For as long as I can remember, I've been a fan of professional sports; football, basketball, and baseball. I'm losing my taste for it, however. I'm just not interested in watching a bunch of drug-affected freaks get paid millions to do what isn't even possible, let alone within the norm of human experience.
I got tired of pro basketball first. The NBA has been unwatchable for years. Unlike college ball, they pretend that they restrict their defenses to man-to-man only, and then do whatever they can to disguise the zone they're playing. Uhhhh....why not just let them play a zone if they want to? It doesn't hamper the entertainment value of college ball. That's one. Two, if you're a so-called "superstar," you could pull out a gun and murder someone on the floor and they'd never call it. That finals replay they love to show of M. Jordan sinking the game-winning shot to win the championship makes me sick. They pass him the ball, he travels with it, then he pushes off, then he takes the shot. There's at least three turnovers on that one play, but no official who values his job is going to call anything on a superstar at any time, let alone a game-winning situation like that. Shaquille O'Neal should foul out of every game he plays in within about 3 minutes. He basically just bulldozes over the top of whoever guards him, but he's a superstar, so they don't call offensive fouls on Shaq. Nevermind the fact that he never touches the ball without travelling with it, but that's another story. I'll start watching the NBA again when they: 1. let teams play whatever defense they like; 2. Call the game equally, regardless of whoever's on the court; 3. Start policing the behavior of players (enough "wrist-slaps" for drug violations - fire them! And enough "so and so's got a baby in every city." I'm not the morality police, but the employers of these players SHOULD be! Whatever happened to team curfews?)
Of course, everyone knows why I'm fed up with baseball. One word: steroids. Okay, so fans were really exercised when the greed of players allowed them to strike and cancel the world series. Baseball decided to look the other way as M. McGuire and S. Sosa, just as juiced up as they could be, had that little home run race that "saved" baseball. Then baseball looked away as B. Bonds, his head 3 sizes larger than it used to be, hit 73 and further reinvigorated the game. Frankly, it's a huge disservice to the players who're clean - it diminishes their accomplishments and makes it harder for them to compete without juicing up as well. Frankly, I think they should test ever Major League player unannounced every other month or so and fire anyone who's caught cheating. That's what would happen to someone in any other workplace and that is what MLB should do. Otherwise, they should stop pretending that "the sanctity of the game" isn't being tarnished, put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame, and let pro wrestlers in for 7th-inning stretch entertainment - one-steriod manufactured freak entertaining another.
As far as I'm concerned, football is the least affected of all pro sports so far. I mean, guys like Lyle Alzado or Brian Bosworth happen from time to time, but they're pretty much summarily dismissed when they're unearthed. What get's me about football is the whole character-issue thing. When a guy's making several million dollars a year to play a game, why does he feel it necessary to kill dogs, beat his wife, burn blunts, race cars down the freeway, get into bar fights, kill ex-girl friends, turn his ex-wife into a Pez dispenser, or all of the above? Look, I know that no one is a saint, but come on! is it too much to ask for you not to kill dogs, ex-wives or girl friends, and to stop setting up drug deals? I may just stop watching televised sports altogether and simply watch reruns of my 7th-graders playing. At least I know they're pretty good kids for the most part and they're not doing anything illegal - just having fun.
I thought that's what sports were all about - having fun. I guess that just goes to show what I know. Anytime there's as much money involved as there is in pro sports, there's always going to be someone who's trying to find an edge. I hope everyone stops watching - maybe then it'll go back to what it's supposed to be - Fun.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Drive In
My drive is a little more elongated than it used to be, and it's a whole lot more frustrating. Here's how it goes:
Dan leaves the house at around 6:10 or so and drives down the neighborhood road (speed limit 25) onto the long road that goes out to the highway. The speed limit on the long road to the highway is 30, even though it's mostly 4 lanes and goes through nothing but businesses all the way. The speed limit should be 40 at least, but Alvin can't make any money on it if the speed limit is 40, so there you go. On this road, there are not one, not two, but THREE unecessary stop signs, two traffic lights that really aren't necessary (one of which changes on a timer and NOT an "underneath the pavement" pressure switch like most of the lights that have been installed since 1962), and a light that probably is necessary, but is green just long enough to allow about 2 1/2 cars through before it goes yellow! Such being the case, a drive of 3 miles that should take about 5 minutes usually goes at least 15 on a good day and more like 35 on most days (just kidding! My darling bride is giving me a hard time for hating on Alvin, but it's a nice place if you can ever get off of South St!) Not kidding now; it takes twice as long as it should, but I'm going to try and see the bright side here. I must be getting 45 MPG while driving 30 on the road that should be 40. From the long road, I have to take a short jont onto a freeway of sorts, which isn't too bad; the speed limit is 55 and it's 4 lanes that are divided, so no real road blocks there. The next is the worst. From there, I turn onto an FM (Farm to Market) that is only two lanes along some stretches and three (a middle turn lane) for most of it. The speed limit is 60 for most of the way, but it always seems like I find a way to get behind someone who's confused by this; either they think that there's a school zone in force, or they think that "60" is not the miles per hour that they are allowed to travel, but the upper limit of engine RPM they are permitted. I can't tell you how many times I find myself saying, "FEEL AROUND ON THE FLOORBOARD!!! IT'S THE TALL SKINNY PEDAL ON THE RIGHT!!! Passing is permitted along the two-lane stretches (if there was ever an opening!), but NOT permitted when the road goes to three lanes, which is the majority of the road. Some folks seem to think that double-yellow stripes are merely a suggestion; they pass in the turn lane regardless. One day, there is going to to a HORRIFIC accident on this road as some ignorant, blind, or stupid person tries to pass in the turn lane and rear-ends someone who is using it for its intended purpose; to make a left-hand turn without disrupting the flow of traffic! Honestly, as frustrated as I get following somone doing 35 in the 60 mph stretch, I don't think I'll ever fall far enough behind in my busy schedule to kill someone else with my lack of patience.
