I AM OLD

I am officially getting old because I have the following symptoms:

• back pains
• knee problems
• grey hair in my beard
• getting senior discounts
• bifocals
• I am getting ‘crotchety’
• I tend to find that I am saying “When I was your age” too often
• No more bar hopping
• More naps on the weekends during the day, so I can stay up to maybe 11pm

And the kicker is last night (11/28/05) I had to go to the urgent care for what I thought was a possible broken thumb, only to be told that I might have Arthritis! I know it can hit at any time but OMG all these symptoms add up to the same thing, I AM OLD!!! What gets me that in my 20’s I was one of those who turned up the stereo while playing my LP’s or listening to FM rock stations. If I forgot something, it was due to alcohol. In my 30’s I started to turn down the stereo and buy CD’s to replace the vinyl I couldn’t play on my new stereo system listen to the same stations yet starting to listen to talk radio (75% rock -25% talk ). Most of the time if I forgot something it was the ending of the alcohol. Now that I am in my 40’s, I will not buy new CD’s because I do not know any of the newer groups, and I am listening to talk radio more than 90% of the time, and now if I forget something I have nothing to blame it on!

Technorati Tags : OLD

Packers

The day after a Packer game this year is very depressing. No one is happy, it’s the same report that one or more players are injured, Coaches play calling is bad, Brett retiring, etc… All I can say is the Packers were due for this downturn. Many fans have been blind to this fact but it is the cycle for any team. Going back to the 60’s to today GB, Dallas, San Fran have all had the up years then a major downturn then they explode into a powerhouse team again. GB fans have had it the best so far 13 in a row for winning seasons! Be thankful we root for GB and not the Saints, Browns, Bengal’s or Arizona. Those fans have rarely seen a championship caliper team in recent memory (at least mine). I am sort of looking forward to draft day 2006 to see whom GB will pick up to shore up the team. I know there is talent on the right now and too many injuries, but they do need more depth with less of a drop off in that talent than what they have now. I also will say that either Coach Sherman needs to be let go or the GM needs to step in and tell him to make more adjustments in the second half. From my vantage point the losses to the Vikings I saw none in either game.

Technorati Tags : Packers

Its Saturday afternoon

It’s Saturday afternoon and I am playing games online and listining to the radio while I am writing this (the TV is off). Sandy is over by her parents helping to put up their outside Christmas lights in the snow and I am home with the cat. Yes I know I should be helping but I was sleeping when she left and besides, I am afraid of heights. Lets see how cold she is by the time she gets home; I just might have to turn up the heat to help warm her up. I know gas is high but I do not want to wear five layers of clothes just to stay warm.

Technorati Tags : Saturday, afternoon

Reflection

Well the year is almost over and it is time to reflect on what has happened in our lives in ’05. Here are some highlights (or lowlites)

1. The year started with me working, and ending unemployed.
2. Celebrated Sandy and my 4th wedding anniversary
3. Learned new things
4. Watched way too much T.V.
5. Listened to talk radio more
6. Felt like an old foggy mostley because of #7
7. Recieved a senior citizen discount at a couple of places (I'm only 42)
8. Found a new diversion on Tuesday’s in the summer called 2WT at Culvers on north 124th, many motorcycles to see there every week
9. Started this blog
10. Made several rides on the bike
11. Laughed at myself
12. Survived another year at school
13. Made new friends
14. Had fun with Sandy

Technorati Tags : Reflection

Typical Late November Day

Let it snow somewhere else! Even tho we have a 4-wheel drive Jeep it was a brutal drive to and from the Mineshaft in Hartford (where we took our neice Dani and brother-in-law Bob, btw its a great place to take the family). We were going only 40 to 45 on the freeway due to the blasted snow! I will gladly send this garbage south or better yet up to the UP. Its amazing that after 40+ years I have never really liked the white stuff. It's just that there is nothing to do but sit at home and wait it out (yes I like some indoor activities). Post ya later

Technorati Tags : Typical,  November, Day

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe holiday weekend

Technorati Tags : Happy, Thanksgiving

Update on personal news

Update on personal news: I have been on a temporary work assignment after a couple of months without work and I have been too tired to post. Unfortunately, it will only last until the end at the end of November. Therefore, this blog will be light for content until then.

