IPOD
RADIO
I'm going to bore you with another perspective about 9/11. And then I'll just ask you where you were at the time. I remember the day quite clearly because I was working for an airline (FedEx) at the time. And obviously air travel was seriously affected for a while. I was doing a delivery route in Killingly, Connecticut. Wasn't my favorite place to work because at that time you pretty much had to run your ass off all day, and it covered a large geographic area. Stressful. At first we got a message on our little communication thing that just said something to the effect of "a plane flew into the World Trade Center". Didn't think much of it at first. I imagine most people didn't. I imagined it was just some dumbass in a small private plane. Well a bit later I was making a delivery to some campground near the Rhode Island state line and the people there happened to have CNN on. So I stopped and watched for a while. I'm not sure how long I stayed there, exactly. I think we all ended up forgetting the rest of the day's work and just returning to the station. I can't remember for sure. I know we were home pretty early. I do remember getting home and continuing to be glued to the television. I drank about a half bottle of scotch for some reason. That seems ridiculous in hindsight, but it seemed to make sense at the time.
A couple of days later I was driving an overnight tractor-trailer run from Norwich, Connecticut to Newark airport, New Jersey. The route takes you right over the GWB. This was TWO DAYS later, and it was still visibly smoking. I could see it as clear as day, despite it being night. That was a bit emotional.
My sister went to a high-school prom with a guy who was on one of the planes that flew out of Logan. I myself didn't know anyone directly involved. But I ended up meeting a surprising number of folks who were over the next few months.
I also remember how thirsty for revenge we all were. How anxious most of us were for a fight. How easily we as a country more or less agreed to start some war. And where has that brought us? Because it's been seven years and things have only gotten worse. That, more than anything else, makes the loss of thousands of lives an outrage.
Meh. People suck. Those responsible, but also those who initiated our reaction. And I'm guilty too.
A couple of days later I was driving an overnight tractor-trailer run from Norwich, Connecticut to Newark airport, New Jersey. The route takes you right over the GWB. This was TWO DAYS later, and it was still visibly smoking. I could see it as clear as day, despite it being night. That was a bit emotional.
My sister went to a high-school prom with a guy who was on one of the planes that flew out of Logan. I myself didn't know anyone directly involved. But I ended up meeting a surprising number of folks who were over the next few months.
I also remember how thirsty for revenge we all were. How anxious most of us were for a fight. How easily we as a country more or less agreed to start some war. And where has that brought us? Because it's been seven years and things have only gotten worse. That, more than anything else, makes the loss of thousands of lives an outrage.
Meh. People suck. Those responsible, but also those who initiated our reaction. And I'm guilty too.
In other news, I am feeling tempted by condos. They're just so pretty. But I dunno... I'm on the fence. A condo suits my OWN needs just fine. But it doesn't help me provide a low-cost place for my mother to live.
So this morning I'm going to view two houses. The beginning of my search. Or rather the first time I've done anything beyond viewing web pages. The first one I'm going to see is a two-family (which I'm not thrilled about but it suits my current needs perfectly). The smaller apartment is on the main floor, and the 2nd and 3rd floors are all one larger unit. The reason that is ideal because my intention is to offer my mother a place to live for less money than she'd have to pay anywhere else. And it's got to be easy-access due to her MS impaired mobility. Anyhow I drove by this place last week and it certainly looks like it'll need a bit of work. Hard to say how much without having been inside, but I'm inclined to take a wild guess at $25-30k worth. Fortunately it's priced so that I could afford to do that.
The second one I'm visiting is also a two-family and significantly more money. But is move-in-ready.
EDIT: First one is off the list. It'll just require too much work and I'm not the kind of guy who can take on a major fixer-upper. The second one I'm visiting on Monday instead. It's currently occupied to the residents need the advance notice. I drove by it today, however, and it looked promising. We'll see.
The second one I'm visiting is also a two-family and significantly more money. But is move-in-ready.
EDIT: First one is off the list. It'll just require too much work and I'm not the kind of guy who can take on a major fixer-upper. The second one I'm visiting on Monday instead. It's currently occupied to the residents need the advance notice. I drove by it today, however, and it looked promising. We'll see.
So I'm getting the impression that I have less to say now that I have a job I actually like a lot. Does that mean I'd frequently used my blog as a place to vent my professional grievances? I guess so. Among other things, at least.