Once I get off the FM, I turn onto the Interstate and head north. Usually, the Interstate runs pretty well, at least until you get on into town a bit. Right about where the Clear Lake traffic enters, all three lanes just basically shut down. Now, here's something I've never fully understood; how on earth can the traffic just STOP when there's no visible obstruction or other obstacle to prevent it from continuing?! It amazes me! I've got it figured out, though. Right after the Nasa Rd 1 debacle (they're putting in some sort of fly-over bridge to Nasa 1 to soothe the congestion there...), the traffic in the fast lane just magically stops (no reason, mind you; it just stops), so you have to move from the fast lane to the far right-hand lane and then back to the middle when you approach the entrance for the Clear Lake City Blvd entrance ramp - it's the only way to keep moving.
The drive typically takes about 45 to 50 minutes - that long if no one does anything ignorant AND if it's not raining. You know, it never rains here, so no one here knows hows to drive in it without shutting everything down and CRAWLING!!!
Oh well, thank the Lord for safe trips and for keeping me sane in less than optimal conditions! - Dan
Dan leaves the house at around 6:10 or so and drives down the neighborhood road (speed limit 25) onto the long road that goes out to the highway. The speed limit on the long road to the highway is 30, even though it's mostly 4 lanes and goes through nothing but businesses all the way. The speed limit should be 40 at least, but Alvin can't make any money on it if the speed limit is 40, so there you go. On this road, there are not one, not two, but THREE unecessary stop signs, two traffic lights that really aren't necessary (one of which changes on a timer and NOT an "underneath the pavement" pressure switch like most of the lights that have been installed since 1962), and a light that probably is necessary, but is green just long enough to allow about 2 1/2 cars through before it goes yellow! Such being the case, a drive of 3 miles that should take about 5 minutes usually goes at least 15 on a good day and more like 35 on most days (just kidding! My darling bride is giving me a hard time for hating on Alvin, but it's a nice place if you can ever get off of South St!) Not kidding now; it takes twice as long as it should, but I'm going to try and see the bright side here. I must be getting 45 MPG while driving 30 on the road that should be 40. From the long road, I have to take a short jont onto a freeway of sorts, which isn't too bad; the speed limit is 55 and it's 4 lanes that are divided, so no real road blocks there. The next is the worst. From there, I turn onto an FM (Farm to Market) that is only two lanes along some stretches and three (a middle turn lane) for most of it. The speed limit is 60 for most of the way, but it always seems like I find a way to get behind someone who's confused by this; either they think that there's a school zone in force, or they think that "60" is not the miles per hour that they are allowed to travel, but the upper limit of engine RPM they are permitted. I can't tell you how many times I find myself saying, "FEEL AROUND ON THE FLOORBOARD!!! IT'S THE TALL SKINNY PEDAL ON THE RIGHT!!! Passing is permitted along the two-lane stretches (if there was ever an opening!), but NOT permitted when the road goes to three lanes, which is the majority of the road. Some folks seem to think that double-yellow stripes are merely a suggestion; they pass in the turn lane regardless. One day, there is going to to a HORRIFIC accident on this road as some ignorant, blind, or stupid person tries to pass in the turn lane and rear-ends someone who is using it for its intended purpose; to make a left-hand turn without disrupting the flow of traffic! Honestly, as frustrated as I get following somone doing 35 in the 60 mph stretch, I don't think I'll ever fall far enough behind in my busy schedule to kill someone else with my lack of patience.
Once I get off the FM, I turn onto the Interstate and head north. Usually, the Interstate runs pretty well, at least until you get on into town a bit. Right about where the Clear Lake traffic enters, all three lanes just basically shut down. Now, here's something I've never fully understood; how on earth can the traffic just STOP when there's no visible obstruction or other obstacle to prevent it from continuing?! It amazes me! I've got it figured out, though. Right after the Nasa Rd 1 debacle (they're putting in some sort of fly-over bridge to Nasa 1 to soothe the congestion there...), the traffic in the fast lane just magically stops (no reason, mind you; it just stops), so you have to move from the fast lane to the far right-hand lane and then back to the middle when you approach the entrance for the Clear Lake City Blvd entrance ramp - it's the only way to keep moving.
The drive typically takes about 45 to 50 minutes - that long if no one does anything ignorant AND if it's not raining. You know, it never rains here, so no one here knows hows to drive in it without shutting everything down and CRAWLING!!!
Oh well, thank the Lord for safe trips and for keeping me sane in less than optimal conditions! - Dan
Friday, September 21, 2007
call me McAuley Culkin (hope I spelled that right)
because I'm home alone! My darling bride went to the ladies retreat this weekend, so I'm typeing on a keyboard and watching "The Unit" reruns! LOL! Good news, though! I got a call this afternoon and someone else is looking at my house this evening! Pray that God grants favor and I get an offer!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Buy American
I just read an article that made me somewhat upset. It reminded me of why this country is losing the economic battle on a worldwide scale to Japan, China, and India, and I can sum it up in one word; unions.
