Pauliemac's World

THE SILVERBACKS: MY VOTE FOR MAILBOX OF THE YEAR

2011-10-21T07:41:00.000-06:00

THE SILVERBACKS: MY VOTE FOR MAILBOX OF THE YEAR

Meet The Press 10/9/2011

2011-10-09T09:26:00.000-06:00

David Gregory is interviewing Rahm Emanual. I knew he formerly was the Chief of Staff for President Obama however that was pretty much the extent of my knowledge about him. After listening to him in depth, I really like what he has to say. Straight shooter, no nonsense speak. I know, as mayor of Chicago, that is is priority, but what he has to say goes for all cities across America. His

9/11 Remembered

2011-09-11T08:22:00.001-06:00

Where were you 9/11/2001? For me as an innocent naive young man I truly did not have any idea of the kind of history I was watching on tv that day. I had no idea of the truly monumental place in history that day would come to reside in the history of not only our country but our planet as a whole. I will never forget a headline the next day, from the French, stating "Today we are all Americans".

Can I do it?

2011-08-31T22:21:00.002-06:00

Not sure if I like this new interface for blogger however since I really never post anymore does it matter? Facebook seems to have become what I wanted blogger to be back in 2003 when I started this blog. I am sure a lot of people have come to that conclusion as well. My blog served me so well during my dark time I really want to keep writing, keep putting my thoughts into words so others can get

Elizabeth Halford Photography {the blog} » pho•to•gra•phy {in real.plain.english}

2011-06-19T08:16:00.000-06:00

Elizabeth Halford Photography {the blog} » pho•to•gra•phy {in real.plain.english}

10 Minutes of hail...

2011-05-30T09:51:00.001-06:00

hail_storm_2011 Originally uploaded by p_d_t.It only took 10 minutes of a hail storm to change our decent looking apartment complex into something bordering on condemned.

Expensive stuff made cheap...

2010-12-19T08:38:00.000-06:00

I love bean dip, yet the cost keeps me from buying it very often. Not that I can't afford it, its just that I never could see the value in paying for something that is so cheap in other forms. Last night I learned how to make my own and it was awesome! and cheap. Youtube is the place to go if you want to learn how to do something. Now I can have bean dip whenever I want it. Turns out it is made

Hard-boiled eggs...

2010-12-03T21:40:00.000-06:00

This morning I looked up how to cook hard-boiled eggs in the microwave. Found a couple of different ways, picked one and I cooked the best tasting hard-boiled egg I have ever eaten. Just another thing the microwave does better than a stove. I love me some sweet potatoes! Growing up I never wanted to eat them. Now I can't get enough of them. Not the holiday candied yams, those are way too sweet

Cheap doesn't always mean cheap...

2010-12-03T08:40:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I bought a "new" used camera for my collection. Even at 10 years old it is better than most cameras you can buy today. Then last week I came across a ball-head tripod at Amazon, lists for over $60 yet with all the discounts I got it for just over $20. I was skeptical that it would hold my "new" camera, which weighs 2.5lbs even though the tripod is rated to hold a maximum of

Christmas 2009 after the snow storm

2010-11-02T22:28:00.000-06:00

Short slideshow I made showing Wayne and Barb's ranch after overnight snowstorm.

This has to stop...

2010-10-08T20:25:00.000-06:00

The following statement applies to what I went through, however this comes from Ohio. "Some students say the problem is the culture of conformity in this city of about 50,000 people: If you're not an athlete or cheerleader, you're not cool. And if you're not cool, you're a prime target for the bullies." This is not a right of passage in life, it is about teaching our children how to be good

What goes up must come down...

2010-08-27T21:34:00.000-06:00

That would be our emotions currently as Tammi finished 3 days of testing yesterday. It is called an Indium test and it is performed to reveal infections and abscesses. Basically 60cc's of blood is drawn, sent to a lab for white blood cell culturing, reintroduced into the body. Then 24 and 48 hours later the body is scanned. Anywhere there is infection the white blood cells will flock to and show

Whoa!

