Sunday, April 10, 2011
A New Week
Well tomorrow we start a new week. I don't know what it has in store for me; but, then I am continually surprised by things like that.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
I Should Write Something
Saw a disturbing video of some Japanese kids that drove out to the nuclear plant without protection. Read that two City of Los Angeles Building and Safety Inspectors were arrested by the FBI for taking bribes. Now, I ask myself, why was the FBI involved in what appears to be a local matter? Perhaps this is bigger than it first appears. Personally, I think it is the beginning of the end for a whole bunch of crooks.
I wrote a long time back about the mysterious non-appearance of the ex-general manager of that department. He was accused of rape, wasn't charged and left the City. This whole thing smells of a RICO investigation to me; but, what the heck do I know. Tomorrow may be a better day and maybe, just maybe we will see bad behaviour appropriately dealt with and good behaviour rewarded. That would be nice for a change.
I wrote a long time back about the mysterious non-appearance of the ex-general manager of that department. He was accused of rape, wasn't charged and left the City. This whole thing smells of a RICO investigation to me; but, what the heck do I know. Tomorrow may be a better day and maybe, just maybe we will see bad behaviour appropriately dealt with and good behaviour rewarded. That would be nice for a change.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Back Again
I try and post every night; but, sometimes life gets in the way. It has gotten in the way for the past two days, happens that way sometimes. There is a real guy attached to these letters. Sometimes I am amazed that I still post at all.
I watched a movie tonight called "Flipped" directed by Rob Reiner. It is a coming of age story. Hard pressed to call it a love story. It is about two kids that grow up together. The girl loves the boy, the boy doesn't like the girl. Later, the boy likes the girl and she hates him. In the end it works out; but, we never see that part.
The girl in the movie is named Madeline Caroll, I don't know anything about her but she was very charming. Well you have to know I stopped and looked her up, an LA girl who is a big supporter of "Zoe International" (a Christian group that rescues children from Child Prostitution). Sounds like a pretty worthy organization to me. Two different actresses play the girl (age 7 and age 15 or so). The younger one did a great job too, her name is Morgan Lily.
It had been a long day and my youngest daughter and I watched the movie together, although she dozed off for a moment or two. It got me thinking about a radio commercial I heard. The commercial is some father talking about having his daughter come home from college with a boy in tow. The father doesn't want to like the boy; but, cannot help but like him eventually.
Being a dad is hard sometimes. Daughters do usually end up liking boys and make so many mistakes. Especially now when serial dating is the thing. Quantity over quality. As I watched the movie I thought, "I remember when the world was like that". It was more mannered. We taught children to be young men and young ladies, we don't do that enough anymore.
Sorry my brain is drifting. It has been a very long and exhausting day. Be well.
I watched a movie tonight called "Flipped" directed by Rob Reiner. It is a coming of age story. Hard pressed to call it a love story. It is about two kids that grow up together. The girl loves the boy, the boy doesn't like the girl. Later, the boy likes the girl and she hates him. In the end it works out; but, we never see that part.
The girl in the movie is named Madeline Caroll, I don't know anything about her but she was very charming. Well you have to know I stopped and looked her up, an LA girl who is a big supporter of "Zoe International" (a Christian group that rescues children from Child Prostitution). Sounds like a pretty worthy organization to me. Two different actresses play the girl (age 7 and age 15 or so). The younger one did a great job too, her name is Morgan Lily.
It had been a long day and my youngest daughter and I watched the movie together, although she dozed off for a moment or two. It got me thinking about a radio commercial I heard. The commercial is some father talking about having his daughter come home from college with a boy in tow. The father doesn't want to like the boy; but, cannot help but like him eventually.
Being a dad is hard sometimes. Daughters do usually end up liking boys and make so many mistakes. Especially now when serial dating is the thing. Quantity over quality. As I watched the movie I thought, "I remember when the world was like that". It was more mannered. We taught children to be young men and young ladies, we don't do that enough anymore.
Sorry my brain is drifting. It has been a very long and exhausting day. Be well.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Great Article Possibly Short Post
I have my daughter with me and she is not feeling well so this may be a short post.
Throughout history their have been numerous times when animals rained from the sky. Usually fish; but, others too. Well it rained worms, here is the article. Apparently the sky was clear and no clouds. Charles Forte wrote about the articles of it raining animals all over the world, including before planes. The usual answer is that a water spout or tornado picked up the animals far away and then dropped them here (because seeing tornados or water spouts is never reported). I remember one of Mr. Fortes comments, he said, "If it were a tornado or water spout then how come it is always only one type of animal? Nobody can ever answer that.
