Month-End Horoscope

04/30/2004 - You will be tempted to play the part of someone you aren't. Don't.
Damn!!

Dating Tips for Dummies

04/29/2004 - When it's time to apologize to your gal, just apologize. Excuses, no matter how good, are not what she wants to hear.

04/26/2004 - The best way to get a woman to open up is by zooming in on her interests. NOTE: I said interests, not assets!

04/24/2004 - Don't trivialize your girlfriend's anger when she's mad at you. She'll see right through your ploy to cheer her up.

04/19/2004 - Never compliment a woman just to be nice. You're only sabotaging yourself since she'll be certain to analyze it and take it to heart.

04/18/2004 - To most women, everything means something. There's no problem too mundane to saddle with an emotional component.

04/17/2004 - It's always easier to add more intimacy than it is to take it away, so be careful of diving headfirst into major relationships.

04/16/2004 - Women scrutinize gift cards very carefully, so pay close attention to what you write.

04/15/2004 - How much should you spend on gifts for your gal? Divide your annual salary by $1,000 for every six months you've been dating ($10,000 for advanced daters).

Horoscopes

04/29/2004 - You will see a viewpoint today that you haven't ever seen before.
Yep... What it's like to be car-less in a highly mobile society! On the plus side, Dean-O got a helluva deal on a slightly used/abused 1998 Dodge Neon Sport Coupe.

04/28/2004 - You feel a duty to something that you don't believe in anymore.
Umm, this is also known as "short-timer's" syndrome. It's a horrible, debilitating condition but I managed to pull through just fine!

04/27/2004 - Venture out of your comfort zone. Try something new and different.
Tonight, I shall use my left hand all night long instead of the right one... Have you ever tried teaching your "submissive" hand how to write cursive?!?

04/25/2004 - Others will disagree. There is nothing you can do about this.
To heck with others! It's my way or the highway... (Editor's Note: We really couldn't do anything about it!! How eerie!)

04/24/2004 - Other people will react sharply to whatever you say or do today.
This was a Saturday and I don't recall what I was doing... Oh yeah!! I was in Portland not doing much of anything. However, I did meet a lesbian and I did check out the "Saturday Market" which was kind of fun.

04/23/2004 - Don't waste so much time and energy worrying about what others think.
Even better... I liked this horoscope!

04/22/2004 - Not everything has to be done to perfection. Finish and move on.
I can't stand things being half-done or incomplete... That said, I finished almost all of my packing and got everything all set for "the big move".

04/21/2004 - The first comment you make will set the tone for the conversation.
Be careful because this is true everyday for everybody...

04/20/2004 - Sharing your burden with others will help to ease it. Don't hide away.
Admittedly, I've been a dumbass about letting people lend me a hand. Note to self: it's not a weakness to have so many friends who care and love enough to help you out. This is good lesson for me to go through!

04/19/2004 - Issues involving security in your home will be prominent tonight.
GASP!! Did you know that the hot water tank only holds about 30 minutes of hot water?? After that, good luck staying warm in the shower!

04/18/2004 - Try not to pressure yourself into making things happen a certain way.
As long as things come about with the best possible outcome for everybody involved, I'm all over it...

04/17/2004 - The people you have criticized are criticizing you behind your back.
This horoscope wasn't really news... I have expected this and the retributions will be swift and devestating!

04/16/2004 - Eat fresh, healthy food and your mind will be much clearer.
Yuck.

04/15/2004 - Consciously make time for the things that are most important to you.
Make time for the things that are most important to me... I've spent time with my family before leaving, I've gone out of my way to try and say goodbye to everybody... I think that my job is done here.

04/14/2004 - Someone you love is likely to be extremely fickle and flaky.
Yeah... And that someone is ME!

Bloggity Goodness

Shall return upon arrival of sobriety or sanity, whichever shows up first!! (Just kidding, as it's been a long ass week!)

Just Another Manic Monday...

As I sit here at the airport (AGAIN!) I ponder some things about existence and how oddly ephemeral it all seems to me. For example, I was slightly outraged this morning as I came through airport security. I saw a little girl who was holding a little baby doll. Now, I have nothing against dolls or children playing with dolls but did she have a choice in the matter or did society foist it upon her setting the expectation that little girls are meant to play with dolls and eventually become baby machines?