Since the dawn of capitalism, industrial might has been based not upon the availability of cheap natural resources, the ability to move those resources from the point of inception to the mill, or the existence of infrastructure to move finished goods from production to market, even though those factors all play a part in the total package. The largest factor by far in any industrial enterprise (or agricultrual enterprise, for that matter) is the availability of cheap labor. Inexpensive labor leads to competitively-priced goods and allows the country of inception to compete on the world market on an even basis. The country with the lowest labor costs will inevitably win that battle, because no other expense adds or subtracts more from the cost of the finished product, regardless of what that product is.
The article I read talked about labor negotiations between GM and the UAW and the greatest sticking point in the talks is the provision of health care costs for retirees. For years, American auto makers have been bound by contract to pay retirement pensions for retired employees, including health care expenses. Japanese auto makers have no such expense, which means that they can produce a car for much less than their American counterparts and sell that car for whatever the market will bear. What that means is a much larger profit per unit than what American auto makers can expect. Since the Japanese make much more per car, their total revenue is huge compared to that of GM, Ford, or Chrysler, giving them the ability to reinvest in their plants and improve the product and the machinery that produces it. The costs of production for the Japanese therefore are reduced while costs to produce an American car keep going up. It's a negative spiral for America, and Japan is reaping the reward. Are American cars as good as their Japanese rivals? I think they are, but the perception is that Japanese cars are produced with higher quality standards, get better fuel economy, and last longer than American cars. It's time for the UAW the wake up and realize something very simple; if you kill the cow, you won't have milk any longer! The UAW needs to make significant concession to American auto manufacturers and it needs to happen now, or there won't BE any American automobile manufacturers left to pay those contracts! No cow equals no milk!
Cheap labor is hampering the American economy from every angle of the economic spectrum. China and India are two great examples. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't advocate employing slave (prisoner) labor in factories like the Chinese or paying people 0.25/hr like the Indians, but we've got to realize who the competition is and understand that any industrial giant MUST have labor costs that allow manufacturers to compete on the global market or the competition will be skewed toward those who have low costs against those who do not. Traditionally, the United States has always had a source of cheap labor, typically from immigrants who seek to better themselves in this country. African slaves were the first, but they were supplanted by wave after wave of others; Chinese, Irish, other Europeans, and now Mexicans. When Mexican immigrants better themselves and rise above the level of entry-level worker (unskilled labor), who will supplant them? Frankly, it may be too late. Manufacturing concerns have been moving oversees for years because of the very factors I describe here. Oh, we call them unAmerican or unpatriotic, but the fact is that they cannot compete on the global market without cheap labor, so they move to where cheap labor is available and then "import" the goods produced to sell on the American market. Oh, sure, some American laborer lost a job because of the move, but without the survival of the enterprise, that laborer would have been without a job anyway. There are certain basic facts that do not change. The law of supply and demand waits for no man. Lower production costs mean lower prices. The least expensive goods are the ones most in demand. Higher demand creates a diminished supply and drives the price up. When Americans are willing to swallow their pride and work for the good of the whole rather than the wealth of the individual, we will be able to compete on the global market and then those very economic facts that work against us now will work in our favor.
Make those concessions, UAW, and make them now, before the cow is dead and all of the milk has dried up. - Dan
Since the dawn of capitalism, industrial might has been based not upon the availability of cheap natural resources, the ability to move those resources from the point of inception to the mill, or the existence of infrastructure to move finished goods from production to market, even though those factors all play a part in the total package. The largest factor by far in any industrial enterprise (or agricultrual enterprise, for that matter) is the availability of cheap labor. Inexpensive labor leads to competitively-priced goods and allows the country of inception to compete on the world market on an even basis. The country with the lowest labor costs will inevitably win that battle, because no other expense adds or subtracts more from the cost of the finished product, regardless of what that product is.
The article I read talked about labor negotiations between GM and the UAW and the greatest sticking point in the talks is the provision of health care costs for retirees. For years, American auto makers have been bound by contract to pay retirement pensions for retired employees, including health care expenses. Japanese auto makers have no such expense, which means that they can produce a car for much less than their American counterparts and sell that car for whatever the market will bear. What that means is a much larger profit per unit than what American auto makers can expect. Since the Japanese make much more per car, their total revenue is huge compared to that of GM, Ford, or Chrysler, giving them the ability to reinvest in their plants and improve the product and the machinery that produces it. The costs of production for the Japanese therefore are reduced while costs to produce an American car keep going up. It's a negative spiral for America, and Japan is reaping the reward. Are American cars as good as their Japanese rivals? I think they are, but the perception is that Japanese cars are produced with higher quality standards, get better fuel economy, and last longer than American cars. It's time for the UAW the wake up and realize something very simple; if you kill the cow, you won't have milk any longer! The UAW needs to make significant concession to American auto manufacturers and it needs to happen now, or there won't BE any American automobile manufacturers left to pay those contracts! No cow equals no milk!
