Speaking of Hell's Kitchen, one of my newest "Must See TV" programs is anything with Gordon Ramsay - "Hell's Kitchen", "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares", etc. I love this guy. I've heard people comment that they can't stand him because he's so rude, but if you really watch him, you realize that he's a "tough love" type of guy. He doesn't act that way just to be a moron. He does it because he cares and wants everyone to be the best they can. I especially see this in "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares."
As I explained to Cara (for those who haven't seen that series), he goes to individual restaurants that are about to close, spends a week with them, and helps them turn things around. I explained that I had actually lived through a similar event when I ran my own dental office.
In 2001, I had my own dental office in Westminster, CO. I was going bankrupt. Cara convinced me to sign up for a year-long practice management course in Scottsdale AZ. That course turned my life around. It taught me how to run a business, and it taught me that I didn't want to be in private practice. During that course, I had my own little "Gordon Ramsay" moment when the program director had a personal meeting with me and said that if I didn't do EVERYTHING that was laid out in the course, I was OUT of the course. Needless to say, I was more than a little shocked at the encounter. However, it had the desired results, and I was able to turn the office around. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
For that reason, I love watching Gordon Ramsay.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Blogging
I find that the problem I have with blogs is that I feel that I am, for the most part, a boring person. I'm not the fancy five-star restaurant like Wolfgang Puck or Hell's Kitchen. I'm more the corner diner, greasy spoon - always there, but nothing to write home about. My personal journals were always fact filled with little emotion. Here, however, facts tend to be boring unless accompanied by some sort of emotion. I would prefer to write a technical article any day over a personal monologue.
Having said that, I do realize that I need to write more often, especially since this is taking the place of my journal. So what's it like in Metlakatla? I thoroughly enjoy it here, but do little. I wake up in the morning, go to work, come home, play on the computer or watch TV and go to bed. Very monotonous. As much as I like the peace and quiet, I'm excited for the family to finally get up here so I actually have something to do. I think if we can make the other building into an office/TV room ( my "Fortress of Solitude"), I'll be able to have enough peace that I don't get too grumpy.
Last week we had the local Health Fair. It was a good chance for me to get out and meet the people of the town. We had over 500 participants, which was a record for them. I personally did 80 oral screenings. The funnest of those were the little Head Start kids. They're so cute! They all line up like little ducklings and didn't cause any problems.
Having said that, I do realize that I need to write more often, especially since this is taking the place of my journal. So what's it like in Metlakatla? I thoroughly enjoy it here, but do little. I wake up in the morning, go to work, come home, play on the computer or watch TV and go to bed. Very monotonous. As much as I like the peace and quiet, I'm excited for the family to finally get up here so I actually have something to do. I think if we can make the other building into an office/TV room ( my "Fortress of Solitude"), I'll be able to have enough peace that I don't get too grumpy.
Last week we had the local Health Fair. It was a good chance for me to get out and meet the people of the town. We had over 500 participants, which was a record for them. I personally did 80 oral screenings. The funnest of those were the little Head Start kids. They're so cute! They all line up like little ducklings and didn't cause any problems.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Cara's New Life
Cara just came home from the hospital from having her gastric bypass surgery. The surgery went very well. The doctor said it would take from 2 1/2 to 4 hours, and hers took between 2 1/2 and 3 hours. No complications, everything went well. The rest of that first day went as could be expected - She slept most of the day and had some minor pain, but not from the surgical sites. The next day, though, she was back to her old self. She was walking laps around the floor, talking to everyone she saw, both patients and employees. Today, she was tired again, and said that this was how she expected to feel the first day. However, everything is progressing well, and she came home this afternoon. Now she's just resting and getting used to her new diet of clear liquids, and the psychological part of losing the weight.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Moving
I've moved again. Don't worry, I'm still in Metlakatla. I just have a bigger place so all my kids will fit when they come to visit. The first place I was in was very nice and very new, but it was only a two bedroom. Unless I could move into a three bedroom and put somebody in the garage (don't worry, those garages are heated), there was no way we would have fit. This new house is a lot bigger - four bedrooms - but also a lot older. There are only three closets in the whole house, so the owner used one of the bedrooms as a walk-in closet. Luckily, there's another building which we can use for storage, so it's not as bad as it might sound. I think it's a cute house. I (and Rachel) really like the purple kitchen. You can see photos on my Facebook. It's now just the chore of unpacking everything AGAIN. I'm lazy, I hate doing stuff like that the first time, let alone twice in two months! Oh well.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Xander Strikes Again
I took Amylynn and Xander to the aquarium store to get new fish for the aquarium. Xander loves to look at the fish. Unfortunately, if anybody else is with him, he gets into trouble. As we were looking at fish, he came over to me, grabbed my by the hand, and said, "Dad, come here." I followed him, and he brought me over to one of the aquariums. There, as part of the decorations of the aquarium, was the store telephone, sitting on the bottom of the tank! He was very proud of himself! I didn't know whether to laugh or swear. I told the store and told them to add it to my bill. I lucked out and they ONLY charged me $20.
