The third chapter of my children's story begins with the realization that my second son will be born sometime in the summer. Two boys, wow! Once again my head was in the clouds. Seems like the other shoe had dropped now as my wife was hoping for a girl. She was happy either way she said but I knew how I felt getting a son. This was going to be our first valley born child and the thought of not having to drive to the Bay Area was great. Only had to go down the road twenty minutes this time. No hour and a half drive, counting contractions. All the way to the hospital I am wondering if I am going to be delivering the child in the car? What if we have a flat, or get in a wreck?
Being our third child we are in control of this one. We have everything ready. Got the crib, the new family vehicle, the diapers and we are set. Pass the due date we go, one week, two, Oh oh! Time for inducement. That dreaded word again. One of if not my least favorite words in the English language. Translation equals PAIN, PAIN, and more PAIN! Controlled contractions every few minutes until the baby is born. One hour, two, three, eight, what ever it takes. Aghhhhhhhhhhh! In we go at eight in the morning, with the advantage of scheduling the epidural ahead of time. She didn't get one when my first son was born because he couldn't wait to get out. Men pay close attention now. If your wife, girlfriend, lover, or whomever you are helping through the child birth process asks for an epidural and can't get it....... Lets just say I have a one doctor or nurse rule. That being, one doctor or one nurse between you and mom to be. TRUST me on this one! Serious injury can occur!
Time passes on and we are now at five in the afternoon and the pitocin is still not kicking in. The contractions are still coming and mom to be is wearing down. Believe me when I say that anyone who can endure hour after hour of this kind of pain is no one to be messed with. Hallelujah, it's epidural time. In goes the large needle and anything below the waist is gone, pain and all. After the nurse checks my wife's vital signs she leaves the room to check in on her other patients. Now here is another one of those "Pay Attention" moments men. A couple of minutes after the epidural takes hold all is finally calm. The intense pain and long battle through the multitude of contractions is subsiding. Then an alarm from the monitor sounds. Is it the baby, my wife? I look for a doctor or nurse in the hall way as my wife is very pale and looks like she is going to pass out.
Where is everyone? I'm heading down the hall, this time yelling for someone as I see the nurse. I am in a sprint ready to pick the nurse up and run her back to the room. Panic is something you get used to during childbirth and even a veteran like myself can fall prey to it. I had not seen this one before. The doctor is doing another delivery and my wife is crashing. There is the stress of going through the contractions all day and then there is this stress. I felt helpless. My fifth child and I thought I was prepared for anything, I was wrong. In the moment the nurse started looking through a binder to see what meds to give my wife, I was in a state of complete kaos. Her blood pressure had dropped to dangerous levels for both her and the baby. I had to stand by and watch as my wife and my unborn sons life were both in jeopardy. Found a whole new respect for nurses on that day.
She looked through the binder following protocol when no doctor was available. She acted decisively and slowly my wife's color came back as her blood pressure stabilized. What in the he double hockey sticks just happened? Many people will tell you that nurses are the back bone of the medical world and I can say I agree one hundred percent. Check the symptoms, check the chart, inject the meds, check the vital signs. All done as if nothing out of the ordinary were going on. Unbelievable I tell you, absolutely unflippin unbelievable! Once all the drama had passed I found myself not wanting the nurse to leave the room. I could block the door I thought, no that won't work. Snap out of it! After a few minutes I finally took a breath and stood by my wife. I wondered if she even knew what had just happened? Why is this guy taking so long I was thinking to myself. COME OUT ALREADY! Were all here waiting for you and I can't take much more of this.
His Aunt and Uncle were out in the hall with his sister and brother. Playing, going to eat, not knowing what had just happened. I was grateful for that. I looked at the clock and it was eight fifteen p.m. Just when you start to relax a little bit, they check and we are at ten centimeters. People start coming in the room getting the bed ready, the cover clothes, gloves, the warmer. Time to push! After our second child had to be held in while everything was prepared, I had it in my head that this guy would be as easy or easier. Wrong! After some heavy pushing it was getting to be quite evident that this boy didn't want to go into the light. The fact that he was late had allowed him extra time to grow and he wasn't budging.
When the doctor and nurses started to talk about a C Section my wife pushed again and finally he started his journey into the outside world. One more push......five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Then with one last push, we all found out what was taking so long. The boy came out looking like toddler. Nine pounds eleven ounces. Mom had a look of complete relief on her face. The hard part was done. Pushing out a ten pounder after an all day marathon of contractions, there is a reason they named it LABOR. Being so big there were tests for blood sugar levels and I went with him to the Nursery. All the other newborns looked tiny next to my boy. I was filled again with the pride and joy of having another son. How could I be so blessed. He was handsome with big dimples, a great head of hair, and a beautiful smile. The day was over and what a day it was. All the emotions you could possibly fit into a day. The road was rough and we needed someone big and strong enough to plow through it. As strong as my new son D. Because D is for Dozer. (Make Way) BigBlogAlphaDog
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
How do we forget?
In our history as a country we have seen the horror of War. Two world wars, Korea, Viet Nam, to name a few, and now Iraq and Afghanistan. One thing has remained constant no matter the conflict and that is the undeniable fact that a war kills the innocent as well as the combatants. It seems quite ironic that most wars are brought on by those who would proclaim to believe in a higher power, a God, a religion supposed to be based on forgiveness, not judging others. How can this be? How could a person be willing to blow themselves up along with innocent men, women, and children, to show or prove that their way of thinking is the intended path that their "God" chose for them?
Most Americans know by now that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can not be won. There is no way to win these types of conflicts unless you eliminate your enemy completely. As long as there are people dressed like civilians who will strap explosives to themselves, or fill their vehicle with them how can you possibly win? It was not that long ago that we found this out in Viet Nam, or that the Russians learned this in Afghanistan. Remember? One has to wonder what the purpose of these wars are? Do our leaders today think things are different? Is there a magic weapon that an change the out come? I don't think so. What is the ultimate goal that is pushing the ever increasing cost both monetarily and in human life? What could be so important? CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME?
What can be gained by years and years of war with an enemy who will never go away? I see nothing to be gained unless you have a stake in making money off of war. The Military Industrial complex. I believe it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower that warned leaders of our nation to beware of this. Greed, the all mighty dollar. Could a leader really go to war as a way to make money? Are there people out there who would sacrifice their citizens for the sake of wealth? We have reduced our troop levels in Iraq and now have approximately 65K in our other conflict. Only the Afghan military has greater numbers in Country. Some of our leaders want to send more troops into this war, say we can't win without them? I say bring them all home. If the Afghan people want to get rid of the Taliban, then let them. If they don't go after Osama Bin Laden and get him out of their country, then they don't. If we want him, then get him!
Both these latest wars were supposedly started due to the tragedy of 9/11. I have heard and read many things to the contrary. If we wanted to get certain individuals it has been said also that we could have. So why must we continue to live in this delusion of victory? Why do we need to go to another country to sacrifice our people, our economy, our world image, and in the process kill and mame thousands upon thousands of people who did nothing to us? The headlines are sounding more and more like those from the days of Viet Nam. The body counts for both sides tallied like a football score. They say the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So why are we? Whether we pull out now or we stay another 5 years the outcome will be the same.
The people of their country will decide what is best for them. It is not for us to decide nor can we. So why stay? We are not willing to eliminate those who are extremists, so why do we continue when history has shown us that even the most powerful nations on the planet can not win this type of war? Without complete and total victory there is nothing to be gained by staying. We should not have entered into this war without looking upon history and taking a hard look at the reality of what has gone on before us. We have all seen it, we have lived it, we have tasted the bitterness and seen the ugliness of it. So how do we forget? MyRantasaurusRex
Most Americans know by now that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can not be won. There is no way to win these types of conflicts unless you eliminate your enemy completely. As long as there are people dressed like civilians who will strap explosives to themselves, or fill their vehicle with them how can you possibly win? It was not that long ago that we found this out in Viet Nam, or that the Russians learned this in Afghanistan. Remember? One has to wonder what the purpose of these wars are? Do our leaders today think things are different? Is there a magic weapon that an change the out come? I don't think so. What is the ultimate goal that is pushing the ever increasing cost both monetarily and in human life? What could be so important? CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME?
What can be gained by years and years of war with an enemy who will never go away? I see nothing to be gained unless you have a stake in making money off of war. The Military Industrial complex. I believe it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower that warned leaders of our nation to beware of this. Greed, the all mighty dollar. Could a leader really go to war as a way to make money? Are there people out there who would sacrifice their citizens for the sake of wealth? We have reduced our troop levels in Iraq and now have approximately 65K in our other conflict. Only the Afghan military has greater numbers in Country. Some of our leaders want to send more troops into this war, say we can't win without them? I say bring them all home. If the Afghan people want to get rid of the Taliban, then let them. If they don't go after Osama Bin Laden and get him out of their country, then they don't. If we want him, then get him!
Both these latest wars were supposedly started due to the tragedy of 9/11. I have heard and read many things to the contrary. If we wanted to get certain individuals it has been said also that we could have. So why must we continue to live in this delusion of victory? Why do we need to go to another country to sacrifice our people, our economy, our world image, and in the process kill and mame thousands upon thousands of people who did nothing to us? The headlines are sounding more and more like those from the days of Viet Nam. The body counts for both sides tallied like a football score. They say the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So why are we? Whether we pull out now or we stay another 5 years the outcome will be the same.
The people of their country will decide what is best for them. It is not for us to decide nor can we. So why stay? We are not willing to eliminate those who are extremists, so why do we continue when history has shown us that even the most powerful nations on the planet can not win this type of war? Without complete and total victory there is nothing to be gained by staying. We should not have entered into this war without looking upon history and taking a hard look at the reality of what has gone on before us. We have all seen it, we have lived it, we have tasted the bitterness and seen the ugliness of it. So how do we forget? MyRantasaurusRex
Monday, October 5, 2009
Commitment
When I decided to coach my kids there were people who would ask me how I find the time to work, coach, and do all the normal day to day things you do when you have four children. Where does the energy come from? I have always been taught that if there is something that you have passion for, and enjoy, you will make the time. At times it seems that many children these days haven't been taught the same? I teach my kids that if you sign up for something whether it is sports, a school activity, or anything else, you have made a commitment. You have agreed to see it through and do your very best at completing or competing to the very end. This year my soccer teams have found more and more reasons to miss practice and to even miss games. Last week I had only one substitute available for both games. Is this the message we want to send to our children? Not mine!
Even though this is recreation soccer, missing practice and or games gives the impression that the team is not important. I don't blame the kids so much as the parents who allow them to shirk the obligation they made when they signed up. Well they didn't get their homework done, they were at a birthday party that was so much fun that they skipped the game, going camping, going here, going there, and on and on and on. Whether they realize it or not they are letting down their team mates who rely on them. Opposing coaches pick up on the fact that you only have one sub and try to utilize that to their advantage.
The same kids then wonder why they aren't starting the following game. I don't want to be a sub one told me at practice. I don't like to be a sub. I calmly replied that if you want to start the games then you should come to the games and practices and be on time for both. The team didn't like it when you decided to stay at a party instead of coming to a game in which you were scheduled to start. This disrupts the game line up and has a ripple effect for the duration of the game. And then there is the fact that those who do show up must play most of the game without rest! That week was our first win of the season and the first game we played well as a team. Those who missed it weren't there to enjoy that feeling you get when you win and celebrate with your team mates.
To parents of kids on my team as well as those every where, choose their activities based on their ability to participate in them. If you sign them up to be there, then be there! Don't let them be the one who lets their team mates down. They will remember, I will remember. As they get older if they choose to play competitive sports, sign up for the debate team, or any other team activities, the lessons they learn today will help to ensure they are team players in the future. Choose wisely and don't let them spread themselves too thin. Teach them that the rewards will come to them when they work as a team, for the team. Teach them Commitment!
BigBlogAlphaDog
Even though this is recreation soccer, missing practice and or games gives the impression that the team is not important. I don't blame the kids so much as the parents who allow them to shirk the obligation they made when they signed up. Well they didn't get their homework done, they were at a birthday party that was so much fun that they skipped the game, going camping, going here, going there, and on and on and on. Whether they realize it or not they are letting down their team mates who rely on them. Opposing coaches pick up on the fact that you only have one sub and try to utilize that to their advantage.
The same kids then wonder why they aren't starting the following game. I don't want to be a sub one told me at practice. I don't like to be a sub. I calmly replied that if you want to start the games then you should come to the games and practices and be on time for both. The team didn't like it when you decided to stay at a party instead of coming to a game in which you were scheduled to start. This disrupts the game line up and has a ripple effect for the duration of the game. And then there is the fact that those who do show up must play most of the game without rest! That week was our first win of the season and the first game we played well as a team. Those who missed it weren't there to enjoy that feeling you get when you win and celebrate with your team mates.
To parents of kids on my team as well as those every where, choose their activities based on their ability to participate in them. If you sign them up to be there, then be there! Don't let them be the one who lets their team mates down. They will remember, I will remember. As they get older if they choose to play competitive sports, sign up for the debate team, or any other team activities, the lessons they learn today will help to ensure they are team players in the future. Choose wisely and don't let them spread themselves too thin. Teach them that the rewards will come to them when they work as a team, for the team. Teach them Commitment!
BigBlogAlphaDog
Pony Up
Wow! Have you seen the new Cowboy Stadium? Can you imagine watching from the upper levels and seeing the 40 foot tall players on one of 4 insanely large screens hanging above the field? Cost the owner and who ever else contributed a billion plus to build it so I guess that would warrant screens the size of houses. Only one problem with them so far and that is a strong legged punter can hit them on occasion! Correct me if I am out of line but when I spend over a billion on something you would think all engineering contingencies would be considered? Oh well, if we have to move it, we will just move it…… Might have to add a little to the price of a beer or parking.We don't mind right?
Parking now is a mere $75 dollars and with tickets ranging anywhere from $75 to $239 bucks for a single game ticket, that means if I take my family of 6 to a game without eating or drinking anything but water I will spend $450 just for tickets, and $75 to park, WHAT? $525 to watch a football game? And that’s without food or beverages! How in the Sam He** (I'll use a saying from the good ole boys) does Mr. billionaire think he is going to fill this 100k person stadium week in and week out at these prices? And that’s for the cheap seats! Club level seat options (psl's in most stadiums) range from $16K-$50K! Must be lots of his rich oil baron friends coming to see Americas team? I can stay at home and watch in HD for oh lets say NOTHING, and you want $650-$700 of my hard earned greenbacks to watch the 2-2 Cowboys?
