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 for those times i want/need to use something incompatible with w7.

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what a hard weekend! worked 5 hours in the 103 degree sun loading the trailer to take a bunch of stuff to our oldest daughter. then yesterday, because i am insane to do the cooking i spent 2hrs outside grilling brisket (mostly precooked, just adding some flavor), chicken and sausage. but it was worth it in every way! it was absolutely delicious and everyone ate their fill. including the little ones aged 9,6, and 5. they usually take forever to finish their dinner but they couldn't get enough of the chicken. now that is a compliment. drove home yesterday evening with a shower and bed in our vision. so much still to do here to get our apartment looking like a home but we just have to take a day of rest. so for today it is movies, net surfing, and rest. after all it is a holiday weekend.

Who are they kidding?

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 person but when I can see my groceries continuing to cost more and my utilities have increased, I would say inflation is still with us. On this same theme, today my company put out a newsletter stating it was paying a very small dividend for the quarter just ended. Of course, the can pay this because they put a freeze on merit raises this year. Once again, shareholders take precedence over the most important resource a company has. Ah, the sign of the times. We are supposed to be happy we have employment (and I am) with the hope that when good times return the company will give back a couple of hours of overtime and annual raises (which they probably won't). Found a cool site for listening to music. Pandora is different than just streaming a radio station. You sign up, enter a band you like, and they choose other music based upon that style. Streams very good, sounds great, no hiccups, and free with advertising to support it.

Dejavue

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 Republicans say we do not need government oversight on Wall Street? How many times must the majority of us be at the mercy of a few people with more power than any one person or small group of persons should have? We can vote a political leader out of office if we disapprove of the job they have done but when it comes to those in charge of our money we must idly sit by while they do whatever they please.