2010-08-26T07:31:00.002-06:00

Tammi, me, my Dad, Tammi's Dad and Mom...we are all doomed. Report out yesterday states diabetics that take insulin are 50% more likely to develop cancer. They don't know why, just that the research indicates it is true....Live life as if it were our last day!

Friday!

2010-08-20T22:41:00.000-06:00

Not too much to write about today, more of the same. Hot outside, shoulder still hurting considerably and more work to be done around the house than time or energy to do it. Leaving early in the morning to work on Jess's car. It will be good to see Baby G, she is such a joy. Hope to be back home by 10:30, washed and relaxing.

More of the same, a whole lot more...

2010-08-19T21:53:00.000-06:00

Today was a footrace from the moment I walked in to work. I have developed a system (really simple yet effective) of making a printout of each and every item that needs to be addresses, as soon as it comes to me. This way I can track what I have left to do and simply discard when I have finished the task. Work is so busy I don't need a complicated method of tracking what is on my agenda. When the

A Wednesday like so many others...

2010-08-18T21:19:00.000-06:00

Today was like most days of my life, uneventful, yet fulfilling. I try to find enjoyment in everything I do in life. While my job is just that, a job, by always working to do it better I find fulfillment in the smallest things. Soon I won't even remember this day or its events, however for a short while it was a day to cherish.The pain in Tammi's lower back has vastly increased over the last

New accounts, New issues

2010-08-17T20:56:00.000-06:00

The transition to my new account is going well, better in fact than I thought it might. Eight months and there is still so much to learn, it does get frustrating at times having to ask what to do. Each new question brings more knowledge which is the key to increasing my earnings. Tonight we have Gabby for what we hope to be a weekly overnight stay. We picked Tuesday's so it would give Mom, Dad,

Dems vs Repubs...

2010-05-26T07:04:00.000-06:00

Republicans want less government oversight, yet it is coming out that is exactly why our beautiful Gulf of Mexico is becoming an oil stained cesspool. Shame on those that believe people in charge are fully capable of regulating themselves. Greed is human nature and without outside sources to monitor any situation, even those with the best intentions will slowly lose discipline and give in to

Way too infrequent of postings...will strive to do better

2010-05-25T21:58:00.000-06:00

this past weekend I bought some cilantro (coriander) and have starting incorporating it into my daily cooking. researching it I came across this information from wikipedia: Coriander has been documented as a traditional treatment for diabetes. A study on mice found that coriander extract had both insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity.[17] Coriander seeds were found in a study on rats to

Amazing Grace

2010-03-20T23:42:00.009-06:00

Leann Rimes records a wonderful version of Amazing grace, my all-time favorite song. Beautiful. Today was our granddaughter Gabby's 1st birthday. We had a really good time at her dad's mothers home. It has been a rough year and things are still tenuous but it is getting better. I am suffering such sadness and despair, I truly believe I suffer from clinical depression but without insurance how

Almost forgot...

2010-01-23T10:02:00.000-06:00

I started a new job this past week! Hurray for me! Office/clerical work, not too hard but seems to be a great group of people to work with. The lady training me is getting antsy though as she has a lot of work to do and having to slow down to train me is really putting her behind. I know what it is like to be in that situation, it is so hard to slow down and think about what you are doing. But I

Passages of time...

2010-01-23T09:57:00.000-06:00

My son's birthday was yesterday. He turned 12 years old. I have not seen him the past 11 years. The decision I made then was the right one for then, but it is not the right one for now. Yet I have to live with the consequences of the decision made then as the hurdles I have given to be a part of his life now are just too great for me to overcome. I hope his birthday was a joyous one and if he

A sign of the Times (pun intended)...

2010-01-20T22:19:00.000-06:00

I just read that the NY Times is once again going to charge for content. I am at a impasse in my feelings about being charged for online content. I truly understand that the entities that make content available really need to be able to make money at it or they will not be able to provide said content. Its just that there is so much content available on the web that I personally cannot pay for

What a shame....

