Oh, Christmas blog, Oh, Christmas blog...

    Oh, Christmas Blog, Oh, Christmas Blog,  My thoughts are never ending... I'll write until my mind is gone...(some may say I have reached that point already), but I won't stop until I'm done...Oh, Christmas Blog, Oh, Christmas Blog, my thoughts are overflowing!!!  With many apologies to the author of that song...( never was one of my favorites, anyhow), we have reached the seasonal message portion of our continuing blog (Musings from the Desert).

     Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Holidays (take your pick)!  I wish each and every one of my faithful readers and the unfaithful ones, too...(that doesn't sound right...but to me it does!) a joyous and prosperous and safe and wonderful Holiday Season.  As Christmas is now in the rear view mirror, I want to take a minute to share my Holiday musings...I wanted to get them in before the crowds jam into the stores for the after-Christmas riots (I mean sales).  Keeping that Christmas spirit alive by beating on each other for the last half-price blender or CD or whatever useless, unnecessary item catches your fancy.  After a day of family, food and good feelings, it's time to return to the usual idiotic behavior that takes a breather around these holidays.  Am I a cynic? Hell, yes! Am I wrong? Hell, no!  I have done my research...I have gone to the malls after Christmas...(not to shop but to observe the chaos).  It starts in the parking lots where tempers flare and horns blare and eyes glare and I stare (in disbelief) at the vehicular warfare over a parking space!  It's the day after Christmas and fistfights are about to start in a parking lot that has 10,000 spaces too many for the amount of shoppers!  It's Arizona...it's beautiful outside...walk a little, you damn fools!  Peace on Earth and Good Will toward Men...I guess that doesn't pertain to after-Christmas sales and parking lots.

     My Christmas Day was spent working 14 hours of the 24 hour day...(no sympathy please,no "poor me" is intended).  It was my Christmas gift to my co-workers who have families here and so I work to give them some family time.  Do they appreciate it? That's a story for another time. (HA!) Do I care if they appreciate it? No. It makes me feel good and it doesn't cost me anything but some time...(very frugal, don't you think?).  I spent a lot of the work time greeting residence and their families and spreading my unique version of Christmas cheer.  I also spent some time reflecting on the past year and thanking God for the enormous amounts of blessings He has given me.  My health, including the aches and pains of experience (read that as old age), my ability to work and do my job so that I can afford to live here, my eyesight, to take in the beauty of this world and His awesome panorama of sunrises and sunsets, my sense of humor and unique perspective (ask my nieces about this one), my sobriety (without His overwhelming Grace none of this would be possible), my family, Sloca Nation and my sister and her great family, my cousins and aunts and uncles on both sides...(without their love and support my life would be pretty empty), my friends who give me constant joy and support and endless laughs and memories...the list goes on and on, but I hope you see my point.  Christmas isn't about what you get...it's about what you have already.  It's not about presents under the tree (although they are nice), it's about appreciating the presents you already have.  It's about the ultimate gift that God gave us...His Son Jesus.

     It is the time for New Year's resolutions and yes, I would love to lose weight and eat healthier, go to the gym more and get more exercise but those are selfish goals and they should be a part of my everyday life.  I have a resolution that I want to keep this year and work on for the rest of my time here on Earth.  I want to be a better friend.  I want to give more of my time to people who are in need.  I want to strive to appreciate things I have and not complain about my situation.  I want to be a role model.  I want to be more of the man my father was and more of the man my Father in heaven wants me to be.  I want His blessings to continue for me, but I want them to come to you even more. Don't worry...I'll still be the crazy (unique perspective) blogging idiot that I am.  I will still strive to entertain and enlighten while I can and use God's gift of gab (I think I got in this line more than once) in my musings.  Enjoy the rest of the Holiday Season.  Remember those who aren't as blessed and fortunate as we are...Remember our soldiers who can't be home with their families...Remember the "Reason for the Season".  God Bless Us All!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