This time we had it rain worms, how come no beatles or crickets or cats or fish? How come no debris, just the animals. How does a tornado pick up worms or fish and not get grass or bushes or seaweed? How come no water falls down with the fish, wouldn't the water fall first, never reported. Science is funny.
On another science note, the large particle collider in the United States has said that they have made a discovery that will change everything we know about physics. LOL. I told you that no matter what they find it will change how we view physics and this is not the whole answer. Only the Higgs Boson can prove God right and science wrong 100%. Now here is my question.
If quantum physics proves that we are nothing more than sentience and that all you think is real is a projection of that sentience, what then, how would you view the world? What would you think reality was? Then you find out that there are other sentient beings that we cannot see in this reality; but, they are very real? How would you classify these beings, angels and demons, aliens, alternate universe beings? Would it shake your beliefs?
How would you choose what to believe they were, how do you properly analyze what these beings are? Do you base it just on your current beliefs (spiritual people assume they are angels and demons, aethiests assume they are aliens and new agers believe they are assended beings) or do you not accept your beliefs and independently investigate. It is claimed that the indians believed the Spaniards were Gods returning.
Anyways have a great week.
Throughout history their have been numerous times when animals rained from the sky. Usually fish; but, others too. Well it rained worms, here is the article. Apparently the sky was clear and no clouds. Charles Forte wrote about the articles of it raining animals all over the world, including before planes. The usual answer is that a water spout or tornado picked up the animals far away and then dropped them here (because seeing tornados or water spouts is never reported). I remember one of Mr. Fortes comments, he said, "If it were a tornado or water spout then how come it is always only one type of animal? Nobody can ever answer that.
This time we had it rain worms, how come no beatles or crickets or cats or fish? How come no debris, just the animals. How does a tornado pick up worms or fish and not get grass or bushes or seaweed? How come no water falls down with the fish, wouldn't the water fall first, never reported. Science is funny.
On another science note, the large particle collider in the United States has said that they have made a discovery that will change everything we know about physics. LOL. I told you that no matter what they find it will change how we view physics and this is not the whole answer. Only the Higgs Boson can prove God right and science wrong 100%. Now here is my question.
If quantum physics proves that we are nothing more than sentience and that all you think is real is a projection of that sentience, what then, how would you view the world? What would you think reality was? Then you find out that there are other sentient beings that we cannot see in this reality; but, they are very real? How would you classify these beings, angels and demons, aliens, alternate universe beings? Would it shake your beliefs?
How would you choose what to believe they were, how do you properly analyze what these beings are? Do you base it just on your current beliefs (spiritual people assume they are angels and demons, aethiests assume they are aliens and new agers believe they are assended beings) or do you not accept your beliefs and independently investigate. It is claimed that the indians believed the Spaniards were Gods returning.
Anyways have a great week.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
It's a Trick, A Cookie You Want to Believe In
Millions of people are in default of their home loans. Trillions of dollars are at risk if these homes foreclose. Nobody wins if everybody loses. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now completely owned by the Federal Government. It makes up like 70% of all mortgages. LOL, you probably live in federal housing and don't know it. They contract out the processing of the mortgages to CitiMortgage and many other banks and mortgage companies; but, the debt is to the fed.
In order to manage the loans in default, the government created another company. I can't think of the name of it; but, courts are saying that this new company cannot foreclose because it doesn't have the proper paperwork. Now courts are saying that the mortgage companies have faulty paperwork AND THE COURTS ARE GIVING THE HOMES TO THE PEOPLE WITH NO NEED TO PAY.
It would be one thing if they let people out of their debts; but, letting them keep the house is insane. They had a mortgage and did take a debt, they should be required to pay some of it to keep the house. The cookie is immense if it is given out much more. Not gonna happen, instead Fannie and Freddie will refinance for a percentage of the original. It is a trick.
In order to manage the loans in default, the government created another company. I can't think of the name of it; but, courts are saying that this new company cannot foreclose because it doesn't have the proper paperwork. Now courts are saying that the mortgage companies have faulty paperwork AND THE COURTS ARE GIVING THE HOMES TO THE PEOPLE WITH NO NEED TO PAY.
It would be one thing if they let people out of their debts; but, letting them keep the house is insane. They had a mortgage and did take a debt, they should be required to pay some of it to keep the house. The cookie is immense if it is given out much more. Not gonna happen, instead Fannie and Freddie will refinance for a percentage of the original. It is a trick.
