BACKSTORY - After being married on 08/14/2004, on June 1, 2008, Aletha informed me that she was leaving the marriage after spending the prior two weeks out every night with who she claimed were her friends she had met. She claimed she was moving in with a girlfriend, proceeded to remove her belongings from the house and left all 3 children with me. Two weeks later, she came and got Jaedin to go live with her and her new boyfriend who she had been seeing while we were still living together, and had been living with. We agreed on a visitation schedule where she would have the boys every other weekend, and I would have Jaedin every other weekend, so the children were together every weekend. There were a few documented times when she did not pick up the boys from daycare, or failed to pick them up for the weekend, but pretty much, for 2 years we kept to this schedule. Jaedin always wanted to come stay with me during her breaks from school and spent the vast majority of her time off at my house, even if it was only an extra day during a holiday weekend, she was here with me and the boys. One of Aletha's scheduled weekends happened to fall on a weekend where Jaedin had a Girl Scout camp out. Aletha was not able to take all of the kids camping, so I went with Jaedin (on my off weekend) and spent Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning on her Girl Scout camping trip with her. I have tried to be a father to a little girl who doesn't have her biological father in the picture since she was 14 months old, and now she is being turned against me by her manipulating mother.
The Boys: I have taken care of Carson and Peyton (my biological sons, ages 5 and 6 currently) on a day-in day-out basis for two years since their mother left. Their mother has bought them some clothes, and gotten them a couple hair cuts, but otherwise has not contributed to raising them, or paying any bills for daycare, schooling, or living expenses. They are physically and mentally healthy, are doing well in school and making new friends there.
Divorce proceedings: I contacted a lawyer a few weeks after Aletha left and she provided me with the Missouri Parenting Plan, and documents to start the divorce process. The cost to go thru with the divorce was more than I could afford, so it was put on the back burner until I was financially able to spare the money. I was informed that divorced or not, Aletha would still be found liable for child support. After losing my job on March 15, 2010, I applied for State Assistance. During this process, it was also made clear that the State would require Aletha to pay child support. The case number is being established with the state - case # 21352831 - but evidently is a slow process.
Friday, May 21, 2010. The boys went to school today and were picked up by their mother for her usual weekend visitation. For the past two years, she has had them every other weekend, and Jaedin has come over to my house on the "off" weekends so the kids are together every weekend. I get a phone call at 1:30 AM Saturday morning from Aletha telling me that Carson is sick and needs to go to the doctor. He had a temperature, and was wheezing. I told her to take him to the hospital, and a huge argument ensued. The next morning, she called back, claiming she needed his insurance card to take him to a clinic. I told her she needed to take him to Truman Med Center, another fight ensued, and ended with me going over to pick up Carson and take him to the hospital. When I arrived, she packed both of the boys things and sent them both with me. Carson was diagnosed with Strep Throat and they checked for any signs of pneumonia by doing chest x-rays, treated his wheezing with breathing treatments of Albuterol, and started him on antibiotics. (no pneumonia was found, but the threat was there requiring close observation over the next couple of days). The Clinic she wanted to take him to does not do x rays, and would have just sent her to the Hospital anyway. She never called Saturday to find out how he was, but did call on Sunday - this was a short conversation where I informed her that he had strep and would be fine.
Tuesday May 25, 2010 - 8:30 AM - I get a call from Jaedin telling me that she didn't want to come over anymore because I was "being mean" to her mom, and using words and phrases that were obviously coached to her from her mother. Of course, when Jaedin is here, she claims she "hates it" over at her mom's, they are "mean" to her, and do not treat her equally to Aletha's new boyfriends' children. From an 8 yr old, I take this with a grain of salt.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 - Aletha called me crying tonight, telling me she had been "kicked out of the house" - evidently her boyfriend and her got in a fight and he booted her out. She took Jaedin and went to Jaedin's friend and neighbor. She is "homeless" now and evidently is going to the State for help - that is good, because the State is going after her for child support. The State required Carson and I to be DNA tested because we were not married when we had him in Arizona. The results came in the mail today - I, obviously, AM his father, well, at least it's a 99.99% chance according to the results. So now that makes Jaedin homeless - which she isn't because she can always come stay here, in fact, if this goes as it seems, I will insist that Jaedin lives here. This was supposed to be "her weekend", but obviously she is unable to take them, so I am getting Jaedin tomorrow and a weekend at the Lake. We will see what happens tonight, tomorrow, and over the weekend - at least the Kids and I will be having fun, as we always do.
Sunday, June 20, 2010 - Returned home from the lake with the kids to find Aletha had moved back in with her boyfriend that had kicked her out. I asked that since I had the kids on my "off" weekend, if she was going to take them for the next 2 weekends to "even" it out - I got a "NO" reply, that she would not make up the missed time, but wanted to pick the boys up from school Wednesday and Thursday night to see their Grandfather who was coming in town to visit - of course, I obliged. I will not refuse the kids time with family.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - Aletha picked up the kids from school as discussed to spend time with their grandfather. Unfortunately, their grandfather never came into town. She expressed that she might not be able to pick them up on time for the Thursday night visit we had arranged, so I picked them up myself, as usual.
