Simple Randomness

Swine Flu and My Vacation

This last week my wife and I went on a cruise out of Long Beach.  Originally the cruise was supposed to go from Long Beach to Catalina, then down to Encenada, Mexico.

Well, as you probably guessed it, the Encenada part got cancelled because of the swine flu outbreaks in Mexico.  Part of me feels that in the long run this is probably a good thing, but then part of me also keeps wondering how much of this flu is mostly media hype.

I don’t know all the details, so I’m not going to be all super critical on the technicalities of the flu or anything.  Any time someone dies from this or some other disease it’s a sad thing.  But it seems like almost every year there is some sort of animal named disease that comes out that is going to be the next thing to wipe us out.

A few years ago it was Mad Cow Disease (they made some great stuffed animals from that one), then there was the Bird or Avian Flu, and now it’s Swine Flu.  Is it just me or does the media just love this kind of stuff and overinflates it?

Anyway, just some random thoughts on the subject.  It’s sad, don’t get me wrong, but how come they don’t report on the thousands that die from regular flu each year?

Where is Spring???

Ok, so this weather is starting to get really really weird.  One day it’s like 70 degrees and then the next we have snow.  Not cool!

I think my sister got hit the worst by this.  She told me that one day she was taking a nap in her back yard in the sun, the next day she was freezing.

I know it’s not just this way here in Utah, it seems like everyone is having some weird weather this year.  Or maybe this is normal and I just forget each year that this is how it goes.  I’m not sure honestly, but it really get’s annoying.  It’s like March can’t decide what season it wants to be in.

Make up your mind March!

I Don’t Like Rainy Mondays!

As if Monday wasn’t bad enough…today is all rainy and dark outside. I mean seriously, of all days that could be rainy, I think Monday has to be the worst.

It’s weird because I’m not usually an anti-Monday sort of guy, but today I definitely am.  Maybe I just need to exercise and that will help.

Has anyone else found that just by exercising they just feel emotionally better?  I was really stressed for the past week or so, but on the days that I worked out I felt a whole lot better.  Now this doesn’t really come as a surprise to me, but it’s a good reassurance from time to time that exercise is good for me.

So is anyone else having a depressing Monday?  Or is it sunny everywhere else but here?

First Major Snow Storm for Winter 2008

So Winter is officially on its way. Today we had our first official snow storm here where I live in Utah.

It was bad enough that I had to go about 40 mph all the way in to work (I usually go 75-80 mph on the freeway). The roads were completely covered with snow, and whenever I went through an underpass I’d realize that I wasn’t even close to inside my lane!

I’m honestly not very excited about winter this year.  Maybe it would be better if I can possibly find some time go to skiing, but I’m not sure where I’ll find the time to go do that!

Is anyone else out there excited for Winter?  Did you get hit with this storm?

I’m Annoyed With Disrespectful Dog Owners

I should probably first say this up front: I’m not really a dog guy.  Sure, they’re fine and all, but I really don’t think I’ll ever own one.  They smell, they make a mess, and generally destroy everything.  I’ve honestly always been more of a cat person.

Now, normally I don’t have a problem with people that own dogs.  But for some reason all of the ones in my condo complex a bunch of disrespectful idiots.

As with most condo complexes, we have sort of a common area with a lot of grass that normally you can play on.  But instead it has become the dog poop zone.  Every morning that’s where all the dog owners go and let their animals do their thing.  And then don’t pick it up!

So can I play with my kids on the grass?  NO!  I’m too worried that they’re going to step in poop, or even worse pick it up!

It’s sort of a new complex, so we don’t really have an HOA yet, but once we do I’m going to be filing some complaints.

So please, if you’re a dog owner, PICK UP YOUR DOG’S CRAP!!!

The Copy Machine is Still There

So when I went to work yesterday I did a quick little poll of some of the guys that I work with to see if they were also aware of the fact that garbage men won’t put stuff in the dumpster for you.  It seems like most of them were aware of this, but a few others didn’t seem to understand my point.

Well, this morning when I took the trash out the printer was still there.  Not only that, but the dumpster was all crooked because they had to try to not put the dumpster down on top of it!

