National Handshake Day

OUCH! Another 95 degree day, and that was around 4pm MDT. Tonight, there is a nice breeze coming in. Tomorrow, we're supposed to get up in the 100's, thankfully, the humidity here is low.

Notes from the Home Front

Two more rejection letters today - I don't always note them here but with the way things are going downhill, thought I would mention them. My new internet provider and services from them are exceptional and I was able to watch a live show on UStream. Now to find the money to upgrade the ram in my laptop from 1 gig to 2 gig. At least I won't have to pay someone to change out the ram.

Unemployment News

It saddens me that H.R.4213 aka "the extenders bill" did not pass. Apparently, the GOP thinks that we are lazy and just want a hand out this comes from the same party who wanted anyone on unemployment to get drug tests. For crying out loud, who is crazy here? Read the article, find out how your Senators voted, then vote them out in November. It's their fault by voting to spend money here and there on duplicate programs etc that they don't have the money to spend on us.

The GOP Sweeps Us Under the Rug

Nearly 1 million people who had been receiving extended unemployment benefits have lost them due to the congressional inaction; Senate Republicans, joined by one Democrat, Nebraska's Ben Nelson, voted to block a measure that would have extended those benefits until December. Read the rest of the article.

How to get Congress' attention

2010 Unemployment Extension -- Best Idea Ever to Get Congress' Attention - read it here.

Let's get together and convoy to Washington DC in protest. I'm serious about my convoy idea and anyone who wants to join in, tell someone, let them tell others etc. Our government can't allow this to be our "death sentence".

National News

New Mexico

Did you know that New Mexico was lost? Those of us who are really "in the know" know that New Mexico is located in the western part of the US just south of Colorado, east of Arizona and north of Texas. Read how New Mexico was lost in cyberspace.

Louisiana

Governor Bob Jindal states that no one in Louisiana wants an unemployment check. Learn about what he does want for his state by reading the article.

President Obama and Border Security

Obama Administration Announces New Border Security Measures, The Obama Administration announced Wednesday that it will station an aerial drone in Texas as part of its stepped-up surveillance of criminal trafficking along the Mexican border. Do you think that he really wants to end illegal immigration or just give them all green cards or visas? Even though I voted for him, I don't always agree with his thinking. As you may have understood from all my prior posts, illegal immigration needs to stop, they need to be sent back to their country. Let Calderon take care of them. Read the article.

If reading about what the White House wants is your thing, continue reading this report: Amnesty on White House's mind - here.

Tweet of the Day - Call Hilda Solis

CALL Labor Secy to express outrage over remarks that illegals should receive same pay as citizens: 1 202 693 6000

Tech News

While searching for a registry cleaner where I could control what will be deleted or not, I came across a good tech site. It's the Place for Answers - asknerd.net.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

CALL YOUR SENATORS! CALL HILDA SOLIS!

THINK ABOUT THE CONVOY ON WASHINGTON DC!

Let It Go Day!

It was a balmy 95 degrees yesterday but only in the mid 80s today. In my area, we've had no rain in days, we really need it since we are a mile high the sun is that much closer than for the land at sea level. At least we rarely suffer from high humidity.

Notes from the Home Front

Nothing much out of the normal going on although some of the cucumber plants have flowers on them.

National News

Immigration

Illegal immigrant families leave Arizona and its tough new law for other parts of US - I'm sure that many of us hope they aren't moving into our states and before they can, our states will enact the same laws as Arizona's SB1070. Read the article!

Police chief: Cartels threaten U.S. law enforcement in Arizona - If you didn't understand why SB1070 is needed in Arizona, perhaps after reading this article, you'll support that state too!

Oil Spew

Judge blocks 6-month moratorium on Gulf deepwater drilling - I just don't see how "big business" could take our government to court for this. Read the article by CNN.