Monday, April 4, 2011
What is Love?
What is love, I mean really, what is it? How do you know when your in love, how do you know if it is love or the need to have urges filled? How do you know that?
I don't think I know the answer. Have I been in love, I don't know, what is near love? If love is the most you can ever feel for another being, how do you know when you have hit your limit of it? Gay, straight, perverted, isn't love still love even when it is wrong? Perhaps the focus should not be on how we feel (love) but instead on whether we do what is right. Selfless rather than selfish, perhaps love can only be judged by what we give and not what we get?
There are less than 97 hits when I google your name, if I use your name you will know, so I will not use it, that is called faith. Faith is not belief and it is not trust it is reliance, it is when your heart goes all in. That is love, do you have love, have you ever felt it? What did it feel like, how did you know it was love rather than urge gratification? How do you know when you made someone happier than you felt, how do you know that? Be well.
I don't think I know the answer. Have I been in love, I don't know, what is near love? If love is the most you can ever feel for another being, how do you know when you have hit your limit of it? Gay, straight, perverted, isn't love still love even when it is wrong? Perhaps the focus should not be on how we feel (love) but instead on whether we do what is right. Selfless rather than selfish, perhaps love can only be judged by what we give and not what we get?
There are less than 97 hits when I google your name, if I use your name you will know, so I will not use it, that is called faith. Faith is not belief and it is not trust it is reliance, it is when your heart goes all in. That is love, do you have love, have you ever felt it? What did it feel like, how did you know it was love rather than urge gratification? How do you know when you made someone happier than you felt, how do you know that? Be well.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Commerce Casino and My Favorite Poker Player
I play tournament poker and have won a couple of them. Texas No Limit Holdem is wonderful. It is my favorite game in the world. There are many types of players and my favorite is a young man named Daniel Negreanu the guy is amazing. His greatest strength is his ability to know what is in your hand. I have enjoyed watching his play over the years.
Well, there is also a casino that I will never play at, it is the Commerce Casino. I don't hate the place, I don't play there because I use it for meetings. They have a nice little restaurant and the staff have always been friendly to me. My housemate does play there and he thinks the service is terrible. We have different experiences.
Anyways, Daniel posted on his blog about some practices he believes are going on at the adjacent hotel and he really went out swinging. I have never stayed at the hotel so I have no opinion. Having said that, Daniel and some of the best players in the world (actually Phil Helmuth was there too - the man with the most bracelets) apparently all had the same experience.
Here is a link to Daniel's post about his experience. Sorry, I have to mention that Phil Laak and Jennifer Tily were also with Daniel and Phil was kind enough to give a friend of mine an autograph at the event. My experience with pro players is that they tend to be fairly nice. I personally met Chris Ferguson and he was wonderful. I am going to digress for a moment.
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson was at the Rio All Suite Casino for the World Series of Poker and I was staying at the hotel. I saw him from about ten feet away, he was surrounded by some very beautiful women and a couple of guys. I really like Chris's play and he is a very big star in poker. One of the ladies standing in the group noticed my stare and smiled. I looked at her and silently mouthed "Is that him". The beautiful young lady smiled and waved me over. She did too. Mr. Ferguson noticed her bring me over and put out his hand to let me shake it. I told him, "It is a pleasure to meet you, I really enjoy watching you play." I don't remember what he said, I was surprised he would allow himself to be interrupted while the series was going on. I have never met a stuck up poker pro.
Back to the Commerce Casino. For Daniel to write what he did and name names is a big deal. Daniel's attitude and approach were exactly what I would expect of the young man, he is maturing nicely. He took a measured approach and he mentioned the good things about the casino, he didn't need to, he makes plenty of money without going there. He measured his words and did not threaten to never go there again. Pretty mature for "Kid Poker". I continue to enjoy watching him play and progress. And he better get 12 bracelets someday.
This post doesn't really fit in with the blog; but, it does. It is what I see and what I think about. There are still decent people in the world and people still do decent things, we can't forget about all the good going on around us. It doesn't surprise me to find corruption in the City of Commerce, they are no better than the city of Bell. The city government there needs a real good federal audit.
In the book "Don Quixote" there is a phrase. They describe Don Quixote's assistant as being as honest as a poor man can be. The phrase caught my attention. There are times when a poor person may need to steal a loaf of bread to survive. The problem is that if the people in power steal than there is nothing to tell the people who are poor why they should not steal and there are more of them. That is where this society is at. Still there are also people like Daniel (not poor) who don't take the room from the people who are poor, he didn't cheat and maybe that is why I like professional poker players, you can't be a cheater.
