Any school has a right to occasionally order food as a "motivational" treat for the staff. If I'm right, Tom's problem is with the state-of-the-art stuff (but do you really know that, Tom?) and apparently extraneous and idle personnel, although they were probably just waiting for lunch. But Tom, just because your business requires everyone to work their asses off at breakneck speed doesn't mean everyone should. But I agree about the horrible waste in systems. So how does that get addressed?
This is funny - we taught about the ten commandments Wednesday night and did a little preliminary quiz and over half of the younger kids (say 4th grade and younger) thought "No smoking" was a commandment.
Cathy - From observation the "state of the art" stuff is at least newer than you will see in most businesses. Also, you use the term "right" in saying they should be authorized to order lunches. Here is the whole problem with your thinking. It is not a "right" to spend tax money when it doesn't need to be spent. So many think this way. Whatever happened to "ask not what your country can do for you..."
I'm not saying this about the occasional lunch I or my competitors may provide as a motivational tool. But, there is blatant waste throughout all systems of government. The culture of waste (as in the mis-billing of booze) has deemed it their "right" to do so.
As far as the staffing at the schools - refer to Pat's and Emily's combined statement that government waste happens everywhere all the time. It's cliche to say that you will see 3 city workers watching a coworker down in a hole doing all the digging. I have made deliveries to this school on many occassions at all times of the workday and almost everytime without fail the 2 receptionists are there enjoying their baked goods.
Mary - your point illustrates the paradox I am in. Since I am taxed so heavily I am forced to take all revenue possible. I would gladly exchange the lost revenue a reasonable amount of taxation should the schools not order from me anymore. In the meantime feel free to call me a two-faced capitalist if this makes you feel better about government waste.
Cathy again - My point to Mary applies as well to me and my staff having to work our asses off. I would gladly work less if I didn't have to write so many checks for all the various taxes I am responsible for.
Des - I am with holding my judgment on Palin until I learn more. But you seem to ridicule the notion of a mom getting involved in politics and seeing some incredible success at it. Why?
I was just saying that that's the nature of the restaurant business but I don't think all employees everywhere need to work at that pace and stress level to justify their wage, or the tax money spent paying their wages. If your taxes went down you would still have crazy busy times and chronic turnover or whatever employer woes plague your business. It was the same for us when we were in business. I didn't like coming home after midnight every night during the Christmas season but if my taxes had been lower it wouldn't have changed my workload significantly. Also, does the fact that two employees are sharing a comfortable air-conditioned office and chat pleasantly with each other mean they're not working?
I highly doubt that two coworkers chatting and not working for a couple of minutes is indicative of their entire day. I have to say when I was waitressing there would be plenty of times when the pace was incredibly slow...of course there were times when it picked up crazily, but we had down times where we chatted and if we'd had sweet treats from someone's home, I'd have eaten them... p
I posted something that got left on the other posting. Basically, if you want to see real waste you need to investigate health insurance. What I saw there was disgraceful. Way worse than ANYTHING I saw at a school. Most everyone I knew at schools worked their asses off and didn't get many perks for it. Insurance expense accounts were grotesque. Strip clubs, 4th row of timberwolves games, etc. Of course that was 12 years ago, but I bet it's still the same. p
Pat, read my reply to that post. When you talk about insurance, who are you referring to? Home office executives, management, agents? Who has expense accounts? Does the company have a set of 4 season tickets that anyone at a certain level can use for big clients? Strip clubs, that's just gross and wrong.
All I know is the company I worked for. We were a group health insurance underwriting company. When sales meetings happened (and people from the various offices would come to the home office in Mpls) the guys would all be taken to strip clubs downtown after nice dinners. There was also a set of four season tickets to the Timberwolves to be used by the execs and sales guys and big clients. IT didn't happen every day. P
I just asked because the season tix sounded like the kind of sales tool lots of big businesses use for big clients (and yes, it does impact our premiums) and taking them out for dinner, and all of that business stuff, is corrupt in a lot of ways but at least it's not eating tax dollars. Most agents at the retail level don't have expense accounts - they just pay out of pocket to woo a client.
Yes I don't imagine all the independent agents have this type of situation. But in a "home office" setting this does happen. At least where I worked. P
You guys are so frustrating. You make me want to stick a white hot poker in my eye.
You've acknowledged that there is tremendous waste across the breadth and width of government. And you want to give them more. There is no question that if my taxes were less I could hire another cook and work fewer hours. Both to mine and the cooks benefit.
Cathy - you presume to know a lot about the restaurant business. You don't. It's different than other retail operations. Labor intensive, highly perishable product, dregs of society make up most applicants, creativity a must, and cut-throat competition.
We've managed to steer away from the discussion of government waste and talk about the waste of private sector business. The thing is I don't care what they do with their money. It's not mine.
