Wednesday, July 17, 2013
20 Years
20 years seems like a long time. But in the scheme of things it's a blink of an eye. We think of the things we use in everyday life as always being there. But the reality is that the advancements in technology over the last 20 years is nothing short of amazing. Maybe that's always been the case, but I don't think so.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Weird Similarity
I was going to save this but it's pretty timely. If you've watched the Zimmerman trial, you know who this is...
Courage
Just when I'm feeling all cynical and pessimistic, something comes along that renews my belief in the human spirit. Something that makes my heart swell and, frankly, my eyes leak. This girl...this 16 year old girl has endured unspeakable abuse. She was attacked for going to school! Not only attacked, but her death was the ultimate goal of the low life Taliban scum. But she has persevered. She has recovered and come back stronger. She is, quite simply, the epitome of courage and should be an inspiration to all of us. This is long...but you should watch it. You will be hearing more from her!
And mark my words...several years from now there will be similar stories of abuse from that part of the world and there will be a hue and cry, from many who today say get out, that we should "do something". There was a plan. A credible plan. That plan was abandoned by the current CINC. It's on him. No one else. Mark my words...
And mark my words...several years from now there will be similar stories of abuse from that part of the world and there will be a hue and cry, from many who today say get out, that we should "do something". There was a plan. A credible plan. That plan was abandoned by the current CINC. It's on him. No one else. Mark my words...
Friday Funnies
Business travel...it generally sucks! Big time! Some (on the outside looking in) think it would be great. Travel to various places, see the sites, enjoy different places and cultures. But it's generally just airports, hotels, and office buildings. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So here's my little tribute using one of the best communication vehicles I know...Dilbert
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Frustration
I think a lot of people are frustrated with the American press. I know I am. I'm a big 1st Amendment guy. I strongly believe a free press is one of the most important pillars of our freedom. So those whose lives are dedicated to the profession of journalism have a big responsibility. They have to be the guardians of the truth. We place a great deal of stock in the protection of sources that the press may use to gain information. It's almost like a confessional booth. I've written previously about my increasing disappointment and disenchantment with today's press. I see two big problems. The first is that most seem to have an agenda. They have and express opinions. Or they spin a story to fit their beliefs. Secondly, they routinely give bad behavior a pass. They focus on sensational stories that sell papers or bring in viewers/listeners. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about one outlet over the other. I'm talking about all of them. Whether you listen to Fox, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, etc, etc, etc., it doesn't matter. They all have an agenda. And it comes through loud and clear. Many (not all) seem to have abandoned journalistic principles and focus on ratings. I wrote in an early post on this blog about how we get our news. You can read it here. As time goes on and the news sources become ever more agendized and focused on what sells, it's even more important to search out what is truth.
The article below came to me over the Internet. Now don't think that I'm trying to be some apologist for Paula Deen. She screwed up. Simple as that. But as Charlie says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Similarly, we are bombarded by the Zimmerman trial. The attention is beyond belief. This poor bastard has been convicted by the media and they have forever branded him as a racist killer. It really doesn't matter that the prosecution hasn't remotely proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. And here's the sad thing. Last weekend in Chicago there were about 30 murders. Most were black on black. Most were committed with unregistered and uncontrolled handguns. And it gets no attention.
There can be no other conclusion than the press is grossly irresponsible and not fulfilling their responsibilities as the defenders of truth in America. This conclusion, beyond any other temporary political shenanigans, is the scariest thing of all.
The article below came to me over the Internet. Now don't think that I'm trying to be some apologist for Paula Deen. She screwed up. Simple as that. But as Charlie says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Similarly, we are bombarded by the Zimmerman trial. The attention is beyond belief. This poor bastard has been convicted by the media and they have forever branded him as a racist killer. It really doesn't matter that the prosecution hasn't remotely proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. And here's the sad thing. Last weekend in Chicago there were about 30 murders. Most were black on black. Most were committed with unregistered and uncontrolled handguns. And it gets no attention.
There can be no other conclusion than the press is grossly irresponsible and not fulfilling their responsibilities as the defenders of truth in America. This conclusion, beyond any other temporary political shenanigans, is the scariest thing of all.
The Press and Paula Deen
By Charlie Daniels
I think that if anything exemplifies the overt prejudice and
determination of the American media to report only the news that suits their
social and political interests and concept of what does and does not fit their
agenda, it's the totally overblown coverage of something Paula Deen said 20
years ago, and some party she planned that she wanted to resemble a plantation
scene featuring black male waiters in period dress.
