"The Truth(s)"

Hypocrisy

Shaggy13spe — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:54 +0000

So I started reading

American Lion

by Jon Meacham, about President Andrew Jackson. I’ll post a review of the book after I finish, but so far it’s pretty good. Written very much in the same engaging style as his book on Thomas Jefferson that I just finished reading. But it got me thinking how ironic it was that some of the Presidents we think are the best, were walking billboards of hypocrisy. Case in point, Andrew Jackson is responsible for the removal of Indians from the Eastern US (the Trail of Tears) while at the same time he had adopted an Indian boy as his son. Similarly, Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence, a document that originally contained the evil of slavery, as well as had fought earlier in his career to end slavery, was a slave owner himself, and had only freed his slaves born by Sally Hemings, after his death and upon their 21st birthdays. Proof that even the greatest of men are not perfect.

Thomas Jefferson

Shaggy13spe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:36:42 +0000

I recently finished reading the book “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power” by John Meacham, and I give it a full 5 stars! I love reading biographies, especially of the American Revolution and our Founding Fathers, and this was one of the better written books I’ve read. Full of research from Jefferson’s own correspondence as well as other primary sources of the times and of those who traveled in the same sphere, this book offered a great look at one of our best Presidents and true American patriots. By no means was Jefferson perfect, and the book does a good job of presenting his sometimes hypocritical ideas and actions, but does so in a way that is refreshing. For many, the author of our independence, has been looked upon as superhuman, and understandably so, but Jefferson was not, and the author does a great job of unveiling a man both great and flawed.

Doctors – money grubbers!

Shaggy13spe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:33:59 +0000

Ok, so I am an unfortunate soul who suffers on occasion from fever blisters (you know of the viral Herpes type). I don’t get them very often though, maybe a few times a year. My doctor usually just writes me a prescription for 3 or 4 doses of Valtrex to take whenever a breakout occurs. Well the last time he wrote one was in 2010, and I was fortunate enough not to have had any breakouts since I ran out. Out of sight, out of mind though so I never went to get a refill. So yesterday evening, I feel a blister starting. Timing is key with these and the sooner you medicate the more effective it is. (Kind of like Tamiflu and the flu, after 48 hours you might as well ride it out.) I called my doc that evening (he keeps later hours on some days) and spoke to the nurse who answered the phone and began explaining my predicament. She notes that because the last time I was seen by the doc was 2011, I would have to come in to have him write a Rx. WTF!!!! I can see if I was asking for a controlled substance like Percocet or even for antibiotics, but with this kind of med (an antiviral), why do you need to see me. You know I have fever blisters, you’ve seen me for them before, you’ve prescribed medication for them for me before, fever blisters are forever, there is no cure, they aren’t hard to diagnose, why can’t you just call in a script you douchebags?! Oh I get it, you want your money for an office visit! Well I can’t take off work today to see him, so basically I’m screwed. But then this morning when I got to work, I remember that the CVS inside our building has a Minute Clinic. I step in, and within 10 minutes, I am out the door with a prescription in hand. It cost me a copay of $20 instead of $10, but I’m ok with that. At least my doc wasn’t able to get anything off my insurance for a stupid policy! Suck it Woodstock Urgent Care!

My review of Surface RT

Shaggy13spe — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:07:12 +0000

So, I broke down and bought a Microsoft Surface RT tablet. My main reason for buying it was the hope that it would be a little better for using during my work day, by taking notes in meetings, using Office, etc. Since I bought it during my holiday vacation,I haven’t yet had the chance to use it in that environment, so I will come back and update this post after I’ve used it there. But this is my first impressions now that I have played with it for a couple weeks and compare it to my iPad.

Pros:

TypeCover is awesome! I opted for the more keyboard-like option vs. the TouchCover. It’s a little bigger than the latter, but more responsive due to real keys. The cover (both of them) snap in to the tablet via magnets, and they are strong enough to keep the tablet from dropping to the floor when dangling it from the keyboard (not that you’d normally want to do that, but good to know)
Kickstand is awesome! I have a SmartCover on my iPad, and while I like it, I don’t like that I have to use it to prop it up. The combination of this and the TypeCover make this tablet work/feel a little more like a laptop when needed.
Update: after using it for a long time now, it does seem that the battery doesn’t last so long when the unit is not being used as compared to the iPad. I can put my iPad down for a good week and pick it up with still some charge left, it seems the Surface never lasts that long.Battery life is pretty good. Seems comparable to my iPad. It lasted several days on a single charge (I had it connected to wifi, but didn’t do a lot of streaming)
A memory card slot is very welcome! This is one thing I always wished Apple would add to the iPad. I bought the lower memory footprint Surface but opted for a 32GB card.
I have a few apps that I have really grown to like…Microsoft Solitaire Collection has been consuming a lot of my time. Also the XBox SmartGlass application is really cool. It allows me to control my XBox from the tablet, and among other things, I can be watching a movie on the TV, and if my kids want to watch something else, I can immediately transfer it to the tablet, and not skip a beat. (SmartGlass will be available on other platforms in the near future).
Update: having Office 2013 has been great. Not that I could t do what I do on a laptop (in an albeit more powerful version of Office) but for quick note taking or Excel use in a meeting, or anywhere that I don’t feel like lugging around my laptop, this can’t be beat!