And you need to trust me when I say that those ladies at the school could be much more productive.
"But you seem to ridicule the notion of a mom getting involved in politics and seeing some incredible success at it. Why?"
My ridicule has nothing to do with her being a woman, mom or anything like that. Never said it. In fact, if I had my druthers, we'd be watching Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Nominee. But that's not the discussion at hand.
I understand that picking a veep will always be politically motivated. But to pick somebody with Palin's resume is so transparent. What's even more ridonkulous is that people eating it up. They love her BECAUSE she isn't qualified and BECAUSE she's, for lack of a better word, kind of trashy.
The whole "Washington Outsider" thing might be the appeal. But to me, the business of politics is business and it helps to know how to do it.
Look, I don't know much about her political views other than what's been fed to us so far. But I do know her husband was part of an organization in favor of Alaska seceding from the U.S. That's just weird. Where would they go?
In a month the Republican party is going to wake up and look at Palin laying next to them and think to themselves, "What happened last night?"
Tom did you find that poker yet? Every time Scott goes out of town for work he tries to stay at a Marriott . The gov't pays and we get the points. That's why we're staying for free in the Old Market next Friday and Saturday. Thank you!
Tom, how come both you and Nance are writing checks?? You're paying everyone twice...that's the problem. I have fixed your bottom line, now...go have a beer!
The following link explains my earlier and apparently inaccurate statement wherein I said Obama opposed funding for "up armoring" military vehicles in Iraq.
So Tom, the high insurance premiums you pay....you don't care that a lot of that money is going to entertainment? I find it reprehensible. Anyway, just went out with Josh's coworkers and friends. It's definitely a different world. Tomorrow we leave for the midwest. p
I just wonder what our depression era grandparents would think of all this...seeing their grandkids make light of the acknowledged waste and the wasted legacy they left us. They wouldn't be proud. It would be a real head scratcher for them.
Man, aren't you guys tired of discussing politics? What's everyone doing this weekend?
Today I'm going to Zane's football game, then we're driving to Indiana to stay overnight with my Grandma J. I'll see my cousin who recently moved there and who I haven't seen since before she got married to a guy I haven't met yet. On Sunday we drive to Kenosha, Wisconsin to watch Ryan play football. Somewhere in there I'll get a bunch of homework and laundry done, make sure the kids have their homework done, and maybe get an oil change. And my last carefree weekend activity will be watching the Bears play the Colts. Can't wait to check out the running back situation and Devin Hester as wide reciever. Gotta find my Urlacher jersey! I won't have to even think or stress about the current head-hunting climate at my office until Monday. But I might find time to update my resume.
In the opening game Algona came away victorious on several long runs. Final score was 24-0.
In 4th grade play Liam Straub saw action as a 2 way starter playing right guard on offense and defensive tackle on the other side of the ball. Straub played every snap of the game.
There were several highlights to his game. This reporter will not bore you with all of them. He was in on several behind the line tackles and sacks.
There is one event worth mentioning. While on defense the play was going away from Liam. As he was pursuing, a player from the other team grabbed his face mask and yanked. Liam immediately turned to the kid and stuck his finger in his face and gave him a verbal lashing. In turn the kid took a swing at Liam. As it happens this kid was the opposing teams QB.
On the very next play this same QB took the snap and before he could turn to make the hand off Liam planted him with extreme malice...a pop that could be heard all through the stands. The crowd roared and Liam's parents were subject to a few slaps on the back by fellow Predator parents.
In the second game the 6th grade team did not fare as well. Eli, the elder Straub, also plays both sides of the ball full time. Offensively, he is the right guard and on defense the right defensive end. The predators scored on their first drive behind a series of up the gut attacks behind a wedge blocking scheme that will soon be the bane of the league.
The fact that most of this year's practice time has been devoted to offense was evident in our defense not understanding the discipline of containment. The Predators fell by a final score of 18-8.
Eli's father and assistant coach spent some time with the lad after the game explaining this discipline and it's various components such as back side pursuit, taking on sweep blocks from multiple blockers and, the Holy Grail off defensive end play, turn the damn play in!
Overall, an encouraging start to the season for both Predator squads.
Everyone say a prayer for Stevo's mom... she has been in the hospital all day because of heart pains and they have an angioplasty scheduled for Monday. She's "not critical" but she is in intensive care. I think she'll be ok but 15 or so prayers won't hurt. Stevo was thinking about flying out there but I think he'll wait and see how things go tomorrow. Thanks to Grace's good sense I am putting myself on a political moratorium (barring SP mooning Obama or something) until after the wedding. Grace is taking 15 hours at Bradley,(she has to cram them in because the GI Bill runs out for her next year), working, and enjoying football on many fronts. And still laughing. Molly will probably have the baby early - we're just hoping not within the next 7 days. Say a little prayer for her too. Gotta go paint the porch floor! Oh - I got a dress. Priorities.
