Happy new year everyone. 2011 is drawing to a close finally. As I write this on new years eve I take a little time to reflect on the previous year. Alot has happened.. both good and bad, as im sure it has been for many folks. I've had alot of new experiences, some of which i will never forget in my lifetime. These are the things that memories are made of and well theres no replacing life experiences. The bad, well as the clock hits 12:00 am i'll try to forget, and leave in the past.
The good things however, well like i said they are things that make life worth living. I am blessed, i know, I have good health ( as far as i know) and i make decent money, yes its not the greatest, but there are many by far worse off than i am. Family, for the most part is few, but those that are there have my love, and i know i have theirs. My job is great, i work with talented and exceptional people that not only am i lucky enough to call friend as well as co-workers.
My friends however, are my real riches. I dont have a ton of close friends, but i do have a very few select few that i know i could count on no matter what. I konw this because i feel it from them. Not in words always, not in deed always, but i do feel that the small close group of friends that i have have blessed me by having them in my life. I dont need to name names, but I hope they konw who they are. I hope they konw i love them and will do anything i can for them. I hope they know that even though i dont say it enough or show it all the time I love them, am thankful for them, and appreciate them in my life. They are a speial group, full of surprises, intelligence, laughter, and love.(although they dont know it, and dont see them as i see them, I hope they know how much they mean to me)
Material things come and go, but a true friend is forever. In 2012 i hope that i am blessed to continune my relationships with them, get closer with them, and enjoy them more. I hope they feel the same for me, as i do them. I hope that the bad thigns that happen in life are small and trivial in 2012, and i hope we all can be stronger, better off, and better people in the coming year.
Benjamin franklin once said "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and may each new year find you a better man". I sure hope that this is the case for me, and i wish each of you my best wishes in future finances, friendship, love, and happiness. May peace be with you, and know that im there for you as a friend if you need me. :)
The Palmetto State
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
To give of ones self is the greatest gift of all.
Recently things have been a bit busy. I too have been a bit ill. some sort of sinus induced funk that has plagued me since tuesday of this week. Not fun. I seem to be largely over it now, and only have a slight cough every so often.
A while back emily had mentioned that she was off a couple of days and we could go to D.C. to visit family. I would have to get with my dad and see if he had time off. I called him once i got the ok for work, and got the time off for me. He said he had to do some legwork and see if he could get it off. Well last friday i learned he couldnt get the time off, and thus we didnt go to DC. I had a contingency though, it was to go see my grandfather in myrtle beach. This is in fact what we did do. We also went and did some christmas shopping while down at the beach.
I hadnt seen my grandfather since before thanksgiving of 2008. This is largely because of his wife, and my half sister. I've blogged about that situation previously. They remain dead to me as they did the day that the rift in the family had formed. Seeing my grandfather was great though. However, it also made me realize that he is starting to get older, and sadly starting to slow down. I felt bad for the things hes having to deal with in regards with my grandmother, and her commitment into the assisted living facility. It makes me realize how things in life are too short, and that you need to cherish every moment. I hope he enjoyed our visit, it wasn't long enough. It was especially nice to see him before christmas.
Today is christmas eve. Emily works tonight, and tomorrow. So we plan on opening our gifts tomorrow morning when she gets home. It should be very nice especially since we're going to do breakfast as well. I hate that she works nights though, and still wish she'd get off the night shift. All in time i hope. As 2011 comes to an end, i can hope for alot of things. I am thankful for what i have, and hope that everyone has a great Christmas and new year, and an even better 2012.
A while back emily had mentioned that she was off a couple of days and we could go to D.C. to visit family. I would have to get with my dad and see if he had time off. I called him once i got the ok for work, and got the time off for me. He said he had to do some legwork and see if he could get it off. Well last friday i learned he couldnt get the time off, and thus we didnt go to DC. I had a contingency though, it was to go see my grandfather in myrtle beach. This is in fact what we did do. We also went and did some christmas shopping while down at the beach.
I hadnt seen my grandfather since before thanksgiving of 2008. This is largely because of his wife, and my half sister. I've blogged about that situation previously. They remain dead to me as they did the day that the rift in the family had formed. Seeing my grandfather was great though. However, it also made me realize that he is starting to get older, and sadly starting to slow down. I felt bad for the things hes having to deal with in regards with my grandmother, and her commitment into the assisted living facility. It makes me realize how things in life are too short, and that you need to cherish every moment. I hope he enjoyed our visit, it wasn't long enough. It was especially nice to see him before christmas.
