Happy Movember

I’m growing a moustache for a good cause.  Facial hair doesn’t look good on me, so I’ve been told.  My lip is as folically challenged as my head.  But I’m doing it for a good cause.  Check out http://mobro.co/harrydude.  The goal is to raise awareness and money for men’s health care issues.  It’s the male version of the pink ribbon.

Today at church, I spoke with a research oncologist.  He works to find new ways to treat cancer – specifically prostate cancer.  He said that his organization benefits quite a bit from the money raised by Movember.  It was quite inspiring to hear about how this money is put to good use.

Please visit my Movember page.  Consider dropping a couple of bucks there.  And tell your friends!

Don’tcha love homeowner’s associations?

Houston has been suffering it’s hottest and driest summer in recorded history.  With 2 inches of rain since February 1, my lawn is looking pathetic.  The City of Houston has imposed lawn-watering restrictions.  I don’t reside within the city, but I’ve been doing my part – even draining the condensation from my portable A/C into the Pur water filter to drink.  Needless to say, watering my lawn just doesn’t rank up there in the top of my priority list.

So my homeowner’s association, with their infinite wisdom, wrote me a letter to complain about the condition of my lawn.  Looking at my neighbors, it’s likely they wrote letters to 90% of my neighborhood.  They told me that I need to water my lawn.

In the middle of a drought, they want me to water my lawn.

Let’s hear it for the brains of the operation.  Since the letter of the law – the DEED RESTRICTIONS – do not exempt droughts, I am compelled to comply.  Regardless of the fact that watering my lawn may deprive firefighters of water – regardless of the fact that watering my lawn may reduce the levels of our water table – regardless of the fact that watering my lawn may actually cause someone to become dehydrated…  I must abide by the rules.

We have done a very good job of keeping our lawn mowed and our flowerbed weed free.  We have done a very good job of keeping our place maintained during this recession to avoid being those people.  But the house around the corner – which has been foreclosed and unmaintained for the last two years – looks like something out of a horror movie.  My neighbor and I are contemplating opening it as a haunted house in October and charging admission.  We won’t have to do much, it’s already falling apart!

And they want to write me up for not watering my lawn during water restrictions.

What the heck ever happened to common sense?  When did we become so blinded by rules that we refused to listen to our brains?  Why did the family that signed the original deed restrictions circulate an unsuccessful petition to have our neighborhood removed from them?  Because the Homeowner’s Associations are incapable of thinking.

People, let’s use our common sense.  Refuse to buy houses that have deed restrictions.  Force the street gestapo out of business.  Let us get back to the business of living.  Don’t we have to bow to politicians and our bosses enough?  Our homes should be our sanctuary.

What’s the point of a warranty?

Two years ago, I had to install an entirely new air conditioning system in my house.  Everything except one wire was replaced.  It cost as much as a small car.  It came with a ten year warranty, which, I found out today, is relatively worthless.

Is your product worth my money?

America today does not stand behind their products.  That’s part of America’s problem.  We have no concept of quality.  That’s why Honda and Toyota and Kia are doing so much better than Ford and Chrysler and GMC.  They stand behind their products.  Their products are worth my money.  If something goes wrong with their product, they will take care of every bit of it during the warranty period.  American companies fail to do that – then wonder why everybody wants to buy foreign goods.

Aspen Manufacturing made the coil that was installed two years ago.  It comes with a ten year warranty, that is hardly worth the paper on which it was printed.  Why should I have to pay for labor and refrigerant because your unit failed?  It’s not my fault that it failed.  It’s yours.  Plain and simple.

Once upon a time in America, companies believed in what they sold.  Once upon a time in America, people had integrity.  Today, it’s quite different.  Few people, if any, stand behind the products they sell.  If the product fails, they’ll eat the cost of the part but nothing else.  The labor to install the part may cost more than the part itself – and you’re still out the big bucks.

This is the latest in a long series of disappointments in customer service.

• Wal-Mart sold me software but failed (several times) to properly scan the activation code.  They would not refund the software because it has been opened.
• Capital One offered points with which we purchased a home telephone.  They have not arrived more than one month after purchase.  And Capital One has no idea why.  We may never get the phones, but we’ve lost the points.

