Nabor Dan Returns...

I have returned from my week of horse camping with a slew of new content for you. I know I have been remiss in posting over the last couple of months, but I intend on getting lots of new posts out to you over the next several weeks so keep your browsers refreshed and stay tuned...

Here's the first in a series of photos of Nabor Dan and friends from the Big Meadow trip.

On my left is Mike on his horse Raider. I'm riding Pine.

- ND

Great photo...

I'm rarely happy about the photos that are taken of me. Anyone who knows me will have at least one picture of me making "crazy eyes" or just looking in general like I'm suffering from a huge gas bubble. I'm convinced ( and let's hope that I'm right about this) that I look better in person then on film. I'm comfortable with the fact that I'm not really very photogenic...

A friend of mine had this picture of me in her album, and was nice enough to forward it along. I think that it's one of the best pic's I've seen of me in a long time.


Thanks to Jamie for the forward... Thanks to Jamie and Shanon for helping make me look this good.

- ND

PS - this was taken at Topsiders at Lake of The Ozarks after the Rocklahoma trip.

The Rocklahoma project...

The first of them arrives...

- ND

Headway...

I'm sure that it has become a running gag with my friends and co-workers, that at any time if asked, I would be headed to a homeowners meeting. Unfortunately, the process has been anything but a joke. It has been the meeting equivalent of the Bataan Death March. Finally however, it seemed like we are getting somewhere, and perhaps the light at the proverbial "end of the tunnel" might be flickering in the distance.

Last Friday was a turning point for me. I had a special meeting scheduled to finally put to rest an issue that has been dividing the assembly for months. I thought that I had sufficient votes rallied to pass the motion, and was looking forward to moving on after literally months of contentious meetings over the issue. As it turned out, the meeting devolved into a yelling match (of which I did not partake) between some trustees and a few homeowners. I was appalled by the whole scene, and walked away totally dejected. I told myself that I couldn't be part of an organization so dysfunctional. I'd have to resign from this mess and let someone who had a higher pain tolerance take it from there. Then I remembered a quote I'd once heard...

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing."

After some soul searching I decided that it would be better to fight then flee. So I got on the phone with some of the other trustees and helped arrange a meeting. Those that are like minded sensible people were invited, and those who thrive on chaos and disorder were excluded. A total of seven of the 11 sitting trustees were present. Enough to create a quorum and pass any resolution or motion that comes in front of the board. You might characterize it as a voting block that intends to create an orderly transition to some sort of effectiveness of the board.

The last thing I wanted to be when I started this was a politician. I didn't have a clue how difficult it would be to constantly deal with irrational people who have secret agendas, and how much of my time would be dedicated to disproving their take on rules and laws. If we can simply achieve a few of the goals that we set out to achieve, then the initial nightmare will have been worth the effort. If the coalition that has been formed can stand together then all things are possible. If the coalition falls apart then all of the efforts to date will have accomplished exactly nothing.

We will see if my diplomatic skills are enough to keep things on track, or if they wilt in the onslaught that is sure to develop when the "outsiders" find out they have been out maneuvered. The coalition intends to be fair and honest, but that might not prove to be enough to move our agenda. Those who favor doing things "their way" always tend to have the loudest voices and the largest banners. Those who attempt to maintain a dignified and contemplative approach are drowned out by the shrill voices of the dissenters. Only time will tell if the outsiders will fall in line.

Wish me luck.

- ND

Milestone...

I noticed today that the counter on the blog had turned 180 days since my hypnosis session and formal quit time. I almost missed that I had reached the milestone all ex smokers eventually reach... 6 months and counting.

The last 6 months have not been without temptation and some degree of failure. I wouldn't be truthful with you if I told you that I hadn't touched as a single smoke in the last 6 months. Honestly, that would be a total fabrication. I have, on occasion... and usually under the influence of legal intoxicants, succumbed to the temptation to smoke a cigarette. Please understand that this has not made me a smoker, but just continued to reinforce that quitting was a good idea. I still consider myself a non-smoker, and I don't intend to restart the habit.

