6/21 - SUMMER HAS BEGUN! (OR CRAP 1/3 OF SUMMER GONE)

 Monday started off with a bang, or was it a whimper-both. Cause-trees on lines; effect no power all day. Of course occurring right after the OH left for golf  thus trapping myself and my car in the garage as he also absconded with my car keys. Plus he never turns his phone on. Sigh. Only a Zoom meeting this am and an in-person meeting with my next interviewee. Neighbor showed me the extremely simple task of pulling the red rip-cord and voila - garage becomes manual, duh. After scrambling through several sets of keys I located a bent house key and car key. The power mysteriously came on right before 11 am and just as mysteriously shut off again at noon right after my internet Zoom meeting-cue the spooky music. The in-person meet was at a restaurant so I was happy to avail myself of food and, ahem, facilities. 

Deck Update:  It has basically rained every day since Wednesday so progress slowed to an agonizing halt. With rain predicted for the next fortnight, I was predictably agitated. A few "friendly" messages to our contractor and offer to help (as his guys don't like to get wet - true story) he and crew miraculously decided to brave the weather and work is now in full forward mode. They brought their cooler for lunch, we provided soda and the garage when the inevitable rain storm hit today. Support completed and first pieces of pergola laid in - green and white of course.            

Chauvinism or prestige - you decide. Cultivating a new interviewee from a medical clinic to talk about Mary Jane in the workplace I mentioned to him an article I collaborated on for that very subject with the President of a world-wide Loss Control Company. I sent a copy to frame our conversation later this week and he said upon perusing it, my collaborator was "on point with the issues". I had to tell him that since he liked it between he, I and the proverbial fencepost my "collaborator" changed exactly two words of the presentation but I knew a prestigious male would get more attention Major LOL. My new interviewee pointed out that marijuana is here, legal and generates cash flow (told my finance guy that two years ago) and the "hippies" of the 60's are the lawmakers of today.  Should be a fun conversation.  UPDATE:  It was.

The Supreme Court decision today (case brought by the NCAA) requiring colleges to pay any expenses of student athetes (even if they don't play) that can be related to "education"  will lead to the inevitability of paying the student athletes. Need a 3 bedroom condo to "study". Why not. Entertainment center and party friends to help you relax - of course. A new car to get to practice-makes sense. Why don't we just admit it's not about education (though the majority do not make it in the majors and need the degree) but about big business, fund-raising, exhorbitant salaries and country club facilities. To call them amateurs is laughable. To deprive the brilliant or hard-working young person who may discover the cure for cancer of any support seems extremely short-sighted. 

The exciting progress on the deck came to a lightening stop (see how I used that in the negative) when actual lightening started snapping its fingers. Never saw anybody move so fast, buttoning up that is. Half a deck and four posts for the foreseeable future. Considering the weather report, I should probably take the rest of the wood and build an ark-may need it. Success however, as the 30 year lost little scissors were found.

In other news, Joint Chief of Staff General Mark Milley put "sex-trafficker (alleged)" in training Gaetz  in his place by talking like an adult and relaying the truth.  As you may recall the General was the one that stood up to "Orange Soda-Jerk" (who appointed him btw) when he wanted the military to go into Portland "and crack skulls".  Funny that same direction was not given about the "Constitutional-molesters (alleged)" that defaced our Capital. Gen Milley explained in simple words why and how discrimination occurs, and continues to occur in the military and frankly, life in general. However our modern day segretionists basically put their fingers in their ears while stomping their lily white feet in frustration. Hankers back to the "good ole' McCarthy days" when he wanted the military to arrest, well basically anyone, based on innuendo with folks basically throwing their friends under the bus to save themselves. If the despots ever actually get control of a private army....Also if the "right" wants to declare war on the military, I don't think the "people" are going to be ok with that. Just saying.

Interesting conversation with my grandson the other day. The best convos take place in the car I always think. Anyway he told me how he got into poison ivy looking for rocks. I told him I had a couple of brothers who worked in the Parks Department I had approved for preventative shots before warm weather set in. Those boys were so allergic when they got poison ivy, they got it .....everywhere.  Of course Joe latched onto the fact that everywhere included "boy parts" when he gleefully told his Mother about our conversation. She knows both of us well enough so no harm, no foul. 

