G'day Everyone.
Earlier today, Bernie Madoff found out his fate: Prison until he dies. Now he has to hope he can appeal it. But all that money he stole to make any of his in-kind companions wealthy, he prolly is protecting them and willing to go to prison until he dies. Such is a man that will face his fate. He thinks he has done nothing wrong. But the ultimate punishment will come when he does die (Hebrews 9:27), and then he can't escape eternity justice.
Meanwhile, my good blogger friend, Robert Goodwin, wrote a post about moderation. Link: http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2009/06/moderation-in-postings.html
In the last few years, I have been doing this blog and another web page as well. I've seen every thing from the usual "trolls", the person trying to tamper with my site, to the occasional person that threatens me with court actions unless I post his/her comments on my site. Some times, it gets ugly when it happens.
The nice thing is, I have some friends who are my consistent "advisers" when I need them. But the ultimate decisions are mine and what I have to do with this site. There are times that I want to have an open comment forums on my blog. Unfortunately, the past experience serves me bitterly and commends me to keep the comments *TIGHTLY* controlled. I'm not saying iron fisted controlled, but keeping those comments on topic as much as possible.
But lastly, nobody has the right to shoot a comment from the trees of the Internet. Because when you do and the damage you cause, just remember one thing. IPs can be recorded and traced back to you. (God does the same thing too!).
So enjoy yourselves in the deaf read world. Comment nicely. Don't start firestorms.
Semper FI!
Update: some people do not understand that comments don't appear in the comment section of the blog fast. I have to explain this for your own understanding.
When you write a comment, it will not be posted until I *APPROVE* the comment. Please, don't repeat your comments until I approve it. OK? Thanks for understanding.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The week of Liberty!
G'day Everyone!
As June 2oo9 winds down, so does the first half of 2009 as well. President Obama has been through some of his rough days, but I give him a grade of B- at the most. He's still doing the best he can. He must be careful of the health care minefields out there.
The Nation of Iran could already be in a full scale civil war among the people. I don't like how that election went, but letting the same people stay in power says just one word: Corruption. If Iran doesn't like how the world looks at their country, then they better wish they re-did the election process. It is just way bad for that country at the present.
But on the subject of countries, The USA will be in a HIGH ALERT mode for the next week and a half now. WHY? Because of the "bad boy" country, North Korea. North Korea which has been playing for media attention in the last several weeks, has made it clear that they intend to fire a missile some time in the next 10 days. Especially at Hawaii! I do not appreciate a country that wants to disrupt a nation's celebration with a missile that says "Here! I'm crashing your party! I want media attention too!". But if our world enters into another war of it's own through North Korea, this might be the week that we should be praying and preparing for anything.
While we are thinking of "Liberty" this week, think of one person that will face the loss of liberty for a long time. When Bernie Madoff appears in court today, he will face his fate. Bernie's lawyer says his client won't live long and suggests 12 years is enough in prison. But, the prosecutors want 150 years. So if I were a judge, I'd take that law book and throw it at Bernie Madoff and give him 200 years in prison! That will assure that Bernie will die in prison. Nobody should take advantage of people and their money. What Bernie did will assure that he will die a bankrupt man. Be watching CNN today to see what happens.
Finally, before our national holiday this coming weekend, there will be three major funerals happening soon. First, Farrah Fawcett's Funeral is going to be big. It will happen on Tuesday. God bless Farrah. We'll miss this brave woman.
Second, pending when Michael Jackson's 2nd autopsy is going to be done, his funeral will be much bigger. A lot of people will be attending it.
Third, Oxyclean TV Salesman Billy Mayes died yesterday. 50 years old as well. He was a great man that really sold great products. Pray for the Mayes family for their comfort by God.
On the last note: Major Salute to Danny Berke as he begins INTERNSHIP in Los Angeles, Calif! Good wishes, Danny! Have a great Internship!
Semper FI!
Breaking news ( June 29 ): Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison. The judge threw the book at him! For the victims, it's a lasting justice on Madoff. Where Bernie will go, let's just hope it's some ROUGH place where Bernie should expect to be an outcast for days to come.
As June 2oo9 winds down, so does the first half of 2009 as well. President Obama has been through some of his rough days, but I give him a grade of B- at the most. He's still doing the best he can. He must be careful of the health care minefields out there.
The Nation of Iran could already be in a full scale civil war among the people. I don't like how that election went, but letting the same people stay in power says just one word: Corruption. If Iran doesn't like how the world looks at their country, then they better wish they re-did the election process. It is just way bad for that country at the present.
But on the subject of countries, The USA will be in a HIGH ALERT mode for the next week and a half now. WHY? Because of the "bad boy" country, North Korea. North Korea which has been playing for media attention in the last several weeks, has made it clear that they intend to fire a missile some time in the next 10 days. Especially at Hawaii! I do not appreciate a country that wants to disrupt a nation's celebration with a missile that says "Here! I'm crashing your party! I want media attention too!". But if our world enters into another war of it's own through North Korea, this might be the week that we should be praying and preparing for anything.
While we are thinking of "Liberty" this week, think of one person that will face the loss of liberty for a long time. When Bernie Madoff appears in court today, he will face his fate. Bernie's lawyer says his client won't live long and suggests 12 years is enough in prison. But, the prosecutors want 150 years. So if I were a judge, I'd take that law book and throw it at Bernie Madoff and give him 200 years in prison! That will assure that Bernie will die in prison. Nobody should take advantage of people and their money. What Bernie did will assure that he will die a bankrupt man. Be watching CNN today to see what happens.
Finally, before our national holiday this coming weekend, there will be three major funerals happening soon. First, Farrah Fawcett's Funeral is going to be big. It will happen on Tuesday. God bless Farrah. We'll miss this brave woman.
Second, pending when Michael Jackson's 2nd autopsy is going to be done, his funeral will be much bigger. A lot of people will be attending it.
Third, Oxyclean TV Salesman Billy Mayes died yesterday. 50 years old as well. He was a great man that really sold great products. Pray for the Mayes family for their comfort by God.
On the last note: Major Salute to Danny Berke as he begins INTERNSHIP in Los Angeles, Calif! Good wishes, Danny! Have a great Internship!
Semper FI!
Breaking news ( June 29 ): Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison. The judge threw the book at him! For the victims, it's a lasting justice on Madoff. Where Bernie will go, let's just hope it's some ROUGH place where Bernie should expect to be an outcast for days to come.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
TV moving to the internet. Will closed captioning move too?
G'day Everyone.
A few weeks ago, when I spoke back on June 12th about TV stations that were ending the age of the analog signals and making the dramatic switch to the digital age, I didn't think of how serious things would get. Jamie Berke of Deafness.about.com and Robert Goodwin of RSGeo-oo7, who have been sharing with me about the netflix battle over closed captions on the 'net, recently shared with me something much more seriously important.
First, Jamie has posted on her blog : http://deafness.about.com/b/ about the TV situation.
Then following her link on to the CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/biztech/06/26/wired.tv.everywhere/index.html
At first, I'm going: "it's just another dumb tech article". Then it hits me like a ton of Al Gores that says "I'm the father of the 'net!". Just because TV went digital a few weeks ago, it shouldn't be jumping to the Internet that fast. But alas! It seems like it's going to! Would our very computers that we use for email and web page surfing become our TV site as well?
I've seen some advertisements of the FREE WEB TV stuff. I just wasn't thinking that TV would jump from cable to Internet. But when you think of the possibilities of the unlimited amount of TV channels on 'net (not counting porn sites as well), the results can be astounding.
However, if the netflix battle has served us anything, it asks us a very important question. Will there be closed captioning if TV was to jump from cable to the Internet permanently? I'm hope that the FCC will rule on that quickly as possible. But like Jamie and Robert told me, they are establishing a new group on Facebook.com called Closed Captioning 2. I believe the issues and concerns are very important.
Update: It is Caption Action 2, not Closed Captioning 2. Caption Action 2 is under
Causes on Facebook. I was made aware of the correct title. Please use that info when looking for causes to join in face book that is Caption Action 2. Thank you.
But my question is Should TV jump from cable to the Internet? I'd say NO. How should the deaf community react, especially if there were no captions on the TV Internet?
I'd like to hear your reactions. For now, I would plead with FCC to rule that TV should remain where it has been for many years, on the cable system.
Semper FI.