Thursday 7/1/2010 - After receiving paperwork from the State of Missouri in regard to child support - Aletha calls me and "freaks out". She threatens to take the kids this weekend and not allow me to pick them up. What she doesn't realize is that we have a legally binding verbal agreement that she would have the boys every other weekend, to be returned on Sunday - if she doesn't allow me to pick them up, she is breaking the law. Also, since she did not take the kids on her last weekend, I assumed that maybe she would want to keep them on Monday as the kids do not have school in observance of Independence Day - when I posed this question, she replied "we have plans" and that she is sending Jaedin to her boyfriend's parents house for the day. Funny how whenever it is my weekend with Jaedin and there is no school on Monday, she always stays the extra day with me, but in the same scenario, it is unacceptable for her... we will see, but I can almost guarantee that come Sunday when I go to pick up the boys, Jaedin comes to stay the night with us and celebrate the 4th of July.
Sunday July 4, 2010 - as I thought - Aletha brought the boys and Jaedin over at 4 PM. I knew I'd have all 3 for the 4th, not to mention she didn't get them ANY fireworks, or anything else for the 4th... it was all up to me to make sure they had a good time, and we did! Dad comes through AGAIN.
More to come as the situation unfolds.....
Many more issues posted on facebook throughout the year.
January 2011 - Aletha leaves for Wisconsin to live with her Mother after being kicked out of her Boyfriend's trailor for the 3rd time taking Jaedin with her.
- 3 months go by with some phone and internet contact.
April 2011 - Aletha and Jaedin return to the trailor after a falling out with her Mom, visitation resumes as before.
Easter break 2011 - it is Aletha's "weekend" with the kids, but she refuses to take them for any extra days, as they are out of school on Good Friday, and the following Monday.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
My Video Game History....
I consider myself an old school gamer. I have literally lived through the entire process of video gaming. My grandparents had PONG (made by Atari), the first game you could plug into a TV and play. These are the games I am talking about, although as a youth I played hundreds of hours on arcade type games and pinball, I am relegating this rant to the video games played in your home on thru a TV set or monitor. Now, I am a very competitive person by nature, so I take gaming to another level, whether it be against a person, a program, or some fictional character. I want to win, complete the missions, beat the machine, what ever it is, I take it personally. There is only a short list of my favorite games, as to total value, but first, some history:
PONG - 1974 Atari's first in home, plug into your TV and play video game. I was 7 when my Dad bought a PONG for my grandparents, surely to entertain us grand-kids when we were there. It was the tennis game, a bouncing "ball" and 2 short straight lines that you would move up and down with the "controllers", basic knobs that turned.
ATARI 2600 - My first gaming system. Released in October of 1977, just in time for my 9th birthday, this machine opened the door to home video gaming. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based
hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in. Pac-Man at home, followed by many, many other titles popularized by arcade gaming. The first "adventure game" I can remember - PITFALL - I dare you to come up with a different one - unlocked a part of my soul yearning for a quest. The initial price $199.
COLECO TELSTAR ARCADE - the PONG upgrade at the grandparents' house - 1978. This incorporated a steering wheel and gun into the mix in an all in one machine. Fun, simple, could shoot stuff on the TV, "drive" a car, and had the PONG type dial controllers. This was X-mas when I was 10, but stayed at my grandparents' house. Games were getting more interactive.
MATTEL INTELLIVISION - The 80's have begun, and the introduction to a keyboard
into the home. I remember not liking this one much. The sound and graphics were MUCH improved over the Atari, but what I did not see was the age of Home Computers taking shape. The Intellivision controllers simply had too many buttons, most of which went unused, a weird disc type turn thingy, and the actual keyboard that plugged into it was never actually released. ATARI was still winning out with many more games, until the Sky opened up and the Heavens sent forth the next generation of home video games...
NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - The "NES" - more games, better graphics, and one word - MARIO. 1985 was the year, I was a Sophomore in high school and Ronald Reagan was
creating millionaires, and the "baby boomer's" babies were coming of age. This system revitalized the home video gaming market, and left Atari in the dust. With the controller configuration that is still used today, the quality and amount of games, and graphics like never before seen on your TV at home, NINTENDO opened the door to intense game play and player interface.
SEGA GENESIS - It was 1989 - for almost 5 years, the NES dominated the market. Enter a 16
bit, graphically superior system. Known for great sports games, thru the support of EA Sports, the SEGA took over as the "gamer's system" and introduced us to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. The Law of Accelerating Returns was at work, and gaming systems just got better and better, faster and faster, and developers were/are on the constant quest for the "next generation" of home video gaming. I would say this was the time of my life where I did the least gaming. Although I loved the sports gaming aspect and played whenever I could. This system was the first "disc system" that most consumers owned. DVD's wouldn't be commonplace for a few more years.
SONY PLAYSTATION - 1995 - Video gaming for me would never be the same again. I was addicted like when I was 9. Countless are the hours I spent playing my PLAYSTATION. I still own a PS1, the smaller version, today and it is in my daughter's
room on her TV. The ability to play music CD's was an added bonus to the intense graphics and game play. One of my many favorites was Gran Tourismo, in my opinion, still one of the best racing games out there. But what really turned me on was the adventure games - Tomb Raider - for one. The ability to explore the surroundings, the plethora of physical "tricks", the amount and intensity of the "monsters", and the "real looking" graphics all added up to hooking me into Adventure games. Of course, EA Sports also had the best sports gaming with MADDEN, NHL, MLB, etc...
