2020 Presidential Election

I would like to confess that I have not voted in a presidential election since George Bush in 2001. It is actually worse than that, I haven’t cared at all about any elected official since then either, until 2016 anyway and even than not enough to actually vote. My reason for not voting is that I feel completely overwhelmed by our entire government and I felt that I never knew enough to provide a beneficial opinion in something as important as a presidential race. What a mistake. One of the important lessons I have learned with this election is that every vote does really count and an uneducated vote is just as powerful as an educated vote.

I am a Republican. I am a Trump supporter. I am a conservative.

As of right now, they have not official called the election, but every update happening is leaning more and more to Joe Biden. I believe that they will soon name him president elect. I am worried about what that means for this country.

It seems like there has been real unrest for the entire Trump presidency and that concerns me greatly. It has caused a severe divide in the country, one that has been exacerbated with the use of social media and the untraditional journalism of the mainstream media. We have always had two sides in this country, no dispute there, but the extreme nature of what we have now is unique to today. The media, social and mainstream, have put a spotlight on the extreme views on both sides of the divide. It is dangerous and corrosive to the morality of our citizens and while it’s not unique to the United States, it impacts us very differently than it does other places.

We are a very large country with a large population made up of very different everything you can think of. What is good for metropolitan cities may not be good for rural counties. In this election you have almost 90% of a state’s rural counties voting for one candidate and their vision / policies and the smaller more densely populated areas voting for the other. The result being is the few cities with the denser population outnumbers the whole of the rural counties combined. Here is an example:

State of Nevada as of November 6, 2020 @ 21:53
Number of counties: 17
Counties won by Biden: 2
Counties won by Trump: 15
Total votes for state: 1,242,459
Total votes in Biden won counties: 1,074,022
Total votes in Trump won counties: 168,437
Total votes for Biden: 632,558
Total votes for Trump: 609,901

It is good to see that the 2 counties with the most voters are very close to 50/50, but 14 of the 15 other counties are greater than 65/35.

I wanted to show that to support this, which is an interesting result of COVID especially in metropolitan cities: more and more office workers are actually not commuting to big office buildings and in fact are forced to work from home, city / state rules and all, where they are realizing that they can live virtually anyplace, like low cost of living places. I was living in lower Manhattan until May 2020 and paying almost $4,000 a month in rent plus having to pay a lot of money to have groceries or prepared food delivered because everyplace was closed. The appeal of living near Wall Street in New York City quickly faded when I was stuck in my tiny studio apartment all day for 3 month.

I grew up in a rural small town in Florida. I lived there for almost 40 years before I moved to New York City. Things are different, what is important for them means nothing to us. Having a large reliable network of public transportation, that doesn’t even make sense in my little town. Have a lot of public services available to low income families, see those people considered low income in New York City are middle class in rural counties.

What I think will happen is that in 2024 we may see a major shift in how the county votes because I think the population may be more spread out. Those metropolitan cities may start to lose some of their influence on what is important to the entire country. Big cities depend on others to supply them with food and goods. There are no farms in the city, there are no factories in the city, they use the cheap labor of rural areas to support their life. The smaller rural communities DO NOT need big cities. If the rural areas could come together and try to be more self sufficient and not be controlled by the wants of larger cities we would all be better off. I believe this is the future President Trump wanted for the United States as it relates to how other countries suffocate our abilities to be self sufficient.

That is how I see this election: Big City / Big Government (Biden) vs Working Class / Less Government (Trump)

Social media has made it very easy for people to have a loud voice, a voice that reaches a huge number of people for very different reasons. You have a lot of people who put out material that is meant to be light and funny and all of the sudden they are voicing very strong opinions on political issues that they aren’t necessarily very educated on. It’s good that they have an opinion and they should be able to share that opinion anyway they wish, I am just saying that this is a unique situation that is causing a lot of misunderstanding and the quick wide spreading of misinformation. People post all kinds of videos on social media, videos that are violent, spread hate, show hate, show destruction, all of that without the understanding of what that does to the people viewing it, without the oversight or guidance of people who understand the importance of responsible reporting. They post it because they get money from views, there is a desire to be popular, or they honestly feel like they are doing a service by exposing things that are happening.

