I slipped through the Ides of March, unlike Caesar, and survived St. Paddy's Day, but I am afraid that March Madness may get the best of me.
I should be out in the yard trimming bushes, pulling weeds, and raking rocks, but somehow I get mesmerized by the TV as basketballs starts. I don't follow college basektball a great deal during the year; afterall, we get ASU and UA games, but really have to search ESPN for something more concrete when it comes to good basketball. I did suffer through some Illini games on Big Ten Network and ESPNU, but the East Coast teams and the rest of the Big Ten sometimes eluded me. So, my brackets are empty for the first time in almost 35 years.
But, this weekend, I am settling in for some serious tube hoops. The NIT, NCAA, women's ball, it all is on this weekend and I am in some serious trouble. If I don't get my yard weeded, then I may have to mow instead of rake. It is serious business out here, the raking. My rocks are messy because people walk across my yard (it cannot be called a lawn because it lacks grass) leaving little meteor craters in it. The neighbors look at the "poor old Shields' yard" and give a sigh as if we are some kind of vagrant who has be tolerated, but not really seen.
I'm just a procrastinator. If I don't get it done today, it will be there tomorrow. I am retired with the emphasis on "tired". I can do what I want, when I want. I am the master of my domain!
What's that, dear? Yes, Iwill be right in to do dishes.
Doughnut
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Facebook Fiend
What a wonderful day here in the Valley of the Sun! And it is that today as spring training raves on and Mr. Sunshine takes centerfield for a while.
I have been spending a lot of time on Facebook lately. I find it captivating to see and talk to others whom I have lost track of over the years, and to stay connected with some of my younger students. The problem is the amount of time that I spend on it.
I have around 1000 friends on this social networking site. I try to check in on someone that I have not seen in a long time once a week. Do you know how long it takes just to peruse the list? This is addictive and I need an intervention. I can't stop myself though.
I have friends from high school, college, from Morning Sun, Iowa; Hoopeston; Paxton; the East Coast; West Coast; Canada; South America...I think you get the picture. Information addiction is what I have. And I can't get enough because of my "friends."
I get on first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I spend my lunch on Facebook, but I have not lost weight. I just keep gaining while I sit in a dark room and stare at the illuminated screen that mesmerizes and astounds me.
One thing I don't do on Facebook. Applications. I don't farm, play Mafia Wars, or do anything like that. My God, if I did, I wouldn't get ANYTHING done! Just keeping up with you guys is enough. Don't overload me. My inbox is full.
I vow that after my book is out on the market this summer, Iwill take a break. Until then, keep those status updates coming!
Doughnut
I have been spending a lot of time on Facebook lately. I find it captivating to see and talk to others whom I have lost track of over the years, and to stay connected with some of my younger students. The problem is the amount of time that I spend on it.
I have around 1000 friends on this social networking site. I try to check in on someone that I have not seen in a long time once a week. Do you know how long it takes just to peruse the list? This is addictive and I need an intervention. I can't stop myself though.
I have friends from high school, college, from Morning Sun, Iowa; Hoopeston; Paxton; the East Coast; West Coast; Canada; South America...I think you get the picture. Information addiction is what I have. And I can't get enough because of my "friends."
I get on first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I spend my lunch on Facebook, but I have not lost weight. I just keep gaining while I sit in a dark room and stare at the illuminated screen that mesmerizes and astounds me.
One thing I don't do on Facebook. Applications. I don't farm, play Mafia Wars, or do anything like that. My God, if I did, I wouldn't get ANYTHING done! Just keeping up with you guys is enough. Don't overload me. My inbox is full.
I vow that after my book is out on the market this summer, Iwill take a break. Until then, keep those status updates coming!
Doughnut
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Feeling the pinch
I have some bad news for you...
No one ever likes to hear that line. It is, however, true of gasoline prices. In case you have not been watching, prices are inching their way upwards. According to an article today in the Arizona Republic that is attributed to the Associated Press, we are looking at prices that will soon be over the $3 mark. And they might stay there.
What has happened to cause this? Well, we are doing too good a job at not driving as much. Oil companies are also not running at their capacity on purpose.
There is no Katrina, No war, The earthquake in Chili did not affect the prices. The idea of supply and demand in reverse is actually doing it. Supply and demand says that if we do not use as much, then prices come down to encourage us to spend. But in this case, our conservation is going to cost us money because the oil companies are not profiting as much as they would like.