NINTENDO 64 - 1996 - Back to the cartridge games, but again, NINTENDO outdoes itself, and it's
MARIO to the rescue, and he brought YOSHI along this time. EA sports also stuck with them, but in my opinion, the EA games for the PLAYSTATION are better on all fronts. Again, I still own one, and it is hooked into one of 2 TV's in the Playroom of my house. My kids play it occasionally, when they are fighting over who wants to play what (we have a video game mecca in my house) it gives them many options, and the games for these systems are very economical, and don't scratch like a CD does when handled by little people.
SONY PLAYSTATION 2 - The new Millennium hits and it just keeps getting better! The year is 2001. Now playing new PS2 games, the old PS1 games, Cd's, and DVD's, the PS2 is an entertainment system all to itself. Enter the GRAND THEFT AUTO series, the most interactive, largest area just an unbelievable amount of scenarios
to numerous to explain. Crystal clear digital graphics and colorful language, "Adult gaming" was born. From GTA III to SAN ANDREAS, the games got bigger and bigger with more and more to do making it next to impossible to complete 100% of the game. I have been playing these games for years, never completing them 100%... it seemed the next step would be physical interaction, more than tapping buttons, to enhance the gaming World and that is just what we got...
NINTENDO Wii - bought in 2009 - real, physically interacting game play. The Wii starts you off with Wii Sports,
basically teaching you how to swing the controllers and nunchuk to achieve the desired action on the screen. Virtual Reality in front of your face. The Wii also accesses the internet via wireless technology giving you a computer on your TV as well as the creation of your own iconic "Mii" - a virtual self - for some game play. Technically, it works like this: (From http://www.thegameconsole.com/videogames01.htm) The Wii Remote is a one-handed controller that uses a combination of accelerometers and infrared detection to sense its position in 3D space. This allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as traditional button presses. The controller connects to the console using Bluetooth, and features force feedback, 4KB non-volatile memory and an internal speaker. Perhaps the most important of these devices is the Nunchuk unit, which features an accelerometer and a traditional analog stick with two trigger buttons. In addition, an attachable wrist strap can be used to prevent the player from unintentionally dropping or throwing the device.
The new revolution is only a couple years away I am sure, when we will put on a suit to interact with the games.... and I can't wait... For now, I am content with my gaming systems, and the systems my kids have. In addition to the TV played games, we also have the personal gaming systems too - NINTENDO DS and SONY PSP - but that is another Blog all together. MARIO will have new adventures, as will I, and they will get closer to reality each time.... maybe I should go outside and experience some REALITY... nah!... Reality bites, no one gets hurt in virtual reality!
So that is my own personal history of gaming systems I have owned. I know there is XBOX, PS3, and others out there, I simply haven't owned them, and really haven't even played them much. For my money, and the evolution of the games that go with it, the Wii ranks at the TOP of my list.... and I am not sure how it will be beat.
PONG - 1974 Atari's first in home, plug into your TV and play video game. I was 7 when my Dad bought a PONG for my grandparents, surely to entertain us grand-kids when we were there. It was the tennis game, a bouncing "ball" and 2 short straight lines that you would move up and down with the "controllers", basic knobs that turned.
ATARI 2600 - My first gaming system. Released in October of 1977, just in time for my 9th birthday, this machine opened the door to home video gaming. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based
hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in. Pac-Man at home, followed by many, many other titles popularized by arcade gaming. The first "adventure game" I can remember - PITFALL - I dare you to come up with a different one - unlocked a part of my soul yearning for a quest. The initial price $199.
COLECO TELSTAR ARCADE - the PONG upgrade at the grandparents' house - 1978. This incorporated a steering wheel and gun into the mix in an all in one machine. Fun, simple, could shoot stuff on the TV, "drive" a car, and had the PONG type dial controllers. This was X-mas when I was 10, but stayed at my grandparents' house. Games were getting more interactive.