Homeless

I don't understand nor do I agree that we should have so many homeless people in our country. This also goes for giving help to other countries before tending to our own first. As I wrote last week, it was reported on CSPAN2 (US Senate) that closed army/navy/air force bases were to be used to house the homeless but because of some bill enacted by Senate members years ago, this isn't being done. So without further adieu, read how America Finally Has a Plan to End Homelessness.

South Carolina Town Bans Singing

The Town of Sullivan's Island is voting to ban singing and other such annoyances from their streets in order to keep peace. Read about how they will go about this.

Unemployment News

H.R. 4213 seemingly goes on life support at the moment - the beat is dying a slow long drawn out death. Many people have already lost their unemployment insurance benefits without securing a job, what should they do? Read what one blogger writes.

Local News

Democrats say veterans want Norton ad taken down - for those who don't live in Colorado, Jane Norton has been reported for years for her stand against veterans and other groups. She is poison to us and shouldn't be allowed to run for any office. Perhaps she needs to be put out on the front line where these veterans have been while fighting for a free America. Read about her ad.

My Verizon Update

On Monday, I replaced my Verizon Air Card (Pantech UM-175) with cable internet. The speeds are incredible and of course, I no longer need to worry about exceeding the 5 gig limit each month. While on the phone with Verizon, I pulled up my account online, the tech who was supposed to monitor my account and credit any overage didn't do what was expected. I will deduct that overage amount from my bill and deal with it accordingly. Thankfully, someone in Executive Services did mark my account so that my air card service was month to month so that I didn't have to pay a termination fee (prorated).

There will be more on this but for now, I'm dealing with a higher agency regarding the software bug issues that each and every user experiences.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

TAKE A STAND AGAINST BAD POLITICIANS!

Baby Boomers Recognition Day

The temperature today got up into the 90s and I could have sworn this morning that the weather reporter said 98% humidity which is unusual for Colorado. The skies were blue all day.

Notes from the Home Front

High Speed Internet with unlimited access was installed. Oh happy day! In other news, this morning I found that my upstairs neighbor is a cellist. Although that might be wonderful and exciting news to someone else, it wasn't to me. While the neighbor played away, I couldn't hear my tv nor could concentrate on applying for jobs.

National News

The only national news that spiked my interest besides the ongoing oil spew in the Gulf of Mexico was news on illegal immigration.

Nebraska

The town of Fremont, Nebraska joins Arizona in the fight against illegal immigration. The citizens of Fremont are angered by a recent influx of Hispanic workers attracted by jobs at local meatpacking plants. Voters in the eastern Nebraska city of Fremont will decide Monday whether to ban hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants. Read the article.

Arizona

Welcome to the Keep AZ Safe Donation Application - yes, that's right, Arizona is taking donations to keep their state safe from illegal immigrants. Find that application here. This is a secure site, your donations, I'm sure are greatly appreciated.

Support Our Border States

This article comes by way of someone I follow on Twitter. War on the Southern Border Part Two can be found by clicking this link. I'm sure that you can read Part One while at the website.

President Obama's Administration

What will these idiots think of next? First, it's Ken Sleaze-A-Czar, Secretary of the Department of Interior with not monitoring deepwater oil wells close enough. Then there is Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security that wanted to sue Arizona but never read the bill (SB1070). After that, MMS for being paid off by oil corporations. This time it's Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. She thinks that undocumented immigrants need to have a fair wage. WHAT? HUH? That's exactly what she said. Who are these people and why do they continue to exist in our government. Watch the video and read the article this travesty.

On the Lighter Side of Immigration

Cartoons: Illegal Immigration Absurdity - this is where I got the biggest laugh because I enjoy political cartoons. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

My Verizon Update

Over the weekend, I received the official papers that I have been waiting for via snail mail. I'll call that agency tomorrow. Since I had high speed internet installed today, I'm no longer using my Verizon Pantech UM-175 air card nor their defective VZAccessManager software. Verizon will get a phone call tomorrow to discontinue my service. More to come, I'm hoping it'll be in the not so distant future.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BY SUPPORTING ARIZONA AND NEBRASKA!

