Quick! Someone call Guinness! Or a doctor.

[post removed]

Inertia

Struggling lately with being comfortable versus taking risks. Took a real estate risk recently and now feel risked-out, at least financially. So, I know that a career move would be very difficult but I can't help but think I might regret not trying to take advantage of potential opportunities, or at least looking. Hmm. I'm really just talking myself out of it. I need a mental kick in the ass.

Relief, part 2

It looks like the official homecoming for Hope is this Thursday, with a celebration for her company at a local high school on Friday and a family/friends welcome home party at her parents' place on Saturday. Problem: it's in Wisconsin and I'm in Pennsylvania--about 14 hours away. So, unfortunately I won't be able to partake in the celebration. Man, I so wish I could pull it off. It is sort of strange how effected I was by her tour over in Iraq. Something about having your little niece over in such a deadly place that just stuck in my heart in an emotionally impacting way that I didn't expect. It's not that we were ever that close, but then again, I've never had a family member put so directly in harm's way before. My brother and sister-in-law must be thrilled and relieved beyond belief.

Relief

If I needed good news following the ill feelings from the Bamboozle the Union speech from the shrub, I certainly received it tonight: My niece, Hope, is safe on American soil as of 2:40 pm EST (arrived at Fort Drum, NY), home from a year in that shrub-created terrorist playground we call Iraq. Thank God. Still, how many are not so fortunate? Now we still worry about her getting out completely--fear the backdoor draft and stop-loss policies that the shrub loves so dearly. You see, in case you weren't aware, you're never really out of the reserves and can be called back until you've served some ungodly amount of years of active duty. Normally this would not be anything to worry about, but of course with the war-monger shrub still perpetrating his crimes in the country's highest office it's a whole new world. Gee, I feel so safe--warm & fuzzy like.

Bamboozle the Union Address

Ok, I need to know right now who in the world is fooled by the euphemism "personal" in place of "private" retirement account? Is this Shrub's way of trying to avoid having repeatedly lied about NOT privatizing Social Security? I predicted he would use a combination of good ol' boy charm statement like "it's your money," euphemisms, and scare tactics to try to fool folks into thinking that dismantling Social Security--and putting in its place a government sponsored 401K--would be a good idea.

Did I hear Shrub correctly? Benefits for those over 55 won't be changed and those younger citizens will have a chance to plan and recoup from his cockamamy plan. So, what he's saying is that the real Ben Dover factor hits those of us who are between 40 and 55. Nice.

Well, at least the Shrub gave me something to blog about. Trust me, I'd rather be silent.

Yellow Snow

This little ditty gives new meaning to the term yellow snow. You gotta applaud the effort.