davidambro's Blog

I'm not keeping up with the news anymore.  Just been enjoying my retirement lounging around a lot and playing Fallout 3, it replaced Oblivion Elder Scrolls 4.  Need a cheap housecleaner, the place looks like the game almost, lol.  It is fun though to not have to worry about most things anymore, still have worries, my son sees to that.  Happy that Obama won, but still feel all politicians are liars and idiots, hope he proves me wrong is all.  I haven't even looked at my emails.  New game, no time.  Just playing around.  Hope everyone has a wonderfull holiday or holidays...  Dave

When I read how much it costs to teach each student, I again wondered why we don't have boarding schools?  Public boarding schools seem less expensive than what we have now.  Marching, discipline, values and all with the overview of Medical professionals.  maybe we could start one in the inner city?  They could live and do school work in a building where they are watched for their own protection, monitored, to ensure they are doing ok, well fed and receive medical care.  Sure there is lots more I could say.  Parents would be welcome and nearby, since it would be near where they live.  Children could go on field trips where they could ride horses, visit the elderly and assist with those who are  receiving care in Veterans hospitals...  There would be no ghost students there.  They would learn to be responsible in a healthy environment where bullies would not be tolerated...  You could add more.  The costs of caring for ghost students, for future medical problems associated with poor healthcare, for criminal justice and the rest, would be minimal.  Drugs would be virtually elliminated.  We could do it.  All of us, pitching together.  We could change the world for the better.  Several hundred students at a time!  Dave

I just read where some white racists were arrested for planning to kill a bunch of innocent people, because the people were black.  I'm white.  I've encountered black racists, but as yet, none appeared to want me dead.  They were planning on killing O'bama.  Anyone out there understand why?  Being white hasn't given me all the answers.  Nobody comes to my door to hire me for high paying jobs.  Any vehicle I have had, I've paid for.  I've walked in what used to be, black neighborhoods, and found friends there.  Today I suppose there are angry gang members in those neighborhoods?  They aren't making goofy plans to kill white people, are they?  I've always felt that people are the same everywhere.  People like this refute that.  Is it a genetic abnormality?  Just what causes people to use any goofy reason they can to justify killing?  If we somehow were able to confiscate all the weapons and bomb making materials, are these lunatics able to use some unknown source of ingenuity to create weapons to kill with?  Why do people kill people?  As someone who has studied psychology, I wonder if it is genetic, or environmental?  Is there some way to pinpoint these dangerous souls before they can do any harm?  Are they the product of incestuous relationships?  Is it because they have some sadly stupid desire to emphasis bogus supremacy in a really retarded way?  I am asking this in all honesty.  I just don't get it.  I want to at least understand.  Why?  I know that discussing this goes against all that we middle class people of various ethnic groups stand for, anonymity, but the urge to know far outways the dangers of standing up and asking.  No matter how lame I sound, I really do want to know?  Please someone, tell me.  Dave

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUS
TRE49J4RO20081020?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews
&rpc=76

Read this.  American warplanes ordered to shoot down a UFO that was flying in Britain's airspace.  That's one helluva welcome, ya know?  Just what is our government thinking?  I swear, our politicians and federal employees never cease to amaze me.  Do they think that maybe a UFO that has the ability to travel thru space might possibly have the technology to blow this stinkin' lil' planet to dust?  Maybe?  Oh, no.  Not these geniuses.  They think they can use backwards technology to retrace how these people are doing it!  Yeah.  Smart guys.  Duh???  Like it's an act of war.  Do they think?  Nope!  "How about that reference to a 'shadowy' figure telling the LT. to keep silent about it?"  Maybe we do have a shadow government???  Hey, I'm medicanily paranoid.  Whadaya want?  Dave

Did you hear about the bailout that allowed the business people to spend two weeks in a spa; and it cost over $400,000.00 of our money?  It was on the news today.  Yeah!  Even while the politicians were blowing a lot of hot air at Mr. Fuld.  I don't know him, but maybe he should change his name to SCAPEGOAT?  I don't know how to fix this humongus problem.  Idiot politicians, and spoiled business tycoons???  What to do, what to do???  Hey would somebody ask our politicians if they wouldn't mind giving me about oh, 70 billion dollars???  You see, I'm terrible at finances, and make lots of mistakes with my mortgage and taxes...  I really could use a couple of weeks at a spa and then to recouperate from that, maybe a month or two in Las Vegas???  Oh, yeah, and I'd even be willing to answer our politicians questions about how I got into this mess, and I would be really truthfull.  Wait, maybe I wouldn't be able to answer those questions right away, I forgot, I've wanted to visit Hawaii, I was there when I was in the Navy, I'd like to see it again now that I am a civillian and could afford to bum around a bit....  After that I'm sure I'd be willing to answer those questions.  Well, maybe not right away...  There may be a few other places I forgot I wanted to go to, in order to relieve the stress that my own mismanagement has caused me.  However; I am sure once the money is gone and I need yet another $70 billion dollar bailout, I'd be more than willing to answer those questions...  Although the stress of requesting yet another $70 billion dollars from them may cause me to visit several more places and revisit some of the ones I went to before...   Hey!  But keep in mind, they can always print more money right???  So don't forget to write your congress/senator person and let them know that Dave here, is looking for a nice bailout.  Well I gotta bail,,, buh buh buh byeeeeee!!!