MATTEL INTELLIVISION - The 80's have begun, and the introduction to a keyboard
into the home. I remember not liking this one much. The sound and graphics were MUCH improved over the Atari, but what I did not see was the age of Home Computers taking shape. The Intellivision controllers simply had too many buttons, most of which went unused, a weird disc type turn thingy, and the actual keyboard that plugged into it was never actually released. ATARI was still winning out with many more games, until the Sky opened up and the Heavens sent forth the next generation of home video games...NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - The "NES" - more games, better graphics, and one word - MARIO. 1985 was the year, I was a Sophomore in high school and Ronald Reagan was
creating millionaires, and the "baby boomer's" babies were coming of age. This system revitalized the home video gaming market, and left Atari in the dust. With the controller configuration that is still used today, the quality and amount of games, and graphics like never before seen on your TV at home, NINTENDO opened the door to intense game play and player interface.SEGA GENESIS - It was 1989 - for almost 5 years, the NES dominated the market. Enter a 16
bit, graphically superior system. Known for great sports games, thru the support of EA Sports, the SEGA took over as the "gamer's system" and introduced us to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. The Law of Accelerating Returns was at work, and gaming systems just got better and better, faster and faster, and developers were/are on the constant quest for the "next generation" of home video gaming. I would say this was the time of my life where I did the least gaming. Although I loved the sports gaming aspect and played whenever I could. This system was the first "disc system" that most consumers owned. DVD's wouldn't be commonplace for a few more years.SONY PLAYSTATION - 1995 - Video gaming for me would never be the same again. I was addicted like when I was 9. Countless are the hours I spent playing my PLAYSTATION. I still own a PS1, the smaller version, today and it is in my daughter's
room on her TV. The ability to play music CD's was an added bonus to the intense graphics and game play. One of my many favorites was Gran Tourismo, in my opinion, still one of the best racing games out there. But what really turned me on was the adventure games - Tomb Raider - for one. The ability to explore the surroundings, the plethora of physical "tricks", the amount and intensity of the "monsters", and the "real looking" graphics all added up to hooking me into Adventure games. Of course, EA Sports also had the best sports gaming with MADDEN, NHL, MLB, etc...NINTENDO 64 - 1996 - Back to the cartridge games, but again, NINTENDO outdoes itself, and it's
MARIO to the rescue, and he brought YOSHI along this time. EA sports also stuck with them, but in my opinion, the EA games for the PLAYSTATION are better on all fronts. Again, I still own one, and it is hooked into one of 2 TV's in the Playroom of my house. My kids play it occasionally, when they are fighting over who wants to play what (we have a video game mecca in my house) it gives them many options, and the games for these systems are very economical, and don't scratch like a CD does when handled by little people.SONY PLAYSTATION 2 - The new Millennium hits and it just keeps getting better! The year is 2001. Now playing new PS2 games, the old PS1 games, Cd's, and DVD's, the PS2 is an entertainment system all to itself. Enter the GRAND THEFT AUTO series, the most interactive, largest area just an unbelievable amount of scenarios
to numerous to explain. Crystal clear digital graphics and colorful language, "Adult gaming" was born. From GTA III to SAN ANDREAS, the games got bigger and bigger with more and more to do making it next to impossible to complete 100% of the game. I have been playing these games for years, never completing them 100%... it seemed the next step would be physical interaction, more than tapping buttons, to enhance the gaming World and that is just what we got...NINTENDO Wii - bought in 2009 - real, physically interacting game play. The Wii starts you off with Wii Sports,
basically teaching you how to swing the controllers and nunchuk to achieve the desired action on the screen. Virtual Reality in front of your face. The Wii also accesses the internet via wireless technology giving you a computer on your TV as well as the creation of your own iconic "Mii" - a virtual self - for some game play. Technically, it works like this: (From http://www.thegameconsole.com/videogames01.htm) The Wii Remote is a one-handed controller that uses a combination of accelerometers and infrared detection to sense its position in 3D space. This allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as traditional button presses. The controller connects to the console using Bluetooth, and features force feedback, 4KB non-volatile memory and an internal speaker. Perhaps the most important of these devices is the Nunchuk unit, which features an accelerometer and a traditional analog stick with two trigger buttons. In addition, an attachable wrist strap can be used to prevent the player from unintentionally dropping or throwing the device.The new revolution is only a couple years away I am sure, when we will put on a suit to interact with the games.... and I can't wait... For now, I am content with my gaming systems, and the systems my kids have. In addition to the TV played games, we also have the personal gaming systems too - NINTENDO DS and SONY PSP - but that is another Blog all together. MARIO will have new adventures, as will I, and they will get closer to reality each time.... maybe I should go outside and experience some REALITY... nah!... Reality bites, no one gets hurt in virtual reality!
So that is my own personal history of gaming systems I have owned. I know there is XBOX, PS3, and others out there, I simply haven't owned them, and really haven't even played them much. For my money, and the evolution of the games that go with it, the Wii ranks at the TOP of my list.... and I am not sure how it will be beat.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Politics
Wow - OK - DISCLAIMER: The views expressed here are not the basis for debate or ridicule. This is MY blog, therefore MY thoughts. You are the reader, I am the commentator. This Blog is simply a place to gather my "Random thoughts".
Are we in a Democracy or a Republic - much debate on this one, but most everything I look at (google - Republic or Democracy) says that technically, we are a Republic, although both have many of the exact traits, there is one distinct difference: "In a republic the sovereignty is in each individual person. In a democracy the sovereignty is in the group." Also, in a Republic, people elect officials to vote on laws. So ends this debate, the USA is a Democratic Republic... moving on...