National Flip Flop Day

Tropical Smoothie Cafe kicked off the first day of summer by celebrating the 4th annual National Flip Flop Day. To the first 500 on June 18th, 2010 at any Tropical Smoothie Cafe location wearing flip flops and they received a free 24 oz Jetty Punch smoothie.

Who knew?

Notes from the Home Front

Today, I took a break from watching the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. Sometimes watching either one or both can just suck the life right out of you. It was actually so hot today, that sitting inside was actually comforting.

National News

Sarah Palin

I NEVER thought that Sarah Palin's name would show up on my blog and intentionally I usually will avoid anything dealing with her to keep it that way. So why is she showing up tonight? I wanted to show in print what we have known about her all along. The article - Sarah Palin's Oil Regulation Lies comes from the Huffington Post. After reading this excerpt you will be laughing so hard that you'll thirst for more humor. "Sarah Palin has been busted for so many lies in the past year and a half, it's become nearly impossible to keep track of them all. Whenever she opens her mouth, she simply cannot stop herself from engaging in duplicities, exaggerations and half-truths that not-so-coincidentally always distort the political record in her favor. It's a pathology."

Broken Border - Texas
written while watching ABC Nightline

Fort Hancock Texas, a city with a population of approximately 1400 citizens are armed and ready. Citizens gather at Angie's Restaurant to discuss illegal immigration and the building of really high walls. The Sheriff and his deputies (17 of them) have about 100 miles to keep track of. The Sheriff has citizens who help out with illegal immigration into Fort Hancock. Some citizens have video surveillance on their homes, the woman called herself a "first responder". The violence in Juarez Mexico is creeping up over our borders because of the drug cartels there. It's reported that over 5000 people in Juarez have been killed by drug cartels in 2 years. This is Mexico's problem, not ours! The citizens of Fort Hancock are armed and ready to protect what is theirs.

Arizona

If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know my sentiments on Governor Jan Brewer and the SB1070 law and any other law that keeps our borders free of illegal immigrants. If you aren't a regular follower, let me just say this - I Support Arizona!

I don't agree with President Obama on this one - Official: Justice Department plans to sue over Arizona law - if anything he needs to deploy our National Guard to protect EVERY inch of the border between the United States and Mexico. As you read above, some towns are taking matters into their own hands. So here's the link to the article.

Local News

Perky Cups

Approximately, one month ago I had blogged about this company located in Aurora at the corner of Peoria and Iliff. An Aurora Councilwoman was trying to close this company down. So much for creating new jobs. Today, it was reported, that Perky Cups has lost its lease for unpaid rent. My personal opinion is because the city government was trying to put it out of business, and did so by getting the word out to avoid doing business with Perky Cups. Perky Cups, coffee shop with bikini-clad baristas, is evicted can be found here.

Jane Norton on the Attack AGAIN!

Here's another name that should never show up within my blog. On account of Jane Norton's rogue statements, she will appear here tonight just like Sarah Palin (are these two twins or cut out of the same cloth?) In my opinion, they are. So without anymore waste of space - Norton aide says Obama strong-armed the $20 billion BP “slush fund” in move to “autocracy” - found here.

Tech News

Encryption for Your Hard Drive

If you are worried about the information that you keep on your hard drive and keeping it safe, this article from LifeHacker is for you. TrueCrypt is a free and open-source disk encryption software that runs on all platforms, supports hidden volumes, and can even encrypt your entire hard drive. As with all software, read about it completely before installing it. Personally, I have not used TrueCrypt. Find out about it here.

Verizon Wireless tests iPad

Just when you thought your new device was great, learn how AT&T is changing contract terms for the iPad to hurt you where it counts - right in the wallet. This article - Verizon Wireless begins testing iPads on its 3G network, report - not only explains about the testing but has detailed information on AT&T pricing plans for the iPad.

