My Response

Ray wrote a blog post with a subject matter that I am passionate about and I thought I'd share with everyone my response. The subject of his blog was hunger here in the US.

Ahh, a topic near and dear to my heart. 

The fact that there are families in this country that haven't a clue where their next meal is coming from infuriates me. When we talk about basic human rights, free speech, bearing arms, due process, trial by jury, suffrage, etc, why isn't a daily meal included? Our government has decided what we can't have, drugs, alcohol (even though they changed their minds on that one)high powered firearms, but what about things we should have; what about basic needs being met? I have to wear my seat belt when in the front seat of a vehicle, even though if I'm in a wreck the only person that will be injured because of my lack of seat belt is me. They're so worried about things like this, but not something so basic as a meal. 

Now, for my real stand...

The problem isn't our government, It's the Church. I'm not talking about the buildings, I'm not talking about the people who show up on Wednesday, Sunday, Christmas and Easter. I'm talking about the Body of Christ. The body of Christ is the problem. As a whole we are not doing our job. We are not following the second greatest commandment. We are not loving our neighbors as ourselves. We are not assisting "the least of these".

We have fallen so deeply into the pit of the world that we have actually forgotten, as a whole, what we are supposed to do, what we have been commanded to do.

I am thankful for the family that was put in my life as a teen. If it weren't for them being in my life, I don't know if my relationship with my parents would have improved, ever. It took years, but I finally figured out what it meant to honor my parents. It's the only reason those relationships still exist. It's the only reason that I can consider moving back home. And for anyone that might read this and not know my background, yes, hunger played one of many parts in the gross dysfunction of my family.

So no, I don't blame our government. And no, I don't think the government is the one who is failing. I blame the church as a whole. We are failing in so many areas, but this is one that is inexcusable. 

I don't know why food and shelter are not basic human rights in our country or any other country, but it should be a priority of the Church.

I know we have a need to spread the gospel around the world to those who have never heard the name of Jesus, but we need more people "staying home" and fighting the good fight on our home front. We need the Church to take care of their communities, their neighbors, each other.

Bits & Pieces

UH football has really rocked it out this season. Keenum, the QB, has been terrific against the opponents faced. It has been fun to read, listen and watch them march through their schedule this season. It is an up and coming program that someday, if managed correctly, will be a contender against the big boys, or maybe just the medium ones, of the college football world.

So with the great play of the Coogs thus far this season, College Game Day was at Robertson Stadium for the first time. By the looks of it there was a great crowd present. Each week Lee Corso does something crazy when he makes his pick for the team he believes is going to win. This week, he did something the FCC isn't going to like. The clip is below so you can see it yourself. Once you realize what Corso says, make sure you pay attention to the reaction of his fellow reporters. I love Herbstreit's reaction! But then again, I just really like Herbstreit in general!

My Astros have a new owner. I'm excited about this change. I'm looking forward to the team becoming competitive again. Their fan base is loyal, but we do require a carrot every once in a while. Now, while I'm excited about the new ownership, I am saddened about the move to the American League. The Astros have always been my team, but I've always rooted for the Rangers as my "AL team". This move is going to make this difficult. I won't be able to root for the Rangers anymore. Then there's the rule differences between the NL and AL. In the NL all players are baseball players. In the AL, most players are baseball players and some are pitchers and some are just hitters. I don't like that at all. If you're going to play baseball, then play baseball. 

Peter King Challenge Update: Ray's middle brother is leading the pack with a 94. I have a 93. Ray and his cousin's wife have 92. Then there's indyjeepgurl that's not doing so well, but is really giving us a run for our figurative money in the college football picks. Really? How'd that happen?!? After this week, there's only 6 weeks of regular season NFL football left.

Meal planning has never been my strong point. Usually I make a list of some basic stuff for the store, buy it and throw it together in different ways each week depending on how I feel and what sounds good. Last week I actually sat down and choose meals for the week. I made a list, bought the groceries, then came home and cooked 5 of the 6 meals I had chosen, leaving one for Ray to make during the week when he was off. It turned out well. The grocery bill was actually lower than normal. The meals were 350 calories or less per serving. We didn't eat out during the week for lunch/dinner. We saved almost $100 last week just spending the time and effort to cook at home. Oh, and our grocery bill this week, even less. I think this just might work. One last thing, this should definitely lead to a lighter, more healthier me.

