Is it time for a rant? I think it is.

So it began – the degredation of our society – when older people were no longer referred to as Mr. and Mrs., when young people were no longer expected to respect themselves, their parents, nor their friends and neighbours. That generation of young people beget this generation of young people. . . and so it began. Now – we are faced with a culture and a society that is less concerned about doing what is right for those placed in their charge and more for the bottom line of their corporation. This is a direct causal relationship and not a random comparison of two seemingly different assumptions.

And now to my own personal experiences of shit that began in September:

My wife and I utilize a Wells Fargo Rewards program program that allows for us to cash in points for gifts. The points come from utilizing our check card (at a rate of 1 point for every $4 spent) or our credit card (1 point for every $1.) Over the course of a few years, we attained enough points to cash in for a $600.00 check sent to us, or a credit deposited into our account. While in the process of requesting our reward, I asked for a deposit into our account. Mistakenly, the account to be credited was our credit card account, not our checking account. This is not OK to me. The intention was not to overpay our credit card. . . The intention was to gain cash for Christmas. However, according to three levels of customer service, reversing the credit is not an option.

This I do not understand. If the account can be credited electronically, then the account can be debited electronically. Then, a check can be cut and sent to us. It really is THAT simple. However, I was told on Monday the next step is to write a letter to the top tier customer care people and fax it to them. Seriously? We can’t even talk to these miscreants. . . Bullshit.

I will write the letter and happily fax it to them. And as a result, I will expect compensation and if I am not treated the way I feel I should be, there may very well be a cease and desist order placed on me in the next few months. . . I’ll be OK with that.

Issue number two – my car leaks. So, I took it to a shop down the street from my work and he quoted me a week without the car and ~$1500.00. So, I took it to a different shop. They said two days and about the same price. So, we went with them. We’ve been there before and they were OK, so I said sure – go ahead. Then, we leave the shop, drive for 20 minutes and notice a leak. Call the shop – they say come back, then on the way back, the Service Engine Light comes on. Gimme a fucking break. So, we go back, and are there until nearly 8:00. We stop for a bite to eat then go home. . .

Today, the check engine light came back on and, at lunch, I looked at the garage floor and noticed it is still leaking. . . I’m bent.

So, I will attempt to take the vehicle back one more time tomorrow and see what happens. I will expect compensation and if I am not treated the way I feel I should be, there may very well be another cease and desist order placed on me in the next few months. . . I’ll be OK with that, too.

Ciao

Two days in a row? Really?

Yes, really. I really do have a lot to say. I don’t care what anyone has told you. Don’t believe them – it’s just not true.

So, I am attempting to plug through my graduate program. And, as most of you may know – I am struggling a bit. Why? Because, as was discussed yesterday, I am not in the right frame of mind. I’ll tell you – the weirdest part of this whole revelation to me is the complimentary mentalities of, “Do as I say, not as I do” and “Those who can’t do; teach.” I’m totally that guy. I KNOW what is wrong with the way I have been functioning, yet I have not been able to convince myself. . .

Meanwhile, back at the Ranch – the Idaho Youth Ranch – there was a kid who took a liking to me. His mother did, as well. In fact, before she pulled him from the Ranch, she called me for advice. Wow. That was cool. Since he’s been home, this kid has called me probably 10 times. He’s a GREAT kid. And I always know how to talk to him. Now, if only I could do the same for myself. Or at least take my own advice. . .

He’s struggling in school. I can tell this kid for days how to do better in school. AND – I guarantee, if I took the advice I gave him, then I would be in a much better spot. Bah. That’s OK though. I’ll get it. . . I can do that, you know – struggle, but eventually figure it out. Yay me.

OK – There you are – two days in a row. I’m on a roll. But not like this. . .

What happened?

Pappy: Hey boy, where have you been?
Me: Hey pappy, um, what do you mean where have I been? Where the hell have you been?

Pappy: You know where I have been. . .
Me: Yeah – I’m still bitter about that, you know?

Pappy: Yeah, I know. But, you can’t change that, right?
Me: Right.

Pappy: Son, the world awaits you. Don’t let them down.
Me: Pardon me?

Pappy: The world, son. A lot of people out there are waiting on you. Kind of interesting, isn’t it?
Me: What’s that?

Pappy: Knowing there are people out there who are actually interested in what you have to say.
Me: I don’t know.

Pappy: Well, I do. The world awaits you. What do you have to say for yourself?
Me: I’m a wuss.

Pappy: A wuss? Why would you say that?
Me: Because that is how I feel. Actually, I have recently had a few more revelations into my ways of seeing the world. It is quite fascinating, in fact.

