Category: Me

Pro-Immigration, Anti-Illegal Immigration

Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Imagine that my wife break into your house. When you discover her in your house, you insist that she leave.
She insists, however, “I’ve made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house). According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family’s insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It’s only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m hard-working and honest, um, except for, well, you know.
“And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.”

Why can’t people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America… if you agree, send it to your friends (in English). Share it if you see the value of it as a good simile.
If you still don’t understand why we should have a stronger grip on our borders and why we should deport people who are here illegally, blow it off along with your future Social Security funds.

Took a Break

I was getting too overwhelmed at work for the past few weeks so I decided to take a long weekend.  I took thursday and friday off to do some shopping and get some stuff around the house done.
I mowed the grass yesterday, and it’s a good thing I did instead of letting Christle talk me into slumming it all day.  It has been raining here since I woke up this morning.
I have an official “farmer’s tan” now.  I don’t know why, but I’ve been putting off writing to this thing… I think I forget what this thing is all about every now and then.  It’s about what-ever-the-heck I want it to be about.
Luckily, right now at least, there is PayPerPost to help cover costs associated with this site.  Not that my posts add anything of relevance to society in the grand scheme of things, but it does give me a place to vent when the urge hits me.
My third semester of school started this week.  It’s going to be difficult, but I can do it.
My buddy Steven and his wife Becky just had a new baby yesterday.  Congratulations, Steven & Becky!

Getting Ready for Another Semester

Only one more weekend to go before I have to start hitting the books again.
I’ve actually already started reading ahead.  It looks more interesting than I had anticipated.
I’m coming up with a few ideas for a podcast.  My main problem is picking a topic.  I love watching the Diggnation podcast on a weekly basis.  I also like listening to Jay and Jack’s Lost Podcast.  They are pretty funny, and really do a great job on everything but the volume throughout the shows.
I feel pretty confident that I can produce high quality, I just don’t think a one-man show can really do that well in the podcasting sphere.
I can’t remember the name of the podcast that was solo, because apparently it fell off the charts due to lack of subscription renewals (which are free, by the way).  The one that I listen to on a daily basis is great.  I pay for the subscription to his site, GlennBeck.com, and he is absolutely worth listening to.
I really want to do it right, so if I don’t post one, it’s because I didn’t get it right.  I have the hardware, software, and know-how to get it done, but I might have to get someone to co-host it with me to make it really good.  Christle isn’t really into this sort of thing, so she’s out.  Any volunteers?
I guess I got a little off topic…

I’m Almost Done

I’ve finished taking my finals, but I still have a little work to turn in.
I have a final grade of 93.8 in meteorology.  I was surprised at how high my score is on that exam.
There’s no way I can get an A in my accounting class.  Hopefully I’ll have a B, but the final exam was faxed and mailed in by my proctor, so I may not know for a few days.  I feel pretty confident about my performance on the final, but some of my assignments earlier in the semester didn’t cut it.
I have today to turn in what’s left, and after that, I’ve got nothing to do but wait and see what my score is.  I’m looking forward to two weeks without having to do school work.
I’ve registered for next semester.  I’m taking macroeconomics and marketing.  I’m really hoping that neither one of those will be as hard as accounting was this semester.

Skinny

I found some old photos (old – taken in high school or shortly thereafter – before 1997) and was surprised at what I looked like back then. I knew that I had gained weight since I got married, because the picture of Christle and I before we had Alaina shows that I was skinny.
I was a toothpick back in high school. My neck looks like it might have been 9-10 inches long! It almost looks like I was stretching my neck out to make myself look taller. I was lean, but there wasn’t enough meat on my bones to make lean look good.
I feel good about my size now, especially when I think of what I looked like in the mirror just a few months ago. I guess I’ve just gotten more self-conscious about it in recent years. When I run into old friends (or ex-girlfriends) from high school, I want them to actually wish they’d have given me more time. I ran into one today at the gym. I’m just glad I didn’t run into her sooner. She looked good, but not what I had in my memory. I don’t know if it’s being married that has changed my memories, or just that time has passed.
I used to think about the past a lot. Being closer to home has brought back some fond memories. Looking to the future is more important than that. But seeing people from my past has helped me focus more clearly on what is the most important, and that’s paying attention to the present. What I have right now is a present, a gift from God that needs to be appreciated and experienced.
I’m blessed. I know that I am.
Now, I’ve got to focus on my abs!

