It doesn't happen often but when it does it can be very frustrating. What I talking about? Bad weather in Arizona. For all of those of you who are not in Arizona and haven't heard, the West has gotten a handful of storms this past week. I know some of you don't have a clue because appearantly something happened in Haiti and CNN isn't sure anything else is happening. I mean Anderson Cooper can't be everywhere in his T-shirt pulling people from rubble. I am not sure if that should be considered news or a reality show about news-people looking to get ratings.
Enough about CNN and back to my original complaint. I don't think this would be a factor if our foul weather happened on any other night, since Thursday is the night with the best shows. If it would have happened on Tuesday, I wouldn't have known the difference since all I watch on Tuesday is Monday shows I didn't watch. (Thank you inventor of the DVR).
I am talking about the constant interruption of shows to explain to us the weather situation. How many times do they have to tell us there is a flood watch, high wind advisory and a tornado warning? You got the map of the state with all the counties in five different colors showing on the screen the whole time, then before every show, on top of every show the news people come on to tell us it is still really windy and raining really hard. Oooh, I didn't notice. If the sound of the trees outside and the pounding rain wasn't enough, I am glad you interrupted my television. Do they interrupt the commercials to bring me this information...nooo, maybe if I was paying them for television...oh wait, I am. But then I do pay a lot less than McDonalds and what ever other commercials they are showing.
Then on top of that, the National Weather Service has their thing come across the screen. Now that in itself isn't the problem because yes it would be nice to know that a tornado just took out my favorite fast food place but do they have to make the annoying beeping noise then read to me the words across the screen. Yes I can read and listen to my show at the same time. I was wondering who they were reading to because I figure blind people don't watch too much TV, I don't know maybe they do. Then I realized perhaps there are some less educated people who can't read that are at home watching TV on a Thursday night. Perhaps they should be at the community college instead of watching Community.
I know this probably seems like the ramblings of a spoiled American that values TV above the news and it is. But then again, is telling me that it is raining every 15 minutes really news? Now I understand covering the adverse weather because it caused a lot of problems. Flooding, mudslides and so forth. It closed roads, destroyed homes and even killed people. But you aren't going to see a telethon on every channel to help the survivors of Arizona, and that is fine. I am not trying to upstage the people in Haiti and I really wish them the best and that is all I am going to say about Haiti other than that I am glad the telethon was on Friday night when nothing else good is scheduled to be on and I also wonder how many of those kids Brad and Angelina are going to adopt. Speaking of Brad and Angelina, I wonder if there house had to be rezoned to a school or orphanage or something. I was thinking about moving to another country just to see if they would adopt me.
What I am trying to say is that maybe there is a better way to handle the disbursement of weather information to those sitting on the couch at home watching TV. Yes we need the information but we also need our entertainment. What we don't need is so many commercials about cars that no one in America can afford to buy because our tax money went to bail them out so that they can keep making cars we don't want because we can't pay for the gas that they guzzle so they keep making commercials hoping we will buy them.
I think that is enough ramblings for today.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Trophies and Licenses.
I generally don't try to be too politically incorrect but at some point I think enough is enough. I really don't know what the world is coming to these days and I am beginning to worry about the future of our nation. I don't want to be rude, but I am not a big fan of this "No Child Left Behind" thing that is happening in schools. I am not a big fan of all kids getting trophies and ribbons for just participating in events. At some points kids need to be told that aren't good at something.
At some point in life kids have to realize that no, you can't be whatever you want in life. If that was true, I would be a professional baseball player for the Giants. However, when I was a kid and I played Little League, I sucked, and I knew I sucked because the coaches tried to find a position for me where I didn't have to throw, catch or hit. (Maybe I could have been a bat boy) So I stopped playing baseball and played basketball, which I was better at. (Not great or I would be in the NBA).
I am worried that if we keep telling lies to our youth, they will grow up to believe it. Then what is going to happen when they get older and they don't make the team? They won't understand why because they always made the team and got a trophy as kids. What happens when they get fired from there job because their work sucks, when in school they were told they were OK because the school didn't want to leave a child behind.
Let's face it, not everyone is good at everything. So instead of telling lies to our youth and misleading them into thinking they are good at things they are not, let's tell them the truth. I am not saying we shouldn't encourage them to do things and try to be the best at what they do but if my Little League coaches kept telling my I was good, I may have spent many years trying to be good at something in which I had no talent. I may have never found my true passion, accounting.