Daily Tweet to Senator Mark Udall

@MarkUdall #AskUdall WE are struggling in YOUR state - HOW are YOU voting on "extenders bill"? Why don't you answer me? #unemployment

As Always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

MAKE USE OF THE POWER OF THE KEYBOARD!

A bit late for posting but ....

There are times when I have other things to tend to. This time it was a trip to, what I call the recording studio, for another blog and podcast. All went well with that.

Notes from the Home Front

Nothing of interest today.

Unemployment News

Do you wonder why there has been so many set backs on HR 4213? Go to the US Senate site and look up the bill. Just as I wrote yesterday, there is so much 'pork' in the bill that it won't be until sometimes next week that something is REALLY done. Of course, that is my opinion. I actually thought that there was a law against that happening. Was there?

Today, there was an article on this exact same thing in the Examiner. Read what they report on why there was/is a set back.

Tweets to my Senator Mark Udall

Although I wrote several to him, this was one of them asking why and what he was voting no on yesterday. @MarkUdall #askUdall Did I hear you correctly yesterday voting NO for #unemployment extensions on HR 4213? EXPLAIN SENATOR!
I believe that I will be calling his office and requesting a call back from him.

National News

Social Media Can Get you in Trouble

Did you know that Venting Online, Consumers Can Find Themselves in Court? Believe it! What you write about a company is libel. If you can't back up what you write, you might find yourself in court with many expenses in court fees and possibly a fine to the company you flamed. Before you sound off online, whether it's a tweet on twitter, a post on facebook or writing on a blog, get in touch with the company via phone or email. Phone is preferable, most companies have a customer resolution/retention department or at least an Executive Services person to speak with. Get the persons email, follow up your phone call with an email detailing everything discussed in the phone call. I'd also cc yourself on the email, make a folder for the company and add the email to it. Also make a notepad log to record the number you called, who you spoke with, add the date and time, ask for the persons badge number. I know I've mentioned this in other blog posts but it's all important and was necessary to repeat. Read the article on how this one guy got himself in hot water for just posting a comment.

Illegal Immigration - Arizona Border

It's articles like this that our government needs to pay attention to. As the article states, Arizona authorities don't know who shot several illegal immigrants caught walking over our border but we NEED to have better border patrol. With the 1200 that we supposed to be guarding our borders, that is 400 per 8 hour shift. How can 400 guards protect the entire borders for each state that borders Mexico and the United States. The article is interesting, although it may not be the right thing to do, it is happening and more needs to be done. Undocumented Border Crossers Shot At In Arizona, Attackers May Be U.S. Citizens - Read it!

That's a wrap folks!

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

THINK TWICE BEFORE DOING ANY ANGRY POSTING ONLINE!

US Senate and House of Representatives

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. I'll go right to Unemployment News because it's important to me and millions of others.

Unemployment News

After watching both the Senate and House in action today I am a firm believer that we who are STILL unemployed will just be made to lay down and die. I can't believe how little regard these people who we put in office have for us. One day, I promise you, my readers, that I will run for office and when I do, this nonsense will stop. Well at least I will make every effort to stop it. What ever happened to "We the people, for the people"? That question has me sitting here just shaking my head and wondering what I can do to make this better. If any of you want to see live feed from the Senate and House, (C-SPAN, C-SPAN2) on Directv view Channels 350 and 351. Check your local listings for your service.

Unemployed Held Hostage

Does the title of this article say it all? The Unemployed Held Hostage - the article starts out "Since June 1, when federal unemployment benefits began to expire, an estimated 325,000 jobless workers have been cut off. That number will swell to 1.25 million by the end of the month unless Congress extends the benefits. The Senate, so far, has failed to act." Be sure to read the rest of it.

Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)

Via Twitter I have repeatedly tweeted to my Senator Mark Udall (D-CO). FINALLY today, a reply.

Tweets between Senator Mark Udall and myself between June 14 and June 15

@MarkUdall Senator, #AskUdall, what about #unemployment extensions and COBRA ARRA?