I made two trips today from Mansfield, Mass. to Plainfield, Connecticut and back. This job is undoubtedly the best DRIVING job that I've ever had. I wont go so far as to say my best job ever... because there were jobs in my history that I really enjoyed for various reasons. For example being a lifeguard and camp counselor when I was a teenager. And I got a tremendous amount of satisfaction from being a US Marine as well. But in the realm of commercial trucking, this one takes the cake. And since our general manager informed me today that he wanted to hire one additional driver, I'd love to refer someone to share in my good fortune. Unfortunately I do not know anyone who is both qualified AND lives within a reasonable commute to Mansfield, Massachusetts. That's a shame.
Nothing else to report, really. All is great.
I was actually impressed with Sarah Palin's speech. I still believe that most people, and particularly women who might have previously been on the Hillary band wagon, will vote based on the issues rather than the gender of the candidate. But who knows. Lots of Americans are stupid. And lots are sheep. Ms. Palin does present herself well and by all accounts seems to be a brilliant strategic choice in every regard. HOPEFULLY that doesn't mean that women of America wont still recognize the fact that she's an anti-abortion right wing politician. What is this recent thrust by the McCain campaign to capitalize on the word "change", anyhow. Are you fucking KIDDING me? Change what, exactly? It's all spin.
I made two trips today from Mansfield, Mass. to Plainfield, Connecticut and back. This job is undoubtedly the best DRIVING job that I've ever had. I wont go so far as to say my best job ever... because there were jobs in my history that I really enjoyed for various reasons. For example being a lifeguard and camp counselor when I was a teenager. And I got a tremendous amount of satisfaction from being a US Marine as well. But in the realm of commercial trucking, this one takes the cake. And since our general manager informed me today that he wanted to hire one additional driver, I'd love to refer someone to share in my good fortune. Unfortunately I do not know anyone who is both qualified AND lives within a reasonable commute to Mansfield, Massachusetts. That's a shame.
Nothing else to report, really. All is great.
I was actually impressed with Sarah Palin's speech. I still believe that most people, and particularly women who might have previously been on the Hillary band wagon, will vote based on the issues rather than the gender of the candidate. But who knows. Lots of Americans are stupid. And lots are sheep. Ms. Palin does present herself well and by all accounts seems to be a brilliant strategic choice in every regard. HOPEFULLY that doesn't mean that women of America wont still recognize the fact that she's an anti-abortion right wing politician. What is this recent thrust by the McCain campaign to capitalize on the word "change", anyhow. Are you fucking KIDDING me? Change what, exactly? It's all spin.
Don't be fooled, girls.
McCain is no idiot. He saw an opportunity. He saw how divisive democratic support was for the two leading candidates. He sees an opportunity to potentially gain the support of tens of thousands of disgruntled women.
It was a brilliant choice, in my humble opinion.
I hope most women are not foolish enough to jump on the female VP bandwagon simply due to a gender issue. Do you REALLY want to perpetuate the complete SHIT we have had for the last 8 years? She may be a woman, but she is no Hillary Clinton. Vote with your brains. I like to think that most women I know wouldn't buy into this political strategy bullshit. But I fear that at least some people will. I truly hope I'm wrong about that. We're already hearing the "women of America aren't finished yet!" rhetoric from her lips. Bitch, wtf are you talking about?
Look, I don't know shit about Sarah Palin. I doubt many people do outside of Alaska. She's a woman and she's a republican. That's all that really matters if you ask me. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm NOT a democrat. I've got a long history of voting different ways based on what I thought was the right choice at the time. That includes my colossal blunder of voting for W back in 2000. At the time I was a McCain supporter. And now, as then, I have a great respect and admiration for Mr. McCain. But I think his window has passed. He WOULD have been better than what we've had for the last eight years. But in 2008 he is no longer relevant. And I fear a perpetuation of the status quo more than anything else.
McCain is no idiot. He saw an opportunity. He saw how divisive democratic support was for the two leading candidates. He sees an opportunity to potentially gain the support of tens of thousands of disgruntled women.
It was a brilliant choice, in my humble opinion.
I hope most women are not foolish enough to jump on the female VP bandwagon simply due to a gender issue. Do you REALLY want to perpetuate the complete SHIT we have had for the last 8 years? She may be a woman, but she is no Hillary Clinton. Vote with your brains. I like to think that most women I know wouldn't buy into this political strategy bullshit. But I fear that at least some people will. I truly hope I'm wrong about that. We're already hearing the "women of America aren't finished yet!" rhetoric from her lips. Bitch, wtf are you talking about?