Mainstream media of today isn’t much better. Journalism is supposed to be unbiased. When was the last time you saw a story that was a fact based honest relaying of information? I do not care about a reporters opinions, just tell me information and not how you feel about it. The headlines for stories are a huge problem in our country too. Here is an example:

New York Post on September 24, 2020 @ 02:24
Woman arrested, tased for not wearing mask at middle school football game

Complete with a video, because we have a culture that every interaction that might be confrontation should absolutely be videoed and shared to show everyone how terrible everyone is. The problem with the headline of the story of course is that it implies the woman was tased and arrested just because she wasn’t wearing a mask when in reality she was breaking the rules of the venue by not wearing it, asked repeatedly to wear it, asked to leave since she didn’t want to wear it, refused and then resisted when the police officer was forced to manually remove her.

That headline instantly makes me think that that can’t be right. I am forced to dig to understand closer to the real story meanwhile headline readers are spreading misinformation because it is much easier. They say it is your responsibility to read more and understand but then they irresponsibly use headlines like that knowing that there will be people who see it and think cops are out of control!

I haven’t written a blog post in a while and this one took a lot out of me! It ended up being almost 1500 words total and took me a couple hours to complete. What has been happening with the election is making me want to be more involved in the entire process. I want to be a part but not be irresponsible and not be biased. I will still be what I am, but I want to try to help people see through the salaciousness of the current media. I want people to be more accountable for their own actions and worry less about other people’s actions, take responsibility for their actions and how their behavior impacts others. I do try hard to not impact other people in a negative way. I think a lot about things I do and say and I apologize a lot more than I should and in some cases not enough. I try to be considerate and see other people’s point of view and I try not to get too down when I think people are being the opposite of everything I just said.

My brother thinks I don’t believe change is worth trying because it’s so far off. I do believe change is good, I just see a whole complicated intertwined mess that is completely overwhelming to change.

Golf Anyone

The apartment building has 2 golf simulators in the basement but then only problem is that the golf clubs are all giant size.  Well, maybe like average normal man size :)  So, I decided to grab my own set of clubs so that maybe I can go down and play and maybe do something good with it!!  Now I just need to get people to come over and play who know something about it, give me some pointers.

I ended up breaking my website yesterday after I posted, tried to do some updates, but my brother Paul was able to save the day!  I guess that’s what happens when you don’t do anything with your site for like over a year.

I am doing laundry again today – have to travel tomorrow.  Laundry really seems to be all that I do on the weekends, besides sleep.  Laundry is all done and I am all packed for tomorrow!!  It’s been a couple hours now, still just not accomplishing much :(

I keep looking out the window, into one of the apartments of another building with a balcony, it looks so lovely.  Making me wish that I would have been able to get one.  Maybe next time – ha ha :)  I doubt there will be a next time for my stay here in NY.  I have almost a year left on this lease and I just don’t know what is going to happen here.  I love it, but work is where work is I suppose.

Hanging it up for now.  

 

Lazy Saturday in the City

It’s Saturday late afternoon and again I feel like I have done NOTHING!  Well I say nothing, but in reality I have done a couple loads of laundry and also put together my new hamper.  I have been wanting to write, but haven’t felt very confident I suppose.  Not sure what there is to feel confident for it’s just me 😉

So I have been in NYC for 15 months now and I am in a different apartment now.  I moved from LIC to the Financial District.  I am in the 70 Pine building, it’s the old AIG building and it is a very art deco building.  I like it a lot, there is a lot around.  Work has been very busy lately and I have been a bit stressed.  

Dad isn’t doing great right now, he is having surgery in a couple weeks to hopefully help him feel much better.  It is for the hernia he has had for a while, but recently it caused a bit of trouble for him.  We also found out he has prostate cancer, but me being away I am not really sure what that means.  I am going to try to help as much as I can from here, the alternative is moving back home.  I am not really ready to go back if I am being honest.

This week, well Monday, I am going to Pittsburgh to do an audit for the project.  I am sorta excited to see how this goes, its something I haven’t done before so it will be a new experience.  I will have to try to blog more to remember how it goes :)

Last night we had a work party at one of the guys house.  It was a lovely place, penthouse, and the weather was so nice.  Everyone seemed to have a good time and after Ranjit and I walked Yuchi home and then walked to Ranjit’s.  From there I took a uber home – got home soooooo late 😉  I have been so tired lately that I actually slept until about 10:00 this morning.  CRAZY.

New Day 1

Goodness, so much has changed since I last posted a blog.  Right now I am sitting at my desk in my apartment in New York City!  It is Memorial Day so I am off work, but I didn’t partake in any festivities, I got a hair cut and have been binge watching a tv show that I like because it has a lot of singing in it :)  oh and I did laundry, ha ha ha.

