Cat09tails

I've been checking in and reading a few threads on the racing board when I can, but gosh, I've been slammed lately.  In summary: two per diem Physical Therapy jobs (...and I've been warned that a third facility is likely going to call me as well), EMT class (will be finished at the beginning of next month. Yea.), firefighter training (got my "arduous" pack test out of the way, and my wildland refresher done), calls (it's dry here already; four out-of-control grass fires in the past week, and medical calls as usual), and tomorrow I'm teaching English comp at the community college (I'm covering my sister's classes.)  At last night's fire training, I learned to run all the pumps in the two apparatus that I'm least-familiar with, and I got drive the gigantic water tender. (The three engines and the other tender aren't quite so big; that tender is massive. And I seriously feel like a big kid around these trucks; it's so much fun.)

Since the weather has warmed up, it's time to get busy and finish off a few construction projects, too. I forsee being booked pretty solidly all the way through the fall. My posting will be very sporadic, but I'll be keeping an eye on all you guys.

--Cat

There is currently a bill in congress (H.R. 45) which will essentially grant the Federal government permission to treat law-abiding gun owners no better--or even worse--than convicted sex offenders and other felons. Don't believe me? Check this out, from Congressman Denny Rehberg:

"Americans are concerned about H.R. 45, the “Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009,” sponsored by Representative Bobby Rush. This bill contains sweeping gun control measures such as universal background checks, a federal firearm licensing requirement and the creation of a firearms tracking system.

In addition to the new licensing regulations, this legislation also requires gun owners to inform law enforcement within 72 hours if their gun is lost or stolen. Failure to report a lost or stolen gun will result in criminal charges against the gun owner. Also, if a child uses the owner’s gun to harm themself or someone else, the gun owner will be held legally responsible.

This bill would also prevent gun owners from selling or transferring a firearm without involving a licensed dealer. Gun owners would no longer to be able to sell firearms at gun shows, garage sales or estate sales. Gun owners would not be able to pass down a firearm to a relative, or even their spouse, without involving a licensed dealer.

But most disturbing, H.R. 45 authorizes the federal government to create a massive database containing sales records for every gun sold in America. If this bill is passed, the federal government would know the make, model, and serial number of every gun you own. This information should stay in the hands of firearms dealers and should only be made available to the government if it is requested by law enforcement officials enforcing a judge’s warrant."

Criminals don't register their guns; criminals will not be in a federal database as gun owners. But law-abiding citizens who allow this travesty of a bill to pass congress are agreeing that our own government has the right to treat its citizens as it treats convicted criminals. Anyone who values their right to own a gun needs to contact their representative in congress.

Our president said he would protect our 2nd Amendment rights. Rights without freedoms aren't really rights at all.

(P.S. I don't own a gun.)

I posted a new blog entry, and it didn't format quite as I wanted. Instead of spending a bunch of time messing with it and editing, I thought I'd just delete it and do it over again later. Bad idea.

Little did I know that removing my own blog would result in a message in bold red letters stating, "this entry has been removed by the administrator' ...and a score of -100.  Wow. ...and oops. I guess I won't delete my own posts again; the penalty for trying to post only well-formatted information is pretty stiff.

You have been warned. Have a nice day.

The following is copy/pasted from an entry in an online "guestbook."  I'm posting it because it tells the story better than I possibly could.

"Hi Craig and Tammy,

I was at dinner tonight with my brother-in-law, his family and my family for my sister-in-laws birthday. Out of the blue my brother-in-law asked affectionately about this "Finberg guy" and the incredible support he is receiving throughout Montana. When I shared with him the basis of our friendship (forever), my affection for you, your family and your wife he understood why your support is truly incredible.

Craig, you have touched all of us so much. When I think of it, the entire class of '75's love for sports began with you. You made it popular to read the Sporting News, to collect pop tops with pictures of Pro athletes, to study the box scores, to play pick up games of basketball on dirt courts with plywood backboards and to play a classic game of sandlot baseball across from the high school. I recall our group listening to my first World Series on our transister radios, during recess, as the Twins played the Dodgers in 3rd grade. I remember all of us listening to the Wildcats almost winnng State in the mid-60's, and it being the focus of our discussion for weeks. I recall betting you on whether "my" Colts would beat "your" Vikings. I think Joe Kapp through 7 touchdowns that game. So much for my bet.

Throughout my life you stand out in my memories. Whether if was in high school when you led CF to State; watching the Griz play you and the 'Cats; playing softball; playing (or trying) to play golf; sitting down for a beer (or several); laughing over our high school "What's Your Line" skit and Ronnie's never ending stories, it has been an absolute pleasure to be your friend. Obviously, you have touched many in the same way.