Monica and the kids are sleeping in the hotel room. I got up to nurse a little hangover. Monica danced to Mony-Mony at my brother's wedding in Dubuque last night. It's really just a warm-up for Ellen's wedding next weekend. We're looking forward to it.
Ellen and Andy's wedding is going to be a blast. I'm driving in on Friday with Jen and Phelan. All LaVelles will be staying at the house in Little Italy on air mattresses.
It is entirely different when Tom and the employees that *we pay*, "hang around." Re: Eli and Liam's football games...I am beginning to understand and ENJOY the sport! :-)
Not if N.D.plays the entire season as they played the 4th quarter...
Tom and Nance, becauseit's a hectic world please post weekend game times for the Straub lads...thanks!
Socialism isn't all bad...a builder friend just stopped in, said his sister and her family just flew in from Norway...she has a new baby (3 mos. old) and gets an entire year off work at 80% pay for maternity leave, and the hubby gets a few perks, too. They are enrolling the 5 year old in kindergarten here,and will go home after Christmas!
411 on Garrigan Homecoming! This is the Golden Anniversary for the Golden Bears! Joe Straub IV is a candidate for King and the obvious winner! :-) Homecoming week is September 13-20th. Wednesday is the Coronation/Pep Rally. Homecoming Parade at 2pm on Friday the 19th. The Homecoming Game will be played against Marcus Meriden Cleghorn.
That was from Ellen. Silly computer. Also get, your dancing shoes polished off before the weekend. Start stretching now, it will be a lot of fun.
I'm a little afraid to ask, but since we are doing pictures before the ceremony, I would be nice to take a big Straub family picture then, too. We will be taking extended family pictures at the church at 3pm, the ceremony is at 4. If it works and everyone can be there at 3, great. If not, we will do what we can and take a group one later in the night.
Stevo has been justified. When we had a tornado in 1988, it took out our whole back fence along the alley. It was pretty much in splinters but Stevo salvaged any of the boards that weren't destroyed. It's an old-fashioned, woven-board fence made of redwood and cypress - you would never find the right stuff at Menard's. I jeered. 20 years later, straight-line winds took out the top half of half of the same fence. Yesterday Joe, Brian and Stevo fixed the fence using the salvaged boards from 20 years ago. My nefarious plan to back up a dumpster to the garage the next time Stevo leaves town may require some modification. On the other hand, Stevo almost killed himself trying to climb up on precarious piles of junk to get them down. What to do?
Stevo's mom did end up having an angioplasty and a stent installed - she had a 90% blockage - but she's doing OK and (this surprised us!) her doc said there's no reason she can't come to Ellen's wedding. Amazing.
No pressure...at all...but, Eli and Liam have football games on Saturday the 20th in Albert City. If anyone is in town for homecoming and would like to attend...Liam plays at 9am and Eli at Noon. :-)
OK, so tomorrow, scientists in Geneva are starting an experiment on the world's newest and biggest supercollider over the objections of several other scientists who believe there is a small possibility that this experiment could create a black hole, which would, of course, eventually swallow the earth. We're holding off on that last payment to the caterer. I remember Don pounding fiercely on the sidewalk with a hammer when he was in kindergarten and telling me he was smashing atoms. I didn't know it was dangerous.
Hello- this is just like the plot to Angles and Demons. Soon the "Other scientists" (the Illuminati) are going to come kill the main guy and Prof. Langdon will have to find the clues and fall in love with some beautiful woman before all basis of Christianity and science as we know it are lost.
That's actually the supercollider they're talking about and the same people were expressing the same fears as it was being built. (I like the term "atom smasher" better.) I'm going to eat whatever I want today. And maybe have a cigarette. And yet, here I am at work, about to do some of my least favorite things so I can take off the rest of the week with a clear conscience. I should have more faith in bad science. Or bad writing. Don't you just love Bill Nye?
OK, this is interesting. Here's my daily email meditation for today from Catholic theologian and author Henri Nouwen: "We are living in the end-time! This does not mean that creation will soon come to its end, but it does mean that all the signs of the end of time that Jesus mentions are already with us: wars and revolutions, conflicts between nations and between kingdoms, earthquakes, plagues, famines, and persecutions (see Luke 21:9-12). [Cathy's note: black holes?]Jesus describes the events of our world as announcements that this world is not our final dwelling place, but that the Son of Man will come to bring us our full freedom. "When these things begin to take place," Jesus says, "stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand" (Luke 21:28). The terrible events surrounding us must be lived as ways to make us ready for our final liberation." Meanwhile, the LaVelle family is going to the mattresses in Little Italy.