Cheap labor is hampering the American economy from every angle of the economic spectrum. China and India are two great examples. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't advocate employing slave (prisoner) labor in factories like the Chinese or paying people 0.25/hr like the Indians, but we've got to realize who the competition is and understand that any industrial giant MUST have labor costs that allow manufacturers to compete on the global market or the competition will be skewed toward those who have low costs against those who do not. Traditionally, the United States has always had a source of cheap labor, typically from immigrants who seek to better themselves in this country. African slaves were the first, but they were supplanted by wave after wave of others; Chinese, Irish, other Europeans, and now Mexicans. When Mexican immigrants better themselves and rise above the level of entry-level worker (unskilled labor), who will supplant them? Frankly, it may be too late. Manufacturing concerns have been moving oversees for years because of the very factors I describe here. Oh, we call them unAmerican or unpatriotic, but the fact is that they cannot compete on the global market without cheap labor, so they move to where cheap labor is available and then "import" the goods produced to sell on the American market. Oh, sure, some American laborer lost a job because of the move, but without the survival of the enterprise, that laborer would have been without a job anyway. There are certain basic facts that do not change. The law of supply and demand waits for no man. Lower production costs mean lower prices. The least expensive goods are the ones most in demand. Higher demand creates a diminished supply and drives the price up. When Americans are willing to swallow their pride and work for the good of the whole rather than the wealth of the individual, we will be able to compete on the global market and then those very economic facts that work against us now will work in our favor.
Make those concessions, UAW, and make them now, before the cow is dead and all of the milk has dried up. - Dan
Friday, September 14, 2007
Life is good!
Without a doubt, this is my very favorite time of the year. Of course, I'm busier than a one-legged man in a jump rope contest, but that's part of what makes it fun. I don't do "sit around and relax" very well, so busy is more my style.
Naturally, THIS year is even better than year's past since I remarried this past summer. My wife is absolutely the most wonderful woman EVER!!! In addition, though, I was given the pre-AP classes this year and it's been a lot of fun so far. It's hard to describe how much energy you get from teaching a bunch of kids who're excited to be there, engaged in the learning process, asking intelligent questions, doing the work, etc. It's a blast so far. Also, football season is in full swing and my coaching partner and I got some halfway decent kids to work with this year, so we're trying to make the most of it. Although our first game was against one of the traditionally weaker teams in the district, we DID beat them! The 8th grade game was called at halftime because of lightning, so we only won 12-0, but it could have been 35-0 just as easily. The 7th-grade game was a little closer.
7th grade games are a little strange, especially the first several. Our district allows the coaches to be on the field with their teams during these first few games to help the players get into position, etc. I coach the defense for both grade levels, so I take a lot of pride in the kid's performance on the defensive side of the ball especially. On the other team's first possession, we stopped them cold on three consecutive downs. We had them 4th and 14. Few teams at this level ever punt - they just don't kick that well at the 7th grade level - so the other team went for it on fourth down. Even though we hit their ball carrier about 5 times in the backfield, nobody wrapped him up, and he went about 75 yards for a touchdown. They ran in the conversion to make it 7-0 (extra point kicks are worth two points; runs or passes into the end zone on a conversion are worth one point in our district). We got the ball on the kick-off and started a drive that ended with the end of the half and a last-play touchdown and extra point to tie it at 7 apiece. Then the defense went to work. We stopped them cold on their next possession and took over on downs. Again we scored on our next possession to make it 14-7. Then we stopped them again. When time expired, we were driving again, but the kids were really happy to get a win in their first game!
You know, coaching at this level doesn't pay a whole lot. In fact, when the time spent in practice and at games is weighed against the monetary gain, it wouldn't be worth it to most people, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! I remember very few of my 7th-grade classroom teachers, but I'll always remember my 7th-grade football coach - Coach Campbell. I don't remember much at all about my 8th grade classes (except my honors English class - THAT was a hoot!), but I'll never forget Coach Teutsch. I think what I do matters a lot to a lot of young men, and those guys are our future, so I think I'll stay with it as long as I can!
Next week we've got a little tougher opponent, so here's praying for success and no injuries! LIC, Dan
Naturally, THIS year is even better than year's past since I remarried this past summer. My wife is absolutely the most wonderful woman EVER!!! In addition, though, I was given the pre-AP classes this year and it's been a lot of fun so far. It's hard to describe how much energy you get from teaching a bunch of kids who're excited to be there, engaged in the learning process, asking intelligent questions, doing the work, etc. It's a blast so far. Also, football season is in full swing and my coaching partner and I got some halfway decent kids to work with this year, so we're trying to make the most of it. Although our first game was against one of the traditionally weaker teams in the district, we DID beat them! The 8th grade game was called at halftime because of lightning, so we only won 12-0, but it could have been 35-0 just as easily. The 7th-grade game was a little closer.
7th grade games are a little strange, especially the first several. Our district allows the coaches to be on the field with their teams during these first few games to help the players get into position, etc. I coach the defense for both grade levels, so I take a lot of pride in the kid's performance on the defensive side of the ball especially. On the other team's first possession, we stopped them cold on three consecutive downs. We had them 4th and 14. Few teams at this level ever punt - they just don't kick that well at the 7th grade level - so the other team went for it on fourth down. Even though we hit their ball carrier about 5 times in the backfield, nobody wrapped him up, and he went about 75 yards for a touchdown. They ran in the conversion to make it 7-0 (extra point kicks are worth two points; runs or passes into the end zone on a conversion are worth one point in our district). We got the ball on the kick-off and started a drive that ended with the end of the half and a last-play touchdown and extra point to tie it at 7 apiece. Then the defense went to work. We stopped them cold on their next possession and took over on downs. Again we scored on our next possession to make it 14-7. Then we stopped them again. When time expired, we were driving again, but the kids were really happy to get a win in their first game!