A few weeks ago, when I spoke back on June 12th about TV stations that were ending the age of the analog signals and making the dramatic switch to the digital age, I didn't think of how serious things would get. Jamie Berke of Deafness.about.com and Robert Goodwin of RSGeo-oo7, who have been sharing with me about the netflix battle over closed captions on the 'net, recently shared with me something much more seriously important.
First, Jamie has posted on her blog : http://deafness.about.com/b/ about the TV situation.
Then following her link on to the CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/biztech/06/26/wired.tv.everywhere/index.html
At first, I'm going: "it's just another dumb tech article". Then it hits me like a ton of Al Gores that says "I'm the father of the 'net!". Just because TV went digital a few weeks ago, it shouldn't be jumping to the Internet that fast. But alas! It seems like it's going to! Would our very computers that we use for email and web page surfing become our TV site as well?
I've seen some advertisements of the FREE WEB TV stuff. I just wasn't thinking that TV would jump from cable to Internet. But when you think of the possibilities of the unlimited amount of TV channels on 'net (not counting porn sites as well), the results can be astounding.
However, if the netflix battle has served us anything, it asks us a very important question. Will there be closed captioning if TV was to jump from cable to the Internet permanently? I'm hope that the FCC will rule on that quickly as possible. But like Jamie and Robert told me, they are establishing a new group on Facebook.com called Closed Captioning 2. I believe the issues and concerns are very important.
Update: It is Caption Action 2, not Closed Captioning 2. Caption Action 2 is under
Causes on Facebook. I was made aware of the correct title. Please use that info when looking for causes to join in face book that is Caption Action 2. Thank you.
But my question is Should TV jump from cable to the Internet? I'd say NO. How should the deaf community react, especially if there were no captions on the TV Internet?
I'd like to hear your reactions. For now, I would plead with FCC to rule that TV should remain where it has been for many years, on the cable system.
Semper FI.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Stars gone out?
G'day Everyone.
First, SALUTE to Farrah Fawcett. She died earlier today. It was such a shock but she battled cancer in a very brave way. She went peacefully.
Second, as I'm listening to the news reports, it's very possible that Michael Jackson has also passed on as well. Some are saying he's in a coma. But stay tuned to CNN.com for further updates. If Michael Jackson has gone on to his famous Moonwalker on the moon now, I'd say rest in peace Michael Jackson. We'll miss you.
So two stars have gone out of our lives. Pray for their family.
Semper FI
Update: CNN.com and CNN on TV have now confirmed that Michael Jackson has died today. RIP, MJ!
First, SALUTE to Farrah Fawcett. She died earlier today. It was such a shock but she battled cancer in a very brave way. She went peacefully.
Second, as I'm listening to the news reports, it's very possible that Michael Jackson has also passed on as well. Some are saying he's in a coma. But stay tuned to CNN.com for further updates. If Michael Jackson has gone on to his famous Moonwalker on the moon now, I'd say rest in peace Michael Jackson. We'll miss you.
So two stars have gone out of our lives. Pray for their family.
Semper FI
Update: CNN.com and CNN on TV have now confirmed that Michael Jackson has died today. RIP, MJ!
Been out of work long? Get a credit report!
G'day Everyone.
It hit earlier this week of my 18th month of being out of work. I hate it. Everyone says to blame it on the employers who are being very picky of taking those who feel best suited for the job. Fact is, THOUSANDS of people, both hearing, deaf, and disabled, are out of work and looking for work. It's a massive competition.
However, when you've been out of work long and you are not getting the interviews, it's time to get a FREE CREDIT REPORT. Don't go to the site called www.freecreditreport.com (nice jingle ads on tv but it's looking a lot like OVERKILL lately). There's a nice web page I recommend : https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
This site not only allows you to get your credit report on-line, but I really recommend that you DOWNLOAD the form. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/order?mail The form is in adobe pdf. Mailing in the form is the best idea and getting it through the mail is best as well.
When you print out the form, fill it out and choose to get reports from all 3 credit reporting agencies. Then seal it in a privacy lined envelope. If you don't have a privacy lined envelope use a blank sheet of paper and fold the form with it. Don't leave the envelope on your mail box! There are too many people who've been stealing mail from the boxes lately. Take your form and mail right at either a US Postal mail box or go straight to the post office. I recommend the latter.
With in a month, you'll get a response and your reports. When you get your reports, look over them very carefully. Do it closely and verify everything. If you find something wrong, report it fast. Don't wait.
I already have put in a request for my credit reports and I expect to get them any day now. But, if they come out fine as I expect them to, then I may have to take the next step in the coming future.
One of the biggest things that I don't want to face by January 2010 is a return to college. But thousands of people are already putting themselves into debt and heading back to colleges and universities in hopes that a high education degree will lead them into a permanent new job by the time the recession ends.
Question of the day: Will recession end or is our country in a financial disaster, started last Fall 2008 under President Bush, which puts us in a question of financial recovery? Are we on the road to Financial recovery? That is the question that I think every one is asking already. President Obama has a long road to travel and I pray that he makes good decisions.
But what we need most now are jobs. We need jobs so that people can be employed in the coming years. At the present time, PRAY!
I wish you good fortune as you search for work.
Semper FI!
It hit earlier this week of my 18th month of being out of work. I hate it. Everyone says to blame it on the employers who are being very picky of taking those who feel best suited for the job. Fact is, THOUSANDS of people, both hearing, deaf, and disabled, are out of work and looking for work. It's a massive competition.
However, when you've been out of work long and you are not getting the interviews, it's time to get a FREE CREDIT REPORT. Don't go to the site called www.freecreditreport.com (nice jingle ads on tv but it's looking a lot like OVERKILL lately). There's a nice web page I recommend : https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
This site not only allows you to get your credit report on-line, but I really recommend that you DOWNLOAD the form. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/order?mail The form is in adobe pdf. Mailing in the form is the best idea and getting it through the mail is best as well.
When you print out the form, fill it out and choose to get reports from all 3 credit reporting agencies. Then seal it in a privacy lined envelope. If you don't have a privacy lined envelope use a blank sheet of paper and fold the form with it. Don't leave the envelope on your mail box! There are too many people who've been stealing mail from the boxes lately. Take your form and mail right at either a US Postal mail box or go straight to the post office. I recommend the latter.
With in a month, you'll get a response and your reports. When you get your reports, look over them very carefully. Do it closely and verify everything. If you find something wrong, report it fast. Don't wait.
I already have put in a request for my credit reports and I expect to get them any day now. But, if they come out fine as I expect them to, then I may have to take the next step in the coming future.
One of the biggest things that I don't want to face by January 2010 is a return to college. But thousands of people are already putting themselves into debt and heading back to colleges and universities in hopes that a high education degree will lead them into a permanent new job by the time the recession ends.
Question of the day: Will recession end or is our country in a financial disaster, started last Fall 2008 under President Bush, which puts us in a question of financial recovery? Are we on the road to Financial recovery? That is the question that I think every one is asking already. President Obama has a long road to travel and I pray that he makes good decisions.
But what we need most now are jobs. We need jobs so that people can be employed in the coming years. At the present time, PRAY!
I wish you good fortune as you search for work.
Semper FI!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Throw the book at Bernie Madoff!
G'day Everyone!
If Bernie Madoff thinks that with his state of age of being so old, he thinks he'll get just 12 years in prison and then come out to die in the light of day. Link: http://money.aol.com/article/madoff-lawyer-seeks-leniency-in/539335?icid=mainaimzonesdl1link5http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fmadoff-lawyer-seeks-leniency-in%2F539335
Bernie Madoff, who's been in jail since his conviction of his crimes, is hiding a lot of things in his mind. If he thinks 12 years is "enough" time to earn his punishment, then he's pushing his luck.
At his age, I'd say he's betting God will let him live through the entire 12 year prison term and then walk back out to laugh at the court and then being a rich man again.
But in 12 years, Bernie could walk back out into a vastly different society than where he's been in. Do I think the judge is that stupid? NO.
My hope and dream is that the judge will brush Bernie Madoff's suggestion aside and hit him with the highest possible prison term. If the judge does that, Bernie Madoff will be sitting in terror and fear at his defense table and will realize that he's going to DIE IN PRISON! It's not a pretty picture for him.
