September 30th, 2008

Ok, so you have to Imagine this, Me on the Phone answering and talking to an individual on the other end. He is trying to get the Info to me that I am needing to retain so I can meet him for an Interview for a job. He has it easy. Me, not so easy.

I was watching a movie at the time, with the stero supplying the sound through 5 speakers strategically placed to allow for very good speaker coverage through out the room. I'm sitting in my favorite chair, Which is in the middle of the 5 speakers, arraigned just so for excellent coverage, while the Movie is playing.

What I have to do though, is go from excellent speaker coverage with the sound a plenty to be able to understand what this guy is saying on the phone to me and get it writen down so I can remember it later and not show up at trailer 13, but trailer 14, and not at 9:30 am, but at 9:20am, which I am thinking now is an odd time, but it is still crucial that I know what it is, when it is, where it is and with whom it is.

One little problem. Wait, actually about 4 little problems. One, My wife usually handles the remote button pushing job in our family. I am secure enough in my manly hood to allow for the female in our family to have control of the remote. So she does that on a very regular basis and is quite educated in the location of said remote control buttons to where she can actually get the remote controls to do what she wants, when she wants them to do it. Me, not so much..

But She ain't here. So I am relegated to actual ownership of the button pushing on the remote, wait, remotes. For there is the remote that actually controls the DVD Player, and the remote which controls the stero. So, phone in hand, trying to write with the other one, while trying to control 2 remotes with, uhm, my other hand. Actually 2 extra hands would have been really nice. But there is no such thing. (I really wish I would have gotten this on film, for it would have been classic, really.)

So I tell him to wait just a minute, grab the first remote, and push a button, hoping for the pause. Instead the scene playing starts again. He's is tired of waiting, so he is telling me stuff. I put the remote down, grab the pencil and write down what he is saying. Trying not to sound like an utter idiot, I figure saying hang on a minute again probably wouldn't work, So, I lay the pencil down for a second while he is talking, and as I've already seen this part of the movie, I concentrate on what he is saying, and grab the other remote to turn off the sound, except just as I am pushing what I hoped was either mute or power off, I dropped the remote onto the floor. The movie is still blasting and he is still talking.

So one more time, I use the just one minute line and try again for the remote while writing down more info while laying the phone down, except I now have pushed the damn repeat scenes again, and it starts all over again. So I pick up the phone just as he starts talking again. Damn, I am now thinking I can try for the sound remote again for it's right at my foot, and I hear my self saying "Ok, so I show up at 9:20 AM at trailer 14 and uhm ..." Then silence. On the phone. Not in the room. The room is ablaze in sound. He finally tells me about the receptionist and how I am supposed to wait there for him and I finally hit the mute button on the sound remote.

Just in time for me to say "I can't think of anything else." and he says great and I hang up. I proceeed to write down the rest of the information that he has told me and thank God for my uncanny remote control control ability. I need more technology in my life.

September 29th, 2008

Well, I had started a post for today and decided to shelve it. I really am trying to remain neutral in this election process. I figure there are enough sites out there bashing you over the head with Republican this and Democrat That. Congress apparently has got to get their act together. The United States Wall Street Mess is a pretty big deal.


Granted, Wall Street could be allowed to just go forward and clean up this mess for it self. I guess that would be a pretty painful way to go for America. But It wouldn't be the first time America has gone through a painful time. And It won't be the last.


If Congress doesn't get off the pot and Do some thing, I guess America will find out just how painful this mess will get.

Right Now, Wall Street is down 554 points. It's an hour before before the close of Wall Street today. Looks like it could be a bumpy ride at least.




30 minutes later Wall street is down 720 points. Volume has made a new record in selloffs. Hang on to your hats.

September 22nd, 2008

Ok, lets see, on Friday I went to the local Fair with my wife, daughter, son in law and Grandson. I had an excellent time till we were leaving the fairgrounds at about 1030 PM. My wife and I were walking along an area that should be nice smooth cement sidewalk and well lit. Should be, but it isn't. It's very fine dirt which they have oiled repeatedly to try and keep the extremely fine dust from blowing around so much and hardly any lights at all. In this dirt in a very dark part of this walkway, a tree root has sprung up, and I found it with my right Foot.