Cons:

Seriously lacking in Apps! This is to be expected as Windows Store hasn’t been up and running as long as Apple’s AppStore. But even some of the big name apps are missing like Facebook, or WordPress.
It was kind of hard to find things at first. Getting used to the RT interface wasn’t too hard but, finding some things took a little more time than on an iPad.
No cellular option! RT only comes with wifi. This isn’t a total deal killer,as I don’t ever use it on my iPad (once when we went on vacation I turned it on, but for the most part, we only use it on wifi), but not even having the option does suck.
One little thing that has been bugging me is that there isn’t a warning when the battery hits a certain percentage. This wouldn’t necessarily be a big deal, but unlike on the iPad, the battery meter isn’t displayed on screen unless you specifically swipe from the right to show the status tile.
Update: After searching I finally found where to adjust this setting for when it’s just sitting around, but it still will try to sleep if I’m watching a long videoOne other thing that I noticed recently was that the display dims when I’m watching video like it’s going to go to sleep. I haven’t let it go to see if it actually does sleep, I’ll play more with it and post an update

Here’s to a happy and very prosperous New Year

Shaggy13spe — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 19:59:18 +0000

So a new year is upon us…we survived the Mayan Apocalypse, the hectic shopping scenes, and hopefully rang in the New Year with the ones you love…and woke up with minimal hangovers. So what to look forward to in 2013? Well thankfully, no elections this year, but to be sure that doesn’t mean the drama that is played out in our nation’s capital and on our news programs won’t cease. No this year I’m looking forward to growing my business, growing my knowledge, and growing my love for friends and family. I’m looking forward to great times with friends, a happy and satisfying work/life balance, and just trying to better myself both physically and mentally. I look forward to enjoying my life for all that it is, and all that it will be. Happy New Year to all of you and here’s to many more engaging blogs!

Time for action…but what action?

Shaggy13spe — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 20:17:58 +0000

First, let me say that the events that transpired last week at Sandy Hook Elementary saddened me immensely and my heart goes out to all of those people who lost a loved one. My wife is a teacher and I can’t imagine what I’d do if that had happened at her school, or at my own children’s schools. Second, I must confess right off the bat, that I am a gun owner. I have been exposed to guns all my life, and was taught at an early age how to use them and more importantly, how to respect them. It seems that a majority of the comments that have come from this tragedy, and it seems it comes mostly from the left, centers around more gun control laws (and some even outright bans). This is an understandable reaction, however, it is an emotional knee-jerk reaction, that will do little to actually stop these kinds of incidents. What we need is a balanced solution. We need to look at every angle, putting all issues on the table, and only implementing those things that 1) will truly make an impact to safeguard our children, and 2) are legal and constitutional. Otherwise, we will end up with another TSA on our hands!

So what kinds of things can we do that will make the most impact? Things that can and should be done right now? Well for starters we can put police officers in our elementary schools. In our county, the middle and high schools have an officer, but not elementary. Most likely because the officer wasn’t “tasked” with the primary responsibility of keeping the kids safe from external threats but to police the kids themselves, but that role must change and we need them at all levels.
What else? Arm school officials! I know, many of you may have recoiled at that idea. Some say adding more guns to the mix isn’t going to help. I say BS! Had the principal had a gun when she confronted the shooter, she may very well be alive today as well as have saved others. I’m not saying that all teachers should be armed, but given a choice, and if they want to, make sure they are thoroughly trained. At the very least, administrators should be allowed to arm themselves. At the school my wife works at, during a “Code Red”, the administrators are required to walk the halls. Lambs to the slaughter, how are they supposed to protect anyone much less themselves? “Gun-free” zones you say? Sandy Hook was a gun-free zone, in a state with very strict gun laws, but that didn’t stop that looney from killing anyone, and it won’t stop anyone else in the future that is intent on carrying out violence against those in those places.

