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Title: Just a thought Post by: Spanky on October 08, 2008, 01:48:06 PM So here I am, sitting in my Suburban with two boys in the back playing on a Nintendo DS. I am posting a thread on a so called golf forum from a portable phone. I recently read an article about the possibility of a holographic tv being produced in my lifetime.
In 1929 the US and most of the world was in the midst of a depression. One where people ate beans and liver and cabbage because that is all they could afford. They lived in little 4 room houses of maybe 800 sq ft. And there was probably 6 to 8 people living in that house. A car was a luxury, people barely had one. Radio was new. Kids helped work and toys were sticks and rocks. So are we that bad off? Do I feel the need to locate the nearest soup kitchen? No not yet. This leather chair I am sitting in is too comfy for me to worry about a soup line. And that HD TV staring at me with the Wii connected to it just looks inviting. Too bad I have to go pick up the dos from the vet after they have had baths, I might have just played a little virtual golf. I may do that afterward on my laptop. The online golf game was just updated and sounds like a good time wasted right now. And the boys? Well they are now outside riding their bikes. Each one has his own you know. Two of them will have soccer practice tonight so we might have to get some fast food for dinner. Or I could nuke some mac and cheese for them. Man the house feels a little warm. Might have to turn the ac down some. Come to think of it I have some time I could try and move the desktop computer into the living room and connect it to the tv. It is just sitting in the office not being used since my wife and I each have a laptop. I just got my vacation approved for December. Bandon here I come. Flying to OR to play golf at one of the best courses in the states for 3 days. I'm meeting up with 7 other guys to do the same. Golf food and drinks. Hanging out and talking about stupid stuff. Good times. As I type this I am trying made a farce of life but the problem is this is all true. This is my life. A far cry from life 80 years ago. Could I lose my job? I guess it's possible, anything is possible. But looking at what I have and where we have come I don't think I am as bad off as I might have thought I was. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Jules on October 08, 2008, 01:58:45 PM Your right there Spanky.
The old tv that was in Georgia's room blew-up the other day, I was thinking we could get little cheap tv for her for Christmas, no-way say's Russell, as he takes Georgia to the shops and buys another tv for her straight-away. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: twoiron on October 08, 2008, 02:19:06 PM Your right there Spanky. The old tv that was in Georgia's room blew-up the other day, I was thinking we could get little cheap tv for her for Christmas, no-way say's Russell, as he takes Georgia to the shops and buys another tv for her straight-away. and that's how it all started.... Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 08, 2008, 02:22:37 PM Nice post Spank. Great reflection for all of us.
Jules, good for Russell. (and Georgia) She'll be able to watch HSM3 when it's on DVD. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 08, 2008, 04:25:02 PM Right on brotha! (said one of the 7 others :D )
We don't have a high cost of living in the U.S., we simply have the cost of living high. I know I'm fortunate and am thankful for it. Even if I'm back down to chasing one skirt Jules :-[ ;) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: MFAWG on October 08, 2008, 06:09:54 PM Good post, and I take your point.
My 69 year old father didn't have to go back to work to pay his mortgage and eat, he only had to do it to pay his cable bill and heat the house. Progress indeed! Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: birdymaker on October 08, 2008, 06:56:43 PM let me speak for the other end of the spectrum.
1 year ago last week i was in a very similar position to you spanky. my family wanted for nothing. if anyone did want anything we immediately went out and bought it and never gave it a second thought. i had thousands of dollars in the bank. a job that paid in excess of 75k a year. a harley that i spared no expense on, life couldn't have been better. my wife had lost her job but it didn't matter. her income was the icing on the cake. you have no idea how close to having nothing you are. :sad3: yes there have been circumstances that have conspired to put me where i am today. but yet this is where i am. i have used up my unemployment, which if push comes to shove i collected illegally to begin with. at that, when you made 1500 a week 350.00 a week doesn't go far. my wife and i have no health insurance. the kids get medicaid. i have sold everything that isn't nailed down and had any value. my kids are on the welfare lunch program. i have applied for food stamps and emergency assistance. i have also applied for ssi it takes 5 to 6 months to get an approval. i just had my 4th surgery and am going to physical therapy yet again. there is a possibility i will need another surgery in 6 weeks if the therapy doesn't work. at this point i am unemployable. it hardly matters because there are no jobs here anyhow. our local paper that serves a community of around 750k people had 6 help wanted adds today. if there is a job, the competition is fierce with unemployment running rampant. that's how bad things can get in the span of a year. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Spanky on October 08, 2008, 07:01:02 PM As I was typing the post I was trying to be funny. The more I went through it the more I realized it was true. I am not blind to the fact that given the current conditions things will change. I know there are people out there without a job. We have a fellow ho in such a situation (though not a fault of his own or the economy). The economy is hitting home and will be affecting us soon.
