth is since I don't drive a Hugo (remember them?) they get in the way and slow me down. Of course, since their ride is so much more important than the line of traffic building up behind them, they make no attempt to get out of the way. And my goat is espically gotten when one of these fellows (or ladies) do not follow the rules. I have seen these people run STOP signs, turn without signaling, and dart out into traffic without looking. Of course, as if to rub it in, they all drive cars with the "Share the Road" bumper sticker on it.

Cyclists, if you want to play with the big boys than play by the rules. I know that your puny little legs are no match for Ford's finest & 87 octane so stay to the side of the road, not the middle of it. If you see a STOP sign then STOP!!! If you don't want to obey traffic signs then get on the sidewalk.

You know if you rode one of those stationary bikes we wouldn't have this problem. After all I don't drive through your living room, do I?

Heeding Warnings

Watching the news this morning I was surprised and dismayed at the number of people in Texas who didn't heed the evacuation warnings when Ike came to town. One would think that when the National Weather Service issues a "get out or die" warning people would listen. Though I am probably not one to talk.

When it comes to warning signs I often have trouble paying attention. For example, a couple of years ago I was in Joshua Tree National Park. Some friends and I were wandering through the Cholla Cactus Garden and taking pictures. Though the signs clearly indicated that the wise move would be to stay on the trail, I didn't listen. The result is pictured below.

But when it comes to life and death warnings I listen and listen clearly. For example I don't stick my tongue in electrical sockets, I don't look down the barrel my handguns, and (for all you Jim Croce fans) I don't "mess around with Jim". To me the Ike warnings were on this level. The National Weather Service didn't issue a "get out or experience a little discomfert" warning, they issued a "get out or face certain death" warning. Newscasters everwhere were talking about how bad this was going to be. Property was going to be destroyed and the lives lost of those who stayed was not worth it. Life is just too valuable.

My sympathies go out to all who suffered through Ike. They will be in my thoughts and prayers over the coming days. I encourage everyone to do likewise. Peace out.

Washington VS Hanson - Washington by a Knockout!

Hello everyone! I haven’t posted in a while and I thought I’d bring you up to speed on how my reading through the Presidents of the US is going. Well, simply put it is going at glacial speed. Truth is, when I stop reading a book for a while I find it hard to pick it up again. Between the move, work, and other escapades going on in my life I put the book on good old George down for a while and haven’t picked it back up (despite having read two other books in the meantime). So the project is on a bit of a hiatus until I can get myself motivated again.

Meanwhile, when I first announced that I was going to read one biography of each of the Presidents I had more than a few noble souls try to tell me he wasn’t the 1st President. You see a while back someone who wasn’t a real historian, but did spend the night at a Holiday Inn, argued that we should count the 7 “presidents” under the Articles of Confederation as presidents before Washington. Now I don’t know what this individual had against George, but his argument is a little specious.

Without going back to civics class to pry apart the differences between a constitutional government and a confederation, let’s just stick with the easy understanding that one creates a collection of entities united for a common good (confederation) and one creates a new entity altogether (constitution). In addition, the Articles of Confederation didn’t create a position “President of the US” but merely a president of the Congress – someone to run the meetings. Now with all this in mind, can we please stop the silliness and let George be the first president??

Charter VS Comcast

Yee-Hah!! I am now Comcast free. My battle with Comcast started years ago; whenever it rained I lost internet access. Comcast customer service was so helpful that it took them roughly 2 years to get the problem fixed. 2 years of: rain - no service, place a call to Comcast, they send a technician a few days later (usually when it wasn't raining - GENIUS!!), everything works, repeat the cycle. I have hated Comcast ever since.

So is Charter any better? I don't know but they are just as confusing. Yesterday they were coming between 1 & 3. So at 12:17 I get a call telling me that they will be here between 12:30 and 1:30. So I wait. Then about 1:25 I get a call telling me he will be here between 2 and 3. Oh well, I shouldn't complain. He came, hooked it up, and it works. We'll see what happens when it rains.

Don't Own it if you can't drive it!

Today I met my buddy for lunch (I'll call him Buddy). When we finished and got to the parking lot I discovered someone parked next to me. Now if you want to drive a vehicle that is just a shade smaller than the state of Delaware, that is your business. But when you park it so close to my vehicle that getting in the driver's side requires me to turn sideways and suck in my gut so that I am no wider than a rolled up newspaper, then its my business. People, if you are going to buy a vehicle then make sure that you actually have the skills to drive the vehicle (or in this case park the vehicle). And no matter what vehicle you own, when parking be considerate of others. You know they paint the lines on the ground for a reason. How about actually trying to get your vehicle in between them?

Sheesh!

I'm Baack!!

Well, I haven't posted in a while (since May 20 so says blogspot) but I'm back. Not only back but back with a Crazy Hair-Brained Scheme. See during my little vacation from posting I discovered the author A. J. Jacobs. I read his "Year of Living Biblically" where he tries to live out to the letter all the dos and don'ts of the Bible. I also read "The Know-It-All" where he decides to read the Encyclopedia Britannica from start to finish. It is this chronicle that has given me my Crazy Hair-Brained Scheme. I am going to further my study of US history by reading one biography on each of the Presidents. Oh yeah, in order.

Now I do realize that for some this may be light reading - Millard Fillmore comes to mind - but for the most part this should be some serious stuff. On the odd chance I cannot find a biography of a president - again Millard Fillmore comes to mind - I'll have to substitute from somewhere....hmmm maybe the EB can be my fallback.

Shame on Kentucky

21% of the Democrats in Kentucky admitted that race played a part on their decision to vote for Hillary Clinton. I find that statistic shameful. If Clinton had a shred of honor about her she would denounce such a statistic and tell those 21% "Thanks but no thanks" for your vote. To vote or not to vote for someone based on the color of their skin is baloney. I'll close by reminding Kentucky that it is 2008 not the 1860's. Time to get with the program.