2010-01-18T17:00:00.001-06:00

Brett Favre and the Vikings had a chance to show the world what a class organization they are, and instead proved how immature and classless they truly are. When leading in the closing minutes with a large lead and the other team cannot stop the clock, you take a knee a couple of times and then go take a shower. Instead, they go for it on fourth down, then sing a dumb song in the locker room

Missed this SNL skit....it's in such bad taste it's hilarious!

2009-12-31T11:52:00.001-06:00

Motherlover

On the horizon?

2009-11-22T22:11:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow begins week three of my unemployment and while we have enough for a few months it is still worrisome. Last Tuesday I tested and interviewed for a customer service position with Geico. I passed their initial test and I felt the interview went well but have not received a return phone call. So I am disappointed and feeling a bit down. But I look at any prospective job with the attitude

Three Rivers...

2009-10-04T19:52:00.002-06:00

watching the new medical drama "Three Rivers" and while it is a feel good medical drama, it just does not portray an everyday hospital realistically. The doctors are a little to pretty, the technology a little too exotic and overall just too slick for it to be accurate. I don't think I will be watching it again.

Tomorrow...

2009-10-04T18:23:00.002-06:00

is the big day. I will find out if I still have a job and Tammi should find out when we can meet with the surgeon to discuss the next step in her treatment. What did you think of Lady Gaga on Saturday Night Live? I have heard of her but had not really listened to her music, so I have been checking out her videos on youtube and I do like her music. Is she the next Christina Aguilera? She sells

whining...

2009-08-01T09:34:00.002-06:00

just read an article in the ny times regarding the unionized workers at Walmart in Canada. went to the union website to see for myself what the talk was about. talk about whiners! "i work hard but haven't gotten a raise". what kind of bs is that? I work hard, haven't gotten a raise and I am just happy to have a job. if you don't like what your doing or who your working for, then move on. we were

2009-07-05T10:36:00.002-06:00

don't think i will upgrade my laptop to windows 7. 2 reasons mainly. one, my current laptop, a dell inspiron b120 is probably a bit underpowered for w7. the other is i have read where just as with vista, a lot of older hardware does not work with it. i have a some older hardware and software that works just fine with my xp system so i think it would be good keep an older system running xp around

Who are they kidding?

2009-05-04T21:03:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I read an article stating that due to the formula used to calculate the COLA (cost of living adjustment) for Social Security, there will not be an increase for the next two years. This after an increase every year for the last 30 years. Apparently, inflation is going to remain low for the next two years and low inflation is what keeps the COLA from kicking in. I am just an average

Dejavue

2009-03-22T20:00:00.002-06:00

I do not remember just how long ago, maybe eight years, I read a book titled "Den of Thieves". It was about Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky, men whose exploits in greed brought the destruction of many middle class people's live. This was 20 years ago that these events took place and yet look where we are today. Once again greed and Wall Street are causing massive pain to the middle class. And the

Healthcare

2009-03-09T20:46:00.002-06:00

In a time when so much illness has been cured and so much suffering has been eased why do we still have caregivers forgetting or not caring about the smallest of details? This past Friday my wife was transferred to a long-term rehab hospital and immediately we had to start complaining about proper procedures not being followed. My wife has had her body ravaged by a bacterial infection to the

Moved...

2009-03-06T21:53:00.001-06:00

Well she is now in the rehab hospital. Her spirits are much better but it sure was hot in that room. Her roommate is by the a/c and they don't keep it very hot. I purchased a fan for her tonight so she is much more comfortable now. As long as her pain isn't too bad she will be able to sleep. And sleep is what she needs to heal and have the energy to do her therapy during the day.

Surgery...

2009-03-05T22:31:00.002-06:00

To see a video of a knee replacement surgery very much like what my wife had, go here Knee Replacement Surgery

What is "News"?

2009-03-05T08:41:00.003-06:00

Three things are needed to have "news". 1) Some kind of event has to happen 2) Someone has to report about what happened, either by direct witness or as told to them. 3) Someone has to listen to the person(s) who are reporting about the event. That's all. As long as all three criteria are met, it is news.

Taking things for granted....