If I am paying this kind of cash to watch .500 football, the Cowboy cheerleaders are going to have to split up with one half watching my children while the others give my wife and I back and neck massages and at the same time, be blending us up some Margaritas' for our consumption! Then how about a couple of them give us a ride home in the company jet? If we are dreaming, might as well dream BIG! Where does it stop? How much in today's economy are you willing to spend to see mediocre football, or anything for that matter? With the athletes getting millions to play the game I guess someone has to pay the bill right? Is it the game we go to see or has it become just a reason to see the spectacle that is the stadium? It is a beautiful stadium with no shortage of eye candy in all directions. Most people can work their entire life and not make what this stadium brings in for one game!
Seeing the faces of my children at a live baseball game was something I will never forget. I have three sons who all love to watch football and I want to take them someday to see my home team play. Our stadium is one of the oldest in the league and right now I am feeling glad about that because I can probably still get away to a game for under $300. Still a lot of money but better than $700! For those who love Americas team and love your new stadium, enjoy it if you can but be prepared to Pony Up!
Parking now is a mere $75 dollars and with tickets ranging anywhere from $75 to $239 bucks for a single game ticket, that means if I take my family of 6 to a game without eating or drinking anything but water I will spend $450 just for tickets, and $75 to park, WHAT? $525 to watch a football game? And that’s without food or beverages! How in the Sam He** (I'll use a saying from the good ole boys) does Mr. billionaire think he is going to fill this 100k person stadium week in and week out at these prices? And that’s for the cheap seats! Club level seat options (psl's in most stadiums) range from $16K-$50K! Must be lots of his rich oil baron friends coming to see Americas team? I can stay at home and watch in HD for oh lets say NOTHING, and you want $650-$700 of my hard earned greenbacks to watch the 2-2 Cowboys?
If I am paying this kind of cash to watch .500 football, the Cowboy cheerleaders are going to have to split up with one half watching my children while the others give my wife and I back and neck massages and at the same time, be blending us up some Margaritas' for our consumption! Then how about a couple of them give us a ride home in the company jet? If we are dreaming, might as well dream BIG! Where does it stop? How much in today's economy are you willing to spend to see mediocre football, or anything for that matter? With the athletes getting millions to play the game I guess someone has to pay the bill right? Is it the game we go to see or has it become just a reason to see the spectacle that is the stadium? It is a beautiful stadium with no shortage of eye candy in all directions. Most people can work their entire life and not make what this stadium brings in for one game!
Seeing the faces of my children at a live baseball game was something I will never forget. I have three sons who all love to watch football and I want to take them someday to see my home team play. Our stadium is one of the oldest in the league and right now I am feeling glad about that because I can probably still get away to a game for under $300. Still a lot of money but better than $700! For those who love Americas team and love your new stadium, enjoy it if you can but be prepared to Pony Up!
Say what you want You are still a Dee eye see kay
Politics…… Who came up with Politics? While I can see the reason for having those who would represent the will of the majority, when did it become too big? Over grown, obese with both power and corruption. In the beginning there were idealists who helped to shape this country.. Those who actually looked out for the majority and didn't steal and cheat to better their lives. This is politics today and it SUCKS! Recently one of our former politicians, (shrubs number two) decided it was time to squawk about his former regime and was angry because someone is questioning their illegal tactics and torture of prisoners, oh I mean enemy combatants! It reminds us of his arrogance and his lack of concience that were well documented under the shrubs rule.
Old number two seems to feel that because people had to make hard decisions, torturing them in the name of security was simply ok. WHAT? When did it become ok to break the laws of not only this country but of the Geneva convention? If our soldiers were being tortured would he feel the same? War is ugly, War is unforgiving, and the Wars we are involved in today were created by him and his boss. His former company wink, wink, made billions off of War, at the expense of thousands upon thousands of innocent people as well as thousands of our young men and women in the Military. For what purpose? I have yet to hear anything other than the fact that this war was based on lies, greed, and a sense of revenge felt toward Sadaam Hussein. What no argument?
While the two former 1st and 2nd in command were busy creating a gold mine of wealth for themselves and all their rich friends, the people of America felt the pain and loss of paying for and supporting those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While they were busy getting richer the ponsi scheming, gas price gouging, bad loan creating crooks were busy hitting us even harder. Deregulate everything and watch the free market at it's best, NOT!!! We will live with this nightmare as more and more hard working Americans lose their jobs, their homes, and some will even lose their families trying to cope with it all. While the Pnac gang did their very best to gain complete control of the USA, the people stood up and shouted NO! It took some time but there is no turning back now. One would ask why the former number two did not run for the lead role as most do? We should all know the answer to that. He didn't want to have to try and clean up after himself.
While I don't agree with everything the new president is doing, at least he is trying to do right by those who elected him. That is the deal when you accept the role, when you take the oath of office. The shrub and his number two would have us believe that we are safer now? How does killing and maming people in another country who had no part in 9/11 make us safer? Someone will have to explain it to me. America will remember the shrub and number two as the worst in the history of this nation. America will remember the Pnac scheme and all those who jumped ship to avoid prosecution. Someday hopefully they will pay for their crimes and remember who they are supposed to serve. We will see? One bit of advice for number two. We do not care for your opinion on current events. Most of our problems were created by you and all your pnac friends yet you act like the new guy is to blame for it all! Again you are dilusional!
I must say that of all the bad politicians I have ever seen in the news for lying, cheating, stealing, corruption, etc., etc., etc., you take the cake. Go back into the hiding spot you held for most of the eight years you were in office riding the shrubs coat tails and just put a lid on it! You had your chance and all you did was destroy, deceive, and display your willingness to do what ever it took to make yourself and your gang richer, not caring one bit about the consequences that would be passed on for generations. I hope you are happy with all that money and I hope your gang is too. Someday the truth will be known about all of your deeds and when that day comes I will tell my children the story of you and the shrub and all your crimes. America will not forget number two, so stay quiet and remember these words. This is America so you can say what you want, but you are now and always will be a dee eye see kay!
MyRantasaurusRex
Old number two seems to feel that because people had to make hard decisions, torturing them in the name of security was simply ok. WHAT? When did it become ok to break the laws of not only this country but of the Geneva convention? If our soldiers were being tortured would he feel the same? War is ugly, War is unforgiving, and the Wars we are involved in today were created by him and his boss. His former company wink, wink, made billions off of War, at the expense of thousands upon thousands of innocent people as well as thousands of our young men and women in the Military. For what purpose? I have yet to hear anything other than the fact that this war was based on lies, greed, and a sense of revenge felt toward Sadaam Hussein. What no argument?
While the two former 1st and 2nd in command were busy creating a gold mine of wealth for themselves and all their rich friends, the people of America felt the pain and loss of paying for and supporting those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While they were busy getting richer the ponsi scheming, gas price gouging, bad loan creating crooks were busy hitting us even harder. Deregulate everything and watch the free market at it's best, NOT!!! We will live with this nightmare as more and more hard working Americans lose their jobs, their homes, and some will even lose their families trying to cope with it all. While the Pnac gang did their very best to gain complete control of the USA, the people stood up and shouted NO! It took some time but there is no turning back now. One would ask why the former number two did not run for the lead role as most do? We should all know the answer to that. He didn't want to have to try and clean up after himself.
While I don't agree with everything the new president is doing, at least he is trying to do right by those who elected him. That is the deal when you accept the role, when you take the oath of office. The shrub and his number two would have us believe that we are safer now? How does killing and maming people in another country who had no part in 9/11 make us safer? Someone will have to explain it to me. America will remember the shrub and number two as the worst in the history of this nation. America will remember the Pnac scheme and all those who jumped ship to avoid prosecution. Someday hopefully they will pay for their crimes and remember who they are supposed to serve. We will see? One bit of advice for number two. We do not care for your opinion on current events. Most of our problems were created by you and all your pnac friends yet you act like the new guy is to blame for it all! Again you are dilusional!
I must say that of all the bad politicians I have ever seen in the news for lying, cheating, stealing, corruption, etc., etc., etc., you take the cake. Go back into the hiding spot you held for most of the eight years you were in office riding the shrubs coat tails and just put a lid on it! You had your chance and all you did was destroy, deceive, and display your willingness to do what ever it took to make yourself and your gang richer, not caring one bit about the consequences that would be passed on for generations. I hope you are happy with all that money and I hope your gang is too. Someday the truth will be known about all of your deeds and when that day comes I will tell my children the story of you and the shrub and all your crimes. America will not forget number two, so stay quiet and remember these words. This is America so you can say what you want, but you are now and always will be a dee eye see kay!
MyRantasaurusRex
Monday, August 31, 2009
Those four little words....I'll pass the ball……
For the third year now I will be coaching two soccer teams, U9 Boys and U12 Girls. Most of those who have coached will agree that girls are more likely to pass the ball than their male counterparts. I have had just the opposite experience with my teams and although I drill it and drill it, over and over again…… The girls have only shown minor interest in passing. So I am trying something different this year. That’s what you do right? If something is not working you try to come up with a way to make it click in their heads. To believe that you truly will run less, that it is a quicker way to move the ball, to put more pressure on the opponent and make them tired. I want them to understand that if they are passing the ball, the opponent will be chasing and watching them score.
This year we have two age groups (actually three) ten, eleven, and one who will be twelve in a week or so. She is actually in Jr. High while the rest are still in elementary school. Her parents were a little skeptical about the age difference, but it seemed like she fit right in with the team. My daughter thought she was nice and got along with her very well. I hope that her being older will turn out to mean that she will take a leadership role and help me convince the rest of the
team? Time will tell. It seems like all the girls including the ten year olds have matured mentally since last season. They all seem to pay more attention, and seem eager to learn and master the drills we ran. It was tougher because my assistant Coach wasn't there so I had them all.
We ran some relay sprints and a team formation run at the end of practice so it was a pretty mellow first practice. I told them all that when LaLa gets back they had better be prepared to run. Running is something you need to do in Soccer and I also use it to curb any unwanted activities that might disrupt the practice session. This is recreation Soccer so the goal is not to make them into Olympic champions, but rather to give them the fundamentals of the game and the benefits of the team concept. That’s where passing comes in. Being unselfish, playing for the team and not your individual stats. Being the leader in assists on a team is equally as important as being the leader in goals. Getting them to really understand this is my goal for the year.(Again) Keep your head up and your eyes on the field of play. Know where your opponent is and pass the ball before they get to you. Give the "Team" every chance to succeed.
There are some really good teams at this age level and there are some who don't do very well. Getting the youth of today off the couch and out on the field is harder and harder to do these days with all that's going on. I learn so much from them and about them as we go through the season and I enjoy taking my children to school and hearing all the "Hey Coach" calls from my team members. I coach for all these reasons and because it allows me to spend more time with my children. At times it can be frustrating because I want them to do well and feel good about the effort they are putting forth.
While I don't Coach the "Winning is Everything" philosophy, I can't bring myself to ever tell them it is good to lose. Losing is a part of the maturation process for any athlete, it makes them stronger, it separates those who are serious about something enough to fight through the pain after losing and strive to get better. I don't know anyone who has gone through life never having lost at something. It is gut wrenching to those who are passionate about their sport, who have put so much time and effort into it. I can see it in the children I coach, the tears, the frustration the doubt. These are the times when coaching is important, the lessons that you teach, the times where you have to remove yourself from feeling as bad as they do and encourage them to put it behind them and learn from it. These are challenges you face every time you step onto the field, on any court, in any arena. These are the challenges that make me want to coach, to watch them grow not only as competitors, but as children.
There are many lessons that can be learned from playing team sports, most of which can be applied to the daily life and development of our children. As a father and as a coach, I can only hope that some day, on some field, I see one of my children, or one that I have had the pleasure to Coach, doing great things, putting forth the effort, showing the skills that I helped them to learn. There are few things greater in life than the feeling that you helped to point someone in a positive direction, whether in sports or in life. The hope for my team this year is that they have fun and learn, and can win in the process. I want to see those smiles, those high fives, the joy of success written on all their faces. As for my number one request, I want to hear them tell me one thing…. And then show me on the field! Those four little words, I'll pass the ball. BigBlogAlphaDog
This year we have two age groups (actually three) ten, eleven, and one who will be twelve in a week or so. She is actually in Jr. High while the rest are still in elementary school. Her parents were a little skeptical about the age difference, but it seemed like she fit right in with the team. My daughter thought she was nice and got along with her very well. I hope that her being older will turn out to mean that she will take a leadership role and help me convince the rest of the
team? Time will tell. It seems like all the girls including the ten year olds have matured mentally since last season. They all seem to pay more attention, and seem eager to learn and master the drills we ran. It was tougher because my assistant Coach wasn't there so I had them all.
We ran some relay sprints and a team formation run at the end of practice so it was a pretty mellow first practice. I told them all that when LaLa gets back they had better be prepared to run. Running is something you need to do in Soccer and I also use it to curb any unwanted activities that might disrupt the practice session. This is recreation Soccer so the goal is not to make them into Olympic champions, but rather to give them the fundamentals of the game and the benefits of the team concept. That’s where passing comes in. Being unselfish, playing for the team and not your individual stats. Being the leader in assists on a team is equally as important as being the leader in goals. Getting them to really understand this is my goal for the year.(Again) Keep your head up and your eyes on the field of play. Know where your opponent is and pass the ball before they get to you. Give the "Team" every chance to succeed.
There are some really good teams at this age level and there are some who don't do very well. Getting the youth of today off the couch and out on the field is harder and harder to do these days with all that's going on. I learn so much from them and about them as we go through the season and I enjoy taking my children to school and hearing all the "Hey Coach" calls from my team members. I coach for all these reasons and because it allows me to spend more time with my children. At times it can be frustrating because I want them to do well and feel good about the effort they are putting forth.
While I don't Coach the "Winning is Everything" philosophy, I can't bring myself to ever tell them it is good to lose. Losing is a part of the maturation process for any athlete, it makes them stronger, it separates those who are serious about something enough to fight through the pain after losing and strive to get better. I don't know anyone who has gone through life never having lost at something. It is gut wrenching to those who are passionate about their sport, who have put so much time and effort into it. I can see it in the children I coach, the tears, the frustration the doubt. These are the times when coaching is important, the lessons that you teach, the times where you have to remove yourself from feeling as bad as they do and encourage them to put it behind them and learn from it. These are challenges you face every time you step onto the field, on any court, in any arena. These are the challenges that make me want to coach, to watch them grow not only as competitors, but as children.