Perhaps I can attribute my malaise to how tired I am. I haven't been sleeping well for the past couple of nights as my bed is in a shipping container and it will soon be enroute to Baltimore. Thank God for air mattresses and friends.

Let's see... What else is there for me to go off on a rant for? Oh yes! The Israelies have it right. Pre-emptive strikes against aggressors who use terrorist tactics is acceptable. What is NOT acceptable is when the US goes and performs "regime change" in a country under false pretenses. The truth will always set you free. Whatever happened to integrity, honesty and fidelity??? Perhaps it's time for regime change here in the US. Any politician who's accepted a kickback should step down. Any legislator who has acted in self interest instead of in the interests of their constituents should also go.

The political system we have in place is failing us today. The federal government has gotten too large and many parts of it now exist merely to perpetuate themselves. Here are some suggestions for our leaders in my quest to Question Everything:
* Why is our national budget so large? I want every budget item to be rationalized and explained for. If there isn't a compelling reason for funding an initiative or project at the federal level, pull federal funding and make the local community make it happen.
* Why are we spending more money than we have? If every American went out and outspent their income (and there are many who DO!!), we would end up with a bankrupt nation with no means to subsist except on "manufacturing jobs" at the local burger joint. The government should function well below their means until we are debt free. The current budget is fiscally irresponsible and should be considered morally reprehensible.
* Why is the Department of Defense used so offensively? We should pull back from having a military presence outside of our nation unless we are clear in our mission and purpose to act as a stabilizing global power. And even then, without a balance of power, I predict dire results for our nation as we may be seen to be oppressors instead of liberators, peacekeepers and defenders. So far, I'm having trouble seeing that happen.
* The branches of the federal government must be pruned. The Executive Branch has too much power and influence. It was meant to be the point on the chain of command and the buck is supposed to stop there. The Commander In Chief must take full responsibility for anything that happens on their watch much as a CEO is held liable for the actions of their business. The Legislative Branch must work to make laws simpler in order to make them understandable to the common man. They must remain focused on their constituents as most members of that branch are career politicians. The Judicial Branch must understand that it is the conscience of the nation. Their decisions have far-reaching affects beyond the relevance of a particular case. For the most part, they have done a good job of that but judges must understand that their job is to judge the laws in view of current society's expectations and what is commonly acceptable.
* A nationwide, socialized medical healthcare system makes sense. It builds economies of scale and should be provided at no cost to citizens through taxation. Residents would be able to contribute via premiums to obtain health care but only citizens would be able to obtain it at no charge. A healthy nation full of productive citizens will lead to a healthier economy and is a long-term strategy to keeping health care costs down. Insurance companies and medical/service providers should recognize that they are for-profit organizations and will continue to make a profit, however it will be on volume.
* Taxes must be fair and equitable. As a single adult, I am held accountable for more than my fair share of taxes. Families with children benefit from lower federal taxes but they are unfairly gaining education (and eventually) healthcare benefits. We should hold those families responsible for providing the necessary funding for schools that they drain from the system. I recommend the immediate stoppage of credits, deductions and other tax shelters for families with children/dependents and instead tax them at a higher rate (with those taxes returning to the local community). Instead of tax credits and deductions, they would then experience additional tax deductions from their paycheck as federal healthcare and education benefits are being utilized by their children.

Well, I'm sure that there's more waiting in my head to escape but this will do for now.

Whattaday!!

So, today I was off-site from the office all day at a business event and it's been completely nuts!

I have to do it all day tomorrow, too. Then I get to board an airplane and head out to Boise, ID for a day. Thursday afternoon, I board another airplane and head out to Missoula, MT. Friday evening, I get to go home and finish up packing everything because my shipping container will be here Saturday afternoon and they will be picking it up the next day. Over here at McKinley Enterprises, we don't mess around! ;o)

So, after this weekend, I'll be essentially living out of a suitcase and sleeping in a sleeping bag for two weeks. How wild is that? So if there aren't any updates over the next couple of days, you now know why! Other travel dates include:
* 04/19-04/19: Spokane, WA
* 04/23-04/25: Portland, OR
* 04/30-05/02: Salt Lake City, UT

Oh yeah... I fly out to Baltimore, MD on 05/03 at 6:30am via Denver, CO.

