Posts from — October 2008

In a local restaurant my server had on a “Obama 08″ tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference-just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need-the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I’ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

-Author Unknown

I love my ISP.

Know why?

Speed Test to L.A

Speed Test to San Diego

Speed Test to San Jose

And even clear across country:

Speed Test to Washington DC

Nuff said.

If The World Could Vote - Oct 21, 2008 1:08AM PST

It used to be that people from all over the world would flock to the United States to seek a better life.  Oh wait, its still that way!  Even as screwed up as we are, people are still beating down our doors in search of what they couldn’t find in their own countries.

They left their country to come here.  I don’t have time to research this, but I’d bet that the immigration phenomenon has been stronger to the US than in any other country in the world.  Call it jingoism if you’d like, but its all the folks from the rest of the world that are voting with their feet and trying to move here.

Speaking of voting, check out how the rest of the world would vote in our election.  I touched on this in a prior rant, and this new information seems to support my original point.

87.4% of the World would vote Obama.  Has there ever been a better reason to vote McCain?

People come here because it is (was) DIFFERENT than where they were.  Some would say, BETTER.  I’ll leave that question up to the large number of immigrants to our shores, as I’m unbelievably biased on the question.

If we continue to vote they way the rest of the world does, we will be just like them.  We are headed there already.  Obama will bring us that much closer.  If the world thinks this way, chances are we should be going in the exact opposite direction.  Being a citizen of the world sounds nice, but when you come down to it, I’d pick being an American any day.

Please: Remain American.  Vote McCain!

We’ve had two Compassion International kids for over a decade, and the experience has been fantastic.  They are a great group with a real heart for children.  Their work makes a material difference in the lives of the kids.

My cute CI Kids.

I love my 2 kids!  Uwimana is from Rwanda and a sweet, sweet girl.  She has struggled in school and hardship at home, but has come a long way from when we first sponsored her.   Helio is a handsome boy from Brazil who loves soccer and art.  He lives with his Grandmother and every letter from him comes with a beautiful picture.

Emily thinks of them as being a sort of brother and sister and sometimes plays with their pictures, making them talk as if they were really with her.  She mentions them often enough to let us know that their lives and struggles have had an effect on her, even at 4.

For a few bucks a month, its a great way to make a personal difference in the lives of people who really need it.

I took these about a week ago, when our pool was still open.  I so enjoyed swimming with Emily this season.  It was like watching pure joy every day.  I didn’t want to forget a single detail, so I bought an Underwater Housing for my wife’s Canon IS700 camera.  The results were pretty fun!

I can’t wait until next year!

In the last 7 years in CA, we have been on fire for 5 of them.  I’ve never sustained any direct damage, but the cleanup is always dreadful.

God bless the men and women who fight these things, and Lord help the people in direct danger.  I hope we are not one of them soon.

This was the view from my house:

UGH.