There are many lessons that can be learned from playing team sports, most of which can be applied to the daily life and development of our children. As a father and as a coach, I can only hope that some day, on some field, I see one of my children, or one that I have had the pleasure to Coach, doing great things, putting forth the effort, showing the skills that I helped them to learn. There are few things greater in life than the feeling that you helped to point someone in a positive direction, whether in sports or in life. The hope for my team this year is that they have fun and learn, and can win in the process. I want to see those smiles, those high fives, the joy of success written on all their faces. As for my number one request, I want to hear them tell me one thing…. And then show me on the field! Those four little words, I'll pass the ball. BigBlogAlphaDog
Death of A Plant……What a relief??????
August 27th, 2010. The day the bomb dropped, the day when all the months of rumors, and all the speculation ended. The Plant where I have worked for the past fifteen years is closing in seven months. Ahhhhhhh! Although this is pretty bad as news goes, I can say that a weight was lifted off of me when the announcement came. No more wondering, no more media hype, no more stress added to the normal day to day life in this manufacturing environment. To say I was happy would be stretching the truth, although there are several positives that can come from this negative.
I have commuted 80 miles each way for the past 11 years on 3 different shifts. I have logged 350,000.00 miles on one vehicle, 11,000 on a second vehicle and 71,000.00 on a third. It will be close to a half a million miles when all is said and done next year. That’s approximately 6,250 trips from my house to work, or 10,937 hours sitting on my rear in the car! You can guess the first positive, right? Approximately 16,666 gallons of gas burned which isn't helping our carbon footprint or my bank account while I help those less fortunate than I, (The Oil Companies)!
Almost 11, 000 hours of time sitting, doing nothing, just trying to stay off the bumpers of lets say a million cars, and the radar guns of thousands of CHP's. That’s 458 days of driving 24 hours a day! Over a year of my life spent sitting in traffic to get me to my job! WOW! Hopefully you are seeing another positive here? We moved from the Bay Area so that my wife could stay at home and raise our children and it has definitely been worth it. Now that they are a little older and more self reliant, they can help us through this transition. We tell them not to worry, but I know they still do, if even for a few minutes. This is definitely not a positive. My wife is stressing and just like during the last media blitz, every time she starts to calm down, someone calls to make sure she is ok and here we go again.
We have met some great people who are very supportive and who show a genuine concern for our family. Many who have themselves been faced with the same dilemma. This economy is the worst I have seen in my life time and now it has reached out its ugly head and is trying to take a bite out of my world. The one thing it doesn't know is that my family won't go down easily. Not without a fight! I started this life with nothing, and have earned all that I have. No hand outs, no inheritance, no one paid my way through anything. I have worked hard to make my way in this life and no plant closure can change that. Sure there will be adjustments to our way of life, but that happens through out ones life. More time with my family, a smaller carbon footprint, no wearing out car after car, and no getting up at 0300 in the morning. Hmmmmm…. Positives.
We will get through this time and will be stronger for it. I have always believed that things in life are thrown at you to test your ability to survive them, to learn from them, and hopefully prevent them from happening again. Why this challenge is coming at this time can not be answered by me, or could I have prevented it. What I do know and can say is that how you react to the challenges set before you, defines you. It proves what you are made of. Nothing feels better than knowing that you worked hard to earn something, the sense of accomplishment, the pride you feel every time you think about it. It has been estimated that the closure of my Plant will affect 50,000.00 workers through out the state. Given the current economic situation in California, this will be disastrous.
Less revenue from payroll taxes, less money being spent by consumers, more draw on the unemployment system. Foreclosures, repossessions, the list goes on and on. Could the plant have been saved? We may never know. While there were a few politicians who expressed their interest and concern, it was too little too late. Again! Don't get me started on that subject!
For the men and women who I have gotten to know in my time at the plant, I wish you all the best. I hope you find your way through to the next phase of your lives. Keep your family close and remember those who shared a part of your life while at work..
I would personally like to thank the company for the 15 years of employment, the people I met here, the life this job afforded me. I met the love of my life here, had 4 beautiful children while working here and learned a great deal about managing and dealing with people here. I will miss many of you. To the little Devil with the pitchfork that has been sitting on my shoulder these past months, reminding me, taunting me, keeping this in every waking moment of my thought process, good riddance! That and only that is why when I heard them announce officially, I thought to myself about the Death of a Plant…...What a relief!!
BigBlogAlphaDog
I have commuted 80 miles each way for the past 11 years on 3 different shifts. I have logged 350,000.00 miles on one vehicle, 11,000 on a second vehicle and 71,000.00 on a third. It will be close to a half a million miles when all is said and done next year. That’s approximately 6,250 trips from my house to work, or 10,937 hours sitting on my rear in the car! You can guess the first positive, right? Approximately 16,666 gallons of gas burned which isn't helping our carbon footprint or my bank account while I help those less fortunate than I, (The Oil Companies)!
Almost 11, 000 hours of time sitting, doing nothing, just trying to stay off the bumpers of lets say a million cars, and the radar guns of thousands of CHP's. That’s 458 days of driving 24 hours a day! Over a year of my life spent sitting in traffic to get me to my job! WOW! Hopefully you are seeing another positive here? We moved from the Bay Area so that my wife could stay at home and raise our children and it has definitely been worth it. Now that they are a little older and more self reliant, they can help us through this transition. We tell them not to worry, but I know they still do, if even for a few minutes. This is definitely not a positive. My wife is stressing and just like during the last media blitz, every time she starts to calm down, someone calls to make sure she is ok and here we go again.
We have met some great people who are very supportive and who show a genuine concern for our family. Many who have themselves been faced with the same dilemma. This economy is the worst I have seen in my life time and now it has reached out its ugly head and is trying to take a bite out of my world. The one thing it doesn't know is that my family won't go down easily. Not without a fight! I started this life with nothing, and have earned all that I have. No hand outs, no inheritance, no one paid my way through anything. I have worked hard to make my way in this life and no plant closure can change that. Sure there will be adjustments to our way of life, but that happens through out ones life. More time with my family, a smaller carbon footprint, no wearing out car after car, and no getting up at 0300 in the morning. Hmmmmm…. Positives.
We will get through this time and will be stronger for it. I have always believed that things in life are thrown at you to test your ability to survive them, to learn from them, and hopefully prevent them from happening again. Why this challenge is coming at this time can not be answered by me, or could I have prevented it. What I do know and can say is that how you react to the challenges set before you, defines you. It proves what you are made of. Nothing feels better than knowing that you worked hard to earn something, the sense of accomplishment, the pride you feel every time you think about it. It has been estimated that the closure of my Plant will affect 50,000.00 workers through out the state. Given the current economic situation in California, this will be disastrous.
Less revenue from payroll taxes, less money being spent by consumers, more draw on the unemployment system. Foreclosures, repossessions, the list goes on and on. Could the plant have been saved? We may never know. While there were a few politicians who expressed their interest and concern, it was too little too late. Again! Don't get me started on that subject!
For the men and women who I have gotten to know in my time at the plant, I wish you all the best. I hope you find your way through to the next phase of your lives. Keep your family close and remember those who shared a part of your life while at work..
I would personally like to thank the company for the 15 years of employment, the people I met here, the life this job afforded me. I met the love of my life here, had 4 beautiful children while working here and learned a great deal about managing and dealing with people here. I will miss many of you. To the little Devil with the pitchfork that has been sitting on my shoulder these past months, reminding me, taunting me, keeping this in every waking moment of my thought process, good riddance! That and only that is why when I heard them announce officially, I thought to myself about the Death of a Plant…...What a relief!!
BigBlogAlphaDog
A Chip off the old Block (Jr.)
Every man I have known who reaches that time in his life where he chooses to start a family, wishes for a son. First you wish for a healthy child, then a son. That's just the way it is. It is part of our design. You want someone to carry on your name and unless your really lucky, that requires a son. My first three children were girls. They are all special and unique in their own way and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Then came Jr. My namesake. My son. Someone who I could teach all the manly things in life. Sports, Hunting, Fishing, and anything else he needed to know. The day I found out, I couldn't contain my joy! I told anyone and everyone I saw on our way out of the ultra-sound. It's a boy! It's a boy! I couldn't wait for him to arrive.
Had to pick up some boy stuff in the following months to prepare. No sharing with your sister. Not happening! No way! Then finally the day, (night actually) came and things were moving slowly at first. We were at my sister in laws volleyball game and things were getting down to some consistent contracting but not enough to get in the car and drive the 80 miles to my wife's doctor. (Yes we still hadn't gotten a doctor in the valley) As mom to be was putting big sister to bed, splash down, H2o breach, we have a water breach!
In the car and timing the contractions. Plenty of time. Grandma came to get or stay with big sister, I can't remember which? We get to the Hospital, check in and here comes the heart beat on the monitor. That sound, no sound like it, my sons coming soon! My excitement is matched by the sound. Things are going along fairly slowly and I was getting anxious. Didn't take long for that to end and next thing you know there are several nurses saying let's get you into delivery! Across the hall, quickly! I'm looking around and everyone seems to be in place.... except the Dr! I think I see his head and no Dr. This is my fourth child and I watched them all come into the world. So I am thinking I could do this if I had to!
I ask again where in the HE_ _ is the DOCTOR! Just about that time in comes the Nurse Practitioner putting on her gloves and no sooner than they are on, my son is born! The smallest of my children so far at birth. But looming so large in all his boyhood! I was so proud, so full of joy! My first son. So the N.P. asks if I want to cut the cord and since I have done so with all my girls, I say of course. As she starts to hand me the scissors, I am thinking to myself, why hasn't she squeegeed out the blood where I am going to cut? They have always done that before? As I start to ask, she interrupts and motions for me to go ahead, so I do, and SPLAAAT! Looked like a scene from Aliens as blood flies across the front of her smock. She looked at me and said, "my fault"
He comes in with a bang and a splash! My son. He was the smallest, most handsome boy. Mom says he has Mick Jagger lips. I say he is perfect. In the coming months he has a growth spurt, (and I don't mean he got taller) He had rolls on his wrists, his thighs, his ankles, pretty much had rolls on his rolls. What happened to that tiny little boy? He is only drinking what nature intended, so what, is this some magic potion? His sister didn't grow like this. I had always wondered what he would look like? Would he look like me? Fact is he did look like me. The thrill of it all! Like an intoxicating elixir filling you with excitement, anticipation, and the wonder of what is to come. Will he be like me? Truth is, he is just like me. As he has grown into a young boy he is tall, athletic, loves video games, is so competitive, and has an outside the box way of looking at things. He likes the arts, drawing, building things, creating things, and did I mention SPORTS?
You won't find an ounce of fat on him. He is all muscle, fast, agile, sensitive and caring. (Not like I am biased or anything) My boy, my son. It is hard to express in words the love I have for him. A special bond. Something I was not able to have with my father. I love all of my children equally and do my best to show them every day. I consider myself a blessed man who now has both girls and a son. Blessed to have them all, blessed to spend time with them each day, and blessed to have my prayer answered. The prayer of a son. A Chip off the old block, (Jr.) BigBlogAlphaDog
Had to pick up some boy stuff in the following months to prepare. No sharing with your sister. Not happening! No way! Then finally the day, (night actually) came and things were moving slowly at first. We were at my sister in laws volleyball game and things were getting down to some consistent contracting but not enough to get in the car and drive the 80 miles to my wife's doctor. (Yes we still hadn't gotten a doctor in the valley) As mom to be was putting big sister to bed, splash down, H2o breach, we have a water breach!
In the car and timing the contractions. Plenty of time. Grandma came to get or stay with big sister, I can't remember which? We get to the Hospital, check in and here comes the heart beat on the monitor. That sound, no sound like it, my sons coming soon! My excitement is matched by the sound. Things are going along fairly slowly and I was getting anxious. Didn't take long for that to end and next thing you know there are several nurses saying let's get you into delivery! Across the hall, quickly! I'm looking around and everyone seems to be in place.... except the Dr! I think I see his head and no Dr. This is my fourth child and I watched them all come into the world. So I am thinking I could do this if I had to!
I ask again where in the HE_ _ is the DOCTOR! Just about that time in comes the Nurse Practitioner putting on her gloves and no sooner than they are on, my son is born! The smallest of my children so far at birth. But looming so large in all his boyhood! I was so proud, so full of joy! My first son. So the N.P. asks if I want to cut the cord and since I have done so with all my girls, I say of course. As she starts to hand me the scissors, I am thinking to myself, why hasn't she squeegeed out the blood where I am going to cut? They have always done that before? As I start to ask, she interrupts and motions for me to go ahead, so I do, and SPLAAAT! Looked like a scene from Aliens as blood flies across the front of her smock. She looked at me and said, "my fault"
He comes in with a bang and a splash! My son. He was the smallest, most handsome boy. Mom says he has Mick Jagger lips. I say he is perfect. In the coming months he has a growth spurt, (and I don't mean he got taller) He had rolls on his wrists, his thighs, his ankles, pretty much had rolls on his rolls. What happened to that tiny little boy? He is only drinking what nature intended, so what, is this some magic potion? His sister didn't grow like this. I had always wondered what he would look like? Would he look like me? Fact is he did look like me. The thrill of it all! Like an intoxicating elixir filling you with excitement, anticipation, and the wonder of what is to come. Will he be like me? Truth is, he is just like me. As he has grown into a young boy he is tall, athletic, loves video games, is so competitive, and has an outside the box way of looking at things. He likes the arts, drawing, building things, creating things, and did I mention SPORTS?
You won't find an ounce of fat on him. He is all muscle, fast, agile, sensitive and caring. (Not like I am biased or anything) My boy, my son. It is hard to express in words the love I have for him. A special bond. Something I was not able to have with my father. I love all of my children equally and do my best to show them every day. I consider myself a blessed man who now has both girls and a son. Blessed to have them all, blessed to spend time with them each day, and blessed to have my prayer answered. The prayer of a son. A Chip off the old block, (Jr.) BigBlogAlphaDog
Monday, August 24, 2009
You know you are busy when…….You both forget!
