Category: Orphans

It seems we are having technical difficulties today. Isn’t life a bitch?

I will try again tomorrow

Don’t let a slight imposition such as being in the military stand in the way of a good scam. If I trusted scamming spammers who prey upon the unsuspecting e-mail of the world, I might think that upon seeing a couple of messages in my Hotmail “Junk” box. First there is one from an alleged “Sgt. Ronald Riling” who sent this beaut:

“Attention,

My name is Sgt.Ronald Riling; I’m a US soldier, serving in the military with the Third (3rd) infantry Division in Iraq (US Coalition Force). I and my superior after going on a rampage on Saddam Hussein palace in Baghdad discovered a substantial amount of money. You may need to check out the following BBC website to confirm more of our discovery which was made known to the government, but this particular one is a top secret:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm“

Oh yes, I bet it’s a top secret. I bet it is so secret it doesn’t exist. Please!

The next is from Maj. Tanko, whom I suppose is a cousin to Capt. Hummero and Lt. Howitzero and a step-brother of Sgt. Machineguno. Okay, I have no idea what African nation Maj. Tanko is from but he is indeed a very lucky soldier to have found $20,500,000 … “abandoned sum in my office which was left by the last officer who was on sit (sic?) but he died after a brief illness before me suceeding (sic) him as the new appointed unit chairman.”

Hmm. He was on “sit” but died after a brief illness? Makes perfect sense to me. What is really suspicious is his request:

“I am looking for a honest person in a stable country with a good economy where this fund will be transfered (sic) into.”

He is looking for an honest person. Okay, I’m pretty honest. In a stable country. I suppose the US of A is stable enough. With a good economy. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Sorry, you got the wrong place Major Tanko. Try Zimbabwe.

Another stormy afternoon looms over the Upper Texas Coast. But as my Dad used to say: “Let it rain!”

Only recently have I begun to fully appreciate the sentiment my father espoused so often so many years, or now so it seems, ago. I have always liked the rain. I missed rain when I lived in places which had much less rain than with which I was most comfortable. But the fact is, life goes on and watching it from the porch while it rains can be just as great as viewing life from a mountain top or beach on a cloudless day.

Had my Dad not have died 24 years ago he would have been 93 years old today, and had he been where I am this day he probably would be drinking a cold beer and exclaiming: “Let it rain!”

Happy Juneteenth plus one, Pops.

The cast was removed this morning and now I type with a right hand that is both light and carefree. My thumb actually hurts more than when it was encased but hopefully that is just from it having been immobile for a month. I certainly hope so, going under the knife is never a pleasant prospect.

Despite my friend Suzie’s prediction, my hand did not smell like a** after the cast was cut free. It didn’t smell like roses either but it wasn’t all that bad. My hand didn’t itch while enclosed either, something I had mildly feared. The main drawbacks were performing those little tasks light starting the truck’s engine and buttoning my pants.

While waiting for the doc this morning some ladies were talking about a news story concerning this local fellow who found a rat’s head in a can of Allen’s Italian Cut Green Beans he had bought at Wal-Mart. The guy from Beaumont, Texas, right here where I reside, was apparently the second person who has found a rat’s head in a can of Italian Cut Green Beans made by Allen and purchased at Wally World. A lady from Utah also made such a discovery. The company offered her $100 to keep quiet and offered our local chef $200. Hey, if someone makes a third discovery maybe Allen will offer $300, and so on. Yee hah! Let’s go out on a bean quest. Not.

I told the ladies discussing the story this morning that I am surprised Wal-Mart didn’t charge the people extra for the rat’s head. La dee dah. I think I am going to go and have me something safe to eat, like a hot dog.

One hears the term “nickel and diming” quite often these days. Most often the phrase is mentioned during discussions about the airline industry which — facing huge losses due to higher fuel prices or so they claim — has proposed charging passengers for every extra that can possibly be conceived.

“Would you like a pillow, sir?”

“Why yes. Thanks.”

“No problem. That will be $15.”

“Oh, sir, you say you need an airsickness bag? They are $5 each. And please have the correct … oh my …”

Everyone during times of financial difficulty seems to think nickel and diming is the way to go. For example, the city government where I live is beginning to use nickel and dime economics.

A story on local TV station KFDM Channel 6 last night said the Beaumont (Texas) City Council wants to raise water rates on those who rent apartments and homes. It would seem likely the reason for the increase is the fact that they can. But the stated reason is that:

” … people in apartment complexes and mobile homes have been paying less than homeowners for more than two decades.” This according to Hani Tohme, the city water utilities director.

Renters would pay an extra $7-9 per month and the city would reap about a million bucks. Whoo hoo! Future renters should not expect to see “water paid” as part of the rent package, at least in my estimation.

The city says the money would go back into its infrastructure but other than fixing drainage and sprucing up downtown for turistas, I don’t see a lot of infrastructure being improved. Just take a drive down Seventh Street in Old Town and see if the ruts and potholes don’t shake you up like a jackhammer.

Many renters are those who are spending every spare $7-9 they get each month on all those unimportant items such as gasoline to get to work (about 2 gallons as it stands), food and medicine (a couple of generic ‘scrips from Wally World.)

I hope the Beaumont City Council gets an earful when it takes up the water rate hike in August. The council needs to show that it needs the money and give a detailed explanation of how it will be spent. I also think the council needs to spread the pain around so us “non-wealthy” individuals won’t have to carry the water for those who aren’t hurting quite so bad. There is always hope but I won’t hold my breath.