Packy's Place

It would appear that the distance between my sons last class, and his art class is too far. Since he can't seem to make it from one to the other in a timely manner. He has gotten enough Tardies to his art class, that now he is failing that class. This is regardless of his performance in the class. I can't phuqing believe that this is the way it works, but there you go. I'm not sure what the holdup here is, but it has been enough to spoil his grade in the class. This just makes we want to run screaming through the building.

I'm a little confused. President Obama has received the Nobel Peace prize. My next question is... Why? He is at war on two fronts. It appears he is going to have to escalate the war because the number of troops that are there now aren't able to do the job. He has only been in office for 9 months, and usually the awards for peace are given out for something that has been accomplished. Not for good intentions. Heck any of the Nobels that are received are for something that already exists, not something that has yet to transpire. I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with some of the foreigners that were questioned about how they felt about Obama receiving the the Nobel. I don't feel that he deserves it, he has done nothing to my way of thinking that warrants his having received this award.

Well, vacation was a nice change of pace. Took 3 weeks off from work. That's the most I've taken in I don't remember when. Got to see some states I hadn't seen before. This was my first time in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. I would have liked to wander a bit more. My Dad was born in Missouri and I believe some family there still own some farm land. I also got to see a Professional Baseball game. Got to watch the Kansas City Royals play. That was pretty cool. Big ball park, seats more than the entire population of the valley that I live in. Kids are back in school. As always I'm hoping the baby boy does well. Baby girl seems to have little problem with school. I think the baby boy may take after me a bit too much.

Well, we're on the road. We've come to visit the SIL (Sister-in-law) and her family. Coming from the High Desert in Oregon to KC area of Missouri is climatic shock. It's humid here, and we just don't have that at home. It's not like it gets a lot warmer. It just feels like it, due to the humidity. Lots to do in the KC area though. Worlds of Fun is a Six Flags kind of fun park. We did that. I think we're going to the movies today. The New Harry Potter Movie is out and we're all fans of the books, so we'll be going to the movie

Bernie Madoff's attorney  Ira Lee Sorkin, said that he thought the 150 year sentence for Madoff was unfair. I think so too... I think everyone that he ripped off should have a chance to slap or kick bernie in the nuts. Which ever think is most fair. You figure what ever amount he ripped off from them will not be recouped... maybe pennies on the dollar. This means that countless individuals retirements are gone. Funds for Charities are gone. The man ripped off family members. I have no sympathy for him. He tried to stash 15 million dollars in his wifes account. That has been pared back to 2.5 million, stilll a sizeable sum. Although she won't be living at the same level of comfort that she once enjoyed. She may have had been more aware of her husbands dealings than she has let on. Regardless, she will be more comfortable than 90% of the population of the U.S. quite simply by living off of the Interest of that sum, much less touching the principal. I feel so sorry for the people ...

Been a tough week on celebrities. Ed McMahon passed away, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson just today. Michael was such a cute and talented little kid when he performed with his brothers in the Jackson 5. Even when he broke out on his own you wished good things for him and he did quite well. Then he started with the surgeries, and the lightening of his skin. Okay I can live with a nose job until you take it to extrememes like he did. His sister Janet had her nose done. I always thought she was a pretty little girl regardless. Michael was only 50. So to my way of thinking still a young man. He was talking about going out on tour again. That won't be happening Ed McMahon lived a long life. He died at 86 years of age. I guess of all that have fallen the one I feel the sorriest for is Farrah. She was 62 and had been battling cancer for a number of years. She leaves behind a son, who has his own problems. I hope he gets his life sorted out, if not for himself, then for his mom's ...

Yet another day in the Life. We only have a couple more weeks to go, if that long before it is vacation time. I can use the Days Off. It has been way too long since I've had any time off to speak of. I"m not sure that I'm excited about spending the summer in Missouri, but that is where the SIL (Sister -in-law)  and Bil (Brother-In-Law)  and family are located, so we'll see how this all pans out. I can only hope that I can maintain some sort of Internet Connectivity. If not... I may be a borderline Manicdepressive before it is over. I've got my fingers crossed. I've always enjoyed the company of the Sister-in-law, and the Brother-in-law up and until now. I guess we'll see how it all works out.

Well summer has begun.. I think my baby boy has successfully completed his Sophomore year in High School. His grades were not as shiny as I would have liked, but he squeaked through another year. I wish there was some way I could help him. What he really needs to do is get a handle on his organizational skills. I'm not sure what I can do to help.

Well, it would seem that the Navy Seals did a great job of taking care of the problem with the Somali Pirates and the captive Captain. Now the Pirates are pissed. So what... they think people are just going to lie down and let them steal from them. They didn't think that someone would actually fight back? Now they say they are going to step it up a notch, and they are going to be more harsh with American ships now that the Navy Seals killed 3 of their number. This can only end badly. I'm hoping more for the Somali pirates than for anyone on an American cargo ship, or yacht.

Is it just me, or is there a problem with Somali Pirates, previously Somali fishermen being able to get close enough to Yachts and cargo ships that they can capture and then ransom crew and cargo? Why these multimillion dollar operations don't have a deck gun or two, and people trained to use them I'll never know. I'm afraid anyone who got close enough to my freighter or anything else, that wasn't known, would be dodging a bullet or two. There hands better be in the air and requesting aid if they are trying to get that close to my ship. I'd just be radioing in where to find the wreckage of their boat, and any possible survivors