That being said, I'm glad that the process of quitting has been as easy as it has been. I am still using replacement therapy including either a patch or nicotine lozenge daily. I really don't know if I need them or if they are just a crutch. I don't really care at this point as long as I continue not smoking. As the doctor said... the patch is a whole lot better for your health then smoking.

Well... that's it for now. I hope that in another 180 days I can write about the next major milestone being as unremarkable as the first. I assume that at some point it won't be about counting anymore. It will just be something that I look back at and wonder why I ever smoked in the first place.

- ND

PS - The $680ish saved so far is helping to finance my petroleum addiction.

Old friend... New blog...

My friend Judy has created a new blog to narrate her journey across the country as part of the RAAM (Race Across America). She is crewing for a team of riders who are "relay riding" bicycles across the country. I'd try to describe her role in the process, but she'd probably do a better job.

Check out her blog at: http://www.adventuresahead.blogspot.com/

Find out more about RAAM here: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

I have added a link to her blog to the links section on the lower right. I'm sure that she would love to hear from you.

- ND

I'm with the band dude...

This just in...

Nabor Dan has been officially invited to join his favorite band as they travel to Oklahoma to participate in a huge rock festival. The band "The Real Me" will be reprising their original name FRONTRUNNER for the event.

We will be traveling to a town just outside of Tulsa for the huge "Rocklahoma" event. FRONTRUNNER will be playing the side stage on Thursday, and then we will be taking the RV to The Lake of the Ozarks for a gig on Friday at Topsiders.

Nabor Dan is very excited about the invitation from the band to participate in this trip, and will now stop talking in the third person.

- ND

The hat makes the man...

I was told that a cowboy hat is necessary for the horse camping excursion and have acquired one. My friend Dave generously offered to provide one for me, but I decided that I'd find one and bring it along. Dave gave me "fair warning" that cowboy hats were invented long before airplanes and that they could be awkward and difficult to manage on the flight. I decided that preparation for the trip would be part of the whole experience, and that buying a hat was one of the high points of preparation.

So here is a picture of my choice. I got the brown version. I picked it up at Cabelas.



Dave commented on the Aussie style with the word... Eeewww. But I have come to understand that he is a stickler for detail, and only something that fits his old west image would have met with a positive response. I have yet to break it to him that this hat looked best with the assless chaps I intend to wear. (Thanks to Guy Fawlkes for breaking that story)

I like the way it looks, so for the moment I'm going with it.

- ND

Guns - revised...

My friend Dave has suggested a gun that he feel is more appropriate based on my experience with firearms and current cowboy "image".

Here's the image he thinks I should be looking to emulate.


And these are Nabor Dan's friends... Nabor Dan doesn't need enemies.

- ND

Guns...

As I prepare for my great western adventure, I am learning that horse camping in the Sierras is not the same as a typical Missouri camping trip. After the obvious differences like location, and horses, and the mountains... there's the guns difference. Apparently when you horse camp you carry a sidearm.

I've been told that having a gun when horse camping serves a variety of purposes. The first is the care of the horse. If by some unfortunate accident, the horse would become critically injured in the process of riding, you have but one choice... put the horse down. I've been informed that the most humane method of doing this in a remote area is with your sidearm. Apparently other options are available, but every one that was mentioned sounded far too slow or gruesome to me, so I'm on board with the gun option.

Another reason for the weapons is wildlife. Apparently man has managed to run all of the big predatory animals out of Missouri, but that is not the case in northern California. I've been told to expect that there are bear and big cats lurking out in the wilderness of California, and that your best defense is a good offense. The idea is to scare not harm, but if they refuse to leave, that we are prepared to make a stand rather then become dinner.

Not being one who has ever carried a sidearm, I'm not sure what to expect. My friend has a small arsenal of weapons, so the most difficult part of this might be choosing the one that matches my western attire. I have been given a slew of options... here is the one I liked the best.


OK... I know that you're probably asking yourself what kind of western attire goes with a Beretta? I wish I could answer... but all I can think of is mine... I guess.

I'll be posting more as I start getting ready for the trip.

- ND

Vacation scheduled...

So it's official. I'm headed out to California to do some horse camping with my friend Dave. I purchased the tickets today, so I'm officially "bought in" for the trip.

