Just a short story I heard. A high school coach, A 14 year old boy. Temperature of 16 degrees. A school located in the country. A busy highway. Coach misunderstands boy. Ejects boy from practice. Gives him 15 minutes to be off school property. Enlists another teacher to watch to be sure he is off property, Parent works this shift. To leave, has to contact supervisor, gain permission to leave, drive across city, and out to country school, Impossible to make in 15 minutes. Meanwhile 14 year old boy standing outside in 16 degree weather. By the time his parent would arrive he would have to be standing next to the busy highway after dark to comply with being off school property. Is this the type of person you would want coaching your teenager or even teaching your teenager in school classes? I think this shows UNREASONABLE, IRRESPONSIBILITY, and IMMATURITY on the coaches part. If this were my son I would have been after the coach, the school, the abetting teacher, the athletic director the superintendent and the school board. If you did this to your child you would most likely be charged with CHILD ENDANGERMENT. That Is How I See It. Update: I understand the School has addressed the issue with the involved parties. No mention of reprimand was made. But hopefully the afford said coach and his cohort will see the ramifications of such an act involved Views: 91
Month: January 2011
Tools Names and How to Use Them
I grew up on a farm. We used a lot of tools. My grandfather was a house painter and carpenter. He used a lot of tools. Later I was a hardware store manager. It may just be the area we all grew up in but I have a problem when people (even the pros on TV) call tools by different names that I grew up knowing them as. Where I grew up in the Midwest what they now call a a jig saw, was called, and the description on the box called it a Sabre Saw. What is now called a scroll saw, was and labeled as a jig saw. Confusing? Yes a bit. But the obvious things are people do not know the difference from a Brand name and an actual tool. For example not all Locking Pliers are made by VICE GRIP. But some of these so called experts will say give me a vice grip, even though it may be a CRAFTSMAN locking plier. Adjustable Wrenches, are often referred to as Crescent wrench. Even though they may not be made by the Crescent Tool Co. Slip Joint Pliers, are called Channel Locks, regardless of the manufacturing name. Channel Lock, makes other tools. For example if you have a Channel Lock screwdriver in your tool box you could be referring to the screwdriver instead of the locking pliers. I have worked with some of these Professionals who use brand names in place of the real name for the tool they are wanting to use. If they ask me to hand them a Vise Grip. I will look for a Vise Grip, but maybe all they have is Snap-on. No Vice Grip. I have never heard a plumber (and I have worked as a plumber) say, “Hand me a Ridgid”. They say hand me a pipe wrench, and they tell you what size. Nor will some say give me a Matco, when what they want is a screwdriver. They even tell you flat, phillips, or torx. It is just a matter I suppose of some brand names so dominating a certain variety of tool that the brand name becomes synonymous with a certain tool. And the area you grow up in. In Indiana the glass behind the goal has always been called a bankboard, because you bank a shot off of it. In some areas it is called a backboard, which is probably more descriptive now because there is rarely a shot banked in anymore it is net or nothing. Another thing, while I’m on the subject of tools. If you ever watch any of the do it yourself, or auto repair shows, (the guys on “Two Guys Garage” are real good at doing this.) They use their Slip joint and adjustable wrenches backward. The two tools are designed so the short end is on the bottom, You turn toward that side. Take your pliers for example you have the the long jaw on the top and push down, you can take your hand off the the bottom and you still have grip. Do it like the pros on TV and try taking your hand off the long handle you lose grip. I don’t understand the professionals using tools wrong. Any way …. That Is How I See It. Views: 151
Smoke No Smoke