I had some interesting comments from the previous post, and one guy even said that this is common most places he’s been, including the Bahamas.  So I want to start a public awareness statement with this blog:

If you don’t put your trash in the dumpster it’s going to stay there!!!

There, maybe I’ll change the world with this…ok, probably not, but it was fun right?

I Live Near a Bunch of Idiots

Ok, it’s time for a Monday morning gripe!

Right now I live in a condo complex.  And it seems lately that almost once a week I am just amazed at the stupid things that I see happening at our trash dumpster.

First, let me let everyone know about a very simple rule of dumpsters: if you leave trash outside of the dumpster, like on the side or something, it is not going to magically end up in the dumpster!  The garbage guy is not going to get out of his truck just to move your junk!

Seriously, I used to think that this was common knowledge, but apparently not,  I even remember one time I lived in a place where they had to post this same thing on every single trash can, but people still did it!

So this morning I go to throw out my trash and guess what was by the dumpster?  I’ve seen beds (currently there are 2 mattresses outside the dumpster), desks, couches, and all sorts of stuff.   But this one amazed me.  It was a copy machine.  Not just a little 4-in-1 type machine, but a standup business like one.  Where the heck did that come from?!?!

So simply put, I think I live near a bunch of idiots.  That or people who are too lazy to actually put their trash in the dumpster.  And yes, I have actually gone the extra mile and put some of these people’s trash in the dumpster, but maybe I should stop and see if they’ll figure it out after their mattress has been sitting there rotting for 3 weeks…but then maybe they just don’t care…

Anyway, there’s my rant for today.  Have a nice week everyone!

Allergies are Not My Friend…

So at some point this week my allergies hit again.  I just have your common seasonal allergies, and they seem to hit me at the beginning and the end of the season.  But this time they decided to turn into a head cold as well!

Honestly, I don’t understand allergies at all.  I don’t believe in evolution really (the whole we came from monkies thing doesn’t work for me), but for those that do believe in this how do they explain allergies?  If we really do evolve, wouldn’t we have gotten used to all the pollen and other stuff in the air by now?

For example, my son is highly allergic to cashews.  Shouldn’t evolution have taken care of that one?  I’d like someone who is an evolutionist to explain this one to me!  I’d love to hear some good ideas on this, cause I’m at a loss.

I also hate it when they turn into a head cold.  I was so stuffed up last night…no wonder my wife didn’t get much sleep!  I had Nyquil to knock me out, but otherwise I’m sure I would have been blowing my nose all night.

Which brings up another question…how in the world does the nose generate that much snot?!  I mean seriously, who turned on that faucet and left it running!

Anyway, this is more of a rant and gripe, but I don’t feel good.   And by the way, no this is not a picture of me up above.

I hope you all have a nice weekend!

The Best Salesmen in the WORLD

You know who the best sales people in the world are?  UNIVERSITIES!!!

Think about it, they have convinced all of us that we have to have a piece of paper in order to be worth anything in this world.  Not only have they convinced us, but they’ve convinced most of the companies out there as well!

Seriously, how many times have you been turned down for a job or not even applied for a job because you didn’t have the degree or certification that they were looking for?  And even worse, you might have been more qualified for the position in the first place!!!

Now don’t get any ideas, I’m not thinking of this topic because this has happened to me recently, but I know that it happens out there.  And how many of you are in college and half of your classes make you go, “Huh?!  Why am I taking this class???”

Think about it…

I Think I’m Officially Tired of Politics

So with all the different conventions, all the ads, and all the stuff on the news all the time I have to admit that I’m really getting sick of politics and political stuff.

Does anyone else get the feeling like this election is turning out more and more like a high school election?  I’m sure it’s always this way to some extent, but it seems more and more blatantly obvious this time.  It’s like both sides just want to promise the world, but in the end you know that they either can’t or won’t do half of what they say…

Well, my intent with this blog was never to get very political, if ever, so that’s all I’ll say on the topic for now.  I think it would be great if a viable 3rd or 4th option would come out.  Two parties seems to be part of the problem…