For all the investors that got scammed by him, they would want that kind of justice for Bernie Madoff to happen. Bernie ruined a lot of lives out there. Especially during this economic crisis time here in America. Bernie ought to make peace with his fate on the day his sentence is announced. So stay tuned. When Bernie is sentenced, let's hope it's more than 100 years!
Semper FI
If Bernie Madoff thinks that with his state of age of being so old, he thinks he'll get just 12 years in prison and then come out to die in the light of day. Link: http://money.aol.com/article/madoff-lawyer-seeks-leniency-in/539335?icid=mainaimzonesdl1link5http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fmadoff-lawyer-seeks-leniency-in%2F539335
Bernie Madoff, who's been in jail since his conviction of his crimes, is hiding a lot of things in his mind. If he thinks 12 years is "enough" time to earn his punishment, then he's pushing his luck.
At his age, I'd say he's betting God will let him live through the entire 12 year prison term and then walk back out to laugh at the court and then being a rich man again.
But in 12 years, Bernie could walk back out into a vastly different society than where he's been in. Do I think the judge is that stupid? NO.
My hope and dream is that the judge will brush Bernie Madoff's suggestion aside and hit him with the highest possible prison term. If the judge does that, Bernie Madoff will be sitting in terror and fear at his defense table and will realize that he's going to DIE IN PRISON! It's not a pretty picture for him.
For all the investors that got scammed by him, they would want that kind of justice for Bernie Madoff to happen. Bernie ruined a lot of lives out there. Especially during this economic crisis time here in America. Bernie ought to make peace with his fate on the day his sentence is announced. So stay tuned. When Bernie is sentenced, let's hope it's more than 100 years!
Semper FI
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The subway accident and Ed McMahon.
G'day Everyone.
Today's post is in memory of 9 people who died in the DC Subway accident. It was just a little while ago on CNN that they said two more were found dead which has now made it the worst subway accident in DC metro history. Here is the updated info on CNN.com : http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/23/washington.metro.crash/index.html
Please check on your friends and family in the DC area. I did and all of them are fine. *Big relief and praise to God*. I hope many of the metro travelers will take patience today. This is a very bad situation.
Of Ed McMahon, I will miss him. That wonderful voice of "heeeerrrreeee's Johhny!" on the Johnny Carson Tonight show introduction was one of the best voice's you'd ever hear. Especially if he bring you a fat check from Publisher's clearing house! I'm wishing I was one of the lucky people to have that check !! But I loved Ed McMahon best when he hosted the "TV's practical jokes and bloopers" show. I believe that show was pre-spin before America's Funniest Videos came in the present time. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/23/obit.mcmahon/index.html
Farewell, Ed, rest in peace. Won't surprise me if he's hosting around shows in heaven now. heh.
till next post, Semper Fi
Today's post is in memory of 9 people who died in the DC Subway accident. It was just a little while ago on CNN that they said two more were found dead which has now made it the worst subway accident in DC metro history. Here is the updated info on CNN.com : http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/23/washington.metro.crash/index.html
Please check on your friends and family in the DC area. I did and all of them are fine. *Big relief and praise to God*. I hope many of the metro travelers will take patience today. This is a very bad situation.
Of Ed McMahon, I will miss him. That wonderful voice of "heeeerrrreeee's Johhny!" on the Johnny Carson Tonight show introduction was one of the best voice's you'd ever hear. Especially if he bring you a fat check from Publisher's clearing house! I'm wishing I was one of the lucky people to have that check !! But I loved Ed McMahon best when he hosted the "TV's practical jokes and bloopers" show. I believe that show was pre-spin before America's Funniest Videos came in the present time. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/23/obit.mcmahon/index.html
Farewell, Ed, rest in peace. Won't surprise me if he's hosting around shows in heaven now. heh.
till next post, Semper Fi
Monday, June 22, 2009
Breaking News.. Metro Train crashes in DC.
G'day Everyone!
Just heard the shocking news that two metro trains have crashed in DC between Fort Totten and Takoma stations. Very bad Situation. Two people are dead and many are hurt.
Latest news info: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Trains-Collide-Between-Takoma-Fort-Totten.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/22/washington.subway.crash/index.html
Suggestion: If you know any friend or relative that is riding on the subway line, pls text them to be sure that they are ok. Very bad situation.
Pls pray for the injured people.
Semper FI!
Update: 4 people are confirmed dead. One of them is the metro operator. They are doing a rescue work on the train area right now. Stay alert on the links as well as the washingtonpost.com. This is really bad.
Update#2: CNN reports that 6 are dead and 70+ people are hurt. It is a very bad time in the DC metro system. I want to encourage many people to pls PRAY ! Stay alert on CNN.com for further updates.
Just heard the shocking news that two metro trains have crashed in DC between Fort Totten and Takoma stations. Very bad Situation. Two people are dead and many are hurt.
Latest news info: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Trains-Collide-Between-Takoma-Fort-Totten.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/22/washington.subway.crash/index.html
Suggestion: If you know any friend or relative that is riding on the subway line, pls text them to be sure that they are ok. Very bad situation.
Pls pray for the injured people.
Semper FI!
Update: 4 people are confirmed dead. One of them is the metro operator. They are doing a rescue work on the train area right now. Stay alert on the links as well as the washingtonpost.com. This is really bad.
Update#2: CNN reports that 6 are dead and 70+ people are hurt. It is a very bad time in the DC metro system. I want to encourage many people to pls PRAY ! Stay alert on CNN.com for further updates.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's day 2009 / Summer 2009 Begins!
G'day Everyone!
Congrats to many men, who are FATHERS, that take good care of their children. This is your day to be honored and treated like a KING in their own home. Enjoy it because your family loves you. The same goes for many of my friends who have children. I know they will have an enjoyable family day.
For many men who want family or a wife, keep sending up prayers. Keep hope. Some day it will happen for you.
At the same time, I just realize that today is the official start to SUMMER 2009! The weather channel has already said that it's pretty much of a stormy time now. July 4, 2009 doesn't look that great either! AUGH!
On another note: Please pray for the people of Iran, especially the Iran deaf community being caught up in this election fallout madness going on. Iran is pretty much caught up in a full scale civil war that will continue for some time.
On another note 2: continue to pray for North Korea. Bring down that rocket with PRAYER! GOD, please make it fail!
Have a great week!
Semper FI.
Congrats to many men, who are FATHERS, that take good care of their children. This is your day to be honored and treated like a KING in their own home. Enjoy it because your family loves you. The same goes for many of my friends who have children. I know they will have an enjoyable family day.
For many men who want family or a wife, keep sending up prayers. Keep hope. Some day it will happen for you.
At the same time, I just realize that today is the official start to SUMMER 2009! The weather channel has already said that it's pretty much of a stormy time now. July 4, 2009 doesn't look that great either! AUGH!
On another note: Please pray for the people of Iran, especially the Iran deaf community being caught up in this election fallout madness going on. Iran is pretty much caught up in a full scale civil war that will continue for some time.
On another note 2: continue to pray for North Korea. Bring down that rocket with PRAYER! GOD, please make it fail!
Have a great week!
Semper FI.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Estate Sales.
G'day Everyone.
The other night, I went to an estate auction with my mom. I rarely go to those type of auctions, but this one kind of hit close to home. Going to this auction, God had a pun right up in His hand as it rained and rained hard! I thought with a bit of cool weather in the air, it became the "perfect storm" type of an auction to be held in an outdoor under the tent. It was kind of a sad and awkward moments of the after events of the person that had passed on from this life.
In the hour before the auction, we were "vultures" that were buzzing around the stuff that was laid out for the public viewing. Everyone had note pads, pens, and cell phone galore with them as they were taking notes and discussing possible bids on specific items that they wanted.
The auction along with the heavy rain, lasted for 2 hours. In the mid-part of the auction, the house went up for sale. But the auctioneer *warned* that the sewer line would need to be replaced before the year 2010. It started out at $100k and quickly dropped down to $70k. Then the bid battle began till it hit $79K and went into a *Pause*. For a while, other bids went on. my mom and I picked up various stuff.
A bit later, the house came back up for bidding. This time it went to $80k. As the bid swung to other bidder at $81k, it held till he sadly shook his head "no" and the house went for $80k. Everyone broke into applause. Rarely does a house in an estate auction gets sold so cheap.
