davidambro's Blog

What is the allure of taking a illegal drug?  Peer pressure?  Curiosity?  We see people who are addicted to these almost every day.  We see the inevitable outcome quite often, people so addicted they would do anything for another fix.  Yet, there are people who think that somehow they have the ability and self control to avoid this outcome.  That they can put it down whenever they want to.  Every person who I have ever met who was an addict said the same, they could put it down any time they wanted to, they just didn't want to.  Eventually, they found themselves so deeply addicted that they couldn't pull themselves out of it.  One guy I know tried to suicide, he was that desperate, hopeless to change what he had put himself in for.  That guy started selling the stuff and gravitated to using it.  So no one is immune to addiction.  Be smart.  Don't start.  Understand that if one hundred percent of those who start using these drugs get themselves into hopeless addiction, that you can too and the best and only way to avoid that is never to start at all!

     Read.  You want to escape the terrible lives we have today.  Read a book.  If you are unable to read, watch a movie or listen to a audio book tape.  The library has these to loan out. 

     I know it is much harder today.  Everyone else seems to have the money for expensive electronics.  Everyone else seems to be doing better than us.  However; it just isn't true.  Everyone is in the same position today.  Different people handle things differently, that's all.  Try to get a job, even one after school.  Try to save your money.  Try to find inexpensive ways to have fun.  Outings or group picnics, or drives.  Visit a Park, state of federal.  Learn to meet people and talk.  Get away from the TV.  TV entertainment isn't reality.  Nobody robs banks and keeps the cash in real life.  Nobody is set upon by thousands of angry gun weilding cowboys in real life.  One hero doesn't save the day in real life, it takes quite a few to do that.  Go outside.  Meet people.  Read books.  Create a better world.  Volunteer that excess time to help make the world better...  Know what I mean?

Dave

Muslims are begining to become a larger segment of our population.  Many of them have religious traditions and dress in a certain way.  Why is it that so many people feel that it is alright to offend them?  Force them to take off head scarves or to wear American style clothing?  We would not force the Amish to do this, nor the Hasidics.  Are we at war with Muslims or Arabs?  An unofficial war.  Where people think they have the right to harm others?  What country did people like that grow up in?  We protect the rights of others and their religion or lack of religion in this country.  We do this so that we too may be protected.  We used to come together in this, in a very effective way.  We are not fighting Islam in those countries, we are fighting terrorists.  So don't act like a terrorist here towards Muslims and Arabs.  Recognize that they have rights, the same rights that we have.  Yes.  Many of them have accents and are from other countries, not born here.  Well many of us have parents, or grandparents that did the same thing.  Would we have wanted anyone to persecute them?  To make fun of them.  To make their lives harder?  Be fair.  Be open hearted.  We need to talk more to strangers.  We need to meet our neighbors.  TV and Video games have caused people to live their lives in their homes.  Turn these things off.  Get outdoors.  Meet people.  But don't hurt anyone!  Dave

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/yourict/36314999.
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Radioactive waste disposal and mining seem to be happening on Native American Reservations.  Sure some have casinos, but others do not.  Children are affected.  Nobody seems to be reporting these things in the main stream press.  Why?  Who are they actually working for?  Or do they feel that the majority of Americans don't care?  An article in a Native American Magazine talked about the "Invisible People".  If they were Black or Hispanic maybe more people would care?  Children dying young or having disabilities that could be prevented.  Our own Government which mismanages everything it touches is the only resource that Native Americans have.  This is a pitifull thing.  Because Federal employees have never ever protected the rights of the average citizen, certainly they could care less about Native Americans.  I know of a Hydro Electric plant that was purposely built on Indian Lands in Wyoming, because the state felt that it would not have to pay for the land.  The nation affected does not receive electricity from that plant.  Health care.  Food.  Basic rights.  These are denied many Native Americans.  Often they live in Third or Fourth world conditions but the News Media doesn't care.  It isn't News if they choose not to report it.  We, the general public, are unaware and unconcerned.  Sure we have our own problems.  Sure.  Why does that mean to so many that we must develop a thick skin and ignore someone else's pain?  It is time that we rose up and banded together to right the wrongs that have been done in our times.  We need to band together to get to know one another and to adopt each person to our own private family and friendships; because together we are strong.  Let's write emails and letters to our politicians and let them know that we have not forgotten American Indians and that we have compassion for them.  Now.

Dave

Kids ask Santa for food.  Food pantries state that they have run out of donations, no food there.  Ok.  I'm asking you to give to food pantries and Feed The Children, and to local Food Banks, and Harvest For Hunger.  Yes.  Even if you never gave before.  Do it monthly.  Even a small gift of $5.00 a month adds up when lots of people do it.  Dave

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

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUS
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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

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

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.