Today is christmas eve. Emily works tonight, and tomorrow. So we plan on opening our gifts tomorrow morning when she gets home. It should be very nice especially since we're going to do breakfast as well. I hate that she works nights though, and still wish she'd get off the night shift. All in time i hope. As 2011 comes to an end, i can hope for alot of things. I am thankful for what i have, and hope that everyone has a great Christmas and new year, and an even better 2012.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
How to fix Congress
this is a letter i received recently. I am told this is from Warren Buffett. If so, hes got some Great ideas here. I think there will be more needed to fix it though than just this, but this is a hell of a start. what do you all think? I look forward to your comments.
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this
contract with Congressmen/women.
Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.
thoughts?
Warren Buffet is asking
_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this
contract with Congressmen/women.
Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.
thoughts?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Black Fridaygiving and A family visit.
I know I've been slack with posting. Life has been busy. This past week was thanksgiving. its an American holiday for those of you foreigners that may or may not read this blog. :)
This is the time of year for family, friends, and thanking those for their part in your life. It is also a time for reflection upon what you have both materially and immaterially. It is a time of happiness and immense sadness for me, as I'm sure it is for many.
My dad called in Virginia a couple of weeks ago. He stated that his mom, my grandmother, was going to be put into an assisted living community. She has Dementia and possibly Alzheimer's. It is good that she's going to be put in this place, as it will help her, and she will be safe from herself. The sad part is this, that this thanksgiving is the first time since 1959ish that they didn't get to hold thanksgiving at her home. It was a tradition that i fondly remember from my youth. Every thanksgiving we'd go over to her house on Elgar Street. My dad, and his brothers would play football in the field across the street with neighbors and cousins, while sometimes id play too, and other times I'd just watch. Then supper was ready, and we'd eat our selves stupid. Once food was done, we'd go down to the rec room and watch football and talk and eat more. It was a good time. Fond memories of days long gone now.
Looking back on these memories are good things, but at the same time its sad because of how they will never happen again. Now the season is changing into full swing of Christmas. I have decorated the house some with the help of Emily, whom loves this time of the year. it is hard for me to get into the spirit of things though because of the lack of family now a days. There was a time when all was well and everyone was together, sadly that will never happen again. I guess it is part of life. I don't know. Now i have to shop for gifts, and i really don't know what all to buy for anyone. It all seems so odd to me and kinda pointless to give stuff that probably isn't wanted or needed.. I think i need to think about the gifting a lot more now. Maybe more sentimental things, maybe things with more meaning. Store bought gifts are great if you needed something,but these days i don't know if anyone needs anything really. I think sometimes that that which everyone thinks they need they don't, and that which they do need they don't know they need... or at least till its gone. Who knows. Food for thought i suppose....
This is the time of year for family, friends, and thanking those for their part in your life. It is also a time for reflection upon what you have both materially and immaterially. It is a time of happiness and immense sadness for me, as I'm sure it is for many.
My dad called in Virginia a couple of weeks ago. He stated that his mom, my grandmother, was going to be put into an assisted living community. She has Dementia and possibly Alzheimer's. It is good that she's going to be put in this place, as it will help her, and she will be safe from herself. The sad part is this, that this thanksgiving is the first time since 1959ish that they didn't get to hold thanksgiving at her home. It was a tradition that i fondly remember from my youth. Every thanksgiving we'd go over to her house on Elgar Street. My dad, and his brothers would play football in the field across the street with neighbors and cousins, while sometimes id play too, and other times I'd just watch. Then supper was ready, and we'd eat our selves stupid. Once food was done, we'd go down to the rec room and watch football and talk and eat more. It was a good time. Fond memories of days long gone now.
Looking back on these memories are good things, but at the same time its sad because of how they will never happen again. Now the season is changing into full swing of Christmas. I have decorated the house some with the help of Emily, whom loves this time of the year. it is hard for me to get into the spirit of things though because of the lack of family now a days. There was a time when all was well and everyone was together, sadly that will never happen again. I guess it is part of life. I don't know. Now i have to shop for gifts, and i really don't know what all to buy for anyone. It all seems so odd to me and kinda pointless to give stuff that probably isn't wanted or needed.. I think i need to think about the gifting a lot more now. Maybe more sentimental things, maybe things with more meaning. Store bought gifts are great if you needed something,but these days i don't know if anyone needs anything really. I think sometimes that that which everyone thinks they need they don't, and that which they do need they don't know they need... or at least till its gone. Who knows. Food for thought i suppose....
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