All of us have done it. We have forgotten a birthday, a meeting, important dates of one type or another. But this one….."The anniversary of your Marriage"could be the one that can land you in deep doo doo. Let me start by saying that I have been lucky enough to have found my soul mate, the ying to my yang, my beautiful brown eyed girl! (Am I out of trouble yet?) It was lucky for me that she also forgot that this was indeed "the day". We got up knowing that the day would would be hectic since the start of a new soccer season is upon us. Today was the jamboree to kick off the season.
I coach my kids in various sports, so this day I would attend coaches clinics, pick up my rosters and uniforms, and the kids would be able to practice with some older players from a couple of the traveling teams in the area. This was supposed to be an all day event. Of course the weather man decided to provide us with a 100+ degree day that had everyone standing still and pouring sweat. Muggy as you know what! My daughter was using me as shade by the end of it all and was ready to go home and give up the drill session. She did and we did, leave that is.
After getting the uniforms for my boys team, and the roster for my girls team we hit the road after talking to a few of the parents who's children had asked to be on our team. Home we go sweating, sun baked, wanted nothing more than a big glass of ice water and a dip in the pool. Had the ice water but never made the pool. The A/C was holding me down and I wasn't going to argue.
This day in itself was a struggle with so many things going on, places to go, people to see. The week was precluded by a weekend that saw a stomach virus make it to each of my four children, all holding the "Bucket at one point. My wife had gotten a summer cold which had her hibernating in the bedroom in misery. Clorox wipes, hand sanitizers, changing the sheets, changing the pillow cases, and on, and on, and on……. Unfortunately for me I made it through it all until of course, I went back to work. The Monday, aghhhh, Tuesday the kids go back to school, Wednesday after work is open house at their school, Thursday not bad, and Friday our friends twins birthday party. Had fun but with the cold stuffing up my head, and the muggy heat melting everything, after three and a half hours I packed up the kids and we went home. What a week!
Then Saturday, my Anniversary. Eleven years have passed since that day in my Mother in laws back yard. Friends, family, Mariachi's, Tequila and a Keg of Beer! It was a great day followed by a great evening. They say time flies when you are having fun and they are correct. These eleven years have been the best years of my life and they have flown by in an instant. We are a family that has grown from two to six in those eleven years and with each addition my heart is filled with more love and more fulfillment than I thought was ever possible. True happiness, sometimes I wondered if there was such a thing? Now those questions have been and are answered each and every day. Sure there are rough days, sick days, tired days, sick and tired days but we get through them because of the love we have for each other, that we have built over these years.
No matter the fact that we both forgot for part of the day, no matter that we don't usually buy gifts for each other on these occasions. The important thing is that we are together doing what we care most about which is ensuring we have a full life and that our children have a better life than we had. That’s what we do, that’s why we run around like crazy and work so hard.
To my beautiful wife of eleven years, thank you for all the times you have been there for me and for our children. Thank you for the unselfish passion you show each and every day, putting everyone else first. Thank you for being who you are and for accepting me for who I am. A man who couldn't love you more, respect you more, or want you more. Thank you for all the years behind us and for all the years to come. ILY! You know you are busy, When….. You both forget! BigBlogAlphaDog.
I coach my kids in various sports, so this day I would attend coaches clinics, pick up my rosters and uniforms, and the kids would be able to practice with some older players from a couple of the traveling teams in the area. This was supposed to be an all day event. Of course the weather man decided to provide us with a 100+ degree day that had everyone standing still and pouring sweat. Muggy as you know what! My daughter was using me as shade by the end of it all and was ready to go home and give up the drill session. She did and we did, leave that is.
After getting the uniforms for my boys team, and the roster for my girls team we hit the road after talking to a few of the parents who's children had asked to be on our team. Home we go sweating, sun baked, wanted nothing more than a big glass of ice water and a dip in the pool. Had the ice water but never made the pool. The A/C was holding me down and I wasn't going to argue.
This day in itself was a struggle with so many things going on, places to go, people to see. The week was precluded by a weekend that saw a stomach virus make it to each of my four children, all holding the "Bucket at one point. My wife had gotten a summer cold which had her hibernating in the bedroom in misery. Clorox wipes, hand sanitizers, changing the sheets, changing the pillow cases, and on, and on, and on……. Unfortunately for me I made it through it all until of course, I went back to work. The Monday, aghhhh, Tuesday the kids go back to school, Wednesday after work is open house at their school, Thursday not bad, and Friday our friends twins birthday party. Had fun but with the cold stuffing up my head, and the muggy heat melting everything, after three and a half hours I packed up the kids and we went home. What a week!
Then Saturday, my Anniversary. Eleven years have passed since that day in my Mother in laws back yard. Friends, family, Mariachi's, Tequila and a Keg of Beer! It was a great day followed by a great evening. They say time flies when you are having fun and they are correct. These eleven years have been the best years of my life and they have flown by in an instant. We are a family that has grown from two to six in those eleven years and with each addition my heart is filled with more love and more fulfillment than I thought was ever possible. True happiness, sometimes I wondered if there was such a thing? Now those questions have been and are answered each and every day. Sure there are rough days, sick days, tired days, sick and tired days but we get through them because of the love we have for each other, that we have built over these years.
No matter the fact that we both forgot for part of the day, no matter that we don't usually buy gifts for each other on these occasions. The important thing is that we are together doing what we care most about which is ensuring we have a full life and that our children have a better life than we had. That’s what we do, that’s why we run around like crazy and work so hard.
To my beautiful wife of eleven years, thank you for all the times you have been there for me and for our children. Thank you for the unselfish passion you show each and every day, putting everyone else first. Thank you for being who you are and for accepting me for who I am. A man who couldn't love you more, respect you more, or want you more. Thank you for all the years behind us and for all the years to come. ILY! You know you are busy, When….. You both forget! BigBlogAlphaDog.
Welcome to…..Cell Block C..alifornia
I consider myself to be a compassionate man who is willing to forgive…but I never forget! I sometimes imagine what it would be like to run for public office because the decisions being made by our current crew has reached a new low. Our representatives have decided it is a good idea to release prisoners early and change a few rules regarding what a felony is. If they have their way you now can be robbed for up to $2500 and call it a misdemeanor. Are they for real?
Like everything these days they blame it on the lack of money, and would like to reduce the prison population by 25,000 inmates give or take a few thousand. They actually get paid a salary to come up with this bull sh--?
That's the best they can come up with? I was under the impression that these criminals committed crimes for which they were already sentenced? Do you ever wonder why nobody wants to move here? How about you politicians all take notice and listen up for just a (as my Grandpa used to say) cotton picking minute! How about growing a set and taking a stand for something, and then be willing to put your name behind it! If you want to reduce enrollment at Cal State Penitentiary, put down your latte and pay close attention. Here are a few ideas to get you started, (at no charge).
The first thing you do is to build new prisons. These however will not be billion dollar, state of the art structures. These (lets start with 2) will be built by setting up perimeter barbed/concertina wire and wind/solar powered electric fencing. One will be at 2000 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada's, and the other will be near Death Valley's lowest elevation. Living quarters will be canvas tents, or for those who follow the program, old Army barracks. Sleeping bags will be used and a pad will keep them off the ground. All prisoners will be required to perform 10 hours of daily work to keep up the prison camp. They will be required to plant and grow the food they will eat as well as pump water from a well to drink. Since many of the prisoners are there because of gang related activities, they will be allowed to work with their friends to continue those activities on the chain gangs that will be out working in the fields, helping farmers with their crops.
Planting, weed removal, fertilizing, harvesting, etc., for which they will be provided credits to be used for luxuries like hot showers, medical care co-pays, food, and mail service. Other jobs will include waste management, (their own) portable toilet maintenance, and trash disposal all to be performed by the inmates. Both sites will be energy efficient and and the inmates will build and add to the power grid as they continue to build solar and wind powered facilities which will serve to reduce the states carbon foot print. Any money from the state will be used to buy more solar panels or wind turbines. This should also serve to help improve their self image as they will be giving back to society!
Exercise will be provided through hard work, no smoking, no drugs, no conjugal visits. No TV! No weight lifting! Only approved books geared towards teaching them how to perform their assigned tasks and encourage them not to come back once their sentence has been served. (Rehabilitation) No laying around the cell all day, only rehab, rehab, rehab. Prevention of recurrence's we will call it! For the tax payers of this state to spend billions of dollars to care for those who have committed crimes against us. Who came up with this brilliant idea? Let me guess, some politicians maybe??????
Make them earn their keep and in the meantime give them a ton of reasons never to come back to jail. Of course this won't work for everyone. You will always have those who commit crimes that don't stop to think about the repercussions. This will only ensure that we have plenty of labor to work those fields, clean those toilets, build those facilities. The message should be that if you want to break the law and cause harm to others, your price will be to work off your debt to society. Nothing will be free. If it gets cold at the mountain facility you may need a second blanket which you will have to earn. A fan in the desert, ditto…..
Some will say this is violation of the prisoners rights. I say they gave those up when they committed the crime. I say we start considering the victims and the taxpayer first and then if there is any sympathy left, we can all shed a tear for the unlawful. This nonsense has to end, It has to stop with those who have been in the new prisons. When they come out and tell their friends what it was like to live in a tent on the side of a mountain for 5 years. Shoveling snow, trying to keep warm. Trying to remember what it was like to be free. When they ultimately ask themselves, "Why did I commit this crime"? We can only hope that the day will come when we the people of this once great state will be first on the list of our elected officials.
As for the unlawful, they should hope beyond hope that I never get elected as leader of this state. Hope that our paths never cross, hope that they never hear me say, Welcome to Cell Block C..alifornia. MyRantasaurusRex
Like everything these days they blame it on the lack of money, and would like to reduce the prison population by 25,000 inmates give or take a few thousand. They actually get paid a salary to come up with this bull sh--?
That's the best they can come up with? I was under the impression that these criminals committed crimes for which they were already sentenced? Do you ever wonder why nobody wants to move here? How about you politicians all take notice and listen up for just a (as my Grandpa used to say) cotton picking minute! How about growing a set and taking a stand for something, and then be willing to put your name behind it! If you want to reduce enrollment at Cal State Penitentiary, put down your latte and pay close attention. Here are a few ideas to get you started, (at no charge).
The first thing you do is to build new prisons. These however will not be billion dollar, state of the art structures. These (lets start with 2) will be built by setting up perimeter barbed/concertina wire and wind/solar powered electric fencing. One will be at 2000 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada's, and the other will be near Death Valley's lowest elevation. Living quarters will be canvas tents, or for those who follow the program, old Army barracks. Sleeping bags will be used and a pad will keep them off the ground. All prisoners will be required to perform 10 hours of daily work to keep up the prison camp. They will be required to plant and grow the food they will eat as well as pump water from a well to drink. Since many of the prisoners are there because of gang related activities, they will be allowed to work with their friends to continue those activities on the chain gangs that will be out working in the fields, helping farmers with their crops.
Planting, weed removal, fertilizing, harvesting, etc., for which they will be provided credits to be used for luxuries like hot showers, medical care co-pays, food, and mail service. Other jobs will include waste management, (their own) portable toilet maintenance, and trash disposal all to be performed by the inmates. Both sites will be energy efficient and and the inmates will build and add to the power grid as they continue to build solar and wind powered facilities which will serve to reduce the states carbon foot print. Any money from the state will be used to buy more solar panels or wind turbines. This should also serve to help improve their self image as they will be giving back to society!
Exercise will be provided through hard work, no smoking, no drugs, no conjugal visits. No TV! No weight lifting! Only approved books geared towards teaching them how to perform their assigned tasks and encourage them not to come back once their sentence has been served. (Rehabilitation) No laying around the cell all day, only rehab, rehab, rehab. Prevention of recurrence's we will call it! For the tax payers of this state to spend billions of dollars to care for those who have committed crimes against us. Who came up with this brilliant idea? Let me guess, some politicians maybe??????
Make them earn their keep and in the meantime give them a ton of reasons never to come back to jail. Of course this won't work for everyone. You will always have those who commit crimes that don't stop to think about the repercussions. This will only ensure that we have plenty of labor to work those fields, clean those toilets, build those facilities. The message should be that if you want to break the law and cause harm to others, your price will be to work off your debt to society. Nothing will be free. If it gets cold at the mountain facility you may need a second blanket which you will have to earn. A fan in the desert, ditto…..
Some will say this is violation of the prisoners rights. I say they gave those up when they committed the crime. I say we start considering the victims and the taxpayer first and then if there is any sympathy left, we can all shed a tear for the unlawful. This nonsense has to end, It has to stop with those who have been in the new prisons. When they come out and tell their friends what it was like to live in a tent on the side of a mountain for 5 years. Shoveling snow, trying to keep warm. Trying to remember what it was like to be free. When they ultimately ask themselves, "Why did I commit this crime"? We can only hope that the day will come when we the people of this once great state will be first on the list of our elected officials.
As for the unlawful, they should hope beyond hope that I never get elected as leader of this state. Hope that our paths never cross, hope that they never hear me say, Welcome to Cell Block C..alifornia. MyRantasaurusRex
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
62 Blue- Dog Right dive- (Hut Hut Hut)
When it's all said and done, I think we will have to call this the year of the Quarterback in the NFL. Maybe that's how they want it? After all they are the most important person on the team, right? If you aren't sure, just ask one of them. One team took the plunge on a retired, un-retired, retired, no really un-retired 39 year old. One team shopped around for a new QB and when the current one found out he left. In the end the shopping team ended up on the short end with a yet to be confirmed leader. One came back from season ending surgery. One came as the number one pick and went to a team with the goose egg in the win column last year. And last but not least you have the team that took the big plunge and hired the guy just out of prison. So how will they all fare?
You have the current QB from the City of Brotherly Love saying how Mr. Dog fighter should get a second chance, all the while knowing that his job will be in jeopardy if he performs as he did before playing at Penitentiary State for several years. Is he sincere? Is this the same guy that welcomed T.O. to the team? Maybe he is counting on the layoff affecting his game? No tryout? Just give him a million plus and we will see.
Then there is the ex-Mile high QB who found out his new Coach was shopping around for a guy who had only taken his first snap last year. One can understand feeling a little bummed out by this news, but to throw a tantrum until you get traded? I guess that's how you get things done in the NFL these days? His fate however will be much better this year than the guy they traded him for. Judging from his first pre-season game, it will be a long cold winter in Bronco land. Is this acceptable? Do the fans who pay the sky rocketing ticket prices need a voice? Maybe season ticket holders should get a say during negotiations?
