Ever since, I was in high school my one of my biggest career goals was to be a full-time writer. Except for a brief stint with a now defunct newspaper, I never saw that dream come to fruition. When the fledgling paper went out of business, I could not find work with another paper, and was to broke to try to charge out into the world of freelance.
I moved to Topeka, KS and got a job in a fast food restaurant, eventually going to College to earn a degree in both my dreams. Communications and Political Science. However, because my bills were piling up, I had to go to work full time. So I all but gave up on my dreams and went to work full-time at the grocery store I was working at the time. Over-all I spent 18 out of the last 20-years in the grocery business. Working my way up the ranks. The other 2-years, was in the ministry. Since the ministry I have spent the remaining 13-years in the grocery business.
Now, I again in a new city, looking for work. Perhaps, this will be my big break that I needed. I am currently working on 2 writing projects (neither of which have buyers), that I hope will be very successful. Of course it is still to early to say what those projects are, but I will remain very optimistic about them.
Don't get me wrong. I am in no way saying that I will give up looking for work. My family must eat, and I must provide for them. Therefore, I will continue looking for full-time employment. Perhaps, in the financial sector. Perhaps in the political sector. Then again it could once again be in retail. Who knows. All, I know is I must provide for my family.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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Discussing faith, business, personal finance, news (business and financial related), politics, and pretty much everything else.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
WE WILL NEVER SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.. ever
I have seen this before, but it's certainly well worth seeing again...........it should be broadcast on every channel. and sent special delivery to the President and congress and all current politicians. Even though, I am a Republican, we can certainly learn something from Harry Truman.
WE WILL NEVER SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.. ever
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 43 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri . His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.
When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don 't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale.."
Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don 't consider that I have don e anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."
As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.
Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. (sic. Illinois )
Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!
I say dig him up and clone him!!
WE WILL NEVER SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.. ever
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 43 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri . His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.
When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don 't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale.."
Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don 't consider that I have don e anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."
As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.
Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. (sic. Illinois )
Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!
I say dig him up and clone him!!
A Wee Bit of Humor from South Africa
Kulula is a low-cost South-African airline that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Check out their new livery! And have a read about their Customer Relations.
WHAT A PITY KULULA DOESN'T FLY INTERNATIONALLY - WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM IF ONLY FOR THEIR HUMOR - SO TYPICALLY SOUTH AFRICAN.
Kulula is an Airline with head office situated in Johannesburg ...
Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where
you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
--------
On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot
said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be
turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance
the appearance of your flight attendants."
---------
On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your
belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's
something we'd like to have."
---------
"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane."
--------
"Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
--------
As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
--------
After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a
flight attendant on a flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as
hell everything has shifted."
--------
From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth ...
To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and
pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't
know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public
unsupervised."
---------
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend
from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your
face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask
before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one
small child, pick your favorite."
--------
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but
we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember,
nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines."
----------
"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an
emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
---------
"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings.
Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight
attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.."
---------
And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Kulula Airlines is
pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
---------
Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The
flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump
and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the
airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
---------
Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
---------
Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing:
"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
----------
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered
his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers
exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline. He said
that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the
passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment.
Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking
with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said,
"Did we land, or were we shot down?"
---------
After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."
---------
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank
you folks for flying with us today.. And, the next time you get the
insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal
tube, we hope you'll think of Kulula Airways."
--------
Heard on a Kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke,
the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing.. If you can light
'em, you can smoke 'em."
---------
A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a
comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, non-stop from Durban to Cape Town , The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight.. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOODNESS!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!"
A passenger then yelled, "That's nothing. You should see the back of
mine!"
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
follow me on Twitter
Check out their new livery! And have a read about their Customer Relations.
WHAT A PITY KULULA DOESN'T FLY INTERNATIONALLY - WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM IF ONLY FOR THEIR HUMOR - SO TYPICALLY SOUTH AFRICAN.
