Friday, March 03, 2006
Yesterday was the 1st class petty officers examination and most of the people I work with took the test. It kind of made things a little lonely in the lab but since I have a small class things went very well.
Anyway when they came back the old discussion of the questions began, and it was entertaining for all as they figured out what they got right, wrong, or even some that nobody had a clue on.
Anyway in celebration they all decided to take off early and have a party at Joe's Crab Shack in Mission Valley.
I was going to go, but since it is the first Friday of Lent I am trying to do what the church has asked and fast. I have been to Joe's before and the food is excellent and inexpensive, so it was a little hard to bow out. Anyway I guess I will have to wait until the next instructors day out to go with the boys.
Posted at 03:45 pm by RWO
I haven't blogged about this yet but today Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham was sentenced to 100 months in prison for taking about 2 million dollars in bribes. I think he should have got the full 120 months, as this was such a blatant case of bribery.
Many folks believe that since he was a former navy pilot, Vietnam War hero, and a Top Gun Pilot he should have been granted a lite sentence. I do not agree with that, as this was such an obvious breach of law and ethics.
Lets face it, he was a crook, complete with what he expected for his support to the companies he steered the contracts to. His military service was basically a non-factor other than it gave him some credibility and contacts to help his contracts for sale program go ahead.
This man is a disgrace to all that have worn the uniform. I am also embarrassed that he was a republican. His defense team was asking for leniency, as he is so old. I just say he should have thought about that before he sold out his country and his constituents for a rich lavish life style.
What really gets my goat I that this man will still get his retirement checks, both from the military and from the Congress. I figure all that should be taken away from him after what he pulled. Anyway may he have fun now paying for his crimes.
Posted at 03:16 pm by RWO
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Last night I had the opportunity to attend church for Ash Wednesday. This is the first time in years that I have done that and I have to tell you, it was a good feeling to attend.
I was really surprised at how many people attended as all the pews were full and all the walls were lined with people. There were even people standing by all the doors. The priest I think gave an abbreviated service as he only did the first reading and the gospel message.
The message he gave was very good, as he stressed honesty with God. He said that many people make a big deal about charity work by bragging about it, and the same with praying. What you give and when you give should be between you and God and not just for bragging rights to make you feel better.
He also said the same thing about praying. That while it is great to attend church frequently and all, that you must also pray at home in quiet, when it is just you and God. I do that each day as I have developed a routine where each day when I get home from work, I go right to my bedroom and recite rosary after saying a few prayers. I have found that is the best place to do it, because I am away from the phone, TV, and computer.
He also talked of the fact that when we give something up for Lent, that it be something meaningful that causes us some inconvenience and makes us think. That also should be done in private as that is between you and God. Also if you give something up for Lent, that means at home as well as in public.
Anyway, I am glad I went and this year I will try and attend all the services leading up to Easter. I purposely arranged this trip to visit my woman during these holidays so that we can both grow more attached to the church, as we are both returning after long absences.
I was really surprised as after fasting all day yesterday I really felt like I was starving to death all the way up until the mass started. After mass I went home and took my time preparing food as I had lost some of that hungry feeling while at mass.
Anyhow, I have been reading the church calendar to see what is coming up and will to take an active part in all the special masses and services available here, and then when I go overseas to visit my woman I will do the same there.
Posted at 04:16 pm by RWO
On my way to work this morning I was listening to the Rick Robert's show and I guess he was complaining about an ordeal where he had to deal with someone from India on the phone. Since it only takes me 10 to 15 minutes to get to work and because of all the commercials, I didn't catch the reason he was dealing with someone from overseas, but I have experienced what he is talking about.
He was saying the guy's accent was very heavy and therefore hard to understand. He didn't feel that he understood what was being said. I had the same problem when dealing with Travelocity a few months back.
Rick then went on to start talking about how if you can't understand the workers than avoid doing business with that company. I can respect that, however as our world grows more and more diverse, we are going to have to deal with these accents more and more.
Understanding and communicating with people with accents takes a little patience, but it is possible. First so they can understand you, talk slower. I have a tendency to talk fast, especially when I am excited about something. My woman constantly has to tell me to slow down when talking to her. I have to do the same thing when she is talking as she has a deep accent. But then is it her that has the accent or me?