That brings us to the new kid on the block, the number one pick in the draft. Going to play for the King of Beasts, and after the year they had, he must be terrified! 0-16! The last few that had the honor of being picked first and then going to bad teams either didn't play much or didn't survive the season. He seems like a good kid so all I can say is "get rid of the rock and duck"
Next up is the Super Bowl hero of the decade who was taken out for the season when some 300 lb lineman hit him in the knee. It must have been real hard on the guy to sit at home on the couch with one of Victoria's runway angels all year! Oh the agony! He will be back but it may take him awhile to get over the mental aspect of his injury. I see the post season in his future, so sorry angel, you will have to go it alone this year on the couch.
Saving the most drama (again) this year was our favorite ex-Packer, ex-Jet, retired, semi-retired, on again, off again QB who should be living in Hollywood. Now he flew in and strapped on the pads today and started practicing! He's 39! Got to give him props for the effort but for Pete's sake, STOP WITH THE DRAMA! Which jersey should we buy? Which will you wear into the hall? We all know you are going, that is if you ever really retire! You will have one of the best defenses in the league, the best running back in the league, and you don't have to play in the cold at home. Sounds like you improved your position to me! I wish you the best in this your final, (we will just have to wait and see) season. For those Norsemen and women in the stands who will be witness. Sit back and enjoy the drama as you hear, 62 Blue-Dog right dive- Hut! Hut! Hut! BigBlogAlphaDog
You have the current QB from the City of Brotherly Love saying how Mr. Dog fighter should get a second chance, all the while knowing that his job will be in jeopardy if he performs as he did before playing at Penitentiary State for several years. Is he sincere? Is this the same guy that welcomed T.O. to the team? Maybe he is counting on the layoff affecting his game? No tryout? Just give him a million plus and we will see.
Then there is the ex-Mile high QB who found out his new Coach was shopping around for a guy who had only taken his first snap last year. One can understand feeling a little bummed out by this news, but to throw a tantrum until you get traded? I guess that's how you get things done in the NFL these days? His fate however will be much better this year than the guy they traded him for. Judging from his first pre-season game, it will be a long cold winter in Bronco land. Is this acceptable? Do the fans who pay the sky rocketing ticket prices need a voice? Maybe season ticket holders should get a say during negotiations?
That brings us to the new kid on the block, the number one pick in the draft. Going to play for the King of Beasts, and after the year they had, he must be terrified! 0-16! The last few that had the honor of being picked first and then going to bad teams either didn't play much or didn't survive the season. He seems like a good kid so all I can say is "get rid of the rock and duck"
Next up is the Super Bowl hero of the decade who was taken out for the season when some 300 lb lineman hit him in the knee. It must have been real hard on the guy to sit at home on the couch with one of Victoria's runway angels all year! Oh the agony! He will be back but it may take him awhile to get over the mental aspect of his injury. I see the post season in his future, so sorry angel, you will have to go it alone this year on the couch.
Saving the most drama (again) this year was our favorite ex-Packer, ex-Jet, retired, semi-retired, on again, off again QB who should be living in Hollywood. Now he flew in and strapped on the pads today and started practicing! He's 39! Got to give him props for the effort but for Pete's sake, STOP WITH THE DRAMA! Which jersey should we buy? Which will you wear into the hall? We all know you are going, that is if you ever really retire! You will have one of the best defenses in the league, the best running back in the league, and you don't have to play in the cold at home. Sounds like you improved your position to me! I wish you the best in this your final, (we will just have to wait and see) season. For those Norsemen and women in the stands who will be witness. Sit back and enjoy the drama as you hear, 62 Blue-Dog right dive- Hut! Hut! Hut! BigBlogAlphaDog
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sweet Sixteen? Not!
I have talked before about the mental aspect of Golf. Anyone who has gone out and played can attest to it. No where has this been more evident than at the Bridgestone Invitational last weekend. Mr. H. and Mr. W. squaring off on the final day of the tournament. Mr. H. has a three shot lead to start the day and is playing great golf. Then there is Mr. W. who has the reputation of making even the best players in the sport question their ability. Is that what happened? Did the officials enforcing the rules have an effect on them? I understand there are rules, and I get the fact that there are TV contracts that need to be honored. But saying that, what in the world were they thinking? It's championship day and they are the final pair. So we don't get to see the trophy presentations or hear why some thought they won and the other lost. Do we really care?
What you had here was a great ending to a great tournament that some would say was affected by the "Clock" Your kidding me right? Both players were playing good golf, one had come back from behind to catch the other, and then take the lead, only to lose it again a few holes later. Both had begun to struggle a bit and were finding it hard to stay in the short grass. I find it very encouraging when the professionals can't drive the ball straight. It gives me a glimmer of hope for my game! Of course the stakes are just a bit greater for them. And Sunday at Firestone was no exception. Two men, fighting the wind, the galleries, yes the clock, and the pressure of knowing (as always in this sport) that at any moment things can go bad!
Shortly after starting the back nine that is just what happened. Mr. H. seemed to be gaining momentum as Mr. W. had trouble off the tee. On the front nine Mr. W. was cruising, looking like he would run away with it. Not so fast. Now a glimmer of hope for Mr. H. Was someone finally going to turn the tables on Mr. Final round? He was out shooting him and had taken back the lead. Could it be happening? It is looking like it when they tee off on number sixteen. Both are reeling a bit but you just know in the back of your mind what can happen. Then it does, out of the rough comes the Tiger, out of the darkness, from 180 yards, over the water with an 8 iron? What? Who hits out of the long grass from that distance with a bleeping 8 iron? Nerves, not to mention Heuvos, of steel I tell you! No one else hits that shot, with that club. And what happens? Past the flag with some backspin. Back and to the right.......Back and to the right!
Inside a foot! Like a script from some Golf movie. This is where Mr. H. has to be thinking.... I'm up by one shot on the greatest player of all time. I am playing good golf, better than par. No bogeys, I can do this, I can win this thing. Just need one good shot. Just outside the bunker on the edge, 159 yards out, line it up, breath, and swiiing! The ball flies over the green into the nasty grass. Now is where the mental side of the game can creep into the brain. Now it's..... OK got the bad shot out of the way, 15-20 yards from the pin, flop shot ten feet from the pin, and roll down to the hole. Done this a million times. But wait, what if I catch it too clean, I'll take a swim. If I compensate to much, I won't get on the green. What to do? What to do? Concentrate.... never mind the millions watching..... never mind the guy in the red shirt standing over there just waiting to tap in that pitiful 10 inch shot.... never mind the official pushing us to hurry.... and don't for one minute think about the tournament being on the line!
The flop was just that. Caught too much ball and up it went, past the flag and SPLASH!! The gallery and the millions watching all gasped at once! What just happened? Now the brain must switch gears. No longer there is the confidence that had been with him all day, just minutes ago, bogey free golf for 15 holes on the last day. Now panic is lurking, making every decision tougher. Club selection, drop location, all still left to be decided. Right here, no back, no back some more to 100 yards or so. I can put it close from here? Yeah that's what I'll do. Don't look at the gallery, don't show any signs of weakness, just hit the ball! But there it is again, out of the corner of his eye, that red shirt, looking sixty feet tall! Stop, just hit the ball..... A nice easy wedge shot.... but the water, it seems much larger now, and the green is so small, what the? Doubt, urgency, embarrassment, how the tables had turned!
Over the green once more, not so far as the first time, but in the rough none the less. All turns quiet. You can hear the flag whipping in the wind, which is still sitting in the cup waiting for Mr. H. to find the green. At last it ends. Just a few more shots and in! The dreaded Snowman, (8). Mr. W. who has had a sandwich, a bottle of his own liquid refreshment, and has had time for a massage, ala AK at the open championship, steps up and taps in. What a difference a hole makes. From leading by one to down by three and tied for second. So many questions will be asked. Was it clock management that got in his head? Was it the immense pressure of the moment? Or was it his opponent who on the last day of a tournament can melt the ice in the veins of the best this sport has to offer? I am sure all of these will be fodder for those whose job is to ask. Now they will be paired together in the first round of the PGA tournament this Thursday. Makes you wonder, what they will talk about? What questions will be asked of them prior to their tee times? What will they be thinking as they finish the 15th hole on this day? One thing for sure in my mind is that when Mr. H. heads for the tee he will be saying to himself.... "Sweet Sixteen" Not! BigBlogAlphaDog
What you had here was a great ending to a great tournament that some would say was affected by the "Clock" Your kidding me right? Both players were playing good golf, one had come back from behind to catch the other, and then take the lead, only to lose it again a few holes later. Both had begun to struggle a bit and were finding it hard to stay in the short grass. I find it very encouraging when the professionals can't drive the ball straight. It gives me a glimmer of hope for my game! Of course the stakes are just a bit greater for them. And Sunday at Firestone was no exception. Two men, fighting the wind, the galleries, yes the clock, and the pressure of knowing (as always in this sport) that at any moment things can go bad!
Shortly after starting the back nine that is just what happened. Mr. H. seemed to be gaining momentum as Mr. W. had trouble off the tee. On the front nine Mr. W. was cruising, looking like he would run away with it. Not so fast. Now a glimmer of hope for Mr. H. Was someone finally going to turn the tables on Mr. Final round? He was out shooting him and had taken back the lead. Could it be happening? It is looking like it when they tee off on number sixteen. Both are reeling a bit but you just know in the back of your mind what can happen. Then it does, out of the rough comes the Tiger, out of the darkness, from 180 yards, over the water with an 8 iron? What? Who hits out of the long grass from that distance with a bleeping 8 iron? Nerves, not to mention Heuvos, of steel I tell you! No one else hits that shot, with that club. And what happens? Past the flag with some backspin. Back and to the right.......Back and to the right!
Inside a foot! Like a script from some Golf movie. This is where Mr. H. has to be thinking.... I'm up by one shot on the greatest player of all time. I am playing good golf, better than par. No bogeys, I can do this, I can win this thing. Just need one good shot. Just outside the bunker on the edge, 159 yards out, line it up, breath, and swiiing! The ball flies over the green into the nasty grass. Now is where the mental side of the game can creep into the brain. Now it's..... OK got the bad shot out of the way, 15-20 yards from the pin, flop shot ten feet from the pin, and roll down to the hole. Done this a million times. But wait, what if I catch it too clean, I'll take a swim. If I compensate to much, I won't get on the green. What to do? What to do? Concentrate.... never mind the millions watching..... never mind the guy in the red shirt standing over there just waiting to tap in that pitiful 10 inch shot.... never mind the official pushing us to hurry.... and don't for one minute think about the tournament being on the line!
The flop was just that. Caught too much ball and up it went, past the flag and SPLASH!! The gallery and the millions watching all gasped at once! What just happened? Now the brain must switch gears. No longer there is the confidence that had been with him all day, just minutes ago, bogey free golf for 15 holes on the last day. Now panic is lurking, making every decision tougher. Club selection, drop location, all still left to be decided. Right here, no back, no back some more to 100 yards or so. I can put it close from here? Yeah that's what I'll do. Don't look at the gallery, don't show any signs of weakness, just hit the ball! But there it is again, out of the corner of his eye, that red shirt, looking sixty feet tall! Stop, just hit the ball..... A nice easy wedge shot.... but the water, it seems much larger now, and the green is so small, what the? Doubt, urgency, embarrassment, how the tables had turned!
Over the green once more, not so far as the first time, but in the rough none the less. All turns quiet. You can hear the flag whipping in the wind, which is still sitting in the cup waiting for Mr. H. to find the green. At last it ends. Just a few more shots and in! The dreaded Snowman, (8). Mr. W. who has had a sandwich, a bottle of his own liquid refreshment, and has had time for a massage, ala AK at the open championship, steps up and taps in. What a difference a hole makes. From leading by one to down by three and tied for second. So many questions will be asked. Was it clock management that got in his head? Was it the immense pressure of the moment? Or was it his opponent who on the last day of a tournament can melt the ice in the veins of the best this sport has to offer? I am sure all of these will be fodder for those whose job is to ask. Now they will be paired together in the first round of the PGA tournament this Thursday. Makes you wonder, what they will talk about? What questions will be asked of them prior to their tee times? What will they be thinking as they finish the 15th hole on this day? One thing for sure in my mind is that when Mr. H. heads for the tee he will be saying to himself.... "Sweet Sixteen" Not! BigBlogAlphaDog
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Peanut (MyGirl)
OK, so I told you before that the Alpha Dog had a family and that one day I would share them with you. I wanted to write something for each of my children so they would know from my point of view, just what went on around the time of their Birthday's. Going back ten years to start so off we go........... I met my wife at work and we became friends, then dated for several years. We had talked about children even before we decided to get married and when we got married, our first child happened to be with us, (In the oven) We had tried for some time during our engagement to get pregnant and there were some trying times along the way. Charting ovulation cycles, put a dot here, check a mark there, fertility drugs. Aghhhhh! Being a man I never would have believed that I could even think the words, "do we have to" I am tired. What? They say men think about, "you know" every seven seconds and they aren't far off. But let me tell you when it comes to marking a chart, building and holding a schedule, or taking a brown bag down to the clinic to have your swimmers counted, and then have their time in the 200 meter backstroke checked, the joy of "you know" takes on a whole new meaning.
So maybe that's a little too much information. The point is that it wasn't easy for us to get our family started. Then out of the charts, the graphs, the tests, finally came the "positive" the plus sign, the dot was blue, one of those. Time to break out the bubbly (beer) and celebrate. The stars had all lined up and we were happy beyond words. Our family was beginning. Our little peanut was starting to grow. She got that name because the first ultra sound was done very early and when we saw the pictures, there was the baby, looking like your standard peanut. That name stuck with her for some time. Everything was new for peanut, no hand me downs, no used toys, all brand spanking new was the theme. At that point we still didn't know if the baby was an inny, (girl) or an outty, (boy). I was hoping like mad that this would be a boy but no matter how hard I looked, no matter what angle I tilted my eyes, the tech uttered the words, It's a girl! Yes I wanted a boy as most men do but more importantly, everything looked good and in the right place. I was so exited! Some people don't want to know the sex of their baby, and that's ok. But not me, not us. Saves time not having to return stuff later also.`
Time passed and all the preperation, all the shopping, the diapers, the butt creams, car seats, all of it we checked off our list. We were ready. My wifes emotions had started to run wild a little and we made the mistake of going to see a movie, "Armageddon". A little hint to all the first time dads out there, Pre Screen all movies, especially in the third trimester! I didn't, and the emotions, the tears, I thought I was going to drown. I'm thinking, Bruce Willis, space ships, asteroids, what could happen? Ooops! The hormones had taken over. Lesson learned! Then came that Saturday. The contractions started. I was working but stayed close to the phone. I waited and nada, zip, no calls. Hmmmm... false labor perhaps? I got home and went through the normal routine and when it was time to go to sleep, out I went. I knew that if things were to progress later on, I was going to need some sleep.
