Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in kenville's LiveJournal:

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Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
5:18 pm	Why? Facebook, that’s why. Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I don’t update much here, since I “tweet” snippets of everyday life on my Facebook wall.  I really submerged myself into it .. but sans games.  Getting together with old friends keeps me busy enough.  In fact, I just had Sunday brunch with an old grade school pal I re-met through Facebook.  Unbelievable. It’s almost like school where you’re able to see and hang out with people you know every day — the opposite of my usual lifestyle of hiding in my office.  Well … I’m still in my office, but now I can catch up (and stay up) with tons of people I met over the years. But as for blogging, I’m looking to start a SERIES of blogs, with different target audiences, to cover all the subjects I’d liek to write about.  That’s another reason I’ve put off entries — the bigger picture is in serious gestation.
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
9:20 pm	Cemeteries & Death Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I was at St. Hedwig’s cemetery the other day.  A beer can sat on a momument next to that of my grandparents.  I thought it was litter at first, but it was unopened.  Maybe funny for some, but meaningful to them.  Reminded me of stuffed animals left on the graves of children. Followed some turkets into the woods in the back, and looked in the usual dumping pile to find a glass jug that I promptly salvaged. When I went to the front of the cemetery to visit the grave of my other grandparents, a couple there asked me if i was related to them.  I discovered he was my grandfather’s nephew and godson, and his wife was related to the husband of my aunt in California.  He looked a lot like Grandpa.  We exchanged names and are playing tag on Facebook. Which brings me to my grandma Evelyn — my 5th grandparent, who married my grandpa (above) after Grandma died.  While doing a Facebook search for one of my cousins on that side, it turned up a web search link to her obituary.  It was odd to hear about such a thing from Facebook before my relatives told me.  I do have a small regret, though, as even though I didn’t really know her, I just found her address at the nursing home the other day and I had planned to write her, putting it off a bit too late.
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
10:51 pm	A Real Weekend Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I have no way to describe it, really.  It was so full of life.  First, we visited Christina at her dorm on Saturday as she was moving in.  Mer put together a care package of food and stuff, and I grabbed an extension cord she needed from Big Lots on the way.  We only stayed a few moments, really, but it brought back memories of dorming and even visiting her college years a generation ago.  And yes, I was a bit teary-eyed on the way home, or at least on the way to Demetri’s on the Lake. Sunday (today), we went to the final day of the Erie County Fair.  Discount tickets were no longer available at Tops, but right at the gate, a couple gave us two extra tickets they had!  Then we got the most amazing deal on a bunch of AT&T Mobile equipment, as I needed a cell phone that synced with Outlook and ended up with basically a hand-held PC.  Then we ran into friends Bob & Susan and had Chiavetta’s together.  Then the deluge began.  We got thoroughly soaked, and honestly didn’t care.  We didn’t even care about the parking ticket for alternate parking change on our street while we were out.  We were home after a memorable day. Of course, watching Planet Earth in HD rounded it out nicely as well — the Discovery Channel is like porn to us.  Now I sit here listening to the Best of Jon & Vangelis, utterly perplexed about where I want to go with my personal online presence, but that’s a post for another time.  Back to keeping Mer company, and off to bed.
Friday, August 7th, 2009
12:25 pm	Maybe somebody got the Good Samaritan message backwards? Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I came across this through a Facebook friend, and before I comment too much, I would like to see other people’s thoughts. http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=cd1bcb78815ab6ac20b4&utm_source=newsletter0804&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklytopvideos
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
6:01 pm	What the … ? Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I reached in my “man purse” for my digital planner and found it in a horrible state.  Faceplate totally smooth on surface, but cracked beneath, lid irrepairably ripped off, and display permanently broken to where it will only render a small edge of the screen. But why the h3ll was it covered in what smells and feels like COCONUT SUNTAN LOTION????!!!?!?!?!?
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
11:21 am	Shaking Hands with the Devil Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. Though I think the sentiment doesn’t count when two devils shake each other’s hands … http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090805/D99SK8KO3.html Clinton secured the release of two journalists, and probably threw Gore in the mix to beef up his much-needed perception as pertinent, credible and sane.  Or was it a partisan plug all the way? But the real question is, HOW MUCH KAZIKSTAN UNRAIUM DID HE GIVE KIM?  And I’m sorry to say this, but if you don’t know exactly what I mean, you haven’t been paying attention.  Take two pages of Google and call me in the morning.
