Archive for Life Lessons
Yellow Hammer Restaurant Rots
Posted by: | CommentsThanks for coming back
My wife received a $50 gift certificate to Yellow Hammer Restaurant from her students as an end-of-the-year gift. We forgot about it for a while, or weren’t able to go when we did remember. Anyway, we thought we would use it for our 14th wedding anniversary tonight. My wife checked the certificate and it had expired one month ago. She contacted Yellow Hammer to see if they would still honor the gift. They said no. Now, first off I’ll acknowledge that we let the certificate expire. Technically, we are at fault for not using it. Now from the restaurant’s perspective, however, they are going to let $50 turn into an internet campaign to let everyone know that their customer service rots.
Let’s lay this thing out: They received the $50, and they won’t honor the certificate, so they have they made a 100% profit on that sale. However, that $50 is going to going to cost them more in the long run because it is now my mission to yell from the mountaintops that Yellow Hammer has all the customers that they can stand and have no desire to earn more by treating people fairly. Is it really worth that $50 Mr YellowHammer?
There’s a good chance that we would have spent beyond $50 had we been able to use the gift certificate. Let’s say we spent a total of $70 on dinner. Yellow Hammer would probable have made $40 profit on that meal. Amazing! These people are willing to shaft us over a potential $10 loss.
I believe in spreading the word, good or bad, about companies, services, experienced, etc. So had we gone to Yellow Hammer and had a good experience, I would be right here telling hundreds, maybe thousands, of people about it. Alas, here I am telling that same crowd about the pathetic attitude and customer care presented by this restaurant.
Apparently these people are oblivious to the effects of a dissatisfied customer, or would-be customer in this case. Second, they have no idea about the power of recommendation, especially where food is concerned. And last, they have no understanding of basic, everyday, do-the-right-thing.
So here’s my recommendation for this restaurant: Don’t go! We are going to Applebee’s in Auburn instead.
Brian Clark Explodes on the Writing Scene!
Posted by: | CommentsBrian Clark has kept his writing talents hidden, until now. I read some of his work on facebook , and I was impressed. I’m posting some of his work here for everyone to enjoy. You can also check out Brian’s facebook page.
Dream
i’m in a dream or so it seems
of life and death as silence screams
to be set free from this dream
that works silently inside of me
it had no beginning, nor an end
no way to stop or to win
a part of time I cannot see
for I cannot stop it until it stops me
First Verse From “The Ride”
Take a step out the front door into the fog and the breeze shaking the leaves on the trees.
Got a handful of CD’s’ check my back pocket for my wallet and make sure I didn’t forget my keys.
Get in the car, put on G n’ R or Alice In Chains and head on down the driveway.
Take a left onto the road, stop at the sign
Memories unfold into the light as I bear right to hit the highway.
Roll the windows down, grab my Zippo and smokes
Same thing I did so many years ago. This time though,
it’s a different car and I’m a different man, but I’m no closer to any promised land.
Same as I was as a very young man
with dreams and hope when I was still smoking dope and thought I had a plan.
Blind
If only allowed to see those things in life in whick I seek, I would be blind, for I cannot reach without the confidence to teach myself to seek that whick is not easy to find.
Xylitol Update
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate to Dubya’s sugar free gum snack. I took Dubya to the vet Saturday morning for blood work to check his liver. Vet says he’s fine and should have no long term effects. Good thing we were here when he ate the gum.
Xylitol Dog Killer
Posted by: | CommentsI believe half of what I see and almost none of what I hear. With all of the “verified” inaccurate information zooming through cyberspace it’s almost like white noise to me most of the time. Well, I found out that the xylitol used in sugar free gum actuallly is dangerous to dogs.
Snacktime with Dubya
Our 3 month old retriever, Dubya, had a little snack today. My wife found him with his snout burried in a pack of the kids’ sugar free gum. It’s really a good thing she was here. I probably wouldn’t, in fact I know I wouldn’t, have acted as quickly as she did. I would have brushed it off and waited to see some kind of symptoms. She immediately went into crisis mode and called our vet. Turns out the stuff really is bad.