Kulula is an Airline with head office situated in Johannesburg ...
Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where
you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
--------
On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot
said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be
turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance
the appearance of your flight attendants."
---------
On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your
belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's
something we'd like to have."
---------
"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane."
--------
"Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
--------
As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
--------
After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a
flight attendant on a flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as
hell everything has shifted."
--------
From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth ...
To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and
pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't
know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public
unsupervised."
---------
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend
from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your
face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask
before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one
small child, pick your favorite."
--------
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but
we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember,
nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines."
----------
"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an
emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
---------
"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings.
Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight
attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.."
---------
And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Kulula Airlines is
pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
---------
Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The
flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump
and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the
airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
---------
Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
---------
Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing:
"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
----------
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered
his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers
exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline. He said
that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the
passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment.
Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking
with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said,
"Did we land, or were we shot down?"
---------
After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."
---------
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank
you folks for flying with us today.. And, the next time you get the
insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal
tube, we hope you'll think of Kulula Airways."
--------
Heard on a Kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke,
the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing.. If you can light
'em, you can smoke 'em."
---------
A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a
comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, non-stop from Durban to Cape Town , The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight.. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOODNESS!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!"
A passenger then yelled, "That's nothing. You should see the back of
mine!"
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
follow me on Twitter
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Department of Public Safety
As a new comer to Texas, I have to get my new driver license for this state. I new from the inception of the idea, to move here, there would be some added expenses to actually getting settled. However, in Texas I can't get a Drivers License until, I have got my car registered in the state. That means, I have to have a state safety inspection. However, the problem is there is a small hole in the turn signal. Because of this a small amount of white light is viable, which in turn means the car would not pass the safety inspection. So I really could not "Refudiate" the diagnosis. To fix it properly, would cost nearly $400. Although a temporary fix was made (putting taillight tape over the hole), to get it to pass state inspection. Thank God, now I don't have to worry about the inspection for another year. However, I will need to get that light cover fixed soon. It will make the car look better, but more importantly it will be safer. Especially in preventing water from getting inside the taillight assembly and shorting out the electrical system. Still, though I find the idea of spending nearly $400 despicable.
Once, I got the inspection, I was on the way to Cedar Park, TX to get the new car tags. Where I learned, I had to pay an additional $90 for what they call a "new resident fee."
Now the next step is to go to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Drivers License office, to get my Drivers License. That will cost an additional $25. I plan to make this trip tomorrow morning. However, once that is done. I will officially be a resident of the area. All-in-all it is hard to be frugal, with all these extra expenses. Some of which seem unforeseen. Although "unforeseen," it should still have been in the budget. In fact it should have been taken care, a long time ago. Now I am playing catchup.
Now, to get a job. I just got off the phone, as another perspective employer called me to do a telephone pre-screening before any possible face to face interview. That one, was in the field I really want to go to work in. However, I won't hold my breath, until I actually get the call telling me, "you're hired."
Once I find a job,I we can start rebuilding my our savings.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
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Once, I got the inspection, I was on the way to Cedar Park, TX to get the new car tags. Where I learned, I had to pay an additional $90 for what they call a "new resident fee."
Now the next step is to go to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Drivers License office, to get my Drivers License. That will cost an additional $25. I plan to make this trip tomorrow morning. However, once that is done. I will officially be a resident of the area. All-in-all it is hard to be frugal, with all these extra expenses. Some of which seem unforeseen. Although "unforeseen," it should still have been in the budget. In fact it should have been taken care, a long time ago. Now I am playing catchup.
Now, to get a job. I just got off the phone, as another perspective employer called me to do a telephone pre-screening before any possible face to face interview. That one, was in the field I really want to go to work in. However, I won't hold my breath, until I actually get the call telling me, "you're hired."
