gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 13:12:06 GMT -5
I consider my county a police state. There are almost 600 police officers and they seem to spend most of their time pulling people and giving tickets for minor traffic infractions, like an expired tag or inspection. I have let something expire one day, and I'm caught and given a ticket. They are too busy trying to collect revenue than prevent/catch the rapers and murderers and shut down the meth labs. Meanwhile, I have to wonder if there is really a need for 600 police officers in a single county. Seems excessive.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 12:47:43 GMT -5
Every time I hear somebody hock a loogie and blow their nose at the dinner table, it's an old person. Every.single.time....disgusting.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 11:16:47 GMT -5
I'm off work today and of course, thinking about work. I'm not looking to start the debate on telecommuting as I acknowledge there are two schools of thought, both with their merits. I've been telecommuting for almost 10 years, but now my company is ordering us all back to an office and it's not up for discussion. This is causing a huge disruption as it impacts thousands of employees around the world. And, some were hired into a telecommuting position. Others, like myself, were part of the migration from office to home.
Some employees are seeking medical exclusions, some seeking hardship exclusions, some just disgruntled. One person says she will pursue retiring if she can't be left alone. She was talking on as if waiting for me to say"we value you so much that we want you to stay and will grant an exclusion". I'm obviously not authorized to do that, so I tell her she has to do what's right for her situation. One person is complaining about her back and how a daily commute will cause big problems, so she will get a doctor's note. Fine, that's not up to me either, but do what you got to do. Another person says she has a carpal tunnel and will require special keyboard, chair, computer screen, etc. If she can't get this equipment, she will seek an exclusion. Fine, do what you got to do, our HR department supports all ADA needs. Others are griping over the long commutes, childcare issues, gas, tolls, work clothes and non private cubicles. Meanwhile, the only issues that would have merit to our leaders is how it impacts productivity, innovation and costs. So, I really wish employees would focus on those issues if they want to influence and gripe about the other stuff with friends and family.
I was discussing this with my dad, a career federal government manager, who thinks they should all have to go in and if it doesn't work for their lifestyle, then quit or be fired. That is what they would have been told. I kind of agree (but it's not up to me) because it's not really fair that anyone farther than 30 miles from an office will get to continue their cushy wfh job and expense phone, internet, office equipment. While the rest of us will have increased costs associated with everything from gas, work clothes, food, less time to spend with family, we'll still need accommodations at home if we don't want to be in the office 80 hours/week but won't get to expense phone & internet anymore. $150/month for phone & internet + $100/month for tolls & gas (at least) + work clothes could easily add up to $300/month and our days are longer and less productive. Sigh.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 10:29:36 GMT -5
My health is great. I think I will load up on vaccinations. Walgreen's has signs outside with all the different ones, but then I go in and have to wait. I noticed the last time I was waiting, the shingles vax which previously said 60 now says 50 (not anywhere near that age, but thought it was interesting that it was lowered 10 years). I also noticed they offer a pneumonia vax, which I wasn't previously aware that there was one. The only doctor I have is the one who delivered my babies, so I should get a GP, but until then the pharmacy is fine.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 9:51:30 GMT -5
I was just thinking that for the most part- every time I see kids in restaurants or waiting rooms or wherever- their heads are buried in a devise and they aren't being disruptive at all.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 9:26:39 GMT -5
I am a very quiet person and my kids are quiet too, but the older I get the less tolerant I am of people who demand the public be quiet. Case in point, we had a 2 day meeting where 10 of us were in a room to watch recorded webinars together and discuss. All of us normally work from home. The senior person very rudely said to keep the computers closed the next day as she could not focus with the typing. It created a huge awkward moment. Nobody wanted her there or needed her there. If she needed it to be quiet, she should have stayed in her home office. The point was to be together and discuss the content- not to be as quiet as possible.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 9:14:34 GMT -5
I was out at a street festival yesterday with my 2 year old and 5 month old. I was trying to simultaneously order food from a truck, hold a table and not lose either one of them. I asked a lady at a big table if we could join her and she said okay. She told me there was no chance she would have gone to a street festival when her kids were that age. She said it wouldn't have been fun for anyone. I asked her what the options were, hole up in the house watching t.v. all day everyday? That doesn't sound fun for anyone either. We had a great time and I didn't lose either of them. Neither disturbed the peace and if they were loud, the music was louder.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 8:55:14 GMT -5
I'm on Team Archie. If people require it to be super quiet and peaceful, they should get their food to go and stay at home where their surroundings can be controlled.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 29, 2014 8:40:21 GMT -5
I admit when I first saw the "common core math sheets" (never mind it's not "common core math") circulating a year ago, I thought it looked dumb. But, that was the whole point of the articles circulating: did get people to agree that it was dumb so the masses would demand schools return to the old way of teaching math.
