From what I can see, this smokes the iPad 2. I NEED THIS 
Looks like the best tablet out there.
Android Prime – I NEED THIS.
From what I can see, this smokes the iPad 2. I NEED THIS Looks like the best tablet out there. The Android Prime
View full postJust caught my eye… How R/B continues to get suckier…
Remember when R/B songs used to make you feel good and would make you genuinely smile? Granted, they were a little before my time, but I know everybody knows who Barry White is I caught this on CNN this morning and it really does explain a lot. Interesting read if you have the time Where …
View full postI Think This Sums Up The Occupy Wall Street Movement Pretty Well…
I was just reading the news this morning about the Occupy Wall Street movement and I saw the comment below… I thought it summed up why it’s happening pretty well. It could be the situation for how many of us? RictusGrin I worked my way through college because my parents didn’t have the money to …
View full postNo Child Left Behind – Not in this Society.
So I went online this morning and I found this article on “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB). It appears that after almost 10 years, The Obama administration is realizing that NCLB is not going to work. The best part: congress doesn’t think anything is wrong and therefore doesn’t require their attention. Yes, our future leaders …
View full postCancun – Yes, go there.
Just an FYI for all, I just got back from Cancun, Mexico. I stayed at the “Royal in Cacun” next to the “Grand Caribe” for a week. If you are an adult with no kids, or have the ability to drop the kids off somewhere for a week, GO THERE. All inclusive, 5 star dining, …
View full postDec
03
Android Prime – I NEED THIS.
Dec
03
Just caught my eye… How R/B continues to get suckier…
Remember when R/B songs used to make you feel good and would make you genuinely smile? Granted, they were a little before my time, but I know everybody knows who Barry White is I caught this on CNN this morning and it really does explain a lot. Interesting read if you have the time
Oct
11
I Think This Sums Up The Occupy Wall Street Movement Pretty Well…
I was just reading the news this morning about the Occupy Wall Street movement and I saw the comment below… I thought it summed up why it’s happening pretty well. It could be the situation for how many of us?
RictusGrin
I worked my way through college because my parents didn’t have the money to pay. I didn’t go away to some overpriced school, I went to a local tech college. I paid back my student loan, though at one point I defaulted on that loan. I’m 32 years old. I made $45k/year from 2002-2004, $55k/year from 2004-2007 -- $65k 2007-2009, I now make $45k/year working the graveyard shift for a banking company. My current job took me over a year to find. I spent EVERY DAY making it my FULL TIME job to get a job. Meaning, my job hunt was my full time job. I spent $500 on having my resume professionally re-worked. I obtained two IT Industry certifications at a cost of over $1,000. I ate cheap noodles and fed my pup cheap-crappy food. I shut down cable TV, home phone, and reduced my mobile phone plan. I barely squeezed by on my savings and unemployment. In my 10 years of working in this industry, it NEVER took me more than a month to find a new job, EVER! I come from a hard working family. My parents got pregnant at age 18, and got married. Still married. My dad works for a union as a crane operator and I’ve watched him wake up and do no less than 50 hours a week in bone shattering cold. My Medical benefits are the worst they have ever been. My work load is the biggest it has ever been. I am always early (no such thing as “on time”. My clothes are dry cleaned. I am clean shaved, and I am very very polite. I work very hard and even so, the company will not hire me permanent. I am a contractor. I never say “no” to anything they ask me to do. I’m not in debt, but something is VERY f%&*ing wrong. My dad is afraid of not having any more work. My parents have lost a TON of their money investing. I have zero job security. I see so many of my smart, hard working friends who CANNOT get a job. They are trying so very very hard and yet, they cannot find work. People in their 30′s are moving back home. This is not an American dream, this is a g*d d*mn nightmare. Our country is in debt, the world markets are constantly on the verge of collapse. The people on here who keep telling me it’s my fault, I’d love to meet you in a dark alley. You are so far out of touch, I don’t think you are on this planet anymore. I keep voting for whom I assume are the right people, yet they never do what they campaigned on. I just want to work my butt off, get my paycheck, and feel some sense of security. I want to make the kind of fair salary I made 4 years ago. I earned my way up!! I want this government to stop spinning it’s wheels and arguing. I’ll go your way if you go my way. It’s called compromise!!!!! I’ve had it and I support this movement. I’m white, I’m not a liberal, I am not lazy, I am not stupid, I love my country, and I’m scared, angry, and NOT going to take it anymore. This free-market allows you to buy anything you want, anytime you want it and that includes politicians. That’s BULL$*&*. My vote is dead, the candidates are idiots and the GOOD candidates can’t even raise enough cash to be noticed by the corporate media. I don’t care who you are or where you come from. Tea-Party or Bleeding Heart Liberal, our government is dysfunctional and it needs to be FIXED. Everything from the debt, to the social programs that are NOT working as they SHOULD be.
