Microwave Blues

When my old microwave quit working, I was in a better financial position, so I went out and bought a super-deluxe model, the GE JES1288. It's been a great microwave, and I still haven't used it to its fullest capabilities. Unfortunately, the light bulb burnt out, and I couldn't figure out how to change it, so it's been dark for a couple of years. Today I called the GE Answer Center, and their answer was that I need a service call to replace the bulb. I called the service center, and to replace the bulb it will be $74.95 + parts & labor. Over $100 to replace a LIGHT BULB! My next call was to the consumer relations department. After getting the run-around from them (GE Cares - right...), I'm just thankful they don't make flush toilets!

Telemarketers

Today I received a toll-free call from 866-635-8661. The caller identified herself as being with Citizens United. I told her I haven't worked for a year, and couldn't give her any money. She said that was ok, and just wanted me to listen to their message. After the message, and a little elevator music, I was asked if I could give $100-$200. I then asked them what part of "haven't worked in a year they didn't understand?" After the caller called me "ma'am" twice, I raised my voice, and forcefully asked to be removed. I also called back the 866-635-8661 number and removed myself. I then called the 800-837-5947 number, identified myself as calling for Unemployed Citizens, and asked for a million dollars. I don't think they'll call back.

Wave of the Future

What if Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace and eBay were all rolled into one Web 2.0 portal? Multiple venues under a single umbrella. One place to go, several choices once you get there and all for the same cost. Free. That's the next thing everyone will be talking about. What the heck is he talking about, you might ask? Me2Everyone. Check it out at:

www.me2everyone.com/411312

Breathe

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Lies my teachers told me.

When I was in school, my teachers told me, "You don't want to be a teacher. It's the worst job. Go get a college education, work in a big company and be successful."

Lie #1 - It's a terrible job. - They work 9 months out of the year for $80,000. Who else gets 3 months off a year but teachers? And they get a government pension of 80%!! That's $64,000/year, AND all the teachers I know retire in their mid-50s.

Lie #2 - Get a college education - Why? The St. Louis Post Dispatch did a story that said the difference in pay for blue-collar workers vs. white collar workers was $2/hour. That's $4000/year.

Guess what you get to use that extra $4000/year for...