So these are just two things we can do right now that would have a meaningful and immediate impact on securing our schools and safeguarding our children from having to ever endure this again!

P.S. I originally thought of debating the 2nd Amendment in this post, but feel that that topic could really use its own post and would overshadow any other of the things I mentioned above. If you feel you must bring it up in your comments, have at it, and I’ll do my best to address it.

STOP BREATHING SO LOUD!!!!!

Shaggy13spe — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:46:05 +0000

Ok, so recently I came across an article that described a disorder I had never heard of, but have long suffered from. Up until now, I just thought I was crazy, some weird, oddball quirk of mine, but now realize that there are many, many more like me. What’s the disorder? Misophonia – literally “the hatred of sound” – is a neurological disorder, where sufferers can experience anxiety, stress, even immense anger from certain sounds, that would otherwise go unnoticed by “normal” individuals. Most often these sounds are chewing (with mouth open or closed), slurping, smacking, even someone’s breathing can trigger it. I literally have to remove myself from a room when my wife or kids are eating when I’m not. (When I’m eating, it doesn’t bother me as, my own sounds block it out). When I’m at work, I always have my headphones blasting in my ears, because hearing “cube-mates” eat, chomp their gum, even the way they “mouth-breath” drives me bonkers. I hate when I have someone at my desk and they are say “reading” over my shoulder looking at code. Just hearing them breath cranks up my anxiety. Other sounds…my dog licking her paws or someone talking on the phone “trying” to be quiet and ends up sounding like a hum or something. Anyway, good to know I’m not totally crazy!

And another year down…

Shaggy13spe — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:25:45 +0000

So today I turned 40! I’d like to say I feel older, but to be honest, I have felt old for a while already. My body has been “falling” apart way too early in life! I’ve already had two vertebrae fused in my neck, my fingers have arthritis, I’m on cholesterol meds, and the list goes on. But at the same time, I feel so young. Every time I play with my kids, I feel like a kid again. I get to experience the fun of new experiences all over again through them. But what makes me feel even younger is looking into my wife’s eyes and seeing just how much she loves me. Like that young kid all over again. So being 40 isn’t too bad…so far! Can honestly say I’m looking forward to another 40 with my family.

Merry [word removed so as not to offend your delicate little ears]!

Shaggy13spe — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:47:05 +0000

Merry Christmas! Ha, got that out of the way. Did those words offend you, oh I apologize. NOT!!! So it’s that time of year again, and because of that we see more looney toons coming out of the woodwork, determined not to offend, and taking the Christ out of Christmas. “Holiday” trees!? Really!? What other religion uses a decorated tree to symbolize its holiday? Hmmm…. none! Trying to separate the Christmas from the tree is absolutely absurd! It would be like trying separate the word Menorah from, well the Menorah! This behavior is usually in response to either the fear of being sued by those whack jobs like the Freedom From Religion group and their ilk, or trying to be politically correct and not offending anyone. To which I call bullshit! Sorry, but no where in our beloved Constitution does it say you have a right not to be insulted and/or offended in any way, shape, or form! In fact just the opposite…under the First Amendment, I have every right to insult and/or offend you. Don’t like it, too bad, walk away, stop reading my blog, don’t visit my business, etc, etc. And speaking of the First Amendment and those groups like Freedom From Religion, they love to quote the “Establishment Clause” as they go after cities and municipalities for displaying anything remotely connected to Christianity. They think that just because it says that the government can’t officially sanction any particular religion, that that means they have the right to be free from all traces of religion. But they conveniently ignore the second part of that clause…

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

Let’s just forget the fact that our Supreme Court has interpreted that the first part says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, to mean they can’t have a Nativity scene at a government building or have the Ten Commandment displayed, etc…even though doing that isn’t creating any law stating anything about anyone having to practice that religion. No the second part is never quoted by these people, but it is equally important! We explicitly have the right to practice whatever religion wherever we want, whenever we want! So tis the season and all of that good stuff! And if that offends you, well then I’ll say a little prayer for you.

A brief note…

Shaggy13spe — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:47:33 +0000

Well as I feared, my limited amount of time has hindered my ability to post anything as of yet (I’m currently writing this on my phone while on the MARTA train). I have a few things on draft, but not quite done with them. I’m still new to this, so please bear with me. I promise to get something up soon and hope it stirs some good discussion and maybe learn a thing or two. Until then…please stay tuned.

P.S. to any of you WordPress power users, I’ve been working on my posts that are drafts on my iPad, and just now noticed (while on my phone), that I can’t get to them. My assumption was that they would be saved to a drafts folder on my site, but it doesn’t seem so. Has anyone encountered this, and if so, what’s your work around?