Author Archives: John Wallenfeldt

Hey Mitch!

Other than Leslie, I don’t get acknowledgement of actual visitors to the site…and I stopped looking at traffic monitoring a long time ago. So it was with some surprise that I found out that Mitch Shiever comes to check out the incomplete project from time to time. Everyone say “hi” to Mitch and wish him luck on his new job.

Speaking of work, I just got down with a difficult but (hopefully) fruitful second interview today for a position at UNLV. To be honest, that’s a good group of people I would have to work with if I got the position; so color me interested and impressed. I also just (at 9:30pm) found out that I may have an interview for my old job as Project Manager at Aristocrat next week. So at least I’m finally getting a foot in the door a couple places.

From our Entertainment/Science desk, a scientific chart for you about the condiments in your fridge. In other science-ish news, I just remembered an old article about the Dark Sucker theory. It comes from a site I haven’t visited in years, IFAQ (Infrequently Asked Questions).

Yes, I’m bored.

Why Wait?

Bob reports on a move in Florida to ban any Floridian from accepting a public health insurance option should it become available this year.

He also mentions Traitor Rick’s move to do the same in Texas. I also read – and I think posted – about a similar move in Arizona.

Bob’s suggestion was for these asshats to go ahead and do away with all public health care in these states. You hate the government that much? Pull your elderly off of Medicare. Take your poor off of Medicaid. Florida, Texas, and Arizona don’t have an excess of elderly, do they? Oh wait! They do!

I’d take it a step further. Kick out the VA clinics and hospitals and forcibly remove your veterans. Close every military base as they have government funded soldier, Marines, airmen, seamen, and Coasties in them. Don’t elect ANYONE to Congress. Or at least, any GOP members as assumption of the job would be hypocritical, now wouldn’t it?

Now, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has gone ahead and called their bluff. Basically, he submitted an amendment to repeal Medicare. No one voted for it. More importantly, no Republicans voted for it. Hypocrites.

Here he is on Rachel Maddow:

I can watch TV again!

As many of you know, I can count the amount of television shows I can actually stomach watching on both hands – if you spread it out across a whole decade. So, since I’m a big fan of FX’s The Shield and not much else (though I enjoy Monk whenever I can catch it), I have currently been in a major slump as far as any potential Nielsen rating hirings go.

Tonight, I can safely add another show to the list. It is Peacemakers with Tom Berenger. Kind of a murder mystery/CSI-like/western concept. Some of that usually bores the daylights out of me but this seems to work. So I’ll give it a try. Enough of one to suggest it to all of you to watch as well.

The end of an era

Not a lot of things make me feel old. I mean, why should I? But this article (and this one too) kind of makes you stop and think about all the stuff that we take for granted that goes away. I knew I saw less of these things the last time I was in Mexico, but now they will probably just be a memory in a few years.

In other news, I’ve finally decided to work on the website a bit. Not that you will notice anything fantastic, but I am getting some of the pages updated from the old (or even older) formats. Stick around, I may even actually add content.

Excuse me while I knock on some wood here

I have got an interview next week for a job I would really like to have. Not that the job search of late has been very productive; but I would enjoy a great job over a “I really just need a paycheck” variety. So, anyways, wish me luck.

From the Galva.com site, some pictures of the damage there. Most of it is just of parked vehicles but you can kinda get a sense of the mayhem anyways.

Charity begins at home at the expense of your convictions

So, I read this article about a woman who is forcing her belief system on others so much that it is now going to cost some charities a LOT of money. AND SHE’S NOT DONE! People, convince others to change their minds through dialogue, not by twisting their arms in fascist fashion.

In other news, Galva seems to remain in the dark but folks seem to be okay. Brenda says their house got a little roughed up, but so did a lot of others.

Hang in there!

I don’t have a lot of info on this yet but I hear Galva got pretty whacked by high winds last night. From what I know, which is pretty much this, only one person got hurt. Which is damn amazing and thankful news. If anyone has been in contact with my family, could ya give me a ring or an email? I am trying to get a call through to whoever I can.

UPDATE: Got a hold of Jason Lindstrom and everyone and everything seems relatively okay amongst those we know. The Strand farm lost a barn but that is thus far the worst of it. There is definitely no word of electricity for awhile though. A couple links covering the scant info I have.

Galesburg Register Mail story

KWQC Channel 6 story and video

Is This About the Fries?

Alright, I know it has been quite awhile since an update. Truth is, it has been an emotional roller coaster here. I still do not have a job but I have a very promising interview next week so wish me luck. Leslie is in training for her job so that keeps her way too busy. And then there is just the regular day to day stuff of both good and bad nature.

My uncle Toño passed away on July 3rd due to some heart complications. I think we have all done a half decent job of coping with that but if you know my mom, please let her know you are thinking of her. We are considering a trip down to Mexico later this year. It has been awhile since we’ve done so as a family.

On some lighter-type notes, I provide you links.

Our president is apparently too good for our email.

The French are taking anti-Americanism to a whole new level. I mean, seriously, you haven’t actually been calling them “freedom fries” have you?

This? I just find it hilarious.

And now on to people who make this world almost unliveable. I don’t know if you’ve heard about that idjut Pat Robertson asking people to pray for Supreme Court justices to basically have a heart attack, but I came across a link that is a response to it. Seeing as I try to get this page at about a PG-13 level, I won’t link it here but I’m willing to send it to you via email. Yes, it is vile, profane, and offensive. So do NOT ask unless you are willing to undertake reading with that in mind.

For those of you who keep harping, rightly or wrongly, about how the Patriot Act is the end of Western civilization, take a moment and read this.

One more parting shot. I can’t quite make out where I picked up this editorial cartoon, but I will credit it as soon as I can. You just hope this is kinda how it played out though. (Update: The editorial cartoonist is Doug Marlette of the Tallahassee Democrat. You can find more stuff from him on his webpage.)

I still function….

Alright, obscure reference but very appropriate. We got into town late Friday afternoon and were thankfully able to move straight into the apartment; which is very nice digs by the way. Come on out and give us a visit.

However, our internet service needed a human touch to be turned on; something which we could not do until today. The firewall set up here on the student side of things is very tight, so messenger programs and the like will not be functional on the workday side of things which will be a restraint on our ability to talk with some of you.

Otherwise, we continue to unpack and I continue to try to find work.

The joys of packing

Tomorrow we load the truck but today we continue to muddle through packing up our possessions. I do not recommend this as a leisure time activity. Anyways, we will be able to check email from Leslie’s laptop as time and willingness allows. Other than that, we’ll check in next time from Las Vegas.

Wish us luck on the drive out there….