     No, it's not! It's Arizona...the last couple of days have seen some rain and wind and colder temperatures (for here that is), but it's still paradise-like conditions as we welcome Christmas Day and wind down the end of 2016.  What a year it has been.  A nation divided over an election?  There is still bitterness out there over the election of Donald Trump.  As someone who thinks about things outside the box... (not the ordinary things most people will think about) I must say I am proud that so many people became more involved in the political process...(seriously, scarily flawed that it is and has been for a very long time), but I scratch my beautifully shaved head (Christmas "do" thanks to Harry's Shave Club--shameless plug) that the fight was over a choice of candidates that are seriously and scarily flawed.  A nation that has seen the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and numerous others, lead us into becoming the greatest nation on earth, has been reduced to choosing between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton?  What the hell, America!  The political system is broken, badly, and voting along party lines is an excuse for not having the ability to decide for oneself or worse, not caring enough to research the candidates and issues and making an informed decision.  The choice has been made for the next four years.  Let's do what Americans have done in the past and what we do best in times of turmoil...join together and work together to make the best of a not so great situation.  Screw the Republican Party and screw the Democratic Party.  They are only out for themselves and keeping the corrupt, overpaid jobs that they have held forever.  Let's stop the "poor me" victim mentality and attack the root of the problem...political parties and the mainstream media driving a wedge between us to keep change from actually happening.  Let's work together to increase voter awareness and voter turn-out and investigate voter fraud and hold the political machines responsible for the mess they created.  Term limits for government, end the lifetime salaries and benefits and redirect the money to DOMESTIC programs.  Cut international aid to countries who hate us and redirect the money to DOMESTIC programs.  Tighten regulations on free money and toss the scammers onto the street and redirect that money to Social Security (where people actually worked for it).

     I have now stepped down from my soapbox to bring the real message I want to send.  Merry Christmas (yes, I said it!), Happy Hanukkah (however you spell it) and Season's Greetings to all in the blog universe.  My love and prayers go out for all to have a safe, wonderful holiday season.  May those who are travelling have safe and delay-free trips to loved ones.  Please remember those who are working these days...(myself included) but especially our men and women in the Armed Forces who can't be with their families this Christmas.  Please remember the reason for the season and put Christ and God back into our everyday lives.  As a recovering alcoholic, this season holds great and awful memories for me. Remember the expression "There but for the Grace of God, go I" and be glad for the gifts you receive everyday...Waking up, getting out of bed, your health, your job, and your ability to afford to celebrate the Christmas Season.  Remember those who don't have the simple pleasures we take for granted...hot water, a roof over our heads, money in our pockets. Let's make 2017 a year for healing...let's right the ship and make it the best year ever.  My prayers are for you to have continued success and a happy and healthy and blessings filled New Year.  God Bless Us All!

Working on the night moves...

     Yes, ladies and gentleman, as Bob Seeger put it, I am working on the night moves... again.  As my faithful readers are aware...(and I hope I have some faithful readers), I began my job at the golf course community working the overnight shift (10pm-6am) and then switched to evenings (2pm-10pm).  I am now back on the overnight shift, temporarily, to cover vacation and a surgery...(from the same employee).  He always takes off the week after Christmas and recently found out that he has to have heart bypass surgery, so I volunteered (yes, volunteered) to cover his shift while he is away.  I won't know how long it will be until after the 15th (he meets with his surgeon) but I started working the "graveyard" shift 2 days ago.  It will be better this time because I know how it is and am better prepared for the rigors (boredom) of night shift.  Sleep deprivation will not be an issue this time.  And I am already enjoying the fruits of being awake at dawn...(early morning walks and bike rides and plenty of golf practice).  Unless something awful happens to my colleague, he plans to return and I will shift back to evening shift.  Change is good and variety is the spice of life.  I have several books, movies and crossword puzzles waiting to be read, watched and solved, respectively, so my time will not be spent staring at the road praying someone comes in.

     The amazing aspect of this move...(besides having me actually volunteer for it...pretty amazing in itself!) was the reaction I got from the HR director, the Security Director and my immediate boss.  Each one looked at me in disbelief and asked if I was sure I wanted to do it.  I explained that this would be the best move for everyone involved because there are two rookies on the shift and they needed someone experienced to cover when the supervisor was off.  It also freed up the assistant director to work during the day and cover the daytime shifts when 3 people are needed more than overnight.  I think that they couldn't believe that someone would actually volunteer to change their schedule for the "good of the company" which sheds a light on the other people working in my department (and not a bright shiny one).  Which is why I have the opportunity to work overtime. No one else would step up and work some extra hours? Where is the work ethic and team concept? We all work in the same department but it's shift vs. shift, complete with self-important drama and petty issues that make me laugh.  The over abundance of ISOS (Inflated Sense Of Self) makes me laugh also and I feed the controversies at every opportunity...(for my personal amusement. I LOVE my job!)  Which is why I got the reaction I did when I volunteered to change shifts.  Kind of sad, actually.  And then there were the questions...Are you insane? (of course, Duh!) How much are they paying you extra? (Nothing,,,I told them to remember my generosity at raise time). Why? (because it needed to be done and I volunteered).  You're crazy! (See above).  

