Carmichael's Position

Imagine my surprise!

I seriously want a job where I can be wrong 83% of the time and still keep my position!  Just like Denver Weather Forecasters!

Today's forecast for the Denver Metro was for chance of rain showers POSSIBLY with some snow flakes mixed in later tonight (that's "tonight" tonight... Thursday night... not last night).

Well this morning I rose a bit later than my norm, sleep felt like the proper priority after the month I've been having.  I none the less rose still in a bit of a snooze stupor, padded off to the bathroom for my morning ritual (s-cubed... left off the third "s" this morning).  The blinds on the bathroom window were down as is the usual to prevent blinding my opportunistically voyeuristic neighbors... I'm pretty sure it ain't me they're interested in.  Hope not anyway...  So back to the point, I still have not seen the conditions externally.

I complete the morning ritual, drag a comb through my hair, get dressed, grab my shoes and head out to the living room to sit on the couch whilst I put them on.  Once, butt firmly plopped on couch I glance up, out my window for the first time this morning...

Heheh... hheeheeheh..... Ha... Haaha... haaeaaahahahah... and start laughing my butt off!  There's 5 inches of snow growing rapidly on my shrubs!  Don't that just figure!  Better be gone by moving day this Saturday!

Looks like someone else didn't quite plan on this...

Welcome to Spring in the Rockies!  Our morning radio newscaster even coined the phrase "Sprinter" conjoining Spring and Winter.

72 Signatures and 103 Initials Later...

I closed on my first ever home purchase.   Townhouse actually...

Signing today, I couldn't help having visions of Lt. Col. Henry Blake from M*A*S*H signing anything and everything placed in front of him by Radar!

This has been an eye opening, blood pressure raising, tolerance testing experience.  Working with a variety of personalities, regulations, laws and people who do not have the same priorities I do has been... well... an experience that... according to Friedrich Nietzsche... "Will make me stronger!"  Because it hasn't yet killed me.

I even so much as asked one of my best friends, that the next time I get a brilliant idea like buying a house again... please, just kill me!  Do us all a favor!

So, am I now elated?  Nope not yet... It still hasn't sunk in.  Probably because the previous owner (seller) still has to get the rest of his stuff out of MY place.  Weird, but evidently it is an unwritten code in the real estate transaction business to allow the seller up to 72 hours to vacate the premises.  Who Knew?  Certainly not me!  I think I would be much more accommodating and understanding of this if indeed the seller in this particular transaction actually lived in the place.  He doesn't, it was an investment property for him, and he just had some basic furniture in there for display (and I assume storage) purposes which could have easily been removed from the house last week once we had the confirmation of the loan and the affirmed closing date of March 28th!  I gave him until 6:00pm tomorrow!  That's not as uncaring as it sounds since his movers were there all day today (all that remains is cleaning on his part).

So, I'm hoping that tomorrow at this time, I will have a much higher level of final satisfaction of knowing my monthly residential payment is going to my benefit (and of course my bank's) instead of someone else's cash flow.

Moving day is this Saturday!  That will definitely feel real!  Anyone want to help move?  Pizza and beer are on me!

Remember... No matter how bad you think your life is...

Someone has it worse than you do...

Subject: The One Armed Man

And we think we have it so bad..
 
A man who lost one of his arms in an accident became very depressed because he had loved to play the guitar and do a lot of things that took two arms.

One day, he decided to end his life. He got on an elevator and went to the top of a building to jump off. He was standing on the ledge looking down and saw a man skipping along, whistling and kicking up his heels. He looked closer and saw this man didn't have any arms at all. He started thinking, what am I doing up here feeling sorry for myself, I still have one good arm to do things with. There goes a man with no arms skipping down the sidewalk happy and going on with his life.
 
He hurried down and caught the man with no arms. He told him how glad he was to see him because he had lost one of his arms and felt ugly and useless and was going to kill himself. He thanked him again for saving his life and he knew he could make it with one arm if that guy could go on with no arms.

The man with no arms began dancing and whistling and kicking up his heels again.
 
He asked him, "Why are you so happy anyway?"
 
The man said, "I'm NOT happy ....my ass itches!!"

Yep... Count your blessings... assuming you still have fingers and toes.

Fatigued...

Man am I wiped!

I'm just plain tired, might have something to do with...
- End of a quarter at work
- In the home stretch of buying a house
- Packing
- And plenty of other fatiguing issues that I'm not willing to disclose here...