I consider myself a Republican. That being said, I am not an extreme right winger. In fact, I lean a little left on certain issues, right on others, and somewhere in between on the majority. For instance, I am pro-choice, but I don't think the government should pay for abortions - I support enforcement of immigration laws, but don't really think a big wall around the border is necessary, I do not support Government bailouts of private businesses, let them file chapter 11 like everyone else, restructure, and maybe be managed better - Health care - well, the current system needs to change, but I am not so hip on FORCING everyone to carry health care. I want smaller government, less taxes, and more freedoms. I also want to feel safe and secure in my own country, state, city, and community. I want my children to not inherit the gigantic debt that we have accrued, and to have an opportunity to get a good education. I think the government SHOULD help people who find themselves on hard times, but there has to be limitations, such as based on a person's body of work, and dedication to finding employment - in other words, help those that are willing to help themselves get out of the need for Government assistance. Socialism scares me, I am a capitalist... if you can make that money, go do it, and you shouldn't have to share it at an exponentially greater rate. A "flat tax" - maybe, haven't looked into that much, I'll save that for another day. I am pro legalization of marijuana, but not for an end to the 'War on Drugs" - I do not consider marijuana a synthetic drug. It is a plant. It grows wild in nature. It is not processed, distilled, or chemically induced in any way. It's physical harms are less than that of tobacco or alcohol, as are it's addictive qualities. Marijuana is not physically addictive, nor does it have a negative influence upon one's personality. (at least, I have never heard of a "mean pot head" - but many "mean drunks") Possibly the best argument for legalization is a monetary one. Literally billions of dollars of tax revenue could be earned, and billions of dollars in legal costs of enforcement, prosecution, and incarceration could be saved. We will see what happens in California this year, and if people agree with me. As for the new immigration law in Arizona - I am all for it. Illegal immigrants cost the US billions of dollars and are the basis for human trafficking and drug smuggling. (side note - another pro for marijuana legalization - take that game away from the smugglers) The federal government isn't doing much to uphold the laws already in place, so if the state wants to crack down, and it is approved my the vast majority of people in that state - then by all means, do what you need to do to protect your citizens and economy.... this is the same way I feel about Kansans coming into Missouri, but again, a topic for another day.... On Cinco De Mayo 2010, 5 students in Southern California were sent home for wearing t-shirts with American Flags on them, The Mexican-American students were "offended" it being "their National Holiday" - OK - listen - This is the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, and no matter what day it is, it is NEVER wrong to wear the colors of our country. Funny thing, the day after this all happened, the Mexican-American students and others, formed a rally and a protest, when the school district reprimanded the principal, siting FREE SPEECH - in other words, they exercised their right to free speech, by protesting an other's right to free speech.... really? Yes. Now Mexican and Latino leaders are FUMING! Actually calling for a revolt, an uprising, against what one radical called "the frail White people" - and they call US racist. This guy was praising Fidel Castro. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but haven't thousands upon thousands of immigrants fled the tyranny in Cuba to get here in the first place? As long as they go through the proper channels of immigration, I have no issue with that. And here are these very same immigrants, now protesting and calling for a revolt, against the very thing they came here for in the first place! Will we have another Civil War? - I can guarantee it wouldn't end pretty, way to many Americans have weapons. So, with all this said, (note -I didn't call out the president, or anyone else) do my views make me a Republican? I hope they don't make me a Democrat. Could I be a Libertarian? I think they are all crooked.... but ya gotta vote for somebody, and I will stay liberally conservative, for now anyway.
Are we in a Democracy or a Republic - much debate on this one, but most everything I look at (google - Republic or Democracy) says that technically, we are a Republic, although both have many of the exact traits, there is one distinct difference: "In a republic the sovereignty is in each individual person. In a democracy the sovereignty is in the group." Also, in a Republic, people elect officials to vote on laws. So ends this debate, the USA is a Democratic Republic... moving on...
I consider myself a Republican. That being said, I am not an extreme right winger. In fact, I lean a little left on certain issues, right on others, and somewhere in between on the majority. For instance, I am pro-choice, but I don't think the government should pay for abortions - I support enforcement of immigration laws, but don't really think a big wall around the border is necessary, I do not support Government bailouts of private businesses, let them file chapter 11 like everyone else, restructure, and maybe be managed better - Health care - well, the current system needs to change, but I am not so hip on FORCING everyone to carry health care. I want smaller government, less taxes, and more freedoms. I also want to feel safe and secure in my own country, state, city, and community. I want my children to not inherit the gigantic debt that we have accrued, and to have an opportunity to get a good education. I think the government SHOULD help people who find themselves on hard times, but there has to be limitations, such as based on a person's body of work, and dedication to finding employment - in other words, help those that are willing to help themselves get out of the need for Government assistance. Socialism scares me, I am a capitalist... if you can make that money, go do it, and you shouldn't have to share it at an exponentially greater rate. A "flat tax" - maybe, haven't looked into that much, I'll save that for another day. I am pro legalization of marijuana, but not for an end to the 'War on Drugs" - I do not consider marijuana a synthetic drug. It is a plant. It grows wild in nature. It is not processed, distilled, or chemically induced in any way. It's physical harms are less than that of tobacco or alcohol, as are it's addictive qualities. Marijuana is not physically addictive, nor does it have a negative influence upon one's personality. (at least, I have never heard of a "mean pot head" - but many "mean drunks") Possibly the best argument for legalization is a monetary one. Literally billions of dollars of tax revenue could be earned, and billions of dollars in legal costs of enforcement, prosecution, and incarceration could be saved. We will see what happens in California this year, and if people agree with me. As for the new immigration law in Arizona - I am all for it. Illegal immigrants cost the US billions of dollars and are the basis for human trafficking and drug smuggling. (side note - another pro for marijuana legalization - take that game away from the smugglers) The federal government isn't doing much to uphold the laws already in place, so if the state wants to crack down, and it is approved my the vast majority of people in that state - then by all means, do what you need to do to protect your citizens and economy.... this is the same way I feel about Kansans coming into Missouri, but again, a topic for another day.... On Cinco De Mayo 2010, 5 students in Southern California were sent home for wearing t-shirts with American Flags on them, The Mexican-American students were "offended" it being "their National Holiday" - OK - listen - This is the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, and no matter what day it is, it is NEVER wrong to wear the colors of our country. Funny thing, the day after this all happened, the Mexican-American students and others, formed a rally and a protest, when the school district reprimanded the principal, siting FREE SPEECH - in other words, they exercised their right to free speech, by protesting an other's right to free speech.... really? Yes. Now Mexican and Latino leaders are FUMING! Actually calling for a revolt, an uprising, against what one radical called "the frail White people" - and they call US racist. This guy was praising Fidel Castro. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but haven't thousands upon thousands of immigrants fled the tyranny in Cuba to get here in the first place? As long as they go through the proper channels of immigration, I have no issue with that. And here are these very same immigrants, now protesting and calling for a revolt, against the very thing they came here for in the first place! Will we have another Civil War? - I can guarantee it wouldn't end pretty, way to many Americans have weapons. So, with all this said, (note -I didn't call out the president, or anyone else) do my views make me a Republican? I hope they don't make me a Democrat. Could I be a Libertarian? I think they are all crooked.... but ya gotta vote for somebody, and I will stay liberally conservative, for now anyway.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Is it time to start worrying?