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
1:21 pm	Yes, I would live there, even in Russia. Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I love this house (link) … at least the outside.  It would be like living in a Disney dream.  So how could someone be such a sour puss in that one photo?
Friday, July 31st, 2009
11:38 am	Zeitgeist: The Judgment Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. http://kenville.net/wordpress/?p=79 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist,_the_Movie#Criticisms It’s good to have validation for angst at times …
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
3:48 pm	Ken Headhunts, Part Deux Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I’m seriously looking for a sales guy/gal again.  My last one just decided to play bartender the moment the business cards were dry.  If only people knew and understood what I was really offering, they’d jump at the chance to be that person.  Yes, my kingdom for the right sales person. I just want someone I can partner with.  I want to be on a team.  Sure, I’ll write the checks and steer the corporate culture, goals, and processes in general, but I want someone to share being the faceof Kentropolis long-term.  And if I find someone who consistently performs within the value set I’m looking to maintain, I’d gladly hand them the keys to the whole damn thing as an exit strategy someday.  How many sales people could realistically hope for something like that, helping build a brand that they can call truly their own someday? My goal is that once they settle in and get some free training from me and Bill Knoche, we can generate enough business to incorporate, and both be on the same W-2 plan, benefits, and any other write-off perks as things go along.  And I mean the SAME benefits — anyone I work with will receive the same benefits I give myself, from E-Z Pass to insurance.  And that would be on top of residual bonuses! But here’s the problem … I could be the best “boss” in the world, but it doesn’t make finding that person any easier.  My ethical and professional standards are high, and I wont babysit anyone.  And then there’s the catch-22: people worth a salary don’t need one, but probably already have one and may not give it up for a better opportunity.  Well, enough airing my business dilemma … it’s the end of my business day and I’ve got another screen door to install at home.
Saturday, July 18th, 2009
10:29 am	I’d rather die in debt than turn my head and cough for Uncle Sam and die early. Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. From an actual person I know, not a chain email: The US already has two functional examples of single-payer health care provided by the government. As a US Army veteran, I have nearly 30 years of experience with the one most recognize - the VA. Yes, the same system that made news a few years ago because several hospitals in the Washington, DC, area were in such bad repair that they had patients in wards with rain leaking through the ceilings. The same system that habitually denies care for hundreds of people all needing the same type of care if it’s based on Agent Orange exposure. The same system that left me sitting in a lobby for over 6 hours with a piece of glass in my foot before they even asked me why I was there! But, there is another (less well known) example. It has been around since the mid 19th century. Congress has to approve the funding for it every year - and for as long as anyone who uses it can remember, it always runs out of money in June of every year. It is the Indian Health Service (IHS). Read the rest of this entry »
Friday, July 17th, 2009
10:28 pm	The Nigerian Invasion Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I have never gotten more “Nigerian Scam” emails in nearly any year as these last few days.  Seriously, are there that many stupid people to make it worth their while?  We need to make it a crime to fall for scams if we can’t take out the criminals.  And then apply it to spam — if you buy something through an online ad you didn’t subscribe to, YOU pay a fine. I used to think education was the answer.  But people need to accept the constant warnings around them.  They need to take responsibility to educate themselves once the information is out there.  Maybe I’m getting too jaded dealing with people who convince themselves they are “computer stupid” … {Edit: I am now receiving more Nigerian scam emails than all previous years combined.  It used to be a couple a month, maybe a couple a week, or even some days, but I am now getting a batch every time I send and receive, twelve times per hour.}
9:26 am	The Moon Landing gets a “George Lucas”? Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090716/tsc-uk-nasa-tapes-sb-a337f0f.html I wonder if there will be more spaceships.  Maybe a few dewbacks?  I just hope they don’t have Hayden Christensen coming out from Armstrong’s space suit when they get back to Earth.
Sunday, July 12th, 2009
11:36 pm	“The Riddle No Atheists Can Solve” Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. Yes, I clicked on a link that took me to a site claiming an indisputable proof for “intelligent design” — one that can’t be “solved” based on the argument DNA is a Code + Codes require authors = Life was created consciously, not by natural process It took my brain cells less than 0.2 seconds to solve the riddle and refute the argument as utterly fallacious.  Maybe it’s because I’m not an atheist?  Or is it because the argument is based in mal-formed semantics about the term “code” misunderstood as an a priori reality versus an applied concept with a definition more limited than its reality? Honestly, I wont even waste typing the link to their website, and I curbed the urge to post on their forum, since I doubt it wouldn’t go over their heads and be the one accused of semantic manipulation.  But if anyone wants to go the 0.2 seconds in the ring with me on this, I’ll gladly explain the error is as simple detail as possible.
