April 27, 2012
April 23, 2012
April 22, 2012
Lacking faith to be Atheist.
I lack the faith to believe in anti-Christian accounts of the origins of Christianity. And I totally lack the massive faith it requires to be an atheist. The sort of concentration of will it requires to block out the blandishments of reality and common sense are too exhausting for me.
April 11, 2012
April 10, 2012
Shoes for my feet.
I am having a difficult time with shoes. My feet like them less and less. Today I went into Wal-Mart to purchase some river sox, which I use for running. As I was walking through the store my feet felt hot. When I tried on the sox I felt like not putting my shoes on again. I loosened the laces hoping that would help. Nope...
Minimalist running has really captured my imagination. Going from new balance running shoes to river socks cured my Plantar Fascitis.
Minimalist running has really captured my imagination. Going from new balance running shoes to river socks cured my Plantar Fascitis.
April 06, 2012
President Obama disgracefully attacks Supreme Court for challenging him on ObamaCare - NYPOST.com
President Obama disgracefully attacks Supreme Court for challenging him on ObamaCare - NYPOST.com
My view is that his comments reveal the dirty secret of his personality and the main reason why his presidency is failing. Obama simply can’t tolerate dissent.
Not getting his way provokes him into making foolish and irrational assertions. This is the president who, three days after taking office, rejected a Republican idea on the stimulus by declaring, “I won.”
March 28, 2012
Downhill learning
Connor is my 14 year old Autistic son (in case your new to this narrative).
He is a two times gold medal cross country skier with Special Olympics. He has increased in skill to the point he is working out with the adult group. On his first trip to Mt. Bachelor he was enthralled with the ski lifts and wanted to downhill ski. Last Friday we went to a learning session.
The mind is fascinating and even more so when teaching Connor. Imagine someone makes a series of sounds and associates them with an object. Not to tough actually we do this all the time. Now think of associating these sounds with a concept previously unknown. That is a real mind bender, as we usually formulate questions to cement the concept.
The first struggle was his ski poles. He knew he should have them, this was reinforced by everyone he saw having a pair. However, the instructors want the fundamentals of stopping and turning prior to pole use. This escalated into a melt down and Connor acting up trying to get his way. Coaches however, are made of sterner stuff. With my intervention he started the learning process with a request for poles every bunny hill run. Accepting, barely the "not yet" response.
After demonstrating the snowplow stop and turning. He got to go up the beginner lift. Because it was a lighter day on the hill he got to sit alone on the lift. This was a turning point as, one of the best things ever! He even forgot his pole quest as he got to ski down the hill and solo lift up. He took pains to ensure he was the only one on his lift.
This became a detriment as he was more focused on getting back down to the lift instead of gaining the skills of turning and stopping on the hill. All in all he progressed to the point where the next hill awaited.
This is where things got scary. Up till now he was paying little attention to the skills he needed. I got him some poles, which made him happy. The coaches wisdom quickly presented itself as Connor lost control and started hurtling down the hill. He attempted to stop by laying on his back, which did not work. I gave chase and was shouting for him to snow plow. He got up one time and gave it a mediocre attempt, only to lay down again. The second time he got up he was able to stop. This truly scared him, the being out of control, going so fast and his attempts to stop via instinct not working at all.
He abandoned the poles and began to learn from the coach. So my giving him the poles and his downhill plummet successfully broke his paradigm. What happened next was his quickly learning to turn, stop and control himself, the next two runs he applied the knowledge and gained back his confidence. The last three runs we did were sans poles and he was skiing parallel for a goodly portion. I noticed that his precision on the slope. He appeared to make his cuts and turns at exactly the same points each time, with adjustments made for other skiers.
There was more then a little pride seeing his confidence and skill surpassing those familiar jackets who we had shared the mountain with. By this time his grin showed enjoyment on the slope as well as on the occasional solo lift going up.
He is a two times gold medal cross country skier with Special Olympics. He has increased in skill to the point he is working out with the adult group. On his first trip to Mt. Bachelor he was enthralled with the ski lifts and wanted to downhill ski. Last Friday we went to a learning session.