Sep
24
No Child Left Behind – Not in this Society.
So I went online this morning and I found this article on “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB). It appears that after almost 10 years, The Obama administration is realizing that NCLB is not going to work. The best part: congress doesn’t think anything is wrong and therefore doesn’t require their attention. Yes, our future leaders and innovators for this country don’t need your attention. Just like the insane mortgage lending didn’t need your attention either. I mean, that only cost us a few trillion right?
As much as I am glad that SOMEONE finally took notice on how broken this Act/Law is, it won’t make a difference with the end result. My wife is a teacher and I have many friends that are teachers as well. The government, state or federal, can lay down whatever rules they want. They can break the teacher unions, get rid of summer vacation, set ridiculously high goals, whatever they want. But here’s what it all comes down to: Parents.
What a concept right? Parents taking responsibility for their kids! Not being their kid’s friend, but their parent! A shocking concept. Now, I don’t have any kids, so I’ll be the first one to admit I don’t know it all about parenting, but I was raised by some excellent parents and I know I turned out pretty damn well. I had respect for my elders, and I did good in school. That was a direct reflection on my upbringing and what was expected of me, as well as the full support of my parents. Without supportive parents, any kid is at a disadvantage.
So that being said, what has changed since we were kids? Since our parents were kids? Well I’d say the major change would be that the majority of kids these days have both parents working. No support except maybe from the Nanny / Daycare. No real guidance. No accountability. It’s an unfortunate side affect of the cost of living these days. Unless you’re making 6 figures, it’s hard to make ends meet if you are considered “Middle Class”. Now, I’m not saying all families with working parents are bad. In fact, both my parents worked. But it makes it much harder on the family. Unfortunately, it’s the norm many of us have to deal with, or have already dealt with growing up.
Secondly, Technology. I’m an IT guy, and I firmly believe that as much as technology gives us, it also hinders us. Have I mentioned how much I think texting will destroy this society? How many times have you seen people buried in their smart phones, only to find out they are texting someone right across from them? Drives me nuts!! SPEAK. VERBALIZE YOUR THOUGHTS. TALK DAMNIT! Remember those things we use to have? Conversations? Don’t even get me started on video games. Virtual babysitters, nothing more. (Yes I played video games ALOT when I was younger. But I also was forced to STOP playing after some time and was told to play OUTSIDE.) Not an option for everyone (It’s not like everyone in Chicago has a backyard), but being buried in a virtual world for 12 hours a day can’t be healthy.
So, I guess my theory is this. Education starts at home. Respect is taught at home. The value of an education is taught at home. Accountability is taught at home. Consequences are performed at home. PRAISE is performed at home. ENCOURAGEMENT is performed at home. Simply put, there are some things teachers will never be able to teach or provide.
Aug
11
Cancun – Yes, go there.
Just an FYI for all,
I just got back from Cancun, Mexico. I stayed at the “Royal in Cacun” next to the “Grand Caribe” for a week. If you are an adult with no kids, or have the ability to drop the kids off somewhere for a week, GO THERE. All inclusive, 5 star dining, open bar, swimming, spa, ocean, 5 start service. My wife an I had the time of our lives there and it’s absolutely fantastic.
