Thursday, December 1, 2011
New blog
I started a new blog earlier this week. This blog will still remain for the occasional posts about life in general. My new blog focuses on my adventures with my train set and embracing my inner child. Check it out at jsinnerchild.blogspot.com.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Being Christian
Thanks to my sister, I have recently discovered the blog "Single Dad Laughing". Dan Pearce, the blogger, had a post a few weeks back entitled "I'm Christian, unless you're gay." It was a very powerful post about the attitudes we take towards other human beings; not just gays, but drug addicts, alcoholics, homeless, anyone who is different from us. It was also a challenge to really get down to the core of every major religion and love one another. That concept is not simply a Christian idea. It is one that is easily found in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Sadly, it is an idea and practice that we fail at quite frequently.
How often do we simply turn away from the homeless person, or avoid eye contact with the person in tattered clothes? Do we embrace the person with alcohol on their breath or do we turn away in disgust because of the smell? How often do we laugh behind the backs of people who are slower than the rest of us? The fact is that most of us have done it, and probably still do it without even thinking about it. Dan has followed up by posting several responses that he has received from many people. So many of those responses have shown the power of love to transform lives and make a real difference. Daughters welcomed home even though they left the faith of their parents. Drug addicts finding the hope they need because their family has made contact again and decided to support them instead of rejecting them. That is the power of love.
Sure, we can continue to scorn those who are different. We can turn away from the homeless, reject the drug addicts and alcoholics, and hate the gays. Is that what Jesus would have us do? Are we being Christian? The second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself." I know that I will fail many times, but it is time to simply love others and let God worry about everything else. Love can change the world for good. Hate never has and never will change the world for good. If you haven't read "I'm Christian, unless you're gay" you really should. Read it and tell me what you think?
How often do we simply turn away from the homeless person, or avoid eye contact with the person in tattered clothes? Do we embrace the person with alcohol on their breath or do we turn away in disgust because of the smell? How often do we laugh behind the backs of people who are slower than the rest of us? The fact is that most of us have done it, and probably still do it without even thinking about it. Dan has followed up by posting several responses that he has received from many people. So many of those responses have shown the power of love to transform lives and make a real difference. Daughters welcomed home even though they left the faith of their parents. Drug addicts finding the hope they need because their family has made contact again and decided to support them instead of rejecting them. That is the power of love.
Sure, we can continue to scorn those who are different. We can turn away from the homeless, reject the drug addicts and alcoholics, and hate the gays. Is that what Jesus would have us do? Are we being Christian? The second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself." I know that I will fail many times, but it is time to simply love others and let God worry about everything else. Love can change the world for good. Hate never has and never will change the world for good. If you haven't read "I'm Christian, unless you're gay" you really should. Read it and tell me what you think?
Friday, November 18, 2011
US Department of Education
I really hate the US Dept. of Ed. right now, specifically the direct loan servicing center. A few months ago, they apparently rolled out some new software and a new website for all of us to manage our accounts. They credited my account for the Oct. payment but never debited my bank account and I somehow managed to get removed from electronic debiting (could have happened when I changed bank accounts, but I thought I covered that). I called on Nov. 1 to find out why the payment hadn't come out of my account and was told that there were problems with the new system and that it should come out in 7-10 business days. I also got myself reenrolled in electronic debiting.
Yesterday was the 11th business day after that conversation and the money still had not been removed from my account. So, I called. The first time was during work and they were busy and I would have been on hold for over 6 minutes, so I decided to call back later. I called around 7 PM. After holding for 15 minutes, I got through to someone only to have my call get dropped. After another 15 minutes of holding, I got through and no dropped calls. My account will not be debited for the Oct. payment; in fact they are reversing that payment so I will need to pay online myself. Electronic debiting takes 30-45 days to set up and won't be set until December. This means Nov. will be paying online as well.
If there are so many problems with the new system, why was it rolled out? I thought IT people rigorously test these things before the public has to use it. This is absolutely ridiculous that I have had to go through all this trouble because the federal government decided in inflict a bug laden program on all of us with student loans. Of course, I am not the only one affected which is why I was on hold for so long. Why does it take 30-45 days to set up electronic debiting? Most financial institutions can do it in less than a week, usually only a day or two. Once again, another sign of bureaucratic inefficiency and my tax dollars being wasted.
