June 13, 2008
Wisdom In The Words
My daughter Haley has written a post about one of our Schnauzers, Tiz, that was put to sleep after a long struggle with Diabetes. I smiled as I read her post, yet struggled as tears formed in my eyes as I read her "compassionate tribute" to a loyal member of the family. Tiz will be sadly missed for she was a loyal and loving dog.
June 10, 2008
Brushing Up My Resume'
With United Airlines announcing over 500 million in losses for the 1st quarter, and parking 100 of their Boeing 737 airplanes, which means they need fewer pilots, it made me think about my resume' and possibly brushing it up. This is as far as I've gotten....
- I know how to fly an airplane
- I was in the military. I pretty much just flew airplanes.
- I have a BS in Business Management but I am not a business manager.
- I minored in Human Resource Development, but don't have a clue how to "develop human resources"
- I'm good at fixing things around the house.
- I know when I'm screwed, but is that a job skill?
- Oh yeah, I can pretend to be a people person. . . but that wears off kind of fast.
May 20, 2008
Guess What I Did With My Thirty Minutes...
I'm running low on things to post about and when I do think about something I might post, I blow it off. Anyway, here's 2 of my favorite Domino's Commercials that for some reason, crack me up.
April 30, 2008
Hunter Turns 16!
Today, April 30th, Hunter turned 16! How did that happen when I haven't aged a bit... I still find it hard to believe that he's driving. Hunter is officially a "Cadet Basic Airman" in the United States Auxiliary Air Force, otherwise known as the "Civil Air Patrol" (CAP). He and I have been blessed to share some special bonding times together, like the CAP meetings . Two summers ago, our trip to San Diego. This past summer, DC and Pensacola. We plan on attempting an international trip together this summer to Rome or Sidney. I'm incredibly proud of him, especially his continued growth as a Godly young man.
April 23, 2008
"Sweet Home Alabama".....Again
This is one of the weirdest things I think I've ever seen. The Finnish Rock Band, "Leningrad Cowboys" and the "Former Soviet Army Choir" sing "Sweet Home Alabama". You've got to see it to believe it.
March 23, 2008
February 16, 2008
February 15, 2008
Soul Gospel
When it comes to Soul Gospel Music, you can't beat Kirk Franklin. This is one of his older one's but still one of my favorites.
February 01, 2008
I'm no Julia Child
With that being said, this web site can help transform my cooking into something that would make even Julia Child say, "bon appétit"; that is, if she were still alive. I do enjoy cooking, however, my recipes pretty much have that bland taste. Well not any more! Have you eaten a dish at a restaurant and wished you could get the recipe? Here's your chance. Click here and peruse the many famous recipes. Do you love the salad dressing at Olive Garden? Well, my gift to you. In the voice of Julia Child, "bon appétit"...
January 22, 2008
Autism Awareness
I was reminded today about the struggles of the many families who has a child diagnosed with Autism. There are families who are your friends who are parents of Autistic Children that share their struggle silently.
There's a video with a song from the band, Five for Fighting, which shows an incredibly moving and powerful video about Autism. You don't need to donate money. Just watch the video and money is donated to www.autismspeaks.org.
There's a video with a song from the band, Five for Fighting, which shows an incredibly moving and powerful video about Autism. You don't need to donate money. Just watch the video and money is donated to www.autismspeaks.org.
January 17, 2008
Victory Vipers
I was exposed to an activity that I previously had no idea existed. When my kids, Hunter and Haley, were into their activities, it was things like fishing, hunting, sports, horses, etc. Then when they both chose to try “Irish Dancing”, I thought that was an unusual activity. However, Rhonda, took me to her daughter, Kayleigh’s, sport. It was a world of competition that I didn’t even know existed and I was unsure of what to expect. It's also huge in
January 05, 2008
Travel Challenge IQ
Here's an addictive challenge, "Traveler IQ Challenge". Good Luck. I'm not going to share with you the level I reached. However, keep in mind that since I travel for a living, and have been to most of these countries... oh well, you get the point. ;)
December 30, 2007
Chicago Tribune Ad, December 30, 2007
Many of you know that I'm a United Airlines Pilot. I experienced first hand the chaos that occurred at United Airlines over this Holiday Season. Finally the Pilot's Union (ALPA-Air Line Pilots Association) have begun to fight back with United Management, who continually blame everyone but themselves when problems occur. This ad points out that the blame lies squarely with CEO Glenn Tilton and his mis-management. Here is an ad that was purchased by our union dues and run in Sunday's Edition of the Chicago Tribune.
An Apology
The professional pilots of United Airlines would like to apologize to the traveling public for United Airlines’ deficiencies during this Holiday Season.
The pilots of United Airlines sympathize with our travelers’ plights earlier this week. Many of our pilots did not make it home to share the holidays with their loved ones either. United may blame this week’s flight cancellations on poor weather in the Midwest, but, as most of our competitors demonstrated, the real culprit was United’s lack of manpower – attempting to fly more with fewer employees – all at your expense. United has been an all-weather airline for more than 80 years. We pioneered many of the safety innovations such as onboard weather radar, anti-skid brakes, better weather forecasting and improved navigation instruments that allow operation in inclement weather all over the world. Until recently, we have been able to efficiently handle weather events in the Midwest and throughout the world without major disruptions.