Pappy: Revelation? Such as . . .?
Me: My locus.

Pappy: Locus . . .?
Me: Yes, Locus. My locus.

Pappy: What locus, kiddo?
Me: My locus of control. Would you care to hear about it?

Pappy: Hear about your locus of control? Absolutely. Nothing would interest me more.
Me: Being facetious will get you nowhere.

Pappy: That was not me being facetious. I am very interested in what you have to say. Hence the beginning of this conversation. Or hell – the existence of this conversation for that matter.
Me: If you say so. Well, the situation is thus: You know how I speak, often, of the way my life used to be? I was in control. Things always worked out for me, etc. . . And now – I do not like how my life works. . .

Pappy: Yes, continue.
Me: Well, a few weeks ago, the Mrs. made mention of how I need to take responsibility for my life and not continue to blame my problems on situations, and/or people outside my control. My initial reaction was, as has been the case a lot recently, that she was full of shit and really, just probably being mean.

Pappy: OK. . .
Me: Well, after a few days of subconscious processing, I had yet another epiphany, or revelation, about my life. I do, in fact, look to the outside world as the source of my problems and my issues. My locus of control is almost entirely external. I took the Rotter questionnaire just for shits and giggles and scored 15/23. That means (very loosely) that I look to the outside world 65% of the time in terms of why my life is the way it is. Conversely – I believe only 35% of my life is the way it is because of me, my actions, my decisions, etc. . .

Pappy: Yeah, I can see that about you. You are quite the conspiracy buff. And you think the world is all a stage, right? Humans are just puppets, with no real control over how things work. That is the kind of thing you believe, isn’t it? I can see how that can get in the way.
Me: Right – it is what I believe. And as long as I continue to think this way, I will never be what I want to be. I will never be the way I want to be. Thus, I need to stop being a wuss. Yes, I believe those things about the world, but that does not mean I am still not in control of my own life. . . This is going to take some work, but I know I can do it.

Pappy: That is the right way to approach it. If you go in knowing you can make the changes in yourself you want, then you are one step ahead of the next guy.
Me: You really think so?

Pappy: I do really think so, sure. So – what does this have to do with how you used to be that is different than it is now? Has there been a shift in your locus of control? You used to believe in yourself? You had an internal locus of control?
Me: That is absolutely right. I once had faith in myself. I once had a belief system based on my own strengths. I used to believe in me. I need that back. Without it, I will never recover. It’s OK, though. I can get it back. Like I said, I just need to work on me a little harder.

Pappy: OK kid, I need to go – and I wish you the best of luck on your new journey of self discovery. I know how daunting something like this could be.
Me: I bet you do. Well, Pappy, thanks for listening. I need that, sometimes. I miss you.

Pappy: I miss you, too, son. Don’t be a stranger, OK?
Me: I won’t, dad. I love you.

TT: Blind

Editor’s Note: I am attempting to catch up to my blogging (sounds, familiar, eh?) by starting with TT topics, from current backwards. Thank you for sticking with me. . .

TT for the week of 03 September 2009:

I have four posts in my “drafts” of this blog. Since, I have deleted them. I had four posts in my “drafts” of this blog. Since I have deleted them – I have no posts in my “drafts” of this blog.

I moved again. Back to Sandy. Sandy, UT. It’s a quaint little town just South of Salt Lake City, the capital of UT. No – it’s not. It’s a suburb. Just like any other suburb. In Utah. We have nice neighbours and we have asshat shit eating neighbours. I like the nice neighbours. I would not care if the Shiteaters moved tomorrow. . . or tonight.

I wonder what people want to hear from me. I really wonder. I had heard once, from a guy I know, that, “If you blog it, they will come.” OK – is was not exactly like that, but you get the drift. I have been hit over 6,000 times. That seems like a lot to me. Well, it is a lot – it’s no million hits in 3 days, but I’m not posting celebrity sex tapes, either. That would be sweet if I did. Well, if I had any. And they were legit. And legally acquired. . . Wow – that would be a lot of work. I would probably need to know a celebrity, who had made a sex tape, and then gave me permission to post the video. I could not afford a lawsuit of the magnitude a leaked celeb sex tape would bring.

I’ll stick to writing.

I wish I could write emotion. There are a lot of folks who can. You sit down and begin reading their work, all the while, understanding – perfectly – what emotion they are trying to convey. I am not that talented. I may be able to learn with practice and training, but I don’t know for sure. Probably.