- Started reading an article tonight... THIS ONE ... May 7th 2010 - it was a reference to the new immigration law in AZ (which, I might add, I support - but that is a different Blog). This particular paragraph caught my attention -
The Arizona law would encourage some police in some circumstances to ask for papers, and it includes stiff penalties to discourage Arizonans from "knowingly" hiring illegal workers. - OK, that part is fine with me, it is the next part that I find worrysome -
The outline of the federal comprehensive immigration reform would have the U.S. government issue every American citizen a national biometric identity card, establish a new government database, and use an e-verify system to determine if we would be allowed to work in this country.
---- " A NATIONAL BIOMETRIC IDENTITY CARD" --- What in the HELL is a "National Biometric Identity Card"? So I read This... Dated March 18, 2010
Two U.S. senators met with President Obama on Thursday to push for a national ID card with biometric information such as a fingerprint, hand scan, or iris scan that all employers would be required to verify.
The Arizona law would encourage some police in some circumstances to ask for papers, and it includes stiff penalties to discourage Arizonans from "knowingly" hiring illegal workers. - OK, that part is fine with me, it is the next part that I find worrysome -
The outline of the federal comprehensive immigration reform would have the U.S. government issue every American citizen a national biometric identity card, establish a new government database, and use an e-verify system to determine if we would be allowed to work in this country.
---- " A NATIONAL BIOMETRIC IDENTITY CARD" --- What in the HELL is a "National Biometric Identity Card"? So I read This... Dated March 18, 2010
Two U.S. senators met with President Obama on Thursday to push for a national ID card with biometric information such as a fingerprint, hand scan, or iris scan that all employers would be required to verify.
--- Verification that a person is legal to work in the United States. This data base is overseen by E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, a part of the Department of Homeland Security, and is used in conjunction with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility in the U.S. I did a bit more research back to the original Executive Order 12989 - Written by Bill Clinton in February of 1996. It was then amended by George W. Bush - (article here) . There is a link in that article to a government web address. The actual E-Verify link to check if employees are eligible to work in the United States.
Now... I sit here, pondering as to if I should try it out and see if I can verify myself. Wondering if I will suddenly be consumed by this network. Assuming that since I have had jobs, therefore a paycheck, therefore I pay taxes, therefore the Social Security Administration has my information, and since the Social Security Administration records are used in conjunction with E-Verify, which is operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security - well, I figure the government already knows all about me. They probably know all about you too. So.... as of right now, all federal contractors and subcontractors MUST use this system - The question arises - How long before ALL employers MUST use this "employment verification system"? Here is what I found on the Department of Homeland Security's website: aside from federal employees,
E-Verify is a voluntary program for employers, with limited exceptions.
Companies can enter the information from your I-9 form and compare it to the information in the Social Security, and Homeland Security data bases. (Cross referencing Lord only knows how many other data bases within those entities.) It makes you wonder which companies are using this, or are they all already? - So back to there cards - The problem with E-Verify, is it cannot detect when whether a person is stealing the identity of another legitimate worker - here is where the "Biometric Identity Cards" come in.
Biometric Identity Cards are widely used in Europe. I then stumbled across this site. It explains that information such as fingerprints, hand geometry, palm vein authentication, retina scan, iris scan, facial recognition, signature, and voice analysis can all be stored on a strip in the card, mush like the strips in our money. All of this information is in the strip - it is also in the data base. Using facial recognition, the government could use cameras and computers to track everyone's movements without their knowledge or consent. Of course, if you lost your identification, it could be replaced very easily, in fact, you wouldn't really need it anymore because your identity could be instantly verified. Small hand-held iris scanners? Facial Recognition machines? Will these take the place of swiper machines? A veritable point and click identity scanner - neat - and scary! It all seems kind of "number of the Beast" type scenario may be playing out very soon, except the numbers we have will be digitized biometric information, each unique to each individual, and fool proof. No more Identity theft - problem solved. But what problems could it create? Is "over identifying" a person a BAD thing, or is this just next next stage of the "driver's license"?
Now... I sit here, pondering as to if I should try it out and see if I can verify myself. Wondering if I will suddenly be consumed by this network. Assuming that since I have had jobs, therefore a paycheck, therefore I pay taxes, therefore the Social Security Administration has my information, and since the Social Security Administration records are used in conjunction with E-Verify, which is operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security - well, I figure the government already knows all about me. They probably know all about you too. So.... as of right now, all federal contractors and subcontractors MUST use this system - The question arises - How long before ALL employers MUST use this "employment verification system"? Here is what I found on the Department of Homeland Security's website: aside from federal employees,
E-Verify is a voluntary program for employers, with limited exceptions.