I could go on, but it would turn into a litany of whining.  Customer service is dead in America.  Something definitely needs to change or we better learn to speak Chinese.

Two and a half months…

I’d been doing pretty good.  I just looked back and read some of my latest entries just to get a feel for where I’d been.  And it was interesting.  One of my latest posts caught my eye.  It is, in part, the reason why I hadn’t posted very much in the last two and a half months.  I promise I won’t go into detail here.  But I will shed a little light on the subject.

Until yesterday, I worked at a computer helpdesk for a major world-wide company.  Their job is maintaining the oil wells all over the world.  My brother works for a competitor, as a roughneck.  He’s not into computers, but I’m keen on technology.  He has told me about the neat computers on their trucks.  I’ve always wanted to work on non-traditional computers – like X-Ray machines or the ones that diagnose car problems or the ones in these trucks.

So one day, I helped a manager with a network problem.  He was in the group that works on these trucks for our company.  He suggested I apply for the job listed in The Voice of Truth post.  I applied and the interview did not go well.  I mean, this guy wanted me to apply for an Entry-Level position!  And I’ve been working on computers for over 30 years!  Of all the noive!

My wife and I discussed what needed to be done to kickstart my career.  I suggested going overseas, but she was very opposed to that.  I returned to work fairly depressed and feeling like I was going to be stuck for the rest of my life.  Another helpdesk call was a guy who – out of the clear blue sky – started talking about how sometimes he had to put his career first so his family could advance.  Then one of the guys I work with told me about jobs in Afghanistan.  That’s about the time I quit blogging.

Again I discussed it with my wife.  She was much more open about working in Afghanistan, so I applied for the job and was accepted – so long as I get a Network+ certification.  I did.  We agreed to keep silent about this prospect until it came through.  I decided it was best that I stop blogging through this process, just to make sure I don’t spill the beans by accident.  In the end, I was medically disqualified.  I disagree with the doctor’s findings, but there’s no way to undo it.  The final word came in about three weeks ago.  After missing countless hours of paid work for doctor’s visits and preparation, I was now not going to get the job.  Nor was I going to be re-imbursed for my certification.

There was a crisis of faith as I felt God led us to that oasis in the desert only to find it was a mirage.  Through much of this, my wife was my bastion of faith.  She kept me focused on God and His blessings as I asked “Where is He?”  Times that I could not feel His presence or hand in my life, these were the times that she was strongest.  We watched our dreams vaporize, once again, by e-mail.  Yet he was working in ways we could not see or feel.

A week later, the manager from the bad interview called me back.  ”We need to talk.”  So I went to talk with him.  I start working there on Monday.  Two and a half months ago, I was very unhappy with what he had to tell me.  Working entry-level offended me.  Today, I’ve learned to be a bit more humble and accept small blessings – like permanent employment rather than contract – when they appear.

To sum this all up, God is working hard behind the scenes.  He may be working in ways we don’t – or may never – understand.  When it’s all said and done, though, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

wow

Not a lot to say today, either.  But I’m not just bloggin’ for the sake of bloggin’.  No, there is one thing on my mind.

wow

Six years ago, the world faced a tragedy that made us all sit up and take notice.  An earthquake, magnitude 9.3, struck Indonesia and unleashed a torrent we call a tsunami.  The world watched in awe and wonder as televisions showed waves destroying homes, cities and lives around the Indian Ocean.  A friend in South Africa sent pictures of the river hear his house flowing upstream.

Today, a similar incident occurred in Japan.  A magnitude 8.9 struck, releasing a tsunami that is still affecting the eastern Pacific coastline at the time of this writing.

But there is a difference.  The quake and subsequent tsunami in 2004 devestated hundreds of thousands of lives.  Today’s affected far fewer.  Japan prepared for this event.  Drawing on the experience of the last few centuries, engineers designed buildings to withstand the most catastrophic shaking.  Pipelines and nuclear plants can survive, even when the ground moves like water.  The people of Japan have trained relentlessly to survive “the Big One”.

Today, my hat is off to the people of Japan.  To the people who have chosen not to let things happen; to the people who fix what is wrong; to the survivors – I say “Thank you.”  Our world can learn a great deal from you.