Just a note as well. If you’ve never been to Cancun, or Mexico for that matter, you may have heard about the violence in Mexico and Drug Trafficking from various news sources. Cancun is NOWHERE near where that is going on. The violence is mostly on the border with Texas and on the West Coast of Mexico. It truly is a tourist area and the Mexican govt’ wouldn’t want anything deterring tourism from coming there. It’s a fantastic area and it is kind of like the Vegas strip in some regards. Also, almost everyone there is is bilingual, U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere, and the resort will literally have EVERYTHING you need to relax. Other than that, there are travel / tour agencies in the lobby if you want to go on guided tours as well. If you have any any other questions, let me know!
Jul
23
The U.S. Debt Ceiling – My Little Rant..
Apparently, now our national “Debt Ceiling” is being called Armageddon. Both sides of the aisle can’t reach an accord and now they are talking that if an agreement can’t be made between the two parties, that this whole “so called” fiscal recovery” we have been in will be for naught and we will fall into the depths of a deeper recession. Great. Our elected officials can’t even balance a checkbook. Surprised? Hell, I’m not.
We are up to debt in our eyeballs people. It’s a fact. Look around. Seriously, look.
There is no easy answer on how to fix this. There is no magic bullet. There is no solution that is not going to have political fallout. There is no way that taxes will not have to be raised. We are $14,500,000,000,000 dollars in debt. It’s a miracle anyone has faith in our currency anymore as it is. In the past, we just raised the ceiling and no one blinked an eye, but now, the conservative / tea party side of the isle want to make this an issue. I don’t blame them, in fact I agree it’s a major issue, but at the same time, we need to get real about this. There HAS TO BE SACRIFICES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
“Wait! I can’t do that!!!” says the politician. “It goes against my campaign promises!” That’s where Washington is right now. No one has the balls to do what needs to be done. EVERYONE wants reelection. So what’s the answer??? This piece of dog crap right here. This utterly disgusts me.
“If all else fails, party leaders could still turn to a fallback plan initially put forward by Senate Minority Leader McConnell. The measure would give Obama the power to raise the borrowing limit by a total of $2.5 trillion, but also require three congressional votes on the issue before the 2012 general election.
Specifically, Obama would be required to submit three requests for debt ceiling hikes — a $700 billion increase and two $900 billion increases. Along with each request, the president would have to submit a list of recommended spending cuts exceeding the debt ceiling increase. The cuts would not need to be enacted in order for the ceiling to rise.
Congress would vote on — and presumably pass — “resolutions of disapproval” for each request. Obama would likely veto each resolution. Unless Congress manages to override the president’s vetoes — considered highly unlikely — the debt ceiling would increase.
The unusual scheme would allow most Republicans and some more conservative Democrats to vote against any debt ceiling hike while still allowing it to clear.
McConnell and Reid are also working on two critical additions to the plan, according to congressional aides in both parties. One would add up to roughly $1.5 trillion in spending cuts agreed to in earlier talks led by Vice President Joe Biden; the other would create a commission meant to find more major spending cuts, tax increases and entitlement reforms.
Changes agreed to by the commission — composed of an equal number of House and Senate Democrats and Republicans — would be subject to a strict up-or-down vote by Congress. No amendments would be allowed.”
MY ANSWER:
Real simple. Everyone pay their fair share. Maybe switch to a use tax. Cut / Get Rid of a lot of loopholes. Reduce foreign aid. Bring out military back home. Take the saved military costs and Reinvest in our country. Rebuild infrastructure. Bring back the manufacture of QUALITY back to the states. Make the Oil Companies PAY TAXES IN THE UNITED STATES. Cut foreign dependency on oil. Reinvest in our education system….. Just a few of the things off the top of my head. And the politicians??
CLEAN HOUSE.