But it all sure makes me grouchy... my tolerance gauge is reading "E"!  It's a good thing I haven't had the time or the energy to write (or at least something that is entertaining).  But let's just say I'm really not thrilled with:

• The Democrats in Congress!
• The Republicans in Congress!
• The Executive Branch!
• The AG
• The FBI
• Waitresses at Denny's
• The House Buying processes
• Overall Lack of Professionalism in most all circles (gotta be something in the Air!)
• Microsoft Back-ups (or lack thereof... evidently my data has recently become a Case Study at Microsoft! for why we cannot recover my data, eaten 3 weeks ago by a virus!  You virus creating computer weenies need to get a life or a "Blow-up Girlfriend" at least!  Or pending that, if some respectable law enforcement community manages to track your cheetos-eat'n, Redbull-drinkin, JAVA, C#, Ajax-fantasizing-ASS down... I hope you get "Life" in a 6 foot cell with a really sexually depraved 300 pound bumkin named Billy-Joe-Bubba to share your "Lady Shick" with!)

Sorry... obviously it's time for my Celestial Seasons "Ease-up-there-sunshine-tea"!--  That is if I can find what box I packed it in!

What Guy Isn't Fascinated by a Fire Engine

Headed for home last night I saw this from our Parking Garage.  (Obviously Photoshopped for effect) I'm always fascinated by cool machines.  Fire Engines are high on the list. 

Denver Fire Department's Ladder 4 doing it's thing!

JungleGrub or Jungle Grub if you must...

I have a buddy of mine who has created a brand new product in the Highly Competitive Nutritional Bar Industry.  But before I get into that allow me a bit of a reflection...

Steve Brandt is one of those "Once in a Lifetime" people you meet where you just know this guy is going to accomplish great things, all the while being properly humble about his desires and accomplishments.  Steve has a great "Business Eye" he sees problems that create niches for which he sees a solution, as clearly as  you and I see the hand in front of our face.   If you wonder what I mean ... just remember Steve's name next time you pick up a Black & Decker Power Tool, or work on the new Workmate!  Yep... That Guy!

I met Steve and his awesome wife "T" back in College.  It was there I recognized the wealth of spirit and determination each possessed individually.  But collectively?... sheesh!  Un-frigg'n-believable!  Everything Steve takes on he takes on 1,000% when he sees a goal he goes and attains (if not surpasses) it.  "T" is much the same way albeit in the Science of Molecular Biology instead of Business... (I'll take business!)  So much so that she has attained her PhD in the discipline, and served her post-doc at... eh-hem... Johns Hopkins!   But again, these two are not the types that let their accomplishments go to their heads they are just as cool today as they every were in in college.  I love that about them.  They are genuine, sincere, super-smart, conscientious and possess a wealth of integrity unsurpassed!

And I believe it is precisely these characteristics that have brought them to this point in their lives.

For the past year they have pursued their labor of love and created the company Organic Nutrition, and  just this week publicly released...

JungleGrub™ snack bars launched in March 2007 at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. In addition to the two flavors of JungleGrub™ now available; Berry Bamboozle and Peanut Butter Groove, Organic Nutrition is currently developing new flavor extensions for JungleGrub™ and 3 other snack food products.

So what's the big deal you may ask... Well remember what I mentioned earlier about Steve's ability to see opportunity clearly?  He's done just that with JungleGrub!  JungleGrub isn't just any ol' nutrition bar...

JungleGrub is striving to do right by kids and give them what they need to maintain balanced energy between meals – starting from organically grown ingredients and finishing with…a fun snack bar with the sweetness and taste kids naturally crave! 

It isn’t always easy to find time to prepare fresh and tasty treats for our picky eaters…and the competition makes candy bars look a whole lot more appealing to our little ones!  JungleGrub comes in two delicious flavors: Berry Bamboozle and Peanut Butter Groove. Both bars have a coating of vanilla icing to add a touch of sweetness in each bite.

JungleGrub snack bars were developed under strict standards to meet the [gross majority of] school nutrition guidelines and provide balanced energy…but the kids had the final say; if they didn’t like the taste, we reformulated until they gave us a thumbs up!

JungleGrub focuses on a low calorie (100 calories per bar) Organic snack for your kids!  Without the worry of feeding your kids Junk Food, JungleGrub is actually nutritious!  But best of all every study thus far proves that the taste is incredible!  Kids love it!