     I have been working a long time and it's a shame that the work ethic and commitment to your job that I learned from my Dad seems to be falling by he wayside.  Pride in your effort (showing up on time, looking presentable, going the extra mile) is replaced by doing just enough to get your paycheck, showing up just before shift change, and refusing to do anything outside the job description.  A sad commentary on the state of the work force these days.  Screw them!   I'm a company man and go the extra mile and I will enjoy my time on the graveyard shift.  Have a great and wonderful weekend!

Guess who just got back today?...

     Guess who just got back today? That wild-idea boy that had been away. Haven't changed that much to say, but man, I think that cat is crazy.  The boy is back to blog, the boy is back to blog. The boy is back!

     Many apologies to Thin Lizzy for the lyrical manipulations, but I needed to return to the blog-waves because it has been a long time since we spoke...(I type, you read...you know what I mean!). 

Some personal notes before I begin my rant...I have re-upped at my apartment for another year.  I was thinking of moving closer to work, but the more I investigated the more convinced I became that staying here was the better choice.  For the money I pay here, there was nothing really comparable out there...(all apartments were either smaller or no fireplace, no balcony, or not enough amenities). 

So I paid a small increase but negotiated a new(er) stove and refrigerator for the place and here I am for another year.  It really is a great neighborhood, the apartment staff is great and I can walk or bike to most stores, post office, coffee places...(gotta have that coffee) and I have a park across the street and riding and walking trails all around.  A sound decision on my part...(look at me making a good decision!).  I am still single...(another good decision, look who's on a roll!).  Dating every now and then but the dating world is a crazy place and I include myself in there.  You would not believe what is out there in the online dating world.  I have decided to "Let Go and Let God". He has kept me alive for this long and whatever He decides is okay with me.  I will keep an open mind and open heart. And lastly, I continue my ban on television in my apartment.  I refuse to watch the garbage that is being displayed as programming and the crap that they call "news".  Which brings me to other things...

     And now on to other things.  I am not a political person and do not wish to use this blog as a soapbox to preach, but I do use this blog to get things off my chest and the events of the last few months have left a heavy weight on my chest.  These are my opinions and I need to voice them. The election continues to tear apart the country and I am amazed that people don't realize that they are all being manipulated by the political party machines and mainstream media.  The idea is to keep us divided so that nothing will upset the status quo and needed changes will never occur because the two sides will never agree on anything.  You want to mad at someone? Don't be mad at the voters who exercised their rights, be mad at the ones who DIDN'T vote but complain the loudest.  Be mad at the political parties for giving us the lame list of candidates to choose from.  Be mad at the mainstream media for airing nothing but hate and "news" that angers and spreads ill will between people.  How can we be the United States of America when the "political system" is set up to keep us apart?  The political party system is corrupt and evil that nothing we need to do to make this country better will ever get done.  The Democrats will fight against anything the Republicans propose so that in four years they can say the Trump didn't accomplish anything so the Democratic candidate is the best option.  The Republicans will fight against anything the Democrats propose because it wasn't their idea.  Is it just me or is this not what is going on?  In the meantime, elected officials receive benefits and salaries for life while veterans are given nothing for their service.  Elected officials vote themselves raises but Social Security is running out of money...(how come Welfare never has money problems?

     I voted for Trump because I couldn't vote for four more years of the same thing in a different package.  Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Am I against a woman President? No. I believe a woman is qualified to do the job, but not that woman.  Am I Republican who votes blindly along party lines because that's what I'm told to do? No. I am an America First man who believes that our country should come first in all issues.  Am I a rich man who wants to keep everything the same so that rich people control everything? Hell, no.  I am a poor working (over working) man who believes this country should be run like a business and who better to run it than a businessman.  Is he the Savior? No.  Is is Hitler reincarnate? Please, people, give me a fucking break!  Is he a flawed, brash, pompous at times, sticks his foot in his mouth kind of guy? Yes. Am I?  Yes. Will America fall to ruin under his Presidency?  We're already headed there thank you very much. I am willing to give him a chance, just like I've given every other President in my lifetime...(even the ones I didn't vote for!)  He won the election.  He is my President...(and he's yours too) and I will support him because he represents the greatest country in the world and America deserves my support.  

     So all you protesting (and I acknowledge your right to do so), entitled, non-working, whining a-holes who didn't vote... time to put down your signs and put on your big boy and big girl pants, get out of your parent's house, get a job and make a contribution to the society that supports your deadbeat asses.  America is great.  We need to join together to keep it that way.  Let's fight the right fights...let's trim the fat of useless government.  Let's establish term limits for Congress and repeal lifetime salaries and benefits...Let's revamp where our money goes and cut off aid to countries who hate us...and re-inject it into domestic programs to aid OUR people.  Let's create jobs for those willing to work and tighten requirements for those abusing the free money programs.  I can go on and on but I hope you get my drift.  GOD BLESS AMERICA!