Once I ignored the propaganda and started pealing back the layers, the different approaches to mathematical problem solving made a lot of sense. Not everyone thinks the same way, and teaching different ways improves the chances of everyone getting it. I wish they taught this way when I was a kid. I might have struggled a lot less and enjoyed math more. Real world jobs and practical application taught me how to do math in my head.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 28, 2014 19:58:18 GMT -5
If somebody called the cops on me, I would just shrug, look confused and say, no I was not doing anything indecent. OP couldn't even confirm they were indeed doing the deed., so there is no proof- just suspicion. I'm going to guess they were in their swim suits and making out in the water in a way that it could go either way. I recall a comment once several years ago when I was making out during 4th of July fireworks. It was probably inappropriate, but we were fully clothed. Somebody said "have some decency, there are children". We cooled off and tried to keep our hands off each other. Sometimes you get carried away...especially after a few drinks and it's dark.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 28, 2014 19:43:46 GMT -5
My middle name is free. There is at least 1 free festival every weekend the entire year in my city- no exaggeration. Most weekends have several festivals. Today I went to a free street festival, last weekend I went to two. The parks and recs center has several free events we go to. We go to free family story time every weekend at the library. You can see pretty much every movie for free at the theater if you know where to look for tickets to the pre-screening. Friday night, my neighborhood had a free movie at the outdoor amphitheater with free popcorn and free drinks. We'll go to at least 3 harvest festivals and the kids will get free candy and pumpkins to take home. There are several happy hours with free food if you get a $2 beer. I learned all the tricks when I was making no money in my 20's and have yet to learn how to spend money on entertainment.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 27, 2014 21:24:51 GMT -5
I think you sound pretty uptight. Add me to the giggle crowd and move on. I would have been pissed too if I was your husband. You were leaving and thus their doings did not impact your dinner or evening at all- until you decided to make a big fuss over it and piss off your husband.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 26, 2014 17:10:37 GMT -5
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 17, 2014 11:19:16 GMT -5
I think as a one time event/gift it'd be ok. If she was expecting you to pay to have her nails done every couple of weeks, that'd be a different thing altogether. I have a bigger issue with the "every day" wants. Like a smart phone. DD is 12, she bought her own iPod touch after Christmas and now she wants an iPhone. She has a stupid phone with a slide out keyboard. The same kind that I just replaced for her older brother who is 17, and will be 18 in a few months. He didn't even want a smart phone, just to replace his because the screen quit. It was cheaper to upgrade to a not iPhone than to replace the dead one. Our plan cost didn't go up so it was a no brainer really. He was happy with the $100 phone though, she wants the $600 one. This lifestyle creep scares the crap out of me. I've never had a smart phone and currently don't have a cell phone at all as of 5 months ago when I lost my reliable 2005 flip phone and decided I didn't care enough to replace it. My husband has a smart phone and his work paid for the phone and pays for the plan. If my kid came to me with that, I'd say "you can have one when you have an important job like Daddy and they pay for it". But, then I try to lead by example and do without as well (although it is no big sacrifice).
