Still Alive......

School is over and with two degrees in hand I am seeking work as a Drafter in the Mechanical Engineering sector.

Yup, I'm still alive,

Reach

Ugg,,,,School....

Last night brought a mid-term in Business writing 105- I hate boundaries when I write. I do realize the importance of practice and this is the best medium. I've said in the past, and I shall say again, I really need to pick this up again. If not for practice, then to vent my frustrations.

Reach

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello All,

OK, you Two who follow my thoughts these days- and I thank you.

Today my GF and I will taking her dog down to San Diego, more specifically Balboa Park, to enjoy the sun and other dog-owners. Packing a lunch, making a day of it, and forgetting about this past week.

I wish you all a bright, warm, and care-free day.

Be Safe,

Reach

Still Alive

Hello All,

With the school week at the close and the Super Bowl right around the corner, I just wanted to say "Hello" and I am still here. Next week I will be getting the Microsoft Office pack, so I will be able to work and save thoughts for future posts. As of now, I am still "free-writing" each post. I prefer to rewrite my posts, thus having the pack installed will be a great advantage.

I had purchased a computer through Best Buy with the insurance. The Motherboard died and that is when I realize the horrible coverage Best Buy offered their customers. It appears, one MUST read the fine print prior to any purchase, where the prospective customer would understand "Best Buy does NOT stand behind the products they offer".

They were to replace my computer with an equally operating machine. Not true! My first computer was purchased so I could edit movies utilizing Adobe Premier. My replacement could not operate Premier, plus any software on the previous was not covered and I lost all of MS Office. I explained my original reasons for the initial purchase to the store manager, who could care less. So, here I sit with Vista64 and it SUCKS.

Anyway, I'm still alive as school is going well and I am having fun.

Be Safe,

Reach

State of Union Address

Hello All,

Yes, I watched last night's State of the Union Address. I felt the President spoke well and remained personable through-out while addressing our current issues. I liked what I heard; unfortunately, I felt many points arrived from illusion.

My extended family owns/operates a telecommunications company and is completely feeling the recession through sales and installations. I'm certain they will feel better now that the President and Congress believe the "Worst of the storm has passed." I know they will feel comfort in the success of the Recovery Act, as the President stated, "Talk to the small business in Phoenix (Arizona) that will triple its workforce", or, "the window manufacturer in Philadelphia" as they added two more shifts. President Obama continued, "Talk to the single teacher raising two kids who was told by her principle in the last week of school that because of the Recovery Act, she wouldn't be laid off after all." Sounds nice, but these situations are too far from the homes and businesses I know. Currently Southern California School Boards are considering placing advertisements in, on, and around school properties in order to supplement funds so they will not be forced to lay-off the educators.

As for the Community College and University problems- do they really not know that tuition is soaring all over the country? Honestly, a $10,000 tax credit for four years will not cover most major institutions; or is he referring to the $250,000 a year, middle-class.

I'm retired military and do not know many, if any, military members who are middle-class. I guess the President and Congress are happy to know a majority of the United States Military members are considered low-income, or poor. To me, I only hear, "You can give your life in defending our country but we just have too much money to mismanage, before sending it your way." As a part of the VA system, I can say they are doing much better in helping those in need. Just "much better", the VA is not fully up to speed in perfect health care but I guess nobody else is perfect and so the VA is doing OK. As for the Gays in the military, why doesn't the Congress take off their blinders and realize there are already Gays in the military. Rather than work equality within, and without, the military we first give them full citizenship and make every aspect of their lives equal to being an American Citizen. Yes, I went there! Religion! Religious or not, if any individual desires their place in Heaven it will not be pending any other person's marital status, religious belief, or life-style. Accountability begins within each of us and every religion teaches the love of others.

When the President said, take the $30 billion repaid by the banks to help small business I was more than happy. Then, I wondered about the interest. Did we [the people] loan money to the banks without interests? Are we [the people] that dumb? Does this make sense to anybody? We cannot borrow money from a bank without repaying interest, so why does it not reciprocate? If the banks need money, we [the people] should make some profit. After all, every bank will tell you that PROFIT is why they are in the business of lending MONEY.

I am not writing this to be critical of the President of the United States. I respect the position, the office, and the man; after all, he is doing a job that I refuse to do. I've not walked in his shoes, nor he in mine. I do not claim to have the answers. I began thinking of this post when I heard him say, "A novel concept". "It's time to try something new", said our President and here I hope to present it.

Dear Mr. President,

I'm certain you will never read or see this, but I would suggest this to Congress. If you (Congress) cannot come to a full and comprehensive agreement on the issues plaguing our nation, your pay will be reduced to a point equal to, or 1% greater than your productivity. As an example, if the President calls for a decreasing unemployment rate and Congress fails the goal within the reasonably allotted time, your individual pay will be reduced by the percentage equal to the current unemployment rate. Additionally, your salary deduction will be increased by 25% for every month beyond any deadlines.

Respectfully,

Reach


Ladies and Gentlemen, I will make every effort in posting once again. Also, I will, from this point forward, try to avoid politics.

Be Safe,

Reach

A New start

Hello All,

I know I've lost much of my blogger friends, as in not as many visits these days.

So, here is an update.

Many of you know that I was in the United States Air Force- I have since retired. I consider myself lucky because I was medically injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Office of the Surgeon General, upon case review, determined a medical discharge was in order. My case went as far as the Secretary of the Air Force, who determined I should be allowed to complete my enlistment followed by an Honorable Discharge.

Due to my injuries, I could not follow my dream career and the VA has since taken over my case and Career Rehabilitation to begin.

I am in school and working toward a degree in Design Engineering.

For the past year, I have had many ideas to post in this forum; however, time and availability have hindered my desires. I have not forgotten and do plan future posts.

Therefore, please know I have not completely given in and will return on a more regular basis.

Be Safe and enjoy 2010.

Reach

How to drive in Phoenix

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name. It is 'FEE-NICKS'.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon until 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is to match the highway number. Anything less is considered a 'wuss'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East Valley, SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone, NEVER; this offense is another that will get you shot, seriously!

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. The relocating of detour barrels during the middle of the night is for your entertainment pleasure, to make the next day's drive more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cows, horses, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, crows, vultures, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway, and the 'I-10' are the same road. SR-202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY. Dunlap and Olive is the same street, too. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street.

I-17 also called The Black Canyon Freeway, as well as, The Veterans Memorial Highway, and if all that is not enough to remember, SR-51 has recently been renamed Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy pronounce.

SR-101 is also the Pima FWY, except west of I-17, which is also The Black Canyon FWY, and The Veterans Memorial HWY, west of I-17, it is known as the Agua Fria FWY. Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd., but Cactus Rd. does not become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead-ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been 'accidentally activated.

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, considered a road hazard, you will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip as a gesture of courtesy, you will be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

Otherwise,

Be Safe,

Reach