Yes, I definitely want to go to the BGHS game and the parade. M.E., Dad,Joe3, Tom, or Nance - any of you guys know of a babysitter I can get for the game? I don't want to bring Sam. Scott probably can't come.
Alaska oil won't work because the Gull Island fields have been available since the early 70's but a reciprocal deal with the Saudi's was sealed to take some of their oil profits and buy U.S. Govt.T-bills in order to support U.S. national debt and continued deficit spending as well as all their oil was to be traded in U.S. dollars which the Fed printed generating a cyclic petrow dollar flow. The U.S. could never use our own oil reserves as it breaks the flow.
So - not sure what that means Mary. Is that saying that there is an implicit agreement that we agreed not to drill in Alaska and the Saudi's agreed to buy our debt and to use the US Dollar for all crude oil transactions (which is esentially buying our debt as well)? And that if we start drilling the Saudi's will stop buying our debt and using US $ for oil transactions?
Funny mini-story: A small business in town had a lady leave their store, today, and announce, "I am never coming in here again! You have a children's book with an offensive word in it." The book: Walter and the Farting Dog. Ha! :-)
Was she a public employee? Since we don'thave a bookstore, was that at The Market?? I'm very curious because I will never set foot inside their store again...I will just phone order their yummy dips and salsas!
it takes 17 days to get up to full speed. they really want those monkeys to explode when they collide, that way they can find the smallest unit of monkey-particles.
Last night I watched the film of the GHS vs West Hancock from last Friday night. Joe made the highly touted 300 pounder into a non factor. Joe's technique and quickness was no match for the behemoth. There was on time when the monster did manage to get under Joe's shoulder pads and exhibit his strength. Joe got knocked back a few steps when he was defending a run. Otherwise, Joe pretty much outsmarted and outmatched the guy. You could tell that conditioning played a big part in this as well. The other guy was pretty well spent by the end of the game. Joe looked still pretty fresh.
I don't know that I'd boycott a local business but I admire the lady. Kids' books shouldn't be about farts. It's an example of how our culture is becoming increasingly coarse. Disney movies are full of fart jokes and the bad guy getting hit in the crotch (hilarity ensues). The whole thing is distasteful to me. Let kids find bathroom humor on their own (they will). Standards are lower across society than they were and getting lower all the time. Let's see-what else can I rail against? Mary-why won't you step into the Market?
I agree Joe3, I do remember back when my "squeeky-clean-teacher" girlfriend bought this book for Liam. I thought it was odd that she bought it and that it was not only about about farts, but used that word too (vs toot)...our kids weren't even allowed to use the word fart back then. Still...what a kook to get all huffy and ban the business!
We have that book. It's about how no one could stand the dogs farts and they tried everything, switching foods etc. to stop them, then decided they had to get rid of the dog. Then Walter, the dog, saves the family from burglers so they keep him, farts and all. It's funny and we love it, maybe because we also have a farting dog who we love.
83 comments:
Ed...great photo!
Tom...when the school orders Sarah's for lunch, why don't you decline the order, otherwise you're "feeding" the taxing.
I'm so proud.
My observations about Palin were nonpartisan. The absurdity of her as a VP nominee crosses all party lines.
m.e.'s right Tom. Suck it up and don't complain.
Any school has a right to occasionally order food as a "motivational" treat for the staff. If I'm right, Tom's problem is with the state-of-the-art stuff (but do you really know that, Tom?) and apparently extraneous and idle personnel, although they were probably just waiting for lunch. But Tom, just because your business requires everyone to work their asses off at breakneck speed doesn't mean everyone should. But I agree about the horrible waste in systems. So how does that get addressed?
Contrast that to when Emily taught in Omaha and had to submit a written request days in advance to use the copier.
This is funny - we taught about the ten commandments Wednesday night and did a little preliminary quiz and over half of the younger kids (say 4th grade and younger) thought "No smoking" was a commandment.
Cathy - From observation the "state of the art" stuff is at least newer than you will see in most businesses. Also, you use the term "right" in saying they should be authorized to order lunches. Here is the whole problem with your thinking. It is not a "right" to spend tax money when it doesn't need to be spent. So many think this way. Whatever happened to "ask not what your country can do for you..."
I'm not saying this about the occasional lunch I or my competitors may provide as a motivational tool. But, there is blatant waste throughout all systems of government. The culture of waste (as in the mis-billing of booze) has deemed it their "right" to do so.
As far as the staffing at the schools - refer to Pat's and Emily's combined statement that government waste happens everywhere all the time. It's cliche to say that you will see 3 city workers watching a coworker down in a hole doing all the digging. I have made deliveries to this school on many occassions at all times of the workday and almost everytime without fail the 2 receptionists are there enjoying their baked goods.