Companies can enter the information from your I-9 form and compare it to the information in the Social Security, and Homeland Security data bases. (Cross referencing Lord only knows how many other data bases within those entities.) It makes you wonder which companies are using this, or are they all already? - So back to there cards - The problem with E-Verify, is it cannot detect when whether a person is stealing the identity of another legitimate worker - here is where the "Biometric Identity Cards" come in.
Biometric Identity Cards are widely used in Europe. I then stumbled across this site. It explains that information such as fingerprints, hand geometry, palm vein authentication, retina scan, iris scan, facial recognition, signature, and voice analysis can all be stored on a strip in the card, mush like the strips in our money. All of this information is in the strip - it is also in the data base. Using facial recognition, the government could use cameras and computers to track everyone's movements without their knowledge or consent. Of course, if you lost your identification, it could be replaced very easily, in fact, you wouldn't really need it anymore because your identity could be instantly verified. Small hand-held iris scanners? Facial Recognition machines? Will these take the place of swiper machines? A veritable point and click identity scanner - neat - and scary! It all seems kind of "number of the Beast" type scenario may be playing out very soon, except the numbers we have will be digitized biometric information, each unique to each individual, and fool proof. No more Identity theft - problem solved. But what problems could it create? Is "over identifying" a person a BAD thing, or is this just next next stage of the "driver's license"?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Bolo - a dice game
Bolo was first introduced to me when I was in High School by my sister and quickly became the game of choice among my friends. Simply put, it's rolling dice for bong hits, but can also be used as a drinking game, or simply a dice game.
The rules are pretty simple, and similar to Yahtzee. To start, each player rolls a single die, the player with the highest number starts the game, and turns rotate clockwise. Players roll 5 dice all at once to begin their roll, a player may only keep scoring dice, and roll the remaining, until they either choose to stop, or BOLO - to roll dice and not score. Every time a player rolls 1000 pts or more in a single turn, they receive a bong hit, or 2 for 2000, 3 for 3000, etc... The first player to reach a total score of 10,000 - wins the game.
Scoring is as follows:
5 = 50
1 = 100
3 of a kind = the number on the dice x 100 ( a roll of three 4's = 400)
Full House = 500 (3oak + a pair - 4,4,4,2,2 etc...)
Straight = 1000 (5 dice in consecutive order - 2,3,4,5,6 or 1,2,3,4,5)
4 of a kind = 3oak x 2 ( a roll of four 4's = 800)
5 of a kind = 5000
Special rolls:
Rolling three 1's = 1000
Rolling five 1's = 10,000
Scores only accumulate on rolled dice, once a score is taken, the player picks up the remaining dice and rolls them, either continuing to score, BOLOing (a roll with no scoring dice), or the player may choose to "take the points" and pass the dice. All 3 of a kind, full house, straight, 4 oak, 5 oak, must be on ONE roll, not consecutive rolls, which is UNLIKE Yahtzee. A player may stop and take their points only if there is at least one non-scoring die left to pick up, if all dice rolled are scoring dice, the player MUST pick up all 5 dice and continue their turn. Singular non scoring dice are the 2, 3, 4 and 6.
"The Board" - "The Board" is where the scorekeeper tallies each players points. To "get on the board" a player must accumulate at least 650 points on a single turn, therefore no scores of less than 650 may be tallied until the player is "on the board". After a player gets on the board with a minimum turn of 650, they must roll a minimum of 350 points on a turn to "take the points". As players accumulate points on their turns, the scores are added up on "The Board". Once a player reaches an accumulated board score of 7000, they may not take less than 750, and once a player reaches 9000 or more on their board score, they must roll 1000 or more on a single turn to win the game. (ie: a player has a board score of 9250 - that player MUST roll 1000 or more, and earn a bong hit, to win.)
"The Pad" - Find something to roll on that will dampen the dice such as a tablecloth, a large piece of leather, burlap, corduroy , or card board. Only dice that remain on "The Pad" are used, if a player rolls off the pad (called "sloppy dice") the sloppy die is re-rolled. Many people like to decorate their Bolo Pad and some, like me, use it to track "High Rollers" - players are invited to write something on the pad after a roll of 5000 or better - anything goes - but it must include the players name, size of the roll, and date to document such a tremendous feat. My Bolo Pad has pictures, funny sayings, and random drawings each accompanied by the artists' name, roll, and date. Writing on my Bolo Pad is a rare and honored occurrence with some drawings dating back 20 years.
Rules vary slightly depending on "The House" that is holding the game. In my house we have some added rules and clauses such as the "Yahtzee Clause". Say, for instance, a player starts their roll by rolling three 4's (400 points), and on their next roll, they roll two more 4's (making a Yahtzee)... since a roll of two 4's would be a BOLO, the player is allowed to re-roll the two 4's to try and get a 1 or 5 to continue rolling. We also use "The Van Halen Rule" - when a player's score on the board hits EXACTLY 5150 - they receive an bonus bong hit.
