Mini SMART

Well look at what I found today while walking the parking lots around work today. Mini mini is for sure!



As I was taking pictures, a lady walking by asked me if it was my car. "Nope." We chatted for a while. She indicated that the car is popular in Europe AND get around 60 mpg. BUT . . . the U.S. version only gets around 45 mpg. We agreed that it must be due to politics.

And look here. My cilantro plant has arisen from a near death experience! I bought and planted him three weeks ago. Due to the camping trip (bad planning on my part), the little guy looked dead when I returned. Now LOOK -

I applied CPR - started watering a little every morning and the guy has doing great! Check out those new shoots. Alright, now I've got four spices / herbs growing outside my apartment: rosemary, sage, french tarragon, and cilantro. What's next . . . hmmmm.

Well this Saturday, I chose the Luau Party. Had really good time. More so that at the BBQ party last weekend. The excitement at last nights party was one of the guest fell and banged up her elbow and knee pretty good. She was also pretty smashed. I and several other folks helped her with the wounds and held cold ice packs around her neck and forehead. No hurl but I'm sure you can guess the rest.

Movie Survey

ring ring - ring ring [telephone rings]

Me: Hello

Voice: Good evening sir. We are conducting a movie survey and would ask if you have a few moments to participate.

M: Well . . . sure.
V: Have you seen four movies in the theater in the last twelve months?
M: [ponder] Three or four I believe.
V: Good. Lets begin. What movies do you know that are currently playing or are coming soon?
M: [ponder] Incredible Hulk, ummmm, Iron Man, Jumper. [thinking] I know there are more, but that's about what comes to mind.
V: Are there any others.
M: No.
V: Good, that will do. Have you seen the Incredible Hulk in theaters?
M: No.
V: Have you seen a televised preview of this movie?
M: Yes.
V: How likely are you to see this movie in the theater? Your options are: Most definitely, Probably will, may or may not, Probably not, most definitely not.
M: Probably will. (I didn't have the heart to tell him I'll wait until the dollar spot.)
V: Has your family or friends been talking about it?
M: No.
V: Have you heard of the movie The Happening?
M: No.
V: Have you see a preview?
M: No.
V: How likely are you to see it?
M: I don't know. I don't know anything about the movie.
V: I'm sorry sir, what would you say your answer is: Most definitely, Prob . . .
M: Again, I don't know anything about the movie. Could you tell me what he movie is about.
V: I do not know that. Would you see the movie based on the name or the actors or actresses in the movie?
M: I don't know. I do not see a movie solely based on who stars in it. I see a movie based on subject matter.
V: I'm sorry sir, that is not one of the possible selections. Would you say you would see the movie Most definitely . . .
M: Why don't you pick?
V: I'm sorry sir, I cannot do that.
M: Why not? Your pick is as good as mine.
V: Sir, would you say . . . .
M: OK, I'll say Probably Not.
V: That is your answer?
M: Yes.
V: Has your family or friends talked about it?
M: I said earlier I haven't heard of the movie. So that would mean I haven't talked about it with friends . . .

20 minutes later . . . You get the idea. This ensued for a while longer as more movie options followed. Go figure. I'll add that I've edited the above for clarity as the speaker had a heavy accent and I had to ask many times if he could repeat the movie of interest. The survey is skewed if you ask me.

Classifieds

Hmmmm - Lets see . . . . .

[0030 Lost & Found] - LOST Black wallet, has drivers license with name of Henry G Rodriguez, Pajarito Store, (street address). $50 Reward - Call #.

[oo45 Special Notices] - I, Charles W. Sooley, am no longer responsible for any debts other than my own.

[0250 BusinesOppty's] - ** ENTREPRENEURS ** Earn while you learn to invest in real estate! (phone #)

[1060 Computers] - PC Super Deal * Computer System complete, including monitor, keyboard, mouse and software. Used $75. Call #

Interesting.

Fortune Telling

On the topic of Chinese food, I'm still attempting to decipher the fortune cookie message:

"You will make many changes before settling satisfactorily."

Hmmmmmmmm.

Not much on tap today. Basic living stuff. Went to a singles party last night. Was nice. Might have lunch with one of the gals. I emailed her today and we'll see where that goes. Originally met her on the Jemez Camping trip last weekend.

What else. The bills are ready to go out the door tomorrow and I got my dividend check from Amica this last week. (warning - sales pitch) If your not familiar with them, I've got my auto and home (renters) insurance with them. They are a co-op type of company. You pay more upfront for their insurance, but, you will get a dividend check at the end of the year based on the accident rate of the members. If people were good boy's and girls, you'll get a decent return check.

Regarding the Meetup events I've been attending, some how I've managed to double book myself next Saturday night. Now I must choose - luau party or free outdoor music event at Albuquerque's Civic Plaza. [calm down] Must choose, must choose, must choose, . . . . eeek.

Chopstick History

I had Chinese food today at lunch. The package of chopsticks had the following tid-bit of historical data:

"Chopsticks, originated in China during the Shang Dynasty (1766 - 1122 BC), as a substitute for knives at the table. According to Confucius, knives were equated with acts of aggression and should not be used to dine. Chopsticks then became the eating utensils of choice as neighboring Asians countries adopted its use and modified it according to cultural preference."

