SKYWATCH FRIDAY -- Joy

Nothing brings me more contentment and joy than a sunset. Even sharing it with others . . . it doesn't matter. But if you are lucky, you get to spend sunsets, those and other special moments, with the one who person in the world who means the most to you . . .

 

I made this photo in Naples, Florida in April. Normally I like solitude on the beach. But all these people, perfect strangers from around the world, lined up to share a moment that would never occur again -- the sun setting on that particular day -- was serendipitous.

 

Like looking at the sky? Check out all the fantastic sky images over at SkyWatch Friday. Its worth the effort!

Why . . .

Why do I feel like I'm trying to catch the fog . . . .?

Phone Company Goof Does Not Amuse EnigmaMom

Have you ever walked into a fast food joint, told the young smiling pimple-faced clerk that you are placing a "to go order, then describe the sandwich you want . . . .

Then, as trained, the little automaton asks, "do you want fries with that?" You remind them that you already told them you want a sandwich only. Then same robot concludes with, "is that for here or to go?"

Sigh... we have all experienced something like this.

Today, 86-year-old EnigmaMom fought with the phone company. Well, not fought, but wrassled. For more than an hour. AT&T, this afternoon, is the bane of her existence. Hopefully, she will have long distance service for her landline by 8 pm this evening. Maybe.

She had had her line at a second residence put on "vacation rate" some time back. She called prior to heading to that location, and asked that telephone service be turned back on. The phone company clerk cherrily said "no problem." Within 24 hours of arriving where she will be staying for a month, she tried to make a long distance call to her twin sister. A recording informed her that she had to enter the proper long-distance access codes to complete the call.

Huh? Well, that's what I might have said. Her response? Not quite so charitable. It seems when service was resumed, they turned on the local calling switch only.

Making matters worse, she had to do battle with the dreaded automated attendant. "YES," "NO," "(phone number)," "(last four numbers of SS number)," "WHY DID YOU DISCONNECT MY LONG DISTANCE SERVICE?"

Once she FINALLY got ahold of a live body to help her, and explained the problem, the powers that be alerted her she would be transferred to the business office. Only, the new person at the biz office couldn't hear her. EnigmaMom and the new clerk where both yelling "HELLO" to each other, but the young man on the other end apparently could not hear her.

Then, some 45 minutes after she started, the line disconnected . . .

She looked at me, shoulders slumped in resignation, and said, "I'm going to have to start all over again."

This time, a lot more pissed off, she made the call once more. "YES," "NO," "(phone number)," "(last four numbers of SS number)," "WHY DID YOU DISCONNECT MY LONG DISTANCE SERVICE?"

Finally she got a live human being who after another 20 minutes or so said it would be taken care of. With the promise that her long distance service would probably be restored by 8 pm this evening.

Finally, walking away I heard her mumble, "THIS is why I HATE computers."  A moment later I glimpsed her reaching for her iPad.

I guess the hatred of computers by an 80-something woman raised on a dairy farm before electric, automated milkers were invented is . . . selective.

Progressives Misfire On Guns Once Again

The real problem, for progressives, is that the country is closer to the NRA than to Obama.

So tell me something I DON'T know!?!

ARGH!!!

Ok, for the last time, the federal government does not grant us our rights; rather, WE grant the government the power to PROTECT our rights!

The White House Is Full Of Vermin

Yep, I'd say that headline just about covers it!

Of course, the place is infested with cockroaches and mice too. But don't try to use a mousetrap! The bunny huggers won't allow it . . .

Ya Gotta Keep Smiling...

He's banged up,
mentally and sometimes emotionally.
Literally and metaphorically.
But every day he walks outside
with a smile on his face.
Because that's who he is ....

Why Can't We Remember During The Other 364 Days?

Each day, we should remember that the very "first" battle in the U.S. War On Terror, when Americans fought back, began over the skies of Pennsylvania.

Never forget . . .

You Try To Deny Someone Their Civil Rights, There Should Be Swift Consequences

Coloradoans' civil rights were attacked in the wake of the Newtown, Conn. shootings, the former attacks perpetrated by a sick individual.

People just as sick, in a sense, who had no shame in ramming through draconian restrictions on legally owned firearms and law abiding taxpayers, took their elected positions too seriously. They became arrogant, overdosing on absolute power they felt they possessed. They were sent there to represent "the people" of their districts in the Rocky Mountain State.

When they did not, they were removed. Who said 'no?" Well, largely there was a backlash against these two Constitution-ignoring state senators by women, Hispanics and blue collar workers.

Attacks on constitutional rights have gone on too long. Colorado voters are merely the first to say, "enough."

SSSSssshhhhh . . . The President Is Speaking

. . . . about what, I'm not exactly sure.

Obama opened with "My fellow Americans..." Well there's the first lie out of the way.  Heh.

He sounds rushed, like he wants this to be over quickly. NOW, I have empathy.

Through all this rhetoric, all I can remember is Joe Biden saying Obama ("this guy" he called him) has steel in his spine. If so, right now I think it's Putin's knife.

And now it's over. I HAVE NO CLUE what he just said. And I'm S.M.ARE.T.

smh . . .

The Last 24 Notes....

Tom Day is the man.

I salute him for standing up to the Pentagon and others, and giving our deceased veterans the sendoff they so rightfully earned.

Like me, the man can't stand empty rhetoric.

Time & Change

Irony? Fate?

In another life, in a parallel universe, I believe I am supposed to be attending a birthday party tomorrow. A 1st bday party for a little girl I've never even met.

At least, it could have been. Was supposed to be?

Regrets. I have many. I thought I had finally forgiven myself for the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. But it's all been dredged up again, and I am now confused where I thought I finally had clarity . . .

Though it appears there is nothing left for me here, one day I hope to meet that little girl.

Sandra Says We're Stoopid

. . . and she's right!

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner is lamenting the alarming degree of public ignorance. I couldn't agree more.

I have often said, "the more you know, the less influence you have." Why? Because my fellow Americans, on average, are less and less able to have a general conversation about most subjects. What often happens is a parroting of sound bytes picked up from Twitter, or someone's Facebook post, or some TV comedy host like Jay Leno or John Stewart. Even Stewart has urged viewers to read newspapers and watch real tv news broadcasts, and NOT to think his comedy show is real news.

I have more and more friends who roll their eyes and rubber stamp anything the current White House administration does, without regard to the implications.

More on this when I have time.

Sandy, you said it all.

SKYWATCH Friday -- Dawn

Dawn breaks over southwest Florida.

There are more fantastic photos of the skies from around the globe. Take a moment and check out SkyWatch Friday. You'll be glad you did . . .

Control Freak

On Ariel Castro . . . 

Suicide is sad and awful no matter who does it. That being said, I found it hard to give a shit that he hung himself in his jail cell, except that he he robbed his victims of justice they deserved. This is his way to control them. He ruined and robbed those three girls of freedom for a decade, now they can't do the same to him. 

Should have been on strict suicide watch.

5th Time Is A Charm

Persistence . . . . thy name is Diana Nyad.