I caught a glimpse of a news article today that mentioned Matthew Hoh, Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, had resigned. The date on his resignation letter
is September 10, 2009. This four page letter gives a clear and concise assessment of what is happening in the country these past eight years. This is a gem worth looking at. This quality of reporting puts the mainstrean media to shame.
Great videos I found on YouTube with the same artists who did the background music on Chemtrails:
October 25, 2009
Another perfect autumn day; clear blue skies, sunny, little wind. Just got back from hiking the trail. I really thought last week was going to be the last opportunity to enjoy this fantastic weather. The entire week was cold and wet, dark and gloomy. I am fortunate to have the day free, even if my time off from slaving away in the salt mine occurs on split days. I have to work tomorrow and then I have Tuesday off. I understand the importance of now. This time I have today is the only guarantee I have to enjoy what ever I am experiencing. I have given myself one more year to endure what I have to do survive. In the meantime, I will pursue an alternative strategy of making a living. This doesn't mean my life will be better. It will be different and if I work at it, it will be in line with my passion for life. It is easy to think that if I save up $10,000 I will be better off. It is easy to think if I get a different job I will be better off. It is easy to think that the future will be better. It might not be, and if this is the basis you are judging the possibility on, it sure as hell isn't going to be better. The only experience that is going to be better is my perception of what is happening right this very minute. I got outside and had a nice walk. I enjoyed the sunshine and the fresh air. I enjoyed the the free space I had unencumbered with traffic and the hustle and bustle of civilization. This is what is better, my perception and appreciation for the immediate experience. This is what it is all about. Pinning your hopes and dreams on a future reality that will be better if certain criteria are met is delusional. Hope is for those who have lost sight of the beauty and the life occurring right before their eyes. Having said this, I will continue to plan ahead and change my present working situation into one that I can better enjoy. This isn't a hope. This is destiny. That is the difference.
I've recently discovered The Freeman Perspective. Here is a video he made called Chemtrails:
October 18, 2009
Going out and hit the trail one last time before winter really hits. It has been dark, cold, and wet the past week or so; all prelude to long dark winter days and snow piling up to our asses. I can almost hear the wind howl clearing it's pipes for the bitter blasts of frigid air soon to come. So, I will take a nice walk and not worry about burning the fat around my waist. I have got a great handle on it now. It is just a matter of working the Iron Gym on a consistent basis. The ab routine I have is really doing the trick! I am disappointed with the state of the hiring potential in the IT workforce. I can't compete with the requirements they demand. The economy isn't going to provide any opportunities soon for entry level positions. Folks with 5-7 years experience are taking those positions at cut throat pay rates. Time spent pursuing knowledge is not wasted time. The fact I am not dedicating myself to the written word is a crime. Time to put things in clear focus ... again. This shit has to stop. I am running out of time.
October 13, 2009
ERGO Sum Vinco of Meus Fatum
The good news is that Powershell is beginning to be a prerequisite for those job seekers looking to land positions in the IT workforce.
The bad news is companies are seeking individuals with 5-7 years experience. They also require experience in Visual Basic, Microsoft Exchange Server, Active Directory, SQL, C#, XML, working knowledge Cisco routers, etc. There is no way in hell I can step into a working environment that demands this level of expertise. On the other hand, there has to be entry level positions that will open up once this ecomony begins to expand. I have read that the time frame required to put the 7 million people currently unemployed back to work (12 million is more realistic) is 10 years. I am sure that those individuals with specialized skills (PowerShell, Python, IronPython, Active Directory, etc.) will have a shorter horizon to wait.
In the meantime, I can not let the current job environment dismay my effort to enter the IT workforce and stop me from hitting the books. With things the way they are in the global economy, corporations can set the bar ridiculously high and hire people with overblown skill levels to work in positions paying $25 hour when they should be getting $60 hour. That is the way things are right now. And to be perfectly honest, I don't see this situation improving in the immediate future, or even in the next 5-10 years. The silver lining is I do have a full time job with benefits paying me a decent wage. I have to work with what I have. I will continue to seek knowledge. "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans." No matter what the future holds, I continue to believe that I am the master of my own fate.
October 6, 2009
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field in 3D
They can take a snapshot of light that has traveled for 13 billion years from a distant point in the Universe, but they can't take a serious look at the Cydonia region of Mars? Makes you wonder. This is still good video.
October 5, 2009
Beautiful sunny autumn day here in Stoughton, WI. The skies are clear, and this is the sort of day where you look out the window and say, "it's nice out there" but don't take the opportunity to soak it in. I know from past experience that this weather is a precursor to the dark and cold, snowy dismal days that will soon befall all of us living in Wisconsin. I am going to take a nice walk around the 4.0 mile trail I have been hiking, and suck up as much fresh air as possible. My lungs need it. My 30 day after video came out OK. I have a solid foundation to work on. I plan on building on that this month and come November 1, I should have better results to show. I am reading How to Think like a Python Programer Copyright
2007 Allen Downey - Published by Green Tea Press. This is the best book I have found that brings the non-computer geek up to speed on what programing is, and how to understand computer programing languages and scripting. It also teaches you the Python Programing Language in the process. I need this understanding to really get a handle on PowerShell Scripting. I figure I have to master the knowledge contained in 15-30 books I have to be able to work in the Information Technology work force. I haven't given up on this dream. I have a few other aces up my sleeve that will enable me to continue working well into my 70's, if need be, and this work will coincide with my passion. Slaving away in a menial job just to survive is something I have been doing for the majority of my adult life. The only person who can rectify this injustice is me. The situation at my present job has improved dramatically, so all around, I have no complaints. I have to keep moving forward.
October 4, 2009
Robert (Joe) Halderman in Manhattan Supreme Court Friday, where he was arraigned on a charge of attempting to blackmail David Letterman for $2 million. Desperate and debt-ridden, TV producer Joe Halderman threatened to ruin David Letterman in a $2 million blackmail plot as his life unraveled, prosecutors and sources said Friday. He is charged with one count of attempted grand larceny - punishable by up to 15 years in jail.
I haven't done a "I woke up this morning and decided to flush my life down the toilet" segment for some time, and I am not sure this is a good example. From what I have been reading, the motives for this alleged extortion attempt hinges on more than just financial desperation; it also includes a desire for revenge. This story also is a good example as to how the current financial downturn (Depression) is affecting people. Here is a guy making what would be considered by most a great living working in a dream job. Who would guess that under the venire of affluence lurked a man living in quite desperation in debt up to his ass and watching his life unravel before his very eyes. And now, the specter of spending what would be essentially the remainder of your life in prison is hanging over his head. Did the guy flush his life down the toilet? Perhaps, but he had a lot of help. It appears David Letterman had a hand in it.
October 1, 2009
Will be making my YouTube After video later today. I am pleased with my results, but I have to be honest, they could have been better. The demands of work, and trying to upgrade my computer skills are demanding. I know we all have chores and tasks to accomplish each day. The strong find the will to accomplish those things that make them great. Fatigue is not an option. This is not going to be a month long journey to an improved physical appearance, but a life long quest to be the best I can be. That takes work and dedication on a daily basis. One lifetime isn't enough time to accomplish this Herculean task, but this is the time we have. And in a blink of an eye, it's over.