Slowly but Surely

I believed it would come some day and it appears it is finally here:

Rising wages cause manufacturers to look outside of China.

In a front-page story, the New York Times (6/18, A1, Bradsher) reports that, though "China remains the most popular destination for foreign industrial investment in the world, attracting almost $83 billion" in 2007, "a growing number of multinational corporations are pursuing a strategy that companies and analysts call 'China plus one,' establishing or expanding Asian bases outside China, particularly in Vietnam." Manufacturers' concerns about China include "inflation, shortages of workers and energy, a strengthening currency, changing government policies, even the possibility of widespread civil unrest someday." The deciding factor, however, is that "wages in China are rising close to 25 percent a year in many industries, in dollar terms, and China is no longer such a bargain." China is "running low on able-bodied young workers to send to factories," causing wages to rise "more than 10 percent a year for many assembly-line workers. And pay is rising even faster for skilled workers, like machinery repair technicians."

[news letter from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers - June 18, 2008]

Why?

If your still watching the Lakers -n- Celtics game, your watching because:

1) You just love the Celtics.
2) Point spread.
3) YOU believe in miracles.

Break

Long time, no - well - blog. So what's up with you? With me? Let's see, took a camping trip this last weekend in the Jemez Mountains. Very nice. Photo's you ask? Sorry about that. I'm cameraless at the moment. Let my work partner borrow it. He was in a motorcycle accident a couple of weeks ago and wanted to take pictures of his motorcycle to sue the other party. Haven't seen it since. Now your asking, "So how is he?" He will be OK. He broke his left leg in two places below the knee and also got several cracked vertebrae in the lower lumbar area. Last I heard, doctor said he will make a full recovery. Just left the hospital Sunday.

Camping was good! Got a lot of hiking in. More than I anticipated. Sore? Have done pretty well. Was only sore Monday after sitting for periods longer than 10 minutes. Soreness was only in the joint area of the legs at the hip. Pretty good I'd say. Today, I've been a bit more tired than usual.

Well, I should have more to say, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Maybe because I've got supper on my mind. Need to feed ya know. Until next time - Cheers!

Lets See

Well whats new in la la land. Well for one, had my annual 8 hour Hazwoper refresher course today. I'm good for another year. A sleeper, but well worth it.

Lets see, what else. Game one of the NBA Finals is on television now. Don't really watch sports in general, but I heard there is some sort of rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. So I thought I'd turn it on - in the background. Been doing other things while I've been listing to the game. Looks like their going to tell me something about this rivalry during halftime.

Thinking some more . . . is this the new image? The halftime announcer is wearing one of those mics that reaches down the side of his cheek toward his mouth. What ever happened to the mic hidden in the shirt?

And on more thoughts . . . New Mexico sobriety check commercial on T.V. They are cracking down. And they should.

In other news - my co-worker had an accident on his motorcycle. Thankfully, the man is still kick'en. After all, he's got to save me at work! He broke is left leg in two places below the knee. His back also hurts as he twisted it while being thrown over the car he struck. Accident wasn't his fault. I saw him the other day and he is doing fine. He's a tough guy and I'm glad he's going to be OK.

So how have I been fairing with all my free time now that school is out? Doing fine. I've started making a checklist of things to do. I've started making a weekly schedule and listing things to do each night of the week along with plans for the weekend. I've found it has helped me in two way's - 1) it's gives me defined task to accomplish. Just like school where there are homework and project deadlines that consistently drive you. I've been under that environment for so long, I'm feeling sort of lost. This has also kept me from just wasting my time away. Which I found myself easily doing in the opening day's after school was finished. And 2) it's given me a way to break down all the things I want to do. There is so much to do now, that its all rather overwhelming. Thinking about it, I think I did not accomplish much last summer for that very reason. So this breaks it down into small chucks. And I'm starting to see things results. It will be slow, but at least things are happening.

And finally . . . A gasoline commercial! I tell ya what folks, just bite the bullet. Simply pull up - tank up - drive away. You know you need it. Getting all bent out of shape is not going to change anything. - PEACE.

Reeeelaaaaaxxedd

And I owe it all to . . . .
Pure Amber Draft. Had plans when I got home. Decided to have one of these. Draw line through plans. Step out to patio. Bliss! Been a long time since I've relaxed like this - And actually enjoyed it with no feelings about the time I'm wasting or other things that need to be done. My body just sank.

Did the birthday thing with the folks on Saturday. In picture format . . .





YES! Your eye's are seeing correctly. That IS Hannah Montana. Not bad.

Took a trip out to the river too. Nice.

Played volleyball yesterday as part of one of the singles Meetup events. Hurt my wrist. Not fun. I knew it when it happened. It's a bit swollen today and hurts when I twist it in a certain direction and try to lift things over a certain weight. I don't think I broke it though. Maybe a slightly pulled/torn ligament or maybe a superficial bone crack. I'll have to try to stay off of it as much as possible.

NOW! Back to R-n-R. -Cheers.