“Developing Organic Nutrition, Inc. has been far more rewarding than I ever envisioned. There is a strong feeling of awareness among consumers that we need to develop snacks that are nutritious for kids. We plan to be part of the solution, putting quality and fun first. Its an incredible feeling to watch children's faces light up when they like something they are eating and you know its good for them.

“Kids should eat well and like what they eat!...Toss ’em a JungleGrub!”

So keep an eye out for JungleGrub in your favorite stores... it's coming soon!  And if you do not see it in either your nutrition section or Organic section of your favorite store... Don't be shy, go ask the store manager why it's not there?  You'll be glad you did!
   

       

Hmmm... Let's Prove Global Warming by Freezing Our Nortons Off!

I love Irony!  (I seem to be on a bit of a theme this week... Tom's gunna hate me for this...)

Form the AP

MINNEAPOLIS - A North Pole expedition meant to bring attention to global warming was called off after one of the explorers got frostbite. The explorers, Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen, on Saturday called off what was intended to be a 530-mile trek across the Arctic Ocean after Arnesen suffered frostbite in three of her toes, and extreme cold temperatures drained the batteries in some of their electronic equipment.

...Then there was the cold — quite a bit colder, Atwood said, then Bancroft and Arnesen had expected. One night they measured the temperature inside their tent at 58 degrees below zero, and outside temperatures were exceeding 100 below zero at times, Atwood said.

...The explorers had planned to call in regular updates to school groups by satellite phone, and had planned online posts with photographic evidence of global warming. In contrast to Bancroft's 1986 trek across the Arctic with fellow Minnesota explorer Will Steger, this time she and Arnesen were prepared to don body suits and swim through areas where polar ice has melted.

Atwood said there was some irony that a trip to call attention to global warming was scuttled in part by extreme cold temperatures.

"They were experiencing temperatures that weren't expected with global warming," Atwood said....

Wait for it.... Here's the CYA Quote of all who have to support the Global-Warming flag, when the FACTS don't support the hypothesis!

... "But one of the things we see with global warming is unpredictability."

Says it all... Don't it?  I get it... I can never... "Get it!"

The Great Global Warming Swindle

An excellent documentary on the Hype associated with Global Warming. Certainly fuel to the perverbial fire... which of course as we all know adds more to Global Warming and Climate change... Or does it? It's and hour and 15 minutes so plan accordingly, But worth the education. Are you green? How many flights have you taken in the last year? Feeling guilty about all those unnecessary car journeys? Well, maybe there's no need to feel bad. According to a group of scientists brought together by documentary-maker Martin Durkin, if the planet is heating up, it isn't your fault and there's nothing you can do about it. We've almost begun to take it for granted that climate change is a man-made phenomenon. But just as the environmental lobby think they've got our attention, a group of naysayers have emerged to slay the whole premise of global warming.

A Few Modifications Today on Carmichael's Position

I have made a few Modifications today to the Carmichael's Position Web Site.  I have removed the Weather and Clock features in the right column, along with access to my Typepad Photo Albums.  I have replaced them with access to my Smugmug photo albums.

If you click the title text "Galleries" at the top you will be taken to my main Smugmug page where you will see all of my available galleries.  As for the photos below, these are from selected galleries (if you hover your mouse over any of the images you'll see which one). The photos here are randomized so if you refresh the page you'll see a different one for that gallery.  If you click on the photo you will be taken to the gallery on Smugmug where that image is contained.

Once in smugmug, one of the easiest ways to view the photos in the gallery is click (once) the large image then use your Left or Right arrow keys to advance or return through the images.  To get back to the main gallery simply click the photo again.  BTW if you would like to zoom in on the image click the "o" at the top, this will show the "Original" size image-- Warning--- Some are BIG images--- not for the slow connections or faint of processor computers.

Please feel free to use any of my images for Websites or Blogs, but I request accreditation in some fashion.  If you are using an image for revenue purposes, I would like to be consulted before you do so, just e-mail me a request.

Otherwise, please enjoy.

Left Wing Storm Clouds Brewing

Threads like this concern me...  Concerning the "Anti-War / Peace Protest at the Vietnam (Wall) Memorial in Washington DC on the 17th.