For those of you who didn't know, this isn't the first time he's done this. Over Christmas, he threw my iPod and cell phone into the filled bathtub. The iPod survived, but the cell phone didn't. Of course, I had no warranty on the phone, so had to buy a whole new phone with a whole new contract at the cost of about $200. So $20 was actually a bargain. What's that curse that parents always wish on their kids? Oh yeah, "I hope your kid is just like you!"
For those of you who didn't know, this isn't the first time he's done this. Over Christmas, he threw my iPod and cell phone into the filled bathtub. The iPod survived, but the cell phone didn't. Of course, I had no warranty on the phone, so had to buy a whole new phone with a whole new contract at the cost of about $200. So $20 was actually a bargain. What's that curse that parents always wish on their kids? Oh yeah, "I hope your kid is just like you!"
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Politics (WARNING - Very Inflamatory)
WARNING - IF YOU DO NOT LIKE MY POLITICAL POSTS, STOP READING NOW! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
My title was going to be "Obama is a baby-killing communist", "The REAL Obama - I told you so!", or something equally obnoxious, but decided to not start the rhetoric until down here in the actual blog.
I tried to keep quiet about President Obama. I tried to stay optimistic about him. I tried to see what he would do and judge him on his actions, NOT what I expected his actions to be. I really hoped Cara would be right. She was so impressed by how he was able to get so many people involved in the political process. Well, actions speak louder than words, and his actions in this first week have confirmed him to be everything I dreaded he would be. Let me count the ways, by providing links as my proof.
1. Obama is Hitler. OK, leftwingers, before you try to crucify me, remember that for the past eight years, you've compared Bush to Hitler every time you opened your collective mouths. See:
1. http://archive.democrats.com/preview.cfm?term=Bush%20Hitler%20Comparison
2. http://karmakat.typepad.com/picasso_dreams/2004/01/bushhitler_coma.html
3. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rusty-weiss/2008/10/21/bds-alert-stone-equates-bush-hitler
See also:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Derangement_Syndrome
If you want to dish it out ("Bush is Hitler"), you had better be prepared to take it.
Now, why do I say that Obama is Hitler? Go to link #2 and read the second paragraph, specifically, "Hitler's popularity was real, as opposed to the fabricated polls that keep telling us Bush is doing a great job." Compare that with this quote: "To some Germans and, no doubt, to most foreigners it appeared that a charlatan had come to power in Berlin. To the majority of Germans Hitler had - or would shortly assume - the aura of a truly charismatic leader. They were to follow him blindly, as if he possessed a divine judgment, for the next twelve tempestuous years." (Shirer, William L. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. 1959. New York: Simon & Schuster,1990. P 6.) Who does that sound like? Sure not Bush. People hate Bush. Sounds more like Obama. In fact, if you put Obama's name in place of Hitler, it sounds eerily like what we're experiencing now with The Messiah, Lord Obama.
2. Baby killer. See http://i.abcnews.com/Politics/International/story?id=6716958&page=1
What more can you say? My tax dollars are now funding abortions even more than they were. I cannot support a president who condones and finances the wanton massacre of unborn babies. For something to really think about, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c.
3. Defense of Marriage. See http://conservativeoasis.com/obama-doma/2009/01/22/. I think that says it better than I can -"We are simply saying that society does not want the American FAMILY defined that way. Nobody is saying stone the bastards. Nobody is saying let’s organize and put them all on an island. Go ahead- live your life the way you want. Do it behind closed doors. And yes, you can have some of the same legal and financial advantages married people do. " No, Mr. President, I do not support your actions in this.