I'm looking forward to getting away from the cell phones and doing some riding. That's not to imply that I have any experience in riding horses. I haven't had my butt in a saddle in 20 + years. The last time was in Mexico on a beach with a horse that probably would have been turned away from the Elmer's corporation. Dave's horses by no means fall into the same class as the Mexican horse.

Here's a pic of the horses. I think Dave wants me to ride the little one in front of the guy in the middle of the photo. It looks pretty small to me, but he's the expert.



- ND

We choose go to the moon...

On May, 25 1961 President John Kennedy gave a speech at Rice Stadium committing the country to a program of research and development that eventually lead us to the moon. He said...

"We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." (full text of the speech here)

Why did he set such an audacious goal, and how could he possibly hope to achieve it? There was clearly a political motive. The Soviets had beaten the United States in both the first satellite and the first man into space. The Soviets had clearly taken the world by surprise in their conquest of space, and we were in a game of catch up.

I have a hard time playing the achievement off as purely a political move. Perhaps it's just that the times are so different now, but looking back I have a hard time thinking that Kennedy's plan was just a cold war chess move. I like to think of it in a little more romantic way. I think of it as a leader who pressed the nation to unite behind a goal, and make sacrifices to ensure that the goal is met.

That thought, the unity of our people behind a singular goal, is the reason for this post. I'm not sure if it's our vision less leaders, or the sad lemmings that are the populace that are to blame, but somewhere this country lost the ability to create and execute a vision. I'm speaking about our continued reliance on oil, and the lack of any plan to quench the ever growing obsession for it. It's a problem that is universally recognized, but no one seems to have a good plan for solving. President Bush acknowledged our countries "addiction" to oil, and his suggestion has been to drill for more in Alaska. A suggestion that seems akin to giving heroin to a heroin addict without a treatment plan, but there really haven't been any other suggestions that make any more sense or really take on the problem. Frankly, whether Democrat or Republican, none of our leaders suggestions make much long term sense. So what should we do?

I suggest that the best course is to set a national agenda to free ourselves from our oil addiction. I think our leaders need to stop looking at ways to cover up the problem, and instead provide incentives to solve the problem. I'm not suggesting that government create the solution, but rather that the government create the vision and the incentives. The free market will solve the problem if given the opportunity and the incentive.

So what am I suggesting? It's simple... I suggest that our leaders make the commitment that within 10 years we are completely free of the need for foreign oil. That incentives are created to ensure that every American can replace their petroleum addiction with a more practical more sustainable energy source. And finally... that our leaders are held to account for making that vision into a reality. It's a tough challenge, but one that this country is up to facing. I'd like to think that the descendants of the veterans of WWII, and the children of the scientists who got NASA to the moon might like a challenge of their own. A challenge that perhaps in 50 years or 100 our descendants will look back on and marvel at our ingenuity and tenacity in solving.

- ND

Adjusted Score - Deer 0 - Jeep 1

Well I guess my pessimism over the eventual totaling of my jeep was without merit. As it turns out, the people at the insurance company must think that repair is cheaper then replacement. Then end result is that my Cherokee and I will continue to have a long and happy relationship.

(This is a rendering of the moment of impact*)

- ND

Final Score - Deer 1 Jeep 0

I would like to clarify for all of the people who think that Bambi's mother was killed in a forest fire. The sad but true story is that she was snuffed out on the front of my Jeep Cherokee last night.

If you have never seen a deer fly, it's actually quite impressive. It's quite a bit like the way Santa's reindeer are drawn in all of the Christmas books. I was half tempted, in that slow motion second of impact, to look for a tiny red sleigh tied to the ass end of the poor beastie. Unfortunately, the only gift I will likely receive will be a $500 deductible charge for repair of the damages.

(I believe that this is what it looked like)

There were no winners in this epic battle of machine vs. flesh. The Jeep has a crushed in front bumper and grill, and a leaking radiator. In driving past the point of impact on my way to work this morning it appeared that the deer didn't fair well either. Frankly it looked quite a bit like a crime scene. The only missing elements were the chalk outlines and the crime scene police tape. At least it didn't suffer... It was gone, so I assume it is being made into sausage somewhere.