2009-03-04T22:07:00.002-06:00

So many times we hear about not taking things for granted. And it is true, the little things in life are what makes it worth living. A sip of water when your thirsty or maybe the shade of a tree on a hot day. Or, walking four feet when you have not walked in three years. The distance does not matter. The pain endured does not matter. The only thing that matters is that she accomplished this

Best Friends

2009-02-28T09:50:00.001-06:00

Yep, this is where we all are going to end up...

2009-01-17T09:18:00.001-06:00

Since Tam spent the better part of 18 months in a nursing home we saw up front that this is true!

"The Bean Shooter Man"

2009-01-17T08:38:00.000-06:00

2009-01-17T08:36:00.000-06:00

This is pretty cool for all of us old creepy guys!

Always one or the other....

2008-12-13T23:29:00.002-06:00

Having posted last month about what I believe is my failure as a father, our lives have become even more complicated by the arrest of our oldest daughter. She has been on probation for intent to sell (methamphetamine) when this past Monday she was tested by her probation officer and failed the test, for the same drug. We have just been devastated by this latest news. She has 3 stepchildren that

Musical tastes keep evolving...

2008-12-13T23:19:00.002-06:00

Just heard Kanye West sing a song on Saturday Night Live and I liked it so much I bought it Amazon.com immediately. It just goes to show that whatever an artist usually creates, they also may create something that will appeal to a totally different audience. I really don't care for rap but I like this song, which is more of a love song. The song is "Love Lockdown". Once again the modern power of

2008-11-08T06:13:00.002-06:00

As my daughter enters her fifth month of pregnancy I have really started to reflect upon my total failure as a father. It is no small wonder that she has been as screwed up as she has. I thought I was a good father but that was just me wanting to believe that just because I put food on the table and a roof over her head it made me one. In retrospect I made poor decision after poor decision,

Why young people should hold off on having children..

2008-10-05T07:06:00.002-06:00

The discipline of religion and moral teachings kept the young people of the past (more than 125 years ago) in line as young teenage parents. A time when it was common for 15 year olds to marry and have children. But times have changed and along with it the ability for these young people to think for themselves at a much younger age. That is why society has to change and allow for the slower

2008-10-01T21:23:00.002-06:00

way to long between posts. I finally have internet that works as I subscribed to at&t's dsl connection. and it works great, as great as charters never did. also, i reset my laptop to the way it was the day i bought it. i had been thinking of doing it for quite a while but was nervous about having to reinstall programs. turns out it was the best thing i ever did. my laptop was taking up to 10

It's been too long...

2008-08-16T13:06:00.002-06:00

since I have done regular posting. I now hope to start again as I have really missed putting my thoughts, ideas, and opinions in writing. I am finally getting my blood sugar levels down to a manageable level and as a result I have more energy and desire to do things. Also, with Tammi becoming more independent it is releasing me from so much responsibility and allowing me to do more for myself.

Grilling,

2008-06-08T07:06:00.002-06:00

After 10 years of strictly gas grilling, I took my first shot at charcoal grilling yesterday. And while it was a modest undertaking for my first time, it turned out quite successfully. Having given away my gas grill when we moved last summer, I had not had the opportunity to cook outdoors since then. Actually, I had grilled only once in the past 2 1/2 years and I really missed it. I have done a

Musings and such...

2008-03-06T21:21:00.002-06:00

Just a few things to update what is going on in my life right now. Work is progressing at a steady, albeit slow, pace. My immediate boss is a young woman probably 15-18 years my junior and although she is sweet and nice she is also somewhat condescending to others. I respect what she has accomplished and where she is but what I feel she does not understand is that what we do there is not that

Windows (you know, Microsoft) is so yesterday...

2008-03-02T08:50:00.005-06:00

Some time back I downloaded a copy of Puppy Linux as I read that it was a pretty good version of Linux and it was designed to boot off of a cd disc. I did boot up with it but just never had the time to really see what it could do. Well, this weekend I finally got around to really getting into it and I have to say I am very impressed. the whole operating system is only 99mb in size and yet I have

A new beginning?

2008-02-25T21:47:00.002-06:00

Possibly. I spent the majority of today at a prospective employer's office. The manager of the facility wanted me to get a feel for what they do and let them know if it was something I might be interested in. Aside from the fact I need a job I did feel like it was something I would be interested in. The job is not the most glamorous but it pretty much used a lot of what I have learned over the

An ending and a beginning....