In the many years I had spent in the Navy, I had the opportunity to meet people from many different countries and have learned to have patience when talking with others. I was usually a visitor to their country I always had to remember that I was the foreigner, so maybe that is why I have a different mindset on this.
Many Americans have this feeling that the world revolves around the United States. When you experience world travel as I have done, you will see how big the real world is and how many people are in that world. You have to realize that they do not do things the same way we do, and keep in mind that just because that is the way we do things doesn't make it right.
While everyone is so upset about having to deal with customer service representatives and telemarketers maybe we should look at the reasons these jobs are going overseas in the first place. It is because we need people to fill these jobs, and since they are fairly low paying, they don't seem to be filled here so they are outsourced. Maybe we can bring the jobs back and have them filled by people on welfare, but then do you want a welfare mom telling you how to fix your computer or handle your air travel booking?
The people that are filling these jobs overseas know what they are doing and seem to be educated. I have had no problems communicating with them, but then I am a patient listener. Yeah, you can get mad at them, cuss them out and act like a jerk, but does that solve anything? These people are just looking for work to feed their families and are usually in countries with huge unemployment. It is not their fault they have an accent and being abusive will just give them a bad impression of Americans. Believe it or not everyone in this country is an ambassador of good will, when they deal with folks from a different country. Try and keep that in mind when you are dealing with them and let's show them what good people American's really are.
Posted at 04:15 pm by RWO
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
For those of you entering the blogshares mission being sponsored by Laila and myself, I guess there were a few questions concerning our contest. Let me try and clear up what we are looking for.
Laila and I have from time to time blogged about our strategies and other blogshares game stuff. What we are looking in the contest is for people look at our blogshares entries where we have talked about different ways we have played the game. Then make comments about what you felt were good strategies (usually Laila) or some really bad moves (usually me).
Until the devaluation, Laila and I were both in the top 5 of players in the game. I have not played as often as I used to because of time constraints between school, work, family problems then a new love life taking up all my time. I hope, now that I have my life getting back on track, to devote a little more time to the game, though it will still be limited.
So go ahead read our blog entries concerning the game and tell us what you think. That is the contest and I would like to wish everyone who gives it a shot, good luck.
Posted at 03:15 pm by RWO
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Today is an anniversary of sorts as 2 years ago was when the mighty blogshares duo or RWO and Lady Laila* hooked up on blogshares for the first time. It wasn't a nice meeting, but it was the first message in what has developed into a wonderful friendship. Since the initial PM calling me on the carpet for something I did in the game causing her huge losses, we have become friends and teammates, exchanging strategies and game tips.
We have chatted about everything almost daily from game strategies, family life, and world events. We have run contests together, held auctions, and are sponsoring a child through Save the Children. Anyway, I am glad I met her and I hope we can figure out a new blogshares strategy to get us back on top of the standing.
By the way Laila and I are running a contest. To enter click here: HERE
Posted at 08:39 pm by RWO
I do have some bad news to report. In my current class I have a couple of civilian contractors that were sitting though the class. They work for a company that performs communications grooms for ships. A groom is where the assist ship's force in aligning all equipment in radio prior to deployment to ensure everything is operating at peak efficiency. These contractors already know how to align and fix things ant were sitting in on my class to learn how the equipment works, to reinforce their knowledge.
Well yesterday they did not show up and today only one showed up. The missing one had been in a motorcycle accident over the weekend and is currently hospitalized in intensive care. They say he should recover but it is going to be long, slow and painful. I don't have any particulars on what happened, if he was run off the road, just crashed or what.
As fuel prices continue to rise I see more and more people riding motorcycles. I am also hearing of more and more wrecks. My youngest brother died as a result of being run off the road and hitting a sign. One of my aunts as paralyzed most of her adult life after falling down an embankment on her motorcycles and my brother and aunt were not riding small bike, they were both riding large Harley-Davidsons.
If you are going to ride these things, please take a motorcycle safety class and be sure to watch out for people driving next to you. You are smaller and they can't see you sometimes, or they may be distracted talking on a cell phone or a passenger. Also watch you speed, as if you hit a foreign object or take a curve too fast it can be deadly.
Anyway I will pray for the speedy recovery of the contractor and will say a little prayer on behalf of all motorcycle riders, for their safety.