I have been here for months for now and am loving it!  Yesterday I went into Manhattan to check out a tattoo shop and it worked out pretty well.  I didn’t get anything but I will most likely go back.  Now I am watching a youtube video by someone based in New York and it is so cool to think that I have been to the places, or that I recognize the places.

Well, I am going to try to do this again.  At least spend some productive time working each day :)

Today I talked to dad and asked what ships he was on because I thought he was on one he wasn’t.  Here are some, maybe all the ones he has been on:

USS_Philippine_Sea_(CVA-47)_9_July_1955
USS Philippine Sea on July 9, 1955
USS Oriskany on December 6, 1950
USS Oriskany on December 6, 1950
USS Independence in 1959
USS Independence in 1959
USS Midway in October 1965
USS Midway in October 1965
USS Kearsarge on December12, 1965
USS Kearsarge on December12, 1965
USS Enterprise along with the USS Long Beach and the USS Bainbridge during Operation Sea Orbit in 1964
USS Enterprise along with the USS Long Beach and the USS Bainbridge during Operation Sea Orbit in 1964
  • USS Philippine Sea
  • USS Independence 
  • USS Midway
  • USS Oriskany
  • USS Kearsarge
  • USS Enterprise

Dad was in the Navy from 1948 until 1968 when he retired and worked another 30 years as a civil servant.  It certainly makes me proud that he served for so long.  To be honest, I am so happy he did this before my brother and I were born because I don’t know how I could have gone without seeing him for so long.  Him and my mom were always home.  They never left us with baby sitters or went out to the bar.  We always went places together and it was amazingly special.  So, if dad is reading this I am so grateful and blessed to have you as a father and to have had mom as a mother.  You both had such interesting lives before and after we were born.  I love you more than anything else, yes even the puppies!

Day 367 – The Day That Starts 2017!!

I have such mixed emotions about 2016.  In some ways it was amazing for me and in some ways it was the most trying year of my life.  I got to start my own business and have so much encouragement from every one and shared so much with people who supported me.  I learned that I had way more real friends then I thought I did and found a couple I hope with be friend forever.  I learned what sadness truly is with the loss of my mom and how much I love all of my family.

I have not thought about what 2017 will bring, but I know I am a bit more prepared for it, if that is really possible.

There is a couple things I wish for myself this coming year.  I want to be happy.  I want to be nice above all.

Happy New Year!

Day 357 – The Day After My Mothers Birthday

Today is the day after my mothers would be 76th birthday. For my memory of her I got a tattoo of a tortoise on my wrist. I am not super emotional lately – not super happy or super sad, but I did manage to cry yesterday evening. I am so very appreciative of people who care about me and I was talking to one of them and I just can’t get over how nice some people are!

Enough mushy stuff :)

I have been working this last couple weeks mostly at home and plan on finishing out the year here as well. So thankful that I have understanding employers who work with me in my situation with my dad being here alone.

I have some traveling to do early in January – need to go to Atlanta for the Construction’s Southern Region Safety Certification. I actually need to get certified this time so no teaching just doing :)

I think that I have basically decided to just make an “office” space in the dining / living room. That way we can all be together in the house and I am sure more comfy. My sister is here now, I think I am going to get her to help me take out the leaves in the table so I can leave my big huge white board out of my bathroom :)

I need to leave here to go get my packages – maybe hook the gate back up on my way out!!

For my mother - forever love
For my mother – forever love
For my Peanut - and all the other puppies
For my Peanut – and all the other puppies

Day 324 – The Day I had ANOTHER Desk Setup

I went yesterday and picked up my desktop from the wood place and today I will get it put on the frame and hopefully be able to move all the stuff off the table and onto that.  We are running out of space and I really need to get something done about it.  I have a giant white board in my bathroom, 3 desk chairs in there and too much crap on my real desk in the bedroom!

Not to mention all the clothes I really need to go through to clean out my closet and drawers.  Samantha has been trying to get me to do that for months now – guess I better do something at sometime – she may just get rid of everything :)

I also need to figure out what all will be made for Thanksgiving – which happens to be dad’s birthday.  Now last year he asked for beenie weenies.  I am not going to say that I refuse to cook that for Thanksgiving, but it isn’t  really going to go well with the hens…

I am sitting here and Nickel is being like a cat.  He just hates when I am at a computer.  Now I have Dime doing the same thing – she is less calm than him though.