Does this mean they are losing money? Hardly. Exxon Mobil recorded profits last year. And, according to US News on March 8, they paid almost 116 billion in taxes. They did not take money from the government, they gave it money. BUT even after that, the company still made 45 billion dollars.
What we need to do is take a full day off. In Mesa, AZ over the weekend, the fire department let a fire engine company sit unused to save money. Governments and companies are furloughing people to save money. We need to quit using gas as a country for one day a month. For one day a month, NO ONE goes to a gas station to buy gas. Go there to get gum, or a soda, maybe some lottery tickets... but NO GAS! Let the stations lie idle and their tanks unused. We need to create such a surplus that the companies will be begging us to take gas off their hands.
I have one question also... Why is it that the price of gas in the ground is raised when it has already been paid for? It is not the stations that do it, they are told when and how much, so there is no reason to beat on them. But if we do not buy gas as country, then the oil companies as a whole will have a surplus.
Beware the Ides of March!
No one ever likes to hear that line. It is, however, true of gasoline prices. In case you have not been watching, prices are inching their way upwards. According to an article today in the Arizona Republic that is attributed to the Associated Press, we are looking at prices that will soon be over the $3 mark. And they might stay there.
What has happened to cause this? Well, we are doing too good a job at not driving as much. Oil companies are also not running at their capacity on purpose.
There is no Katrina, No war, The earthquake in Chili did not affect the prices. The idea of supply and demand in reverse is actually doing it. Supply and demand says that if we do not use as much, then prices come down to encourage us to spend. But in this case, our conservation is going to cost us money because the oil companies are not profiting as much as they would like.
Does this mean they are losing money? Hardly. Exxon Mobil recorded profits last year. And, according to US News on March 8, they paid almost 116 billion in taxes. They did not take money from the government, they gave it money. BUT even after that, the company still made 45 billion dollars.
What we need to do is take a full day off. In Mesa, AZ over the weekend, the fire department let a fire engine company sit unused to save money. Governments and companies are furloughing people to save money. We need to quit using gas as a country for one day a month. For one day a month, NO ONE goes to a gas station to buy gas. Go there to get gum, or a soda, maybe some lottery tickets... but NO GAS! Let the stations lie idle and their tanks unused. We need to create such a surplus that the companies will be begging us to take gas off their hands.
I have one question also... Why is it that the price of gas in the ground is raised when it has already been paid for? It is not the stations that do it, they are told when and how much, so there is no reason to beat on them. But if we do not buy gas as country, then the oil companies as a whole will have a surplus.
Beware the Ides of March!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Global warming? I think not!
Where has the sun gone? We have not had a sunny Sunday for almost three weeks now here in the Valley of the Sun. Yesterday it rained almost an inch and in the high country, they go almost 12 inches... of SNOW!
We went to Prescott yesterday to help Dorothy's brother pack his apartment. He is going to Tucson soon to have his left leg amputated from an injury he received in the military. We got up early and saw a rainbow on our way there. After about 2 hours of packing, we noticed these big flakes coming down. Since I did not see a bright flash, I assumed it was snow. I was right. We hopped in the car and started for home. As we made Prescott Valley, the snow increased in intensity to blizzard conditions. My poor car had never seen a snow storm, and it was reluctant to continue, but we egged it on.
As we reached I-17 about 45 minutes later, the snow turned to rain. Once we dropped down to about 25oo feet in elevation, the precipitation stopped, and low and behold, another rainbow appeared. The views of the mountains getting snow were fantastic as the clouds hung close to the sides.
I had a high school friend, Don Smith, and his wife Lisa arriving from Illinois for some R&R and warm weather, so I went to the airport to get them. As I pulled out onto my street, I looked up and there was a DOUBLE RAINBOW! Surely good things would come to them as they landed.
It was not to be, though, as we got more rain in the evening...about an inch. We have had more rain so far this year, than we did in all last year.
They took off this morning exploring AZ, and hoping to find some sunshine. We'll find out when they return on Wednesday for the Cubs game.
I have one question about all this.... Where is the Global Warming? I have had my heat on 10 times more than I did last year!
Al, what's up?
Doughnut
We went to Prescott yesterday to help Dorothy's brother pack his apartment. He is going to Tucson soon to have his left leg amputated from an injury he received in the military. We got up early and saw a rainbow on our way there. After about 2 hours of packing, we noticed these big flakes coming down. Since I did not see a bright flash, I assumed it was snow. I was right. We hopped in the car and started for home. As we made Prescott Valley, the snow increased in intensity to blizzard conditions. My poor car had never seen a snow storm, and it was reluctant to continue, but we egged it on.