Posted at 06:27 pm by RWO
Monday, February 27, 2006
After hearing about the deaths of Don Knotts and Darrin McGavin over the weekend I heard today annother one I used to watch all the time has passed away. Dennis Weaver starred in Gunsmoke and McCloud when I was growing up and I loved watching him in the movie Duel. My condolences go out to his wife and family.
Dennis Weaver
Posted at 06:29 pm by RWO
Well the Olympics are over so television will start getting back to normal I hope. I do realize that NBC has moved some stuff around and so I may have to change a few things that I watch.
I think my biggest disappointment though is with FOX and American Idol. I love watching House and Bones, but now that American Idol is getting such huge ratings it is on all the time. Pretty soon I expect FOX to become the 24 hours American Idol network the way things are going. I guess since it is second in ratings behind only the Super Bowl, I can only expect to see the shows I like on when Idol has finished it's season.
The Naval Station had started something I think is great. They will be ticketing people who drive on base while talking on cell phones. I am glad to see that someone is doing something about cell phones and driving and would like to see the City and State follow suit.
Today we are supposed to get a huge winter storm with lots of rain and flash flood warnings. We can really use the rain, but I don't know if we need it all at once like this storm is supposed to do. I am glad I do not live in an area that floods, as I live on a hill and the ground is stable. I just hope the rain holds off until I get home from work, as people here just cannot drive in the rain. It is lunchtime now and when I went out to look the clouds are rolling in. I hope it can hold off for a few more hours. I know that driving on the freeways will be a nightmare if it starts drizzling before I get home.
Also the dogs will be upset as they do not like the rain and will have to be penned up in the family room. They don't like the rain, and especially hate lightning and thunder if we get some of that. Anyway time to get ready to get back to work. Lunchtime is over and I must get back to my classroom.
Posted at 04:12 pm by RWO
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Well I feel like an Idiot this morning. I got up and did a little chat, ate breakfast and then took a bath. I heard my watch beep so I jumped out of the bathtub and got ready for church really fast, jumped in the car and off I went. Usually when I pull up there are many folks out front and back talking, but there were very few folks around this morning. I went around to the front as I planned to light a candle and upon entering I realized I was late. After thinking my watch was broken I started listening to the mass while still in the entryway. That was when I discovered I was an hour early and the mass was the one for Spanish speakers. Well did I feel like an idiot over that.
I went back home and then went to the 9:30 mass. Today was the 8th Sunday in ordinary time. The first reading was Hosea 2:16b, 17b 21-22. The second reading was 2 Corinthians 3:1b-6 and the Gospel was Mark 2:18-22. The message was basically how would you characterize your relationship with the lord (Bride/bridegroom, bridegroom/guests, lord/subject, master/servant, sugar daddy/beneficiary, brothers, friends, ect)? How would you like it to be? What do you think our Lord would like your relationship to be? What can you do to get closer to the relationship you and he want?
Father Tadena gave the mass today and his additional message was before finding fault with others take a look at yourself first. I guess that was a good message to put out, and I have to admit, I am sometimes a little critical with others. Anyway the message was a good one and I am glad I went.
On family was blessed at the service, for remaining married for 50 years. That was pretty interesting. Also on the way out they were selling some woodcarvings from the holy land. Since I have been trying to cut down on the money I spend and also since I don't have a place to display them I passed on making any purchases.
I did light a candle on my way out and then rather than charge out of the parking lot, as I usually do, I read the bulletin to find out about next week while waiting for the parking lot traffic to settle down. I was able to get the schedule for next week since Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and it will be a day a fasting and a special service.
Now I am home watching one of my favorite westerns of all time "The Outlaw Josie Wales". Other than playing Harry Callaghan in the "Dirty Harry" movies and starring in "The Unforgiven" I think this was one Clint Eastwood's his best roles. I am a huge Clint Eastwood fan and like almost all of his work, all the way back when he played Rowdy Yates on the TV show, "Wagon Train". I guess I am dating myself there.
And speaking of old shows I was sorry to hear that both Don Knotts and Darrin McGavin died yesterday. I was a big fan Darrin McGavin in "Kolchak, The Night Stalker" when I was a kid. And I will never forget "Barney Fife", played by Don Knotts. Anyway may they rest in peace. 
Darrin McGavin
Don Knotts
Posted at 02:47 pm by RWO
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