This is my experience with smokers. My Dad smoked. Sometimes Pipes, sometimes Cigarettes. He sometimes rolled his own with Velvet tobacco. He died of Emphyzema. But I do remember the sweet smell the pipe gave off. My Brother smoked. He finally gave up the habit. After two bypass surgeries. Now the aroma of the Pipe depended on the tobacco used. But I remember the smell was not as good when it was wrapped in paper. They both smoked Chesterfields. and sometimes Lucky Strikes, Probably my brothers choice because it was easier to sneak one of Dad’s. Later he switched to the mentholated Kools. I remember they spent 2o cents a pack. We farmed for a living and I have no idea what percentage of our income that amounted to. As for myself I had always been told how bad the habit was, for my health. So If I knew this back then. I really have little compassion for those who sue tobacco companies and say “I didn’t know they were bad for me.” Anyway I never smoked. I got more than my share from second hand smoke. Also I had better things to spend my money on. What little I had. I remember, as a lad, my uncle had a a regulation pool table in his basement. The door was always open anytime we wanted to play. The only rule that applied to my family was ‘NO SMOKING”. I know if it had been necessary other rules would have been, “NO ALCOHOL’ and ‘NO CUSSING’ etc. I remember one time when my Aunt and Uncle were away for a week. My brother decided it would be okay to smoke, no one would know. WRONG !! My Aunt walked in a week later and demanded “Who has been smoking in my house”. We wondered, ” how did she know?” Years later when I got married and had my own house I found out. Tobacco stinks. Being around it all those years I didn’t know the difference. So knowing how bad it smells and being able to smell it on people who either smoke or are around smoking….well. I feel sorry for children who have to breathe their parents second hand smoke. I think, “Don’t the parents care about the danger they are exposing their children to.” Not to mention they have to go to school smelling like that too. Now you have the right to smoke if you choose. I just ask you be considerate of others. And I am seeing more signs of smokers respecting the rights of those of us who choose not to smoke. Thank YOU very much. In parting let me give you a couple of examples. I was in a restaurant, near the door they had allotted 5 booths for non-smokers. The rest of the restaurant, including the coveted spots near the fireplace, were designated Smoking area. After I sat down a man came in sat down behind me IN the non-smoking area and lit up one of those little cigar cigarette thingies. I politely pointed out this was a non-smoking area, and the rest of the restaurant he had at his disposal. He said, “I’ll be done in just a minute.” I let it rest. Then he lit up another. The waitress told him he had to move if he wanted to smoke. He refused. The manager told him the same thing. He just sat there and lit up another. Now I have to say this is extremely rare. But there are people out there like this. Now to a better example. Again in a restaurant we were seated in an area that made a tee. there was no separation. in reality, but the smoking and non-smoking were side by side. The gentleman sitting in the smoking area was perfectly right to light up. But he smoked those generic cigarettes that stink even more than brand names. I could have probably tolerated a brand name cigarette. But the odor was really bad. So I just turned to him, and said, “Do you smoke while you are eating?” He said, “No.” I then said. “Why do you smoke when I am eating.” He looked at me and said, ” I never thought about it that way.” He proceeded to put his cigarette out and thanked me for letting him know. This is how more smokers are becoming. Respectful of our right to not smoke. And I respect their right to smoke. I could go on and on. But I think you all get my point. I do have one last question for the ladies. Why do you buy expensive sweet smelling perfumes and then cover it up with smoke smell? That Is How I See It. Views: 107
Seasons of the Year
I have just come to realization. We have SPRING which brings us BASEBALL. Warmer weather, not too hot nor really cold. We can get our Motorcycles out and enjoy a few rides. We have SUMMER, which brings us GOLF , hot weather, my least favorite, except I must admit I am partial to bikinis, and we can still enjoy swimming and of course riding our Motorcycles. Then come Fall. Which brings us FOOTBALL . A very nice time of the year, very similar to SPRING. Remarkable. Two season SPRING and FALL. SPRING which starts off Cold and Warms up. FALL starts off Hot and cools down. We can still ride our motorcycles. But we are getting to the point of having to winterize them. Then comes our Biggest Season. WINTER. Winter brings us BASKETBALL. Basketball is such a HUGE season we have to have Winter twice a year. WINTER, the only season we have two times a year. Now let me see. If I move South far enough…… I could still ride my Motorcycle, hmmmm. That Is How I See It. Views: 83
NFL Lockout