Look, I don't know shit about Sarah Palin. I doubt many people do outside of Alaska. She's a woman and she's a republican. That's all that really matters if you ask me. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm NOT a democrat. I've got a long history of voting different ways based on what I thought was the right choice at the time. That includes my colossal blunder of voting for W back in 2000. At the time I was a McCain supporter. And now, as then, I have a great respect and admiration for Mr. McCain. But I think his window has passed. He WOULD have been better than what we've had for the last eight years. But in 2008 he is no longer relevant. And I fear a perpetuation of the status quo more than anything else.
Going camping tomorrow.
Not "real" camping, exactly. It'll be in a tent and with a sleeping bag and all that... but it's in a campground. Not the kind of camping I'm used to -- hike to your camp site with just what you can carry.
Still, this way allows me to bring a case of cold Sam Adams in a cooler.
Not "real" camping, exactly. It'll be in a tent and with a sleeping bag and all that... but it's in a campground. Not the kind of camping I'm used to -- hike to your camp site with just what you can carry.
Still, this way allows me to bring a case of cold Sam Adams in a cooler.
Man, I freakin' love "Dexter". I think I need to get Showtime just so I can see the 3rd season episodes as they're released. It is easily one of the smartest, coolest, most disturbing and oddly endearing shows on television.
So I got new speakers. Now that I hear them, I realize I'm going to have to get a sub. Not something retarded that makes your car vibrate. Just something to fill out the sound. The quality went up, but it's a bit too tinny. Speakers sound best when they're performing a specific function, not trying to have one speaker do everything. Guess that means even more cash invested. Ah well... it's only money.
So I got new speakers. Now that I hear them, I realize I'm going to have to get a sub. Not something retarded that makes your car vibrate. Just something to fill out the sound. The quality went up, but it's a bit too tinny. Speakers sound best when they're performing a specific function, not trying to have one speaker do everything. Guess that means even more cash invested. Ah well... it's only money.
I'm very happy with my new job. I haven't been able to say that in a long time. I only worked 45 hours this week. That's a good thing.
I treated myself to $700 worth of new car speakers and amp. Couldn't get it installed immediately for that instant gratification thing. But Tuesday isn't too long to wait. It was pretty impulsive, but I restrained myself from getting "the best" stuff (component speakers). So I showed at least a degree of restraint. I could easily have charged twice that on the ole Visa if I wanted to... but I know that would be ridiculous. I did the best I could with "regular" speakers. One pair of Alpine and one pair of Infinity. Hopefully the result will be good enough for me.
There's a very cute 23 year old who is giving me the flirt lately. I haven't yet determined with certainty if she is serious or full of shit however. I asked my youngest sister (who is 26, incidentally) if the 13-year age difference was weird. She said relationships with older guys are okay. Older women is scary cougar. I had to laugh. Anyhow, this young lady certainly stirs my naughty bits. I just hope I'm not being an idiot who's just being led on to some disastrous and depressing end.
Anyone who hasn't played Portal is really missing out. It's the kind of game that even people who don't consider themselves "gamers" seem to enjoy. Pure genius, in my humble opinion.
I treated myself to $700 worth of new car speakers and amp. Couldn't get it installed immediately for that instant gratification thing. But Tuesday isn't too long to wait. It was pretty impulsive, but I restrained myself from getting "the best" stuff (component speakers). So I showed at least a degree of restraint. I could easily have charged twice that on the ole Visa if I wanted to... but I know that would be ridiculous. I did the best I could with "regular" speakers. One pair of Alpine and one pair of Infinity. Hopefully the result will be good enough for me.
There's a very cute 23 year old who is giving me the flirt lately. I haven't yet determined with certainty if she is serious or full of shit however. I asked my youngest sister (who is 26, incidentally) if the 13-year age difference was weird. She said relationships with older guys are okay. Older women is scary cougar. I had to laugh. Anyhow, this young lady certainly stirs my naughty bits. I just hope I'm not being an idiot who's just being led on to some disastrous and depressing end.
Anyone who hasn't played Portal is really missing out. It's the kind of game that even people who don't consider themselves "gamers" seem to enjoy. Pure genius, in my humble opinion.
I am thoroughly addicted to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. It's almost a shame that I don't have an iPod. Can't wait for the DVD.
