What Now...

This has been a very interesting trip. I thought I would have a great deal of time to work on some stuff that was building up.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Worst parts:
- No family for what will be a total of 23 days. That just plain stinks. Yes, I get daily updates from my spoken one (Novatana) and that is wonderful... but that does not help when I can't reach out and hold them.

- No time. I am alone, but I have no time. During my time here... I'll rack up 72 hours of overtime. I brought things to keep me busy, but I hardly ever get to them. When I am off... rest and relaxation is the order of the day.

- No comfort. I miss my $5k silver dream. The moment I laid down in her arms... I knew I had to have it. Being away from my silver dream is near disaster. I never sleep well... and I am going to need to catch up time when I get home. I do not have any prostate issues... and I average 2-3 wake ups per night from this crappy bed.

- Horrible internet connectivity. Everywhere I go is wireless and it bites the big one. I can never stay logged on for long. I need to repeatedly sign on to get or send info. That gets old after a few days.... let alone 23.

- No racquetball courts. I mean no where close.

Best parts:
- I love the cold weather. Seriously, it is unseasonably cold for the area. There is usually no snow around this time of the year and already Ogdensburg has had 6-7 inches. I keep the windows and doors open more than most. I still wear my shorts!

- The people. Small town America is so nice. I have never seen so many local, county, state, or federal police in my entire life in one location. More than I ever saw in NYC living/working... the home of 25k cops in 5 boroughs that could easily fit into a corner section of St. Lawrence county. Ogdensburg law is keeping the town safe. St. Lawrence county badges are keeping someone in line... who the heck knows... but they are out there - all over. NYS troopers have two stations on my 5 min drive from hotel to dealership. Last but not least, Federal Border Patrol officers are here to stop drugs and illegal Canadians from coming into this great land of the free. I feel very safe with all this law around here. Apparently, the people of Ogdensburg feel just as safe.

- I was provided a warning... no ticket. Handsfree cells phone use in vehicles is the law in New York. I should have known better, but I forgot. I lived in NY when it was put into effect. I forgot about this law and was pulled over by State Police. My Florida drivers license saved me... so I got off with a warning.

- Italian food - Nothing I would recommend my food critic to visit, but it was good to taste some decent sauce. I was seeking my version of Smiley Pizza... I did not find its equal... a couple of close runner ups.

- Hunting - I have spoken to more hunters than I can recall. I checked out some 6 and 8 pointers... they drive around and show them off. I have secured several open invites... should I need to cash them in down the road.

Now I am counting the minutes to get home and hold my kids and hold close my love...

I have much to be thanful for. My family is doing well. My wife and kids are getting what is needed. My close friends are all doing well and some are having more kids. The holiday season is upon us... embrace it and give some Christmas cheer to those around you... that is my mission when I get home.

This is Grizzley from the top of NYS... saying good night and God bless.

NRO

Preventing National Suicide
Tips on conserving and protecting from across the pond.
By Melanie Phillips

(Thanks to my good friend PTC I have located the string he originally gave me way back in the day of this blog to link aritcles.)

Set apart from an American reality


This article was forwarded to me from a friend. I think it is set apart from our reality, but does hold some lessons to be forewarned against. Easy read.

Yes I Can!

Could I make it past illegal campaigners on my way to District 534 and vote....

Can I tell them who I am not voting for...

Can I tell one passionate campaigner semi-blocking my direct walking path to Northdale Lutheran Church move or else...

Did I find that I am not on the voting list for my district (or Florida for that matter), but could appeal on the spot and cast a mail away ballot...

Can I walk back through the same loon's actively drinking Kool aid without incident....

Did I want to... hell no! I would have loved an opportunity to maintain my path even if someone was in the way but I really did not see them!

I am watch the second season of The Closer. A colleague at work lent it to me. It is a great season. I like the characters. Ever since my xbox went down, I have had a bit more free time to do other things after the kiddies goto bed. As I was watching the episodes... I would flip back to CNN periodically and see the writing on the wall I read weeks before... B.O. was going to win.

Yes We Can... was pretty powerful. I took my first sip of the Kool-Aid. No wonder PTC is hooked... it is 12% alcohol!!! I will assemble in line with the country. I will maintain my optimism. I will not be the first I told you so freaks... but I will keep it in the back of my mind. I will try to get Mike and Nova to think I am not a flip flopper... both of them were Obama fans... but neither would stand up to PTC questioning. To my surprise, I had a great discussion with my father. Growing up in NY... I am a republican because of my father. As I learned through the years under his expert tutelage, I came to understand just how unmovable he is on that point. Clinton certainly gave me ample ammunition to test him and up until the whole cigar I really had him listening... after the incident... I lost all momentum.

Truth be told, Pop voted for Obama. Although I certainly am more in the middle than he is, with respect to conservative values, I was shocked to hear why he did what he did change his ways and vote B.O.... well lets just say I understand but I cannot discuss it.

I will wait and see how this all plays out. The first year will be the most significant for change. I can't wait to see all this promised "change" happen. I do not want to see some back peddling fool try to defend less than dramatic change.

I am not going to reveal his reasons... since he asked that I don't. However, I will be watching our new President in a new way...

That I can do.... YES I CAN!