Ouch, towns all around me are starting to go without power. The icy storm is doing its magic. It is just a matter of time before my city goes power out as well. I'm feeling sorry for the utility linemen out there doing a thankless job in zero degrees weather. We all complain when we are without power, we expect to have power as though it was a right. We complain that we pay too much for power, but we never take into account how much it really costs to keep the lines up and running, nor how much overtime we have to pay for those souls braving the environment to restore power to the rest of us. I once saw a power crew having worked 18 hours straight stand by their truck and have a much needed cup of coffee when this lady drives up and berates them for standing around doing nothing. A thankless job indeed, and it goes to show you that you should never judge a person until you've worn their work boots.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
It's not looking good
Ouch, towns all around me are starting to go without power. The icy storm is doing its magic. It is just a matter of time before my city goes power out as well. I'm feeling sorry for the utility linemen out there doing a thankless job in zero degrees weather. We all complain when we are without power, we expect to have power as though it was a right. We complain that we pay too much for power, but we never take into account how much it really costs to keep the lines up and running, nor how much overtime we have to pay for those souls braving the environment to restore power to the rest of us. I once saw a power crew having worked 18 hours straight stand by their truck and have a much needed cup of coffee when this lady drives up and berates them for standing around doing nothing. A thankless job indeed, and it goes to show you that you should never judge a person until you've worn their work boots.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
From Iran with Love
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent an open letter to the American people today reminding them that we are all peace-loving, justice-loving, and God-fearing peoples. Except perhaps the Zionists.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
What can I say, Keith Olbermann's ratings are through the roof and climbing at 21% according to his network, as reported on The Huffington Post. Good old Keith keeps the O'Reillys at bay and ensures our fellow Americans that in depth reporting is not just limited to Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. Hats off to the Keith-meister.
Only self-interest moves men
THE PEASANT AND THE APPLE-TREE
A peasant had in his garden an apple-tree, which bore no fruit, but only served as a perch for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and, taking his ax in hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labors. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his ax. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his ax, and, looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it. Self-interest alone moves some men.
FABLES, AESOP, SIXTH CENTURY B.C.
A peasant had in his garden an apple-tree, which bore no fruit, but only served as a perch for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and, taking his ax in hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labors. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his ax. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his ax, and, looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it. Self-interest alone moves some men.
FABLES, AESOP, SIXTH CENTURY B.C.
I'm a fashionista
Today at work our resident gay guy told me that I was wearing nice jeans. Apparently I'm some kind of fashionista for wearing Hugo Boss jeans with a Ralph Lauren sweater. It does feel nice to prance around and get noticed sometimes. I now know why women do it. For those wishing a proper definition of fashionista, you need only look to Michael Quinion World Wide Words site.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/turnsofphrase/tp-fas1.htm
http://www.worldwidewords.org/turnsofphrase/tp-fas1.htm
Monday, November 27, 2006
A little Chinese wisdom
"Influence for moral betterment proceeds from those above to those below; it extends from the elder generation to the younger. This is why, when the father is not kind, the son is not filial; when the elder brother is not friendly, the younger is not respectful; when the husband is unjust, the wife is not obedient. When the father is kind and the son refractory; when the elder brother is friendly and the younger is rude; when the husband is just and the wife insolent, then these are people who are naturally evil, and they must be subjected to punishment, since they are not to be changed by counsel and guidance... The gentleness tempered with severity used in governing the household is indeed like that which is required in governing the State."
-Yen Chih-t'ui, 6th Century
-Yen Chih-t'ui, 6th Century
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