Yesterday was the 11th business day after that conversation and the money still had not been removed from my account. So, I called. The first time was during work and they were busy and I would have been on hold for over 6 minutes, so I decided to call back later. I called around 7 PM. After holding for 15 minutes, I got through to someone only to have my call get dropped. After another 15 minutes of holding, I got through and no dropped calls. My account will not be debited for the Oct. payment; in fact they are reversing that payment so I will need to pay online myself. Electronic debiting takes 30-45 days to set up and won't be set until December. This means Nov. will be paying online as well.
If there are so many problems with the new system, why was it rolled out? I thought IT people rigorously test these things before the public has to use it. This is absolutely ridiculous that I have had to go through all this trouble because the federal government decided in inflict a bug laden program on all of us with student loans. Of course, I am not the only one affected which is why I was on hold for so long. Why does it take 30-45 days to set up electronic debiting? Most financial institutions can do it in less than a week, usually only a day or two. Once again, another sign of bureaucratic inefficiency and my tax dollars being wasted.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
New Job
I guess I should also update the blog with the news that I have a job. Since August I have been working for a local credit union. I really enjoy my job and the people that I work with. It is a blessing to have an income and feel like I am contributing to the family again.
Thoughts on the Occupy movement
The "Occupy Wall Street" movement has been going for two months now and there has been plenty of media coverage of the movement as it has spend across the country and as protesters have clashed with police. So, I thought I would offer my thoughts:
I find myself sympathetic to the original members of the movement. As it has grown the message has been lost and blurred. Hopefully the core can regroup and work to present a coherent message.
There is a definite problem with out economy when corporate executives collect "bonuses" even when the company loses money. The "bonuses" are guaranteed so the company has to pay them. If the "bonuses" are guaranteed then they aren't bonuses - they are salary. I don't know how guaranteed bonuses came to be, but that is patently ridiculous. Those of us at the low end don't get a bonus if the company doesn't do well, so why should the people at the top, who have more ability to affect company profits, get a bonus regardless of company performance. Corporate America would have us believe that this is necessary to attract the best talent. If you have the best talent, why did your company fail? There is also plenty of good young talent down near the bottom of the ladder. We understand that bonuses must be tied to performance. When we work hard and performance is better, we deserve to be paid well. When performance goes down we understand bonuses will be lower; we know raises will be small, but cuts should start at the top - not end there. We know the economy goes through ups and downs and we believe that everyone, especially the top should be willing to make sacrifices. However, when we (the 99%) are living paycheck to paycheck or maybe slightly better, we don't have much to sacrifice. The 1% with their 3 yachts on two coasts, 3-4 homes across the country, 5-6 cars, a private jet, and other high-priced goods have a lot more room to sacrifice.
The minimum wage today is not a living wage. An average adult today cannot survive on $7.25/hr. We need a minimum wage that is a real living wage. That way we can actually pay back our student loans, pay our bills, save for retirement, save for a house, start a family, and maybe have some left over for a little fun each month. Last I checked, this was a big part of the American dream. For most of us in our 20's and 30's it's going to be a very long road before we achieve the American dream.
I understand why police have stepped in as reports of violence have increased. However, if the movement is able to peaceably state their grievances and ask for redress of said grievances, then they should not have to worry about police coming to arrest them as peaceable assembly to ask for redress of grievances is a basic right protected by the constitution.
Anyway, I know my thoughts ramble a bit, but I sincerely hope that the Occupy movement continues to grow, gain some better organization, and coalesce into something that can fundamentally change the way we do business.
I find myself sympathetic to the original members of the movement. As it has grown the message has been lost and blurred. Hopefully the core can regroup and work to present a coherent message.
There is a definite problem with out economy when corporate executives collect "bonuses" even when the company loses money. The "bonuses" are guaranteed so the company has to pay them. If the "bonuses" are guaranteed then they aren't bonuses - they are salary. I don't know how guaranteed bonuses came to be, but that is patently ridiculous. Those of us at the low end don't get a bonus if the company doesn't do well, so why should the people at the top, who have more ability to affect company profits, get a bonus regardless of company performance. Corporate America would have us believe that this is necessary to attract the best talent. If you have the best talent, why did your company fail? There is also plenty of good young talent down near the bottom of the ladder. We understand that bonuses must be tied to performance. When we work hard and performance is better, we deserve to be paid well. When performance goes down we understand bonuses will be lower; we know raises will be small, but cuts should start at the top - not end there. We know the economy goes through ups and downs and we believe that everyone, especially the top should be willing to make sacrifices. However, when we (the 99%) are living paycheck to paycheck or maybe slightly better, we don't have much to sacrifice. The 1% with their 3 yachts on two coasts, 3-4 homes across the country, 5-6 cars, a private jet, and other high-priced goods have a lot more room to sacrifice.