Odd things I know about doing Safety and Workers' Comp. To me it was just another day in the ditches, but to another my investigating their groin injury proved uncomfortable-go figure (yes deliberate pun).  Another dude wanted me to replace his expensive safety glasses, but did not want to tell me why. Finally discovered he tipped over into an influent (waste water) tank and fishing around for his glasses while trying to extricate himself without swallowing any was detrimental to retrieval. I approved the replacement.

 As I've said before 98% of the time I pay the claims, but those that were a little suspicious I had my ways. I was a genius at finding "restricted" work. I remember one dude moved to Muskegon with his girlfriend thinking I would never find him work within his limitations. Wrong.

 I love my Unions but when I suggested we staff the desk inside the door of the Police Department with a restricted duty officer to answer questions, the Union pounced on it as a nice 8 to 5 sit-down job. Sigh. Fire depatment was a little easier as they undergo so much training, it made sense to schedule sit-down classes for them.  I was not well-liked in those two groups-go figure.

 But on the plus side I did successfully fight for PASS devices that alarm when a firefighter is not moving (before it became required) and individual mouthpieces for their SCBAs (I mean yuck) so they didn't always hate me. As for LPD I was an early, and unpopular, proponent of bullet-resistant vests (which are hot and heavy) but I did advocate for athletic shoes for those late-night delightful chases through the alleys of Lansing.

Fun evening. I go to the 4:30 Mass on Saturday and right smack in the middle tornado sirens began screeching. Our priest seemed a little out of his element and slow to provide spiritual or any other type of guidance. He was relying on those of us with cell phones still on to direct our actions. Some hollared for continuing. So he asks what are we being directed to do. S E E K  S H E L T E R.  Are we not all mid-westerners? This is not our first rodeo. So haul butt down to the basement where sound systems, altar, music and chairs were set up in record time. I don't know if the acoustics are more echoey down there or people were singing loudly in the face of adversity, but we never sounded better. As they were planning a reception after the service we even had coffee and cookies to go with our Communion wafers...

                                                                    

(6/14) THE PROVERBIAL "DECK" IS STACKED/DESTROYED/REBUILT?

 

Yay. Our deck project has commenced.  The beautiful and less-humid weather inspired our contractor to start the project. Unfortunately it meant the OH and his buddy would not have the equally pleasant weather fishing this week as the deck job must be "supervised". Though to be honest there were plenty of questions asked and decisions to be made as tear-out proceeded.  For sheer entertainment though, never under-estimate the lure of a construction job on little and big boys. My nine year old grandson was equally enthralled with the new "playground" below. And my daughter ended up looking for lost items of her youth in the newly revealed dirt. Apparently her little safety scissors have been lamented for 30 years and never forgotten (well I did).

 My first shock  (outside of the cost of the materials) was estimating the helper's age as 12 or at least teen age. Nope 27. Amazing how an advanced age makes everyone else much look much younger-got to quit looking in the mirror... Also after a long day of tear-down the "youthful" worker still had the energy to perform back flips across the back yard before he left.  

BEFORE PICTURE:  

Excitement this am as two reckless drivers (apparently armed) crashed into a house and commenced running. Lockdown downtown as 40 million cops descended on midtown Grand Ledge while reports of a shoeless dude talking to kids at a bus stop proliferated. I looked around very carefully as I left the Doctor's office at 8 for any lurkers - which we should all be doing anyway! Caught without incident apparently, except for the demise of 40 million donuts and schools shut down. Oh well just an end of the year extra day off. UPDATE: Apparently there were 5 or 6 involved and it was part of a ring of thieves hitting pharmacies operating out of Battle Creek or Kalamazoo - now all caught. Yay GL cops.

We're becoming regulars at Menards as each level of tear-down reveals another issue-resulting in more material, "nope can't save that" "oops, that needs to be replaced", "maybe we could.. no need more". They're starting to greet us by name and opening up our own lane. Well with a 40 year-old+ deck one must expect issues. But at least we have been able to buy a new grill with the rebates so far.