You know, coaching at this level doesn't pay a whole lot. In fact, when the time spent in practice and at games is weighed against the monetary gain, it wouldn't be worth it to most people, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! I remember very few of my 7th-grade classroom teachers, but I'll always remember my 7th-grade football coach - Coach Campbell. I don't remember much at all about my 8th grade classes (except my honors English class - THAT was a hoot!), but I'll never forget Coach Teutsch. I think what I do matters a lot to a lot of young men, and those guys are our future, so I think I'll stay with it as long as I can!
Next week we've got a little tougher opponent, so here's praying for success and no injuries! LIC, Dan
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Fan of "colored" teams
Hi! This is Dan. I've been a fan of "colored" teams for as long as I can remember. What are "colored" teams? Well, it's not a racial thing, if that's what you think! I was born in Ohio and was raised a Reds baseball fan and a Browns football fan, so if Brown and Red are colors, I'm a fan of colored teams!
Being an Ohio sports fan isn't easy. The Reds haven't had a successful season since 1990, when they won the World Series somehow. That was when Marge Schott owned the team and brought shame on anyone and everyone who cheered for the Reds because of her overt racism. Even worse, being a Browns fan has been a nightmare! The Browns' last championship was in 1964. The team packed up and moved to BALTIMORE of all places, and then the new Browns were born several years later. Uhhhhh....they're not very good! I just watched them get beat by the Steelers again. Now, the Steelers aren't very good - they'll probably finish 8-8 again this year and get left behind the playoff buss one more time - so what does that say about us? Uhhhhh....we're REALLY bad, that's what!
Oh well - life is more than pro team's wins and losses. I lose more sleep over the performance of my 7th and 8th graders than I do the Browns. After all, I have a lot more to do with their performance than I do with the other!
In any case....Go Browns! I still cheer for them even if they do play really poorly! LIC, Dan
Being an Ohio sports fan isn't easy. The Reds haven't had a successful season since 1990, when they won the World Series somehow. That was when Marge Schott owned the team and brought shame on anyone and everyone who cheered for the Reds because of her overt racism. Even worse, being a Browns fan has been a nightmare! The Browns' last championship was in 1964. The team packed up and moved to BALTIMORE of all places, and then the new Browns were born several years later. Uhhhhh....they're not very good! I just watched them get beat by the Steelers again. Now, the Steelers aren't very good - they'll probably finish 8-8 again this year and get left behind the playoff buss one more time - so what does that say about us? Uhhhhh....we're REALLY bad, that's what!
Oh well - life is more than pro team's wins and losses. I lose more sleep over the performance of my 7th and 8th graders than I do the Browns. After all, I have a lot more to do with their performance than I do with the other!
In any case....Go Browns! I still cheer for them even if they do play really poorly! LIC, Dan
Saturday, September 08, 2007
My life....
Here's a glimpse into my life (which is pretty fabulous right now, BTW):
A couple of months ago, Bank of America sent me notice via snail mail that my BoA Visa was being cancelled because my credit report said I was a poor risk. I called them up and queried as to why, on an account that has never been paid late, NEVER been partially paid (always paid the entire balance every month), and never had any other problem of any kind, would be closed by them. They said that my credit report was poor. So I pulled up my credit reports and, sure enough, my ex did me dirty and failed to pay any of the accounts that were left with her (she got the house, so she got the electric, gas, cable, etc., accounts). I asked them what kind of people they were looking for - I mean, anything that's MINE has been paid on time, in full, every single month. They said sorry, no sale. So I contacted the electric company and told them that the unpaid debt they were reporting on my credit report was not mine. I sent them copies of the divorce decree, the "marital agreement" (strange name for that document - it's the property division agreement), AND the warranty deed I had to file that surrendered any right or responsibility I had for my former residence. They basically said, thanks for the info - we're tacking the unpaid balance onto YOUR electric bill at your new home. Uhhhhh...I know english is a second language a lot of places in this country nowadays, but where's the common sense? Well, I've sent a complaint to the PUC and I'm waiting to find out if ANYONE in this picture has a brain in their collective head, so more to come on that story. Anyway, back to the original thought - BoA cancelled my credit card because of poor credit that wasn't even mine, right? That was a month and a half ago. Yesterday, I got a bill from them. Mind you, I have paid every bill I've ever gotten from them the day I received it IN FULL, so there shouldn't be any bills coming now, right? Well, the knotheads sent me a bill for the annual fee on the card despite the fact that the card has been cancelled and the account closed BY THEM two months ago, so I called them. I was treated to the usual phone puzzle - dial one for english, two for spanish, three for french, four for german, five for lithuanian, etc. I think I chose "one" but I'm not sure. After the usual barrage of elevator music and infomercials, I got a real live human on the line. Of course, I had to go through five more "dial one for blah blah blah, two for golbidy gook, three for brain aneurism, four for instant power of attorney" menus first. The real live human said "this is blah blah blah, how can I give you excellent Bank of America service today?" I said "Well, that's a really good question. You all sent me an bill for an annual service fee on an account YOU closed two months ago and I really don't understand why that is." Blah Blah Blah said, "Sir, I'll be happy to investigate that for you, can you hold a moment?" I said, "sure - I was really enjoying the elevator music and the infomercial - I can hold." After another lifetime on hold, she finally came back and said "Sir - the charge for annual service fee has been removed, but I'll need to forward you to another department to have the fee for credit protection taken off." I said, "thank you; I'll wait." FINALLY, another real live human being came on the line and asked what he could do to help me. I explained the situation for the ten thousandth time and he finally got back on the line and said "Sir, the charges for annual service and the charge for credit protection have been removed. I have a confirmation number for you." I thanked him and wrote down the number and hung up the phone.
