just john

Mom is gone, left on the jet plane, back to her subdivision across the street, literally, from James Dobson and his army of delusional, robot nut jobs. Not that I'm biased.

The visit was good, Mom got to see Europe for the first time ever and I spent 1/12th of my year with my mother. Probably the first time in 10 years. We both survived without resorting to screaming or alcoholism. Now we've seen Europe, dammit. Quit asking if I'm going to go anywhere. By summer's end I will have seen eleven countries and who knows, a supplier visit could even take me to one of those Eastern European countries where they filmed 'Hostel.'

I couldn't help but notice, since I read it every day, that G. W. Bush still has his face in the news. I think he has something to do with politics or some such, certainly not leadership. He was railing on about keeping taxes low and curbing government spending. He has, you know, managed to spend less this year than in previous ones provided you don't include (they don't) the cost of the war. To date, I think he will go down in history as the sorriest President daddy's money ever bought. If you're still supporting this guy because he lowered your tax bill, congratulations. It's a well documented and easily verifiable fact that the tax cuts enacted by the iron regime have primarily benefited people who make more than 5 million dollars per year. He saved them enough money to buy 2 Bentleys per year - $500,000. If you're making less than that, well, piss on you, seems to be the theme. Of course, if you conservative, middle income earners out there can show me your enormous financial gains, inflation adjusted, I'll happily recant.

I've spent some time watching stuff on http://www.williamsledd.com/. He's a bit self indulgent, more so than me, but otherwise funny in places. Two Bentleys per year and vetos for expanded children's health insurance? WTF is wrong with this? I'm being victimized by my own comparisons.

To whit, the job front has sucked a bit of late. Part circumstance, part culture difference, and part my own making. For those couple of you I've bitched to about it, we seem to be back on the path. Seems if yo open your mouth and speak to the right people, odds of getting what you want improve dramatically. Much as I would like to type of it, I might actually be violating some company confidentiality to put down the state of our product and my opinions on it. Guess you'll have to call and ask.

Not sure if my tallest brother reads this on a regular basis, nor the shortest one. He's 17 and acting a bit like a puke these days. We all have high hopes he'll grow out of it. The tall one, on the other hand, is benefitting from a sale on Hugo Boss. It's not often you find sleeves to cover the arms on a seven footer. Apparently it's not often you sell said shirt either. Either wear the damn thing or send it to me. I have no reservations about stuff on sale.

Sorry if the tone seems bitter tonight. That's why I write it - so I don't have to be.