It is all on IMC Washington DC (I'm not making this stuff up)

But in response to a call to action here are some suggestions by the activists:

• by dylan bring some paint so we can spray the wall.
• by Anonymous : Look if we are going to do something useful fine but spraypainting a memorial is just going to piss people off and not really change anything...however if some paint might land inside a recruiting center or a corporate building, it would at least be better.
• by Tom Hayden lives: The hell with paint, bring muriatic acid, it etches the stone, can never be removed, lets get rid of all memorials to war mongering pigs

There to protect the Vietnam Memorial will be "The Gathering of Eagles" God Bless them.  Many of them commented in the forum thread mentioned above.  Veterans take this very seriously as they should, and for anyone to doubt their dedication... well I take no pity nor sympathy.

War Memorials are not there to glorify war, they are there so we recognize the sacrifices made and the true weight the decision "going to war" brings to a country and its people.

I pray nothing adverse happens on the 17th, but please know if provoked by naive ideologues, I will side with the defenders of our memories.

I Gotta Get this Girl a Blog!

Many of my friends think I am outspoken on political issues... uh.... Ok, I am. 

But...  I was sitting here in my cozy family room, scanning the web for interesting and entertaining articles to read, and publish to one of the two blogs I manage (this one and the Tailhook Association Daily Briefing), when I happened to realize that Ginger was in the other room typing away on her laptop with... well... such a spirited vigor that I actually felt sorry for individual keys!  I also realized that this cacophony had been transpiring for almost the full episode of Myth Busters, keeping me company in the background.

With proper trepidation and significant internal debate of "hmmm, do I dare ask?"  I threw discretion to the wind and plunged in. 

Me: "Uh... Hun?"

She: "Yeah?"

Me:  "Did the computer do something to you?"

She:  "Huh?"

Me:  "I'm having trouble hearing the TV over your composing...(and here's where I lost my mind) Uh... What are you typing anyway?"

I watched as my words left me there, feeling oh so much like the 4 year old who just lost his helium balloons in a momentary loss of muscular coordination.   I sat there dumbfounded , mouth agape, as I awaited the response, and the next 45 minutes lost to the, "yes dears" of our lives. 

She was on a rant!  And oh what a rant it was!  Now mind you she had been putting in writing rather than venting at me, to me, near me or however one would describe it... I was dumb enough to alter the equation. 

Ginger has a few hot buttons in her life, one major fuse is medical care.  She being the dedicated nurse that she is, sees the political medical debate in a much different light than most.  She is on the provider end of the spectrum, and sees abuses of our Medical system day in and day out. 

What set her off was the politicization of the severe needs failed to be addressed at Walter Reed Medical Center.  Note that Ginger too, is outraged that one of our nations premier Military Medical Facilities was allowed to fall into such a state of disarray.  But she is more upset at the politicization of the issue, just to take more stabs at the sitting administration. 

Once again there is plenty of blame to go around here!  Much like Katrina politicians see a sound bite opportunity rather than a chance to lead.  Any sitting Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Libertarian in the House or Senate Military Appropriations Sub-committees should be held accountable.  And yes so should the Leadership of the US Army, from the CO of the hospital to the Chief of Staff.  Don Rumsfeld should even shoulder some of the blame here, and yes possibly even President Bush himself to a degree.

But Ginger pointed out to me, in great chorus, that this is in no way just a problem in the Military!  This is systemic across the majority of hospitals.  I listened... and learned.  Some of her points:

• Socialized medicine is not the answer. 
• Responsible patronage is
• We need to release our "Entitlement" mentality  (15 dollar co-pays is not excessive!)
• And the hanging of "Ambulance Chasers" would be a good start to improving  conditions in our medical community. 

There's more... 38 and a half minutes more... but I'll spare young gentle reader the gory details.  But I do think my girl was onto something... That's not to say, I don't really miss my balloons.

I gotta get that girl a blog to vent on.

A Friday Laugh... Provided Courtesy of Your United States Marine Corps!

Ran across this today, courtesy of  Steve Ambrose over at the Woodshed who welcomely pointed his readers to the resulting "Belly Laugh!"  I can't thank Steve, and subsequently "Taco" Bell, over at Sandgram, enough for this much needed laugh today.

A little tidbit to pique your curiosity:

"...Not knowing better, I pushed another set of buttons which resulted in a strange motor noise from somewhere in the back of the toilet seat. Not sure what that was, I peer between my legs and noticed a little white rod directly in the center of the space under my hinny..." [More]--

Seriously Click It and Read it! You will not be sorry!