In the news Texas is finally living up to their hype as gunslinger heaven. Anyone can carry anything-no license, no training, no brains-it's all the same. But apparently they are not taking into account that ex-felons and crazy people will be indistinguishable from you'all protectors of the innocents with your pearl handled revolver and, note to self, they will be carrying 45's, semi-autos or better, etc.

How refreshing. The American President met with the Russia dictator, er, President, and only one side trashed America and called her a liar; unlike the orange predecessor. Though returning the keys to the Oval Office proved awkward. As with "he-who-shall-not-be-named" all the hype and America asking for the meeting it just gives Putin more ammo that he is legit and part of an equal playing field. Should have cancelled as their latest attacks against democracy and protection of cyber criminals came to light.

Democrats need to show more backbone. With Repubs openly creating pathways of cheating for the next elections, subjecting poll workers to tremendous fines for doing their job of not letting the "poll watchers" unprecedented access to everything including challenging every voter, we need to take the gloves off. With McConnell, again openly, telling each of the repub senators to vote No on voter reform and swearing Biden will not name a Supreme Court justice what the hell are we waiting for? More bullshit bi-partisinship? There's a bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you guys and gals. Get rid of the fillibuster, pass infrastructure (bringing high paying jobs to the middle class), forgive at least a portion of predator student loans, pass a minimum wage, support working families, prosecute Mar-a-lago's current resident and his cronies, tax the freakn' rich and get'er done! Since all of their proposals benefit THE PEOPLE, they will be very happy. Duh

And not to end a good rant I am struck anew by what folks do not understand about people not wanting to be exploited. It's not a question of not wanting to work - they can't survive on peanuts and no benefits. They, in many cases, are not even promised a regular shift so they can work two or three jobs which many of them try to do. Do the math. At $15/hour that is still only $31,200 a year if you are guaranteed 40 hour weeks, 52 weeks a year. Not that hard to understand the problem.

Booked 1 1/2 new interviews for podcast land.  Now if I could just get our "volunteer" editor to edit the darn things. The first two have been playing for awhile. I still have two already in the can waiting for his magic touch. arrghhh.  Anyway one is a lady who was head of security for GM in Lansing and traveled a similar path to mine in the "not being taken seriously by men" world.  But we thrived and prospered and have a plethora of stories from our experiences. We enjoyed a lot of laughs. I think we need to podcast a forum of "Women in the Workplace: Friend or Foe".  But I think I want representation from all sources:  female, male, white, black, luddites, progressives, etc.

Speaking of religion...I was reminded of a story today of  when I was teaching CPR. A Muslim gentleman in the class (it was required training) claimed that "it is Allah's will if a man lives or dies".  I gently supported his right to his beliefs and asked him to "basically" keep them to himself and we would proceed in our unenlightened way.  NOTE: One never knows if training does any good, but one of the students told me later she was able to save her child when he began choking based on what she learned in the class. That is how I think God works in man or woman-as an instrument to provide knowledge and support.

Unfortunately I had a further relationship with the Muslim gentleman as he became a workers' comp issue. In searching for him one day I called the number he had left for contact. They answered as the local Mosque. Upon asking for Mohammed I have no doubt this was the only place in Lansing where the response was "Mohammed who?"  He eventually left conventional employment and became a street vendor dealing in fine perfumes and lotions. I'm not kidding - he had quite a briefcase of samples and we all bought from him.  Happy ending....

WEATHER OR NOT (JUNE 6-13)

This is a weird weather week. Feeling similar to Florida, the day dawns but no cool early morning relief and the day ascends in both temperature and humdity from there. Where walking out to the mailbox feels like opening the door to a blast furnace. Birds are still a-winging and a-singing though one would think they would be hiding in a dark space somewhere. Then, if one's lucky the sky darkens around 4 or 5 and hope rises of a good soaking. Instead we get barely enough to wet a rose's tongue and we leave the flowers gasping and reduced to tapping on the window asking please, please water us. I know it just rained, but really we need more moisture than that little pouf of rain. And the weeds just go merrily on regardless of the rain or lack therof-apparently they thrive by stealing moisture from the plants we want to grow.  Or perhaps the ground moles, another pest, are trucking it in for their friends.