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 17, 2014 10:49:51 GMT -5
I look at these things as chores rather than "treats", so no I wouldn't consider it spoiling. I'll make an appointment if I must look nice for an event. If my daughter wanted me to take her, I would but I can think of a million more exciting activities than paying for painted nails. Manicures are right up there with doctor's appointments and car maintenance. Since I don't get my own done, I doubt my daughters will think twice about it unless there is social influence from peers.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 16, 2014 11:23:42 GMT -5
Our lawyer wanted $500 for a very basic will. My company offers a prepaid legal fee benefit for about $200/year. It seems like a no-brainer to go ahead and sign up for one year to get these basic documents written and executed.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 28, 2014 14:49:35 GMT -5
She hid the pregnancy and her newborn. She obviously knew it was wrong. What I really don't understand is how her parents couldn't tell she was pregnant. I don't know...maybe I'm just more aware of what's going on with my girls, than some. At 12 years old, I lied and hid more stuff than any other age. I remember being afraid of getting in trouble and wanting to hide the truth instead of coming clean- even when it was stuff that wouldn't necessarily get me in trouble. So, if that is her mindset, I could see it. This is also why pedophiles get away with so much.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 28, 2014 9:54:45 GMT -5
IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes both have it poorly rated. Is this one just well-liked by the religious folks?
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 14:53:07 GMT -5
Figure out realistically how often you'd see each other. To me once a month seems realistic. Then decide based on that real view (and not the rose-colored glasses view where you have unlimited energy to do this constantly) whether it's worth it.
It would definitely be once a month if we were keeping our apartment - which we will be, now that I changed my mind about the joint custody deal and Babybird would be with me full time. I've decided that it's worth it - DH is still deciding. This specific job may not work out for a variety of reasons but I think it's time for him to start looking in the area and move once he lands a great job. Good that you've warmed up to it. It will only get harder once the baby starts school. You'll be fine even if you have to wait until the spring to move with him. Between your vacations, his vacations, holidays and technology, you'll not even be aware of the distance. It wouldn't bother me a bit and I don't even have any family nearby to help out. Actually, I would look forward to it as it is there would be less laundry, less cleaning, less cooking and more "me time". I have a 2 year old and 4 month old.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 13:55:37 GMT -5
90/10 rule. I've seen pictures, everyone is beautiful and trim.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 13:51:24 GMT -5
Sure, but I'd still want it seasoned somehow. If it's just a raw sliced tomato, I'm not paying $10 for it. I can get beefsteak tomatoes at the supermarket for one tenth that price or less, and it takes 30 seconds to slice it. I'm all for paying a professional to take basic ingredients and create something amazing out of them. I'm not paying for his prep cook to slice a raw fruit/vegetable and put it on a plate. LOL. I love how you said "seasoned" and it was equated to breaded, fried or smothered in cheese. I don't generally like my food just plopped on a plate with no seasonings or preparation whatsoever! That doesn't mean I'm a lazy, disgusting fatso that's going to need to be buried in a piano box or something. Doesn't mean I'm not, either - I'll leave that to the imagination. Even if you do like it breaded, fried and smothered in cheese, doesn't automatically make you a fat fatty who's destined for heart disease.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 13:28:41 GMT -5
I know, what's weird is I always see people talking on their phones in the car or waiting in line at a store. So, there must still be people who talk on the phone.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 13:04:32 GMT -5
You and me both. I lost my 10 year old, reliable flip phone 4 months ago, canceled it and decided I wasn't even going to replace it. I'm content on my laptop and don't need to be connected when I'm out and about. People are just going to have to call me on my landline the old fashion way and actually talk to me.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 12:40:10 GMT -5
It always baffles my mind when I pass the cheesecake factory in chicago and see how packed it is. The city has such amazing restaurants yet people (many tourists) pack one of the few national chains that we have here. But hey... I guess some people enjoy stuffing large quantities of mediocre food into their face. This is america, after all. Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards or it could be that you're with your picky kids and find it easier to go somewhere that you know they'll eat something rather than a place where they won't eat and then you have hungry, cranky kids. or you have varied tastes in your party and want to go somewhere that everyone can find something they like. Totally agree. Or it could be that you're not "stuffing" your face at all, but eating a sensible amount and saving the rest for an additional meal or 2. Not everyone finds it mediocre and not everyone who eats there is fat. As I said before, I haven't found a favorite menu option, but I don't judge anyone who has. I'm so over kale salads, pimento cheese and ramon noodles (seriously, why is that a thing?). The older I get, the less tolerance I have for over-priced, over-rated foodie restaurants. My friends will rave about a place and post a photo on facebook, so I'll go there and am disappointed every time, plus be hungry again 1 hour later. I guess it's like when somebody raves about a movie and it increases your expectations.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 27, 2014 8:34:43 GMT -5