If Hollywood plans a movie featuring black waiters in a
plantation scene or portrays women as prostitutes or cast minorities in
caricature roles does the media get upset and start calling the movie moguls
racists?
Is there any grown person who could truthfully declare under
oath that they have never uttered something that someone might find personally
offensive?
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Do the twenty-year-old words of a lady with a television cooking
show trump the lie an Attorney General told Congress, or officials at the IRS
usurping the rights of the American public and pleading the fifth amendment
when confronted about it or the hiding of the facts surrounding the murder of
four Americans at a Consulate in Libya or the incredibly shabby image of a
president taking a one hundred million dollar vacation in this economy while
closing down tours of the White House or the NSA invasion on the privacy of
millions of unsuspecting citizens?
I think not, and yet these and other stories of the utmost
importance were either ignored or given a back seat to the Paula Deen story
which, when taken in context with the high level scandals, Putin's snubbing of
an American president, the potentially explosive situations in so much of the
world the story was certainly not newsworthy enough to be featured five nights
in a row on network news.
Wouldn't a week-long investigation into the life of Lois Lerner,
the things she's done and the reason she's pleading the fifth be more
meaningful to the American people?
What about what's going on in Israel? The media has been
strangely quiet on that front lately; is there nothing worth reporting in that
volatile part of the world?
How about the coming catastrophic tidal wave the effect of
Obamacare is going to have on America, is there nothing worth questioning in
the over 30,000 pages of regulations?
How about the fact that due to federal over regulation it's
nearly impossible to live in the U.S. without breaking some law?
How about the Christian pastor who is being held in one of the
worst hell hole prisons in the world in Iran for nothing more than sharing his
faith?
How about a whole way of life that's being destroyed in West
Virginia by the president's war on coal?
I think you get the picture.
No wonder the mainstream media has fallen so far in the trust of
the American people.
Why is the Paula Deen story worth so much airtime if not to take
attention off the truly important issues, the life-changing things that really
affect the lives of Americans?
The news is not about news anymore. It's about protecting some
people, destroying others and shoving a socialist agenda down the collective
throats of America.
What do you think?
Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem.
God Bless America
Charlie Daniels
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Cool Website
Looking for data? Interesting in demographics? Check out this website. It's pretty cool and could prove to be useful.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Food For Thought
Ten Rules for Being Human
by Cherie Carter-Scott
| 1. | You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's yours to keep for the entire period. |
| 2. | You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, "life." |
| 3. | There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work." |
| 4. | Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson. |
| 5. | Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that doesn't contain its lessons. If you're alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned. |
| 6. | "There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here." |
| 7. | Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself. |
| 8. | What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours. |
| 9. | Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust. |
| 10. | You will forget all this. |
Friday, July 5, 2013
5 Minute Management Course
Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.
Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel."
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob.
After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies.
"Great!" the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, opportunities for advancement will pass right by you.
Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."
"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Puff! She's gone.
"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Puff! He's gone.
"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4:
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"
The eagle answered: "Sure , why not."
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5:
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
Lesson 6:
A little bird was flying south for the Winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and shit on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
THIS CONCLUDES THE 5-MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.
Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel."
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob.
After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies.
"Great!" the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, opportunities for advancement will pass right by you.
Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."
"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Puff! She's gone.
"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Puff! He's gone.
"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4:
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"
The eagle answered: "Sure , why not."
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5:
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
Lesson 6:
A little bird was flying south for the Winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and shit on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
THIS CONCLUDES THE 5-MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Ignorance
Here's another pet peeve cropping up. Geez...maybe I have more than I think. But when someone refuses to come into the 21st century, when they complain about technology, when they say they just don't get the "computer thing" it drives me crazy. Literally everyone I know is an educated human being. If you have a brain, if you are living in our world, stop the whiny excuses about your lack of technical savvy and get with it. It's just not that difficult. Because if you don't...the world will pass you by!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Military Language
Many won't get this...but some will. You know who you are. It's a fun little rivalry...but it's also largely true!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Let's Take A Dip
Came across this list of the "24 Amazing pools you need to jump into once in your life". Check them out here. They are all very cool but I think I like this one the best...
Words of Wisdom
45 Life Lessons, written by a 90 year old
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for things that matter.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye… But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose Life.
28. Forgive but don’t forget.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give Time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d
grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you think you need.
42. The best is yet to come…
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
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