[date Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 3:44 PM]
Note to Myself:
There is a problem in Gmail with embedding pictures from files vs virtual clipboard that I haven’t figured out. What am I doing wrong? Best I can do is resend this note with the pictures re-inserted.
Note to PN:
According to a reliable source (Google) the previous New Year’s greeting / 2010 summary I spent three hours thinking about and constructing disappeared a number of pictures / graphic images that I had so carefully arranged. What poppy-cock! The images that disappeared were of my beautiful children and relatives. WGAS about the cartoons? Why doesn’t it disappear them? Please excuse me clogging your inbox with another of the same – my effort is to have the email delivered as I constructed. That isn’t too much to ask of Gmai, but apparently I’m not up to the task. Working on it, Boss. The original note follows with images inserted once again.
PN:
December 31st is time for reflexion, assessment, goal reviews, plan revision, target alignment, bull s**t broadcasting. And resolve (I’ll leave redemption for another time). 1st day of 2011 and I’m already one day behind!
Here goes……… something.
Einstein is credited for stating:”insanity is doing the same thing over and over again – and expecting different results”.
While planning an exodus to Arizona in November, it suddenly dawned on me that my actions of the past 6 years have been a textbook case of insanity (reference above quote). I looked around the house, the yard, and in the shop. I say things like “I’m going to get all of these vehicles out of here!”, and “I will be an American citizen before I die”, yet the talk isn’t enabling the walk. There are more vehicles, more projects, more clock vampires™ sucking away at the only valuable asset I have (or any of us have) – time. This will not do.
Resolution Alert! In 2011, I will not do the same thing over and over and expect different results. There will be many “same things” this year, and I will see them for what they are. Realizing you have dug a big hole is one thing. Getting out is another. Stop whining like a baby and strap on some R. Lee Ermey pants – Geico example here boss:
[youtube http://youtube.com/w/?v=APwfZYO1di4&feature=related]
and inspirational example here:
[youtube http://youtube.com/w/?v=gYxEIyNA_mk&feature=related]
If guts is enough, I’m smilin’! Reference follows –
And these, too….
Resolution Alert! Will the self crippling continue? Nay, nay, I say. All is not lost. I have sought the help of experts, and voila – a plan! The results of an intensive consultation combined with many hours of Internet searching have born fruit. There is an exercise guru for me! From http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1698481/burning_beer_belly_the_fastest_way.html?cat=5 comes the solution. Some excerpts –
Why beer is the beer to inform the abdomen
Of course, it has calories. The important thing is knowing when you eat more calories, you can quickly get fat. Consider the engine and fuel calories. If you have more gas in the container that you can burn your gas to drive on the left. Well … The body is not the same. If you burn more calories than you at the time of the stored fat. So, if consumed, the meal of fast food, as now, half later, eat less fat. Food is still the same amount of calories, but has a body to use them. The beer is usually in the evening and one after the other. This leads to a higher caloric value before falling asleep. High calorie, before closing, it is a safe way to store fat fast bag. How many calories in the body of the landfill will not burn as they are. You can use the same amount of beer, which refers to the day, and has no calories. Of course, it depends on many countries, individual factors, and the number of calories you consume.
Check out the link for more of the same great information at the link. You might have to read it several times to come to the same conclusion as me – this guy is definitely not from earth. My kind of advisor! As the only commenter to this page phrased it (so succinctly):
- steven
(Guest) 07/28/2009 i can not understand this article at all.
Understanding, that’s the key. My personal crusade to understand the absolute madness of reality continues for 2011 as a fully funded endeavor. I will be dedicating a portion of my most valuable asset (time) to the gathering of expressions of clear thought. Surely a logical starting point, da? Let it begin!
I received this example of clear thought sent by a former workshop attendee –
Please, take care of yourself. A recent joint study conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Motor Vehicles indicates that 23% of traffic accidents are alcohol related. This means that the remaining 77% are caused by assholes who just drink coffee, carbonated drinks, juices, yogurts, and shit like that. Therefore, beware of those who do not drink alcohol.
They cause three times as many accidents.
This message is sent by someone who worries about your well being.
Irrefutable logic.Wonderful, marvelous words…. English is the most beautiful language – round heels and weak knees not withstanding. Read this short quote:
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”–Friedrich Nietzsche
Now, try the same thing again, but in German:
Ihr sagt, er scheint verrückt zu sein – Das kommt daher, weil die Musik, zu der er tanzt, für eure Ohren nicht geschaffen ist.
So much better in English than in German, da?
Another example: the statement “here’s a picture of an early experiment in moose submarine warfare. Not pretty.” – can you imagine how guttural it would sound in German? I think not…… let’s not try. (Wolf, if you can translate it for me, please send it along. Your pal, Dave.)
Down periscope!
There are so many negative 2010 events that boggle the mind. I’m not going there today. However, I will post one pertinent to jurisprudence in Kanada, Ontario:
http://www.ontariolandowners.ca/index.php?news&nid=58
Five examples of bureaucrats going sideways with “letter of” vs “intent to” judgments. That is giving them the benefit of the doubt. Any alternative interpretation implies a political / social engineering agenda. Canada seriously needs to take a lesson from our brothers and sisters to the south. The rights of the individual are paramount. There is no Canada. There is no United States. There are only individuals acting in their best interests. Time to be clear about what those interests are, and be vocal about it! I didn’t have to mention Caledonia, either. Oh! Ontario, our home and liberal / progressive land!