Over the last few years, however, United has had to endure a management team that is bent on personal profit over customer service. They have pared employee staffing to the bare minimum, making them unable to respond to even well-anticipated weather events. Many of our pilots work to the FAA maximum limits every month, all year long. We have repeatedly warned United’s management that they do not have the crew resources to staff our airline adequately and have repeatedly asked them to discuss these shortcomings. So far they have declined to do so. Instead, they diverted $750 million of cash payouts so that they may receive personal stock dividends of $2,196,165. The top five United officers received a combined salary between $65,983,879 and $100,850,809 in 2006. We believe your holiday travel experiences would have been much better this week if they had used that money on the airline instead of on themselves.
United Airlines is our livelihood and our source of pride. We are here for the duration and we are here for you. We are disappointed in the way you, our valued customers, were treated by United’s management. You deserve better from a world-class airline.
Signed,
The Pilots of United Airlines
United Chapter, Air Line Pilots Association
An Apology
The professional pilots of United Airlines would like to apologize to the traveling public for United Airlines’ deficiencies during this Holiday Season.
The pilots of United Airlines sympathize with our travelers’ plights earlier this week. Many of our pilots did not make it home to share the holidays with their loved ones either. United may blame this week’s flight cancellations on poor weather in the Midwest, but, as most of our competitors demonstrated, the real culprit was United’s lack of manpower – attempting to fly more with fewer employees – all at your expense. United has been an all-weather airline for more than 80 years. We pioneered many of the safety innovations such as onboard weather radar, anti-skid brakes, better weather forecasting and improved navigation instruments that allow operation in inclement weather all over the world. Until recently, we have been able to efficiently handle weather events in the Midwest and throughout the world without major disruptions.
Over the last few years, however, United has had to endure a management team that is bent on personal profit over customer service. They have pared employee staffing to the bare minimum, making them unable to respond to even well-anticipated weather events. Many of our pilots work to the FAA maximum limits every month, all year long. We have repeatedly warned United’s management that they do not have the crew resources to staff our airline adequately and have repeatedly asked them to discuss these shortcomings. So far they have declined to do so. Instead, they diverted $750 million of cash payouts so that they may receive personal stock dividends of $2,196,165. The top five United officers received a combined salary between $65,983,879 and $100,850,809 in 2006. We believe your holiday travel experiences would have been much better this week if they had used that money on the airline instead of on themselves.
United Airlines is our livelihood and our source of pride. We are here for the duration and we are here for you. We are disappointed in the way you, our valued customers, were treated by United’s management. You deserve better from a world-class airline.
Signed,
The Pilots of United Airlines
United Chapter, Air Line Pilots Association
December 24, 2007
Are you ready to go Steve?
I still think this is one of the funniest things to watch! Make sure you watch all the clips and see Steve's progression. Too funny. The "Blue Angels" rock...
December 18, 2007
The Diary of a Snow Shoveler
December 8
6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.
December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life!
The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like heck. The wife laughed for one hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the darn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Darn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to poop. By the time I got undressed, pooped and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.
December 23
Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the man who drives that snowplow I'll drag him through the snow by his nose and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the snowplow.
December 25
Merry -bleeping- Christmas! 20 more inches of the slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
Still snowed in. Why the heck did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze, plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE WITCH is driving me crazy!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver he is now suing me for a million dollars not only the beating I gave him but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up where the sun don't shine. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.
December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life!
The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like heck. The wife laughed for one hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the darn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Darn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to poop. By the time I got undressed, pooped and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.
December 23
Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the man who drives that snowplow I'll drag him through the snow by his nose and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the snowplow.
December 25
Merry -bleeping- Christmas! 20 more inches of the slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
Still snowed in. Why the heck did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze, plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE WITCH is driving me crazy!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver he is now suing me for a million dollars not only the beating I gave him but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up where the sun don't shine. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
December 13, 2007
November 28, 2007
12 Years Ago Today
I can't believe it's been 12 years... I re-read this previous post this morning and it's still as vivid today as it was 12 years ago. I'm so very proud of you Haley and I love you very much.... Dad
October 23, 2007
Welcome Back My Friends....
I had an online stalker, who I think I've given the slip... so, I'm back! And does it feel good... I had to close down the blog but now it's up and running again. When I have more time, I'll write... until then...
August 30, 2007
August 23, 2007
Stand Up and Salute
It's that time of year where I have to pull out the San Diego Chargers theme song. I'm in a Fantasy Football League with Hunter and his friends, I'm the only "adult", I'm not sure what to think about that... anyway, I was only able to draft one player from the Chargers for my fantasy team, Nate Kaeding-Kicker, he's incredibly accurate. LT, Gates & Co. have an unfortunate habit of turning potential FG chances into extra points, but at least they guarantee Kaeding stays on the board.
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