We'll see if the insurance company decides that my 10 year old vehicle is worth repairing, or if they choose to let it retire. So much for the idea of no car payment.

-ND

Catching up...

Sorry to all my loyal readers for being out of touch for so long. I will attempt to make amends here for missing a couple of weeks.

Trivia night in Jefferson City two Saturdays past was quite the event. Not only did the Paddy's team handily win the contest, but we alienated ourselves from the Catholic Church int the process. Apparently the good Padre at the next table didn't find our raucous behavior suitable for the event. Perhaps it was the hearing aid he was wearing that convinced him that we were doing or saying something unseemly, but it is with all honesty that I say we did nothing offensive. What comments we made that could have offended were made in Gaelic. Being of German heritage I suspect he wouldn't have understood them. I suspect he was just a bit of a curmudgeon.

To those who were there... I offer a the following table cheer... pogue mahone!

To update everyone on the homeowners fracas... there has been Herculean effort with little tangible result. The merry band of recall supporters has yet to achieve its goal despite great effort to collect proxy's for the as yet unscheduled recall vote. In a rather tabloidesque aside, it has been reported that several boxes of paperwork from the office of our clubhouse might have been taken by the soon-to-be-recalled trustee, and a towering blaze was set in said trustees backyard. Keep in mind, that this is second hand information and goes totally without investigation. It would however fit well into the character of the person in question. I suspect that the trustee might have served on Enron's board of directors, or in the Nixon White House before being elected to the current position. Not that I'm bitter about anything...

That's the update... enjoy!

- ND

All politics is local...

Once again i have dipped my toe into the political mess that is my homeowners association, and have found the experience to be a complete nightmare. After my last experience about 8 years ago, I shouldn't be surprised, but somehow I just assumed that things would have worked themselves out. The kinder, gentler homeowners association that I hoped to find simply does not exist.

So here's the story...

One of my neighbors came by a couple of weeks back to get my signature on a petition to recall the trustee from my neighborhood. (we call it a village) I gladly signed, since I have had a number of issues with the individual, and told my neighbor that I would happily attend the trustee meeting to air my grievances in person.

On the night of the trustee meeting I was appalled by the dysfunction of the trustees. They seemed to bicker and argue and get nothing done. They must have had some really bad meetings previously because it appeared that half of the attendees were there simply to bash one of the trustees for what they viewed as threatening behavior in a previous meeting. Based on my observation of the trustee in question, I'm sure that if he acted-out in a meeting, it was purely out of frustration at the environment.

So toward the end of the meeting, I gave what I consider to be a rather eloquent speech about the trustees role in representing the homeowners, and their obligation for transparency in their duties. Everyone appeared to echo those same comments, and I'd hoped that the board would move forward with business. Specifically the business of the recall election that was the catalyst for my attendance. That isn't quite the way it worked out. They simply reviewed some old business, and closed the meeting.

The following Tuesday, there was another meeting that was specifically to cover the recreation committees request for a budget to address some issues with the pool and playground. The same core group of people who attended the previous meeting attended to get some answers or action on the recall election. After they refused to address it in the meeting, which accomplished nothing on it's agenda either, they closed the meeting. I took the opportunity to address my trustee about the recall election, and got nowhere with her in the discussion. She simply said that they would have to discuss it further.

Now I'm not a lawyer or anything, but the point of having indentures, and for that matter a process for recall of a trustee, is so that it doesn't need much discussion. When the head trustee is the person who is being recalled, they in good conscience recuse themselves from the discussion completely. But, were not talking about people here who have a lot of sense, or for that matter an interest in serving anyone but themselves.

The community budget is almost $500,000, and that's enough money to make the choice of our trustees an important decision. I intend to continue to "fight the good fight" to get this trustee recalled. Her behavior through this experience has made my desire to see her recalled as quickly as possible more intense.

I'll keep you updated as things progress. If anyone has any suggestions... short of retaining an attorney, let me know.

- ND

Payback is supposed to be a...

Apparently someone decided that a little payback was in order for old grievances. Unfortunately, they have wonderful Photoshop skills and a complete dearth of creativity.

Figure 1
(The original)

(I like the picture of Tony Blair in the background - nice touch)

Figure 2
(The cheap knock off)

(Adding the clock at 3:00 in the background was a nicely veiled Hillary reference.)

