David's Tangled Thoughts

There is a debate in the U.S. about getting rid of the one cent coin. It now costs 1.7¢ to make 1¢. Since a penny can get used over and over with a lifetime that can last decades, it may seem that such a high production cost would be worth it in the long run. However, the metal value of the coin also exceeds its face value. So the penny is at risk of being melted down despite laws that exist to prevent such a thing. I actually support scrapping the penny. This biggest thing that would make me want to continue with the penny is that lobbing off anything other than a 5 or a 0 would be weird to me. And after all this time of learning to calculate a 6% sales tax, I’d have to get used to a few more steps? When I read the arguments in favor and against, I was won over by the arguments to get rid of it. Another thing that I’d get rid of is the dollar bill which is another costly expense. The lifetime of a dollar bill is counted in months . Although a dollar coin would cost more to ma

Amy K. contacted me a few weeks ago, asking me to befriend her on Facebook . Amy K. and I used to go to high school. She was in the class ahead of me. I haven’t seen her since she graduated from high school—1999. Since I went to a small school, interactions between the grades were normal but I felt more comfortable with her class than any of the others. Amy was one of the closest friends that I had there. She had recently moved to South Haven which isn’t that far from where I live and so I asked Kacey (another high school friend) if she wanted to go and visit her. Last night we did just that. It was a mini high school reunion. Class of 1999—Amy, Kacey, and April. Then there was me from the class of 2000. We met up with Amy first in South Haven and then Amy drove us to get April in Kzoo where we also stayed for the evening’s fun. Okay my memory is a little hazy… We went to this bar in DT Kzoo which was right above the comedy club that we had reservations too. I think the c

I got a mix bag of news today. I have been booted out of my cubicle at work. At least they gave me a few weeks notice though. Sadly, I will not be staying with the accounting crew. I suspect that I probably won’t even stay in the head admin offices. My temp boss (I’m still officially in another department) came up to me and asked me if my real boss, C, or anyone above her up to MG, had said anything to me about where I’d be going. Since the contract with Fruit Inc was not renewed, most of the people in my department have either been fired or farmed out to other projects. Out of the 100+ positions that were being held this summer, about ten of us are left and even then, Fruit may only be part of the day’s work. I, for instance, only work on it for 3 ½ hours a day before I transfer to accounting. Really, the only thing that has kept me in the Fruit project is because they need me for accounting. Any other project would demand my complete day’s work and probably at another buildi

I think that it's safe to say that everyone has vice and everyone definitely has moral failings, but is there something that you can be proud of--a virtue that is always demonstrated? This morning I stopped into Meijer to pick up some food stuff for the accounting staff. The only lanes available were the self-checkout lanes but they are staffed. I was the only one there so as I checked out my stuff, the cashier lady was watching me. When I was through, my change came out to be something dollars and fifty cents. Within the change tray there was already a penny sitting there. What would you do? Would you take the fifty-one cents or would you only take the fifty cents that were yours? I took my two quarters and left the penny. As I walked out the overly-bored checkout lady said that I left some change. I looked at her and said, "It's not mine." I think she was too stunned to say anything and so I went on with my morning. It's the second time within the last

With gas prices horribly high, Michigan is thinking about another 9¢/gal. The price difference between gas stations in Indiana and those in Michigan should become more apparent. It would not surprise me that Michigan would add to the bill a provision that Michiganders would be prohibited from purchasing more than 30 gallons of gas in another state and transporting it back into the state. Kinda like how we can’t bring back more than one case of beer per person or more than two cartons of cigarettes. I mean really… with the millage increase, the expanded sales tax, and higher income taxes that have already been passed, can we have a break from the guys picking through our pockets? Five years. How about that? Just lay off the more money grabbing for five years and learn to work with what you got. A little while ago, Indiana increased property taxes. The new way of accessing property values caused some people’s bills to skyrocket. Some people saw their bills increase so badly that

The United States is a very religious country. I find that a lot of religious people are odd. Let me say now that I do not hate people because of their beliefs. I just find some of most devout to be rather odd. Those who shun technology, wear dresses, play with snakes… Benny Hinn. You know whatever, it’s cool and I’m actually proud that they can openly practice their faith in this country. Today is Good Friday where many Christians remember Christ’s crucifixion. Locally, nothing remarkable happens, at least, not that I’m aware of. In the Philippines, something interesting happens. Around the city of San Fernando in Someother Province, there are people who get crucified. Catholics will flog themselves, carry a cross, and willingly get nailed to the cross to show their devotion. Many do it to give thanks for blessings that God has given. While I was living there, I was vaguely aware of the practice. I never saw it and I don’t even think anyone even does it in LaUnion Province.

The clothing requirements at my workplace are pretty casual. Normally I go in with a t-shirt and jeans. The big requirement is that workers need to have closed toe and heel shoes. People who work up in the admin offices dress a bit better so I thought I’d take it up a notch since I’m there for the majority of my day. Also, since the wedding is in the next month, I decided to take out the shirt stays and give them a test run. I’m willing to bet that you don’t know what a shirt stay is. You know how when you are wearing a dress shirt and then you sit down and get up repeatedly, the shirt tends to get untucked? Well a shirt stay is a device that keeps the shirt pulled down and tight. There are three or so models. Two of the three involve an elastic strap that attaches to the shirt and sock. The third attaches to the shirt but at the other end is a loop that wraps around the foot. The shirt stay was one of the first accessories that I got for my uniform back in my freshman year.