The minimum wage today is not a living wage. An average adult today cannot survive on $7.25/hr. We need a minimum wage that is a real living wage. That way we can actually pay back our student loans, pay our bills, save for retirement, save for a house, start a family, and maybe have some left over for a little fun each month. Last I checked, this was a big part of the American dream. For most of us in our 20's and 30's it's going to be a very long road before we achieve the American dream.
I understand why police have stepped in as reports of violence have increased. However, if the movement is able to peaceably state their grievances and ask for redress of said grievances, then they should not have to worry about police coming to arrest them as peaceable assembly to ask for redress of grievances is a basic right protected by the constitution.
Anyway, I know my thoughts ramble a bit, but I sincerely hope that the Occupy movement continues to grow, gain some better organization, and coalesce into something that can fundamentally change the way we do business.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Blah!
So I thought I should write another post, but I just do not have that much to write about it seems. I am still job hunting although as the new school year draws closer, the prospect of going back to subbing gains traction. Summer has been rather stable. Renee and I haven't done much as she continues to adjust to the job. This coming weekend we are going down to Indy for a family reunion with my mom's side of the family. It should be a lot of fun. I might have to post some pictures when I return. One of the things I have been working on recently is trying to do a better job around the apartment. With Renee working outside the home, I need to be the one to take care of the home. I have always handled the laundry, but vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, etc. have seemed to slip by on a regular basis. Fortunately I have a plan. Monday - laundry (clothes), Tuesday - carpet areas, Wednesday - tile areas, Thursday - laundry (linens). We shall see if I can stick to it. Laundry is currently under way - 2 loads folded, one in the dryer, one in the washer, and one yet to go. Extra load this week as the linens are transitioning from weekends to Thursdays. Laundry will soon require more attention so now I must go.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Lesson Learned
I know it has been awhile since I wrote here, but I have been going through a real rough patch and I haven't felt up to writing in quite some time. Most of you probably know I lost my job at Thanksgiving and then my grandfather (maternal) passed away that following Monday. In March my grandmother (maternal) as passed away. Dealing with the loss of my grandparents was tough, but I have been able to accept it. Dealing with the job loss has been much harder - although there have been some good lessons to learn.
I have learned that I need to do a better job of being humble and simply striving to do the best that I can at whatever job I may be doing. If I do my best, then God will take care of the rest. This has been a rather difficult lesson to learn, but it will definitely serve me well in the future.
The other lesson here is something that I should know but so easily forget and that is to put Christ at the center of everything I do. Having a daily devotional life is something that I have struggled with for a long time, especially when things are going well. It is so easy to go about life without really focusing on God during the good time and then trouble comes and we quickly go running back crying for help. God would prefer that we spend some time with Him every day, in good times and in bad. I now subscribe to a few e-mail devotionals that are helping (my unlimited free time helps too). That should help me stay grounded when I do find another job and hopefully I will always remember to start each day talking to God, because that is the key to a blessed life.
In other news: Renee graduated in December, passed her boards in February, and landed a nursing job in March. She works 3 12hr shifts on days each week and every third weekend. Oh yeah, Renee also got her hair cut.
I have learned that I need to do a better job of being humble and simply striving to do the best that I can at whatever job I may be doing. If I do my best, then God will take care of the rest. This has been a rather difficult lesson to learn, but it will definitely serve me well in the future.
The other lesson here is something that I should know but so easily forget and that is to put Christ at the center of everything I do. Having a daily devotional life is something that I have struggled with for a long time, especially when things are going well. It is so easy to go about life without really focusing on God during the good time and then trouble comes and we quickly go running back crying for help. God would prefer that we spend some time with Him every day, in good times and in bad. I now subscribe to a few e-mail devotionals that are helping (my unlimited free time helps too). That should help me stay grounded when I do find another job and hopefully I will always remember to start each day talking to God, because that is the key to a blessed life.
In other news: Renee graduated in December, passed her boards in February, and landed a nursing job in March. She works 3 12hr shifts on days each week and every third weekend. Oh yeah, Renee also got her hair cut.
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