In the ensuing next few moments, I went down first on my right knee, then onto my left forearm and then onto my left shoulder. Hard, onto hard dirt. A cloud of dust, then passers by worried if I was OK. I checked out what was what and told them I was OK. A young gentleman helped me back to my feet.

My forearm was bleeding some what and finally managed to get it washed off. The real fun started the next day.

I awoke to a very sore knee and a shoulder that didn't like being lifted more than a foot or so. So that was Saturday. Sunday I went outside and repaired a fence that some lovely neighbors redesigned for me. I guess I didn't sleep very good the last few nights and then slept about 12 hours today. I'm going to get back into the swing of things posting wise, I promise. Just needing some time to get my self back into shape.

September 18th, 2008

Wow, the last couple of days have been just chock full of Blogging Material. I could write posts for days out the weird stuff going on around here. I'll have to note it and let it out in dribs and drabs so as not to to bore the pants off you guys. All I need is a bunch of Pantless, bored, readers floating around.

September 14th, 2008.

This seems to be a trend that I am seeing that I hope really comes to a screeching halt: Bullies on the Internet that force good people to change the way they do things on the Internet.

I have never understood bullies in real life. I certainly don't understand bullies on the Internet. I sort of understand crazy, although it is much easier to tell in person, than on the Internet. Crazy, some one being mental, some one with out both oars in the water, and making life difficult for those around them, I sort of understand. But just to find some one that is nice and force them to stop blogging or stop commenting the way they would like, is wrong. I don't care where you come from, it's wrong.

But part of the problem with the Internet is that whats wrong doesn't get stopped, unless it is wrong and illegal, then there is a chance it is stopped. Stuff that's wrong in a social way, usually forces good things to screech to a halt. It sucks.

The Internet will always be what it is, warts and all. Good people will sometimes just fade away, never to be seen again. The Internet isn't necessary for most people. And some one gets hurt bad enough, that just may be enough for them to drop out and never partake of the Internet again. I guess it makes some one feel real good to drive someone away from the Internet. Again, I don't understand.

Have you ever had to watch as some one get attacked on the Internet or have you been attacked yourself?

I certainly hope not.

September 13th, 2008

This is from 2005 talking about the 2006 season. I need to see if I can Find anything about weather this is still going on. Personally, I think these guys need their heads examined. I snagged this from Is a Man's World.

Update Feb 08, 2009: Having no response from any one in Entrecard, I am officially pulling the life support. I'm sorry Mike. It's not working out like we had planned.

Update November 9th, 2008: I am just about to pull the plug on this. It just hasn't gone anywhere. Oh well, I tried.

I have been working to make a present of sorts for the Entrecard Group, of which I am one. I am hoping that it will be a special place for Bloggers that belong to Entrecard.

What it is briefly Is a group WIKI that only E-card members in good standing will be allowed in. I hope for it to be a play ground of sorts for all those Hard working Bloggers after a hard day blogging, or maybe before they begin, or during. I don't really care.

I know this much, Its a WIKI, so the creative juices could really create something spectacular here. As you know, or maybe not, There are some very creative individuals utilizing Entrecard. And the Potential, which Is what I try to focus on, well, lets just say the sky is the limit. That and there is nothing else out there like this for Entrecarders.

Joining will be a bit tricky. I have to be able to maintain some control over this thing, for WIKI's have a way of getting totally out of hand if left to their own devices. So, it is by invitation only, But every Entrecarder is going to get invited. See, a very selective process.

There will be nothing done with your data. Nothing will be sold or offered or allowed to escape as far as I have control over it. Also, if you want, you can quit at any time. And If not completely satisfied, you will get a full refund of your entry price, which is free.

Have a great day.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Questions and Answers

1.) Sounds interesting, please send me an invite to ****@*******per.org.uk anyway, but I would like some more information. are you talking about people being able to alter my website or blog?