Pink Puke
Our vet told us to make the dog puke right away. Luckily he also told us how to accomplish this. One tablespoon of peroxide. My wife held his mouth open and I poured it in. He gagged a bit then took off playing outside. He seemed lilke nothing was wrong. I thought that the peroxide must not be working. Suddenly his back arched up and he started heaving like crazy. After several seconds we had a pile of bubble gum flavored puke in the yard. Cool.
Dangers of Xylitol
The short term danger is low blood sugar. The dog can go into a diabetic coma in no time. Possibly fatal. Immediately after throwing up we gave him honey. Can you imagine a 3 month old lab juiced up on sugar? They are already ADHD. Anyway, the long term danger is liver damage. We have a date with the vet on Saturday for blood work. The vet told us that since we actually saw him eat the gum and got it out immediately, he would probably be ok. If he had snacked on the gum when we were gone for the day, who knows.
Robert Reich And Charlie Rangle Promote Racism
Posted by: | Comments“We need to make sure that jobs don’t go to white male construction workers.” “Jobs should be mandated for minorities and women.” This is blatant racism. It’s unbelievable that the very people who whine about racism the most are actually the most blatant racists! You want to award jobs fairly, to the best candidate? Then let’s remove race from all applications. Period. Similar to the judges of a talent show sitting behind a curtain so that only the performance will be judged, not the performer. Hire workers based solely on credentials. Oh wait, let me guess, hiring someone based solely on ability is surely racist, right Mr Reich? As long as people like these are in Washington, on the news, and on the radio, this country has no hope of moving past racism. As long as we say “He’s the first black coach to reach this achievement” or “This is the first time a black woman has done this” we will continue to be a racist society.
Do you really want to get beyond racism? Then stop making skin color part of the equation. It never fails that when people talk about someone of a different race than their own, they feel the need to point it out. “There’s a little black girl in my daughter’s class that did this” or “There was this white man at the store today that said this”. Until we can fill out an application, or even have a simple conversation, without having to make a point of race, we will continue to struggle.
No other way to explain it. The Obama administration supports racism. Here it is in their own words.
Who Is Your Enemy?
Posted by: | CommentsThis article was prompted by my recent addiction-in-the-making to twitter. I recently started following several people on twitter whose bios include words like “liberal” or “leftist”. I think these people were a bit surprised and suspicious because my bio includes words like “conservative” and “Christian”. The first response I got was from fizzboy . He said that he wasn’t sure why I would want to follow him, but he thanked me. I responded that I like his sarcastic quips. I also let him know that just because I don’t agree with someone, I don’t automatically assume that person to be my enemy.
Defensive Minds
Many people are quick to assume that an opposing view indicates a battle on the horizon. Sometimes it may, but that usually depends on the response to that opposing view. I have one particular co-worker who is as far left as I am right. We slam each other’s parties, take quotes out of context to ignite the fuse, get loud, interrupt, question the other’s sanity, and then move on to discussing woodworking, families, fishing, etc. People around us in the breakroom think they are about to see a fight, and then it’s over. I don’t recall even one square inch of common ground between us on political matters, but we both realize that it’s the other’s policies that we hate, not the person. It’s ok to disagree. Get your feelings off of your shoulder and stop looking for a reason to rally the troops.
I can’t talk of political differences without talking about President Obama. I don’t care if the man is white, black, green, blue, or purple; I don’t agree with most of his policies. However, I don’t automatically assume that every executive decision he makes will be detrimental to our country. He may have some good ideas; although, he seems to be holding onto those to use at a later date.
Relative Intelligence vs Absolute Intelligence
Absolute intelligence is pure knowledge and understanding. For example, I know that light travels at 186,000 miles/second. No matter what group of people I’m around, that knowledge and understanding is mine. Relative intelligence, however, is directly related to your immediate peers. This may seem out of context for this discussion, but think about it; what better reason to allow liberals into the group than to make the rest of us appear more intelligent!
What did you think?