As the light of the day was fading, the bidding wars were slowing down to it's finale. Then came the clean up, process of removing all the items. By the time it was over and my mom was in the car, I looked around a bit more. Things were cleared away, the house and garage cleaned and ready for the new owner that won the "bidding war". The new owner was looking things over and said "Well, hopefully a flippable house". I told him "do your best, but welcome to the neighborhood". He looked at me with a little wane smile. I got in my car with my mom and drove on home.
Later at night, I awoke for some reason. I quietly pulled on clothes and went out on the deck into the cool morning air. I looked up at the stars. Some how, I felt that if I were ever to pass on, I would make a comprehensive will that will allow most of my things go to family and friends who could use it the most.
I really don't want all of my stuff to end up in some final auction of my life and property. But that's what seems to be happening when someone passes on. Stuff gets put out for sale and the money into the estate distribution system (while the auctioneer gets a profit percentage). Left over stuff goes to charity donation or goodwill.
I don't know how you'd feel about yourself today. Look over all that you have. Think about it. Some day, we're all passing on. Even in a moment of an accident or murder. We don't know what tomorrow brings. But we have enough to whimper about yesterdays "I wish I did that".
So I hope I make you think something about your life and your things you have.
Semper FI.
The other night, I went to an estate auction with my mom. I rarely go to those type of auctions, but this one kind of hit close to home. Going to this auction, God had a pun right up in His hand as it rained and rained hard! I thought with a bit of cool weather in the air, it became the "perfect storm" type of an auction to be held in an outdoor under the tent. It was kind of a sad and awkward moments of the after events of the person that had passed on from this life.
In the hour before the auction, we were "vultures" that were buzzing around the stuff that was laid out for the public viewing. Everyone had note pads, pens, and cell phone galore with them as they were taking notes and discussing possible bids on specific items that they wanted.
The auction along with the heavy rain, lasted for 2 hours. In the mid-part of the auction, the house went up for sale. But the auctioneer *warned* that the sewer line would need to be replaced before the year 2010. It started out at $100k and quickly dropped down to $70k. Then the bid battle began till it hit $79K and went into a *Pause*. For a while, other bids went on. my mom and I picked up various stuff.
A bit later, the house came back up for bidding. This time it went to $80k. As the bid swung to other bidder at $81k, it held till he sadly shook his head "no" and the house went for $80k. Everyone broke into applause. Rarely does a house in an estate auction gets sold so cheap.
As the light of the day was fading, the bidding wars were slowing down to it's finale. Then came the clean up, process of removing all the items. By the time it was over and my mom was in the car, I looked around a bit more. Things were cleared away, the house and garage cleaned and ready for the new owner that won the "bidding war". The new owner was looking things over and said "Well, hopefully a flippable house". I told him "do your best, but welcome to the neighborhood". He looked at me with a little wane smile. I got in my car with my mom and drove on home.
Later at night, I awoke for some reason. I quietly pulled on clothes and went out on the deck into the cool morning air. I looked up at the stars. Some how, I felt that if I were ever to pass on, I would make a comprehensive will that will allow most of my things go to family and friends who could use it the most.
I really don't want all of my stuff to end up in some final auction of my life and property. But that's what seems to be happening when someone passes on. Stuff gets put out for sale and the money into the estate distribution system (while the auctioneer gets a profit percentage). Left over stuff goes to charity donation or goodwill.
I don't know how you'd feel about yourself today. Look over all that you have. Think about it. Some day, we're all passing on. Even in a moment of an accident or murder. We don't know what tomorrow brings. But we have enough to whimper about yesterdays "I wish I did that".
So I hope I make you think something about your life and your things you have.
Semper FI.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Seek GEO's Contest! Detroit Trouble! The Fall of Iran?
G'day Everyone!
Today, I'm doing a little favor for a fellow blogger/vlogger. That is Seek Geo! When I looked on Deafread.com yesterday, I came across SeekGeo!'s post. He was giving away a computer.
You say "WHAT?! A COMPUTER GIVE-A-WAY?! FOR *FREE*?!". So before you trample down my email box and this poor blog of mine, Let SeekGeo! speak for himself on his webpage:
http://www.seekgeo.com/?p=4097 Don't forget to come back here!
So, as you come back, let me tell you this clearly. Seek Geo doesn't really want comments on his blog. What he really wants is an email from people. The idea is that Seek Geo! wants to give away his computer to a person that can benefit the use of a PC. That is a complete DELL system. What he's looking for is a reason WHY a person should be given SeekGeo's computer. So to get in the drawing, you got to write an email to SeekGeo. Look at his vlog. He put his address up. Don't write in the comments area. You won't get entered through that. So, start sending an email to SeekGeo! now!! When he says STOP, he means STOP! Then he'll announce the drawing.
Good luck!
Meanwhile, I was surfing the yahoo! news lately. I was surprised when they reported this:
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/107206/retailers-head-for-exits-in-detroit.html?mod=family-autos
I was completely shocked to hear that big name retailers are leaving Detroit in droves. Has the age of the automakers gone bust? It is not surprising. Sadly to say, nobody in Detroit has been in an outrage that the UAW has finally killed their "Golden Goose". But when you see all the retailers running for the exits and leaving Detroit to find other means to provide their citizens, it's clear to say that they (the retailers) don't want to be bankrupted by the tainted automakers. So has loans from the government helped these automakers? I doubt that.
Detroit has been going through many problems in many years. What happens next if the people were to abandon the city that was once proud? Who's left to stay in a city without big name retailers? It's kind of an opportunity for many mom and pop stores to spring back up and make it a place to be in. But will it be worth it? I only hope for time and economics to improve in Detroit, Michigan. For the automakers, I hope the dump the union so that they can get back on their feet and hire DECENT HARD WORKING AMERICANS FOR AN HONEST PAY! Not union pay!
Concerns for Iran. When you haven't heard much about Iran today because of many of the big name news is being booted out, word is still coming out from many people inside Iran. Link:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/18/iran.dodging.crackdown/index.html
It does not surprise me that the country is going through a stage of a civil war. The government of Iran doesn't want the world to know what's happening. But somehow, we will know what happen when tech savvy people work together to get the news out. Pray for Iran, my friends. It's just another awful time in the world.
So till next post, don't forget to visit SeekGeo!'s webpage! Details of the contest is on there! Again, good luck!
Semper FI!
Today, I'm doing a little favor for a fellow blogger/vlogger. That is Seek Geo! When I looked on Deafread.com yesterday, I came across SeekGeo!'s post. He was giving away a computer.
You say "WHAT?! A COMPUTER GIVE-A-WAY?! FOR *FREE*?!". So before you trample down my email box and this poor blog of mine, Let SeekGeo! speak for himself on his webpage:
http://www.seekgeo.com/?p=4097 Don't forget to come back here!
So, as you come back, let me tell you this clearly. Seek Geo doesn't really want comments on his blog. What he really wants is an email from people. The idea is that Seek Geo! wants to give away his computer to a person that can benefit the use of a PC. That is a complete DELL system. What he's looking for is a reason WHY a person should be given SeekGeo's computer. So to get in the drawing, you got to write an email to SeekGeo. Look at his vlog. He put his address up. Don't write in the comments area. You won't get entered through that. So, start sending an email to SeekGeo! now!! When he says STOP, he means STOP! Then he'll announce the drawing.
Good luck!
Meanwhile, I was surfing the yahoo! news lately. I was surprised when they reported this:
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/107206/retailers-head-for-exits-in-detroit.html?mod=family-autos
I was completely shocked to hear that big name retailers are leaving Detroit in droves. Has the age of the automakers gone bust? It is not surprising. Sadly to say, nobody in Detroit has been in an outrage that the UAW has finally killed their "Golden Goose". But when you see all the retailers running for the exits and leaving Detroit to find other means to provide their citizens, it's clear to say that they (the retailers) don't want to be bankrupted by the tainted automakers. So has loans from the government helped these automakers? I doubt that.
Detroit has been going through many problems in many years. What happens next if the people were to abandon the city that was once proud? Who's left to stay in a city without big name retailers? It's kind of an opportunity for many mom and pop stores to spring back up and make it a place to be in. But will it be worth it? I only hope for time and economics to improve in Detroit, Michigan. For the automakers, I hope the dump the union so that they can get back on their feet and hire DECENT HARD WORKING AMERICANS FOR AN HONEST PAY! Not union pay!