The mind is fascinating and even more so when teaching Connor. Imagine someone makes a series of sounds and associates them with an object. Not to tough actually we do this all the time. Now think of associating these sounds with a concept previously unknown. That is a real mind bender, as we usually formulate questions to cement the concept.
The first struggle was his ski poles. He knew he should have them, this was reinforced by everyone he saw having a pair. However, the instructors want the fundamentals of stopping and turning prior to pole use. This escalated into a melt down and Connor acting up trying to get his way. Coaches however, are made of sterner stuff. With my intervention he started the learning process with a request for poles every bunny hill run. Accepting, barely the "not yet" response.
After demonstrating the snowplow stop and turning. He got to go up the beginner lift. Because it was a lighter day on the hill he got to sit alone on the lift. This was a turning point as, one of the best things ever! He even forgot his pole quest as he got to ski down the hill and solo lift up. He took pains to ensure he was the only one on his lift.
This became a detriment as he was more focused on getting back down to the lift instead of gaining the skills of turning and stopping on the hill. All in all he progressed to the point where the next hill awaited.
This is where things got scary. Up till now he was paying little attention to the skills he needed. I got him some poles, which made him happy. The coaches wisdom quickly presented itself as Connor lost control and started hurtling down the hill. He attempted to stop by laying on his back, which did not work. I gave chase and was shouting for him to snow plow. He got up one time and gave it a mediocre attempt, only to lay down again. The second time he got up he was able to stop. This truly scared him, the being out of control, going so fast and his attempts to stop via instinct not working at all.
He abandoned the poles and began to learn from the coach. So my giving him the poles and his downhill plummet successfully broke his paradigm. What happened next was his quickly learning to turn, stop and control himself, the next two runs he applied the knowledge and gained back his confidence. The last three runs we did were sans poles and he was skiing parallel for a goodly portion. I noticed that his precision on the slope. He appeared to make his cuts and turns at exactly the same points each time, with adjustments made for other skiers.
There was more then a little pride seeing his confidence and skill surpassing those familiar jackets who we had shared the mountain with. By this time his grin showed enjoyment on the slope as well as on the occasional solo lift going up.
March 22, 2012
March 16, 2012
Voters are Stupid...
I just find it fascinating, after all of these years of polls and these guys have used polls to make news, not reflect it, they have used these polls to create public opinion, and all of a sudden two bad polls (for Obama) in the same day and the respondents are stupid.
March 15, 2012
Gloria Purvis - HHS Mandate is Anti-Woman: Catholics Need to Speak Up
On February 27, the Catholic Information Center and the women's web-magazine Altcatholicah cosponsored the panel discussion, "Women Challenging the HHS Mandate." Here, panelist Gloria Purvis discusses how the HHS Mandate is anti-Woman and how Catholics need to get speak up on the issue.
March 13, 2012
March 05, 2012
”Rush Limbaugh Isn’t the Only Media Misogynist,”
”Rush Limbaugh Isn’t the Only Media Misogynist,” Powers asks if all liberal media personalities are held to the same standard as their conservative counterparts. For the Democratic strategist, the answer is a resounding “no.”
March 04, 2012
In the name of "what we think you should be like"
When, exactly, do we help our fellow man .vs. hurting them differently?
I am re-reading a wonderful book, Born To Run, In looking up some of the runners written about, I came across an interview where someone takes issue with the authors romanticizing the living conditions of the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper canyon, when they live in "abject poverty".
In reading the book I did not get the same impression. Which got me thinking about the early missionaries, bringing technology and religion to various places on earth. This goes back to that well meaning gesture or the road paved with good intentions.
Is it right to look at a society and proclaim the inadequate based upon our own? This idea bring up images of atrocities. The Hey! you should be like us! Mentality permeates our nobler then thou culture.
Gene Roddenberry pondered the corruption of one society upon another. His solution was observation and gleaning understandings well before imperialistic actions.
There are peoples ways of life that are good and bad and nigh impossible to judge from an outsiders standpoint. There could be delicate balances trampled underfoot while striving to "make things better" for those who are "less lucky"... Which is really a crock of crap.
Then again look at our current information age and the struggles that abound. Wouldn't it be great of some extraterrestrials came from elsewhere and pointed out how we would be much better off enslaved?