Now this brings me to my next point. Not all grown-ups should have drivers licenses. I know to get one you had to pass a written and driving test, but what about between the time you are 16 to the time you drive that Cadillac to the sky? You never have to take that test again. I have noticed that some drivers on the road may have had the ability to get their license when they were 16 but have lost some abilities since then.
Now I am not just blaming the elderly, although living in Mesa, Arizona around a massive amount of "55+ Communities" I have noticed that during the winter time there are a number of elderly drivers from WI, MI and other such states that drive very poorly. I am not saying it's because they are old, it could be that they are from the mid-west.
There are definitely some younger drivers that should not be driving. Perhaps the driving test itself is flawed. After all, when you take the test, you typically aren't doing anything other than driving. Maybe they need to make it more realistic and see how you drive on the freeway while talking on the cell phone, listening to the radio and eating a hamburger all at the same time.
Now I am not saying we need to be critical of everyone, I think we just need to be more honest with them. If your driving sucks, you shouldn't have a license. If you don't get first place, you shouldn't get a trophy. Kids should learn disappointment when they are young.
All I am saying is that perhaps we should hold off on giving everyone a passing grade, a trophy or a drivers license. Let's get back to getting what you earn. Isn't that the best thing we can teach our children, you get what you earn.
At some point in life kids have to realize that no, you can't be whatever you want in life. If that was true, I would be a professional baseball player for the Giants. However, when I was a kid and I played Little League, I sucked, and I knew I sucked because the coaches tried to find a position for me where I didn't have to throw, catch or hit. (Maybe I could have been a bat boy) So I stopped playing baseball and played basketball, which I was better at. (Not great or I would be in the NBA).
I am worried that if we keep telling lies to our youth, they will grow up to believe it. Then what is going to happen when they get older and they don't make the team? They won't understand why because they always made the team and got a trophy as kids. What happens when they get fired from there job because their work sucks, when in school they were told they were OK because the school didn't want to leave a child behind.
Let's face it, not everyone is good at everything. So instead of telling lies to our youth and misleading them into thinking they are good at things they are not, let's tell them the truth. I am not saying we shouldn't encourage them to do things and try to be the best at what they do but if my Little League coaches kept telling my I was good, I may have spent many years trying to be good at something in which I had no talent. I may have never found my true passion, accounting.
Now this brings me to my next point. Not all grown-ups should have drivers licenses. I know to get one you had to pass a written and driving test, but what about between the time you are 16 to the time you drive that Cadillac to the sky? You never have to take that test again. I have noticed that some drivers on the road may have had the ability to get their license when they were 16 but have lost some abilities since then.
Now I am not just blaming the elderly, although living in Mesa, Arizona around a massive amount of "55+ Communities" I have noticed that during the winter time there are a number of elderly drivers from WI, MI and other such states that drive very poorly. I am not saying it's because they are old, it could be that they are from the mid-west.
There are definitely some younger drivers that should not be driving. Perhaps the driving test itself is flawed. After all, when you take the test, you typically aren't doing anything other than driving. Maybe they need to make it more realistic and see how you drive on the freeway while talking on the cell phone, listening to the radio and eating a hamburger all at the same time.
Now I am not saying we need to be critical of everyone, I think we just need to be more honest with them. If your driving sucks, you shouldn't have a license. If you don't get first place, you shouldn't get a trophy. Kids should learn disappointment when they are young.
All I am saying is that perhaps we should hold off on giving everyone a passing grade, a trophy or a drivers license. Let's get back to getting what you earn. Isn't that the best thing we can teach our children, you get what you earn.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A new blog is born
So I have been blogging for fun mostly but now I feel that I can utilize this technology to benefit all mankind. As most of you know I am a student of industry. Although, I don't work on Wall Street, I have been to Wall Street. I don't have a high power job but my job is important. I feel that over the years of school and working, I have learned a lot about business, especially what makes someone a good manager and more importantly, a bad leader.
I decided that I would write a new blog that deals specifically with what I have learned and what I am learning from my greatest management role model. I decided to keep the two blogs separate so that I can focus on business on my other blog and whatever the heck I want on this blog.
The bad news for the few of you that follow this blog is that you will have to, if you want, follow both blogs. I will try to divide my time equally so as not to disappoint.
The new blog can be found at www.fundamentalbusiness.blogspot.com
Let me know what you think and happy blogging.
I decided that I would write a new blog that deals specifically with what I have learned and what I am learning from my greatest management role model. I decided to keep the two blogs separate so that I can focus on business on my other blog and whatever the heck I want on this blog.