Mary - your point illustrates the paradox I am in. Since I am taxed so heavily I am forced to take all revenue possible. I would gladly exchange the lost revenue a reasonable amount of taxation should the schools not order from me anymore. In the meantime feel free to call me a two-faced capitalist if this makes you feel better about government waste.
Cathy again - My point to Mary applies as well to me and my staff having to work our asses off. I would gladly work less if I didn't have to write so many checks for all the various taxes I am responsible for.
Des - I am with holding my judgment on Palin until I learn more. But you seem to ridicule the notion of a mom getting involved in politics and seeing some incredible success at it. Why?
Tom
Why did they put Sarah's head on my body and replace my fun noodle with a gun? :-<>
So when you guys say SP you mean Super Phreak?
Tom
I was just saying that that's the nature of the restaurant business but I don't think all employees everywhere need to work at that pace and stress level to justify their wage, or the tax money spent paying their wages. If your taxes went down you would still have crazy busy times and chronic turnover or whatever employer woes plague your business. It was the same for us when we were in business. I didn't like coming home after midnight every night during the Christmas season but if my taxes had been lower it wouldn't have changed my workload significantly. Also, does the fact that two employees are sharing a comfortable air-conditioned office and chat pleasantly with each other mean they're not working?
I highly doubt that two coworkers chatting and not working for a couple of minutes is indicative of their entire day. I have to say when I was waitressing there would be plenty of times when the pace was incredibly slow...of course there were times when it picked up crazily, but we had down times where we chatted and if we'd had sweet treats from someone's home, I'd have eaten them...
p
I posted something that got left on the other posting. Basically, if you want to see real waste you need to investigate health insurance. What I saw there was disgraceful. Way worse than ANYTHING I saw at a school. Most everyone I knew at schools worked their asses off and didn't get many perks for it. Insurance expense accounts were grotesque. Strip clubs, 4th row of timberwolves games, etc. Of course that was 12 years ago, but I bet it's still the same.
p
Pat, read my reply to that post. When you talk about insurance, who are you referring to? Home office executives, management, agents? Who has expense accounts? Does the company have a set of 4 season tickets that anyone at a certain level can use for big clients? Strip clubs, that's just gross and wrong.
All I know is the company I worked for. We were a group health insurance underwriting company. When sales meetings happened (and people from the various offices would come to the home office in Mpls) the guys would all be taken to strip clubs downtown after nice dinners. There was also a set of four season tickets to the Timberwolves to be used by the execs and sales guys and big clients. IT didn't happen every day.
P
I just asked because the season tix sounded like the kind of sales tool lots of big businesses use for big clients (and yes, it does impact our premiums) and taking them out for dinner, and all of that business stuff, is corrupt in a lot of ways but at least it's not eating tax dollars. Most agents at the retail level don't have expense accounts - they just pay out of pocket to woo a client.
I just love that crazy picture - at once appealing and appalling. Every time I get on here it makes me laugh.
Stevo said at least it's patriotic.
Yes I don't imagine all the independent agents have this type of situation. But in a "home office" setting this does happen. At least where I worked. P
You guys are so frustrating. You make me want to stick a white hot poker in my eye.
You've acknowledged that there is tremendous waste across the breadth and width of government. And you want to give them more. There is no question that if my taxes were less I could hire another cook and work fewer hours. Both to mine and the cooks benefit.
Cathy - you presume to know a lot about the restaurant business. You don't. It's different than other retail operations. Labor intensive, highly perishable product, dregs of society make up most applicants, creativity a must, and cut-throat competition.
We've managed to steer away from the discussion of government waste and talk about the waste of private sector business. The thing is I don't care what they do with their money. It's not mine.
And you need to trust me when I say that those ladies at the school could be much more productive.
Now, where's that poker...?
Tom
"But you seem to ridicule the notion of a mom getting involved in politics and seeing some incredible success at it. Why?"
My ridicule has nothing to do with her being a woman, mom or anything like that. Never said it. In fact, if I had my druthers, we'd be watching Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Nominee. But that's not the discussion at hand.
I understand that picking a veep will always be politically motivated. But to pick somebody with Palin's resume is so transparent. What's even more ridonkulous is that people eating it up. They love her BECAUSE she isn't qualified and BECAUSE she's, for lack of a better word, kind of trashy.
The whole "Washington Outsider" thing might be the appeal. But to me, the business of politics is business and it helps to know how to do it.
Look, I don't know much about her political views other than what's been fed to us so far. But I do know her husband was part of an organization in favor of Alaska seceding from the U.S. That's just weird. Where would they go?
In a month the Republican party is going to wake up and look at Palin laying next to them and think to themselves, "What happened last night?"
Oh Des you make me laugh so.
Tom did you find that poker yet? Every time Scott goes out of town for work he tries to stay at a Marriott . The gov't pays and we get the points. That's why we're staying for free in the Old Market next Friday and Saturday. Thank you!
