He Was Almost President?

Senator John Kerry attended a pep rally for Phil Angelides yesterday at Pasadena City College. See coverage in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

"Kerry...told the students that if they were able to navigate the education system, they could get comfortable jobs - "If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq," he said to a mixture of laughter and gasps."

My buddy Hugh has a Masters degree and would probably have a few choice words back at Kerry.

See the video and more reaction at this entry on the Michelle Malkin blog.

(update)-Senator John McCain: "Senator Kerry owes an apology to the many thousands of Americans serving in Iraq, who answered their country's call because they are patriots and not because of any deficiencies in their education. Americans from all backgrounds, well off and less fortunate, with high school diplomas and graduate degrees, take seriously their duty to our country, and risk their lives today to defend the rest of us in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

They all deserve our respect and deepest gratitude for their service. The suggestion that only the least educated Americans would agree to serve in the military and fight in Iraq, is an insult to every soldier serving in combat, and should deeply offend any American with an ounce of appreciation for what they suffer and risk so that the rest of us can sleep more comfortably at night. Without them, we wouldn't live in a country where people securely possess all their God-given rights, including the right to express insensitive, ill-considered and uninformed remarks."

Anyway

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends
and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.


--attributed to Blessed Mother Teresa

We Are Moving Here!

A freak blizzard hit Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas today, virtually shutting down the city, dropping over 14 inches of snow with winds over 30 miles per hour. See this story on the CNN website for more details and pictures. Looks like a lot of fun.

Julie Anne

The Dougalas family has a new addition to their family. Congratulations! A 7 lb 14 oz girl was born on October 19, 2006 at 9:28 PM. Hugh was given a 15-day leave and will be home approximately November 1-15.


They had asked us to be the Godparents of this child about six months ago. This was long before there was any hint of us moving away. As soon as it became a possibility that we may be moving, we suggested that they ask others. But they still want us to be the Godparents. Jan & Hugh actually met in Colorado. So (in a way) this is a closure of a circle. Alex & Marisa and Lilly & Glenn are excited to be 'Godcousins' with each other.

Lisa Has Accepted

Lisa has accepted the job in Colorado Springs. It looks like she will be taking about a 20-25% pay cut. The cost of living is about 20% less than here. She will be on a teacher's schedule, so she will have a couple of months off in the summer and spring break, Christmas break, and all of the holidays. Plus, we will be able to get a bigger house and actually have a yard! Wish us luck.

October Poker Winnings

As per the updated resolution that I made on my June 26, 2006 post, I have withdrawn my goal of $500 from my poker bankroll this month. YTD=+$5,900. '05-YTD=+$3,300. My next withdrawal of $500 is due by November 30, 2006. Please continue to wish me luck and keep me accountable.

Colorado Springs Job Interview

Lisa is in Colorado Springs for a job interview right now. It seems that the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind has an interest in Lisa. Now we will soon find out if Lisa has an interest in them. If yes, then I anticipate that our lives will become very hectic. If not, then can things go back to the way they were? Pray for us.

The Barber

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said, "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber, "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him."

It Has Begun

I could lose my ability to play poker online soon. We will be losing out on about $500 per month in extra income. Hopefully things will work itself out in the end. Here is an email that I received from one of the online poker rooms that I have played at in the past:

Donn,

I'm not sure if you're aware of the recent developments in US online gaming industry. In short, the US government has passed a law that would prohibit banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions from processing gambling funds. This controversial act was attached to a popular and completely unrelated bill regarding Port Security (HR4954) early Saturday morning. In this way, the act was passed because representatives were more concerned with the major bill being made law and knew only in the final minutes of the attachment.

It does NOT make it illegal for US citizens to play online, however drastically affects your ability to enjoy your favorite poker and casino games by making it difficult to send and receive your deposits and winnings.

In light of these events, our software and ECash provider for SunPoker.com, CryptoLogic and ECashDirect, have made the decision to no longer service US registered accounts.

Consequently, all accounts with US based addresses will no longer be able to play in the casino or poker room as of 12PM EST today October 3rd.

Your account will however be available for you to log into and request a withdrawal of your available balance.

All other accounts with non US based addresses will remain unaffected.

Currently it is unclear as to the longer term ramifications of these events at CryptoLogic and should the position change, we will notify you.

In the meantime, we are hoping to make provisions so that you are able to continue to enjoy playing and enjoy the same levels of service and bonuses you've come to expect from us. We will keep you updated.

Thanks for your time, and we do sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Regards,

Adam
Poker Room Manager
Sun Poker