Yeah... me neither...
I am re-reading a wonderful book, Born To Run, In looking up some of the runners written about, I came across an interview where someone takes issue with the authors romanticizing the living conditions of the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper canyon, when they live in "abject poverty".
In reading the book I did not get the same impression. Which got me thinking about the early missionaries, bringing technology and religion to various places on earth. This goes back to that well meaning gesture or the road paved with good intentions.
Is it right to look at a society and proclaim the inadequate based upon our own? This idea bring up images of atrocities. The Hey! you should be like us! Mentality permeates our nobler then thou culture.
Gene Roddenberry pondered the corruption of one society upon another. His solution was observation and gleaning understandings well before imperialistic actions.
There are peoples ways of life that are good and bad and nigh impossible to judge from an outsiders standpoint. There could be delicate balances trampled underfoot while striving to "make things better" for those who are "less lucky"... Which is really a crock of crap.
Then again look at our current information age and the struggles that abound. Wouldn't it be great of some extraterrestrials came from elsewhere and pointed out how we would be much better off enslaved?
Yeah... me neither...
February 24, 2012
Kicking and screaming.
I ran two miles today. This is my first run since January 7th. I had not problems. It was exhilarating in fact. I feel very 'up' right now due to the various stuff that comes with human Endocrinology. Next up is a trip to the local dump to discard old plants.
I am really enjoying being in shape. Yes, I feel stiff and sore at times. However, the rest of the time the sensations are wonderful. I out perform many of my younger co-workers (or so I am told). This is not at all what I thought 50 would be like. I started my half century mark by climbing the highest mountain in Douglas County. I have continued by running, skating and riding my bike (I should hit 2000 miles on my bike this year).
The science on aging is really interesting. We have learned that our feet work better without shoes, sleep eight hours straight is not normal and that maximum nutrition with minimal calories increases health and life.
As I am enjoying my healthier lifestyle there is still room for improvement. Which takes time but will come. I plan on following my 91 year old pop and go down kicking and screaming.
I am really enjoying being in shape. Yes, I feel stiff and sore at times. However, the rest of the time the sensations are wonderful. I out perform many of my younger co-workers (or so I am told). This is not at all what I thought 50 would be like. I started my half century mark by climbing the highest mountain in Douglas County. I have continued by running, skating and riding my bike (I should hit 2000 miles on my bike this year).
The science on aging is really interesting. We have learned that our feet work better without shoes, sleep eight hours straight is not normal and that maximum nutrition with minimal calories increases health and life.
As I am enjoying my healthier lifestyle there is still room for improvement. Which takes time but will come. I plan on following my 91 year old pop and go down kicking and screaming.
February 17, 2012
Fun with Obama Math!
Want to make unemployment look like it is going down? Just reduce the number of Jobs available!
February 16, 2012
Pallet blocked.
This morning's merchandising job was to simply move the beds (mattresses) from one side of the building to another.
First order of business was to make room. So several pallets of sporting goods got moved around, along with some booze pallets. More still was wrapped up to head back to the depot for next year's winter seasonal items. Got that done. Next up was moving the beds.
Each of the mattresses are on two pallets, side by side, 48" by 80" and they have to be pulled in such a way that they are a 86" wide load. To add to the difficulty, most of the ways are blocked with pallets of merchandise. So I cleared a route along the back of the Deli cases and informed the co-worker in that area of my intent of using that as a thoroughfare for mattresses.
With my mighty pallet jack in tow I bridged the pallets and cranked them up, up, up till they were pull-able. Then using my acquired knowledge of steering ungainly objects, I set off down the Deli express route! Unfortunately, the very co-worker in whom I had confided, decided to drop a pallet of delicious delicateness in my path. She was suitably chagrined and removed the obstacle. With my course now clear, I was able to reach my destination for the first of several trips. With my mighty pallet jack I hefted the next king-size and headed towards the vennel, only to find two pallets of goods. My formerly chagrined co-worker had not noticed them being dropped off and quickly helped rectify the situation. My trusty fork lift driver, Gina, removed the other impediment. I explained to her my intentions of moving mattoks and she affirmed she would keep said alley clear.