@MarkUdall how about speaking on the #unemployment situation which is important to us in CO! #askUdall - a reply from you would be nice too

@ElaineM925 Letting #unemployment benefits expire before R economy recovers doesn’t make sense 4 those still struggling 2 find work.

@MarkUdall Senator U R rt .... now wht is being done w/ that? #unemployment - unemployed numbers just keep going up! ty 4 answering!

@MarkUdall would it be good to get in front of Congress with the situation on #unemployment? I would come and speak! Thank you again!

I am hoping that tomorrow he will address the last two.

National News

Recalls

Suzuki and Volkswagon both have recalls on their vehicles. If you own, a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2005-2006 Suzuki XL-7, or a 2009 Volkswagen Routan, you will definitely want to read the article which gives you phone numbers to contact these manufacturers regarding each recall.

Were you expecting to pick up your new BMW Series 1? Was it manufactured between January 2010 and May 2010? You will have to wait a bit longer as BMW has issued stops on delivery, and recalls of the 1 Series. Do you need more information for this vehicle? Grab it here.

Local News

Immigration Rally - Denver

Today, immigrant advocates marched in downtown Denver from the State Capitol to the Federal Building. Upon arrival at the Federal Building they held a sit down rally, police broke it up and ticketed the protesters. My message to illegal immigrants - Go Back to Mexico, and let President Calderon embrace you! If American citizens behaved like this in Mexico, we would have been jailed. Read all about it.

That wraps up another day,
As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

SUPPORT ARIZONA AND THEIR FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!

Storage available!

I usually start out explaining how hot it was today. Truth is, I have no idea. This afternoon/evening 3 tornadoes touched down in Colorado. Funnel clouds came close to where I live but sirens never went off. We had a few downpours of rain followed by humidity.

Notes from the Home Front

I was advised yesterday that the storage units in my building were going to be available today. After getting the key and borrowing the hand truck from the rental office, I proceeded to take plastic containers filled with Christmas ornaments and decorations as well as my camping equipment to the storage. Because I have had a great need for storage, there are two storage units that contain the containers that needed to be out of my spare bedroom. My spare bedroom will be transformed to a sewing/computer room.

I'm looking for people who read the authors, James Patterson, Nelson DeMille and Jeffrey Deaver. Why? I'd love to trade books. At the moment, I do this through Swaptree. I don't have any problem with them but perhaps there are some of you who can't afford to buy books and would like to trade. Let me know!

National News

Arizona

Arizona has been the forerunner in making laws that will be best for all states that fight against illegal immigration. This time, Arizona is under fire for denying "anchor babies" birth certificates from the state. Yes, I wrote comments on the article webpage in admiration of this long overdue action. Here's an excerpt from the article - "It says a state legislator is considering introducing a bill that would deny a birth certificate to a child born to an illegal immigrant." Read the entire article. Please make sure that you leave a comment too! No registration necessary.

(Un)Employment

Quitting vs being laid off

How can this be? It is reported that more people are quitting their jobs than being laid off in 2010. Millions of us are still without jobs, we can't even get a job to quit. What's happening here? Are the jobs that people are quitting ones that they took just to have a job but now have found something better? WHERE are these jobs? Find the article here.

Legislature acts on surfers

Speaking about jobs, I am sure that you have heard about government workers who surf the web for pornography and other such things. Yesterday, before Congress left for a long weekend, an amendment was offered by Mr. Maffei.

The amendment reads: An amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 111-503 to state that no funds authorized under the act may be used to pay the salary of an employee who has been officially disciplined for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography (including child pornography) on a Federal Government computer or while performing official Federal Government duties.

You can find what your legislators are doing during their "workday" (using the term loosely) by clicking here.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

MAKE YOUR LEGISLATORS WORK FOR YOU!

Mexican laws - worse than Arizona

Today was another beautiful day in the neighborhood. A little bit of rain fell but otherwise, sun shining, blue skies and warm.