The bad news for the few of you that follow this blog is that you will have to, if you want, follow both blogs. I will try to divide my time equally so as not to disappoint.
The new blog can be found at www.fundamentalbusiness.blogspot.com
Let me know what you think and happy blogging.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Penguin Conspiracy
As many of you may know, I have an interest in conspiracy theories, or as I like to call them…unknown truths. Some of these things are very sensitive to people, like the Moon landing, JFK assassination, 9/11 and others. Things that most people think you are either un-American or just plain crazy to give any credit to them. I am not saying everything is a conspiracy but if you look into a lot of these things, there are some real inconsistencies of what is being told to the general public.
However, I don’t want to get all political and controversial, that’s not what this blog is about. If you want to know more about conspiracies I recommend watching Jesse Ventura’s new show, it’s an eye opener. But there is another conspiracy that is finally coming out that is worth noting, one that involves of all things, the Titanic.
There is no doubt that the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, the real question is…how did the iceberg get to where the ship would hit it? Now some say that the guys who are suppose to look out for such things were not properly equipped and/or where not paying proper attention. But here is another story.
Recently a penguin whose grandfather was near the incident came forward with a story of a remarkable conspiracy against humanity. The penguin who wishes to remain anonymous (so we will call him Paul), related to us the story his grandfather told him of what really happened. Could this just be folklore or could this be a confession of an act that killed many.
According to Paul, the Great Penguin Council became concerned with the continued increase in population of the American continent. As the American population continued to increase, the penguins began to lose food and space and Americans began to fish and pollute the waters. In addition, the penguins feared that with the industrial revolution, the ozone layer would begin to wear thin thus leading to a warming global temperature and a reduction in the polar ice caps.
The Great Penguin Council formed a most unusual alliance with the Greater Northeast Polar Bear Alliance and the plot began. If the two of them could together slow down the progress of humans flocking to the Americas, and possibly slow down global warming, pollution, and the over-fishing in the North Atlantic Ocean.
So in what can only be described as an animal terrorist attack, the penguins and polar bears together pushed the iceberg into the way of the Titanic and as the ship got closer, they pushed it into the ship as it passed by. We all know the results of what happened next.
Little did they know that humans would find other ways to cross the great ocean and would continue to flock to America and would continue to eat massive amounts of fish, as well as pollute the waters and skies with deadly toxins.
Paul also mentioned that the penguins are aware of the increasing destruction humans are having on all animals. He stated that he was worked with some Hollywood insiders to create a “propaganda” campaign aimed at the world’s youth. "Movies like “Happy Feet” came from the minds of penguins not humans" says Paul. The penguins continue to try to work in peace but Paul warns that many in the penguin community are growing radical and the threat level is escalating. Paul mentioned that "Many penguins are forming alliances with other animal groups as well, including but not limited to squirrals, coyotes, sharks, and owls."
We have been warned.
PS.
For those of you wondering how the penguins from the south and Polar Bears from the North conspired together when they live so far about, the answer to your question is that the communicate using a service similar to the Pony Express. The penguins would send someone northward to deliver the information to someone else, who would then continue the process. Is something they called "Sea-Mail". The precursor to our E-Mail.
However, I don’t want to get all political and controversial, that’s not what this blog is about. If you want to know more about conspiracies I recommend watching Jesse Ventura’s new show, it’s an eye opener. But there is another conspiracy that is finally coming out that is worth noting, one that involves of all things, the Titanic.
There is no doubt that the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, the real question is…how did the iceberg get to where the ship would hit it? Now some say that the guys who are suppose to look out for such things were not properly equipped and/or where not paying proper attention. But here is another story.
Recently a penguin whose grandfather was near the incident came forward with a story of a remarkable conspiracy against humanity. The penguin who wishes to remain anonymous (so we will call him Paul), related to us the story his grandfather told him of what really happened. Could this just be folklore or could this be a confession of an act that killed many.
According to Paul, the Great Penguin Council became concerned with the continued increase in population of the American continent. As the American population continued to increase, the penguins began to lose food and space and Americans began to fish and pollute the waters. In addition, the penguins feared that with the industrial revolution, the ozone layer would begin to wear thin thus leading to a warming global temperature and a reduction in the polar ice caps.
The Great Penguin Council formed a most unusual alliance with the Greater Northeast Polar Bear Alliance and the plot began. If the two of them could together slow down the progress of humans flocking to the Americas, and possibly slow down global warming, pollution, and the over-fishing in the North Atlantic Ocean.