Now, I KNOW things are more complicated today than they were twenty, or thirty, or fifty years ago. Back then, you drove to a bank, spoke face to face with a banker, and reached agreement (or disagreement) on whatever business you had to do. If there was ever a problem, you went to that same guy and dealt with it PERSONALLY. Now, things are much less personal and your word is only as good as the electronic number they assign to you based many times (my situation especially) on things that are beyond your control. I have to believe that a real live human being would listen to what has happened in my case and say, "you know what - your ex has done you dirty. None of this stuff is yours - in fact, everything that IS yours has been taken care of and paid on time. I think you're credit worthy."
I think I liked things better the way they used to be.
Meanwhile, I've been blessed beyond measure! I'm now married to the love of my life and she treats me like a king! I have a great job that I love, eternal life when I die, and I'm loving what my life has become! I know that these little inconveniences will go away eventually and I've got another twenty or thirty years of happiness in front of me! Praise God forever! LIC, Dan
A couple of months ago, Bank of America sent me notice via snail mail that my BoA Visa was being cancelled because my credit report said I was a poor risk. I called them up and queried as to why, on an account that has never been paid late, NEVER been partially paid (always paid the entire balance every month), and never had any other problem of any kind, would be closed by them. They said that my credit report was poor. So I pulled up my credit reports and, sure enough, my ex did me dirty and failed to pay any of the accounts that were left with her (she got the house, so she got the electric, gas, cable, etc., accounts). I asked them what kind of people they were looking for - I mean, anything that's MINE has been paid on time, in full, every single month. They said sorry, no sale. So I contacted the electric company and told them that the unpaid debt they were reporting on my credit report was not mine. I sent them copies of the divorce decree, the "marital agreement" (strange name for that document - it's the property division agreement), AND the warranty deed I had to file that surrendered any right or responsibility I had for my former residence. They basically said, thanks for the info - we're tacking the unpaid balance onto YOUR electric bill at your new home. Uhhhhh...I know english is a second language a lot of places in this country nowadays, but where's the common sense? Well, I've sent a complaint to the PUC and I'm waiting to find out if ANYONE in this picture has a brain in their collective head, so more to come on that story. Anyway, back to the original thought - BoA cancelled my credit card because of poor credit that wasn't even mine, right? That was a month and a half ago. Yesterday, I got a bill from them. Mind you, I have paid every bill I've ever gotten from them the day I received it IN FULL, so there shouldn't be any bills coming now, right? Well, the knotheads sent me a bill for the annual fee on the card despite the fact that the card has been cancelled and the account closed BY THEM two months ago, so I called them. I was treated to the usual phone puzzle - dial one for english, two for spanish, three for french, four for german, five for lithuanian, etc. I think I chose "one" but I'm not sure. After the usual barrage of elevator music and infomercials, I got a real live human on the line. Of course, I had to go through five more "dial one for blah blah blah, two for golbidy gook, three for brain aneurism, four for instant power of attorney" menus first. The real live human said "this is blah blah blah, how can I give you excellent Bank of America service today?" I said "Well, that's a really good question. You all sent me an bill for an annual service fee on an account YOU closed two months ago and I really don't understand why that is." Blah Blah Blah said, "Sir, I'll be happy to investigate that for you, can you hold a moment?" I said, "sure - I was really enjoying the elevator music and the infomercial - I can hold." After another lifetime on hold, she finally came back and said "Sir - the charge for annual service fee has been removed, but I'll need to forward you to another department to have the fee for credit protection taken off." I said, "thank you; I'll wait." FINALLY, another real live human being came on the line and asked what he could do to help me. I explained the situation for the ten thousandth time and he finally got back on the line and said "Sir, the charges for annual service and the charge for credit protection have been removed. I have a confirmation number for you." I thanked him and wrote down the number and hung up the phone.
Now, I KNOW things are more complicated today than they were twenty, or thirty, or fifty years ago. Back then, you drove to a bank, spoke face to face with a banker, and reached agreement (or disagreement) on whatever business you had to do. If there was ever a problem, you went to that same guy and dealt with it PERSONALLY. Now, things are much less personal and your word is only as good as the electronic number they assign to you based many times (my situation especially) on things that are beyond your control. I have to believe that a real live human being would listen to what has happened in my case and say, "you know what - your ex has done you dirty. None of this stuff is yours - in fact, everything that IS yours has been taken care of and paid on time. I think you're credit worthy."
I think I liked things better the way they used to be.
Meanwhile, I've been blessed beyond measure! I'm now married to the love of my life and she treats me like a king! I have a great job that I love, eternal life when I die, and I'm loving what my life has become! I know that these little inconveniences will go away eventually and I've got another twenty or thirty years of happiness in front of me! Praise God forever! LIC, Dan
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Another call...