2008-02-08T00:23:00.000-06:00

I was fired today (Thursday 2/7/08). So that is the end of a chapter of my life and the beginning of a new one. Tammi and I discussed and then decided we would not look back. We immediately started making decisions for the future and what the next step was/is. End of a job, end of my time at a certain company but not the end of my life. No looking back. On a separate note my sister was admitted

So this explains it....

2008-01-01T23:13:00.000-06:00

Why are commercials so LOUD? Compression. Advertisers use compression so that everything in a commercial is about at the same (loud) audio level, close to the maximum allowable levels. This way, you can still hear their pitch even if you get up to go the kitchen or bathroom. SCI FI does not turn up the volume on these commercials — they're just recorded and mixed that way. Most of our shows,

What I too have been doing..

2008-01-01T22:46:00.001-06:00

I have been going down this very bad path over the last year. If what I read here is correct, I am doing a lot of harm to myself and I had better change my ways. clipped from www.nytimes.comLost possible selves, some psychologists call them. Others are more blunt: the person you could have been. clipped

Good drug...

2007-11-30T23:57:00.001-06:00

Januvia is one of the pills I take for my diabetes and i have to say it works really well. clipped from www.cnn.com Januvia, a pill from New Jersey-based Merck & Co., Inc., is the newest entrant to the diabetes field. Like the other drugs, it controls blood-sugar levels and is only used by diabetics with type II

Sadness...and then boredom

2007-11-30T23:32:00.001-06:00

Today I lost one of my (and many another 40-something year old man) childhood heroes. Evel Kneivel passed away and with him another link to my childhood. While my memories will never fade, knowing he is gone will push them a little more into the past. Every once in a while I would see him in the news and it would bring back the memories of me trying to jump my wagon with my bike as a ten year old

2007-11-29T23:25:00.000-06:00

First, the good news. The Cowboys won. Now the not so good news. The score should not have been anywhere as close as it was. Green Bay was missing two important defensive players (KGB and Woodson) and it showed as Dallas moved the ball at will. But the defense gave up too many plays, like the long touchdown run and some passes by Rogers. I give credit to Green Bay for making a game of it but it

Lessons of life....

2007-11-25T08:43:00.001-06:00

This is one of the lessons I have recently learned about myself. There is so much about life that we need to know and by the time we know it, so much of life has passed us by. clipped from www.nytimes.comI’m the man pretending he knows what the hell is going on around him when, in fact, he’s clueless.” clipped from www.nytimes.comOr is it just another example of the fact that Americans age, but never seem to mature?

When not trying to impress someone impresses them...

2007-10-14T13:46:00.000-06:00

I am never going to be a "beautiful" person as far as physical appearance. I also will never be considered "cool" due to my personality. I am just a guy. Because of that I have always tried to find a way to impress a woman. I would try to be cool or hip. I would either smoke some weed, dress a certain way, be an impressive single father or otherwise try to be someone that I was not. I was a good,

Another week gone by...

2007-10-13T17:42:00.000-06:00

And what a week it was. That is not a good thing this time. Friday we had a meeting to discuss my claims that are over 30 days in age. I was totally unprepared because I was not fully told what was expected of me at this meeting. I really looked bad but I still have a job and I am making it right. Earlier this week I read that my new fav show is on the bubble. Actually, all four new shows on NBC

Is luck good fortune or is good fortune just being luck?

2007-10-09T13:41:00.000-06:00

That is what I am wondering regarding the Dallas Cowboys win last night over the Buffalo Bills. Did Dallas get lucky? Did the Bills get lucky to even be in the game? Was Dallas fortunate to recover the onside kick or was Buffalo unfortunate that they could not cover it? So many questions, but the only question I care about is 'Did Dallas win the ballgame?' And of course the answer to that is YES!

Miserable...

2007-10-02T12:48:00.000-06:00

That is what I am. Allergies are just making me miserable. I have been taking some medication but at this time it is only doing so much. I can't wait for the first good cold front to come through and blow out whatever is causing my allergies.