Dave

I realize that our legislature is going to have to do something to fix this crisis.  I still expect that we are in for a Greater Depression.  I also feel that if we panic, it will make things worse.  People who are better at math and organizing should keep a very close eye on this.  Anytime we allowed politicians, Dems or Reps to handle anything larger than 100k, they managed to missmanage millions of dollars.  We need lots of accountability here.  Certainly I disagree with handing the financiers who got into this mess any money at all.  There needs to be something done for home owners and something to prevent the price of houses going down.  It is just that I suspect our politicians, mostly people with law degrees, are inept and are unable to fix it.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!

Dave

While I sit here typing this, my house is so quiet.  My son moved back in with his mother.  Ahhhhh!  Peace & Quiet!!!  I am thinking about writing a book about my experience as a father and divorcee.  So I won't go into all the details and complaints.  Just wondered about you all, do you have kids?  If so are they a pleasure or a pain?

Dave

Now that gas is going up again and people are looking for cheaper ways to get to and from work; is anyone writing our politicians to get them to build enough bike paths?  I haven't biked in years.  Scared!  Idiot drivers who have no respect for the laws or other people.  They are safe in their cars, too many of my body parts are at risk.  I need to lose a huge amount of weight, bicycling might do that, but fear of getting hit by a car or truck has me on the sidelines.  No idea where to look for laws regarding bikes riding on the sidewalk, where it is safe for them but may not be safe for pedestrians walking.  What to do?  Also, too many bike choices.  I weigh over 300 lbs and am 5'8" tall.  I'd want a all around bike, something that would be ok on the street and on bike paths in the country.  Just now thinking about it, may do something about it next summer.  Plenty of time then to read up on bikes, bike safety and other issues.  Still looking for that perfect club that will answer all my questions.  Oh, and I am not willing to pay a huge amount for a first bike right now, after all, I might give it up and paying over $500.00 for a bike seems a bit high.  Anyway, I just don't feel like driving my bike to a safe metropark and then taking it off my vehicle to pedal, how far???  Would like to simply pedal to the safe bike path, SAFELY; and then go however far I feel like going.  Dave

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/13lottery.html
?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

If you can, you should read this article.  I look at the MSN news from time to time and this got me.  Have  you ever considered that gambling, like the lottery is an addiction?  It is.  Behavioral scientists made quite a few studies about things of this sort.  They used chickens in one experiment.  Every time the chicken pecked, it got a reward, a piece of corn.  After the chickens got used to getting the reward, the scientists began to randomly give the reward and deny the reward.  The chickens pecked more when they received the rewards randomly.  Don't we exhibit the same behaviors?  The lottery hype is that you could win millions.  The reality is that you could be one of millions of losers!  Look at the odds.  This works on the nervous system.  Just like an addiction does.  Our bodies release endorphins when we win, just like when we smoke or drink, or...  It feels good.  And if it feels good, it must be good, right?  Just ask the people on oxygen who have emphasima, and those who have lost loved ones from cancer...  The only way to loose an addiction is to go cold turkey.  Just don't buy the tickets. 

     People who smoke and drink frequently, have asked me how it is I am able to afford quite a few luxuries, despite being on a disability pension.  I have told them over and over again, don't smoke, put the money that you would pay to buy (a) or several packs of cigarettes a day, a week, away and in time you too can do what I do.  It ain't rocket science.  The money you are burning up with tobaco adds up.  In fact, saving small amounts over time, is the quickest and easiest way to acquire large sums of money.  Plus your food will taste better, your lungs will last longer and you may even feel healthier over time.  As to drinking, it's basically the same thing.  If you have to drink more than two beers to feel it, then you are wasting your money.  I have a beer once in a great while, and enjoy it, and stop.  There are people who brag about drinking a twelve or twenty four pack before feeling the affects of the alcohol.  You think that is a good thing?  Think again.  Second hand smoke can harm your children.  Drunken parents are an embarrassment.  Learn to find betters ways for enjoyment.  Family get togethers.  Playing board games.  Talking.  Drink plenty of water.  Breath deeply and hold it for a eight count a few times, letting your breath out slowly.  You'll relax.  your brain will have acquired more oxygen than it normally receives.  You'll have more money.  You won't be seeing a doctor as much.  Walk.  Meet your neighbors. 

Donate that lottery cash to FEED THE CHILDREN which is run by Larry Jones, a minister.  You'll always be a winner then.

Dave

 

In the news I read of two 3yo twins having been left in a hot car for two hours, they died of course.

