Our Federal Government at Work!

I don't like to talk "Politics" but I need to voice my opinion.

I remember hearing many-many times about people who make less than $250K will not see any tax increases.  Well the first thing that happened in 2008 with the new Administratrion and Congress was a $1.00 tax added on each pack of cigarettes.  Hey, wait a minute, I don't earn over $250K!

I know; you say, well then just quit smoking.  I can't because I would feel guilty not wanting to help the "Children" as that is what this tax money supports, according to the Administration.

I always buy my cigarettes via the Internet from the Senca Indian Nation, therefore supporting the American Indians that were originally screwed by the US government. The cigarettes are sent to me via the US Postal Service.  Recently the Administration and Congress passed a bill to stop all cigarettes from being sent via the US postal service.  The reason again is to Save the Children.  That is to say, to prevent minors from buying cigarettes.  I guess they don't know how difficult it is to set up an account to buy cigarettes on line to prove your age.  It takes about 2-weeks for the process.

My research shows that cigarettes sent in the mail provides $30-$40 million dollars to the US Postal Service.  The Postal Service just reported last year they were in the hole by $8.5 billion dollars even after eliminating over 105,000 jobs.  Now I know $40 million is a drop in the bucket compared to 8.5 billion but does it make any sense to "bite the hand that is feeding you"??

This effectively is another new tax for me!

Even if I didn't smoke I am seeing hidden taxes popping up all of the time.  For example, after the massive health care bill passed, my heath insurance cost went up considerably and my co-pay doubled.  I also notice new taxes appearing on my utility and other bills.

The current Administration and Congress also want to end the Bush Tax reduction.  If they do that, our taxes will increase in January 2011.  Sounds like another tax increase to me and I still don't make over $250K!

Now if my salary was like the Speaker of the House (Approx. $224K) or Congress (Approx. $170K) plus a great health and retirement plan, then maybe I wouldn't be complaining so much.

I sure hope the new January 2011 Congress takes another word that I heard many times (CHANGE) and does something about this out of control Government!

It's November

Nothing new to report.

A Video Post Today

Today, this post is more about videos but first a recap from my previous "Hamburger Event" Blog post.

I made a complaint on the Krystal Website and gave them my Order number.  Last week I got a call from the owner of the Krystal's in Troy, AL where the poor service took place.  He told me they looked at their video archive and saw me on that day and the situation I experienced.  He was very apologetic and told me they were sending a training team in and getting rid of a few "Slackers".  He is also sending me some free coupons for some burgers.  Maybe I will finally get to try their Double-Bacon Cheeseburger!

My Range/Stove went belly up so I got a new one from Lowe's.  I like the one I had in my new home in Tally so I got the same kind.  Here are a couple of photos.

Last week I had to demo my software online to a group of engineers in Costa Rica.  They all spoke Spanish so I had to learn some Spanish pretty fast.  Here is a clip of me at the beginning of the demo.  In the future, I may have to fly there to do some on-site training.

Turn up the volume to hear it.

On another note, the Kittens have now become part of the "Pack".  I gave the dogs and kittens a "licky plate" to share.  Most dogs are very possessive about their food but Buddy and Max seem to be OK  sharing with the kittens.

The next video is a tour of the RV which I'm sure everyone saw on the Buck's Pocket video.  I'm putting it here so Debbie can review it as I am planning a trip in November for a visit and she wants to see the interior again in case she wants to visit the campsite and possibly stay overnight in the RV.

That's All Folks.

THE HAMBURGER

I usually don't eat fast foods but when I travel I enjoy a burger on the road.  Last week I went to Panama City Beach to visit family.  I like to stop at Hardy's because their burgers are very good.  I couldn't find one so I thought I would try a Krystal burger in Troy, Alabama.

There was no one at the counter and only two people in the back.  There were two other employees in the dining room chit-chatting and one outside smoking.  I assumed they were on break.  Finally after 8 or 9 minutes someone from the back came out and took my order.  I ordered a double bacon cheese burger.  The counter person disappeared again and I saw my order come up to be bagged.  Another 5 or 6 minutes went by and I finally flagged the drive up person to get my order.  What an ordeal.