As we reached I-17 about 45 minutes later, the snow turned to rain. Once we dropped down to about 25oo feet in elevation, the precipitation stopped, and low and behold, another rainbow appeared. The views of the mountains getting snow were fantastic as the clouds hung close to the sides.
I had a high school friend, Don Smith, and his wife Lisa arriving from Illinois for some R&R and warm weather, so I went to the airport to get them. As I pulled out onto my street, I looked up and there was a DOUBLE RAINBOW! Surely good things would come to them as they landed.
It was not to be, though, as we got more rain in the evening...about an inch. We have had more rain so far this year, than we did in all last year.
They took off this morning exploring AZ, and hoping to find some sunshine. We'll find out when they return on Wednesday for the Cubs game.
I have one question about all this.... Where is the Global Warming? I have had my heat on 10 times more than I did last year!
Al, what's up?
Doughnut
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Where have American Products Gone?
Today is the opening day for the Cactus League. Baseball is here,and so is warm weather. Things are heating up in the State House here in AZ also as our legislators deal with a budget crisis. Matter of fact, all our cities are involved as is our schools. There is no money and for some reason, no one wants to raise any.
This all goes back to the Great Communicator, Ron Reagan, who cut taxes and programs and is seen as the pentultimate person who turned a flagging economy around. Our local city government is considering raising taxes on food. Presently, we do not have a tax on food. So, the one dollar price for an avocado used to make guacamole is one dollar. When the tax goes into effecgt, that same avocado will be $1.02. Doesn't seem like much, does it? Opponents are saying that it will cost the poor and they won't be able to afford food. They can probably still get the $50.00 carton of cigarettes, though, on the res. I only mention Ron, because some have now found that it could be that Reagonomics has brought us to where we are.
On another economical note, GM has announced a recall of a million cars that seem to have a problem with the power steering. Most of these cars were assembled in Mexico, not Detroit or some other American city. Does anyone, besides me see the problem with the US government having a big stake in GM and having another country's workers put their cars together? Our people are out of work, so it is time to bring these American owned entities back to our shores. I don't see any recalls for cars that are put together here in the good old USA.
Whatever happened to America that made us go elsewhere to have our manufacturing done? Are our folks less able to do this? NO, we priced ourselves out of jobs. These companiees went overseas because labor was cheap, and our government gave them incentives to go. Now, it should give them incentives to stay, or bring back jobs!
I am not an isolationist. But, I do believe that if a product is going to be made overseas and brought into the country, when it could very well be made here by an American company, then that company should have a high tariff to protect our workers. Companies that leave our shores for the benefits of cheap labor should not receive any tax dollars, nor should they receive any breaks.
This, he says, as he types on a computer marked, "Some components Made in China"
Was my computer made in a sweatshop, like my shoes?
Doughnut
This all goes back to the Great Communicator, Ron Reagan, who cut taxes and programs and is seen as the pentultimate person who turned a flagging economy around. Our local city government is considering raising taxes on food. Presently, we do not have a tax on food. So, the one dollar price for an avocado used to make guacamole is one dollar. When the tax goes into effecgt, that same avocado will be $1.02. Doesn't seem like much, does it? Opponents are saying that it will cost the poor and they won't be able to afford food. They can probably still get the $50.00 carton of cigarettes, though, on the res. I only mention Ron, because some have now found that it could be that Reagonomics has brought us to where we are.
On another economical note, GM has announced a recall of a million cars that seem to have a problem with the power steering. Most of these cars were assembled in Mexico, not Detroit or some other American city. Does anyone, besides me see the problem with the US government having a big stake in GM and having another country's workers put their cars together? Our people are out of work, so it is time to bring these American owned entities back to our shores. I don't see any recalls for cars that are put together here in the good old USA.
Whatever happened to America that made us go elsewhere to have our manufacturing done? Are our folks less able to do this? NO, we priced ourselves out of jobs. These companiees went overseas because labor was cheap, and our government gave them incentives to go. Now, it should give them incentives to stay, or bring back jobs!
I am not an isolationist. But, I do believe that if a product is going to be made overseas and brought into the country, when it could very well be made here by an American company, then that company should have a high tariff to protect our workers. Companies that leave our shores for the benefits of cheap labor should not receive any tax dollars, nor should they receive any breaks.
This, he says, as he types on a computer marked, "Some components Made in China"
Was my computer made in a sweatshop, like my shoes?
Doughnut
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Annie Could Really See Without Eyes. She Knew About Tomorrow!
