Readers survey...

Because I always receive such wonderful insight from my readers, I pose the following question for your musings?

Which of these things is more important?

• Becoming who or what you want to be.

• Being satisfied and comfortable with who you are.

I await your thoughtful replies...

- ND

Losing faith...

As I was reading STLToday this morning, I came across an article that got me really mad. Here's a link to the article:

They're throwing them away

The article discusses a large number of Iraq war veterans who are being denied full benefits because it has been determined that they suffered from pre-existing mental health issues before their deployment. The military is suggesting that the mental health of these soldiers after their deployment is the result of these undiagnosed pre-existing conditions rather than PTSD from their experiences in combat. Because of this they are receiving downgraded VA benefits, and in many cases reduced financial support.

Let me lay out what I believes this country should do for it's citizen soldiers.

• Every citizen that takes up arms to support this country should have lifetime health care benefits. This applies to every person who serves not just those who serve in a combat zone. It is our responsibility to ensure that those who serve in any capacity in the defense of our freedom deserve the best care in return.

• Everyone who serves in the military should have complete access to our higher education system. The days of allotting a fixed education benefit should be replaced by a commitment to providing the best education that the individual can attain. No one who serves should have to choose what they can afford, they should be able to attend wherever they choose. They also should be provided living expenses while they are in school.

How we treat the soldiers that defend our freedom reflects on us as a society. The soldiers who serve to keep us free should receive benefits from our society greater then those who choose not to serve. Although we owe these patriots a debt that can never be repaid, we should do our best to ensure that we make every effort to compensate them for their sacrifice.

People speak of our WWII veterans as "the greatest generation". I believe that the solders that serve today are every bit as great as generations past. They answered the call to serve, and make great sacrifices for their countryman. Let's ensure that we don't break the faith that we have established with them.

- ND

Frankly...

Jim loaned me Sinatra at the Sands for the drive home tonight. Frank always has a song that speaks to me...

Its quarter to three, theres no one in the place
Except you and me
So set em up joe, I got a little story
I think you should know
Were drinking my friend, to the end
Of a brief episode
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
I know the routine, put another nickel
In the machine
I feel kind of bad, cant you make the music
Easy and sad
I could tell you a lot, but its not
In a gentlemans code
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
Youd never know it, but buddy Im a kind of poet
And Ive got a lot of things Id like to say
And if Im gloomy, please listen to me
Till its talked away
Well thats how it goes, and joe I know your gettin
Anxious to close
Thanks for the cheer
I hope you didnt mind
My bending your ear
But this torch that I found, its gotta be drowned
Or its gonna explode
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

They don't write 'em like that any more...

- ND

Unmoderated...

After the comments received on the last post, I wonder if I should turn this into a blog about my eating habits. Keep in mind, that as a single person, I tend toward the economical and simple rather than the healthy or palatable. That however, is not what I really wanted to follow up on.

I must admit that I really look forward to the comments I receive on my posts. They usually contain the wit that I wish I displayed when I posted the entry. Whether on or off topic, they normally give me reason to laugh, smile or scratch my head quizzically. Thanks to all of you that have been responsible for those reactions.

More to the point, I want to make sure that the comments section does not become overly personal or a place for individuals to take shots at each other. I have chosen to keep the comments on this blog unmoderated, because I believe that my readers are capable of moderating themselves. I do not wish to become a moderator or an apologist, so use your best judgment and keep it light.

I'm thick skinned, so please mock me mercilessly if you'd like.

- ND

Nabor Dan has new chef...

I never thought hiring my own chef would be so economical...




and no, I'm not kidding... I prefer the tortellini.

- ND

Vacation to recover...

I decided to take today off. I needed a day off to rest and hopefully recover from a sinus infection that had been plaguing me for about a week. In the last couple of days it has has moved into my chest, so now I probably really have a cold.

Friday is always the best day to waste a vacation day. Unlike many employers, the company I work for does not discern between sick days and vacation days. Sick equals vacation, so all the better if you take the day on a Friday or Monday. Sick sucks no matter what day you're sick, but if you can string the days together into a three day weekend, it sucks a little less.

- ND

Not much to say...

I haven't had much to say lately so I have intentionally neglected blogging for about a week. I started a post the other day, but I was having a couple of beers, and noticed that typing coherently was really difficult. I thought better of publishing the post as I was afraid that it would be an embarrassment.

I made a deal on a car on Monday. That makes me the owner of three vehicles. Two functional and one boat anchor. I really need to get the Mustang running again. It just sits collecting dust in my garage, and although it costs nothing to let it sit in that state, it's a bit disgraceful to have such a sweet car that is so neglected. I will have to get my neighbor interested in a little winter project.

The new vehicle, although not really new, is a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. I decided to purchase it from my cousin after discussing it while on vacation at Lake of the Ozarks. It isn't as upscale as my current Cherokee, but I figured that it would keep me out of car payments for another couple of years. I'll have to get used to driving a manual transmission. I've never had a daily driver that wasn't an automatic, so we'll have to see what driving in rush hour traffic is like.

Here is a stock photo that looks remarkably like my new ride.


That's all for now. I hope to be inspired to write some more tonight.

- ND

Another recall...

The latest item manufactured in China to be recalled...



Slide at your own risk!

- ND

Just some thoughs...

Sorry I have been away from posting for a few days. I came home the other night with every intention of sitting down and creating a new entry. I stopped by my parents house to do a couple chores, and by the time I arrived home it was 9:00pm. I started to empty the contents of my pockets onto the counter when the whole house went dark. Storms had been brewing for the last few hours, but I figured that since we hadn't seen any rain in weeks, we would be passed over once again. I was wrong. The power continued to cycle on and off, mostly on, for about an hour. I just couldn't see myself sitting in my office, typing a blog entry and getting shut down every 10 minutes. So I decided to do some reading and then get some sleep. So that is the explanation of why you haven't seen anything in a few days.

More coming soon...

- ND