Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Notice....
Due to time constraints that my training at FMTB school is going to inevitably place on me, I am going to be posting solely on my home page being the original IEN and not "Words to Live By" or "Barley and Hops". Once I get home and things settle a down and I have more time, I hope to continue my postings on these pages, but for now, please check my homepage to see the latest postings. Thank you for visiting my site, I assure you it is greatly appreciated. And please please please, I really want as much commentary as possible, so email me (chadmichaels78@gmail.com) or comment directly on the site. I will always respond. Thanks again and hope to hear from you soon.....
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
GPS....
So, all week last week while we were traveling I was using my GPS Navigator software on my Verizon Voyager cell phone. It worked great....while in town. However, I ran into one small little glitch, dependency. I got so used to just searching and navigating that I simply never looked back. So when we left Wilmington to head back to the airport just outside Jacksonville, I typed in the address and listened to the directions, never once cracking open the map to see where it was I was going. All probably would have been well, however, once I got out into the middle of nowhere, I saw what I did not want to see, ROAD CLOSED - BRIDGE WORK UP AHEAD. Wait a minute!!!! The GPS didn't mention anything about the road being closed!!! Where the hell am I anyway? O wait, it's okay, I'll just use the detour option and recalculate my route, geez no big deal. O, wait, it's not okay, I have no signal out here, ERROR, CANNOT RECALCULATE. Damn.
I pulled out the map and realized I probably could have given myself a better route after seeing where the GPS took me, but the reality is, had the bridge not been out, it wouldn't have been an issue. The bridge was out though and now I can't even look up my course because the GPS errored out. Looking at the map though, I triangulated a position based on prior roads/interstates I had taken. Our location was right in the middle of all the highways. You know what I mean, that area that shows nothing but the color based upon the elevation of that location. We were in an area of a light shade of yellowish gold. I think that means it's a low elevation, but other than that, I got nothing, fortunately, there was no emergency, I don't think that would suffice for a location had I needed to call 911. So, I did what any city slicker would do lost in the middle of the country, I stopped when I saw some old gentleman mowing his yard and explained how my GPS stopped working and how I had no idea where I was. I am not lying when I say I got the deer in headlights look when I explained my GPS predicament. I could have spoke chinese and probably gotten farther into the conversation. However, when I asked how to get to the airport, a switch must have flicked on, and he politely explained how a turn here and a turn there would get me to where I needed to go.
Lessons learned:
GPS is only as good as its user.
Dependency actually is a bad thing.
And lastly, all the technology in the world will never beat, (say with a deep southern twang) turn right at the next stop sign, look for a big rock on the side of the road about a mile or so, and turn right again. Go until you see the big dead oak tree and hang a left, and there you'll be.....
I pulled out the map and realized I probably could have given myself a better route after seeing where the GPS took me, but the reality is, had the bridge not been out, it wouldn't have been an issue. The bridge was out though and now I can't even look up my course because the GPS errored out. Looking at the map though, I triangulated a position based on prior roads/interstates I had taken. Our location was right in the middle of all the highways. You know what I mean, that area that shows nothing but the color based upon the elevation of that location. We were in an area of a light shade of yellowish gold. I think that means it's a low elevation, but other than that, I got nothing, fortunately, there was no emergency, I don't think that would suffice for a location had I needed to call 911. So, I did what any city slicker would do lost in the middle of the country, I stopped when I saw some old gentleman mowing his yard and explained how my GPS stopped working and how I had no idea where I was. I am not lying when I say I got the deer in headlights look when I explained my GPS predicament. I could have spoke chinese and probably gotten farther into the conversation. However, when I asked how to get to the airport, a switch must have flicked on, and he politely explained how a turn here and a turn there would get me to where I needed to go.
Lessons learned:
GPS is only as good as its user.
Dependency actually is a bad thing.
And lastly, all the technology in the world will never beat, (say with a deep southern twang) turn right at the next stop sign, look for a big rock on the side of the road about a mile or so, and turn right again. Go until you see the big dead oak tree and hang a left, and there you'll be.....