As you recall, you were my first client on my first contested case. Finally I could show you that I could do something better than you. However, even when you were playing on "my field" you took control and convinced the decision maker of why you deserved to prevail, and you did. It remains my most satisfying win.

You are a person who would have been justified to have the biggest ego as you had the biggest talent, yet you were the most humble. I remember seeing you at your apartment before your final Cat-Griz basketball games. It was a few hours before tip-off and yet you took the time to introduce me to Mick and Hashley and somehow do your best to convince them that somehow I was significant in your life. After Dillon won state for the first time, you had an entire town that wanted you to share the moment with them, yet you took the time to step away for a moment and have a drink with Ronnie and me. I have had great pleasure in sharing you as an example for my kids as to how a person should treat there friends and live their live. The tributes on this guestbook prove that you have been a positive example to many, over and over again.

Craig, while I am sure there are times that you wonder "why me", trust that this is all part of a bigger plan. Showing us all how you deal with this adversity, to succceed again, will give us all another "Craig Finberg story" that we can share with our friends and families.

Keep the faith. Keep praying, day and night. My entire family [wife, kids, parents, bothers and sister (and now my brother-in-laws family)] are thinking of and praying for you, Tammy and your family. We all love you.

Hang in there Craig. You will prevail!

Dave"

Craig "Finny" Finberg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on January 23rd of this year. Here in Montana, we're praying for a miracle; please add your prayers to ours. Thank you.

I arrived back home a awhile ago after being called out for a 'possible suicide attempt.' Given the state of the economy, my crew has been anticipating the likely increase in these types of calls.  But this one had nothing to do with economics.

I'll never for the life of me understand what prompts anyone to try meth. It's pure (expletive) poison. The destructive capacity of methamphetamine on the human brain and body makes it incomprehensible to think anyone would ingest it on purpose. Dump alcohol and prescription drugs on top.....what a (expletive) mess.

It's a pretty sad business to spend a few hours in the middle of the night trying to provide some level of comfort to an emotionally-wrecked spouse. I'm glad I was there for this one, though; the guys don't have the experience in dealing with famlies that I do.

Just my opinion, but I don't think there is a punishment harsh enough for someone who manufactures or distributes meth or anything like it. Right now, I'd like to see them fry.

I 'unloaded' here solely to dump this garbage out of my brain and improve my chances of getting a couple hours of sleep on top of the 90 or so minutes I started with. It's working; I'm feeling extremely tired.

If anyone is unfortunate enough to have read this, my apologies. And also for my (suggested) inapproprate language. I"m cranky.

Cat, out.

I used to love basketball.  I played for a great team and we ended up with some very nice trophies.  But it's been a lot of years since I've watched the sport.  I saw this video today and I was reminded of why I stopped watching.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basket
ball/blog/the_dagger/post/Please-no
te-that-Chase-Budinger-s-face-is-no
t-a-?urn=ncaab,136602

When I was a player, I was once in a very similar situation.  An offensive foul wasn't involved, but there was a player down on the floor in front of me, and I had a considerable amount of momentum carrying me forward.  (And the other player was in a crouched position, not flat on the floor.)  But unlike Coleman, I kept my eyes focused on the other player, jumped over her and landed on the other side on one foot, never having touched her at all. 

About the offensive foul: as far as I'm concerend that was a questionable call. It doesn't matter. It does not excuse Coleman's behavior. 

I've been reading arguments saying that Coleman's 'stomp' was an accident, and that Coleman didn't see Budinger on the floor in front of him.  I don't buy it for a second.  Watch closely as Coleman raises his right foot higher than a normal step, indicating that he knew exactly where Budinger was, then, instead of lengthening his stride to clear Budinger, Coleman shortens his stride to ensure contact.  A careful analysis of Coleman's gait pattern is enough to demonstrate his intent.  It's also rather incriminating that Coleman would choose to look away from Budinger while stepping over him.  If Coleman had any intention of trying to miss his oppponent, he wouldn't have taken his eyes off Budinger for a second until he was safely on the other side.  I've been in that situation, and I know full well how NOT to step on someone else.

As far as I'm concerned, it was completely sickening to see video of Coleman's teammates smiling and practically celebratory, as if he's done something worthy of praise.  It's guys like Coleman, who are apparently lacking any sportmanship or integrity whatsoever, that make the sport not worth watching anymore.

This is just me ranting a little bit on behalf of one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law....

My brother-in-law--a totally wonderful person, that I'm thrilled to have as part of the family--received his Christmas present from his parents yesterday.  A fruit basket.