I got another "showing service" call today; an agent wants to show my house! It's been on the market for about 3 weeks, and it's been shown 3 times. If you're reading, please pray that God will send the right someone who will make an offer on it. I'd like to make a modest profit, but it's getting to the place where I'd almost be happy with a "break even" just so I can stop LOSING money on it. I think I'll contact my agent and ask about a price reduction.
It's funny. I paid $48,000 for it over two years ago, paid $5,000 to get the foundation levelled, put about $1200 into the garage project, around $2000 into the storage building in the back, about $500 in the dog kennel and patio cover, and about another $1000 or so into interior improvements. That's about $58000 altogether - I'm only asking $65,000, so it's not like I'm looking to become the next Donald Trump or anything - I'd just like a fair return on my investment. Of course, all of that's not funny. What IS funny is the fact that, no sooner than I put my house on the market, the housing market goes into the toilet and builders are practically GIVING new houses away; no closing, no down payment - just move in! Oh well...like I said, please pray that God sends someone who will love it to buy it!
Lord God,
I don't often ask for things just for myself. I usually pray for others or merely for guidance and protection. This time, though, I need something just for me and Kim, Lord. I'm asking that You send a buyer to buy my house. Please send someone who will love it for what it is - an inexpensive home in a great neighborhood; a home that has been well taken care of and has provided me with shelter and warmth during a very trying time in my life; a place where I've been alone, and a place where I've entertained family, friends, and the one true love of my life. Lord, I ask it in the name of Jesus - Amen!
It's funny. I paid $48,000 for it over two years ago, paid $5,000 to get the foundation levelled, put about $1200 into the garage project, around $2000 into the storage building in the back, about $500 in the dog kennel and patio cover, and about another $1000 or so into interior improvements. That's about $58000 altogether - I'm only asking $65,000, so it's not like I'm looking to become the next Donald Trump or anything - I'd just like a fair return on my investment. Of course, all of that's not funny. What IS funny is the fact that, no sooner than I put my house on the market, the housing market goes into the toilet and builders are practically GIVING new houses away; no closing, no down payment - just move in! Oh well...like I said, please pray that God sends someone who will love it to buy it!
Lord God,
I don't often ask for things just for myself. I usually pray for others or merely for guidance and protection. This time, though, I need something just for me and Kim, Lord. I'm asking that You send a buyer to buy my house. Please send someone who will love it for what it is - an inexpensive home in a great neighborhood; a home that has been well taken care of and has provided me with shelter and warmth during a very trying time in my life; a place where I've been alone, and a place where I've entertained family, friends, and the one true love of my life. Lord, I ask it in the name of Jesus - Amen!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Here's the skinny on corn
Last time, I said I'd go into the whole corn fiasco a little bit. You remember corn, right? It's the grain that grows on ears, right?; usually golden in color? Gold it is, because corn growers are taking their crops to the bank right now, big time, and it's all because they have a better lobby than the lumber industry.
Ever heard of MTBE? It WAS a gasoline additive - a really good one, I might add. It was developed in response to the EPA's mandate for "oxygenates" in gasoline sold in ozone non-attainment areas. Here in Texas, most of the major metropolitan areas of the state are in such areas (Harris, Bexar and Travis counties, for example). MTBE is an abbreviation for Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether; the base molecule of the compound is a simple alcohol, the single carbon Methyl Alcohol, or methanol for short. When gasoline was no longer allowed to contain lead, gasoline blending operations had to find another compound to boost the octane in gasoline (actually, gasoline has NO octane in it - it's an 8 carbon molecule all right, but it's called Isopentane). At first they added whatever they could. Benzene, a common chemical in industrial operations, was the first weapon of choice. It was relatively cheap and it burns REAL good, but it's also a known carcinogen. When it was decided that benzene wasn't such a good idea, Butane was often added. (Yes, butane; just like in cigarette lighters) The problem there was that it made the gasoline TOO volatile - it evaporated at much too high a rate and caused that haze we see in the air in major cities. So, it was decided that a new material would have to be chosen to replace these other octane boosters. MTBE was chosen.
MTBE is volatile, but not as volatile as butane. It has a characteristic ether odor, but isn't narcotic like ethyl ether and has no known carcinogenic health effects. It was perfect! Remember when I said that the base unit of the compound is Methanol? Well, methanol is made from wood ("wood alcohol"), and tree huggers don't like the idea of someone cutting down a tree to make fuel (does anyone remember "wood?"), so they decided to do whatever they could to stop the use of MTBE in gasoline. First, they said that it causes cancer. Well, it had been thoroughly tested on laboratory animals for that, but it WAS fairly new and there was no human data available ("epidemiology"), so the allegation that MTBE causes cancer created quite a stir, but not enough to make it go away. Infrastructure for MTBE delivery had been developed; the compound was easy enough to manufacture and it was relatively cheap, so junk science that accused the compound of carcinogenic capability was basically ignored. Then, it was discovered that MTBE was showing up in underground water in various parts of the country. MTBE vapor from fuel storage and/or delievery facilities was being dissolved by rainwater and was emerging in aquifers, so MTBE was outlawed and the search for a new "oxygenate" was begun. That's when the fight began, because big agriculture wanted ethyl alcohol to become the oxygenate of choice and the lumber people said that methyl alcohol ("wood alcohol") should be used. Well, let's examine this, shall we? The infrastructure for methanol was already in place (recall that methanol is the base compound in MTBE) and not a lot of tweaking would be necessary to replace MTBE with pure methanol. Methanol manufacturing, storage, delivery, and blending facilities were already under contract and functioning in MTBE service. No overhead! What did ethanol offer? There was little or no manufacturing capability (at least not on anywhere NEAR the scale necessary for use as a gasoline additive), no means of moving ethanol from the corn fields to refineries, and little or no plan in place to make any of that happen in a timely manner. Anyone ever hear of the law of supply and demand? When something is in great demand, prices go up until supplies catch up. So, which choice made more sense from practically every standpoint imagineable? Uhh...methanol, of course! So why did ethanol win out? The agriculture lobby is stronger than the lumber lobby and corn is supposedly more friendly to the environment than lumbering!