Concerns for Iran. When you haven't heard much about Iran today because of many of the big name news is being booted out, word is still coming out from many people inside Iran. Link:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/18/iran.dodging.crackdown/index.html
It does not surprise me that the country is going through a stage of a civil war. The government of Iran doesn't want the world to know what's happening. But somehow, we will know what happen when tech savvy people work together to get the news out. Pray for Iran, my friends. It's just another awful time in the world.
So till next post, don't forget to visit SeekGeo!'s webpage! Details of the contest is on there! Again, good luck!
Semper FI!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Netflix battle!
G'day Everyone!
According to Jamie Berke on the Deafness.com page : http://deafness.about.com/b/2009/06/12/netflix-responds-on-their-blog.htm#gB3 that netflix has responded to the outburst in the deaf community over the non-captioning issues.
Look at the netflix response at their site: http://blog.netflix.com/2009/06/closed-captions-and-subtitles.html
The key statement in the netflix blog? "Captioning is in our development plans but is about a year away." . My first reaction was a "gag me with a 2x4 hard drive". There is technology out there to already integrate existing closed captioning programs on to their web pages. But like some companies want to do in-house developments in order to save money and come up with something unique about their product. Will that work? Or will netflix lose more customers? To be honest to say, I'm not into the whole downloading movie stuff these days because of the amount of damages that could be done to your computer systems if a hacker gets into data stream. No matter how high a computer system is, a person with tech savvy ability can find the weak points and attack. That is just not good. So fling me the dvd CD and I'll go from there.
How many movie stores left out there? Will there be less places where movies are being sold? What does the future hold? Who knows?
With the change over from analog to digital TV on the cable system, nobody hasn't really reported any impact of the captioning system. So far, we're in good shape.
So till next post..
Semper FI!
According to Jamie Berke on the Deafness.com page : http://deafness.about.com/b/2009/06/12/netflix-responds-on-their-blog.htm#gB3 that netflix has responded to the outburst in the deaf community over the non-captioning issues.
Look at the netflix response at their site: http://blog.netflix.com/2009/06/closed-captions-and-subtitles.html
The key statement in the netflix blog? "Captioning is in our development plans but is about a year away." . My first reaction was a "gag me with a 2x4 hard drive". There is technology out there to already integrate existing closed captioning programs on to their web pages. But like some companies want to do in-house developments in order to save money and come up with something unique about their product. Will that work? Or will netflix lose more customers? To be honest to say, I'm not into the whole downloading movie stuff these days because of the amount of damages that could be done to your computer systems if a hacker gets into data stream. No matter how high a computer system is, a person with tech savvy ability can find the weak points and attack. That is just not good. So fling me the dvd CD and I'll go from there.
How many movie stores left out there? Will there be less places where movies are being sold? What does the future hold? Who knows?
With the change over from analog to digital TV on the cable system, nobody hasn't really reported any impact of the captioning system. So far, we're in good shape.
So till next post..
Semper FI!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Iran, North Korea, and stupidity happens.
G'day Everyone.
Have you been watching how the recent Iran presidential elections have been going on? It is down right concerning and that very nation could totter into civil war, if that is already not happening. It is a sad state of affairs. The people of Iran are really fighting to protest of what's happening, hopefully the United Nations will step in and conduct a 2nd and independent vote. I think it's really crucial that Iran gets stable fast because it's so close to Iraq. We don't need another mess up in the Middle East again. May those news reporters have courage for reporting the news! http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/16/iran.elections.protests/index.html
Meanwhile, hearing the South Korean President speak on CNN earlier this morning, I believe that he and Obama have made it clear to North Korea that it needs to stop shaking the Nuclear war sword. North Korea is a SPOILED child and some day it will get punished. BADLY! Just for once, I wish that North Korea reconsider it's actions. When they do that, I hope they end the long Korea war and rejoin the international community of the world like any other country.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/south.korea.meeting/index.html
Well, I've been keeping tabs about this man who is fighting for his son's return from Brazil. It's a very sad situation, but the poor wife, whom I am feeling like she was a very stupid person. It's amazes me that she'd harm her husband and steal her kid back to her home country, divorce and marry some one she "loved", only that karma bit her life and she died in giving child birth. Now this man is fighting to get his son back. I would plead with the Courts in Brazil to GRANT this man to have his son back. There is no way that this case should keep dragging on. Especially for the relatives of the dead woman.
Link: http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/16/father-fights-for-sons-return-on-5th-anniversary/
Enjoy the day. Laters!
Semper FI
Have you been watching how the recent Iran presidential elections have been going on? It is down right concerning and that very nation could totter into civil war, if that is already not happening. It is a sad state of affairs. The people of Iran are really fighting to protest of what's happening, hopefully the United Nations will step in and conduct a 2nd and independent vote. I think it's really crucial that Iran gets stable fast because it's so close to Iraq. We don't need another mess up in the Middle East again. May those news reporters have courage for reporting the news! http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/16/iran.elections.protests/index.html
Meanwhile, hearing the South Korean President speak on CNN earlier this morning, I believe that he and Obama have made it clear to North Korea that it needs to stop shaking the Nuclear war sword. North Korea is a SPOILED child and some day it will get punished. BADLY! Just for once, I wish that North Korea reconsider it's actions. When they do that, I hope they end the long Korea war and rejoin the international community of the world like any other country.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/south.korea.meeting/index.html
Well, I've been keeping tabs about this man who is fighting for his son's return from Brazil. It's a very sad situation, but the poor wife, whom I am feeling like she was a very stupid person. It's amazes me that she'd harm her husband and steal her kid back to her home country, divorce and marry some one she "loved", only that karma bit her life and she died in giving child birth. Now this man is fighting to get his son back. I would plead with the Courts in Brazil to GRANT this man to have his son back. There is no way that this case should keep dragging on. Especially for the relatives of the dead woman.
Link: http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/16/father-fights-for-sons-return-on-5th-anniversary/
Enjoy the day. Laters!
Semper FI
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Pens Win/ Kid Denied Sign Langauge song.
G'day Everyone!
Seems Pennsylvania Professional Sports teams have been having a good year. It started off with last year's World Series Win by the Philadelphia Phillies (baseball). Then the State of PA was rocked again by a Pittsburgh Steelers win in the Super Bowl this year.
Last night (Friday) the state was hit again when the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Finals happened. Pittsburgh Pens (penguins) faced off against Detroit Red Wings. It appeared that Pittsburgh took the Game 5 loss very personal and came out and HIT HARD on the home ice and denied Detroit a chance to win in the face of the Pittsburgh fans. Pittsburgh kicked the Red Wings hard and said "Back to Michigan we go!".
Last Friday night's game 7 was something where the Pens controlled the puck very well. Striking twice in the 2nd period, it looked like the Pens would shut out Detroit very much. Unfortunately for Detroit, they could not accept the face of a shut out loss. So they put on a last minute show to prevent the shut out. Then tried to come alive for a sudden death OVERTIME! But it was too late, MUCH TOO LATE for Detroit. When the final seconds ticked off, it was over and done. Red Wings tasted the defeat they feared to get. Beaten at home. It was the same medicine they handed to the pens last year. Bitter regrets.
One Detroit fan has screamed to me "it was a damn fixed game!!". I don't know about that but seems like Detroit wanted to lose no matter what they did. So, there's another hockey season gone. With the summer here, it makes me wonder of who'll win when the October World Series (baseball)? Hopefully, the Pittsburgh Pirates. In Football, I hope for the Eagles. In basketball, Philly 76ers. Of course, in hockey, The Philly Flyers.
A friend of mine sent me a link about a kid who was denied the right to sign a song in school because it had a christian theme of it. Link:http://www.wnd.com/index.phpfa=PAGE.view&pageId=100917
It makes you wonder why that school denied this girl the right to sing about Jesus in Sign language? Makes me angry as well. Let's hope this is not spreading, schools denying religious beliefs on everyone else.
Well, enjoy the weekend.
Semper FI!
Seems Pennsylvania Professional Sports teams have been having a good year. It started off with last year's World Series Win by the Philadelphia Phillies (baseball). Then the State of PA was rocked again by a Pittsburgh Steelers win in the Super Bowl this year.