4. Religious hypocrite (anti-Christian?). See: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/28/steven-edwards-suddenly-obama-has-muslim-roots.aspx. All you had to do was talk about it BEFORE the election. Ah, but then you wouldn't have had as good of chance to bamboozle the American public. Also, beware of what he says about American-Muslim relations because, despite his Ivy League background, he is ignorant of history - see http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/boot/52431. If Sarah Palin says this, the media crucify her for not being ready to lead. Obama says it, and the media bend over, drool, and kiss his ass some more.
5. Political hypocrite (Free Speech? NOT!). Tied into the religious notes above, Obama has already made it clear that he intends to stifle any speech that runs counter to His Holiness' beliefs. See:
1. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30422
2. http://www.bucksright.com/obama-censorship-squad-hits-pittsburghs-kdka-1902
3. http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-124769
4. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/03/obama-censorship/
5. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30413&s=rcmp
I think this one is the scariest of them all. Obama does NOT believe in free speech. He will do everything he can to crush it. Hmm, I think that goes back to point #1 above - he's more like Hitler than Bush ever thought of being. I particularly like this cartoon.
6. Socialist/Communist. See:
1. http://obamaism.blogspot.com/
2. http://maggiesnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/10/barack-obamas-socialist-and-communist.html
3. http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/barack-obamas-connections-to-socialism-communism-and-racial-divisiveness-591732.html
4. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/03/obamathetaxrais.html
5. http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/05/detailed-report.html
I've been saying this since Obama announced his candidacy. Obama is a communist. For those who counter that Bush was a fascist, ultimately, there is very little difference between Communists and Fascists. Both are totalitarian regimes. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalitarianism. Read this clip from that site: "Totalitarian regimes or movements maintain themselves in political power by means of an official all-embracing ideology and propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, a single party that controls the state, personality cults, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, the use of mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror tactics." Except for the single party (which they are working on - see http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/obama-quit-listening-rush-limbaugh-want-things/) and the terror tactics, (and with the links I've supplied, I think we've already reached intimidation. Terror isn't that far behind), that sounds amazingly like what the Obama Administration is already attempting to do. More so than what Bush ever did (although some will argue about the mass surveillance). I'm not crazy about Bush. I think his foreign policies were OK, but his domestic policies left a lot to be desired (No Child Left Behind, prescription benefits expansion, etc.). However, I'll take Bush over Obama ANY DAY of the week. I figure that I had better voice my opinions now, while I can, before the Obama Thought Police completely ban any kind of political dissent. As a final comment, that I am not alone in my thinking, I give you this link: http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/cadamo/2009/cga_01291.shtml.
My title was going to be "Obama is a baby-killing communist", "The REAL Obama - I told you so!", or something equally obnoxious, but decided to not start the rhetoric until down here in the actual blog.
I tried to keep quiet about President Obama. I tried to stay optimistic about him. I tried to see what he would do and judge him on his actions, NOT what I expected his actions to be. I really hoped Cara would be right. She was so impressed by how he was able to get so many people involved in the political process. Well, actions speak louder than words, and his actions in this first week have confirmed him to be everything I dreaded he would be. Let me count the ways, by providing links as my proof.
1. Obama is Hitler. OK, leftwingers, before you try to crucify me, remember that for the past eight years, you've compared Bush to Hitler every time you opened your collective mouths. See:
1. http://archive.democrats.com/preview.cfm?term=Bush%20Hitler%20Comparison
2. http://karmakat.typepad.com/picasso_dreams/2004/01/bushhitler_coma.html
3. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rusty-weiss/2008/10/21/bds-alert-stone-equates-bush-hitler
See also:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Derangement_Syndrome
If you want to dish it out ("Bush is Hitler"), you had better be prepared to take it.
Now, why do I say that Obama is Hitler? Go to link #2 and read the second paragraph, specifically, "Hitler's popularity was real, as opposed to the fabricated polls that keep telling us Bush is doing a great job." Compare that with this quote: "To some Germans and, no doubt, to most foreigners it appeared that a charlatan had come to power in Berlin. To the majority of Germans Hitler had - or would shortly assume - the aura of a truly charismatic leader. They were to follow him blindly, as if he possessed a divine judgment, for the next twelve tempestuous years." (Shirer, William L. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. 1959. New York: Simon & Schuster,1990. P 6.) Who does that sound like? Sure not Bush. People hate Bush. Sounds more like Obama. In fact, if you put Obama's name in place of Hitler, it sounds eerily like what we're experiencing now with The Messiah, Lord Obama.