A new clip from Simon's Cat was uploaded. Check it out. Check out the site here .

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Oh wait, am I not supposed to say that because of Holy Week? Eh, I’m not Irish. I’m not Catholic so whatever. Kacey texted me to see if I wanted to go out tonight and celebrate. I haven’t been out to a bar on a Monday night since my freshman year and that was till 10:30 when they kicked the under 21s out. I was seriously tempted but I think my pocketbook will think me. Dad made corned beef and cabbage. It’s one of my favorite dishes and we only have it a few times a year. I am so stuffed right now. [burp]

For years I have had a disturbing dream. It's a bit personal so I won't go into the details. I die. I've died the same way over and over again. Killed by a bullet or perhaps more than a bullet. I'm twenty-six now the same age I am in my dream. And for the next 365 or so days, I fear that this dream may not be dream at all.

...so much they came here. Quickly followed by a hit of the "back" button. :-P Got a sucky blog that only averages four or five hits a day? Mention an attractive radio personality and watch your stats relatively explode!

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has been accused of hiring a prostitute. Spitzer, identified as Client 9 from a federal wire tap, hired the prostitute from Emperors Club VIP while on a trip to Washington, D.C. He called a news conference today to "apologize." I could go on about how this guy should resign blah blah blah but what use does it do? People like him, President Clinton , Senators Craig and Vitter , and Mayor Kilpatrick just seem to stay on. I think that Spitzer, who is no doubt well versed in the law, is going to survive this. I'm not sure Justice will want to go up against him unless what they have against him is rock solid. Do they have that? We'll have to see. Article here . UPDATE: 1830 EDT 03/12/2008 Wow. I am surprised. There were rumors the other night that he was going to resign today. Gov. Spitzer was the topic of a number of conversations at work today with many people trashing him and his behavior. In particular, we were all talking a

I've been having a rough time lately. Feeling a little depressed and such but the weird thing is that I feel like something is just waiting for me around the corner. Whatever it is, I think it's gonna be wonderful but the moments before the big reveal are killing me.

Just watched the season finale of Stargate Atlantis. I was not impressed and it was hardly a cliffhanger. I guess that's a wrap.

When my dad got his last duty assignment to Idaho, my sister and I were sent to his parents’ home in Michigan. My mother had died during the previous assignment so I guess being a single parent in the military was difficult. School made things easier so when that rolled around, we joined him in Idaho. But that summer—we were with our grandparents on the farm. I have a neutral view on the farm. It is what it is. I have good memories and bad although at the time, I thought the place was hell. Full of hard work, parasites, and dirt. There were no toilets, or showers. Water came from a well and if you wanted it warm, you did it with a stove. Breakfast at 8. Lunch when the sun was at its highest. Dinner when the sun set (as late as 10). On the other hand, I had a lot of freedom to do what I wanted. Although I did a fair amount of work, my grandparents also gave me a lot a free time. A lot of people would probably think that there wasn’t much to do on the farm but I kept myself

WLS 890 out of Chicago had to fire some of their people this past week. I heard it on the Roe Conn Show as they were mentioning that Christina Filiaggi was gone. Now I’m a listener of The Big 89. From the time I go to work to the time I go home, there has always been someone on that I want to listen to—except on the weekends. Roe Conn and his gang have always been my riding companions on my way home and I was sad to hear that Christina was not there. In addition to Christina Filiaggi, I learned that Jennifer Keiper and Bill Cameron were also let go. The blame apparently goes to Farid Suleman the CEO of the Citadel Broadcasting Corporation who is doing this to other stations all across the country. It feels frustrating to have a person who is so high up there to make decisions that affect lives down here. I mean, does he even know these people and what they do for all the people that live under 890’s broadcasting umbrella? What happens when the shows start dying? It’s already be

I’m struggling to find something to write about. I don’t know what’s been up with me lately but I’ve just been pretty damn apathetic about everything. It’s not that I’m in a bad mood but I don’t feel like I have the energy to care and I think it will reflect in this post which will be a case of blogarrhea on what I’ve been doing or thinking this past week. The job is going well so far. I’ve been helping out in the accounting office. I like it a lot and I feel at home there. I don’t know what my coworkers there are saying half the time but I’m getting my feet wet and learning as I go. A nice benefit is that I’m in close quarters with the upper management. As silly as this sounds, I’ve shaken hands and traded greetings with the CFO. The head of HR knows I exist. Even M is talking to me and she knows my name. I’m still officially in data capture and I asked my supervisor C what the deal is with this temporary duty. I’m getting conflicting signals whether this will lead to a more

I haven't been in the blogging mood. I will catch up with you later.

I must say that I was disappointed with last night's Stargate Atlantis episode. It was the second part which dealt with the newly discovered Carson Beckett that the team thought had died. Well it wasn't the real Carson . It was a clone. So blah blah blah, we find out that this Carson has a degenerative condition and is about to die so they stick him in a stasis pod until a cure can be found. Look, I'm incredibly glad that Carson was brought back. Personally, I think he needs to be brought back permanently. Like i said before, after Rodney, Carson was/is my second favorite character of the series. As much as I appreciate seeing him, I think that the way it was done was down right horrible. There was no need for a Carson character in this story line. It felt like it was an insert, a filler, a frakin' gimmick. If they are going to bring characters back from the dead, at least give them some meat. Make them critical to the story line. I would much rather have C