Remember the musical "ANNIE"? The one based on Li'l Orphan Annie and Daddy Warbucks? It had a song in it called, Tommorrow. Which contains the line, "...I love you tomorrow..." Well, tomorrow is going to be a banner day. The Cactus League opens Spring Training games here in AZ. There are 14 different major league teams that hold their training camps within an hour of my house and another two that are about an hour and a half away. You know what that means? Summer is not far off, and spring break is just around the corner for those of you in the frozen tundra that is the Midwest and the Northeast.
It also means that March Madness and the Original March Madness is near. What's the difference? The Original March Madness is Illinois High School Basketball. The IHSA coined the phrase, then the NCAA stole it and copywrighted it. So the IHSA worked out a deal where they could call their tourney "Original".
So, here we have, again, a time period where sports overlap. There will be college basketball, pro basketball, baseball of all levels, softball, track and field, hockey, golf, tennis, and my new love, curling, going on at the same time. Later in April, we add football in the form of the Arena League Football as it tries a comeback.
I am not as big a sports nut as I used to be. I would sit down and watch the dramas unfold on the court or field all the time. Now, I have other endeavors that keep my attention. Rock raking, pool cleaning, floor dusting, bed making, and poo picking are just a few of my new found activities. Occasionally I will go for a walk and listen to my iPod.
It is time to shake off the cobwebs, get on the outdoor shoes that are not insulated, pick up the old ball glove and bat, and enjoy the outdoors. Naps will no longer be on couches, but rather on hammocks, beaches, and in spas or on floaties in pools. The order of the day will be sunscreen, not sweatshirts and scarves.
Baseball signals the start of the outdoor season. So grab your kids or your spouse, or your significant other, and go "have a catch." Get that Coppertone Tan.
Doughnut
It also means that March Madness and the Original March Madness is near. What's the difference? The Original March Madness is Illinois High School Basketball. The IHSA coined the phrase, then the NCAA stole it and copywrighted it. So the IHSA worked out a deal where they could call their tourney "Original".
So, here we have, again, a time period where sports overlap. There will be college basketball, pro basketball, baseball of all levels, softball, track and field, hockey, golf, tennis, and my new love, curling, going on at the same time. Later in April, we add football in the form of the Arena League Football as it tries a comeback.
I am not as big a sports nut as I used to be. I would sit down and watch the dramas unfold on the court or field all the time. Now, I have other endeavors that keep my attention. Rock raking, pool cleaning, floor dusting, bed making, and poo picking are just a few of my new found activities. Occasionally I will go for a walk and listen to my iPod.
It is time to shake off the cobwebs, get on the outdoor shoes that are not insulated, pick up the old ball glove and bat, and enjoy the outdoors. Naps will no longer be on couches, but rather on hammocks, beaches, and in spas or on floaties in pools. The order of the day will be sunscreen, not sweatshirts and scarves.
Baseball signals the start of the outdoor season. So grab your kids or your spouse, or your significant other, and go "have a catch." Get that Coppertone Tan.
Doughnut
Monday, March 1, 2010
Time to open an AMAZON account!
Last week was a red letter week for me.
I am going to be a published author! I mean, more than this blog. I am actually going to get my book Growing Up Doughnut published! Authorhouse out of Bloomington, IN is going to publish it for me. I am now part of the growing trend of INDIE publishers. That is not to say that I am from Indiana, or that the publisher is in Indiana (Which it is) but rather that I am an independent publisher.
The story revolves around me as a kid through 12th grade. Now, this is not memoiry tell all. ( I just invented that word, memoiry) It is what my friend, Dr. Bill Gholson, calls creative non-fiction. I take some facts, inject some embellishment, and VOILLE! a story. (my French is not too good, so please excuse the misspelling if there is one)
I have all sorts of characters in the book, most of them my friends. But.... I have changed their names to protect their identities; for the most part. Those that I told about the book and asked if I could use their names and they said yes, well, they are there for posterity. Others whom I did not contact, have their names changed, but they may recognize themselves.
It is the typical growing up story...lots of hearbreaks, pratfalls, and misstakes. I borrow some stories from my brother's life ( mine was not as good as his) and I embellish some stories (Steak and Shake founder visits Do-nut Shop; George Halas drops by on his way to Chicago.) But, all in all, it is a good-natured look at myself and others who shaped my life (ie: teachers and coaches) I have not had a bad life and my friends were not bad friends, so there is no negativity allowed.