The past few months Ray has spent his Thursday nights off at a place here in town playing poker (Thanks Yi-Vet!). He has found another place that plays on Monday nights. He's talked me into going with him. I'm a bit nervous. It's been a long time since I've sat down with folks and played.  I think it'll be fun, but I guess we'll see how it turns out. 

On My Mind

I went to the doctor last week for my quarterly check-up. Besides gaining 4lbs since my last visit, all was well. She did notice that I had a cold. I hadn’t noticed yet. Just so you know, I notice now. The sneezing and runny nose is really starting to bother me. Ugh! 

Mike Matheny for the St. Louis Cardinals Manager position…Really?!? I’m not a Cards fan by any means, but I am huge fan of baseball. I don’t understand this decision. What does he have in his pocket that qualifies him to be the manager of the World Champs? I mean, he was a minor league instructor. He wasn’t even part of the coaching staff. The Cards have been managed by some of baseball greats: Whitey Herzog, Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa. And now Mike Matheny! Ray has a saying for occasions like this…He must have pictures of someone.

Speaking of pictures, I enjoy photography, but the latest “World’s Most Expensive Photograph” just isn’t mind blowing in my opinion. I appreciate it and what it’s trying to do, but it isn’t WONDERFUL.  You decide.

I had been a T-Mobile customer since a friends dad gave me a cell phone in 1999. When I finished college I stayed with T-Mobile and switched the number over to my own account. A couple of months ago Ray and I switched to Verizon. It was actually emotional. I know that sounds weird, but I knew I could count on T-Mobile’s customer service. I had never had an issue that they weren’t able to help and did it with the best attitude. But, here in Indy, there is a large span of highway between home and work that I don’t get signal. This part of the highway runs through corn fields. If something were ever to happen I’d be stuck. So we switched…and it’s been great. Not only do I get phone signal but 3g data as well. It does help to ease my mind now that the first flurries have fallen.

For the last few years Ray and I have participated in The Peter King Challenge where you choose the winners of each weeks NFL match-ups. It’s a fun way to compete against each other. This year we have some friends and family that have joined a group and we’re competing against each other. The group name is Salem’s Lot. Yup, that’s how we roll. All of that to say, man this week has been horrid. So far I’ve only won 5 games with 2 games left to go.

The Walking Dead is a great comic. It tells a story in a way that should have been made into a TV series. That’s the conversation Ray and I had a couple of years ago. Last year the TV series premiered and was well done. This season it has returned with a vengeance and has been great. I both look forward to watching it each week and want to run away from it each week. Why run away you ask? Because more weeks than not my gag reflex is tested and that’s not something I enjoy. But I return to watch anyway because it’s just a good show. Check it out if you’re not squeamish. 

Where do you get your ebooks?

For those of you who have an ereader of some sort, whether it be a NOOK, Kindle, Sony, Kobo, or maybe you have a tablet such as an iPad or one of the many Android offerings, or maybe you simply prefer to read on your computer screen as opposed to the printed page, let me give you a few more book obtaining options

There is of course the Barnes & Noble site, the iBooks app from Apple and the Amazon Kindle Store from which you are able to buy books from, but what are your other options?

There's Google eBooks. The books are compatible with the NOOK, iPad and Sony ereaders. Also, the site has partnered up with some brick and mortar stores and libraries so you can buy and borrow from them too. This is definitely my favorite ebook site.

Project Gutenberg allows access to books in the public domain (read 'free books'). The site gives you multiple file types to choose from for you download so you are able to choose which is right for you.

While Kobo offers their own ereader device, they also offer file types available for download that will work on other devices as well.

If you're into Sci-Fi and Fantasy, then Baen is for you. They also offer multiple file types available for download so they are compatible with Apple products, Kindle, and NOOK.

Hopefully I was able to give you a few more options for where you obtain your ebooks. Look around and find the best deals, or better yet check out the library ebook offerings and the public domain offerings.