Monday, August 4, 2008
Some days are better than others....
I would like to contest that those six words in the title are simply the best words to live by if there are any. For the past week I have been with Lauren, and experiencing a new place, Wilmington, NC, and it was awesome. We spent the first few days in Raleigh, then Jacksonville (to save some money as this is where I live right now) and then, spontaneously, we went to Wilmington, for really what I figured would be a day, maybe two, as I figured we would hit the downtown area and then the beach and then just come back. But after spending four days there, I realized I wish I had more money and more time.
So anyways, some days are better than others. Some days, you cannot wait for them to be over, and then there are those few days where you pray to God that time will just slow if not completely stop. Ironically, I don't pray to God for much these days, so I suppose it would be foolish to ask Him for time to stop. Of course, that's silly to ask for anyways, but right now, it seems so possible. Why not? Time seems to fly by, but it just never seems to go as slow as we want, well, unless you're at work and you're ready to go. That's life in a nut shell though, I guess. It's why we should never take for granted the good times I suspect.
Well, Lauren flew out today, actually her flight is leaving momentarily. She is probably just now going through security. It's a small airport here and they don't have you go through security until your flight is boarding. I am just guessing, but she is probably standing there, bags in hand, thinking about this past week, and thinking some days, just some days, are better than others...At least, that is my presumption, I could just be really depressed. So raise your laptops, your bottled water, your Venti Mocha Cappuccino, or maybe just your fist in frustration, but here's to those days, you know, the ones that are better than others.....
So anyways, some days are better than others. Some days, you cannot wait for them to be over, and then there are those few days where you pray to God that time will just slow if not completely stop. Ironically, I don't pray to God for much these days, so I suppose it would be foolish to ask Him for time to stop. Of course, that's silly to ask for anyways, but right now, it seems so possible. Why not? Time seems to fly by, but it just never seems to go as slow as we want, well, unless you're at work and you're ready to go. That's life in a nut shell though, I guess. It's why we should never take for granted the good times I suspect.
Well, Lauren flew out today, actually her flight is leaving momentarily. She is probably just now going through security. It's a small airport here and they don't have you go through security until your flight is boarding. I am just guessing, but she is probably standing there, bags in hand, thinking about this past week, and thinking some days, just some days, are better than others...At least, that is my presumption, I could just be really depressed. So raise your laptops, your bottled water, your Venti Mocha Cappuccino, or maybe just your fist in frustration, but here's to those days, you know, the ones that are better than others.....
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Quick thoughts....
Ethiopia and other 3rd world countries plagued by starvation and health care issues should just adopt the American welfare system and have McDonalds on every corner like we do here, solving both health care and hunger issues. Sure it puts the government in debt and ultimately creates a devastating health care issue later down the road, but hey, it works for us apparently.
"I will make you lazy yet."
Ever heard the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'? I hated that phrase, largely because I had no idea what it meant, until now that is. Mind your Pints and Quarts is what the British Navy use to tell their sailors when they pulled into port somewhere so as to not drink too much. Any phrase about drinking is awesome in my book, unless of course it's "I'm joining AA". Damn quitter.
A J Squared away. Does that mean you are only mediocre, because if you were truly completely squared away, shouldn't it be A to Z some how?
"I'm all over it like white on rice on a paper plate in a snow storm."
Quote from one of the guys (for their safety, I can't say their name) - "I wish my wife were cool."
"I will make you lazy yet."
Ever heard the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'? I hated that phrase, largely because I had no idea what it meant, until now that is. Mind your Pints and Quarts is what the British Navy use to tell their sailors when they pulled into port somewhere so as to not drink too much. Any phrase about drinking is awesome in my book, unless of course it's "I'm joining AA". Damn quitter.
A J Squared away. Does that mean you are only mediocre, because if you were truly completely squared away, shouldn't it be A to Z some how?
"I'm all over it like white on rice on a paper plate in a snow storm."