Tuesday's Horoscope

04/13/2004 - Other people will be frantic. Don't fall into their frenzy. Keep away.
Hmm... This could be interesting.

Horoscope for Monday

04/12/2004 - Pay attention to your physical needs - especially when traveling.
Oh man... Over the next 20 days, I'm going to be on a whirlwind tour of the NW. Boise, Missoula, Spokane, Portland, Salt Lake City and more. Well, I suppose that it's payback for not visiting those markets any time recently!!

Packing is Hell

What can I say? I really don't like moving. Packing things up, disrupting my patterns and lifestyle... All of it. On the plus side, things are moving along very nicely.

I have plenty of boxes and tape for the packing so far. I have packed up my DVD collection, some books and other knicknacks. Next up for being packed away are pots, pans, clothes that don't get worn on a regular basis and electronic equipment. The television, VCR, DVD player, XBOX and computers will all be disconnected, cleaned and packed away at the end of the week. The moving company I'm using has a great deal for me. For under $1,500, they'll drop off a shipping container, pick it up, seal it, ship it and inspect it upon arrival at their warehouse near its final destination.

Of course, for all of my bitching and moaning, I'm REALLY looking forward to the change of pace and scenary. "It's a good thing," as convicted felon Martha Stewart has been known to say.

Dating Tip of the Day

04/11/2004 - Send flowers to your mother. It may not get you a date but it'll make that OTHER special woman in your life feel wonderful!

04/11/2004 - Part Deux. Give foot massages to women who like and/or want them. See the blog entry below for the reason.

Ah HA! I figured it out...

I think I finally figured out why women love foot massages. It's because they feel compelled to squeeze their feet into ridiculous shoes that bruise and hack their feet to ribbons... Right?

Easter Horoscope

04/11/2004 - If you don't plan now, it will never get done the way you want it to.
Wow!!! So last night, I bought moving/storage boxes from The Home Depot and am spending considerable time today packing, throwing out things, etc. Unfortunately for me, I picked the nicest day of the season to spend indoors. It's sunny with blue skies and the temperature is a wonderful 80F.

Notice

The management regrets that is has come to their attention that employees dying on the job are failing to fall down.

This practice must stop, as it becomes impossible to distinguish between death and natural movement of the staff.

Any employees found dead in an upright position will be dropped from the payroll.

Horoscopes and Commentary

04/10/2004 - In pursuit of more, you may be neglecting what you have.
The good news is that unlike most people, I don't have much. 1x solid oak dining table, 1x queen size bed, 1x bedside table, 1x picnic table/computer desk, 2x laptops and 4x desktops. The 1998 Dodge Neon is going bye-bye (thanks, Dean!) and God only knows what's in store for me once I arrive in my new area.

04/09/2004 - If you don't lighten up a bit, you will have a terrible day.
Today, I maintained a light-hearted and jovial mental attitude.

04/08/2004 - Don't let your work life take over your personal life. Find balance.
Balance... I have balance sometimes but usually my work does tend to dominate my life.

04/07/2004 - Double-check your work. It is easy to make mistakes on simple tasks.
Duly noted.

04/06/2004 - If you are being honest with yourself, you won't run into conflict.
There's a simple reason why I don't lie... It's a lot easier to remember the truth and to always speak it. That way you never have to recall the different variations of stories and information that you have previously shared.

04/04/2004 - You are being led by someone else's concept of success. Change gears.
I am?? Who? What are the parameters for success? I'm already successful, however the opportunity presented to me is one I couldn't pass up. It was exactly what I was looking for and even a role that I've had an eye out for.

04/03/2004 - Take your own advice. To earn respect, practice what you preach.
Whenever possible, I do like to practice what I preach...

I'm Still Here...

It's been an awfully busy week and a half since the last entry. I suppose some updates are in order, eh?

Important Announcement

Some of you may have noticed that I've changed the outlook of the blog of late. Instead of the ramblings of a single successful man in Seattle, it's been changed to "Preferred by 9 out of 10 international leaders."

Well... It's probably going to change again in due time after the blog is relocated and settled in the heart of the republic (or fairly near it, anyway). The change will be going into affect in a couple of weeks at an undisclosed date and time. More to come...

Horoscopes

04/01/2004 - Family traditions will be extra important to you. Re-incorporate them.

03/31/2004 - Opportunities for success are at your doorstep. Take the initiative.