When I got back to my RV to eat it, I found it was just a plain hamburger.  The order was wrong and I was so mad but I didn't want to go back in so I just ate it.  Krystal HQ will hear about this one!

On the way back from Florida I again wanted a Hardy's burger but again could not find one easily accessible with my 31 foot RV.  I saw a Burger King on my side of the road, and I did like the Whopper so I stopped there.  When I got to the counter they told me their grill was down and they could only offer two types of Chicken sandwiches. Jeez, I just want a burger!!!  Not wanting to stop again I got a chicken sandwich.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, I saw a Hardy's next Door.  Man, I just can't WIN!  What's a guy got to do to get a decent hamburger?

I better start marking the Hardy's with my GPS unit so I can find them the next time.

FOOT NOTE:  When I was in Florida I had a fantastic burger and the best fries I ever had at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  I wish there was one of them around here.

Kitty Laser Tag

Been busy this weekend getting ready for FL trip next week.  I had to clean the HVAC pump filter on Lights Out again as it was clogged up and the AC kept blowing breakers.  I also washed her and since there was no wind, decided to take her out for a little run as she hadn't been out of the dock since April.

Did some stuff on RV to get it ready for trip as well.

Here are a few photos of Dakota sneaking up on Buddy.

Now speaking of Kitty Laser Tag, I have been playing with the kittens with a laser light.  Max also chases it but Buddy figured it out the first time and ignores it.  I took a video and toward the end I replayed some of the sequences in slow motion.  It really shows how agile cats are and how they always land on their feet.  Click the link below.

Kitty Laser Tag

That's about it for now.

September 19 and Still HOT

I can't believe it is still hot.  Had one cooling off period on Labor Day weekend but it has been hot ever since then.  Come on Fall, please arrive.

Not much going on since my last post but this weekend my primary project was to redo the dog confinement area in the camper.  I have been using a stretchy cord thing that came with the camper to keep someone from rolling out of the bunk bed.  It was always involved and it took me 10 to 15 minutes each time to set it up or put it down to let the dogs in or out of the bunk area.

I decided to take one of my dog kennels apart and use the door and some other parts so I could simply open and close a door for the dogs.  I thought it would be simple to do but I had to engineer things as I went.  After a couple runs to the local hardware store I finally got it assembled.  Here are a couple of pictures.

This should make life a lot simpler when I go camping.  Next is to figure out how to make an area for the kittens in the upper bunk.  I have a carrier but I need an area where they can be confined but still have room to move around and play.

In just two more weeks I will be going camping in Florida and meeting up with Pamella and family, Phillip, Andrew and Brynne for a couple of days camping at St Andrews State Park in Panama City.  When the children were young, we used to do a lot of camping there.  It will be kind of a Camping Family Reunion.  Looking forward to seeing everyone.

The End.

Back On Line

Hi Everyone.  I had my blog turned off for a while for several reasons.  Primarily it was the crummy editor and difficult to edit, especially with photos so I was looking into other methods to share my experiences..  The other reason was to get an idea of who actually reads the blog.

A few family members did notice the blog was down so that was sort of good news.  The point of the blog is to share my experiences with my family and to keep them informed of my activities.  So I am going to try it again, especially since the blog has a better editor.

Yesterday I lost power for a few hours as a storm blew through and knocked down some trees in the neighborhood.

I spent Labor Day weekend at Monte Sano State Park.  It was a test run for going to Florida in October with the Dogs and Kittens.  It was the first camping trip for the kittens and they did very well.  Here is a photo of me and the dogs in my "Toy" car.  I got out at one spot and a lady couldn't believe I had the dogs in such a little car.  I told her it was my "Clown" car.  If you have ever been to a circus, you know what I mean.

I have posted two new videos on YouTube and they are listed on the right hand video panel.  Click on them to view.  To get a larger image (HD full Screen) go to YouTube by clicking the following links.

Sunrise:

Sunrise on Monte Sano Mountain

Camping:

Camping at Monte Sano State Park

One other thing.  last week I cashed in my coin can (I never carry change anymore) and just threw it in a can when I got some at a store.  It was probably a year or two worth of coins and it amounted to $174.28.  Wow, that was a lot of coins!

That's it for now.