I hear something, it's time I think, it's time. Not sure if I am dreaming or not at this point but when the fog clears, IT'S TIME! Off we go. We are about 20 minutes away so no hurry just drive. It's her first so it could be a while. I think we check in about 11:00 pm, meet the duty nurses, get to the bed and start hooking her up to the monitors. Heperin lock for the IV's, a blanket, were set. The sound of the monitor that has the babies heartbeat on it is loud, going strong, the number showing on the screen. Over and over, beat after beat, on and on. Sure the mom does all the hard labor, but I gotta tell you that monitor will flat wear on you after a few hours. Any change in heartrate, the nurses comments, moms in pain, everyone is fading and tired, AGHHHHHHH! Then came the epidural, ooooohhhh, ahhhhhhhhhh, that's nice, look at all the pretty lines on the monitor. I'm thinking by then I could use one! I'm thinking it would be ok to climb under the bed and go to sleep on the floor.
Pitocin, the dreaded contraction generator had been flowing for some time now and were still at only 4 cm dialated. For those of you who have never had a child, you will learn all about this before you get to the delivery room. Words like, dialation, effacement, inducement, stadol, station, all will become part of your vocabulary. Read up on them, pay attention, you will thank me later. So we are progressing slowly, still at 4 cm and its now about 0900 in the morning. The epidural has changed the entire world now and mom is kind of resting in between the contractions. I am tapped out and decide I can walk across the street and get something to eat for myself, my mother in law, and my sister in law, who are both going to be in the delivery room with us. 10 minutes max. I get back, wolf down an egg McMuffin and the next thing I know the nurse is telling me to get in there, she's at 9 cm! 10 cm is the goal so time to prep for delivery. My wife is tired, numb from the waist down and then comes the direction to push. She is anxious, wiped out and not sure how hard she is pushing, but the doctors incouragement spurs her on. Counting to ten while she pushes, I can see the baby's hair, and lots of it. Barely able to go on she pushes one last time and there she is! Our little peanut, she is beautiful, like an angel. I go with her to the nursery for a check up and bath. She had a slight fever when she was born but all was ok. Grandma and Auntie are looking both tired and amazed. Her sister was barely in her teens at the time so it was quite the experience for her. I am ready to fall on the floor but just too excited for that. What a night. Our little girl has since grown into a beautiful young pre teen who loves to sing and dance, and at school she is at the top of her class. She amazes me every day. Such a joy our little peanut.
It is hard to describe the feeling of becoming a parent. Instant love, love at first sight, call it what you want, you feel it in your soul. The knowledge that this new life will rely on you for everything, 24/7. The greatest gift a person can feel is the love of their children. When they get old enough to look up at you and tell you, "I love you Mom", "I love you Dad" Once you feel it, you will always know it. It can bring even the strongest man to his knees. On that day, your birthday, we fell in love with our little Peanut, (My Girl) BigBlogAlphaDog
So maybe that's a little too much information. The point is that it wasn't easy for us to get our family started. Then out of the charts, the graphs, the tests, finally came the "positive" the plus sign, the dot was blue, one of those. Time to break out the bubbly (beer) and celebrate. The stars had all lined up and we were happy beyond words. Our family was beginning. Our little peanut was starting to grow. She got that name because the first ultra sound was done very early and when we saw the pictures, there was the baby, looking like your standard peanut. That name stuck with her for some time. Everything was new for peanut, no hand me downs, no used toys, all brand spanking new was the theme. At that point we still didn't know if the baby was an inny, (girl) or an outty, (boy). I was hoping like mad that this would be a boy but no matter how hard I looked, no matter what angle I tilted my eyes, the tech uttered the words, It's a girl! Yes I wanted a boy as most men do but more importantly, everything looked good and in the right place. I was so exited! Some people don't want to know the sex of their baby, and that's ok. But not me, not us. Saves time not having to return stuff later also.`
Time passed and all the preperation, all the shopping, the diapers, the butt creams, car seats, all of it we checked off our list. We were ready. My wifes emotions had started to run wild a little and we made the mistake of going to see a movie, "Armageddon". A little hint to all the first time dads out there, Pre Screen all movies, especially in the third trimester! I didn't, and the emotions, the tears, I thought I was going to drown. I'm thinking, Bruce Willis, space ships, asteroids, what could happen? Ooops! The hormones had taken over. Lesson learned! Then came that Saturday. The contractions started. I was working but stayed close to the phone. I waited and nada, zip, no calls. Hmmmm... false labor perhaps? I got home and went through the normal routine and when it was time to go to sleep, out I went. I knew that if things were to progress later on, I was going to need some sleep.
I hear something, it's time I think, it's time. Not sure if I am dreaming or not at this point but when the fog clears, IT'S TIME! Off we go. We are about 20 minutes away so no hurry just drive. It's her first so it could be a while. I think we check in about 11:00 pm, meet the duty nurses, get to the bed and start hooking her up to the monitors. Heperin lock for the IV's, a blanket, were set. The sound of the monitor that has the babies heartbeat on it is loud, going strong, the number showing on the screen. Over and over, beat after beat, on and on. Sure the mom does all the hard labor, but I gotta tell you that monitor will flat wear on you after a few hours. Any change in heartrate, the nurses comments, moms in pain, everyone is fading and tired, AGHHHHHHH! Then came the epidural, ooooohhhh, ahhhhhhhhhh, that's nice, look at all the pretty lines on the monitor. I'm thinking by then I could use one! I'm thinking it would be ok to climb under the bed and go to sleep on the floor.
Pitocin, the dreaded contraction generator had been flowing for some time now and were still at only 4 cm dialated. For those of you who have never had a child, you will learn all about this before you get to the delivery room. Words like, dialation, effacement, inducement, stadol, station, all will become part of your vocabulary. Read up on them, pay attention, you will thank me later. So we are progressing slowly, still at 4 cm and its now about 0900 in the morning. The epidural has changed the entire world now and mom is kind of resting in between the contractions. I am tapped out and decide I can walk across the street and get something to eat for myself, my mother in law, and my sister in law, who are both going to be in the delivery room with us. 10 minutes max. I get back, wolf down an egg McMuffin and the next thing I know the nurse is telling me to get in there, she's at 9 cm! 10 cm is the goal so time to prep for delivery. My wife is tired, numb from the waist down and then comes the direction to push. She is anxious, wiped out and not sure how hard she is pushing, but the doctors incouragement spurs her on. Counting to ten while she pushes, I can see the baby's hair, and lots of it. Barely able to go on she pushes one last time and there she is! Our little peanut, she is beautiful, like an angel. I go with her to the nursery for a check up and bath. She had a slight fever when she was born but all was ok. Grandma and Auntie are looking both tired and amazed. Her sister was barely in her teens at the time so it was quite the experience for her. I am ready to fall on the floor but just too excited for that. What a night. Our little girl has since grown into a beautiful young pre teen who loves to sing and dance, and at school she is at the top of her class. She amazes me every day. Such a joy our little peanut.
It is hard to describe the feeling of becoming a parent. Instant love, love at first sight, call it what you want, you feel it in your soul. The knowledge that this new life will rely on you for everything, 24/7. The greatest gift a person can feel is the love of their children. When they get old enough to look up at you and tell you, "I love you Mom", "I love you Dad" Once you feel it, you will always know it. It can bring even the strongest man to his knees. On that day, your birthday, we fell in love with our little Peanut, (My Girl) BigBlogAlphaDog
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
We are the People (United we will Stand)
Did you ever wonder why so many people across the planet question our intelligence? I am a proud American, always have been, always will be! Just wanted to get that out of the way because I have to ask that question myself in the face of recent events. So on what planet, in this day and age would there be not one, two, or even three, but four people who sat down and decided that it would be a good idea to plan a backpacking trip to of all places, IRAQ? Not just Iraq but while they were at it they decided to go to it's border with the other of the worlds favorite get away spots, IRAN! Who comes up with this plan? One was lucky, or smart enough to pass on the border trip. (Not for sure which). Maybe he can fill us in?
I seem to recall in the not so distant past, and even the present, this was still a war zone! So this wasn't enough of a brain fart just based on that, but then there are the kidnappings, murder, beheadings, and IED's, to name but a few. How does one come up with this plan? What part of the brain is not functioning when they make the arrangements for a trip like this? Now what? Do we ask another former President to go on a private mission to bring them home? Using their kind of logic, maybe the resident of the past eight years could go this time? OK, maybe that's not such a good idea. Too many people with shoes still over there. Just another of the former White House occupant (Shrubs) problems now that he has been replaced. Where could he go? What could he do in the realm of foreign relations? Not many places looking to welcome him in for any reason. So we have two of his so named axis of evil countries that were holding Americans until Shrubs predecessor went to get the two reporters released.
I have to say Mr. Bill, "Hail to the Chief" former chief though you may be. You showed that you are still admired for the accomplishments of your eight years in office, Even if you did inhale! Yes you had your share of problems, but I think most would agree that a little "Whitewater" and some extra curricular "White House" activities, pale in comparison to the absolute horror that was the shrub! Our country has rarely seen the level of suffering that we now face on almost every level. The sad part is that our children will live with this legacy for many years to come. Almost as sad is the knowledge that all of the crooks, thieves, friends, and what I call roots of the shrub, made millions off of the misery of not only Americans, but of the thousands that were killed or maimed because of decisions made during his administration. One can only hope that the many roots that left office early, were removed from office, or have been arrested for their crimes get what they deserve.
Whether in Iran or North Korea, the one thing we can not do is pretend that if we ignore them they will go away. We must know by now that the old school tactics of threatening them if they don't do what we say simply doesn't work. These countries, like it or not have nuclear aspirations and one has already detonated Nuclear weapons. And to Mr. ex-U.N. Ambassador, who claims we rewarded North Korea for bad behavior, put a sock in it! Stop your childish politics of bad mouthing the other party no matter what they do. The American people are tired of it! I don't belong to either party and this kind of grade school approach is the reason politicians are looked on in such a negative light by most Americans these days, not to mention that every time you turn on the news, another "Public Servant" has been arrested, has stolen money, taken bribes, ( and that is just today's news).
Quit the business as usual, and become part of the solution. Pick a problem facing the people, (there are many) and work together and solve it without all the rhetoric. Remember why you were elected, who elected you, and what your job is! Remember who created most of the problems facing Americans these days when you spout off about the "mistakes" of the current administration. Not to say I agree with everything they do but they started with quite a mess. "A free economy works best when it is left alone" I still remember hearing that from the shrub. But that didn't pan out so well for anyone not in the flower bed with him. We have to get back to basics, creating jobs, inventing things, building them here in this Country. Do what is best for America! Keep companies from moving to other places so they can make even more money, while Americans are losing their homes, their jobs, their dignity. Oil companies make billions while the working men and women struggle. Gas prices go up now with out a hurricane? What's next?
What do we have to do to get back on track? How do we stop the spread of ignorance? Complacency? Greed begets Greed and it is most UGLY. The almighty dollar has taken control of our world, twisting and turning peoples minds. Pushing people to the limit. Taking and taking from the middle and giving more to the top. Time to stand up America, pay attention, take notice, and voice your opinion! Remember what our fore fathers fought for, what they stood for, remember "We are the People" and "United we will Stand"! MyRantasuarusRex
I seem to recall in the not so distant past, and even the present, this was still a war zone! So this wasn't enough of a brain fart just based on that, but then there are the kidnappings, murder, beheadings, and IED's, to name but a few. How does one come up with this plan? What part of the brain is not functioning when they make the arrangements for a trip like this? Now what? Do we ask another former President to go on a private mission to bring them home? Using their kind of logic, maybe the resident of the past eight years could go this time? OK, maybe that's not such a good idea. Too many people with shoes still over there. Just another of the former White House occupant (Shrubs) problems now that he has been replaced. Where could he go? What could he do in the realm of foreign relations? Not many places looking to welcome him in for any reason. So we have two of his so named axis of evil countries that were holding Americans until Shrubs predecessor went to get the two reporters released.
I have to say Mr. Bill, "Hail to the Chief" former chief though you may be. You showed that you are still admired for the accomplishments of your eight years in office, Even if you did inhale! Yes you had your share of problems, but I think most would agree that a little "Whitewater" and some extra curricular "White House" activities, pale in comparison to the absolute horror that was the shrub! Our country has rarely seen the level of suffering that we now face on almost every level. The sad part is that our children will live with this legacy for many years to come. Almost as sad is the knowledge that all of the crooks, thieves, friends, and what I call roots of the shrub, made millions off of the misery of not only Americans, but of the thousands that were killed or maimed because of decisions made during his administration. One can only hope that the many roots that left office early, were removed from office, or have been arrested for their crimes get what they deserve.
Whether in Iran or North Korea, the one thing we can not do is pretend that if we ignore them they will go away. We must know by now that the old school tactics of threatening them if they don't do what we say simply doesn't work. These countries, like it or not have nuclear aspirations and one has already detonated Nuclear weapons. And to Mr. ex-U.N. Ambassador, who claims we rewarded North Korea for bad behavior, put a sock in it! Stop your childish politics of bad mouthing the other party no matter what they do. The American people are tired of it! I don't belong to either party and this kind of grade school approach is the reason politicians are looked on in such a negative light by most Americans these days, not to mention that every time you turn on the news, another "Public Servant" has been arrested, has stolen money, taken bribes, ( and that is just today's news).