Tom, how come both you and Nance are writing checks?? You're paying everyone twice...that's the problem. I have fixed your bottom line, now...go have a beer!
The following link explains my earlier and apparently inaccurate statement wherein I said Obama opposed funding for "up armoring" military vehicles in Iraq.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3602
He's still a jerk.
Tom
Does any one know when this photo was taken?
Oh and did you hear she did not sell the governor's plane on Ebay. She sold it- for a loss- to one of her campaign contributors.
So Tom, the high insurance premiums you pay....you don't care that a lot of that money is going to entertainment? I find it reprehensible.
Anyway, just went out with Josh's coworkers and friends. It's definitely a different world. Tomorrow we leave for the midwest.
p
Great game tonight...it was in Britt. Garrigan won 14-0 over W. Hancock. A sweet win after the end of last season.
Oh, en route, Betty and I saw Tom and three SS employees just standing out by the back door of the restaurant! I couldn't believe my eyes... ;-)
Kelli
by different world, I meant they are almost all european or south american. About 5 languages around the table.
p
Kelli, you're funny - sort of.
I just wonder what our depression era grandparents would think of all this...seeing their grandkids make light of the acknowledged waste and the wasted legacy they left us. They wouldn't be proud. It would be a real head scratcher for them.
Tom
Man, aren't you guys tired of discussing politics? What's everyone doing this weekend?
Today I'm going to Zane's football game, then we're driving to Indiana to stay overnight with my Grandma J. I'll see my cousin who recently moved there and who I haven't seen since before she got married to a guy I haven't met yet. On Sunday we drive to Kenosha, Wisconsin to watch Ryan play football. Somewhere in there I'll get a bunch of homework and laundry done, make sure the kids have their homework done, and maybe get an oil change. And my last carefree weekend activity will be watching the Bears play the Colts. Can't wait to check out the running back situation and Devin Hester as wide reciever. Gotta find my Urlacher jersey!
I won't have to even think or stress about the current head-hunting climate at my office until Monday. But I might find time to update my resume.
ALGONA PREDATORS SPLIT CONTEST WITH SPENCER
In the opening game Algona came away victorious on several long runs. Final score was 24-0.
In 4th grade play Liam Straub saw action as a 2 way starter playing right guard on offense and defensive tackle on the other side of the ball. Straub played every snap of the game.
There were several highlights to his game. This reporter will not bore you with all of them. He was in on several behind the line tackles and sacks.
There is one event worth mentioning. While on defense the play was going away from Liam. As he was pursuing, a player from the other team grabbed his face mask and yanked. Liam immediately turned to the kid and stuck his finger in his face and gave him a verbal lashing. In turn the kid took a swing at Liam. As it happens this kid was the opposing teams QB.
On the very next play this same QB took the snap and before he could turn to make the hand off Liam planted him with extreme malice...a pop that could be heard all through the stands. The crowd roared and Liam's parents were subject to a few slaps on the back by fellow Predator parents.
In the second game the 6th grade team did not fare as well. Eli, the elder Straub, also plays both sides of the ball full time. Offensively, he is the right guard and on defense the right defensive end. The predators scored on their first drive behind a series of up the gut attacks behind a wedge blocking scheme that will soon be the bane of the league.
The fact that most of this year's practice time has been devoted to offense was evident in our defense not understanding the discipline of containment. The Predators fell by a final score of 18-8.
Eli's father and assistant coach spent some time with the lad after the game explaining this discipline and it's various components such as back side pursuit, taking on sweep blocks from multiple blockers and, the Holy Grail off defensive end play, turn the damn play in!
Overall, an encouraging start to the season for both Predator squads.
Everyone say a prayer for Stevo's mom... she has been in the hospital all day because of heart pains and they have an angioplasty scheduled for Monday. She's "not critical" but she is in intensive care. I think she'll be ok but 15 or so prayers won't hurt. Stevo was thinking about flying out there but I think he'll wait and see how things go tomorrow.
Thanks to Grace's good sense I am putting myself on a political moratorium (barring SP mooning Obama or something) until after the wedding. Grace is taking 15 hours at Bradley,(she has to cram them in because the GI Bill runs out for her next year), working, and enjoying football on many fronts. And still laughing.
Molly will probably have the baby early - we're just hoping not within the next 7 days. Say a little prayer for her too.
Gotta go paint the porch floor!
Oh - I got a dress. Priorities.
I'm sorry - it's an angioGRAM, not angioplasty. Way different.
Liam and Eli's assistant coach could tell those Notre Dame defensemen a couple things.
Monica and the kids are sleeping in the hotel room. I got up to nurse a little hangover. Monica danced to Mony-Mony at my brother's wedding in Dubuque last night. It's really just a warm-up for Ellen's wedding next weekend. We're looking forward to it.