Uh...last time I checked, trees were a renewable resource just like corn! Granted, it takes longer for a tree to grow than a stalk of corn, but the machinery was already there! Meanwhile, consumers are paying out the wazoo for the shortsightedness of Congress and their inability to fight for a good decision on behalf of their constituents because some lobbyist made a better campaign contribution than some other lobbyist. Will ethanol ever catch up with what methanol would have been from the start? Well, eventually, I suppose - as long as corn supplies can keep up with demand. What happens when that next two-year drought hits? Does anyone remember 4 or 5 years ago when corn fields were burning up all over the country? Well, I guess time will tell.
Enjoy $4.00 a gallon gasoline - it's right around the corner and there's little or nothing we can do about it as things stand now. - Dan
Ever heard of MTBE? It WAS a gasoline additive - a really good one, I might add. It was developed in response to the EPA's mandate for "oxygenates" in gasoline sold in ozone non-attainment areas. Here in Texas, most of the major metropolitan areas of the state are in such areas (Harris, Bexar and Travis counties, for example). MTBE is an abbreviation for Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether; the base molecule of the compound is a simple alcohol, the single carbon Methyl Alcohol, or methanol for short. When gasoline was no longer allowed to contain lead, gasoline blending operations had to find another compound to boost the octane in gasoline (actually, gasoline has NO octane in it - it's an 8 carbon molecule all right, but it's called Isopentane). At first they added whatever they could. Benzene, a common chemical in industrial operations, was the first weapon of choice. It was relatively cheap and it burns REAL good, but it's also a known carcinogen. When it was decided that benzene wasn't such a good idea, Butane was often added. (Yes, butane; just like in cigarette lighters) The problem there was that it made the gasoline TOO volatile - it evaporated at much too high a rate and caused that haze we see in the air in major cities. So, it was decided that a new material would have to be chosen to replace these other octane boosters. MTBE was chosen.
MTBE is volatile, but not as volatile as butane. It has a characteristic ether odor, but isn't narcotic like ethyl ether and has no known carcinogenic health effects. It was perfect! Remember when I said that the base unit of the compound is Methanol? Well, methanol is made from wood ("wood alcohol"), and tree huggers don't like the idea of someone cutting down a tree to make fuel (does anyone remember "wood?"), so they decided to do whatever they could to stop the use of MTBE in gasoline. First, they said that it causes cancer. Well, it had been thoroughly tested on laboratory animals for that, but it WAS fairly new and there was no human data available ("epidemiology"), so the allegation that MTBE causes cancer created quite a stir, but not enough to make it go away. Infrastructure for MTBE delivery had been developed; the compound was easy enough to manufacture and it was relatively cheap, so junk science that accused the compound of carcinogenic capability was basically ignored. Then, it was discovered that MTBE was showing up in underground water in various parts of the country. MTBE vapor from fuel storage and/or delievery facilities was being dissolved by rainwater and was emerging in aquifers, so MTBE was outlawed and the search for a new "oxygenate" was begun. That's when the fight began, because big agriculture wanted ethyl alcohol to become the oxygenate of choice and the lumber people said that methyl alcohol ("wood alcohol") should be used. Well, let's examine this, shall we? The infrastructure for methanol was already in place (recall that methanol is the base compound in MTBE) and not a lot of tweaking would be necessary to replace MTBE with pure methanol. Methanol manufacturing, storage, delivery, and blending facilities were already under contract and functioning in MTBE service. No overhead! What did ethanol offer? There was little or no manufacturing capability (at least not on anywhere NEAR the scale necessary for use as a gasoline additive), no means of moving ethanol from the corn fields to refineries, and little or no plan in place to make any of that happen in a timely manner. Anyone ever hear of the law of supply and demand? When something is in great demand, prices go up until supplies catch up. So, which choice made more sense from practically every standpoint imagineable? Uhh...methanol, of course! So why did ethanol win out? The agriculture lobby is stronger than the lumber lobby and corn is supposedly more friendly to the environment than lumbering!
Uh...last time I checked, trees were a renewable resource just like corn! Granted, it takes longer for a tree to grow than a stalk of corn, but the machinery was already there! Meanwhile, consumers are paying out the wazoo for the shortsightedness of Congress and their inability to fight for a good decision on behalf of their constituents because some lobbyist made a better campaign contribution than some other lobbyist. Will ethanol ever catch up with what methanol would have been from the start? Well, eventually, I suppose - as long as corn supplies can keep up with demand. What happens when that next two-year drought hits? Does anyone remember 4 or 5 years ago when corn fields were burning up all over the country? Well, I guess time will tell.
Enjoy $4.00 a gallon gasoline - it's right around the corner and there's little or nothing we can do about it as things stand now. - Dan
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