Notes from the Home Front

Today, I realized that a trellis is needed to hold the gladiolas up, I'm very sure that I can make one cheaper than buying one. When I do, of course, I'll take pictures of it. A trellis might also work well once the cucumber plants start sprawling out of their planters.

Tonight, I found this funny television show on CBS "I Get That A Lot". Celebrity guests act like regular workers in an assortment of stores. I think it's hysterical! Anyone else watch it?

World News

What you may have never known about Mexico's laws, but will now!

The following is an excerpt from the article: "Under the Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. Immigrants who are deported and attempt to re-enter can be imprisoned for 10 years. Visa violators can be sentenced to six-year terms. Mexicans who help illegal immigrants are considered criminals."

How about that? Read the whole article explaining how Mexican President Felipe Calderon denounced as "racial discrimination" the Arizona Law - click here.

So tell me - WHO has tougher laws on Illegal Immigration? Of course, I, personally, wouldn't ever think of going to Mexico to live there or even try to. Would YOU? All in all, I STILL applaud Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona and hope that SB1070 wakes up our government in Washington DC to act upon closing/securing OUR borders.

Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

In other world news, what do you think should be done with BP? Why wouldn't the Coast Guard, a US of A entity not hand over the tapes of the oil spill since the day it happened? This is classic for our government and it REALLY bothers me. It is also my opinion from watching the tapes on Katie Couric's CBS report that there is a barely a difference between the oil spewing from the original break in the pipe and now that it is semi-plugged. If you've seen it, you'd know that you don't have to be an expert on the subject.

Unemployment News

Florida

Some people in Florida are happy tonight and actually might know where their next meal is coming from, others were not so fortunate. Continue to read the article entitled: Florida extends unemployment benefits, but not all are eligible, here.

Tier 5, Senator Reid and Passage of HR 4213

Quoted from the article: "The Tax Extenders bill (H.R.4213) that is likely to come before Congress sometime over the next week is the vehicle that will extend unemployment eligibility till the end of 2010. While that’s good news for millions who will benefit from knowing their unemployment won’t be ending till year’s end, it’s of little condolence to the millions who have and will exhaust their benefits."

Please read the whole article by clicking this link.

Representative Levin Predicts Action on Extenders by Week's End

The following is a quote from the article: "If the Republicans want to filibuster a jobs-tax extender bill that contains an extension of unemployment insurance, contains COBRA benefits, that provides reimbursements for the doctors that take care of Medicare patients, I'd like to see that," she said. "I'd like to see that debate on the floor of the Senate and I think that we do ourselves a disservice by not standing up and calling their bluff."

Read the entire article by clicking on this link.

My Weekly Phone Calls

Instead of making my regular phone calls today, I decided to take a different approach. Yesterday, on each Senators or Representatives page on facebook or in reply to a tweet by them, I commented and tweeted about the percentage rate of Colorado unemployment. I suggest we start taking more direct and drastic measures. In addition to commenting on their pages on facebook, I also posted a question for the television stations on their walls. Although, I wonder why The Denver Channel - ABC channel 7 - no longer has a wall to post on. I did find another way to post to them and received a comment from them in reply.

Tomorrow, I start on the newspapers!

In a way, I'm forcing them in public to report on this VERY important issue.

You've heard of Unemployment and Employment - Now we have Infoployment!

Today, in the midst of reading tweets, I came across a blog site named: iBlog |The Infoployment Blog, they are a Job Search and Interview Information Services Company. You might find them interesting, so click here and read. Tell them I sent you!

Local News

Yahoo Buys Denver Based Associated Content

According to the article, Associated Content was listed as being a creation of Luke Beatty in either 2004 or 2005 - the one article lists 2004 and another link from it listed 2005.

Associated Content is an online presence that offers freelancers a chance to telecommute while submitting original text, video, images and audio to their content website. Who knew? You can read about the sale and what Associated Contact is all about here.