Please people, let's get creative with the content of these things in the future. No one really believes that either of these people is dumb enough to get caught doing something this stupid. They make enough legitimate gaffes, so let's focus on those. If that's not enough to keep you smiling, be more creative in your abuse.

- ND

The other PC...

I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you that I'm just sick and tired of the pervasive political correctness that drives almost everything today. It seems that everyone spends nearly as much time vetting their words to insure that they are politically correct as they do assembling them to be politically important. I'm sure that you're thinking, what did Nabor Dan see or hear from the campaign trail that raised his ire this time? Guess again... it didn't have anything to do with the campaign season. This diatribe was generated by a link I was sent to a video that perfectly expressed my view of the nature of our PC society. Have a quick watch...



This is not about Islam, it's about the perversion of beliefs. A perversion that has run rampant in our society, and for that matter, all of the western world. The belief that we must choose to tread on no one has made western culture the doormat of society. By believing that we must be sensitive to all cultures, we lose the very value that our culture is founded on. Yes, we must embrace tolerance of others beliefs and values. That is a point that I will not disagree with. But we must keep a watchful eye that we don't sacrifice our dearly held beliefs in granting that tolerance. We become the worst kind of people when we fail to acknowledge the ills of others because we fear offending their sensibilities. These same people who we are so careful to not offend are the first to criticize our culture as offensive.

We need to open our eyes. We need to see that both ends are being played against the middle. We either need to drop our PC attitudes and address things in the open, or admit that we are a culture in decline.

- ND

Look alike...

I received some pictures which were taken at a "The Real Me" gig over the weekend. I thought that the pictures were pretty good, which is not normal for me, so I showed them to a friend at the office.

One of my co-workers suggested that in the picture below I look like Tom Arnold. We conducted a poll by printing out these two pictures for comparison.














My co-workers unanimously agreed that I did in fact look like Tom Arnold. Honestly, I didn't see the resemblance. I have another picture of me from the same evening with glasses on, and everyone agrees I look less like Tom Arnold with glasses. Either way, I think they are dead wrong.

So I'll leave it up to you, my readers, to decide for yourselves. You have now seen both pictures, so please let me know what you think. I have created a poll for you to express your opinions. Don't let that stop you from commenting.

- ND

For those that haven't seen it...

Watch those pins get OWNED by Nabor Dan!



What can I say? If you're gonna do it... do it like a man!

- ND

Who's responsible...

I was watching the victory speeches this evening and heard something that galled me. I'm used to listening to the pandering speeches, with all of their empty promises in words spun so tightly that their meanings are lost in their staccato delivery. But sometimes... I hear something that I just can't digest.

Everyone who is not in a persistent vegetative state has now heard of the "mortgage crisis". It's in the media every day, and tends to be linked with the term "recession". More often then not it's credited as the root cause of the lack of confidence that has developed in the resiliency of our economy. The thing that bothered me this evening wasn't the mortgage crisis, or the recession fears that are being fanned, but rather the way that the entire crisis was being characterized. My issue was that the politician blamed the crisis on "predatory lending".

So at some point... lenders became predators.

What galled me was yet another subtle example of the continued slide of self responsibility. At what point will people finally decide to take responsibilities for their actions? If you decide to buy a home, who is responsible for ensuring that your loan is the best possible rate? The lender? Are you kidding me? Obviously the purchaser is responsible. Yet somehow, lenders have been labeled the predator. Are there examples of situations where a mortgage banker or broker acted in self interest over the interests of their client? Sure. Does that release the consumer from responsibility for their own self interest? Of course not. In Latin it's caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware.

OK people, let's all take this Nabor Dan wisdom to heart...

If you have reached the age of majority in your state be careful what you sign. If you don't understand what your signing... don't sign. Take the time to find someone who can explain it to you. Don't assume that anyone who has an financial interest in the transaction will offer you advice that is in your interest. And lastly... if you get screwed on something that you signed, suck it up and take responsibility for it. The only thing worse then someone taking advantage of you, is you not taking responsibility for yourself.

- ND

Tax rebates...