My idea; sensors in the car that set off a loud alarm if someone leaves anything in the back seats when the driver leaves the car.  I suppose one could say the driver and the driver side passenger???  Well it would put off putting groceries there etc... but would save lives...

Either that or make intelligence testing madatory for having children(?)

 

Dave

Use the Public Library, (movies, books, cd's, cassets, etc.) also you can have a picnic at the metro parks there are several nice areas and the gas use is minimal.  Not free of course, but we all have to eat and picnics are relatively inexpensive.  There are also some nifty places to shop.  Save-a-lot, Marcs, Aldi's (don't for get the quarter for the cart...)  Anyway, I am starting this in hopes that people will add their ideas and suggestions.  Dave

Amongst the other crisis we are going thru, gas too seems to be news.  I know that being able to afford and drive a SUV has always been a choice of freedom, but...  Maybe it is time we began to meet our neighbors, get to know who they are, get to know their names?  Take walks, ride bicycles...car pool?  Our society has hit bottom I think.  Crime is very high, just like job losses.  Illegal drugs is the choice method for escapism from the worries of today, and like most bad choices makes things worse.  Go to the library, lots of free stuff there, free movies, books, read something...  Go back to church, synagogue, mosque...  Meet people there too.  You'd be surprised how helpfull new friends can be, it's reciprocal of course, help them they help you, you help someone else...  Things have gotten out of hand and life seems to always get to a point where adjustments are forced upon us.  So to now.  Make the best of it.  Get to know  your kids too and what they are in to.  It isn't often we are given a chance to change our lives for the better.  Why not use it while we have it.  Less use of gasoline, less cars, less pollution, less greenhouse gases, less CO2 imprint...  We Americans always used to pull together during crisis.  What makes this any different?  Let's make Ohio a bicycle safe zone, put in bicycle paths right alongside all our streets?  Ours is the fatest country in the world, with a huge population of overweight people, Ohio is ranked what in this?  Here is another chance to change, lose weight, get healthy...  Only positives if you look for them and use them.  Right?  Of course, this advice won't be for everyone.  Sometimes I wish I could delete my other blogs...

December of 2006 I bought a Ford Explorer XLT from Bob Gillingham Ford.  Two months later a drunk driver crossed my lawn to hit it while it was parked in my driveway.  I sent it to Bob Gillingham Ford's Autobody (Dave Zubar).  He kept it for three months awaiting parts, till I contacted www.Ford.com and complained.  When we got it back the computer didn't work right, the gas mileage went way down and we noticed the body repairs were shoddy.  So my son took it to another Ford dealer and lo and behold they found that the clips were missing on the front end.  Also the molding hadn't been glued properly.  They did not give it a thorough check though.  My son rear ended someone and it needed front end work.  Bob Gillingham again did the body work.  We once again were disappointed.  So recently my son took it to the Brookgate Tire & Auto place in Brookpark.  The technician there said that it was odd that the rear rotors were worn and need replacing while the brake pads appeared to be new.  Surprise!  Surprise!  I had suspected the automotive technicians were swapping parts from my truck while it was there and this proves it.  I will never buy Ford again.  My son then made plans to have Liberty Ford in Parma give it a thorough inspection.  I drove there with the truck and waited for my son but soon tired of waiting for him to arrive, I went in and talked to Art.  Art seemed to be against doing a checkup.  He is a technician and doesn't know what checking a vehicle out thoroughly means.  He wanted me to give him some explicit areas to look at.  If I wanted more than that he would charge me $500.00 for a  limited once over.  A very limited once over.  My son finally got there and went in.  Art and his associate laughed at the way he walked, my son has Cerebral Palsy; I don't see anything funny with that.  He told my son the same thing he told me and we left.  My son talked me into going to Halleen Cheverolet in N. Olmsted.  I told him I had been there before, when he was a toddler; and that they are very hard nosed salesmen who will not come down on the MSRP price.  They try to get money on both ends of the deal, on the trade and the sale.  Then they laugh at the idiot who paid it!  Lo and behold I was right again.  They offered me $8000.00 for my 2006 Ford Explorer XLT that has less than 23K miles on it.  I couldn't buy a used 2006 Explorer similar to mine for anywhere near that!  We left and had a nice dinner at Bob Evan's.  American car manufacturers wonder why they are not selling cars?  It is because of two very important things.  First when the sales people refuse to sell the vehicle at a reasonable price because most people are ignorant as to what the car is actually worth.  Second when the auto technicians steal, swap parts and do shoddy work.  Both these two issues are important but neither has been addressed by American auto makers.  I will never buy FORD again!  I told my son about Halleen, and I had sworn before I would never buy from them.  I am glad they helped me keep that promise.   We'll have to live with this vehicle, I have no choices here.  I am on a pension and don't have the money to do any better for now.  When this truck is paid off in about two years, I am going to get rid of it but I will be looking on the internet instead of going to dealerships.  The internet will give me the best deal and I can pick it up at a local dealer.  Saving me thousands.  I hope to be laughing at them come that time.