Another new wifi hangout...

2007-10-01T13:55:00.000-06:00

Right now I am spending my lunch hour at the library that is closest to my work. I have never been here before but have driven by it many times over the last four years. I really should have been coming here for lunch during the summer as it is very cool. Although there are quite a number of people here (more than I expected for this time of day) it is quite reasonably quiet and the wireless

Reviews and other musings...

2007-09-30T17:01:00.000-06:00

This past week I watched to new season premiers, Bionic Woman and Life. I already fear for Bionic Woman as it is just a ripoff of Dark Angel from several years ago. Girl with extraordinary powers and gifts is hunted by a government agency. And that show was a ripoff of The Pretender. So while it has good looking young women, it is not new nor interesting. I feel it deviates from the original

Movie review and other musings...

2007-09-23T13:37:00.000-06:00

Last night I watched the Viggo Mortensen film "A History of Violence" and my feelings are mixed. While the action seemed to move at a fast enough pace, I felt it did not delve deep enough into Tom/Joey's past. Two top rate actors, William Hurt and Ed Harris had star billing but their screen time was rather limited. Of the two, Ed Harris certainly turned out the better performance. William Hurt,

Outside...

2007-09-19T15:50:00.000-06:00

Having been an outsider most of my life has, for the most part, been a lonely experience. But recently I have realized, that while I really don't like the feelings of loneliness, there is something that I can do with it. As an outsider, I have developed the skill of observing others. When I combine observation with memories of events and situations from my past I am able to construct a mental

Movie review...

2007-09-12T18:59:00.001-06:00

Well, I finally watched the classic movie "Taxi Driver" with Robert Di Niro, Cybill Shepherd, and Jodi Foster. With everything I had heard about it over the years it turned out to not be what I expected nor as good as I expected. The movie really seemed to drag on and was very droll. The plot was very easy to follow and I understood what it was about, there just did not seem to be much excitement

Life...

2007-08-11T17:30:00.000-06:00

just continues to move on in its relentless pursuit of the end of time. Another week gone by, still too much to do at work, apartment not organized, not enough time spent taking care of Tammi. Blah blah blah. Lets see, the bad things that happened to me this past week: My insurance claim against the other driver was denied. Tammi's leg is continuing to swell My protege was fired My body hurts

Refuse...

2007-08-08T17:44:00.000-06:00

I refuse to let things get me down, to take my smile off of my face. I learned yesterday that the other drivers insurance is not going to accept liability for the the accident. I am unsure if I am going to retain a lawyer or not at this time but I do know that I will move forward with my life. Too much to do and take care of to let this stop me. My faith in God will carry me through this as I

Can you believe this?

2007-07-28T06:22:00.001-06:00

some people just go too far! clipped from www.wfaa.comMan accused of burning down trailer home after online dispute

2007-07-25T19:41:00.000-06:00

Received an email today from the other driver's insurance that a decision would be made by the close of business Friday. I hope it goes well as we need it to work out. I do want what I am not due but I know my light was green and I have struggled this week with my injury's so I want what is fair, whatever that may be. I will live but I hurt.

Where it happened...

2007-07-22T17:41:00.001-06:00

DSCF2124 Originally uploaded by svgnibli.This is the intersection where the collision happened, from my perspective.

Van_after

2007-07-20T18:56:00.001-06:00

Van_after Originally uploaded by svgnibli.This is what my van looks like after a guy ran a red light Wednesday and I hit him.

van_before

2007-07-20T18:54:00.001-06:00

van_before Originally uploaded by svgnibli.This is what my van looked shortly after I purchased it in Nov. 2004.

Online tools...

2007-07-06T09:04:00.000-06:00

Just keep exploding. Last night I read about a new online photo editing tool called picnik and it really is slick. I have been using picasa to aquire (scan) my printed photo collection along with organizing all of my photos. I was using Yahoo photos for my online storage, especially when they went to an unlimited amount of storage. Then Yahoo had users move the entire collections to other hosting

Happy July Fourth everyone!

2007-07-04T09:38:00.000-06:00