I have realized what a downer I am on here. Not my intention. It’s a blog – a web-based diary. I should feel free to write whatever I want. Readers of blogs absolutely understand how blogs are designed. People read because they want to. I want them to. Is that vain of me? I don’t care. I want to see how many folks care to read about me. I want to hit 10k page views. It has taken a year and a half (almost) to hit 6k. That’s not bad, really. . . That means I average over 12 views per day. AND – I have not written A LOT of those days. Hmmm – I’m not going to complain. I suppose I was blind to the sheer number of hits I have received.

OK then – I will begin to write again. Let’s see how long it takes to get to 10k. Any wagers?

Ciao.

INST 6325 – please read.

To whom is may concern . . . I am enrolled in INST 6325 (Brian Belland’s course) Fall 2009, as USU. I am using inst6325.wordpress.com as my blog for that class. As a result, in order for me to respond to any of my peer’s blogs, I must sign in using openID. My openID is shinshige.wordpress.com. I am sure this will confuse many people. My thought is – by posting this, a little research can be done and folks will learn who I am by cross referencing this blog with inst6325.wordpress.com.

Thank you for your time. ;)

Ciao

Tortilla Soup

I got this recipe from Sarah, who got it from a friend. It is extremely easy to make, extremely tasty, and very easily modified to fit your taste. . . I present – Tortilla Soup:

1 can of chicken broth
1 can of black beans w/ juice
1 can of corn w/ juice
1 can of garbanzo/white beans w/juice
1 16oz jar of salsa
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 packet taco seasoning
chicken – as much as you want . . .

First step – open all the cans, jars, bottles, etc. of stuff (except taco seasoning) and pour them into a large pot. Cook. ;)

Second – while cooking the above ingredients, chop and brown the chicken and the taco seasoning. . . After the chicken is just about fully cooked, add it to the pot of cooking stuff until it IS fully cooked.

Finally – pour the soup in a bowl, add some crunched up tortillas and shredded cheese, mix and eat. It is freaking delicious.

As a note – feel free to add other ingredients as you see fit. I want to add onions, but Sarah does not. I would also add something like olives, but again – Sarah would not. . . It’s de-lish. Enjoy.

Ciao

Just for fun.

Put an X in the boxes you have done and take the X out of the boxes you haven’t then send it to you friends. . .

Things you have done during your lifetime:
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
() Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
() Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
() Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
(x) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the Pacific ocean
() Swam in the Atlantic ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
() Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch.
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t.
(x) Made prank phone calls
() Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
() Danced in the rain – naked -
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone…
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
()Been deep sea fishing
() Driven across the United States
() Been in a hot air balloon
() Been sky diving
(x) Gone snowmobiling
() Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
(x) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
() Seen the Statue of Liberty
() Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
() Gone to the top of CN Tower
(x) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
() Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(x) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
() Seen whales in the ocean
() Been to Niagara Falls
() Ridden on an elephant
() Swam with dolphins
(x) Been to the Olympics
() Walked on the Great Wall of China
(x) Been water-skiing
(x) Been snow-skiing
() Been to Westminster Abbey
() Been to the Louvre
() Swam in the Mediterranean
() Been to a Major League Baseball game
(x) Been to a Greatful Dead Concert
() Got Two Speeding Tickets in one day
(x) Studied Abroad
(x) Lived in more than 1 state
(x) Gotten more than one tattoo
(x) Seen both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
() Been to Italy
() Been arrested in another Country
() Been to Prague
(x) Regrettably made your best friend or family member so angry that they stopped speaking to you
() Visited Ellis Island, NY
() Celebrated New Years in Times Square, NY
() Walked the Freedom Trail, Boston, MA
(x) Seen a movie at a Drive-In Theater
() Gone SCUBA diving
() Piloted an airplane
(x) Been in a parade
() Been to the pyramids
() Cried your way out of a speeding ticket

Impromptu Top Nine “I Would” List.

In no particular order. . .

1. Charlize Theron
2. Debra Messing
3. Harry Connick, Jr.
4. Billy Crudup
5. Megan Fox
6. Alicia Silverstone
7. Angelina Jolie
8. Brad Pitt
9. Johnny Depp

For reference:

THEODORE JOHN KACZYNSKI 04475-046
USP FLORENCE ADMAX**
U.S. PENITENTIARY
PO BOX 8500
FLORENCE, CO 81226

Limirick

There once was a lass named Lewinski;
on the skinflute she’d play a Stravinski;
she’d nibble your chode ’til you had to explode;
like a letter-bomb mailed from Kaczynski.