Again, I’m not going to dwell on politics today. It’s not a resolution to stop, only a day off. Or as Sarah (may I call her by her first name?) would say, “Don’t retreat; instead, re-load!”. An American politics summary for the year is here:
Here’s the closing paragraph from the article that sums everything nicely:
So we are left with a liberal establishment that rode its hubris right out of town, a conservative establishment that rode back into town despite itself and a media establishment that was wrong about both directions. This is one story of our year in politics. And the moral matches the moral of our time. The political establishment often does not know best. Neither do the pundits that analyze it. And the smartest guy in the room might just be you.
The Emperor’s New Clothes indeed. I might be the “smartest guy in the room”? Bloody frightening, that. ‘Nough said.
Children Highlights of 2010 –
1. Donald Drover and Tricia Willis married! Here’s a couple of pictures of them at their wedding, which was in April:
Jeanine and Kenda warming up before the ceremony:
The wedding reception was later in the year (August). A few pictures –
Both Families –
The Drover Klan (Dennis and Karen absent) –
Drover Klan again –
Don and Tricia on the back porch –
2. Jeanine had a roller-coaster year. Broad shoulders on that girl. One of the highlights for both of us was getting Betty back in service (1989 Bronco). Here’s a picture that “tells all”, and makes my heart soar. She loves that old POJ…. I mean, excellent Ford product –
Remember that old expression “bartender, three fingers of Red Eye”? So, is it the camera or the bartender? Those are the loveliest red eyes. A picture from a holiday to a foreign land. 2010 wasn’t all nasty and bitter sweet –
3. Kenda had an interesting year of changes. She will soon be moving in with Garrett Reimer (main squeeze) and some other person she calls “Squid”. Here’s a picture to clarify. See Squid waving? –
I wanted to put a recent picture (profile) here, but no dice – don’t have one. However, I did find a near recent picture of Jeanine and Kenda with big smiles, and I think it is appropriate to the occasion. My girls are beautiful –
Here is one of the few pictures I have of all three of the children together long, long ago –
Everything has changed, but it all remains the same…..
CEOofME EXECUTIVE SUMMARY for 2010:
1. I am blessed with wonderful children. Thank you Marilyn and Monica. Thank you Universe. Thank you children. Thank you Jesus. The good Lord knows I had little to do with it, much to my shame and regret.
2. Physical well-being relies on personal motivation. Memo to self – cultivate massive overdose of same.
3. Fiscal success is a relative calculation. What is the calculus? Quite simple, my dear Watson: Smile = (Intake > Outflow)
4. Once again, the Drovarian survived 12 rounds in the “Ring of Reality©”. I may get the hang of this “life” thing yet….. dare I say “HOPE” is in the air? Or has that word been despoiled?
5. The year went by at a frightening pace – faster every go around. Investment in personal thought streamlining technology is approved. Must avoid frivolous pursuits. Whatever. Not much time left.
6. I haven’t seen it, but I fervently believe in “the light”…… or is that “the Light”? I have felt a warm glow, though.
No promises for 2011. Work on language skills to improve efficiency of expression. Find courage to speak up against tyranny and fight with reason, logic, compassion, clarity. Remember the three conflicts are always in play – never off the table – Man vs Man, Man vs Self, Man vs Elements (is that too Boron? ha, ha, how clever.) Spend more time with my children. Then spend more time with them. Be less forceful and more tactful when arguing (remember Socrates’ method). Never, ever compromise on moral and ethical issues. Fix the body, man! It has served you well – better than most. Give it the fuel it needs, the maintenance it requires, and you might live to see more grandchildren! Wouldn’t that be a hoot! Keep your planning skills polished and sharp – and use them every day. Make lists – then actually do what is listed! (Novel idea, that). Discriminate more between personal appetite and life purpose (Rick Warren, Aristotle, Plato, triangles). Continue blabbing my head off with journal-like stream of unconscious dementia emails. Oh look! A shiny thing!! Work up enough energy to create a blogsite. Drink more beer yet loose weight (it’s a miracle!). Have ever more fun. Nothing more uplifting than a corpse in rigor with a big, big grin! That’s enough, donkey.
What better way to offer Happy New Year wishes to all than a selection of humorous thingies?
And a few (but excellent) quotes:
Edith Lovejoy Pierce
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.
Anonymous
People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.
Anonymous
A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.
George William Curtis
The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows.
Andre Gide
But can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty-year old habits.
Mark Twain
New Year’s Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
One last cartoon for Scrooge, Uriah Heep, the Grinch, and other assorted curmudgeons –
Best wishes to one and all for a healthy, happy, prosperous New Year!
I’m blowing the end of game whistle on 2010!
Joe (Dauntless) Mekanic
p.s. There are enough Ramirez cartoons for another year! Aren’t we lucky! And Cox and Forkum too…
Wouldn’t I be a good boy including both? Resolution Alert!
If you’ve never experienced Cox and Forkum here’s a treat for ya. They haven’t cartooned for over 3 years, but their old ones still speak –