Once I find a job,
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
follow me on Twitter
Monday, September 6, 2010
New Church Home
 |
| Ah sweet water of life |
Since arriving in Austin, nearly two (2) weeks ago, my wife and I have been searching for a new church home. Our first Sunday here, we went to a church across the street from our complex. That church, my wife felt too uncomfortable with. They seemed too friendly, especially one individual, in particular. There were also some other things that concerned her, which I won't get into here.
So this last Sunday, we drove a little further, and visited North Austin Christian Church. The church, is smaller then the previous one we visited and they seem to be more genuine, in everything. Unlike many churches that have both English and Spanish services, this church has Spanish services in the morning and English services in the afternoon (after a weekly fellowship dinner for both services).
The church has several outreach ministries to the neighborhood that surrounds it. Including Heavens Harvest, which every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00, distributes food and clothing.
Heaven's Harvest encompasses several ministries for the community. Heaven's Harvest has available food, clothing, and showers for the homeless.
Heaven's Harvest is open for people to receive food and clothing every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Also, every third Friday of the month, fresh food is given away in the front parking lot of NACC, starting around 1:00 in the afternoon.
There are no qualifications necessary to receive food and no paperwork is required. We will pray with all who come, provide Bibles and invite everyone to visit the church services.
- From the Churches Website
Among other ministries they have a neighborhood program called "Fiesta" which is an outreach program for the neighborhood kids, a 12-step program, P3, which reaches out to young adults, so that they can have a "passion for Christ," among other ministries. Over-all I believe this may be the church home for my wife and I. In fact, we have already decided to get plugged in and start helping them with some of their outreaches. It looks to be a very positive church to be a part of, and they genuinely seem to care about everyone. Personally, I hat the drive, but everyone seems much more genuine there, then they did at the other church. They are friendly, but in a way that seems much more genuine, then the first church. Of course, personally, I liked the other church to, but as I said, my wife had several concerns. One of which, was I mentioned above.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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Friday, September 3, 2010
Job Search
The job search has been going, so-so. I have not been called for a job interview at the grocery store. Even though, I have applied for several different positions. I have letters of recommendations from the owner of my previous company, my previous manager and the executive director of a non-profit that I sat on the board of directors of.
I did have a job assessment and interview with an excellent last week and this past Tuesday. Now I am just waiting for the call telling me that I am hired, and to go get my drug test. That job, would be a great job, and even though, over all is a slight drop in pay, could be more, depending upon commissions and any potential overtime. I am really hoping, I will get this job, but I can't put all my eggs in this one basket. I will continue submitting further applications, until I get a call telling me that I have been hired.
In addition, I need to get my new drivers license and get my car re-registered, but that is another issue that perhaps I can discuss at another time.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
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I did have a job assessment and interview with an excellent last week and this past Tuesday. Now I am just waiting for the call telling me that I am hired, and to go get my drug test. That job, would be a great job, and even though, over all is a slight drop in pay, could be more, depending upon commissions and any potential overtime. I am really hoping, I will get this job, but I can't put all my eggs in this one basket. I will continue submitting further applications, until I get a call telling me that I have been hired.
In addition, I need to get my new drivers license and get my car re-registered, but that is another issue that perhaps I can discuss at another time.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Royal Wedding Pictures
Below are some of the pictures taken with disposable cameras that were setting on the tables at the reception. Hope you enjoy these pictures. The wedding photographers pictures (my step daughter-law) will have her pictures to us shortly.In addition my natural parents will be sending us CD's of the pictures, that they took.
Wedding cards and/or gifts may be sent to
D. Kevin and Patricia Surbaugh
PO box 170670
Austin, TX 78717
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
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 |
| Guests await the cutting of the cake |
 |
My wife Pat and I with my foster parents after our wedding. |
 |
| Brides bouquet as it's caught by Jessica Hines. |
 |
| Wedding Flutes |
 |
| My former Store Manager Roger |
Wedding cards and/or gifts may be sent to
D. Kevin and Patricia Surbaugh
PO box 170670
Austin, TX 78717
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Sponsor This Post(via PayPal) for $75 and Replace This Text.
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