Community | Piss and Moan

Let’s think this through

Posted on January 22, 2019 by backuphill

closeup photo of person holding panasonic remote control in front of turned on smart television

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Last night I had to have a conversation with some family members that I never thought, in this day and age, that I would have to have. Yet, it seems to be a recurring event these days.

We all know about security and the internet and how bad things can happen if you aren’t careful. We also know there are a lot of dishonest people and cheaters out there. So, to some degree it doesn’t surprise me that I have to have this conversation with my family too.

Last night, a member of the family (less than adult) wanted to input our Netflix credentials into an app that would allow the app to log into our Netflix account so that his friends could log into the app and watch a movie with him. So they could have a “shared experience.” Obviously, if brought to my attention first, the answer would always be a “No” for this sort of thing. It was not, however.

Instead, another member of the family (more than adult) agreed to said procedure in a misguided effort to be “a good parent.” Um, wait, you said ok? Why? Explain to me how you thought this would be a good idea.

Long story short – the answer was still, no. On top of it all, I had to kick everyone in the family out of the Netflix account and reset the password, again. Only four months after aforementioned adult decided it would be a good idea to allow someone else of the extended family access to the account. What a pain in the arse!

So, let’s just think this through a little more before we act, shall we?

Red for Ed

Posted on January 15, 2019 by backuphill

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Yeah, I am going there.

It’s about time people listen up and if it takes a strike, then so be it. What I am tired of is that people don’t listen until it takes a strike, then people pay attention.

One reason I am not a teacher any longer is because of the lack of pay, lack of respect, lack of resources, lack of support, lack of (you name it). The thing is, I worked in a school that was pretty good. We had, for the most part, community support and better than average funding. But, it still got to be too much. I was burned out. I didn’t realize it until I found freedom in another aspect of education, but I realized it.

There are a lot of teachers out there, some with more experience than me and lots with less, that have terrible working conditions and barely make from month to month. But, the one thing they do over and over is give there very best for the kids in their classrooms and it is sad that it goes unappreciated and disrespected.

Those kids, people say, are the future. At least that is what they say. However, those same people then tear down teachers, the work they do, and their efforts to do the most with the least amount of resources possible. Teachers aren’t just saints, they are freaking super heroes and it is ridiculous that it has to get to this.

How about we invest in the MOST important resource we have, our kids. That doesn’t mean more testing. That means more funding for buildings, teachers, curriculum, teacher benefits, continuing education, etc etc etc. If you want quality teachers in the classroom, you have to act like it. Silicon Valley (or at least it used to, but tech companies in general) attract the best talent because they invest in it and pay them well. How does that not translate into our kids as our most valuable asset? It just doesn’t make sense.

It just doesn’t.

I stand with the teachers in California ( #LAUSD ) that are striking. They deserve better. The students they teach deserve better. We all deserve a better future and depriving schools and teachers of that doesn’t make things better, rather just the opposite.

Stand with teachers and wear Red for Ed ( #RedForEd ).

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Just jump on this bandwagon

Posted on January 4, 2019 by backuphill

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Friday.

Of a three day work week.

Why can’t they all be this way? I mean I could really get used to this since it has been a fairly regular practice of as of late. How so?

Because of the holidays, there have been (at least for me) THREE weeks of three day work weeks. Whew! Say that fast 10 times!

Let’s break it down. In the last 7 weeks, three of them have been three day work weeks. I say we just make that the regular schedule. Like forever.

Now that is a bandwagon I can get on!! Who is with me??

When is it enough?

Posted on January 2, 2019 by backuphill

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Question of the day: When is it enough?

Let’s put some context into the question…

When is it enough charity? Gifting? Generosity? Especially, when it comes to adults who should, by now, be able to fend for themselves and stop making choices in life that keep them from being able to do it? Thus, requiring additional help (on a seemingly regular basis).

Does the answer of “enough” matter if they are a stranger? An acquaintance? A good friend? Family…children, grandchildren, parents, siblings? Sure, I understand every circumstance is different and have their own complexities, but there has to be a line, right?

Where does the line get drawn and how do you draw it? Do you just continually allow it to happen?

Happy New Year, blah blah blah

Posted on January 1, 2019 by backuphill

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The new year has begun and for some reason everyone is back to being cheerful again.

I don’t get it.