So in what can only be described as an animal terrorist attack, the penguins and polar bears together pushed the iceberg into the way of the Titanic and as the ship got closer, they pushed it into the ship as it passed by. We all know the results of what happened next.
Little did they know that humans would find other ways to cross the great ocean and would continue to flock to America and would continue to eat massive amounts of fish, as well as pollute the waters and skies with deadly toxins.
Paul also mentioned that the penguins are aware of the increasing destruction humans are having on all animals. He stated that he was worked with some Hollywood insiders to create a “propaganda” campaign aimed at the world’s youth. "Movies like “Happy Feet” came from the minds of penguins not humans" says Paul. The penguins continue to try to work in peace but Paul warns that many in the penguin community are growing radical and the threat level is escalating. Paul mentioned that "Many penguins are forming alliances with other animal groups as well, including but not limited to squirrals, coyotes, sharks, and owls."
We have been warned.
PS.
For those of you wondering how the penguins from the south and Polar Bears from the North conspired together when they live so far about, the answer to your question is that the communicate using a service similar to the Pony Express. The penguins would send someone northward to deliver the information to someone else, who would then continue the process. Is something they called "Sea-Mail". The precursor to our E-Mail.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
State of the Jeff Address
It seems that this is the time of year that we reflect on the past and prepare for the future. Again it has been some time since my last post. In governmental audit world, this past few months has been busy season. So in that spirit, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work 50-60 hours a week but spread out over 6 or 7 days it’s really not too bad. It’s just that it doesn’t leave me much time for other things such as blogging. Now is the time for the State of Jeff address.
The past year has been wrought with much change and much of the same. I have changed jobs twice since last year, once by choice (albeit a bad choice) and once by need. As a result, my financial position did not change positively as I had hoped. Despite the challenges of 2009, there were some positives things which occurred. During the year, I obtained my CPA which was a dream come true. As many of you know, since I was a child growing up in the projects, I dreamed of one day becoming a CPA and in 2009 that dream was realized. I also obtained Season 3 of the Office and so overall life has been good. I also read a couple books, well not read so much as listen to on MP3. Since obtaining my MP3 player in October, I have already listened to 3 books. That is the same number of non-textbook books that I have read in the last five years. This year I would expect that I may read (or listen) to about 4 or 5 books.
For the coming year I have set many goals, well maybe “many” isn’t the right word. My main goal is something called the Patterson Push-up Challenge. Starting on January 1, I will start with one push up and add another push up each day after. The goal is that by December 31, I will be up to 365 push ups. That is really all my hopes and dreams for the coming year. I did give up on my dream to be on the Biggest Loser. Although during the year I was able to add some weight, it was not enough to get me on the program. And since my hair re-growth project was not successful, I can’t very well be bald and heavy, so I will just be bald.
I also plan to write a book this year or maybe just a lot of blogs. I also plan to run a marathon this year, not all at once but I figure over the next 52 weeks I should be able to get in 26 miles. I mean, I probably won’t run the whole way but maybe the last mile or so.
So many things to look forward to, I can’t wait.
The past year has been wrought with much change and much of the same. I have changed jobs twice since last year, once by choice (albeit a bad choice) and once by need. As a result, my financial position did not change positively as I had hoped. Despite the challenges of 2009, there were some positives things which occurred. During the year, I obtained my CPA which was a dream come true. As many of you know, since I was a child growing up in the projects, I dreamed of one day becoming a CPA and in 2009 that dream was realized. I also obtained Season 3 of the Office and so overall life has been good. I also read a couple books, well not read so much as listen to on MP3. Since obtaining my MP3 player in October, I have already listened to 3 books. That is the same number of non-textbook books that I have read in the last five years. This year I would expect that I may read (or listen) to about 4 or 5 books.
For the coming year I have set many goals, well maybe “many” isn’t the right word. My main goal is something called the Patterson Push-up Challenge. Starting on January 1, I will start with one push up and add another push up each day after. The goal is that by December 31, I will be up to 365 push ups. That is really all my hopes and dreams for the coming year. I did give up on my dream to be on the Biggest Loser. Although during the year I was able to add some weight, it was not enough to get me on the program. And since my hair re-growth project was not successful, I can’t very well be bald and heavy, so I will just be bald.
I also plan to write a book this year or maybe just a lot of blogs. I also plan to run a marathon this year, not all at once but I figure over the next 52 weeks I should be able to get in 26 miles. I mean, I probably won’t run the whole way but maybe the last mile or so.
So many things to look forward to, I can’t wait.
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