Let me explain. If you are a professional poker player and you are ever caught cheating, you will never play in a pro game again, ever. You most certainly will not play against pros in a cash game, not gonna happen. Bluffing is very important in poker; but, cheating cannot be tolerated. It is one of the few professions where cheating or defaulting on a bet removes you from the profession, not legally, it is just that nobody will play you. That is what pro poker players are like.
The grumpiest player in poker is hard to choose, it could be Phil Helmuth or the Mouth; but, I bet they are honest. I also bet that they would be pleasent in person off the felt (by that I mean away from the table). You want to see honesty in a sport, Professional poker players on television show every hand to the camera while playing it. Their opponents can't see it; but, later they get to see every hand. Daniel must scare them as he correctly calls most of his opponents hands. You don't show your cards unless you are paid to. They all do now.
Be well and do something nice for someone today.
Well, there is also a casino that I will never play at, it is the Commerce Casino. I don't hate the place, I don't play there because I use it for meetings. They have a nice little restaurant and the staff have always been friendly to me. My housemate does play there and he thinks the service is terrible. We have different experiences.
Anyways, Daniel posted on his blog about some practices he believes are going on at the adjacent hotel and he really went out swinging. I have never stayed at the hotel so I have no opinion. Having said that, Daniel and some of the best players in the world (actually Phil Helmuth was there too - the man with the most bracelets) apparently all had the same experience.
Here is a link to Daniel's post about his experience. Sorry, I have to mention that Phil Laak and Jennifer Tily were also with Daniel and Phil was kind enough to give a friend of mine an autograph at the event. My experience with pro players is that they tend to be fairly nice. I personally met Chris Ferguson and he was wonderful. I am going to digress for a moment.
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson was at the Rio All Suite Casino for the World Series of Poker and I was staying at the hotel. I saw him from about ten feet away, he was surrounded by some very beautiful women and a couple of guys. I really like Chris's play and he is a very big star in poker. One of the ladies standing in the group noticed my stare and smiled. I looked at her and silently mouthed "Is that him". The beautiful young lady smiled and waved me over. She did too. Mr. Ferguson noticed her bring me over and put out his hand to let me shake it. I told him, "It is a pleasure to meet you, I really enjoy watching you play." I don't remember what he said, I was surprised he would allow himself to be interrupted while the series was going on. I have never met a stuck up poker pro.
Back to the Commerce Casino. For Daniel to write what he did and name names is a big deal. Daniel's attitude and approach were exactly what I would expect of the young man, he is maturing nicely. He took a measured approach and he mentioned the good things about the casino, he didn't need to, he makes plenty of money without going there. He measured his words and did not threaten to never go there again. Pretty mature for "Kid Poker". I continue to enjoy watching him play and progress. And he better get 12 bracelets someday.
This post doesn't really fit in with the blog; but, it does. It is what I see and what I think about. There are still decent people in the world and people still do decent things, we can't forget about all the good going on around us. It doesn't surprise me to find corruption in the City of Commerce, they are no better than the city of Bell. The city government there needs a real good federal audit.
In the book "Don Quixote" there is a phrase. They describe Don Quixote's assistant as being as honest as a poor man can be. The phrase caught my attention. There are times when a poor person may need to steal a loaf of bread to survive. The problem is that if the people in power steal than there is nothing to tell the people who are poor why they should not steal and there are more of them. That is where this society is at. Still there are also people like Daniel (not poor) who don't take the room from the people who are poor, he didn't cheat and maybe that is why I like professional poker players, you can't be a cheater.
Let me explain. If you are a professional poker player and you are ever caught cheating, you will never play in a pro game again, ever. You most certainly will not play against pros in a cash game, not gonna happen. Bluffing is very important in poker; but, cheating cannot be tolerated. It is one of the few professions where cheating or defaulting on a bet removes you from the profession, not legally, it is just that nobody will play you. That is what pro poker players are like.
The grumpiest player in poker is hard to choose, it could be Phil Helmuth or the Mouth; but, I bet they are honest. I also bet that they would be pleasent in person off the felt (by that I mean away from the table). You want to see honesty in a sport, Professional poker players on television show every hand to the camera while playing it. Their opponents can't see it; but, later they get to see every hand. Daniel must scare them as he correctly calls most of his opponents hands. You don't show your cards unless you are paid to. They all do now.
Be well and do something nice for someone today.
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