A.) Nothing of yours would be altered in any way. No, the altering would take place with the Group WIKI, so it can become what Entrecarders would want it to be. A wiki can be edited in many different ways. It can be very fluid and flexible or can be locked down to where there is no editing at all. It also keeps track of former versions, so edits can be undone quite easily.

It is a very unique setup and can be very versatile. I am just waiting to see where this goes. So far I have been the only one doing the editing and creating. I think there is a pretty good beginning there and just need it to be shaped and formed and such.

Beamer - September 23rd, 2008

2.) Man, I don't even know what a Wiki is. Are you talking about like a listserve or something?

A.) Have you ever been to wikipedia? That is a wiki. What I envision with this Entrecard Group WIKI is like a huge Table with a lot of newspaper on it and next to the table is a large lump of real nice clay.

Somebody comes along and builds a little castle with some of the clay and then paints it all yellow. Some one else comes along and paints two of the towers a pretty purple. Then someone thinks Lakers and adds a small Basket ball court to the back of the castle all made out of clay.

Then next to the castle on the table some one makes a bust of Ringo Starr. Some one else says to heck with that and Makes a bust of Conway Twitty next to Ringo.

So I could go on and on, but the table would be the WIKI and the clay would be the Info you add to it to make yours and yet it is part of the table.

Yet, you can comeback if you want, and take the clay off, cause of the newspaper. Then you lay down fresh newspaper and start all over again.

Beamer - October 3rd, 2008

3.) Yeah. Okay. So that sounds good. Except I don't know enough about EntreCard to build anything. I can't even figure out the stinkin' dashboard half the time.

A.) Ok, your getting the feel for it. That is part of the beauty of this. It doesn't have to do anything with Entrecard. It has to do with you. Your likes and dislikes and what moves you. You can start a section devoted to music or your kids or your great Aunt Edna or your love of Orchids or maybe you enjoy Chevy Trucks.

This isn't a blog, but it could be if you want.

That's another beauty of this whole thing, You can start your own WIKI as well if you want. You let me know the address and I add the link to the fray and people can come and visit your Own WIKI.

There is just a ton of freedom with this and a whole world of Creativity to explore, if you want.

Entrecard Group Wiki Group

Visit this group

September 3rd, 2008

I talked once before about being an assistant Manager at this lovely Department store. Let me explain, I don't smoke cigarettes.

One year, I got to help setup a brand new store and to help train the new crew coming in to work at the store. It was at times a 24 hour period that we would be working on setting up the store, not that I would work 24 hours straight. I would just work 14 or 16 hours straight. Loads of fun.

So, I'm working one grave yard shift with this lovely crew and I'm the only one with the key to the front door or any other door, with orders to only let the crew out during lunch. We got an hour break for lunch. Lunch only - strict orders.

So 1 1/2 hours into our 9 hour shift and me on about hour 9 or something, (It was a big blur a lot of this time) One of the crew members decides that he is wanting a cigarette break. I told him in 2 1/2 hours he would have an hour break. Get back to work, here, put all these packages of toilet paper in this row and these shelves. Great.

15 minutes later, with me all the way across the store from where this guy is supposed to be, he appears with 3 other people. They are all wanting a cigarette break. I tell them no, I have strict orders, you'll get let out at lunch. A few minutes later, I now have traveled to the front of the store. I couldn't believe what I saw.

The whole crew is standing by the front door and the kid that first hit me up for a cig is about to get on the PA system to call me to the front of the store.

Me: Why aren't you stocking Toilet paper?






Him: I need a smoke.

Crew: Yeah we need a smoke.

I look around and I am now surrounded by about 15 people, all with Nicotine fits, with the Kid looking the worst. I told them again, at lunch I'll open, uhm, strict orders ...

Him: I'm in a bad way.

He holds out his hand and it is shaking. Great. He's looking pale. Fantastic.

Crew: Let us out! Now!

Me: Fine.

Crew : Yaaayy!