Last night (Friday) the state was hit again when the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Finals happened. Pittsburgh Pens (penguins) faced off against Detroit Red Wings. It appeared that Pittsburgh took the Game 5 loss very personal and came out and HIT HARD on the home ice and denied Detroit a chance to win in the face of the Pittsburgh fans. Pittsburgh kicked the Red Wings hard and said "Back to Michigan we go!".
Last Friday night's game 7 was something where the Pens controlled the puck very well. Striking twice in the 2nd period, it looked like the Pens would shut out Detroit very much. Unfortunately for Detroit, they could not accept the face of a shut out loss. So they put on a last minute show to prevent the shut out. Then tried to come alive for a sudden death OVERTIME! But it was too late, MUCH TOO LATE for Detroit. When the final seconds ticked off, it was over and done. Red Wings tasted the defeat they feared to get. Beaten at home. It was the same medicine they handed to the pens last year. Bitter regrets.
One Detroit fan has screamed to me "it was a damn fixed game!!". I don't know about that but seems like Detroit wanted to lose no matter what they did. So, there's another hockey season gone. With the summer here, it makes me wonder of who'll win when the October World Series (baseball)? Hopefully, the Pittsburgh Pirates. In Football, I hope for the Eagles. In basketball, Philly 76ers. Of course, in hockey, The Philly Flyers.
A friend of mine sent me a link about a kid who was denied the right to sign a song in school because it had a christian theme of it. Link:http://www.wnd.com/index.phpfa=PAGE.view&pageId=100917
It makes you wonder why that school denied this girl the right to sing about Jesus in Sign language? Makes me angry as well. Let's hope this is not spreading, schools denying religious beliefs on everyone else.
Well, enjoy the weekend.
Semper FI!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Are we ready for the TV digital age?
G'day Everyone!
In less than a day from now, television (TV), which has been broadcasting in analog for so many decades, will finally be given the *Pause* button for a life time. Tomorrow, June 12, 2009, is suppose to be the day many cable providers will begin to broadcast in digital TV format. The big question is, will closed captioning be affected? I hope not!
So, it will be the day many of us will find things changed on TV. Some TV sets will work. Some will not. Some people, who have long depended on the analog signal, will have to go out and buy a cable box to watch TV through the cable companies.
Whatever happens on June 12, it will be an interesting day. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/11/dtv.digital.tv.transition/index.html
If your TV wimps out, there's always the blog world. :-)
Semper FI.
In less than a day from now, television (TV), which has been broadcasting in analog for so many decades, will finally be given the *Pause* button for a life time. Tomorrow, June 12, 2009, is suppose to be the day many cable providers will begin to broadcast in digital TV format. The big question is, will closed captioning be affected? I hope not!
So, it will be the day many of us will find things changed on TV. Some TV sets will work. Some will not. Some people, who have long depended on the analog signal, will have to go out and buy a cable box to watch TV through the cable companies.
Whatever happens on June 12, it will be an interesting day. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/11/dtv.digital.tv.transition/index.html
If your TV wimps out, there's always the blog world. :-)
Semper FI.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Is Closed Captioning disappearing?
G'day Everyone.
First of all, I'm shocked that an elderly Neo Nazi would dare to hope that he'd go out in a "blaze of Glory of GUNFIRE" while shooting people at the Holocaust Memorial Museum yesterday in Washington, DC. It hurts to know that he had hoped that he would bring about some bad public relations there. But the guard who returned fire at the elderly Neo Nazi is most definitely a hero for saving other lives despite dying. It is a bad public relations for all Neo Nazis . For further info on the news in DC : http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/10/museum.shooting/index.html (if it's not there, check the www.cnn.com for fresh news ).
Meanwhile: a new concern is going around about the closed captioning and some the movie retailers. As you know, most of the TV stations will begin broadcasting in Digital High Density (HD) format with in the next few days. The big question is: will closed captioning stay with the format or will it disappear? If it disappears, it will mean a whole new fight in our lives to get our closed captioning restored.
For info about the current controversy:
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-info-from-hulu-on-captioning.html
http://deafness.about.com/b/2009/06/09/will-epix-have-captions.htm
I want to walk a little bit back to the past. It was in the mid 1980s when that oblong brown and sliver captioning device came out. For many of us, it was the greatest thing in the world to see. Sitting down and enjoying all the TV programs and watching the words flow across the screen.
It was just the same the ages ago that I brought a portable tty for the first time in my life.
But in the last 20 years, we've enjoyed the growing Internet that has replaced snail mail, tty, and other things. Today, we still have captions on our TV, but we have Videophones that have replaced the TTY, just as Instant Messengers have. We have changed a lot in Technology ways.
What about the future? I just hope closed captioning remains with us on our TV. Movies that are made into DVDs should be closed captioned, no matter what. It's not just about money, but about accessibility for the deaf community.
The fight of accessibility for the deaf community is a never ending job. There are many people out there who are doing that for us. We should, once in a while, send them a letter of support and tell them "stay strong! FIGHT ON! We must work as a team!".
Till next time..
Semper FI.
First of all, I'm shocked that an elderly Neo Nazi would dare to hope that he'd go out in a "blaze of Glory of GUNFIRE" while shooting people at the Holocaust Memorial Museum yesterday in Washington, DC. It hurts to know that he had hoped that he would bring about some bad public relations there. But the guard who returned fire at the elderly Neo Nazi is most definitely a hero for saving other lives despite dying. It is a bad public relations for all Neo Nazis . For further info on the news in DC : http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/10/museum.shooting/index.html (if it's not there, check the www.cnn.com for fresh news ).
Meanwhile: a new concern is going around about the closed captioning and some the movie retailers. As you know, most of the TV stations will begin broadcasting in Digital High Density (HD) format with in the next few days. The big question is: will closed captioning stay with the format or will it disappear? If it disappears, it will mean a whole new fight in our lives to get our closed captioning restored.
For info about the current controversy:
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-info-from-hulu-on-captioning.html
http://deafness.about.com/b/2009/06/09/will-epix-have-captions.htm
I want to walk a little bit back to the past. It was in the mid 1980s when that oblong brown and sliver captioning device came out. For many of us, it was the greatest thing in the world to see. Sitting down and enjoying all the TV programs and watching the words flow across the screen.
It was just the same the ages ago that I brought a portable tty for the first time in my life.
But in the last 20 years, we've enjoyed the growing Internet that has replaced snail mail, tty, and other things. Today, we still have captions on our TV, but we have Videophones that have replaced the TTY, just as Instant Messengers have. We have changed a lot in Technology ways.
What about the future? I just hope closed captioning remains with us on our TV. Movies that are made into DVDs should be closed captioned, no matter what. It's not just about money, but about accessibility for the deaf community.
The fight of accessibility for the deaf community is a never ending job. There are many people out there who are doing that for us. We should, once in a while, send them a letter of support and tell them "stay strong! FIGHT ON! We must work as a team!".
Till next time..
Semper FI.
Denied a Roller Coaster Ride!
G'day Everyone!
Today's post is related to my vacation with my friends recently in the Elysburg, PA area. In that particular area of PA is the last Family Amusement Resort called Knoebels Grove. http://www.knoebels.com/ . This place is a family owned amusement park where everything is natural and it's not commercial grade. This is a place that is nice and friendly.
Unfortunately, not everything was nice and friendly on Sunday, June 7th, 2009. My group consisted of me and 4 (4 deaf, one hearing) friends. A sixth friend was my deaf blind friend, "Kyle" (not his real name), from the DC area. Kyle was enjoying the knoebels amusement park as we had hit several rides without any problems until we were going over to the Phoenix roller coaster.
When we stopped there, a few of the guys wanted to go get some tickets for the Phoenix roller coaster. When I asked Kyle if he wanted to go, he said yes. So I walked up to where my friend was at the ticket window, where he was waiting for his friend to finish his transaction, I told my friend Kyle wants to go on the ride and would he take him? He said ok. But the old lady ticket seller stopped and asked my hearing friend if Kyle was deaf blind? When he replied "yes", the lady told my hearing friend that Kyle was NOT to ride the phoenix. When it was interpreted to me what the lady said, I was aghast! This never happened before! Knoebels is suppose to be DEAF friendly. But many of my hearing BLIND friends never had a problem on the Phoenix roller coaster or on the Twister roller coaster. No matter how much talking we did with the lady, she stood her ground.
After that, my other deaf friends went on the roller coaster, I sat with Kyle on the bench. Kyle was very angry. It was the second time in his life that he was denied a ride on the roller coaster. It was discrimination, he said. The first time it happened to him was at the 6 flags park in Maryland.