I was pretty amused by the Howard Stern one yesterday. He nominated Casey Kasem after pouring a shot glass filled from the ice bucket next to him.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 26, 2014 22:11:53 GMT -5
Build a man pillow and set your tablet on skype at dinner every night. It will be like you're all together.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 26, 2014 15:21:35 GMT -5
Your original plan wouldn't work for me. It's only 9 months, less if he starts at the end of September. Plan for him to come visit every other weekend, plan for him to take a long weekend in November, plan for him to take a week off around the Holidays/December, plan for him to take a week off in the Spring. June will be here before you know it.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 26, 2014 10:01:30 GMT -5
I love restaurants with huge portions. Going out once takes care of the next 3 meals. But, I do not love Cheese Cake Factory. Their menu is entirely made up of frozen t.v. dinners. If I wanted that, I would just stock my freezer and save the trouble. There is one 10 minutes from me and I haven't been back in at least 7 years. With a 30 page menu, maybe I just never figured out what to order. Admittedly, I've become increasingly picky about my food and think even the "good" non chain restaurants are over-rated and over-priced, plus the portions are wimpy.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 25, 2014 13:48:38 GMT -5
My father-in-law died in March after suffering from ALS for not quite two years. I'm personally conflicted. Yes, the money is awesome, but all this challenge is doing is reopening a lot of emotional hurt that is still too fresh for hubs. I've been mostly ignoring my Facebook news feed for two weeks. I hate how ALS "awareness" is a fad right now. You dumped water on yourself. Congratulations. I know I won't see anyone of you at any fundraisers. I certainly know none of you will be bothered to care about the importance of NIH funding. We make regular donations to the ALS Hope Foundation here in Philly. *general you, not specific to anyone here. I wanted to also add that I've watched hundreds of videos of friends, family, celebrities and just random people. Most make me smile and some make me cry- okay, sob is more accurate. The most touching are the ones from somebody diagnosed with ALS or family of somebody with ALS. I'm glad they are giving a face to the disease. You might find it cathartic to do it. I guarantee there will be a lot of people touched by it even if some perceive the videos as stale.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Aug 25, 2014 13:36:36 GMT -5
My father-in-law died in March after suffering from ALS for not quite two years. I'm personally conflicted. Yes, the money is awesome, but all this challenge is doing is reopening a lot of emotional hurt that is still too fresh for hubs. I've been mostly ignoring my Facebook news feed for two weeks. I hate how ALS "awareness" is a fad right now. You dumped water on yourself. Congratulations. I know I won't see anyone of you at any fundraisers. I certainly know none of you will be bothered to care about the importance of NIH funding. We make regular donations to the ALS Hope Foundation here in Philly. *general you, not specific to anyone here. My condolences. But, I'm guessing that if you hadn't been so personally impacted by ALS, you wouldn't be donating to the ALS Hope Foundation. There are thousands and thousands of charities to donate to and without awareness campaigns, most get completely overlooked. You can't donate to something you don't know about. My coworker was just complaining about how it would be better if the money was put to heart research. Her husband had a stroke last year. So, of course that's a more important cause for her. I asked her if she knew how much AHA collects. She didn't. I think it was almost 2 billion dollars last year. Somebody else was complaining that the money would be better off going to cancer. I asked him if he knew how much cancer research collected. You guessed it, ACS alone collected over a billion in one year. Both these organizations have very well compensated leaders (more overhead) to campaign for awareness and funding. Both heart disease and cancer have treatment and sometimes cures. ALS is a fatal diagnosis with no treatment and no cure. What I love about this campaign is that it has next to no operational costs, like a charity ball, united way collection, 10K or whatever, so all the donations can go directly to research and care. Even educational campaigns in the form of literature or ads can cost millions. This grass-roots campaign has generated 80 million and counting with no operational costs. Everyone has something to bitch about on facebook, whether it's kid photos, food pictures, TMI statuses, cat videos, selfies, etc and finally facebook is being leveraged for something amazingly awesome.
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