Ellen and Andy's wedding is going to be a blast. I'm driving in on Friday with Jen and Phelan. All LaVelles will be staying at the house in Little Italy on air mattresses.
It is entirely different when Tom and the employees that *we pay*, "hang around."
Re: Eli and Liam's football games...I am beginning to understand and ENJOY the sport! :-)
It is going to be a loooooong year for ND football.
Not if N.D.plays the entire season as they played the 4th quarter...
Tom and Nance, becauseit's a hectic world please post weekend game times for the Straub lads...thanks!
Socialism isn't all bad...a builder friend just stopped in, said his sister and her family just flew in from Norway...she has a new baby (3 mos. old) and gets an entire year off work at 80% pay for maternity leave, and the hubby gets a few perks, too. They are enrolling the 5 year old in kindergarten here,and will go home after Christmas!
You didn't get a schedule? I emailed them out a while ago...will do it again! Let me know if yah don't receive. :-)
411 on Garrigan Homecoming!
This is the Golden Anniversary for the Golden Bears!
Joe Straub IV is a candidate for King and the obvious winner! :-)
Homecoming week is September 13-20th. Wednesday is the Coronation/Pep Rally. Homecoming Parade at 2pm on Friday the 19th. The Homecoming Game will be played against Marcus Meriden Cleghorn.
Cool video. Wolfe Tones meets Ozzy meets...Army of Darkness?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ChbwVrEczg&feature=related
I like the drummer the best
That was from Ellen. Silly computer. Also get, your dancing shoes polished off before the weekend. Start stretching now, it will be a lot of fun.
I'm a little afraid to ask, but since we are doing pictures before the ceremony, I would be nice to take a big Straub family picture then, too. We will be taking extended family pictures at the church at 3pm, the ceremony is at 4. If it works and everyone can be there at 3, great. If not, we will do what we can and take a group one later in the night.
Ellen
Stevo has been justified. When we had a tornado in 1988, it took out our whole back fence along the alley. It was pretty much in splinters but Stevo salvaged any of the boards that weren't destroyed. It's an old-fashioned, woven-board fence made of redwood and cypress - you would never find the right stuff at Menard's. I jeered. 20 years later, straight-line winds took out the top half of half of the same fence. Yesterday Joe, Brian and Stevo fixed the fence using the salvaged boards from 20 years ago. My nefarious plan to back up a dumpster to the garage the next time Stevo leaves town may require some modification. On the other hand, Stevo almost killed himself trying to climb up on precarious piles of junk to get them down. What to do?
Hey everybody, tell me where you're staying!
I'll be drinking mint juleps at the Magnolia.
Anyone going to the homecoming game?
OF COURSE!!
Pat will be there, maybe Caitlin and maybe Emily.
reminder...Mom and Dad have the best seats (with their names on them) there's always room next to them if you're early enough.
Stevo's mom did end up having an angioplasty and a stent installed - she had a 90% blockage - but she's doing OK and (this surprised us!) her doc said there's no reason she can't come to Ellen's wedding. Amazing.
No pressure...at all...but, Eli and Liam have football games on Saturday the 20th in Albert City. If anyone is in town for homecoming and would like to attend...Liam plays at 9am and Eli at Noon. :-)
Thank goodness that Steve's Mom is okay. What a blessing that she'll be fine for Ellen's wedding too. :-)
OK, so tomorrow, scientists in Geneva are starting an experiment on the world's newest and biggest supercollider over the objections of several other scientists who believe there is a small possibility that this experiment could create a black hole, which would, of course, eventually swallow the earth. We're holding off on that last payment to the caterer. I remember Don pounding fiercely on the sidewalk with a hammer when he was in kindergarten and telling me he was smashing atoms. I didn't know it was dangerous.
a super monkey collider?
of course it's the Swiss who destroy the planet... it's been their plan all along.
Hello- this is just like the plot to Angles and Demons. Soon the "Other scientists" (the Illuminati) are going to come kill the main guy and Prof. Langdon will have to find the clues and fall in love with some beautiful woman before all basis of Christianity and science as we know it are lost.
i don't remember a super monkey collider in that book...
Well - its been nice knowing you all. I guess maybe I will see you at the bottom of the black hole.
That's actually the supercollider they're talking about and the same people were expressing the same fears as it was being built. (I like the term "atom smasher" better.) I'm going to eat whatever I want today. And maybe have a cigarette. And yet, here I am at work, about to do some of my least favorite things so I can take off the rest of the week with a clear conscience. I should have more faith in bad science. Or bad writing. Don't you just love Bill Nye?