Our daughter stopped over to borrow our internet connection to be sure an important interview took place uninterrupted. She was seeking less interruptions of both technology and people as this was a promotional opportunity. Athough the interview did not last long, she was very positive. Helps when you are personally recruited by those interviewing and a recent reorganization removed a possible detractor. She said as there were not second interviews planned and they were going to make a decision this week, she thought it must be time to tell her current boss she had interviewed. She was not anticipating a happy outcome to that discussion.

 It reminded me of how hard it was to leave one of my employers. As a "boomer" leaving a job took a larger leap of faith than the generations following. Loyalty is no more in most situations by the employer. Thus moving on and up is the appropriate action for employees. I was totally frustrated in a nicely titled and well-paid position but my direct boss was a nightmare. Respect or even appreciation for my ability to pull the proverbial rabbit from the rear quarters at any moment was vastly under-rated. It became expected. Even my last day, just before my going-away party, I was directed to lower the boom on an employee as the boss did not want to do it. The glares I received from that emp kind of dampened the celebration.

DIGRESS:  One thing I am proud of is whenever I left a job my direct reports (except one-see above) were always sorry and appreciative of my leadership. Upper management be damned - like my Dad we were about getting the job done and taking care of our people.

It took a bit to leave that position as the boss would use flattery, begging and undermining remarks to keep me in line. I actually went to an employment agency and after a battery of tests the director of the agency who was moving out of State offered me her job- true story! But I stayed where I was and had another miserable year of rabbit-pulling until I finally took the plunge into MIOSHA.

That was a great move and better suited to my interests anyway. But in updated news my daughter has moved onward and upward after acing the interview. Like there was any doubt. She said one of the questions (a proverbial chestnut) was "how well do you handle stress" . She began her answer with "I have spent the last ten months living with my Mother-in-law since we sold our house". Didn't hear the rest of the answer, just laughter. I also did not hear how her discussion went with her current boss however who just lost her second direct report in a month. Ah well.

Media certainly has its problems. Although it's our main bulwark against total dictatorship and accountability their shiney faces are becoming more muddy with the forced 24/7 news cycle. Which gives us entertainment, opinions, half-baked stories, innuendo and even lies at times. Most of us don't take the time to determine the difference unfortunately. "If it bleeds it leads" they say though I think they often inflict the wounds themselves in the interest of ratings. 

Case in point. In an interview with Putin the jounalist (I use the term loosely) after stating that Mr. P has been called a killer and Trump didn't believe it but Biden does, he actually asks "are you a killer?" What an ass. When the former KGB boss and lifetime dictator adroitly handles such a silly question you have to wonder how stupid are people? "Of course. I am a dictator and I squash all negativity and competition through poison and prison". Duhh.

On the bright  and largely overlooked side by "the media" a $250 billion bi-partisan agreement was reached in the Senate this past week. The money is earmarked for scientific research (read technology innovations and improvemnts). Finally dawned on the majority including McConnell that China is the greatest threat to our, and the world's, economy. The bill also allows little or no tarriffs for poorer countries (read not beholden to China) and the ability to sanction countries for human rights violations (read not buy from China). China has been flexing her muscles by shutting down questions on covid from its trading partners (read Australia) and holding back desperately needed shipments of medical supplies to the US during the pandemic to name a couple of examples.  Surprise - global economy only works if everyone is on a level playing field.

Meanwhile coping with the messed-up parking lot at Meijers during their blacktop extravaganza on what turned out to be the hottest days of summer thus far triggered a memory. In my ongoing quest to experience every job assignment so I could understand and give proper safety guidance I had the pleasure of working with a blacktop crew in the middle of summer. The only way I can describe the experience of 400 degrees of hot asphalt under your butt is it must be like riding a fire-belching dragon after a hearty meal of burritos. All the water in the world ain't gonna quench that fire...