Bunch of bickering 5 year olds. I see no value in any of them and all they are is a drain on our tax money. How do they even deserve a pension, seriously??? They don’t represent us, they represent big business and lobbyists. Anyone who thinks otherwise is sorely mistaken. It’s their job to lie. How sad is that? You know what? LOBBYISTS should pay their pensions.
Here’s an idea, next election: Vote for any blue collar worker you know. Because, you know what? I’ll bet any of us could represent the people better than the bastards that are in office right now. We are the people, not them.
May
15
Ron Paul – Here’s a Novel Idea….
So I was browsing the news today and I came across this video with Ron Paul. It’s older news I guess, but I was impressed. Just for this, I think I would vote for him
May
13
Donald Trump – getting to the bottom dollar – UPDATED 5-15
Back in the day, I used to think Donald Trump was a damn good businessman. In fact, he is. He makes a hell-of-a-lot of money. But as we all know, the more money you make, the more deals with the devil you may take. This guy seems to do it quite a bit:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43021496/ns/business-us_business/?GT1=43001
I was seriously considering voting for this guy if he ran 2012, but after reading that, this guy is all about the money. I mean, lets face it, all politicians are greedy by nature, but this guy is BLATENTLY all about the money. How you would let someone put your name on something that rips people off like that and not give a crap? No, sir, you are not getting my vote. Period.
UPDATE:
Trump’s Rebuttal: Here
You know, everybody has an ax to grind. The reporter may hate Trump or Trump may have screwed some people, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The richest people on earth don’t get that way without burning some people along the way. I guess I ultimately look at it this way. Trump is a billionaire and a great businessman. If you want to get into business, he’s a guy you want to model after and learn from. If you are a middle class american working 9 -- 5 every week, you may not want to have a multi-billionaire having direct influence on your taxation policies and monetary laws. Somehow, I think he might favor big business. Call it a hunch 
May
06
Technology Buy Back Program… Save your money
Just an FYI all, I found this article on Best Buy’s “Technology Buy Back” program. Have a look before you decide to spend the extra dough….
Mar
27
My Adventures in getting my MCTS 70-640
Those of you who know me, know that I’m an IT guy… I’ve been working on getting my MCTS (70-640). This probably won’t mean much to you if you’re not in IT, but it’s a pretty big deal getting your Microsoft certification for one main reason, it ain’t easy.
See, back in the day, people thought getting your MCSE (Microsft Certified Systems Engineer) was a pretty easy task, and in comparison to the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) it was. You had to do ALOT of memorization, cramming, and if you went to a boot camp, you pretty much were guaranteed a certificate. Now, not so much.
See, what Microsoft did was that they realized that anyone can memorize info. A shmoe with no IT experience could go to one of these boot camps, memorize the needed info, take the test, and Voila! Instant MCSE. This is what we called the “paper” MCSE’s. Microsoft knew there were alot of these, and totaly redid the test.
SOOO, those of you who are looking to take the new Microsoft Exams, here’s what I can tell you (I failed my first test btw… going to retake here in a month or two).
- The tests require to you take the knowledge you have studied and apply it to real world situations. It’s no longer questions about the actual technology, it’s more about “Here’s the situation, this is what we want to do, what’s the best way to do it”. So unless you are truely familiar with all the technology you are studying and how to use it, you are going to have a hell of a time. Memorization won’t do a damn thing for ya.
- One book is not enough. Read two at least, then find ALOT of practice questions. If it’s a new test and no material is out there yet to speak of, wait until there is unless you are extremely familiar with the technology to begin with
- DEVELOP AN EXTENSIVE TEST ENVIRONMENT. I can not stress this enough. You will probably need at least 5 Virtual Machines to properly understand the studying. My particular certification: I have about a dozen VM’s to help me study
- Don’t just read the material, process it. Think about what the book is saying. Apply it.
- Don’t get discouraged. Chances are you will fail the first time. It’s not easy by design. As soon as you walk out of the testing center, write down what you didn’t understand / were weak in, restudy, and try again
If anyone has any questions for me regarding the process / studying / testing, let me know. I’ll be happy to help any way I can. Later all!
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