No Wonder Churches Have So Many Rituals

March 30, 2018

I often get impatient with church rituals and directives. It seems like sometimes pomp takes over, when Jesus seemed to advocate a simple life.

But then I look at Passover. It started as a grab-and-go situation. But before it even happened, the Lord directed the Israelites to commemorate it every year by observing it for 7 days, culminating in a festival. The directions came complete with rules on what to sacrifice, etc.

I guess people aren’t the only ones to blame for making life (and religion) more complicated than it needs to be.

Move Over, 2C Drivers

March 26, 2018

There’s a new law in Idaho that says that anyone driving slowly in the left lane or passing lane can be cited.

And anyone who’s ever had to drive behind a Canyon County driver has just said, “Hallelujah!”

I'm Sorry, Rick, I Can't Let This One Go

March 26, 2018

Excerpts from Rick Santorum’s comments about students lobbying for stricter gun laws:


“How about kids instead of looking to someone else to solve their problem, do something about maybe taking CPR classes or trying to deal with situations that when there is a violent shooter that you can actually respond to that.”

“They took action to ask someone to pass a law. They didn't take action to say, ‘How do I, as an individual, deal with this problem? How am I going to do something about stopping bullying within my own community? What am I going to do to actually help respond to a shooter?’... Those are the kind of things where you can take it internally, and say, ‘Here's how I'm going to deal with this. Here's how I'm going to help the situation,’ instead of going and protesting and saying, ‘Oh, someone else needs to pass a law to protect me.’” 

Seriously? Children shouldn’t ask for protection?

Is it not our job to protect our children?

At what age do you want the kids to start protecting themselves, Rick? The kids at Sandy Hook were 6 and 7. If you could have defended yourself, or performed CPR, at age 6, with bullets flying and people being killed around you, you are one tough cookie!



I seriously have concerns about your mental health, if you honestly feel that students should have to learn to protect themselves against murderers instead of relying on adults to make their lives safer through legislation.

And by the way, Mr. Santorum, government exists by the people, for the people—not for the NRA.

Now, please go away. 




March 30, 2018

I was watching an episode of “Chicago Fire” the other night, and the firefighters were in a house with bullets flying all around them; and these seasoned professionals were terrified—as who wouldn't be?

And I was hoping that Rick Santorum was watching, so he could see how truly stupid his remarks were.

Why Is He Running Around Loose?

March 25, 2018

Not sure how to even respond to a guy who says that instead of trying to stop gun violence by getting laws passed (which is “looking to other people to solve their problems” in his opinion),

Students should study CPR to learn how to deal with other students wounded during school shootings.

Rick Santorum, please go inside, draw the shades, and don’t come back out.

It's Not Just the IRS

March 23, 2018

Underwater archaeologists have excavated artifacts from cities that sank into the Mediterranean Sea about 1,200 years ago. One is a stone tablet dating back to the 4^th century B.C. that describes some complicated tax rules for Egypt.

Can you believe it? 2,400 years of practice, and they still can't figure out how to simplify the tax code.

TV Writers' Little Jokes

March 22, 2018

Does anybody who used to watch “Chuck” now watch “Designated Survivor”? DS has a computer geek named Chuck, and recently introduced characters named Volkov and Frost.

Coincidence?

(Cue the Twilight Zone music.)

On Inertia

March 22, 2018

No matter how still you sit, you’re still moving through time.

(I can’t decide whether to use that as a reason to move and actually accomplish something; or as a justification for sitting still.)

What Are You Paying For?

March 20, 2018

Here’s a fairly common scenario in the hourly-wage world:

Employee X replaces Employee Y. Employee X does the work faster, but just as accurately. But you’re paying by the hour, so Employee X has some down-time. How are you going to make sure that you’re getting what you pay for? Do you:

1. Cut Employee X’s hours, since you don’t need him to work as long to get the job done?
2. Cross-train Employee X to work on something else during his remaining work hours so that he can be more of an asset to the company?
3. Say, “We’re paying him for what he accomplishes, not how long it takes him to do it,” and give him flexibility in when he works and let him keep the original pay you agreed on, thereby demonstrating your faith in and appreciation for Employee X, and building company loyalty and grooming a potentially great employee?

One employer went with Option A. Would you like to know why that’s a bad idea?

Employee X will probably leave. Then you have to pay to train somebody else, and, in this particular company’s case, also pay an employment agency a whopping fee to find the replacement in the first place.

You may decide that, in the long run, it pays to use Option A. But do the math first. And remember that an employee that catches on that quickly and is honest enough not to milk the job will probably be an asset to the company overall.

Option C is nice. It shows the employee that he is valued. But is it really the most effective use of your dollars? Unless you’re thinking really long-term, it might be wise to give X something to do to fill in the remaining hours you’re paying him for.

If you are thinking long-term, though, don’t discount Option C entirely; especially if you have positions that will be opening up, or even created, in the near future. An employee who feels valued will be a huge asset to your company, and will trust you to do right by him. And he will return the favor. If that’s your strategy, think about Option C.

Otherwise, go with Option B.

Travel Notes: Japan

March 20, 2018

Just had an amazing trip to Japan. There were too many highlights to go into, but suffice it to say, the cities were fun, and the people were very helpful.

Here are some things to know before you go:

Google Maps doesn’t work very well there. Get directions from a real person ahead of time.

None of the Airbnb’s we stayed at had washcloths, hand towels, or top sheets. You got a bottom sheet and a comforter on the bed. I have a hard time believing that the comforters were washed between visits so, according to your hygiene preferences, plan and pack accordingly. (Note: We survived just fine. But I really would have preferred a clean top sheet, and some washcloths.)

The signs at train stations and bus stops are pretty clear, but we were still very glad to have a person who spoke Japanese to help us plan our stops.

Train stations are set up so that if you go out one entrance, you may be going into an entirely different section of the city than if you go out another. Be very sure about which exit you want to take to make sure that you’re going to the right place. Getting back into the station to get to the right place can be frustrating. (And no, it’s not as easy as simply walking around the outside of the station to get to the correct exit. You’re going to have to trust me on this.)

You have a decent chance of finding someone who speaks English in Tokyo. In other cities, the people were just as willing to help, but there was a language barrier. Be warned.

No matter what time of year you go, wear sunglasses. The sunlight is pretty intense.

You won’t starve. Food is plentiful, pre-cooked, and cheap. Also delicious.

Be sure to bring something to track how many flavors of Kit Kats you spot. Japan has over 200 flavors. It can be a nice treasure hunt/trivia game.

Have fun!

No Wonder He Was So Cranky

March 13, 2018

I recently started watching “Star Trek: Discovery”, and the first question that came to mind was:

How the heck many kids did Sarek raise?

Every time we turn around, they’re springing a new one on us.

It also seems to me like everybody in the new series pronounces his name wrong. But that may just be me.

It Came From the Heart

March 4, 2018

The Florida Senate voted down a bill that would have banned assault weapons, after 17 students were killed in a shooting there last month.

But they did observe a moment of silence for the victims.

Because they care.

Here's How I Do Marathons

March 1, 2018

I saw a news blurb today about a fundraiser that involves going up 40 flights of stairs.

And I thought, not for the first time, “Why does nobody ever have a ‘Read Novels and Eat Bonbons’ fundraiser?”

Think about it: How many people would pay ten bucks to have somebody watch their kids for two hours while they sat and read a book and ate chocolate? All for a good cause!

But Can They Beat AARP's?

February 25, 2018

Until recent news stories hit, I didn’t realize that the NRA gave discounts on so many services. 

Maybe I should sign up.