THE END OF MAY AND SUMMER IS NIGH

 As a Michigander, we are used to abupt changes in our weather patterns so we plan and carry on events regardless of the possibility of massive flooding, snow or desert heat (all which occurred this week). Memorial Day cruise on the lake was shivery jacket weather, while painting the pergola boards was occurring in ever-increasing heat and humidity later in the week. 

First opening of the boat canopy since she came out of dry dock revealed the heart-breaking answer to a mystery.  Upon arrival at the lake two "fledglings" had expired on the deck. Sibling rivalry? Too soon to fly? Mom and Dad absconded with the food? There is no tree anywhere near the make-shift bird cemetery so were they carried there by marauders who suddenly lost their taste for infant birds or blown by the wind? As the canopy unfurled, the fatal truth was revealed; a truly spectacular bird's nest which caused shrieks and scrambling as we at first did not understand what we were looking at. Ohh

                                               

On a further unhappier note I wish the media would end their unhealthy coverage of the "one who shall not be named -cheeser" hanging on his every utterance and insanity. That's what got us into this mess in the first place. A small hope the criminal investigation goes somewhere and his buddies start paying the price as well for his duplicity. I hear his appointees got hit with big tax bills to collect what they were not paying in payroll taxes. They were assured the issue would be resolved by Bobo. Surprise.   How there are still Americans who believe he gives a sh-- for anyone but himself is beyond me. Although he does stand for hatred of the marginal people that these folks believe stand in the way of their prosperity. Which explains why so many T signs are hanging from dilapidated trailers...

I realize I get a lot of junk mail - email spam - but why would I get both ads for ED medicine and ones promising to make my "love garden" even more attractive. In this "woke" world one must cover all bases I suppose. But speaking of "medicine" one has to question the motives of the drug companies begging us not to look behind the curtain of trying to negotiate less insane drug prices. They patriotically claim they developed and distributed covid vaccines when asked to save the world.  However....they were and are being paid handsomely for it. It's not like they just offered it out of their deep regard for humanity. Unlike the man who discovered insulin. He essentially gave it away because he found "it saves lives".  Now it's something like 1200% higher than it was around 2000. It's not as if they had to pay for the research and the development of insulin (they use that to justify the high price of drugs). With the rising number of diabetics around, I don't think demand is going to go away anytime soon.

Wedding bells this Saturday for our sweet and quiet "step-nephew". Second time is the charm as he is committing to a wonderful, warm and mature lady according to my sister. We all had odds on the first one not working out. As the original bride said to me the day after the wedding, "geez what a hassle, next time I'm getting married in Vegas". Well she gave it a day. I hope this time they can give it a lifetime-they both deserve it.

Wonderful wedding. The bride was Bosnian and they came here 20+ odd years ago as refugees when Bosnia was going through their armed hell which is the best way to describe the Serbs and Croats war. The innocents like her father were rounded up and imprisoned for a few years forcing her mother to flee to America with two children. Despite that inglorious beginning they embody the success story of many immigrants to this country which cheesers supporters do not want to acknowledge. Starting from scratch and working at anything they could; learning the language and paying their dues.  The bride's whole family was involved in the wedding and results were loving and charming. We were happy to be part of it all. The cake was to die for.

Sunday, not often we have two fun events in a row, we enjoyed the rededication of the "gang" for the first time since Covid destroyed everyone's lives. Fortunately we were all "mature" before so we didn't look a whole lot different after a year and  a half of isolation. No one got taller, but I swear we might have become shorter.  LOL. Our host Rickee, master griller, prepared a sumptuous feast along with his maiden crop of Sangria to our utter enjoyment. We sucked up all that fruity goodness and clamored for more. He directed his lady, Donna, to fetch another bottle of his home made "swill".  I immediately dubbed the vintage "Eau du Swill" not to be confused with "Eau du Douche" I labeled a really rancid wine I had one time. We managed to hang in there until 8ish. No doubt the dancing ensued later. Long and very pleasurable weekend.....