Archive: July, 2007

Journalism – Is it worth a shot? Sure.

July 12th, 2007 · · Mount Vernon No comments - Tags:

The Mount Vernon Sentinel has a listing for a “general assignment” writer here in town. I’m going to submit my resume.

Yes, I know I’m a geek, and you should too if you know me very well. Writing has always been something that I enjoy however, and this could be my shot. My grammar, spelling, and punctuation are great. I love creating. Submitting my resume can get me laughed at by their staff at worst, right?

I know, everyone loves hearing their own voice (writing). Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are pretty much moot points given spell-check and grammar-check. Still, I have nothing to lose by pursuing my dream.

Maybe I can be successful and make a career of it. At least I would enjoy what I do instead of being stuck in an office all day or working an assembly line. Both are fine for some people, just not me.

I know reporting isn’t all sunshine and roses, or chasing down excitement and scandal. It also isn’t assembling widgets day in and day out. Routine is good, but it can quickly lead to a rut.

Amaya can swim, ladies and germs

July 11th, 2007 · · General 3 comments - Tags:

We went to the Rec after dinner tonight for some Wednesday splashing fun. I have noticed that Amaya is very much a water-baby, and she seemed to be on the cusp of swimming without any instruction. Today whilst we were there, I decided to kind of test her and see if I was right.

I showed her how to fan out her arms to pull herself forward (I’m sure there is lingo for this, but I don’t know it). Then I had her swim to me. The whole time I was backing up to see if she was making forward progress, and I’ll be darned if she wasn’t.

My barely 5 year-old daughter has taught herself how to swim in ~5 trips to the pool. I’m impressed, but that’s probably just because I haven’t ever bothered to learn myself. I still plan on having both Erich and Amaya go through the swimming lessons the Club offers, but she’s off to a good start.

She has the basic mechanics down, but maybe with some instruction she can become even better. Don’t call the US Olympic Committee just yet, but you never know what natural talent can develop into. I mean, looking at her mommy, she’s going to be tall and skinny. Sounds like a swimmer to me, but what do I know? I’m a rock.

Hey, a dad can dream, can’t he?

Dan’s Twitter Updates for 2007-07-10

July 10th, 2007 · · Uncategorized No comments - Tags:
  • Cameras everwhere. #

TSA can’t find a bomb, but they sure catch water and butter knives

July 10th, 2007 · · Uncategorized No comments - Tags: , , , , ,

I just came across an article that lists some of the ineptitude of the TSA. In this particular instance, “inspectors” were able to find a water bottle, but missed the bomb (components) in the same bag. WTF? Aren’t these people paid and trained to be good at finding contraband, specifically bombs and guns?

In this round of tests, the “inspectors” failed 5 out of 7 times. Previously, it was reported there were failures of 20 out of 22 tests. At this rate, anyone wanting to hijack a plane needs to plan on attempting to get past 7 checkpoints, and they’ll get over half of them. Easily enough to repeat 9/11 in some fashion. So, why are we allowing the government to suspend our right to be secure in our person, papers, and affects? How long will we let the government rape our constitutional rights?

Apparently, as long as  grandmother-principals accidentally leave butter knives in carry-on bags. I mean, come on. When was the last time a little old lady hijacked an airplane? Oh wait, that doesn’t matter because W has to keep hassling us when we travel because the terrorists are coming to get us.

Unfortunately, the TSA people can’t catch bombs coming directly through their checkpoints. Don’t try to bring water through though.

Swimming lessons

July 9th, 2007 · · General 8 comments - Tags:

Today I signed the kids up for swim lessons at the Club. To be honest, I think Amaya will take to it immediately. She was splashing around today and almost had it down. Erich is trying, but doesn’t seem as close as Amaya.

I don’t want them to be as old as I am and not know how to swim. I would love to learn and be able to go swim everyday.  We’ll see if I’m too old to learn new tricks or not soon enough. Em has volunteered to help me learn.

I’m the kind of person who can look at a diagram and “get it”. I can talk to people and understand and empathize with them. I just don’t get swimming or treading water. I know, it’s soooooo simple that little kids can do it, but not me.

I’ll keep you updated.