I really have to wonder about these people.  His dad does some pretty amazing carpentry, and has been building custom dining room sets for my brother-in-law's sisters.  (For free. I saw them; they're really nice.)  Several months ago, my bro-in-law was looking at buying some bookcases; his dad offered to build some for him, and he even built a prototype.  However, my bro-in-law was informed that each bookcase would cost him about $200....plus tax.  He had to turn down the offer, because that's totally not affordable.  Incidentally, his dad gave the prototype to one of bro-in-law's sisters, for free.

Both sisters are married to guys with plenty of money; it's not as if they're in tough financial straights.  His mom and dad also paid for both girls' college educations; their son paid his own way.  My bro-in-law was born and raised in Texas, and just recently moved to Montana (and it's freaking cold up here right now.)  It wouldn't have taken very much imagination at all to deduce that a sweater might be a nice gift--and at least it would show that they are cognizant of his location on the planet.  But a freaking fruit basket?  The ultimate corporate gift? How much more impersonal could they possibly get?   (I haven't spoken with him; I learned of this from my sister.  I'm ranting on his behalf because he's too much of a gentleman to say anything.)

I have two sisters-in-law who get the same kind of treatment from their families.  They have younger siblings who are treated like 'God's gift to the planet'... while they're treated like unwanted foster kids.  I've seen it in action; it's jaw-dropping.  I just don't understand why; they're both really good people.  It's sad when a person says she'd rather spend Christmas with your family than her own.

This Christmas, I'm going to continue to be very thankful that I have parents who treat all their kids equally....and treat their sons- and daughters-in-law better than their own families do.  Parents who play favorites with their children--and continue to hurt their feelings on a yearly basis--deserve a big lump of coal in their stockings...and a big ol' Christmas cuff-upside-the-head (which I'm feeling more than happy to deliver right now.)  It's incomprehensible to me how people can do that to their own kids.  

Giving a gift at Christmas has nothing to do with spending a lot of money on someone, but it has everything to do with letting that person know that he or she is special.  It truly is the thought that counts.  Merry Christmas.

I just read an article entitled "Zimbabwe: Cholera introduced by West."   After listening to freaks like Obama's former pastor blame the US government for starting the AIDS epidemic, I guess neither I nor anyone else should be surprised by garbage like this, but frankly, when coupled with Obama's proposed "Global Poverty Act"--in which, US taxpayers, via the UN (an organization known for being entirely perfect and uncorruptable) will send massive amounts of US dollars around the world--it's getting under my skin more than just a little.

This new statement by the Zimbawean government particularly strikes a nerve with me.  A very good friend of mine is currently in Zimbabwe, and has been for nearly two months.  This is her fifth trip.  Apparently things like schools, sanitation, food, and medical care from "the West" are meaningless to the Zimbabwean government when they can throw around baseless accusations that "the West" is responsible for intentionally starting disease epidemics.  The finger is pointed directly at Great Britain, but, the US of course, gets sucked in too.

Here's the quote:

Firstly, to succinctly describe my shopping habits:  I'm a bargain hunter.  I dislike shopping in general.  I also dislike clutter in my house so I don't buy a lot anyway.

Why I've been a WalMart shopper:  It's cheaper. 

What's making me reconsider:  The WalMart corporate philosophy of essentially forcing its suppliers to out-source to foreign countries in pursuit of low prices.  WalMart originally took pride in providing "Made in the USA" products and also utilitzing input from it's employees to improve it's stores.  Everything has changed.  WalMart, as the biggest retail chain, has become the biggest importer of foreign goods and not only encourages, but literally forces, it's suppliers to go outside of America for goods. 

So what's the big deal? 

The greatest detriment is not only the loss of jobs in the US, but growth and perpetuation of what is nearly slave labor in other countries.  The jobs within WalMart itself are also not what they used to be.  Whereas the employees of the past apparently had value to the corporation, the trend is to create a mass of dead-end, minimum wage jobs where the employee is just another ant in the hill.  This unfortunate corporate evolution is also affecting health care benefits, in that the corportation is advocating poor benefits packages in order to discourage it's employees from--in it's viewpoint--overutilizing the medical system.  This philosophy is also being advocated to other companies.

We're in economically difficult times.  It seems a common sense approach to shop where the best deals are.  But I must admit, it's weighing upon my conscience.   At this point, I can no longer support a corporate philosophy which is, in the long term, detrimental to the viability of real American business.  I've been shopping more than usual lately, since Christmas is just around the corner, and I've tried to focus on buying "Made in Montana" items (a big deal here) and supporting locally owned businesses, but I usually get household items from the local WM.  But in WM and other places, I've recently taken a much greater notice of where items are made, and I've began leaving items on the shelf that I may have purchased in the past.  American manufacturing jobs can't continue to be outsourced at the current pace if the American economy is ever going to recover.  

Americans have fewer dollars to spend right now.  I think it's critical at this time that we all really pay attention to where--and to whom--those dollars are going.