As a SPORTS fan, let me chime in to say, an NFL Lockout or Strike would not be viable option. For one the team owners, players, and NFL in general are already OVERPAID. The economy could not absorb any further raises in revenue for these groups. I agree that extra games are nothing more than a money grab. But if they add more games where will it end. The NBA season already overlaps into the BASEBALL season. Football overlaps into the BASEBALL season. All seasons overlap. I was a huge Baseball fan. I watched the Chicago Cubs every afternoon on the Superstation WGN, I watched the Atlanta Braves whenever the CUBS weren’t on, and sometimes, I hate to admit this I sat up a second TV so I could watch when they were on at the same time. The BASEBALL STRIKE of 1994-1995 ended that streak. I have watched only one full game (CUBS) since then. I have only been to our local minor league teams game once. Before the strike it would be nothing to go a couple of times a week. I even got to know and sat with some of the players families. Yes I am only one person. But I have noticed many of my friends and acquaintances have had a similar reaction. This was the reason McQwire was in my opinion pushed along with other player to use steroids, Viewership hit such a low level MLB had to do something to grab the public’s attention. What better way than to use ‘livelier balls” and “super hitters”. Do I blame the players involved. Yes it was their choice. However, in their defense I think they were coerced in this move by MLB to regain interest in their industry. Now let us look at the NBA Lockout of 1998-1999. I again lost all interest in NBA. I had been a NBA fan an ABA fan. (I still prefer the old ABA). But I haven’t paid to see a game since the LOCKOUT. I don’t watch it on TV. I occasionally switch over during a commercial break to check the score of our local NBA team, just to get the score. But the NBA had to do the same thing as BASEBALL. To generate interest they had to create a SUPERPLAYER. A one time good player suddenly became a SUPERPLAYER, when he was no longer held to the rules. Let’s face how many people do you know can dunk the ball in a step and a jump from the 1o second line, or shove a player and get to shoot free throws. When some players got ejected from the game for an action, and he was free to do the same thing without any penalty. Yes their were more than one. But (I know) you who aren’t savvy on real basketball, will go up in arms. But the player I’m referencing is Michael Jordan. I’m not saying he wasn’t a good, maybe even better than average player before the lockout. But if you watch after the lockout you will see what I say is true. NBA marketing, just like the MLB got behind one player. Marketing is everything. You could take anything and with the proper marketing turn it into a SUPER WHATEVER. Who or What would be the hook to draw back fans if the the NFL does not play. That Is How I See It. Views: 135
Slam Dunk?
I recently read an article about wondering how many more points would Shaq have made if they didn’t have a 3 sec lane violation as they did in Wilt Chamberlain’s day. Excuse me. They did have the 3 sec lane violation, however in his day they actually called it. The topic of the day is the DUNK. The DUNK is in reality is an illegal move. Goal tending is contact with the ball when the ball is above the rim and has the possibility of entering the basket. The way it is interpreted in todays games. It is an advantage given to the offensive team. They are allowed to actually put their hands in the extended cylinder above the rim, and sometimes even inside the rim. However the defense is not allowed this discretion. Very unfair ruling. You are essentially handicapping the defense with this interpretation,. Here is the thing. With the height of the players today, many can stand flat footed and touch the rim. It takes very little skill to be able to be above the rim. I believe if they want to keep allowing this infraction, Dunks should only count 1/2 point. Or allow 1 point for DUNKS, 2 points for free throws, 3 points, field goals and 4 points beyond the arc. This would reward the difficulty level of the shot. Also defenders should be allowed to put their hands inside the cylinder area. I know many of you find the DUNK exciting. Why I’ll never know. There is no skill involved, unless you are a Spud Webb. Be honest with yourself. If you can reach the rim standing flat footed, isn’t that about the same thing as you standing over your trash can and dropping a wadded up piece of paper in. As for me. Raise the Rim. they have made so many changes in the rules already. No jump ball on tie ups, you can push and touch opposing players, (for those of you who are unaware Basketball was meant as a non-contact sport). Why not raise the rim to 12-14 feet. When basketball was invented the average player was about 5 feet 8 inches. Ten feet was a good height. But now with players 7 feet tall (give or take a a couple of inches), 10 feet is just not an adequate height. That Is How I See It. Views: 104
Marathon Oil Splits