The next trip was surprisingly free of clogging and I felt somewhat relieved. Of course the laws of irony had a good guffaw at my next attempt. I turned the corner just in time to see another driver, Nathan, driving off after dropping a load (pun intended). He heeding my cry (girlish screaming anguish), with a quizzical stare. After my exasperated explanation he took it upon himself to not only de-barrier the path, but with annoyed gusto. Next he took the next two pallets with his conveyance to the far side.
This left one final pallet and all the drivers in the area aware of my plight. I was fairly confident until I turned the corner to spy a pallet sitting dead middle of the means of access and Richard, the receiving driver just out of earshot.
I was not sure if I should laugh or cry...
First order of business was to make room. So several pallets of sporting goods got moved around, along with some booze pallets. More still was wrapped up to head back to the depot for next year's winter seasonal items. Got that done. Next up was moving the beds.
Each of the mattresses are on two pallets, side by side, 48" by 80" and they have to be pulled in such a way that they are a 86" wide load. To add to the difficulty, most of the ways are blocked with pallets of merchandise. So I cleared a route along the back of the Deli cases and informed the co-worker in that area of my intent of using that as a thoroughfare for mattresses.
With my mighty pallet jack in tow I bridged the pallets and cranked them up, up, up till they were pull-able. Then using my acquired knowledge of steering ungainly objects, I set off down the Deli express route! Unfortunately, the very co-worker in whom I had confided, decided to drop a pallet of delicious delicateness in my path. She was suitably chagrined and removed the obstacle. With my course now clear, I was able to reach my destination for the first of several trips. With my mighty pallet jack I hefted the next king-size and headed towards the vennel, only to find two pallets of goods. My formerly chagrined co-worker had not noticed them being dropped off and quickly helped rectify the situation. My trusty fork lift driver, Gina, removed the other impediment. I explained to her my intentions of moving mattoks and she affirmed she would keep said alley clear.
The next trip was surprisingly free of clogging and I felt somewhat relieved. Of course the laws of irony had a good guffaw at my next attempt. I turned the corner just in time to see another driver, Nathan, driving off after dropping a load (pun intended). He heeding my cry (girlish screaming anguish), with a quizzical stare. After my exasperated explanation he took it upon himself to not only de-barrier the path, but with annoyed gusto. Next he took the next two pallets with his conveyance to the far side.
This left one final pallet and all the drivers in the area aware of my plight. I was fairly confident until I turned the corner to spy a pallet sitting dead middle of the means of access and Richard, the receiving driver just out of earshot.
I was not sure if I should laugh or cry...
February 11, 2012
Timey Wimey
Back in 1773, Samuel Madden wrote Memoirs of the Twentieth Century. This details life in the late 1990's through legal documents handed to the author via "Guardian Angel". It is, in its way the first backwards time travel story.
Time travel as a plot device, can easily be misused or amazingly effective. The paradoxes and childish "what if" scenarios are very entertaining. Why is this so? I wonder if this plays to humans dislike of change? Or the idea that our choices may not have been good ones.
As I am REALLY happy with my current life, I would not opt at going back in time for fear of changing my current future. Could better futures be out there? by my way of thinking, Not by much. I also think that some of those 'bad choices' that we do not take could be very entertaining, if you could just skip some of the horrid outcomes.
Time travel is a romantic notion that allows us some mental creativeness and zero reality.
Time travel as a plot device, can easily be misused or amazingly effective. The paradoxes and childish "what if" scenarios are very entertaining. Why is this so? I wonder if this plays to humans dislike of change? Or the idea that our choices may not have been good ones.
As I am REALLY happy with my current life, I would not opt at going back in time for fear of changing my current future. Could better futures be out there? by my way of thinking, Not by much. I also think that some of those 'bad choices' that we do not take could be very entertaining, if you could just skip some of the horrid outcomes.
Time travel is a romantic notion that allows us some mental creativeness and zero reality.
February 10, 2012
Tantamount
At the TOPS club meeting, last night, there was a talk about motivation. Since August 2010 I have been riding my bike to work, in rain, snow, fog and sunny weather. I ride approx four times a week which is over 40 miles each week. You would think, with my consistency, people would figure out this is my normal.
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