2. Baby killer. See http://i.abcnews.com/Politics/International/story?id=6716958&page=1
What more can you say? My tax dollars are now funding abortions even more than they were. I cannot support a president who condones and finances the wanton massacre of unborn babies. For something to really think about, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c.
3. Defense of Marriage. See http://conservativeoasis.com/obama-doma/2009/01/22/. I think that says it better than I can -"We are simply saying that society does not want the American FAMILY defined that way. Nobody is saying stone the bastards. Nobody is saying let’s organize and put them all on an island. Go ahead- live your life the way you want. Do it behind closed doors. And yes, you can have some of the same legal and financial advantages married people do. " No, Mr. President, I do not support your actions in this.
4. Religious hypocrite (anti-Christian?). See: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/28/steven-edwards-suddenly-obama-has-muslim-roots.aspx. All you had to do was talk about it BEFORE the election. Ah, but then you wouldn't have had as good of chance to bamboozle the American public. Also, beware of what he says about American-Muslim relations because, despite his Ivy League background, he is ignorant of history - see http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/boot/52431. If Sarah Palin says this, the media crucify her for not being ready to lead. Obama says it, and the media bend over, drool, and kiss his ass some more.
5. Political hypocrite (Free Speech? NOT!). Tied into the religious notes above, Obama has already made it clear that he intends to stifle any speech that runs counter to His Holiness' beliefs. See:
1. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30422
2. http://www.bucksright.com/obama-censorship-squad-hits-pittsburghs-kdka-1902
3. http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-124769
4. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/03/obama-censorship/
5. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30413&s=rcmp
I think this one is the scariest of them all. Obama does NOT believe in free speech. He will do everything he can to crush it. Hmm, I think that goes back to point #1 above - he's more like Hitler than Bush ever thought of being. I particularly like this cartoon.6. Socialist/Communist. See:
1. http://obamaism.blogspot.com/
2. http://maggiesnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/10/barack-obamas-socialist-and-communist.html
3. http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/barack-obamas-connections-to-socialism-communism-and-racial-divisiveness-591732.html
4. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/03/obamathetaxrais.html
5. http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/05/detailed-report.html
I've been saying this since Obama announced his candidacy. Obama is a communist. For those who counter that Bush was a fascist, ultimately, there is very little difference between Communists and Fascists. Both are totalitarian regimes. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalitarianism. Read this clip from that site: "Totalitarian regimes or movements maintain themselves in political power by means of an official all-embracing ideology and propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, a single party that controls the state, personality cults, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, the use of mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror tactics." Except for the single party (which they are working on - see http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/obama-quit-listening-rush-limbaugh-want-things/) and the terror tactics, (and with the links I've supplied, I think we've already reached intimidation. Terror isn't that far behind), that sounds amazingly like what the Obama Administration is already attempting to do. More so than what Bush ever did (although some will argue about the mass surveillance). I'm not crazy about Bush. I think his foreign policies were OK, but his domestic policies left a lot to be desired (No Child Left Behind, prescription benefits expansion, etc.). However, I'll take Bush over Obama ANY DAY of the week. I figure that I had better voice my opinions now, while I can, before the Obama Thought Police completely ban any kind of political dissent. As a final comment, that I am not alone in my thinking, I give you this link: http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/cadamo/2009/cga_01291.shtml.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Nostalgia
I left Virginia/DC on Sunday morning and flew back to Metlakatla. My flight was at 8:00 A.M., so I had to leave Josiah's at 5:00 A.M. to get the rental car back. Coming in on I-66 was quite the nostalgia trip. Given that I was already in a "mood" from Erin's wedding, seeing the old sites, even in the dark of early morning, could have been a tear-jerker had I let it. Seeing the exit for Tyson's Corner, Roslyn, Key Bridge, etc. I had to get gas, so I made sure to get off on Rte 7 to see the old neighborhood of Idylwood Rd and Pimmit Dr. Granted, I was there at 5:30 on a Sunday morning, so the traffic was non-existant (I always said my two big complaints about DC are the hot, humid summers, and too many people), but I need to get my four younger kids back there to see the sights.
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