Tech News

Online Privacy

Have you ever wondered about what information others can obtain on you? Check out your results by searching at www.spokeo.com. I checked out my personal information there. Some of it is correct while much more of it is incorrect.

What will they think of next?

Consumer News

Verizon Wireless

After I receive a phone call tomorrow from the Corporate Office, I will expose the difficulties I have had with Verizon over a few weeks time.

Apple

While tweeting today, one of my fellow Tweeps was having an issue with their Mac Book and iPhone. This person tweeted about having a problem. I suggested that she call customer service back and ask for a technical supervisor, which she did. Yes, her problem was solved. YAY!

Never allow a customer service representative or anyone from "corporate america" push you around when you are calling them with an issue. Start a log, write down the date and time you called, and person's name. Write down why you called them, what happened on the phone call and if you were satisfied. Keep this log for future reference, you may need it in case the issue reappears. If you continue to get the "run-around", ask for a supervisor, and log it! If you still aren't satisfied, go higher to the Corporate Office as they might have an Executive Services department that WILL solve your problem. One thing that is VERY important to remember is that YOU the customer are contributing to the salary of the person who is a representative of the company you called. Don't let them forget that without you, there would be no job for them!

That wraps up another day of blogging -

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

If you "Tweet", it's Follow Friday #FF

I'd like to thank you all for following my blog. Having followers is a huge honor for me.

News from the Home Front

This morning, I have made a few phone calls and received some as well. On Monday, I have an interview! WOW! Incredible! The vacancy that I will interview for is in training. For the past 5 years, that's been a part of what I have done.

After searching the internet for articles on re-potting cucumber plants, there was one article that was close to what will help me. The Ohio State University - Horticulture and Crop Sciences. I obtained the phone number for the "Master Gardener" while on the phone with the university and will call him regarding the transplant of my little tender plants. More on that later ..... I missed out on calling today (because of the time difference) but will definitely call on Monday for advise on what to do.

On the unemployment front, though, nothing has changed and it appears as though our US Senators and Congress people will happily go on vacation leaving those of us who are running out of unemployment benefits 'out on the clothesline' to dry up and go away. Don't stop calling and writing .. STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

Shortened URLs

For the past year or so, people have been posting links to pictures, articles and websites via shortened URLs. What I have observed from these is that you can't tell where you are really being directed to. You all know that when hovering over a link it will show the address of where you will land. While I respect that Twitter, by use of TweetDeck, gives you the option to shorten a url, how do we know what the long address was? In recent time, I am guilty of shortening urls but it is my belief that once you trust a person, there should be no problem clicking on the link unless you suspect that the persons account has been hacked.

Until today, I never knew that there was a way to view the original address with shortened URLs. Some valuable information on knowing the original web address from shortened urls - on bit.ly links add a "+" to the end of the link and you can see the original link and how many people have clicked on it, for is.gd links add a "-". A huge thank you to Jason who provided that information.

Something disturbing

"Tensions are rising at a California high school (Live Oak High School) where five students were sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo." Fox News reporter, Joshua Rhett Miller, reported.

You can read the whole article by clicking here. What are your comments on this story? Should the students wearing American flagged shirts been sent home or not? It makes me wonder what would have been done if school was in session on July 4th and students went to school wearing the Mexican flag on their shirts. Do you think that the school official who stepped in was acting prematurely in his actions?

It doesn't bother me that "ethnic" groups want to show support of the countries that they've come from - ie: St Patrick's Day Parade, Columbus Day Parade. Yet, on those days, people wear shirts of any style and nothing is considered to be tense.

My opinion is that increased exposure to laws etc. regarding illegal immigrants have spurred on these occurrences.

English as an Official Language

As I have noted in another post, English is the official, by law, language of Colorado (where I live) but did you know that it is the official language in over 35 states here in the US. You may wish to click here and check the law for your own state. Perhaps this is why those students felt it was "politically correct" to wear proudly their shirts with American flags on them. California IS an English speaking state.