Occasionally, a player will make a roll that can be scored in a couple different ways. It is up to the player to decide how they want to continue, and how many points to take. For instance - a player has a roll of three 1's and two 5's - a full house (500 points) OR 1100, whichever the player decides. Obviously the player would take the higher point total of the roll, by contrast, if a player rolls three 1's and two 2's - also a full house, the player can either take the 1000 points for the three 1's and pass the dice OR take 500 points for the full house and continue to roll all five dice. - notes- a roll of 2,2,3,3,4 is the lowest possible non scoring roll and the player should be scorn by their opponents. A player that rolls 5 of a kind, although very rare, MUST continue the turn as all 5 dice are scoring dice. (I have seen people BOLO a 5 of a kind on their next roll - this travesty also affords them the privilege of making their mark on my BOLO Pad) When a question arises as to how to score a particular roll and cannot be resolved by speaking to an experienced Bolo player, the players involved in that particular game will vote on how the roll is to be scored, and that "rule" goes into effect for the remainder of the game, but may be amended for later games.
(additions to this page will be made as more things come to mind about the intricacies of the game - please post any questions or comments)
The rules are pretty simple, and similar to Yahtzee. To start, each player rolls a single die, the player with the highest number starts the game, and turns rotate clockwise. Players roll 5 dice all at once to begin their roll, a player may only keep scoring dice, and roll the remaining, until they either choose to stop, or BOLO - to roll dice and not score. Every time a player rolls 1000 pts or more in a single turn, they receive a bong hit, or 2 for 2000, 3 for 3000, etc... The first player to reach a total score of 10,000 - wins the game.
Scoring is as follows:
5 = 50
1 = 100
3 of a kind = the number on the dice x 100 ( a roll of three 4's = 400)
Full House = 500 (3oak + a pair - 4,4,4,2,2 etc...)
Straight = 1000 (5 dice in consecutive order - 2,3,4,5,6 or 1,2,3,4,5)
4 of a kind = 3oak x 2 ( a roll of four 4's = 800)
5 of a kind = 5000
Special rolls:
Rolling three 1's = 1000
Rolling five 1's = 10,000
Scores only accumulate on rolled dice, once a score is taken, the player picks up the remaining dice and rolls them, either continuing to score, BOLOing (a roll with no scoring dice), or the player may choose to "take the points" and pass the dice. All 3 of a kind, full house, straight, 4 oak, 5 oak, must be on ONE roll, not consecutive rolls, which is UNLIKE Yahtzee. A player may stop and take their points only if there is at least one non-scoring die left to pick up, if all dice rolled are scoring dice, the player MUST pick up all 5 dice and continue their turn. Singular non scoring dice are the 2, 3, 4 and 6.
"The Board" - "The Board" is where the scorekeeper tallies each players points. To "get on the board" a player must accumulate at least 650 points on a single turn, therefore no scores of less than 650 may be tallied until the player is "on the board". After a player gets on the board with a minimum turn of 650, they must roll a minimum of 350 points on a turn to "take the points". As players accumulate points on their turns, the scores are added up on "The Board". Once a player reaches an accumulated board score of 7000, they may not take less than 750, and once a player reaches 9000 or more on their board score, they must roll 1000 or more on a single turn to win the game. (ie: a player has a board score of 9250 - that player MUST roll 1000 or more, and earn a bong hit, to win.)
"The Pad" - Find something to roll on that will dampen the dice such as a tablecloth, a large piece of leather, burlap, corduroy , or card board. Only dice that remain on "The Pad" are used, if a player rolls off the pad (called "sloppy dice") the sloppy die is re-rolled. Many people like to decorate their Bolo Pad and some, like me, use it to track "High Rollers" - players are invited to write something on the pad after a roll of 5000 or better - anything goes - but it must include the players name, size of the roll, and date to document such a tremendous feat. My Bolo Pad has pictures, funny sayings, and random drawings each accompanied by the artists' name, roll, and date. Writing on my Bolo Pad is a rare and honored occurrence with some drawings dating back 20 years.
Rules vary slightly depending on "The House" that is holding the game. In my house we have some added rules and clauses such as the "Yahtzee Clause". Say, for instance, a player starts their roll by rolling three 4's (400 points), and on their next roll, they roll two more 4's (making a Yahtzee)... since a roll of two 4's would be a BOLO, the player is allowed to re-roll the two 4's to try and get a 1 or 5 to continue rolling. We also use "The Van Halen Rule" - when a player's score on the board hits EXACTLY 5150 - they receive an bonus bong hit.
Occasionally, a player will make a roll that can be scored in a couple different ways. It is up to the player to decide how they want to continue, and how many points to take. For instance - a player has a roll of three 1's and two 5's - a full house (500 points) OR 1100, whichever the player decides. Obviously the player would take the higher point total of the roll, by contrast, if a player rolls three 1's and two 2's - also a full house, the player can either take the 1000 points for the three 1's and pass the dice OR take 500 points for the full house and continue to roll all five dice. - notes- a roll of 2,2,3,3,4 is the lowest possible non scoring roll and the player should be scorn by their opponents. A player that rolls 5 of a kind, although very rare, MUST continue the turn as all 5 dice are scoring dice. (I have seen people BOLO a 5 of a kind on their next roll - this travesty also affords them the privilege of making their mark on my BOLO Pad) When a question arises as to how to score a particular roll and cannot be resolved by speaking to an experienced Bolo player, the players involved in that particular game will vote on how the roll is to be scored, and that "rule" goes into effect for the remainder of the game, but may be amended for later games.
(additions to this page will be made as more things come to mind about the intricacies of the game - please post any questions or comments)
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