That last section was an example of a joke. If you were offended, please re-read the first two sections. If after re-reading the first two sections you are still offended, I’m sorry. The only way I could make it any easier would be to include illustrations and Crayons.
Think before you act
I’m having another serious moment here, so I had better take advantage of it. When dealing with people who don’t share your opinions remember this, they are only people who don’t share your opinions. An old pastor of mine, who was a hard working contractor, said it best. “Everyone should work with a lazy man at least once in his life because he will probably end up showing you an easier way of doing some things.” Don’t immediately discredit or attack someone just for disagreeing with you. It is, however, perfectly ok to argue with them.
Obama Hitler Worship
Posted by: | CommentsWhat better way to brainwash a world than to start with the most innocent, impressionable minds? Be sure to watch the entire video, the last 30 seconds gave me chills.
The Death Of A Nation
Posted by: | CommentsMy country was diagnosed with cancer today, that cancer is Barack Obama. A good death is honorable, this will not be a good death. A good death is dignified, this will not be a good death. A good death is a sacrifice for a greater cause, this will not be a good death. As I watched the Obama supporters gathered in Chicago, cheering, waving American flags, I was reminded of Jonestown. A great mass worshiping the very man who would destroy them. Just remember the fundamentals of our country: The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence. And when you remember these fundamental foundations of our great country, remember this: Barack Obama has vowed to change the fundamentals of American government. Such a young country. Such an early death.
Update 11-16-08: I originallly wrote this on election night. I felt a heavy, oppressive darkness fall on our nation. This will be a hard 4 years, but we will make it through. My prayer is that it only takes 4 years for Americans to recognize the mistake.
Sick Of The Obamanation
Posted by: | CommentsThis is going to be a fed up, disgusted rant; which I normally try to avoid here on my blog. I have really had enough leftist crap to last a lifetime. I am amazed daily at the people who run off at the mouth without having a clue what they are talking about. I had a co-worker tell me that he has to vote democrat because he’s black. This is an otherwise intelligent person. I just don’t get it. None of this makes sense to me. Why do people think that because something comes out of a tv set that it’s true? Why do people put so much faith in what Oprah, Tom Cruise, or Matt Damon has to say? Why can’t people research, read, and learn for themselves and then make an informed decision based on their beliefs? For any of you who actually want to know the truth, you will have to spend some time reading. You will have to do some WORK…WOW! I just realized the problem! Democrats aren’t familiar with that word. No, you can’t sit on your couch and wait for the government to mail this information to you. You actually have to get up, turn off the big screen tv, clear all of the food wrappers and Basic Menthol packs off of your keyboard, and start searching and reading. If you don’t have a computer at home, call your brother-in-law and ask him to drive you to the library. For those of you who take every word of the liberal media as if it came from the mountain top on stone tablets, go away, I’m really sick of you running around regurgitating the catch phrases and headlines spouted out by the likes of CNN, Oprah, Whoopie, and George Stuffasockinit. I find it extremely hard to debate with pure ignorance; therefore, I will no longer debate with democrats. Not really, it just felt really good to say that. It’s almost like having a field goal kicking competition with a one legged man, just too easy. In all fairness and political correctness, I could also beat a one legged woman.
The latest liberal slobber was sparked when Sarah Palin was seen shopping at WalMart. “Posing”, “Political Posturing”, and “Staged” were some of the descriptions dripping from the corners of the mouths of the obamanation. You people are so afraid of Sarah Palin that you can’t even let here buy some diapers without trying to twist it into some political ploy.
Maybe I’m over-tired because 1:17a.m., and I just got home from work. (That’s the thing I do every day so you can keep getting that government check in the mail. That’s part of Obama’s wealth re-distribution program; I go to work, you sit on the couch, we both get paid. Trust me, it’s not free money.) Maybe tomorrow I’ll read this post and decide to delete it. My wife tells me that I come across too harsh. Maybe she will read this and convince me to remove it. Who knows? Right now I’m feeling pretty good about it.