Half of these people had their cigarettes lit before they even got out of the store. I am imagining the sprinklers going off in the store and the fire department showing up directly. I get that way after a damn near 11 hour day with no lunch and about 5 hours sleep. I try to get out of the way as they rush the door.






They were Ok with their cigarettes till they had their lunch, but then about 2 hours after their lunch, cig break time was demanded by the crew again. This time was even more demanding than last time, with the kid leading the charge again. I reminded them after they were inhaling deeply that I was the acting manager and this wasn't good that they were giving me orders. See the place I worked for didn't have a great sense of humor when it came to mutiny by the crew.

The next shift, there was a whole new crew in there, with training starting all over from scratch. Each of the other crew had been given their walking papers. See, all of the behavior of the crew and myself was recorded, sound and all, then reviewed by the upper management of the Company when they showed up to see the progress of the store and how it was going.

I tried to tell them.

PS: Thanks Monkey man.

September 1st, 2008

So there I was, actually getting a smile from my wife. Not that she doesn't smile. She smiles plenty, a great smile, but not so much when referencing another woman's Breasts as Bakery goods and laughing about it. But I was approaching it on how foolish I felt laughing out loud in front of a piece of light emitting technology that displays words and images. She appreciates my self depreciating humor, and I don't mind doing it, especially when discussing Ta Tas.

So, in mid sentence I am cut off, quite rudely I might add. Here walks in a large overweight Mexican Lady (I use the term lightly here), in her early 20's, yelling back over her shoulder, I mean YELLING:

"WE have pizza on order, so we aren't getting any food in here."

There is a take out pizza place right next door. Also, that is just what a owner of a Mexican eatery wants to hear as a customer walks in the door.

Again she bellows:

"Leave that alone, Put it back, Don't be grabbing."

This again is over her shoulder at her brood, I guess, or at least the 4 kids following her that are grabbing the waitresses supply of very nicely padded menus and opening them up and taking them with them. There was also a stack of printed paper ad magazines that were just the right height to grab handfuls of.

"Put That Back, NOW!!!" this she yelled just about right into my ear. I heard her voice echo off the opposite wall, reverberating from the ceiling and in my eardrums. This was just as I was about to try and continue my Breast Monologue. I managed to get my mouth open, but there was no way I was going to try and compete with that voice.

It's gotten to where I don't even like competing with the TV at home any more. I forever mute the volume as I pass along to her my fabled wisdom and brilliant enlightenment.

So they pass, this small herd. The 4 children, the loud mouth adult (again, using the term very lightly here) and another young, heavy set, Mexican lady. They make their way into the deeper part of the Eatery, apparently to sit down, but not to order Pizza. Now the fun really starts.

I managed to get a few words out before the children start in. Screaming and yelling about what? I have no idea. For it sounds like all 4 kids are yelling at once. Again voices literally reverberate off the walls. Then the Adults join back in unsion:
"Sit Down. Don't. Shut Up, sit down, SHUT UP!!!" this last one reaches new incredible levels of volume.

Then the children again. Voices blending and rising and making no sense at all. I literally yelled at my wife:

"Can you imagine living next door to that?"

Then it's about the bathroom. Louder yet, who's going first, and why they aren't and yes I am and the no you aren't. It's been probably 5 minutes since they walked in the door and I haven't been able to utter a word short of the question I yelled at my wife, which had nothing to do with bakery goods. Now a whole 'nother realm is approached.

A very painful wail is let out, followed by another and another. I imagine the kids beating each other over the heads with chairs or something. Huge sobbing and I can imagine the large tears and the running nose. Then another loud piercing, yelling wail mixed in with the raucous over the bathrooms. I look at my wife with a quizzical face.

She tries to explain to me that the child that was brought in on her father's shoulder apparently has some mental problems and all the kids and the adults yelling is scaring her and she is responding the only way she knows how.

Finally, the herd leaves as does the other family. Peace resumed. I finished the sorted tale and all is well. I wondered, as the herd left the building, why I felt like applauding.