OK, this is interesting. Here's my daily email meditation for today from Catholic theologian and author Henri Nouwen:
"We are living in the end-time! This does not mean that creation will soon come to its end, but it does mean that all the signs of the end of time that Jesus mentions are already with us: wars and revolutions, conflicts between nations and between kingdoms, earthquakes, plagues, famines, and persecutions (see Luke 21:9-12). [Cathy's note: black holes?]Jesus describes the events of our world as announcements that this world is not our final dwelling place, but that the Son of Man will come to bring us our full freedom. "When these things begin to take place," Jesus says, "stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand" (Luke 21:28). The terrible events surrounding us must be lived as ways to make us ready for our final liberation."
Meanwhile, the LaVelle family is going to the mattresses in Little Italy.
Yes, I definitely want to go to the BGHS game and the parade. M.E., Dad,Joe3, Tom, or Nance - any of you guys know of a babysitter I can get for the game? I don't want to bring Sam. Scott probably can't come.
Don't pay in advance.
Is that why Mom always told us to stand up straight?
Haven't all these "end time signs" been around for all time?
Yes but now we have super atom smashers. Hey, I'm not the one going to the mattresses. Wish I could be there for the homecoming game.
What do you think of this....
Alaska oil won't work because the Gull Island fields have been available since the early 70's but a reciprocal deal with the Saudi's was sealed to take some of their oil profits and buy U.S. Govt.T-bills in order to support U.S. national debt and continued deficit spending as well as all their oil was to be traded in U.S. dollars which the Fed printed generating a cyclic petrow dollar flow. The U.S. could never use our own oil reserves as it breaks the flow.
Maybe they should poise a few derricks on the Alaska fields and mention to the Saudis how it's too bad they don't even let their women drive.
So - not sure what that means Mary. Is that saying that there is an implicit agreement that we agreed not to drill in Alaska and the Saudi's agreed to buy our debt and to use the US Dollar for all crude oil transactions (which is esentially buying our debt as well)? And that if we start drilling the Saudi's will stop buying our debt and using US $ for oil transactions?
Ed...Yes.
Funny mini-story:
A small business in town had a lady leave their store, today, and announce, "I am never coming in here again! You have a children's book with an offensive word in it."
The book: Walter and the Farting Dog.
Ha! :-)
Was she a public employee?
Since we don'thave a bookstore, was that at The Market??
I'm very curious because I will never set foot inside their store again...I will just phone order their yummy dips and salsas!
W.C. Fields says...
Ellen, marriage is a 3 ring circus. First you have the engagement ring. Then you have the wedding ring. And finally you have the suffering.
It was not a restaurant and we don't know who she was that felt such disdain for farting dogs and books written about them. :-)
Fart, fart, fart, fart, fart,fart,fart,fart,faaaaaarrrrrt!!
I think it's safe to start slouching again. No rapture. The super monkey collider didn't end the world.
Tom
it takes 17 days to get up to full speed. they really want those monkeys to explode when they collide, that way they can find the smallest unit of monkey-particles.
Last night I watched the film of the GHS vs West Hancock from last Friday night. Joe made the highly touted 300 pounder into a non factor. Joe's technique and quickness was no match for the behemoth. There was on time when the monster did manage to get under Joe's shoulder pads and exhibit his strength. Joe got knocked back a few steps when he was defending a run. Otherwise, Joe pretty much outsmarted and outmatched the guy. You could tell that conditioning played a big part in this as well. The other guy was pretty well spent by the end of the game. Joe looked still pretty fresh.
Tom
I don't know that I'd boycott a local business but I admire the lady. Kids' books shouldn't be about farts. It's an example of how our culture is becoming increasingly coarse. Disney movies are full of fart jokes and the bad guy getting hit in the crotch (hilarity ensues). The whole thing is distasteful to me. Let kids find bathroom humor on their own (they will). Standards are lower across society than they were and getting lower all the time.
Let's see-what else can I rail against?
Mary-why won't you step into the Market?
After much consideration I've decided to vote for Palin based entirely upon the was she looks in a bikini.
I agree Joe3, I do remember back when my "squeeky-clean-teacher" girlfriend bought this book for Liam. I thought it was odd that she bought it and that it was not only about about farts, but used that word too (vs toot)...our kids weren't even allowed to use the word fart back then. Still...what a kook to get all huffy and ban the business!
Speaking of the bikini...I saw the original photo and it's funny how SP looks great in the suit...yet, the actual girl makes it look icky-poo.
We have that book. It's about how no one could stand the dogs farts and they tried everything, switching foods etc. to stop them, then decided they had to get rid of the dog. Then Walter, the dog, saves the family from burglers so they keep him, farts and all. It's funny and we love it, maybe because we also have a farting dog who we love.
Here's the link about SP and the other girl in the swimsuit.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2077662/posts
Yes Molly, our kids thought the book was super funny and I just replaced the word fart for toot. :-)
New posting...
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