Happy reading!

Arbitrary Bits and Pieces About Joe

No, I'm not talking about Joe down the street, across town, the inn keeper or the latest guy to get arrested.

I'm talking about coffee.

There are so many names for it these days: Joe, java, black gold, morning mud, battery acid, bean juice, brew, and my favorite, wait for it, wakey juice. Love it!

It is believed that the craze started with goats. That's right, goats. Ethiopian shepherds noticed their goats were frisky after eating coffee berries. Mmm, berries. While there isn't a lot out there to support this theory, it's a good bedtime story, right? 

Back to fact...A coffee tree can grow up to 30', but this makes it difficult to collect the berries. Over the years, the trees have been cultivated to grow around 10'. Still a bit high for us short folks.

In 1675 King Charles II issued a proclamation closing coffee houses in England "because in such houses, and by the meeting of disaffected persons in them, divers false, malicious, and scandalous reports were devised and spread abroad, to the defamation of his majesty's government, and the disturbance of the quiet and the peace in the realm." Whoa! That's pretty serious. Fortunately the closings didn't last long. I bet there were some people out there with a bad case of the shakes during the closings!


Satori Kato, a Japanese scientist living in Chicago first invented instant coffee in 1901. George Washington, not our President, but rather a man from Belgium, living in Guatemala (Got all of that?), is credited with developing his own instant coffee and successfully commercially marketing it around 1910.

Coffee is the second most traded commodity, behind oil. You here that big oil? Stop pinching my wallet!

Latte art is the practice of making designs in the milk/foam topping (microfoam) of an espresso. There are different levels of snobbery concerning latte art. Purists insist the design must be created by the simple movements of the pouring vessel (free pouring), while others accept that the art may be created utilizing a stirring stick (etching). 


I think someone may have misunderstood my intentions when I placed my order for my beverage. I want to drink, guzzle, sip, knock back, devour, or otherwise consume it in its entirety. I have zero interest in showing it off to my friends, family and/or neighbors. Oh and if I'm paying more than $4 for the brew, it better be yummy or I'm coming back for you and your little dog too!

During WWII our GIs ordered espresso with water so they could dilute the flavor. This became known as the Americano preparation. I refuse to type disparaging remarks about those who serve our country, so all I'm going to say is…Really?!? Fine. Okay. I gotcha. Wait, really?!?

With all that said, there are many ways to prepare java. My favorite preparation is the macchiato.

How do you like your joe? (Tall, dark and handsome is not an option.)

Thoughts on FICO

Do you know your FICO score? Do you know what factors affect your FICO score? Do you even care?

I have recently changed my answer to the last question to No. No, I do not care about my credit score.

Now, don't start assuming my score is bad. It's not. It's actually very high. I would have no problem with getting any type of loan with a low interest rate…personal, auto or home. And suddenly I am actually saddened by this fact. I have recently had a much needed change of heart toward credit scores and I'd like to share it.

Per FICO, the following criteria are utilized in determining your score:
- Payment History (35%): Payment information, delinquencies, accounts and amounts past due
- Amounts Owed (30%): Amounts owing on specific types of accounts, number of accounts with balances, proportions of credit used and installment loans still owing
- Length of Credit History (15%): Time since accounts opened (by account type) and time since activity
- New Credit (10%): Number of recently open accounts, recent credit inquiries, and re-establishment of positive credit history
- Types of Credit Used (10%): Number of various types of accounts

FICO wants to be clear that they take all of the above into account when determining scores, that the information comes from your credit reports and that they look at both positive and negative items on your reports.

That's great, but if you pay attention to what all of this is, simply stated, it's a score based on your interaction with debt and you have to have debt to interact with in order to have a score. Right at 65% of your score is based off how you have interacted with your debt and the amount of it you have in proportion to the amount of credit available to you.