Did they get a reset button somewhere that magically made their lives better over night? Did they get a reset that changed the daily reality? Or, did they see into the future and have no problems? Me thinks not.

So why all the cheer? What makes today different than any other day?

Happy New Year, blah blah blah.

Wait, the end?

Posted on December 31, 2018 by backuphill

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I see lots of people paying their last respects to 2018.

There’s no reason to do that. Yeah, it is over, but it’s kind of a waste of time I think. You see, life goes on. There is no reason to look back but there is a good reason to look forward.

There is no reason to look back and recount the failures and there is no reason to recount the success. It was just another year. The only thing to do with 2018 is be thankful.

I know this doesn’t sound like the usual Piss and Moan way, but I am thankful. For another year. For more time. That was 2018 wasn’t horrible. I am thankful. Today.

You should be too. The last day of the year is not a dead end. It leads to the first day of a new year. That is all.

Noisy road

Posted on December 27, 2018 by backuphill

If only my commute was this nice to look at. Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com

You probably don’t think about it much because you are driving and paying attention to the other drivers around you, which you should be. However, there is probably one thing you don’t notice you’re doing as a result of a noisy road.

The surface of the roadway is kind of an important thing when it comes to highways. I mean, it gets thousands and thousands of cars driving over it every day/week/month/year. It has to be durable, but also something that withstands heat, cold, weight, collisions, rain, etc. So, I am sure there is science behind why they do what they do when they make roads. But, really, I don’t care.

I just want a road that is smooth and quiet. Road noise should be a low hum that you really don’t notice unless something is wrong with the car. Instead, half of half of my commute is across 40+ year old concrete that has been worn down to the pebbles used to make it and it sounds like a jet engine starting up as you drive over it as high speeds.

Thus, I have to listen to the radio really loud. All to hear the traffic report. And if there is another person in the car, well, you just have to yell, even if they are just sitting right next to you. That is annoying.

What small things do you notice as you drive the same route and sit in the car for hours each day? Anything only you would notice and have to point out to others when they ride along with you?

The Grinch

Posted on December 25, 2018 by backuphill

I’ll just sit over here and try not to ruin anyone else’s Christmas…

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From the greatest joy thief of all, Merry Christmas.

Oh, and maybe his heart did grow two sizes after all.

Fill ‘er up!

Posted on December 21, 2018 by backuphill

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You know how you have a day coming up that you’re gonna have off work?

How you look forward to that day because you get to sleep in, relax, enjoy your coffee, leisurely read the news or a book, watch a movie or tv show, or just take things slow and enjoy a different pace than a normal day?

Yeah, well, that day off can completely go in the other direction too, right?

How about the day of you look forward to gets all filled up with things that have to be done before the holiday comes and people come over and etc., etc., etc.? That it fills up so fast it hardly feels like a day off? Dashing from here to there, frantically trying to fit more things in on your list because you forgot this and that, and it all needs to be done!

Isn’t it amazing how life just kind of takes over even when you think you’re gonna get a break?

Well, today is that day for me. My to do list seems to be a mile long and all I wanna do is just it. Relax. Enjoy some quiet. Savor the change in routine….but not today!

What’s on your list that just HAS to be done today?

I am a shoe person

Posted on December 18, 2018 by backuphill

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Ok, the title is (purposely) misleading. No, I am not the kind of guy that collects shoes just because they are cool or because I need one for every occasion. Read on for the explanation.

I was recently invited to a party. It was a gathering of about 40 people (adults and children) getting together to celebrate a special occasion and it was at the host’s home. they have a nice place and the carpet/floors are fairly new.

Usually when you go to their place the first thing you have to do when you get in the door is take off your shoes. This is rather irritating to me, for several reasons. One, I am a shoe person. I don’t like going barefoot and I don’t like just walking around in socks. Two, I am short so my pant legs either drag on the ground or I have to roll them up like a nerd waiting for a flood. Needless to say, it annoys me.

Anyway, I showed up and got to the front door and, sure enough, there were piles of shoes in the entry way. Dang it! Why invite hordes or people over and then make them take their shoes off?

I looked around. Hey, not everyone had their shoes off!

I didn’t remove mine. Because I am a rebel.

What do you think? Is the practice of asking your guests to take their shoes off OK or do you find it annoying too?