Sorry for the delay in getting a post out. My bout of the illness that has been going around is in full swing, and I'm enjoying a lot of napping when I'm not at work. Thank you for your patience... now on to the post.

Does anyone find it odd that the government proposes stimulating the economy by handing out tax rebate checks? Somehow putting $600 (or some other like amount) into the hands of nearly everyone is somehow going to change the national mindset about a looming recession? That's just crazy.

And why are so many people pumped-up about the government writing them a check for some of their own money? Won't this just add to the deficit that already exists between revenue and spending? Are people really silly enough to think this is a good thing?

Wouldn't it make sense if the government controlled its spending, and by doing so, found a way to lower taxes over time. By giving us a tax rebate, aren't they just ratcheting up the taxes that will eventually need to be collected to cover this new debt? And who do they expect to pay those future taxes? I can only assume that it's me, and you and everyone who pays taxes.

The projected surplus that was talked about 7 years ago is a thing of the past. Bigger government and wars in the post 9/11 world have ensured that we won't be seeing any surplus in the near future. Why do we keep thinking that we can spend today and pay tomorrow? Is it the same thinking that has caused the financial problems of such a large part of our citizenry? I suspect so.

In this election year, I think that these questions are especially important. Will we continue to elect people whose ideas are rooted in this same "well take care of everything for you" philosophy, or is the problem that we don't know who we are as a country? Are we the independent individualists we think of ourselves as, or have we become something else? Who does this government serve? I suggest that the answer is no one...

- ND

Remastered...

On the occasion of my 20th high school reunion I have taken it upon myself to digitize and remaster my high school movie. For those who are not versed in the tale, it goes something like this...

The Obese Beast

Basic plot summary:

The Obese Beast (seen above) escapes from prison to find Hostess Ho Ho's. In his pursuit of the snack he goes on a murderous rampage. The police investigate his escape. Much mayhem and hilarity ensue.

Being interviewed by the cops

I estimate a spring release of the remastered all digital version of the Obese Beast, with perhaps an exclusive screening at one of the upcoming film festivals. There is no distributor under contract for this film.

- ND

The dead pool...

For any of you that catch the mainstream media on the average day, you will by now have taken notice of the incredible number of celebrity deaths in the last several days. Being just the third week of January, the numbers seem out of place. Pleshette, Fischer, Renfro, Ledger, and Hillary, being a less then comprehensive list.

At this rate, will there be any celebrities left at the start of 2009? Will Paris and Lindsay be the only two celebs standing? All I can say is this... who cares.

If anyone has interest in creating a celebrity dead pool I'm in. I'll find a way to add it to the site. If things keep happening at this rate, any guess is a good one.

We live in a sad culture.

- ND

New feature...

I've added a new feature on the blog. It's a "how much I've saved by not smoking" counter. You will notice it right below the time counter on the upper right of the page. I have been looking for something like this for quite some time, and really haven't found anything that was what I wanted. That's still true, but I have settled on the one that is currently on the page.

Anyone who wants to write a little client side Javascript for me is more then welcome to get in touch. I never learned to code, and I don't intend to start just to put a counter on my page. If you're reading this and are a wiz-kid web author or hotshot Java monkey and you feel compelled to help, I won't turn you away.

I'm sure someone will be beating my door down any second to get on board for the project.

- ND

Nothing like a cold drink...

I had an experience the other day that took me back to childhood. I filled a big glass of ice water and immediately started to it chug in an attempt quench a monster thirst. As I downed the pint glass of water I noticed that as I reached the end of the glass the water was much colder then the original few gulps. Immediately I was drawn back to a moment in my youth.

I remember many times as a kid having a glass of kool-aid on a hot summer day. Often the kool-aid was warm and the attending adult would add a few ice cubes to cool the drink down for me. When I was young I required immediate satisfaction when I was thirsty, and typically gulped the small glass of liquid down in a few large swallows. I always noticed that the last gulp was cold and the first was warm. I remember, even as a child, that I scolded myself for not being more patient in drinking my kool-aid. If I just had the patience to wait, the first gulp would have been as cold as the last.