Monday, June 29th, 2009
5:54 pm	Email to the Dead Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I didn’t write about this months ago when it happened, as I wanted everything to settle down and then had other matters to attend to among the living.  Bob Kell, Jr., my friend (and accountant / networking associate) passed away earlier this year.  (On an odd note, he was just putting together the taxes that my previous tax preparer lost, placing me at square one a second time … he was the IRS “bulldog” — the ace in my hand if they cracked down on me, and now … well … anyway …) At his funeral, I got up and read an email I had sent to him, as I didn’t know how else to express myself.  I wore my Roman collar for the first time, for reasons referred to in the message: Subject: Goodbye for Now Read the rest of this entry »
5:40 pm	Ever wonder where? Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. It never amazes me how deep the roots are of our personal values.  But unlike those who would rather be totally self-deterministic in some false sense of empowerment for its own sake, I would rather embrace them as consistent personality strengths and weaknesses I can make the best of. Why bring this up?  I asked my Dad the other day what kind of advice Grandpa gave him over the years.  There were two things that came to mind: “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all” and “Do the hardest part of anything first.” It was amusing (but no surprise) that I recall attempting to instill these tidbits (the former in particular) in Christina.  I don’t know if it took … time will tell.  But I can see why I insist on doing things right, not just adequately.  Sometimes I take it too far and need to be gentle with myself, but other times it means that when I can’t do something what I think is a truly good job, it’s still far better than the other guy would have done it. And I can live with that.  Thanks Dad.  Thanks Grandpa.
1:46 pm	Obama STILL Raising Money? Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I continue to get emails from his campaign machine, usually begging for money (AFTER the election mind you) or selling bumper stickers and t-shirts.  Whatever.  Here’s my question, and I dare anyone in their staff to publicly answer it: When you send me constant messages such as “Will you donate whatever you can afford to support the campaign for real health care reform in 2009?” WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?  Read the rest of this entry »
Friday, June 26th, 2009
8:30 pm	Dear Michael Jackson Fans: Get the Hell Off My Internet Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I find it hard to believe so many (questionably undisturbed) people are that desperate to see a video of his body under a sheet that I can’t check my freaking email under and hour.  Seriously, some of us are trying to work here!  That is all.
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
10:10 am	Eye of the Beholder Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I just read an alumni newsletter article – or rather tried to read it in its entirety — about the new statue of Saint Marguerite D’Youville at my Alma Mater.  It’s a long-winded litany of interpretive assumptions about the artist’s intentions linked to vague ideals, right down to the significance of how far apart the saint’s feet are in light of historical and metaphysical perspectives.  Their wording suggests the were even guessing (not knowing) why there was a key lying on the ground embedded in the pedestal.  They may have well been talking about a tree and why God made one branch longer than the other.  Yeah, this article was all fun from an academic standpoint, an admittedly well-done exercise in written oratory, and apropos as filler for a newsletter. But what of the statue in the real world that others passing by would see for themselves, unaided by such commentary? Read the rest of this entry »
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
9:45 pm	A pleasant, lazy day… Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. Finally went to Dunkirk and planted flowers on graves (a yearly ritual).  Then we strolled at the pier shops, the beach, and cooked hot dogs on the grill.  Just a perfect day, started by sleeping in a bit and organzing the keepsakes from my daughter’s high school life (she’s at Bonaroo right now).  Life is good.
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
8:04 pm	Went to the hospital today … Originally published at KenVille.Net. Please leave any comments there. I had a reaction to the citrate during apheresis (triple unit donation), causing calcium depletion — heart palpitations, high blood pressure, some dizziness, finger tingling, jaw tension, etc..  It didn’t subside right away, so they had an ambulance take me to Millard-Fillmore Gates.  A few hours later, I was released as being fine.  A little scary, though … just before I was done donating, my chest felt “fluttery” and the feeling came and increased quickly.  After a couple Tums (calcium), it subsided just as fast, but I still felt a little too light-headed to drive. I’ll be taking it easy a couple days, lots of fluids, the usual.  I just don’t look forward to the bill.