Quote from one of the guys (for their safety, I can't say their name) - "I wish my wife were cool."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Self Realization
Hyphenated word of the day is self-realization. Today I realized the only person I seem to be able to entertain on a consistent basis is me. Ha! (Blink, blink, blink, you sit staring at the screen, thinking what? My point proven.)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Quick thoughts
From pirate to privateer to governor to rum manufacturer: Captain Henry Morgan. Typical life of a politician. Former version of Ted Kennedy perhaps?
This morning at PT a rather overweight person commented and tried to convince everyone else:
"Fat people are generally happier than skinny people because they eat. Look at super models, they are mean and vicious and why? Because they never eat! You never see crazy fat people running into banks trying to hold a robbery or going postal at work and why? Because they are not starving themselves. I'd much rather eat while I live than die hungry. Look at whales, they're happy!" He forgot to mention buoyant as well.
Coming from the same sailor:
You know how I look at the remainder of my naval career? (He has in 16 years now) I only have 4 PRT's left...
How is it that I am surprised when the food at a fast food restaurant sucks?
Noticed the new design of the coke cans for the olympics? Why is it that the U.S. can design is 3 out of 5? Is it just me or shouldn't it be 1st, not the Russian can? Maybe it's a conspiracy, it is a red can...
A toast to remember:
To who we were, to who we will be, to who we are, to who we want to be....
There is a door at work that I walk through occasionally that says FP HALLA. Of course it's suppose to say FP HALL A. But the space between the L and A is not very pronounced. So of course the first thing I thought was Holla!!! So whenever we have to go get medical records from family practice, Mercer and I always say with foolish humor "FP HALLA!!! WORD YO!!!" or something along those lines. Okay, definitely one of those had to be there things....
I swear I'm not a blog dick!!! (Sorry Steffen.....no obligation required....total misunderstanding... hehe)
Inside Joke:
Here's the thing about PM'n, it doesn't matter what kind of beer you drink, so long as you are drinking beer.
Drunken ramblings:
Screw the hype, Wikipedia is the bizzomb!!
More Drunken ramblings:
I got my ass handed to me like I was on a rotisserie.
Quoting Matt Ward in terms of doing something stupid and losing your job:
"Unlimited time, limited income."
This morning at PT a rather overweight person commented and tried to convince everyone else:
"Fat people are generally happier than skinny people because they eat. Look at super models, they are mean and vicious and why? Because they never eat! You never see crazy fat people running into banks trying to hold a robbery or going postal at work and why? Because they are not starving themselves. I'd much rather eat while I live than die hungry. Look at whales, they're happy!" He forgot to mention buoyant as well.
Coming from the same sailor:
You know how I look at the remainder of my naval career? (He has in 16 years now) I only have 4 PRT's left...
How is it that I am surprised when the food at a fast food restaurant sucks?
Noticed the new design of the coke cans for the olympics? Why is it that the U.S. can design is 3 out of 5? Is it just me or shouldn't it be 1st, not the Russian can? Maybe it's a conspiracy, it is a red can...
A toast to remember:
To who we were, to who we will be, to who we are, to who we want to be....
There is a door at work that I walk through occasionally that says FP HALLA. Of course it's suppose to say FP HALL A. But the space between the L and A is not very pronounced. So of course the first thing I thought was Holla!!! So whenever we have to go get medical records from family practice, Mercer and I always say with foolish humor "FP HALLA!!! WORD YO!!!" or something along those lines. Okay, definitely one of those had to be there things....
I swear I'm not a blog dick!!! (Sorry Steffen.....no obligation required....total misunderstanding... hehe)
Inside Joke:
Here's the thing about PM'n, it doesn't matter what kind of beer you drink, so long as you are drinking beer.
Drunken ramblings:
Screw the hype, Wikipedia is the bizzomb!!
More Drunken ramblings:
I got my ass handed to me like I was on a rotisserie.
Quoting Matt Ward in terms of doing something stupid and losing your job:
"Unlimited time, limited income."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