Christians Murdered for Faith
Posted by: | CommentsGod’s Appointment
In 1999 our pastor, Bill Bryan, had a divinely appointed meeting with a complete stranger from India. One man from Beulah, Alabama and another from Goa, India “just happened” to make acquaintance while in the Los Angeles airport. This meeting led to the founding of AHEAD, a ministry of The Bridge Church that reaches out to the poor and needy across India.
Since this meeting, Dr. Samuel has visited our church several times with information and updates about improvements in India. Recently, however, these updates have taken a horrific turn. The following is a copy of the actual email sent to our church from Dr. Samuel. As an American, it is hard to comprehend that these barbaric crimes still occur throughout parts of the world. The worst thing I have to worry about is having to verbally defend myself at times because of my beliefs. These people are watching their houses destroyed, their children tortured and murdered, and their communities destroyed by Hindu gangs; all because of their belief in God.
Dr. Samuel’s Actual Email
From: Samuel K [mailto:ahead_org@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 10:35 AM
To: Pastor Bill Bryan
Subject: Orissa report
PRAISE THE LORD
On the 25th of August the main Leader of the Orissa Missions had called to ask me to go there as some of our Missionaries were being intimidated by local religious and communal groups. The missionaries were themselves so isolated that they never knew that similar events were unfolding in several parts of that state. I prayed about the matter and travelled to Orissa on the 29th, by faith not knowing that the entire state was gripped with anti-Christian violence. It was later that I learnt that the violence was sparked by the brutal killing of a senior leader of a radical Hindu Movement by local Maoist rebels. Since the Maoists are few and far between, the Hindu radicals diverted their vengeance to the minority Christian community. Many Christian schools, orphanages, churches were burnt down and believers were burnt alive and some brutally hacked to death.
On the 31st morning I reached there in the midst of this fiery violence little knowing of the danger I was exposing myself to. As I disembarked the train, people began staring at me like they knew me and I reckoned that they knew me as I frequented that place often. A local missionary was waiting for me at the station who was surprised that I had heeded that call and actually came. He told me that it was unsafe to leave the station as many people in the locality would recognise me, his family himself had escaped to the jungles for safety. I was asked to take a train back immediately, but there are no trains until 2 days later. I prayed at the station and took to the street and got myself a room at a nearby lodge. I decided to visit nearby villages and not venture too far as I not only posed a grave threat to my life, but to my fellow missionaries as well. I arranged for the Leader to pass the message of my arrival to the other missionaries secretly. The following day a few of the missionaries turned up as the rest of them flew to the jungles for refuge.
The few missionaries who were in attendance narrated the violence and bloodshed they witnessed. One of the incidents which broke my heart most was of a baby who was tied and ripped apart in front of the mother for the simple reason of refusing to deny her Faith. And another of a Pastor who was paraded on the street and whipped and eventually killed by crushing his head with a boulder. I prayed and encouraged them to continue the work and exercising wisdom at the same time.
The official puts the death tool at close to 20, but unofficial reports suggest a death toll exceeding 60. Scores of churches and prayer halls and Christian institutions have been burnt and vandalized. Currently there are 7 refugee camps where 10,000 people are taking refuge under sub-basic conditions. (Today’s News: The refuge camp was attacked by the radical mob). Though curfew and shoot-at-sight is being imposed the violence does not seem to subside. And the Christians continue to live with this grim reality not knowing when they will be attacked. I wished deep down in my heart of providing relief to the affected, but the prevailing situation makes it close to impossible. And we still lack resources to to provide that relief.
The next early morning 2am the lodge owner woke and asked to leave immediately as 2 persons in the same lodge were hacked to death and thrown in a river 30mins ago. So I immediately left the place and rushed to the railway station and left on a 5am train.
The immediate prayer requests from me and the fellow workers in Orissa:
- To provide quick and basic relief
- To rebuild prayer halls and homes
- Continuous Prayer and Support
Continually pray for the acquirement of the hospital. Please pray that all needs would be met by the 15th of September. With the hospital we will be able to carry out relief work and support in times of need like this as well.
Yours in Christ,
Samuel.
Pictures and Video
You can see it for yourself , but be warned that some of these pics are extremely graphic.