As an adult who understands the way things work, I can't help but look back at childhood and smile. Adults recognize that the quantity of liquid and the surface area of the ice play a direct role in the temperature of a liquid. Less liquid over more ice makes for a colder beverage. More liquid over less ice has the opposite effect. It's a simple rule of nature. As a child who has no grasp on the mechanics of how things work in nature, I blamed my warm beverage on haste.

So many things change as you age. You gain wisdom, and patience and come to understand the mechanics of how things work. You lose the the simple ideas and solutions that a child creates to explain the nature of things. Some things never change... like the desire to chug a beverage to satisfy an overwhelming thirst.

- ND

The first act...

Today officially begins the presidential race with the Iowa caucus. It only makes sense that the most ridiculous and least democratic method of selecting a candidate should be the first of all of the primaries. (please find no sarcasm in the last statement) Today, a handful of Iowa's eligible electorate will attend the caucus for the Democratic and Republican candidates. These caucuses are separate events for the Democrats and Republicans, and have different rules about how delegates for candidates are chosen.

For a full primer on the event visit visit npr.org

With a population of about three million, Iowa will likely have less than 200,000 people attend its caucus. Being the first event of the primary season, the media coverage of the event will be disproportionate to the value of the delegates gained through the process. The coverage will create the front runners for both parties and eliminate the stragglers. The cash to the candidates who don't appeal to the Iowans will dry up, and the rest of the nation will have fewer choices for our leadership. All from a couple hundred thousand Iowans who participate in a process that eliminates a fair segment of the potential electorate by its nature. Somehow I just can't get my arms around why we pay attention to this mess.

For those of us that actually follow politics, this is the start of an interesting year. Unfortunately, it will start with a process that doesn't make sense, and will limit our choices in the future. Keep in mind if you watch the news tonight, that there are candidates for this country's highest office that might not be around next week because the Iowa Republican and Democratic parties insist on being glactically backward in how the elect their delegates. If it's not your candidate then you probably won't care. If it is your candidate blame Iowa. More specifically the less than ten percent of Iowans who will make it to the caucus today.

I'll be watching, and I'm sure that tomorrow I'll have a stiff neck from shaking my head in disgust. When will we finally understand that good government involves the participation of the people.

- ND

Site updated...

I suddenly realized that I was constantly giving the latest update on days since I quit smoking. While the achievement for me is a significant one, I don't think that it needs to be a daily topic for posting.

I implemented a new feature on the blog today. Just below my profile on the right, I inserted a counter to track the days since I quit. Hopefully this will limit the updates to topics that are not about quitting, or topics that are about quitting but somehow insightful.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support.

- ND

The battle to spend the FSA...

Much like last year, I had a bunch of FSA dollars left to spend in 2007. Here is the breakdown of the stuff I purchased "tax free" this year...

1 hypnosis session to quit smoking
2 new pair of glasses
1 prescription for smoking related meds
1 huge purchase from drugstore.com

The glasses are a last minute decision. I didn't know how to kill some of the remaining dollars, so eyeglasses are always an easy choice. This year I went with some rimless glasses for daily wear, and a new pair of prescription shades.

Drugstore.com probably had a record day. I purchased enough stop smoking stuff (patches, lozenges and such) to get me through an extended nicotine dependency. That wasn't quite enough to eat all of the funds, so I purchased a bunch of stuff that I probably will use throughout the year. Antihistamines, band aids, antacids and a variety of other regular use items. Nothing is cooler then creating your own personal "everything is 30% off sale" at the end of the year. (thanks to the pre-tax nature of the FSA)

keep an eye out for the new spec's I'm sure that I'll be looking good!

- ND

Bert exposed...

For the person who has never seen the evidence...




The truth is out there...


- ND

Image courtesy of Bert is Evil

Ringing in 2008...

Happy new year to everyone. I hope you all had the opportunity to spend time with your families and friends over the holidays.

Tomorrow begins the third week of being a non smoker. One of my friends told me today that he was proud of me. I didn't thank him, but I probably should have. It hasn't been the struggle that I anticipated. I haven't had to constantly fight the battle of "my will is stronger than the addiction". As such, I'm happy he's proud of me, but I'm not sure that I have earned the praise. If I had known that hypnosis and the patch would have the effect that they have had, I would have tried this years ago.

- ND