Quit the business as usual, and become part of the solution. Pick a problem facing the people, (there are many) and work together and solve it without all the rhetoric. Remember why you were elected, who elected you, and what your job is! Remember who created most of the problems facing Americans these days when you spout off about the "mistakes" of the current administration. Not to say I agree with everything they do but they started with quite a mess. "A free economy works best when it is left alone" I still remember hearing that from the shrub. But that didn't pan out so well for anyone not in the flower bed with him. We have to get back to basics, creating jobs, inventing things, building them here in this Country. Do what is best for America! Keep companies from moving to other places so they can make even more money, while Americans are losing their homes, their jobs, their dignity. Oil companies make billions while the working men and women struggle. Gas prices go up now with out a hurricane? What's next?
What do we have to do to get back on track? How do we stop the spread of ignorance? Complacency? Greed begets Greed and it is most UGLY. The almighty dollar has taken control of our world, twisting and turning peoples minds. Pushing people to the limit. Taking and taking from the middle and giving more to the top. Time to stand up America, pay attention, take notice, and voice your opinion! Remember what our fore fathers fought for, what they stood for, remember "We are the People" and "United we will Stand"! MyRantasuarusRex
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Worlds Toughest Sport is......Golf?
Growing up in the country you always had to improvise when you wanted to get a game going. If you wanted to play baseball you used cow patties for the bases. For Basketball you had half a sheet of plywood for a back board and a home made rim out in the dirt by the chicken house. Golf was easy because all you needed was a ball, a club, and a mound of dirt for a tee. You didn't have to hit the ball into a hole, you just hit it, then had to go and find it.
Now there is grown up golf. The hardest sport ever! Holding steady as you swing to ensure that the club face stays square, and the ball fly's straight on target. Well ... sometimes! If you look up too soon the ball goes ten feet. If you are late and the face is open a tenth of a millimeter, you slice. Early and closed, you pull it! A gnats ass this way, a hair that way, missed it by that much! Ahhhhhhh! When I took up golfing again several years ago I hadn't played in fifteen years. Back then I wasn't really playing that much, probably two or three times a year. Hadn't thought about golf since. So a couple of years ago I am invited to play in a charity tournament at one of the top courses in the valley. I dust off my clubs and head to the driving range to see what my level of humiliation will be.
So I hit a bucket the day before and I don't feel too bad because the ball is going straight and frankly I don't know enough about the sport to know if I am doing something wrong. Try to hit the ball in the hole in the lowest number of swings. That's the bottom line, right? What I was never taught, (having only one thirty minute lesson ever) in my previous attempt to play was the oh let's say a million tiny details of the golf swing! When I listen to announcers discuss the professional players golf swing it is mind boggling. How can you possibly remember all of that in the few seconds it takes to wind up and swing? And that's the easy stuff off of the tee. Never mind the up hill lie, ball below your feet, in the divot, the rough, the fring, the sand traps, the trees, awkward stance, somebody stop me!!! Hitting the ball into a water hazard can be a relief. I have played many, many sports, and have never come close to the level of frustration as I have most every time I play golf!
I got fitted for clubs and bought new ones, irons, driver, putter. The works! I have improved and my best score to date is an 89. My golfing buddies say I expect a lot for someone who golfs once a month. Sorry that doesn't make me feel better. I am competitive. I WANT TO WIN! I WANT TO MASTER THIS GAME! I want to be able to go out on any given day and shoot a decent score. No three putts, no quadruple bogeys, no lost balls! Golf is played out in the fresh air, in beautiful surroundings, with friends, or whom ever you get paired with. You should be relaxed, breath in, breath out. Ahhhhhh! SO WHY DOES SOMEONE IN THE FOURSOME ALWAYS HAVE FLAMES COMING FROM THEIR HEAD???? Aha! the brain. There it is. Golf is a mental sport, sure you have to be able to swing the club, but that's just one more of golfs little treats. A nice easy swing and you hit 300, swing for the moon and have just one little thing off and 260. It defies physics. Got to figure that one out.
Again the Brain. You have to keep all of the mechanics of the swing in order, as well as having the mental covered. The stress factors. Just imagine lining up on an 8 footer for 800K. My head hurts just thinking about it. Some day I want to take my kids golfing. To walk in the sun, take in the scenery, breath in the air, and to enjoy just being with them. But wait, not yet, not until I get a better handle on things. I want to laugh with them, to help them learn the sport, and to show them first hand, why after every round I come home and say, The Worlds toughest sport is absolutely GOLF! BigBlogAlphaDog.
Now there is grown up golf. The hardest sport ever! Holding steady as you swing to ensure that the club face stays square, and the ball fly's straight on target. Well ... sometimes! If you look up too soon the ball goes ten feet. If you are late and the face is open a tenth of a millimeter, you slice. Early and closed, you pull it! A gnats ass this way, a hair that way, missed it by that much! Ahhhhhhh! When I took up golfing again several years ago I hadn't played in fifteen years. Back then I wasn't really playing that much, probably two or three times a year. Hadn't thought about golf since. So a couple of years ago I am invited to play in a charity tournament at one of the top courses in the valley. I dust off my clubs and head to the driving range to see what my level of humiliation will be.
So I hit a bucket the day before and I don't feel too bad because the ball is going straight and frankly I don't know enough about the sport to know if I am doing something wrong. Try to hit the ball in the hole in the lowest number of swings. That's the bottom line, right? What I was never taught, (having only one thirty minute lesson ever) in my previous attempt to play was the oh let's say a million tiny details of the golf swing! When I listen to announcers discuss the professional players golf swing it is mind boggling. How can you possibly remember all of that in the few seconds it takes to wind up and swing? And that's the easy stuff off of the tee. Never mind the up hill lie, ball below your feet, in the divot, the rough, the fring, the sand traps, the trees, awkward stance, somebody stop me!!! Hitting the ball into a water hazard can be a relief. I have played many, many sports, and have never come close to the level of frustration as I have most every time I play golf!
I got fitted for clubs and bought new ones, irons, driver, putter. The works! I have improved and my best score to date is an 89. My golfing buddies say I expect a lot for someone who golfs once a month. Sorry that doesn't make me feel better. I am competitive. I WANT TO WIN! I WANT TO MASTER THIS GAME! I want to be able to go out on any given day and shoot a decent score. No three putts, no quadruple bogeys, no lost balls! Golf is played out in the fresh air, in beautiful surroundings, with friends, or whom ever you get paired with. You should be relaxed, breath in, breath out. Ahhhhhh! SO WHY DOES SOMEONE IN THE FOURSOME ALWAYS HAVE FLAMES COMING FROM THEIR HEAD???? Aha! the brain. There it is. Golf is a mental sport, sure you have to be able to swing the club, but that's just one more of golfs little treats. A nice easy swing and you hit 300, swing for the moon and have just one little thing off and 260. It defies physics. Got to figure that one out.
Again the Brain. You have to keep all of the mechanics of the swing in order, as well as having the mental covered. The stress factors. Just imagine lining up on an 8 footer for 800K. My head hurts just thinking about it. Some day I want to take my kids golfing. To walk in the sun, take in the scenery, breath in the air, and to enjoy just being with them. But wait, not yet, not until I get a better handle on things. I want to laugh with them, to help them learn the sport, and to show them first hand, why after every round I come home and say, The Worlds toughest sport is absolutely GOLF! BigBlogAlphaDog.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The Good the Bad and the Ugly (Where have the hero's gone)
Sports, I love Sports. Always have and always will. Darts, baseball, basketball, Football, you name it. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. I drive my wife crazy with all the sports! I have tried most and now I coach youth baseball, soccer, and next year basketball. What do I tell these kids who are searching for a hero today. While there are plenty of average everyday players who you wouldn't mind your child looking to as a role model, the numbers that are "Hero" worthy are disappearing fast. How do I explain to a child that they can't buy a jersey they want because the player is currently in jail, just out of jail, or on their way in soon? Is the NFL becoming the National Felon's League?
Are we sending the right message to kids when we continue to slap the wrist of players in all sports who commit crimes? It seems like there are more and more justifications given after someone is caught. Is the player who takes a loaded weapon into crowded night club, and shoots himself correct when his defense claims there was no real crime committed. (Because he only shot himself)? Should we look the other way and disregard the multitude of laws that were violated? How about the player who endorsed, participated in, and funded animal cruelty for the sake of entertainment? He has served his jail time so do we believe he deserves a second chance?
Then there is the player who took the life of an innocent bystander when they got in their car drunk, and drove. Served twenty four days in jail! What! Do we consider his debt paid? Would you want your child to wear his jersey? Are we really so intense about our team winning that we just forgive and forget? I don't envy the commissioner of the NFL. His job has taken on a Judges role. Handing out suspensions, fines, and deciding how long players will be out of the game based on their crimes. Unfortunately this only covers Football.
Baseball, while not seeing the same level of severity in their crimes, has plenty to go around. The one we have all heard of for years now, Steriods! Players using performance enhancing drugs to get that "edge" That "edge" that used to be obtained by working harder than the other guy. What changed? Has it always been this way and we just didn't know? Most players will tell you they love the game. They play for it, because of it. I believe that most do. Then came the multi million dollar contract. Now it's do what ever you can to get that big contract. Do we really mind that they do Steroids or is it just a way to justify our jealousy of the other player who gets the game winning hit, of the other team?
The current **Home Run King** is labeled as a "user", yet he was beloved in his home ball park. Hated every where else by the media, the fans, and many players. After his contract ended, he was released, sent into retirement. No one would hire the most feared hitter in all the land! Now he is gone from the game. Is that what we wanted? Is that good for the game? Until recently he was the focus of all the talk about steroids. Because he was the best? Or because he was hated by many because of his attitude over the years? Now every week, big names, among the sports elite, are being shown to be users. Are they as hated? I don't hear the media frenzy, I don't hear the boos. So is that the message? Is it OK to cheat just as long as you were nice to the media, to the fan's? Is it OK as long as you are still productive and helping your team win? One of the greatest player's of all time has been denied entrance into the Hall Of Fame because he bet on his team after he was done as player. Did the baseball commissioner get it right? Maybe if you had to pay for discretion's, and the payment was significant, it would alter the decision to cheat.
As long as there are millions at stake, we may never see change. The other sports don't get a free ride either. In Basketball you had drugs, accusations of sexual misconduct, and gambling by officials. Doping in Cycling, in the Olympics, now even Nascar has drug scandal! Watching sports for most of us is entertainment, a distraction from the daily routine. But for a child that is aspiring to be like his favorite player, it can be so much more. It can for some shape the direction they choose in life. So what can we tell them when they ask where have all the hero's gone? Maybe we tell them that if they work hard and dedicate themselves to what ever they choose to do in life, that the next hero could be starring at them back in the mirror. Yeah, that's what I will tell them! BigBlogAlphaDog
Are we sending the right message to kids when we continue to slap the wrist of players in all sports who commit crimes? It seems like there are more and more justifications given after someone is caught. Is the player who takes a loaded weapon into crowded night club, and shoots himself correct when his defense claims there was no real crime committed. (Because he only shot himself)? Should we look the other way and disregard the multitude of laws that were violated? How about the player who endorsed, participated in, and funded animal cruelty for the sake of entertainment? He has served his jail time so do we believe he deserves a second chance?
Then there is the player who took the life of an innocent bystander when they got in their car drunk, and drove. Served twenty four days in jail! What! Do we consider his debt paid? Would you want your child to wear his jersey? Are we really so intense about our team winning that we just forgive and forget? I don't envy the commissioner of the NFL. His job has taken on a Judges role. Handing out suspensions, fines, and deciding how long players will be out of the game based on their crimes. Unfortunately this only covers Football.
Baseball, while not seeing the same level of severity in their crimes, has plenty to go around. The one we have all heard of for years now, Steriods! Players using performance enhancing drugs to get that "edge" That "edge" that used to be obtained by working harder than the other guy. What changed? Has it always been this way and we just didn't know? Most players will tell you they love the game. They play for it, because of it. I believe that most do. Then came the multi million dollar contract. Now it's do what ever you can to get that big contract. Do we really mind that they do Steroids or is it just a way to justify our jealousy of the other player who gets the game winning hit, of the other team?
The current **Home Run King** is labeled as a "user", yet he was beloved in his home ball park. Hated every where else by the media, the fans, and many players. After his contract ended, he was released, sent into retirement. No one would hire the most feared hitter in all the land! Now he is gone from the game. Is that what we wanted? Is that good for the game? Until recently he was the focus of all the talk about steroids. Because he was the best? Or because he was hated by many because of his attitude over the years? Now every week, big names, among the sports elite, are being shown to be users. Are they as hated? I don't hear the media frenzy, I don't hear the boos. So is that the message? Is it OK to cheat just as long as you were nice to the media, to the fan's? Is it OK as long as you are still productive and helping your team win? One of the greatest player's of all time has been denied entrance into the Hall Of Fame because he bet on his team after he was done as player. Did the baseball commissioner get it right? Maybe if you had to pay for discretion's, and the payment was significant, it would alter the decision to cheat.
As long as there are millions at stake, we may never see change. The other sports don't get a free ride either. In Basketball you had drugs, accusations of sexual misconduct, and gambling by officials. Doping in Cycling, in the Olympics, now even Nascar has drug scandal! Watching sports for most of us is entertainment, a distraction from the daily routine. But for a child that is aspiring to be like his favorite player, it can be so much more. It can for some shape the direction they choose in life. So what can we tell them when they ask where have all the hero's gone? Maybe we tell them that if they work hard and dedicate themselves to what ever they choose to do in life, that the next hero could be starring at them back in the mirror. Yeah, that's what I will tell them! BigBlogAlphaDog
Friday, July 31, 2009
My Brother from a different Mother (War is Hell)
Those of us who have been in the Military, gone through basic training, spent day after day in grueling conditions, know the bond that exists between Soldiers. It is a bond like no other. When you are in a War zone that bond becomes a necessity. You must put your life in the hands of those around you. I will always feel a kinship to my brothers and sisters in Arms. I support them, I respect them, and I am so proud to know them. I hope that one day we the people of the world can put aside that which drives us to that most horrific act, the act of war. Saying that, we all agree that if we are attacked, it is our duty to answer the call. War is unforgiving!
Today, this strikes close to home. My friend and co-worker is training, preparing for forward deployment. It is his third deployment since our paths crossed seven years ago. His first in Afghanistan, then Iraq, then back to Afghanistan. His family, torn between their pride in his service, and the gut wrenching pain they feel saying goodbye to him once again. I too feel the pain. Not the same as his parents, his wife, and his children of course, but as that Brother who has shared in the service of our Country. In his last tour he was responsible for convoy security, one of the worst jobs in Iraq. Driving all over the war zone delivering supplies where needed. Improvised Explosive Devices, shook their convoy six times. Only his leadership and his men's training allowed all but one (in his support group) to come home. War is Merciless!