Paul is coming over today and we will get good stuff done I hope.  I may have threatened him to either bring me a donut or sandwich.  I hope he does :)

OK, going to get started this morning and will get back to this later I hope.

New desk space - is that the kitchen table, maybe...
New desk space – is that the kitchen table, maybe…

Day 322 – The Day I Came Home!

I am headed home today from a long trip.  We had long days every day on this cutover, but it was still a great time.  I got to sit with the person running the cutover and he was answering some question and I was really getting into it.  I got to see several people who I have worked with on different occasions – always good!

We were in Richmond Virginia and even if it was a bit cold it was so pretty here with the leaves changing colors.  Ariel, the person who I was with, took me all over looking at stuff which was so great.  We even had some time to catch a movie.

I really hope I will be able to spend more time in the field next year like we did this one.  It was satisfying to be able to help people with real work rather than just making up fake stuff to show.  I like to leave people feeling a little bit better about the tool and I think that I succeeded on this trip.

I can not wait to get back to Dad and the puppies.  I hope they haven’t forgotten me 😉  I will be so happy to get back to work!

Here are some pics.

Chicken in front of the BBQ place we ate.
Chicken in front of the BBQ place we ate.
LEGO ART  just schooled the new truck on how to park :)
LEGO ART just schooled the new truck on how to park :)
Burger joint sign looks like the Las Vegas sign :)
Burger joint sign looks like the Las Vegas sign :)
The Markel Building - this is an office building.
The Markel Building – this is an office building.
This is an old Lucky Strike building where you can see the man crawling out of the roof.
This is an old Lucky Strike building where you can see the man crawling out of the roof.
Same Lucky Strike building but these are apartments.
Same Lucky Strike building but these are apartments.
Train station -  I think it is going to be Amtrak.
Train station – I think it is going to be Amtrak.
This is the original Seaboard train station.
This is the original Seaboard train station.
This is called a double stop :)
This is called a double stop :)
Such pretty colors.
Such pretty colors.
This is the same train station just another view.
This is the same train station just another view.
I thought this was funny - ladies and gentleman's club.
I thought this was funny – ladies and gentleman’s club.
Looking north at Lakeside.  I spent most of my time here.
Looking north at Lakeside. I spent most of my time here.
Looking south from Lakeside - I was in this trailer on the right all of the cutover.
Looking south from Lakeside – I was in this trailer on the right all of the cutover.

Day 312 – The Day We Had BLTs AGAIN!!

Alright at first I was like, hey we haven’t had BLTs in forever, lets do that.  Now after the third one in 4 days – I am BLTed out!!

Today was such a nice day weather wise I just can’t stand it.  We even walked to the lunch place instead of just going downstairs.

I am catching up on some YouTube stuff.  Oh and listening to the dogs bark…

Carlos and I built the new table yesterday but we could not finish 100%.  Tomorrow a friend and I are going to see some tabletops to switch out the board with.  I am very happy with it besides not having the top I really want :)

I had such a great idea for blogging and I honestly can not remember what I was thinking about :(  Oh well, it happens to the best of us!

I have been taking some Claritin because my nose is snotty, but it dries my mouth out so bad that I am gonna have to stop.  Now to find an alternative to that to help keep me clear :)

I REMEMBER I REMEMBER

Next week or rather next weekend I am flying to Richmond, VA!  I am glad to get another little trip in and it should be very very nice out.  And I don’t have to drive.  I love when I don’t have to drive and get picked up and toted everywhere :)

OK, I feel like I am rambling now so I am gonna go to bed :)

Day 311 – The Day I WILL Get My Table Done

I know, I am blogging 2 days in a row!!!  Today is laundry day, but I am not going to do just laundry today I am going to get a table built for the business!!  We need something other than the dining room table to work at so we can leave some stuff out.  I am putting wheels on it so that I can just shove it in my room when we are not using it.

Last nights BLT was good, but not as awesome as it was the other day.  I had 4 squares on there and I think I should have just stuck to the 2.  Today I was supposed to make them for Samantha, but I don’t know for sure yet.

We are waiting on my sister to arrive before we go to the Home Depot – someone has to watch the puppies.  And it just started raining hard.  Might just be able to get the legs and not the top.  BOOOOOO!!

The puppies were very helpful this morning in building the chairs – I am unsure if I could have finished it without them :)

Well, as usual I will get back to this if something good happens!!

Bye!

Working hard - maybe...
Working hard – maybe…