Plus you make really good cars.

That was a short post.

Droppin’ the ball

Yesterday I missed my “postaday2011″ tag.  On a challenge from WordPress, I’ve been trying to post at least once a day, every day.  When I’m particularly loquacious, I’ll write two or three posts and schedule them for down the road.

Yesterday, though, I dropped the ball.

For all my talk of peace, there’s still something that won’t stop chewin’ on my head.  And I can’t quite place it.  But it’s getting smaller and less annoying every day.  You’ve probably heard that life is a journey, not a destination.  The same goes for peace.  You never arrive there, you are always getting closer and closer.  At least that’s how it appears to me.

So I dropped the ball.  The OCD in me wants to jump in a time-machine and write a post for yesterday.  It can’t be done.  The manic-depressive in me wants to jump and scream because I’m not living up to my potential.

The Holy Spirit in me wants to say it just don’t matter.  Is anyone going to die because I didn’t post?  No.  Is anyone going to yell at me for not posting?  No.

I dropped the ball.  And I’m really not worried about it.  See, that nagging little worry in the back of my head is getting even smaller.

And I posted today.

That was a short post.

The Voice of Truth

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a hiring manager.  He said some things that were true, but not uplifting.  ”You have a bachelor of science and you’ve only done these little jobs since graduating?”

I desperately tried to put it into perspective.  After all, for five years my kids called me “Homeschool Educator” as well as “Dad”.  During those years, I let my career slide while I lifted my family.  When I returned to the workforce, jobs were in short supply and I took what I could find until I landed in a great job with a great company.  That lasted until oil rigs started exploding in the Gulf last spring.

Now I’m contracted to a great company but still seeking long-term “direct” employment.  And the manager says, “you have a bachelor of science and you have only done these little jobs?”

Ouch

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.  At him for not seeing my potential.  At life for putting me into the situation I am.  At myself for focusing on my family rather than my career.  By the time the kids went to bed, I was starting to see the “old daddy” – the one who would rather brood in his depression than kiss his own kids.  Forgetting that the old daddy had been crucified and the new daddy resurrected, I went to bed early wallowing in self-pity.

This morning I felt better, but still not 100%.  The morning was grey and rainy, I was leaving early to accommodate the weather and the radio station was not lively.

Then I heard it.  It’s a song by Casting Crowns.

The Voice of Truth

tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth
says do not be afraid
The Voice of Truth
says this is for My Glory
and with all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe

The Voice of Truth

Ya know – I really needed to hear that this morning.  The Voice of Truth spoke to me, telling me that the decisions I had made were proper.  Loving my family is far more important than seeking my fortune.  Discovering who I am in Christ is even more important than my family.

I have not wasted my life by not devoting it to punching some clock.  And God showed me that.  In the midst of my turmoil because of our financial situation, God showed me that He is still providing for us.  While we scrimp and save because there’s too much month at the end of the money, He still comes through.

My employer does not sign a paycheck, but He makes sure there is food on the table and wheels in the driveway.  He does not write an annual review, but is always gently nudging me in the right direction.

Last night, I allowed the father of lies to convince me of my mistakes.  But the Voice of Truth spoke to me today, bringing peace and rest to a worried soul.

Weekend Musings

Some would consider me a “stupid intellectual”.  There is no way Mensa would consider me.  But I tend to lean that way.  Consider my favorite music – Yes, Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd…  The music that appeals to me appeals to my intellect.  But my movies lean the other way.  I like “Strange Brew”, the original “Batman” from 1964 and “Blazing Saddles”.  There is no better time than sitting down with a campy movie.

I find this stupid intellectualism invades every aspect of my life.  It invades the conversations I have with my wife.  Deep, rich conversations about our relationship are interrupted by sudden injections of bathroom humor.  I was discussing my latest infraction with a police office under flashing lights when poorly-timed jokes appeared.

Perhaps the craziest is when I read my bible.  I’m sorry, but the bible is full of hilarity!  Some of the more somber members of my faith would disagree.  But it’s true!  Rather than fight it, I just gave in.  Here are a few samples.