This is not a score that shows you have been responsible with your money, or about how you have been able to provide for yourself instead of having to go elsewhere to get the financial backing for the items you wish to have, on your own personal financial standing. Instead it is a score based off the money you borrow from banks and other creditors and how well you've done paying it back. Now notice I didn't say, paying it off. They don't want you to pay it off. If they did, then the credit card companies wouldn't close your card accounts due to lack of use, which in turn will lower your credit score. I had this happen to me last year. Looking back, I've never been so proud of my score dropping over 30 points, ever!

I was turned down for my first credit card in my teens due to not having any credit. I had never had any type of debt with which to interact therefore my score was literally ZERO. As strange as it may sound, my new goal is for it to return to zero. I don't need affirmation from the banking world that I know how to handle my finances.

What about buying a house? You can't buy one with cash. No one could ever afford that! Really? Why not? Why aren't we living a lifestyle that allows us to save enough money over however long it takes for you to save the amount of money you want to pay for a house? It's the lack of patience. We live in a "I want it now" society. That's fine, buy the house you want and get a 15yr mortgage. Don't get a 30yr and pay an extra 15 years of interest on your loan. You can't afford that? Then maybe you need to look at the amount you've borrowed. Do you really need a house that costs that much? Do you really need to live in that area? Is it that important? Maybe to you it is, but it's definitely something to think about.

You can get a mortgage without a good credit score. You just need a lender who does their own underwriting. Check it out. It's an option. I know because I'll be utilizing this option.

Don't follow blindly. Educate yourself.

Today's message was brought to you by the number zero!

Noise to Focus

If you're one for ambient noise to help you relax, focus or go to sleep and you're especially fond of rain, RainyMood is for you. The only function of the site is to play the sounds of a gentle storm, no toggles or options to mess with, just the sounds of a storm.

If you want something more involved, Atmosphere Lite will do the trick. There are both sound and visual options with this program. The sheer amount of options could be overwhelming, but the end result is a winner.

While Atmosphere Lite is a free program you can download, RainyMood is run completely from their site - No download needed.

Has anyone seen my umbrella? How about my pillow? :o)

Thoughts on 2012

There are numerous books written about it, a couple of movies and countless documentaries…2012.

Since I have a lot of free time on my hands these days I watch lots of things on the computer. I was on the History Channel site and ended up watching "Nostradamus Effect: 2012 Extinction". It summarizes how many diverse cultures point toward December 2012 as the end of our time ushered in by disaster.

The possibilities range from a magnetic pole shift, to a nuclear/biological war, to an asteroid or comet colliding with the Earth. You remember this scenario from the dinosaurs, right?

Anyone need a happy moment? It's okay. Go ahead. Take a moment.

So is it really the end of the world or just another holiday season filled with consumerism?

Either or, folks are getting prepared for the worst. The Norwegian government has constructed The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, or as the media has dubbed it, the Doomsday Vault. It opened in 2008 and has over 400,000 seed samples stored inside. The vault was carved into the side of a mountain on the Svalbard islands, just north of Norway, where the warmest temperatures during summer reach about 45°F. This vault has been constructed and filled in the event there is a disaster which wipes out all of our existing crops. Smart, yet depressing at the same time.

While there are many cultures that have 2012 as an eventful year, are people reading more into the writings and calendars then they should? Sure the Mayan calendar cumulates on 12/21/12, but is it because it's supposed to be the end of time, or is it perhaps something more simple?

The Mayan calendar is actually multiple calendars tracking various cycles including astronomical and harvest. The calendar begins around 3114 BC (before their culture existed) and ends in 2012 AD. That's a 5,126 year cycle before resetting to zero. So is it the end of time or is the calendar just resetting, like we do every December 31^st?

December 21^st is the winter solstice. The interesting detail for this date in 2012 is that it is also the date that the sun, for the first time in about 26,000 years, will be aligned with the center of our galaxy. While interesting, is it relevant?

So is this another Y2K (Do you remember where you were for Y2K)?

Are people working themselves up for nothing or is Armageddon upon us?

Candy cane anyone?

Simply Random

Staying with the theme of haphazard, this really cracked me up and I'm not sure why. It's a useless gadget that helps you accomplish absolutely nothing.

Honestly, I'd like to have one on my desk. You know everyone would ask, "What is it? What does it do?" .

It definitely compliments my personality, don't you think?