After my friends had a few more rides, I went to pick up my glasses and hearing aid from the locker. I marched on over to the knoebels staff office with kyle in two. The poor lady at the office was a bit scared to see my big football frame filling the window and I told her I needed to see the Park manger. We were making an ADA complaint.
Well, the park manager came down and we sat for a discussion. We told him what happened at the phoenix roller coaster area. He was upset pretty much. After he went to the office to make a call, he found out what happened. Some park rules requires that people be able to exit a roller coaster ride within 45 seconds if the ride is running in a two train format. The phoenix roller coaster was running in a one train operation format on that day and the lady had pretended to say "She didn't know it was one train. She thought it was two train as we had a large Sunday crowd." as the manger explained. So the manager apologized for what the old lady ticket seller had done and promised that she would be "re-assigned" to a less public sensitive position. He offered to Kyle and me to go on the phoenix ride now. But the lateness of the hour of the park, and we had other plans that Sunday evening. So it was planned that we would come back Monday morning and we'd get to go on the ride. Unfortunately, we slept in that morning and had to take Kyle to the train service in Harrisburg. So next time, we will take up on the manager's offer if Kyle can make a return trip.
Every day, at many of the amusement parks that I've been to in my life time, there are people who guiding the disabled community around in wheelchairs, holding them up, or whatever assistance being provided. Most of the disabled community are hearing people who just cant cope, see, or whatever disability they have. But their hearing supporters give them assistance to ride on the roller coasters and they enjoy it.
So why are the deaf (in some parks) and deaf blind denied to ride a certain ride? One person told me that it has to do with hearing the instructions. In other areas, it has to do with being able to react to an emergency situation on the ride.
It's kind of frustrating to know this. I know the ride operators are doing the safety stuff of prevention. But some amusement parks try to go out of their way to accommodate the disabled community as the best that they can do as per the ADA law. But some parks dont because they're afraid of the insurance industry and the lawsuit happy society.
However, it may be a coming trend happening as roller coaster manufacturers come out with new cars, tracks for their ride equipment that tends to be more safety minded, but doesn't allow for the disabled community to ride. Especially some rides are so small, the large people (like those who have stocky football bodies, not just being fat), will be unable to experience these rides. It is pretty much evident at Hershey park already with some of their rides changed. It's even posted in front of the rides themselves.
I'm sad that Kyle got denied this ride, I hope that his experience at Knoebels grove wasn't lost on him. He enjoyed his time. Especially at the Crystal Pool where the water was SHOCKINGLY COLD! It was half/half! ICE COLD ON TOP, Warm inverted layer on the bottom. But, my friends and I got "roasted" by the sun. That is to say, we got some nice sunburns. OUCH! Wanna cook an egg on my head? hot enough to do just that.
Meanwhile, I watched the 6 game of the NHL Hockey finals last night between Pittsburgh and Detroit. Pittsburgh came out and PUNISHED Detroit in a very bad way. Especially when they made the mistake of tying the game. When they tied that goal, they got hit harder. Then tried to tie it again after Pittsburgh took a 2-1 lead at the end for good. Detroit was told "GO HOME AND STAY THERE"! Shaming Pittsburgh at home during the 5th game? Bad move, Detroit.
So, in two days time, get ready for the final NHL Hockey game. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, Michgan. The Red Wings will finally be CLIPPED FOR GOOD!
Enjoy the week.
Semper FI!
Today's post is related to my vacation with my friends recently in the Elysburg, PA area. In that particular area of PA is the last Family Amusement Resort called Knoebels Grove. http://www.knoebels.com/ . This place is a family owned amusement park where everything is natural and it's not commercial grade. This is a place that is nice and friendly.
Unfortunately, not everything was nice and friendly on Sunday, June 7th, 2009. My group consisted of me and 4 (4 deaf, one hearing) friends. A sixth friend was my deaf blind friend, "Kyle" (not his real name), from the DC area. Kyle was enjoying the knoebels amusement park as we had hit several rides without any problems until we were going over to the Phoenix roller coaster.
When we stopped there, a few of the guys wanted to go get some tickets for the Phoenix roller coaster. When I asked Kyle if he wanted to go, he said yes. So I walked up to where my friend was at the ticket window, where he was waiting for his friend to finish his transaction, I told my friend Kyle wants to go on the ride and would he take him? He said ok. But the old lady ticket seller stopped and asked my hearing friend if Kyle was deaf blind? When he replied "yes", the lady told my hearing friend that Kyle was NOT to ride the phoenix. When it was interpreted to me what the lady said, I was aghast! This never happened before! Knoebels is suppose to be DEAF friendly. But many of my hearing BLIND friends never had a problem on the Phoenix roller coaster or on the Twister roller coaster. No matter how much talking we did with the lady, she stood her ground.
After that, my other deaf friends went on the roller coaster, I sat with Kyle on the bench. Kyle was very angry. It was the second time in his life that he was denied a ride on the roller coaster. It was discrimination, he said. The first time it happened to him was at the 6 flags park in Maryland.
After my friends had a few more rides, I went to pick up my glasses and hearing aid from the locker. I marched on over to the knoebels staff office with kyle in two. The poor lady at the office was a bit scared to see my big football frame filling the window and I told her I needed to see the Park manger. We were making an ADA complaint.
Well, the park manager came down and we sat for a discussion. We told him what happened at the phoenix roller coaster area. He was upset pretty much. After he went to the office to make a call, he found out what happened. Some park rules requires that people be able to exit a roller coaster ride within 45 seconds if the ride is running in a two train format. The phoenix roller coaster was running in a one train operation format on that day and the lady had pretended to say "She didn't know it was one train. She thought it was two train as we had a large Sunday crowd." as the manger explained. So the manager apologized for what the old lady ticket seller had done and promised that she would be "re-assigned" to a less public sensitive position. He offered to Kyle and me to go on the phoenix ride now. But the lateness of the hour of the park, and we had other plans that Sunday evening. So it was planned that we would come back Monday morning and we'd get to go on the ride. Unfortunately, we slept in that morning and had to take Kyle to the train service in Harrisburg. So next time, we will take up on the manager's offer if Kyle can make a return trip.
Every day, at many of the amusement parks that I've been to in my life time, there are people who guiding the disabled community around in wheelchairs, holding them up, or whatever assistance being provided. Most of the disabled community are hearing people who just cant cope, see, or whatever disability they have. But their hearing supporters give them assistance to ride on the roller coasters and they enjoy it.
So why are the deaf (in some parks) and deaf blind denied to ride a certain ride? One person told me that it has to do with hearing the instructions. In other areas, it has to do with being able to react to an emergency situation on the ride.
It's kind of frustrating to know this. I know the ride operators are doing the safety stuff of prevention. But some amusement parks try to go out of their way to accommodate the disabled community as the best that they can do as per the ADA law. But some parks dont because they're afraid of the insurance industry and the lawsuit happy society.
However, it may be a coming trend happening as roller coaster manufacturers come out with new cars, tracks for their ride equipment that tends to be more safety minded, but doesn't allow for the disabled community to ride. Especially some rides are so small, the large people (like those who have stocky football bodies, not just being fat), will be unable to experience these rides. It is pretty much evident at Hershey park already with some of their rides changed. It's even posted in front of the rides themselves.
I'm sad that Kyle got denied this ride, I hope that his experience at Knoebels grove wasn't lost on him. He enjoyed his time. Especially at the Crystal Pool where the water was SHOCKINGLY COLD! It was half/half! ICE COLD ON TOP, Warm inverted layer on the bottom. But, my friends and I got "roasted" by the sun. That is to say, we got some nice sunburns. OUCH! Wanna cook an egg on my head? hot enough to do just that.
Meanwhile, I watched the 6 game of the NHL Hockey finals last night between Pittsburgh and Detroit. Pittsburgh came out and PUNISHED Detroit in a very bad way. Especially when they made the mistake of tying the game. When they tied that goal, they got hit harder. Then tried to tie it again after Pittsburgh took a 2-1 lead at the end for good. Detroit was told "GO HOME AND STAY THERE"! Shaming Pittsburgh at home during the 5th game? Bad move, Detroit.
So, in two days time, get ready for the final NHL Hockey game. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, Michgan. The Red Wings will finally be CLIPPED FOR GOOD!