That is not to say that there have not been sad times, there have been. And I have tried to recall them also. Hoopeston, IL was a great place to grow up, and I love the town. I cover some historical stuff, but only as it needs to be .
Think of this as Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon on sedatives. You will smile at it, sometimes laugh outloud at it, and you will also cringe at some of the things that happen.
But nobody gets a body shot or will be embarassed by their part in my life.
I want to give a shout out to my peeps that have been helping me with this:
Susie Dayton in Reno, NV helped me by editing the book. Susie is a great catch, and someone out there should be hiring this woman. Talk about skills! She has really helped the book along here.
Scott Baer from here in Phoenix. Scott is giving me some of the pictures for the book that he took circa 1970 when he was in high school at HHS.
Tim Cerka from here in Phoenix. Like most of the Phoenix areas he is an out of work Graphic designer who designed a preliminary book cover for me. We are still seeing if Authorhouse can use it.
My brother, Jim in New Salem, IL. He is supplying pictures of our family "back in the day" He, too, shared the "Doughnut" nondeplume.
Dave Theobald in Bloomington, IL. Dave has written a book, also, and he helped by sending stories and ideas.
Connie Dobkins from California. She is another Hoopestonite who has written four books. She helped me scout out publishers and gave me advice.
Finally, my wife, Dorothy. This lady has allowed me to take a year off and make an attempt at being creative. I know that she loves me and that has made her hold her tongue many times. She has already read the book, and has pronounced it "A BEST SELLER" (just a hint to the critics out there....
The book should be out in late spring or early summer... take me to the beach!
OPRAH! You need to read this book!
Doughnut
I am going to be a published author! I mean, more than this blog. I am actually going to get my book Growing Up Doughnut published! Authorhouse out of Bloomington, IN is going to publish it for me. I am now part of the growing trend of INDIE publishers. That is not to say that I am from Indiana, or that the publisher is in Indiana (Which it is) but rather that I am an independent publisher.
The story revolves around me as a kid through 12th grade. Now, this is not memoiry tell all. ( I just invented that word, memoiry) It is what my friend, Dr. Bill Gholson, calls creative non-fiction. I take some facts, inject some embellishment, and VOILLE! a story. (my French is not too good, so please excuse the misspelling if there is one)
I have all sorts of characters in the book, most of them my friends. But.... I have changed their names to protect their identities; for the most part. Those that I told about the book and asked if I could use their names and they said yes, well, they are there for posterity. Others whom I did not contact, have their names changed, but they may recognize themselves.
It is the typical growing up story...lots of hearbreaks, pratfalls, and misstakes. I borrow some stories from my brother's life ( mine was not as good as his) and I embellish some stories (Steak and Shake founder visits Do-nut Shop; George Halas drops by on his way to Chicago.) But, all in all, it is a good-natured look at myself and others who shaped my life (ie: teachers and coaches) I have not had a bad life and my friends were not bad friends, so there is no negativity allowed.
That is not to say that there have not been sad times, there have been. And I have tried to recall them also. Hoopeston, IL was a great place to grow up, and I love the town. I cover some historical stuff, but only as it needs to be .
Think of this as Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon on sedatives. You will smile at it, sometimes laugh outloud at it, and you will also cringe at some of the things that happen.
But nobody gets a body shot or will be embarassed by their part in my life.
I want to give a shout out to my peeps that have been helping me with this:
Susie Dayton in Reno, NV helped me by editing the book. Susie is a great catch, and someone out there should be hiring this woman. Talk about skills! She has really helped the book along here.
Scott Baer from here in Phoenix. Scott is giving me some of the pictures for the book that he took circa 1970 when he was in high school at HHS.
Tim Cerka from here in Phoenix. Like most of the Phoenix areas he is an out of work Graphic designer who designed a preliminary book cover for me. We are still seeing if Authorhouse can use it.
My brother, Jim in New Salem, IL. He is supplying pictures of our family "back in the day" He, too, shared the "Doughnut" nondeplume.
Dave Theobald in Bloomington, IL. Dave has written a book, also, and he helped by sending stories and ideas.
Connie Dobkins from California. She is another Hoopestonite who has written four books. She helped me scout out publishers and gave me advice.
Finally, my wife, Dorothy. This lady has allowed me to take a year off and make an attempt at being creative. I know that she loves me and that has made her hold her tongue many times. She has already read the book, and has pronounced it "A BEST SELLER" (just a hint to the critics out there....
The book should be out in late spring or early summer... take me to the beach!
OPRAH! You need to read this book!
Doughnut
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