Throughout the Exodus, God introduced Himself as the God who led His people out of Egypt.  God led His people out of Egypt.  But His people decided to create an idol – a golden calf – to represent their god.  The One True God did not like that.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.  They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

“I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.  Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” – Exodus 32:7-10, NIV

Translation – “They’re not My people anymore.  They’re your people that you led out of Egypt.  Stay out of my way so I can kill ‘em all!”  I think that’s one of the funnier things God ever said!

But the funniest was yet to come!  Moses interceded on behalf of the people he had just inherited, and God relented on his decision to kill ‘em all.  Moses walked down the mountain, carrying two tablets on which the finger of God had just carved the ten commandments.  When he got there and saw all the drunken revelry surrounding this idol, he smashed the stone tablets.

“Aaron, what’s going on?  Where did this calf come from?”

“Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. ²³ They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ ²⁴ So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” – Exodus 32:22-24, NIV

Translation: “Hey, Moses, it ain’t my fault.  Those people are evil!  I put the gold into the fire and the calf came out!”

Have your kids ever told you that?  I know mine have.  Something is broken.  There are three people in the house, me and the two kids.  ”What happened here,” I ask.  And neither of them know.  It just fell on its own.  Kinda frustrating when it’s your kids, but when a grown adult – the leader of the priests of the nation of Israel – says it, it’s funny and sad all at the same time.  In fact, I dare say this is the funniest thing in the whole bible.

How many times did Jesus say his disciples are dense?

How many stupid things did Samson or David do?

And what about Balaam’s talking donkey?

Next time you read scripture, look for something humorous.  I’m sure you’ll find it.

C’mon, Dads! Step up!

Seriously!  They’re not going to be young forever!

Last night, I went to a Daddy/Daughter dance with my two daughters.  It was a wonderful experience, and one that I hope to continue.

I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I need to tell you that I felt sorry for the other dads.  At the beginning of the dance, the DJ had some technical difficulties.  And I sat down, talked and laughed with my daughters.  I counted at least twenty other guys who were on their cell phones during the lull.

We were celebrating a special time with some of the most special girls in our lives – and they had to call some other goober on their cell phones!

I’m sorry, but I have a serious problem with this, guys.  What in the world can be more important than our children?  Business?  Friends?

How often does a chance like this come along – a chance to spend a very special evening with our kids?  And some would rather whip out their iPhone and make a call.  Then we turn around and gripe about the condition of the world.

There was a time when parents spent time with their children.  Whether it was in front of the fire or in the field, they spent time with them.  The children felt loved and respected.  They did not devote themselves to their PSP or XBox.   And parents did not devote themselves to matters outside the home.

At some point, money and possessions became much more important than families.  We have to work very hard to get more stuff, and the price of stuff keeps going up.  But our friends have better stuff than us (so we think) and we have to keep up with our friends.

That’s a load of #$*(@#(!

And we all know it.  But still we play the game.

Our kids are only going to be young once.  We have to enjoy them while we can.  We have to teach them how to grow up.  If we don’t then someone else will – and we don’t know what they will teach.

Love your children.  Spend time with them.  Not only when it’s convenient for you.

To My Valentine

I love my wife.  And she loves me – after 20 years I think I know why.

For the voyeurs and prospective paparazzi out there, this is not a tell-all blog post.  Sorry.

My love for her has matured greatly over the years.  I met her when I got out of the Navy and into college in 1991.  At that time, she was more than just another pretty face.  She was, in fact, pretty enough that I didn’t think she would give this ugly mug the time of day.  Today, though, she is far prettier than she was in 1991.

But my attraction to her today goes far beyond mere looks.  On this day, nearly twenty years after we first met, there are no other women worthy of my retinas.  They are like Boone’s Farm compared to the fine wine I already possess.

My wife and I define synergy – which is the way I think God intended for our relationship to be.  She is strong where I am not, and vice-versa.  The two of us are much stronger together than the pair should be.  I mean – we’re raising KIDS!

And kids are one huge reason our love has grown.  They bring us closer together.  They provide us with incentive to keep going with what God has made for us, even when things aren’t pretty.

But mostly, she’s the one who holds my heart.  Not unlike Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, the one who holds my heart holds my destiny.  And she holds mine.

I thank God for her every day.  And I pray that there will be many, many years before He separates us.

I love you!