I was standing at his work station at 0615 when he received his latest orders and I could tell right away something was wrong. I was asking him how his wife and kids were doing. He turned his computer screen towards me and as I read the email I wanted to scream. Is this some cruel email joke? No! No one could be that evil. Every day, I am thankful for how blessed I am, and when I see my children I hug them tightly, not just for me, but for his children. To have your Father leave, not once, not twice, but three times without the possibility of knowing if they will ever see him again. I know that feeling. Not because of war, but because I lost my Father at a young age. It proves again the resiliency of children. Their ability to adapt, to set aside their feelings, never relinquishing them, but keeping them for their quiet times, when they are alone, and can bring them out without fear of showing their pain, their sorrow, their tears. War is Heartless!
Once again my American Flag flies in his honor, and the honor of his soldiers. Rain or shine, day and night. It will fly until his return. I hope that all who read this will pray for my friend, all of our Soldiers and their families who share in the ultimate sacrifice, who accept the call of duty. And I hope you celebrate the honor of their service. Regardless of why they were sent, they were called, and they answered yet again. To my Brother from a different Mother, stay Frosty, keep your head down, and most importantly come home soon. War is Hell! BigBlogAlphaDog
Today, this strikes close to home. My friend and co-worker is training, preparing for forward deployment. It is his third deployment since our paths crossed seven years ago. His first in Afghanistan, then Iraq, then back to Afghanistan. His family, torn between their pride in his service, and the gut wrenching pain they feel saying goodbye to him once again. I too feel the pain. Not the same as his parents, his wife, and his children of course, but as that Brother who has shared in the service of our Country. In his last tour he was responsible for convoy security, one of the worst jobs in Iraq. Driving all over the war zone delivering supplies where needed. Improvised Explosive Devices, shook their convoy six times. Only his leadership and his men's training allowed all but one (in his support group) to come home. War is Merciless!
I was standing at his work station at 0615 when he received his latest orders and I could tell right away something was wrong. I was asking him how his wife and kids were doing. He turned his computer screen towards me and as I read the email I wanted to scream. Is this some cruel email joke? No! No one could be that evil. Every day, I am thankful for how blessed I am, and when I see my children I hug them tightly, not just for me, but for his children. To have your Father leave, not once, not twice, but three times without the possibility of knowing if they will ever see him again. I know that feeling. Not because of war, but because I lost my Father at a young age. It proves again the resiliency of children. Their ability to adapt, to set aside their feelings, never relinquishing them, but keeping them for their quiet times, when they are alone, and can bring them out without fear of showing their pain, their sorrow, their tears. War is Heartless!
Once again my American Flag flies in his honor, and the honor of his soldiers. Rain or shine, day and night. It will fly until his return. I hope that all who read this will pray for my friend, all of our Soldiers and their families who share in the ultimate sacrifice, who accept the call of duty. And I hope you celebrate the honor of their service. Regardless of why they were sent, they were called, and they answered yet again. To my Brother from a different Mother, stay Frosty, keep your head down, and most importantly come home soon. War is Hell! BigBlogAlphaDog
Thursday, July 30, 2009
California Schemin (Such a price to pay)
Our Governor recently stated he is a more fun loving guy than his predecessors? He posted a picture of himself with a big knife jokingly talking about the state budget, (which was way late again). He says he is having fun in the job, then realizes how bad that sounds and quickly back tracks. Is this the same guy that claimed he would deliver a balanced budget on time while helping to get the last Governor out of office? We all know about California and the state of our economy now. We have a credit rating lower than Mississippi. WHAT! Nothing against Mississippi but aren't we the seventh largest economy on the Planet? When did our elected officials get the idea they could not do their job and keep getting paid? Doesn't work anywhere else that I know of.
No skin off their noses if services are cut, no furloughs for them that I have heard. Still have the Government vehicle and the gas card? It seems that the politicians elected to public service are only interested in what they can do for themselves. When did public service become "Serving it to the Public"? All the cuts, all the posturing, all the in fighting, all the lies. They simply won't or can't get the job done because most don't seem to give a damn about the people they were elected to serve, (until election time rolls around). You have cut thousands of jobs which may save money in the short term but what about those family's? Are they putting into the system now or just pulling from it? Not seeing how that is helping to stimulate the economy!
Government has gotten so large it is no wonder that they can't agree on a budget, much less anything else. How about voting on reducing Government. I imagine that would take longer than passing the budget. The budget hmmm... did we fix it? From what I hear it is more of the same shell game, borrowing, moving, passing the buck onto the next in line to Sacramento. And thanks for sneaking in the ten percent (but not a tax increase) grab from our paychecks. How about voting out the two thirds vote that seems to stifle budget reform and many other items up for passage? While we are on the subject can you explain why if we are so broke, we would spend so much money to vote on propositions you knew had no way of passing? Just an idea but how about let's not put anything to a vote that we have no way of ever passing or funding.
Then there is the prison system. Have you all noticed that more and more people in our state are living in worse conditions than our prisoners? No medical, no food, living under a bridge somewhere. Seems there are many things that all that money could do for the law abiding citizens of our state. How much more can we the taxed give? Have you seen the latest polls on your approval ratings. Not so good. That would tell me to take a hard look at what is going on. People want change. They want innovative thinkers who are looking out for the best interest of the people, not the politicians. When I think of what our fun loving, having a good time in the job Governor has done, I can only come up with one thing. Indian Gaming. Don't get me wrong, I am happy Native Americans are getting their due. They were the first to be "Governed".
So to all our politicians, there is still time to make your mark, time to live up to the promises you made while trying to get elected. And although it was a nice gesture for the Governor to work for a dollar, we all know of his riches from his previous career. Mr Governor, I am a big fan of your movies, (I even liked Running Man) but as a leader, a public servant, as an innovator, I must quote one of my favorite of your movies, (Predator) when Dutch says to Dillon, "It's all Bulls--t, all of it" Such a price to Pay. MyRantasaurusRex
No skin off their noses if services are cut, no furloughs for them that I have heard. Still have the Government vehicle and the gas card? It seems that the politicians elected to public service are only interested in what they can do for themselves. When did public service become "Serving it to the Public"? All the cuts, all the posturing, all the in fighting, all the lies. They simply won't or can't get the job done because most don't seem to give a damn about the people they were elected to serve, (until election time rolls around). You have cut thousands of jobs which may save money in the short term but what about those family's? Are they putting into the system now or just pulling from it? Not seeing how that is helping to stimulate the economy!
Government has gotten so large it is no wonder that they can't agree on a budget, much less anything else. How about voting on reducing Government. I imagine that would take longer than passing the budget. The budget hmmm... did we fix it? From what I hear it is more of the same shell game, borrowing, moving, passing the buck onto the next in line to Sacramento. And thanks for sneaking in the ten percent (but not a tax increase) grab from our paychecks. How about voting out the two thirds vote that seems to stifle budget reform and many other items up for passage? While we are on the subject can you explain why if we are so broke, we would spend so much money to vote on propositions you knew had no way of passing? Just an idea but how about let's not put anything to a vote that we have no way of ever passing or funding.
Then there is the prison system. Have you all noticed that more and more people in our state are living in worse conditions than our prisoners? No medical, no food, living under a bridge somewhere. Seems there are many things that all that money could do for the law abiding citizens of our state. How much more can we the taxed give? Have you seen the latest polls on your approval ratings. Not so good. That would tell me to take a hard look at what is going on. People want change. They want innovative thinkers who are looking out for the best interest of the people, not the politicians. When I think of what our fun loving, having a good time in the job Governor has done, I can only come up with one thing. Indian Gaming. Don't get me wrong, I am happy Native Americans are getting their due. They were the first to be "Governed".
So to all our politicians, there is still time to make your mark, time to live up to the promises you made while trying to get elected. And although it was a nice gesture for the Governor to work for a dollar, we all know of his riches from his previous career. Mr Governor, I am a big fan of your movies, (I even liked Running Man) but as a leader, a public servant, as an innovator, I must quote one of my favorite of your movies, (Predator) when Dutch says to Dillon, "It's all Bulls--t, all of it" Such a price to Pay. MyRantasaurusRex
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Work Ethic (Don't get me started)
My frustration with much of what is going on at work, with the economy, politics, well just about everything these days was my initial reason for starting this blog. I don't enjoy starting on a negative subject but some things can't be helped. In the future I will be sharing some day to day adventures, some ranting, on any number of topics, but mainly today I just wanted to vent. I am a working dad who has worked since the age of 14. I started in the Grape fields of the San Joaquin Valley with my uncle. I grew up without a Fathers influence as he was killed when I was just five in a tragic auto accident on Thanksgiving Day. My male role models were my Grandfathers, whom I saw only during the summers when I visited. My moms dad was in construction and traveled often to what ever job site he was working. When he was at home he had a propensity to enjoy the spirits from the Gallo Brothers. Most of the time he would be chasing my Uncles and I out of his old Army Barracks. My Fathers dad I saw only occasionally, usually for a couple of days each year. Both taught me about work ethic, both did what they could to keep me on the right path. I gleaned what I could from them in our limited time together and I loved them both while they were alive.
After high school I joined the Military and spent 3 years in various locations across the US. My years following service for Uncle Sam I spent learning a Construction trade in a four year apprenticeship. Following my Grandfathers advice I stayed with it for fifteen years. Both the Military and the skilled trades required a strong work ethic. In the Military you either had it or you did allot of push ups, sit ups, etc. In the trades you worked based on the reputation you build as you came up.
Then came my current job. A new brand of work ethic was introduced. I started as a worker, then a leader, then I moved to Management. It wasn't so much that I was trying to climb the ladder, but more a natural progression one would take if they had a strong work ethic and spent many years in one place. Like many I spend my days sharing time between work and home. At home I have a wife and four children and they are my joy and my inspiration. At work I have my other children, my workers, all with unique personalities, and skill sets. They belong to a union which will remain nameless. Let me just say that I am not against Unions, I was in one for the fifteen years I was in construction. I believe unions have done allot for workers rights and I am in favor of doing the right thing.
What I don't understand about this particular Local is their willingness to back their members even when they are wrong. For example, sleeping on the job, complaining about every assignment, drugs, and the biggie, absenteeism. Why would you back members that only weaken you as an organization, weaken your position? Their reps come in and make out like the company is in the wrong no matter the infraction. How can this help them? It is the thought of most that their main interest is to get the members vote at election time, not the good of the Union. Their many factions clutter the cafeterias with leaflets berating the opponent, blaming them for any number of things, all of them ending with "In Solidarity". Are you kidding me?
Endorsing bad behavior, and poor workmanship is only hurting the membership, giving them a reason to accept poor work ethic. It festers, it grows, and it becomes ingrained in them. In nature, the weak are culled from the herd. It strengthens them as a whole. It prevents complacency, ensuring the herd will survive. I don't get it! In this day and age with our economy in shambles, one would think everyone would be going the extra mile to maintain their jobs, and present the strongest possible position. Nothing is guaranteed in this world, and all job markets are flooded with applicants. We have been witness to the biggest collapse of our economy in history and to think someone making thirty plus and hour would complain about anything and then be told it OK, is ludicrous. Where did they go wrong? Your membership represents you.
I hope that these Union leaders realize how lucky they are to have a job at all in this economy, I hope for it every day. Before it's too late. Before we all start spinning after the flush. Instill pride in your members, remind them there are consequences for their actions. It feels good to truly earn what you have. Your predecessor's fought hard to gain what you have. Don't lose it for your members and their family's. Promote a strong work ethic in all of them.This is my first rant, a mild rant, (thanks Mom) I told you, don't get me started. BigBlogAlphaDog
After high school I joined the Military and spent 3 years in various locations across the US. My years following service for Uncle Sam I spent learning a Construction trade in a four year apprenticeship. Following my Grandfathers advice I stayed with it for fifteen years. Both the Military and the skilled trades required a strong work ethic. In the Military you either had it or you did allot of push ups, sit ups, etc. In the trades you worked based on the reputation you build as you came up.
Then came my current job. A new brand of work ethic was introduced. I started as a worker, then a leader, then I moved to Management. It wasn't so much that I was trying to climb the ladder, but more a natural progression one would take if they had a strong work ethic and spent many years in one place. Like many I spend my days sharing time between work and home. At home I have a wife and four children and they are my joy and my inspiration. At work I have my other children, my workers, all with unique personalities, and skill sets. They belong to a union which will remain nameless. Let me just say that I am not against Unions, I was in one for the fifteen years I was in construction. I believe unions have done allot for workers rights and I am in favor of doing the right thing.
What I don't understand about this particular Local is their willingness to back their members even when they are wrong. For example, sleeping on the job, complaining about every assignment, drugs, and the biggie, absenteeism. Why would you back members that only weaken you as an organization, weaken your position? Their reps come in and make out like the company is in the wrong no matter the infraction. How can this help them? It is the thought of most that their main interest is to get the members vote at election time, not the good of the Union. Their many factions clutter the cafeterias with leaflets berating the opponent, blaming them for any number of things, all of them ending with "In Solidarity". Are you kidding me?
Endorsing bad behavior, and poor workmanship is only hurting the membership, giving them a reason to accept poor work ethic. It festers, it grows, and it becomes ingrained in them. In nature, the weak are culled from the herd. It strengthens them as a whole. It prevents complacency, ensuring the herd will survive. I don't get it! In this day and age with our economy in shambles, one would think everyone would be going the extra mile to maintain their jobs, and present the strongest possible position. Nothing is guaranteed in this world, and all job markets are flooded with applicants. We have been witness to the biggest collapse of our economy in history and to think someone making thirty plus and hour would complain about anything and then be told it OK, is ludicrous. Where did they go wrong? Your membership represents you.
I hope that these Union leaders realize how lucky they are to have a job at all in this economy, I hope for it every day. Before it's too late. Before we all start spinning after the flush. Instill pride in your members, remind them there are consequences for their actions. It feels good to truly earn what you have. Your predecessor's fought hard to gain what you have. Don't lose it for your members and their family's. Promote a strong work ethic in all of them.This is my first rant, a mild rant, (thanks Mom) I told you, don't get me started. BigBlogAlphaDog
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