Stupid Stuff

It’s amazing how much stupid stuff can change the plans for an entire day. I had a lot to do today, but was forced to change my entire schedule on 2 hours notice for a 3 hour meeting that concerned the processes for something that I will not be involved in. I had some good ideas for the process, but those points were made before I could speak up.
I had to take an ergonomic assessment because the person doing the ergonomic stuff saw me at the site just before the meeting and said my desk was all wrong. I don’t spend a lot of time there, but I have to stay ergonomically correct. That took some time, but I will get a new chair out of the deal.
I worked on my legs today. It felt really funny, because other than running, I haven’t worked my legs in a long time. I’m not that sore, but that’s probably because I wasn’t working with enough weight. It’s kinda hard to judge how much weight to put on when I haven’t worked my legs in so many years. I’m sure it’ll get better.
I mowed the grass tonight, and the lawn looks really good. I listened to praise and worship music on my iPod while I was mowing, and I know I was singing pretty loudly. It’s fortunate for the neighbors that they don’t live very close. I’m sure my voice doesn’t sound that good over the lawn mower.
I’ve got to spray the lawn with the Cutter mosquito spray tomorrow morning after my haircut because a new set of bigger mosquitos have nested here. I’ve heard them called tiger mosquitos. When you can actually see stripes on them, is that bad?

Getting Faster

I ran last night.  I ran 1.5 miles in 13:13 before I worked out last night.  That is the fastest mile & a half I have run.  I passed the mile at 9:00 even, and I couldn’t even do that in Junior High.  The thing that bothers me is that I don’t know how well I’ll do at a track instead of on the treadmill.

Distractions

I had so many distractions this weekend that as I was going to bed last night, I realized that I had not done some schoolwork that had to be done by midnight.  I got it done, but I was upset because I lost a few hours of sleep that I was planning on.
My anniversary is today.  5 wonderful years of marriage… it’s our 7 year anniversary.  LOL.
Now I just have to stay awake today.

Focus

I forgot to bring some shorts to work today to work out in on my way home, so I just jogged in my jeans. It is amazing how hot a pair of loose jeans can get. I did a mile and a half in 13:45.
I didn’t do any more than that because I worked out last night. I like being able to see results when I look in the mirror. It really helps me focus on what I’m trying to achieve. I’m not sure if it’s better health or vanity, but either way, it’s working.
I’ve been working on improving my life. I’m going to school. I’m working out for the first time in a LONG time. Now I am struggling to improve my prayer life. That goes along with my relationship with God. I haven’t been working on that relationship as hard as I should, and I never want to say that again.
On top of that, I’m speaking my prayers instead of thinking them. I don’t think with my wife, I talk to her. I know that God knows my thoughts, but it builds my faith in Him to actually speak to Him.
God, give me the focus you want me to have.

Lazy Saturday

Yeah Right!
I mowed the grass last night.  That was a chore because I hadn’t been able to mow for like 2 weeks.  I had to keep half the deck out of the high grass because the belt came off of the wheels it was being so stressed.  It took me about 15 minutes to get it back on, but I figured it out.  I’m just glad it didn’t break.
I’m about to go out and spray the lawn for mosquitoes.  About 2 weeks ago, if you walked outside my house, you’d get attacked by thousands of mosquitoes that apparently nest in the grass.  I used a spray by Cutter that you attach to the waterhose to treat about 5,000 square feet of grass.  The next morning I might have seen 10 mosquitoes, but that evening when I got home I didn’t see one.
Apparently after one treatment, it is a good idea to spray the lawn down again a few weeks later to let the ground absorb more of the poison, and then you only have to spray just a little less than once per month during mosquito season (being in Texas, that’s like all year).
I haven’t done any schoolwork this week, but I do need to congratulate myself that even though I have done a lot of procastinating this semester, I have an A in both classes at the midpoint.  I had a 91 on my midterm for Accounting, but that was mainly because it was an open book test that was multiple choice and timed (strictly).  I only mention that one, because it was the one I was really concerned about.  Anyway, I have to do all my schoolwork today and tomorrow.  Hopefully I can get it out of the way today.
I have to work out today.  I meant to start working on my lower body earlier in the week, but I still haven’t started.  I did get some upper body workouts, and I also jogged 1.5 miles in under 14 minutes again (13:40).  That felt great, but it didn’t leave me any energy for my upper-body workout that day.  I didn’t get to finish it.  I guess I need to plan my workouts better.
My aunt and uncle from Texarkana are coming down today, and we’re going over my grandparents’ house to have dinner with them.  We don’t get to see them very often, and with his job, they don’t get to stay very long, either.  It should make the day come to a little more relaxing end.
Well, I think I’ll move past this method of procrastination and have some breakfast.