Enjoy the week.
Semper FI!
Friday, June 5, 2009
First Friday weekend.
G'day Everyone.
I haven't posted much lately. Being busy around my home and taking care of the garden has been a big task as opposed to just going around the garden and killing the young trees and weeds. UGH!
One of the most important notices should be to say farewell to David Carradine's passing. When he died yesterday, it was a shock to many of us. This kind and passionate man with martial arts moves that says he has a lot of wisdom and intelligence. But hearing the manner of his death leaves a lot of us in troubled disbelief. If a person accidentally hanged him, that person better wish he had gotten help sooner than leaving David Carradine to die. God help that person.
Secondly, when the week started on Sunday with the abortion doctor's death in Kansas, I was totally sad for it. I hate the man that shot the abortion doctor. I really do. But then again, I hate abortion itself. Babies deserve a chance to live, not when it's a "connivance" to terminate pregnancies. I ask abortion doctors to please, be a doctor that saves lives. END ABORTION NOW!
Third, I have resolved this week to keep my blog moderated. I thank many friends who rose to my defense to fight against a user who keeps harassing me in my comments. This is why IP addresses are only being recorded to check to see if you are a google user. But most of all, the comments will be heavy moderated from now on. So if you plan write something, stay on topic. But, if you intend to harass me, I will assure you that you will pay for it. I'm not kidding now because I've had enough of the person doing it.
Lastly, with today being the first Friday of June in our summer month and a full moon *HOWL* is coming out tonight, it should be a promise of a good weekend. I hope you will enjoy tonight if the skies part and the weather's nice. So here's a *hint*hint*, go on a romantic date with someone you love either tonight or tomorrow night! The full moon isn't going to hang around long! *howl*!
Enjoy your weekend!
Semper FI!
I haven't posted much lately. Being busy around my home and taking care of the garden has been a big task as opposed to just going around the garden and killing the young trees and weeds. UGH!
One of the most important notices should be to say farewell to David Carradine's passing. When he died yesterday, it was a shock to many of us. This kind and passionate man with martial arts moves that says he has a lot of wisdom and intelligence. But hearing the manner of his death leaves a lot of us in troubled disbelief. If a person accidentally hanged him, that person better wish he had gotten help sooner than leaving David Carradine to die. God help that person.
Secondly, when the week started on Sunday with the abortion doctor's death in Kansas, I was totally sad for it. I hate the man that shot the abortion doctor. I really do. But then again, I hate abortion itself. Babies deserve a chance to live, not when it's a "connivance" to terminate pregnancies. I ask abortion doctors to please, be a doctor that saves lives. END ABORTION NOW!
Third, I have resolved this week to keep my blog moderated. I thank many friends who rose to my defense to fight against a user who keeps harassing me in my comments. This is why IP addresses are only being recorded to check to see if you are a google user. But most of all, the comments will be heavy moderated from now on. So if you plan write something, stay on topic. But, if you intend to harass me, I will assure you that you will pay for it. I'm not kidding now because I've had enough of the person doing it.
Lastly, with today being the first Friday of June in our summer month and a full moon *HOWL* is coming out tonight, it should be a promise of a good weekend. I hope you will enjoy tonight if the skies part and the weather's nice. So here's a *hint*hint*, go on a romantic date with someone you love either tonight or tomorrow night! The full moon isn't going to hang around long! *howl*!
Enjoy your weekend!
Semper FI!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Live As If Dying!
G'day Everyone!
"Live As If Dying". It was a sign on the wall shop of a sign maker at Knoebels Amusement Park. I was down at Knoebels last Saturday with my two best Friends, Paul Ealy and Jimmy. They drove up from Allentown, PA and we were spending the day at the park, riding the rides and relaxing.
When I saw this sign, I had to stop for a moment and sit down. Then I began to compose this blog post of which I "preached" a little bit at Paul and Jimmy. So here's the rest of my" little sermon" for you today:
"Live As If Dying". It was a sign on the wall shop of a sign maker at Knoebels Amusement Park. I was down at Knoebels last Saturday with my two best Friends, Paul Ealy and Jimmy. They drove up from Allentown, PA and we were spending the day at the park, riding the rides and relaxing.
When I saw this sign, I had to stop for a moment and sit down. Then I began to compose this blog post of which I "preached" a little bit at Paul and Jimmy. So here's the rest of my" little sermon" for you today:
Live As If Dying!
In today's war torn and terrorism filled world, we are living fast, free, and without a care of concern for whatever what may come at the last moment. We pile up debts. We take on more than one project in which our bosses in our companies demand us to do. Our home has so many personal projects and hobbies that need to be done, they go undone. We rarely communicate with our family and friends because we're so busy with job and "other important duties". We're all moving at a fast pace and we rarely monitor our health or don't care of what happens to ourselves until it's *TOO LATE*.
The *TOO LATE* moment comes when:
A serious deadly car accident happens.
You get shot by some one you don't know (or beaten up) and dying on the ground.
You get caught in the middle of a fast moving dangerous storm.
Your home is struck by a sudden home invasion by deadly strangers.
There are *tons of examples* of what happens when it gets to be *too late*, so I'm not going to bore you to death with an entire list because by the time you finish this, it may be *too late* to help you! (Just kidding of course, you will finish reading this and it won't be *too late*).
But what happens is, when it becomes *too late*, you could end up dying somewhere on the ground or whatever it be. You will then realize the *THOUSANDS of REGRETS* of the things that are left UNDONE, unsaid, and the forever feeling of incomplete. You can scream and beg God to send you back to finish things. But too late is *TOO LATE*! Death is death.
You will pass on to eternity. That eternity is either Heaven or Hell. (For info on Salvation, read:
You know what? Some of you *WON'T* pass on to eternity when you are seriously laid low from the dangerous events. When you wind up to recover in the hospital or a rehabilitation facility, that's when you'll listening to yourself saying: "Stop, Slow down, and pace yourself".
That works for some people. Some the average people will ache to get out of the hospital and run right back at full speed. Only to spin out of control and *WHAM*, definitely *Too Late* this time! AGAIN!
If a person was recovering from a life changing experience, the "stop, slow down, and pace yourself" lecture won't work for them. If Doctors and pastors were to tell patients the "Live As If Dying", people just might live a better fuller life in this world.
So you ask "How does 'Live As If Dying' works?" .
When you recover, you are often told to take "One Day at a time". But they just don't say how to do that. So how do you?
Basically it's this:
Live As If Dying is like One day at a time. But you make your days count for your life. As you recover from the serious event (you don't need to be in this position, but it's the idea), look back and take stock of your life's events that you've been through. Think about what you've accomplished so far in your life. List all that's happened to you, good and bad. Then evaluate who you are so you get a mental picture of yourself.
Then count up all the personal and professional projects that you got going on. Don't take on any new ones until you've finished those projects first.
When that's accomplished, here's the suggestion on the NEW projects.
In the professional setting, have no more than 7 projects going on. I mean it. You want to be lean and mean and able to do things at your best rather than bogged down. You'll process things faster but you won't be pulled down.
In personal life projects, like at home, have no more than 3 projects going on. Those projects ought to be at least 1 hobby, 1 home improvement, and one other project going on.
While that's set, you need to then keep in contact with all your friends that you've made in life. Email at least twice a week. Talk on the phone at least once a week. (in the deaf community: VP at least once a week. Heck, you can do that by web camera too!). Plan to get together in real life at least 2 to 3 times a year if you can. Take a vacation at every 6 months.
More importantly, if you are going to "Live As If Dying", you need to be prepared for anything in this life. These days, death is coming at us at an unexpected time. So to be prepared for it, write out your last will and testament. Get it approved by a lawyer. Get the copy of your last will and testament to your executor of your estate that you choose (have 1 executor and at least 2 back-up executors). Talk to a funeral home and plan your funeral. Choose a casket, service, and who you want to speak for you. Go to a cemetery and choose your grave site.
When you have all the preparations done, tell your family and your executor of your estate. You see, when you make these preparations ahead of time, the surviving members of your family won't have to worry. You have what you want at the end of your days. You have your things going where you want them to go.
So Live as if Dying. Stop and smell the flowers. Enjoy the moments in life where you can be still and have a little peace from God flow over you.
Whatever what you choose to do, make it count.
Semper Fi.
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