Technorati Tags : personal

 

Another stuck on STUPID

This letter to the editor from October 31,2005 in the JS got me thinking

PARTISANSHIP

What about deceit in GOP's own party? Thank you, Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer of Hartland , unofficial spokeswoman for the Republican right wing of southeastern Wisconsin, for another in an endless series of complaints about Democratic misdemeanors ("Doyle is displaying his arrogance," Your Opinions, Oct. 26).This time, Geiger-Hemmer was upset about the age-old practice of politicians accepting political contributions in exchange for favors. Not really news. If we are to be upset about the molehill, dubbed Travelgate, where is the outcry about the mountain, Rep. Tom DeLay?The Texas Republican is currently under investigation for alleged money-laundering to Texas Republican political candidates. This is a story of millions of dollars funneled to Texas Republican candidates in order to take control of the Texas Legislature so Republicans could redraw state districts in order to send more Republicans to Washington, which in fact has taken place.This is corruption and dishonesty on a biblical scale, but apparently somehow it didn't appear on Geiger-Hemmer's radar. Apparently, Republican dishonesty is to be ignored whereas Democratic dishonesty must be brought to heel.Barry R. SniderRiver Hillshttp://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/oct05/367054.asp

What makes the DeLay issue a mountain and Doyles pay for play a molehill? Oh I forgot DeLay's a Republican. Doyle has only damaged the image and integrity of his office and the state government as a whole. Age-old practice of accepting political contributions in exchange for favors, not news??? This called a BRIBE and is illegal, but Mr. Snider wants everyone to turn a blind eye because its a Democrat involved, if this were Gov. Thompson or Scott Walker he would want their heads. Mr. Snider take off your blinders and face the facts.

Technorati Tags : Another, stuck, on, STUPID

Wisconsin's new Slogans

Here is a couple of suggested slogans for Wisconsin:

• If you like the state, don't forget to tip the Governor
• Welcome to Americas Taxland

Technorati Tags : Wisconsin's, Slogans

Beliefs

• I believe in God
• Family is key to a good life
• All people are equal – no matter their skin color, education, or economic status
• Own up to your mistakes – don’t blame others, society, etc
• Respect others – even though you disagree with them
• Hard work and love will overcome 99% of all problems
• Forgive people for their mistakes – but they have a finite number

Beliefs that I have formed through thought and life experiences:

• Most people are good and decent – sometimes they hit hard times
• Government is NOT the answer
• Children need to be disciplined when they make a major mistake
• Prison and jail are not a rehabilitation device, they are to PUNISH those who break the law
• Welfare is not a lifelong program
• All media is biased – the reporters, editors and owners bring their opinions into anything they write or report
• The free enterprise system is not evil
• Sam Walton was a very smart business man – he saw a niche where others ignored and took the opportunity

Technorati Tags : Beliefs

Milwaukee Housing Authority

We need to look at the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority (HACM) budget and overall operation. This agency is responsible for maintaining affordable housing in the City of Milwaukee and is a governmental agency. I have problems with this entity. I live near a “scattered” housing site that is run by HACM and have had problems with the current set of tenants. I get the following impression from my dealings with HACM:

• Requests and or complaints by tax paying citizens are ignored or dismissed as dribble. When objects were thrown out of second story window and into my yard, the response from the operator of the 24 hour hotline was “You did not see them throw it out, so it might not be them”. Other neighbors have called HACM and have received the same treatment.
• They agency feels it does not need to report its budget every year on its web site. The last year mentioned is the estimated 2002 cycle.
• HACM employees feel that they do not need to follow the open records law. Request by myself to determine how many persons are suppose to live in the “scattered” site were met with the response “we can not give that information out”

According to the HACM website, ‘the 2002-estimated budget was $68.5 million’ and has ‘63 units of market rate rental housing’ (http://www.hacm.org/about/index.htm). With this in mind let us look at the overall picture of the Mayor and Common Council complaining that the city needs more revenue HACM could bring in revenue this year of at least $3 million (63 X $50,000) and $125,000 a year after that.

Technorati Tags : Milwaukee, Housing, Authority

Milwaukee Media

The Milwaukee media claims they are the source for news and weather for Milwaukee, but in reality they ignore a large segment of the area. Since at least the mid 90's the news media have reported very little on anything south of I-94 to the Racine county line, from Lake Michigan west to the county line.

• The first case that I noticed was a armed bank robbery in the mid 1990's in which shots were fired, the suspects fleed on foot broke into a home with the police chasing and had a standoff for several hours. What coverage did it get? A little blurb by the traffic reporter on channel 6.
• Another case happened summer of 2005. Shots were fired on Lincoln Avenue near 33rd street. Lincoln Avenue was shut down for several hours while the police investigated. The coverage was so underwhelming it was NOT reported! Even though the local paper has a facility nearby.
• On one occasion I watched 1/2 inch hail fall from my front window for about 10 minites. During this I turned on the local news channels to find out what was going on and was amazed with what the weatherman was reporting. Accrording to them what I was witnessing was not happening
• Unfortunately, it took a child dying near the intersection of 33rd and Lincoln to get any reporters to show up on this side of town.

If any of these incidents happen on the north side,Washington County,Ozaukee County,Racine County,Etc... these would be reported as front page news and lead the television news.

Technorati Tags : Milwaukee, Media