Marathon Oil has said it will split into 2 companies. The plan is to split off the oil exploration and producing arm and the marketing and refining arm. They claim this move will make them more FLEXIBLE. It appears the earned only $2.53 billion, in the third quarter last year. This is bad because it is only about 1/6 of the earnings made by marketing and refining. I could be wrong because in the report there are many conflicting figures. The way I translate this move is thus. By splitting, the exploration and producing, sectors will be able to charge the refining and marketing more money. Marketing and refining will have to up their price at the pump. Translation: We pay more at the pump. Marathon exploration and producing earns more money. Our paying more money at the pump “PUMPS” up the income for the marketing and refining arm. A WIN-WIN. For Marathon. A LOSE-LOSE, for us, the consumers. I’m not saying Marathon is the only company doing this. Marathon is merely the example I selected. That Is How I See It. Views: 126
New Year’s Reolutions
RESOLUTION : A formal expression intentions made. I at one time made New Year’s Resolutions. After looking back past many years, I realized I never really made a resolution. Why? I guess I never really had the INTENTION . I made the list. But, I had a really high mortality rate. The longest lived resolution I made lasted until baseball season. After 20 at bats without hitting one out of the infield, I gave up my resolution to hit one over center field fence. The last game of the year, the coach told me to bat left handed, maybe I might get a walk. Believe it or not I could really see the ball better, and actually did hit one over center field fence. My only home run ever. No one was on base. Now I don’t write resolutions anymore. I write…”What I didn’t get done last year.” 1. I didn’t get my truck body work and paint job done 2. I didn’t get my project car finished. 3. I didn’t get the soffit put on the front porch 4. I didn’t get the soffit put on the rear porch 5. Although I did lose 2o pounds in the spring I gained it back in the fall. (So I figure that doesn’t count). 6. I didn’t get my roof put on my garage. 7 I didn’t find a job. 8 . My big disappointment. I didn’t win the LOTTERY. I now have 8 things on my list that probably won’t get done again. But if one actually does get done, Next year. The only thing I can probably be sure to get done is….. Cat Naps with my kitty on my lap. We do get a lot of that done. That Is How I See It. Views: 111
Illinois to raise Taxes
Illinois has a state sales tax rate of 6.25%. Now Governor Pat Quinn is elated to have had his lame duck law-makers pass a new income tax law. Although I despise the two party system which gives power to people with their own money making agendas. I must state according to the report this hike was passed without one Republican vote for. I must mention the voters in all but 3 counties were against tax hikes. Retroactive to January 1, 2011, Individual taxpayers will face an 67% increase in personal income tax. Business will face a 46% rise. This according to the governor will give $250 million a year to schools. However had they passed a $.98 Cigarette tax increase, schools would have gotten $300 million a year. The money raised was originally earmarked to reduce property taxes. But in the final draft this was dropped. NO property relief. I am sure you smokers will disagree with me here, but I feel if you can afford a nonessential like cigarettes, you can surely well afford a tax on cigarettes. I classify any nonessential a luxury. I suppose the economy and unemployment rate is healthier in ILLINOIS than any other state. Why else would they even consider a non logical move like this. Seems to me more people will have to leave the state, being unable to afford the tax hike. Business can you afford to stay in ILLINOIS. I suppose the Governor knows his State better than I. If you can’t cut spending raise income. Can the individual taxpayer do that? NO. Can business do it? YES! they just raise their prices, which also generates more sales tax money for the state, an covers the tax raise. Thus the business tax raise, is passed on to consumers making their total 113% raise in income tax. Without spending cuts and only raise taxes. Will the Governor bankrupt the state. Or will the tax base be forced to leave the state/ That Is How I See It Views: 115
Review of Yogi in 3-D
Not much to say. I always loved Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. Of course I am older now, (but I do still watch Yogi cartoons). The movie for me was a total PAN. Yogi and Boo Boo were completely out of their elements. The story line was very weak, even for a cartoon. Why did they even bother adding 3-D. For me the 3-D effects were very poorly done. This is a do not waste your money even on DVD unless your children are 3 or under That Is How I See It. Views: 124