I really wasn't intending to make a point, more of a satire. But I guess that is the purpose of a satire. The purpose of a forum is so people can speak and be heard. In this day and age there is a lot of talk of Doom and Gloom. Is is warranted? You betcha! I don't mind people talking about it, or posting about it, or even arguing about it. At least we can do that. Do we get tired of it? From time to time. Here we can ignore it if we choose (I know Jules has). Where am I going with this? (stroh I know you are thinking that. I am too) I come here to converse with friends (imaginary ones but friends just the same) and whatever we talk about we talk. I look forward to uplifting funny stories. Odd news stories or just plain good ol fashion tall tale golf stories. We don't have the bickering here or hate or ignored users. We all enjoy each others company, yes even me. I look at all of you as brothers, some of you are step brothers but brothers just the same. The women, well just watch When Harry Met Sally. Anywho I have been drinking, dealing with a 10yo that has a zit the size of Manhattan. My lovely wife Darla is out with her new best bud, my work wife and good friend. I will leave this post with these last words: "San Dimas High School football rules!" Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: gleek on October 08, 2008, 07:05:00 PM Glad things are going great for you and others on this board. I'm thankful for my and my family's current financial situation as well, and it's nice to be able to reflect on how great things are for oneself. However, there were 730,000 lost jobs so far in 2008, and remember that not every GolfHo was lucky enough to avoid being part of that statistic. By all accounts, the worst has yet to come. Remember that when the stock market crashed in 1929, spurring the Great Depression, it wouldn't be for another 3-4 years until the country felt the effects of the 25% unemployment rate. Pray to the god of your choice that we don't sink into another global depression, but don't for a second think it's unfathomable that none of use will be eating beans out of a can 4 years from now. I think things are THAT uncertain right now.
Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: MFAWG on October 08, 2008, 07:10:39 PM Seriously, I took your point, although I'm not seeing much satire.
I wasn't kidding, either. It COULD be worse. The real question is: Couldn't it be better? Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Spanky on October 08, 2008, 07:24:39 PM let me speak for the other end of the spectrum. I was typing my last post as you were yours. I had you in my thoughts the entire time. As I said I am not lost on that fact. It was in my mind the whole time I was posting the original post. That was why I was trying for satire but couldn't.1 year ago last week i was in a very similar position to you spanky. my family wanted for nothing. if anyone did want anything we immediately went out and bought it and never gave it a second thought. i had thousands of dollars in the bank. a job that paid in excess of 75k a year. a harley that i spared no expense on, life couldn't have been better. my wife had lost her job but it didn't matter. her income was the icing on the cake. you have no idea how close to having nothing you are. :sad3: yes there have been circumstances that have conspired to put me where i am today. but yet this is where i am. i have used up my unemployment, which if push comes to shove i collected illegally to begin with. at that, when you made 1500 a week 350.00 a week doesn't go far. my wife and i have no health insurance. the kids get medicaid. i have sold everything that isn't nailed down and had any value. my kids are on the welfare lunch program. i have applied for food stamps and emergency assistance. i have also applied for ssi it takes 5 to 6 months to get an approval. i just had my 4th surgery and am going to physical therapy yet again. there is a possibility i will need another surgery in 6 weeks if the therapy doesn't work. at this point i am unemployable. it hardly matters because there are no jobs here anyhow. our local paper that serves a community of around 750k people had 6 help wanted adds today. if there is a job, the competition is fierce with unemployment running rampant. that's how bad things can get in the span of a year. My problem is I want to help people all the time. I wish I could help you. That is the kind of person I am. Ask Darla, she hates that about me and yet loves it at the same time. While your situation is a little different it still reflects just the same. I am not lost on the fact that one wrong second, one poor choice of judgment by me or someone else and I could be right there next to you. I can't feel your pain or understand what it is to lose everything. To say I do would be insulting to you because it is not true. But I do respect your opinions and thoughts. While you may have lost physical abilities, your mind was not injured. I can not speak for anyone other then myself but I do listen to what you say. I have learned from you. I don't know if this will mean anything to you but I do hope things get better for you and your family. I did not mean for this to be insulting or hurtful. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: gleek on October 08, 2008, 07:50:52 PM let me speak for the other end of the spectrum. I was typing my last post as you were yours. I had you in my thoughts the entire time. As I said I am not lost on that fact. It was in my mind the whole time I was posting the original post. That was why I was trying for satire but couldn't.1 year ago last week i was in a very similar position to you spanky. my family wanted for nothing. if anyone did want anything we immediately went out and bought it and never gave it a second thought. i had thousands of dollars in the bank. a job that paid in excess of 75k a year. a harley that i spared no expense on, life couldn't have been better. my wife had lost her job but it didn't matter. her income was the icing on the cake. you have no idea how close to having nothing you are. :sad3: yes there have been circumstances that have conspired to put me where i am today. but yet this is where i am. i have used up my unemployment, which if push comes to shove i collected illegally to begin with. at that, when you made 1500 a week 350.00 a week doesn't go far. my wife and i have no health insurance. the kids get medicaid. i have sold everything that isn't nailed down and had any value. my kids are on the welfare lunch program. i have applied for food stamps and emergency assistance. i have also applied for ssi it takes 5 to 6 months to get an approval. i just had my 4th surgery and am going to physical therapy yet again. there is a possibility i will need another surgery in 6 weeks if the therapy doesn't work. at this point i am unemployable. it hardly matters because there are no jobs here anyhow. our local paper that serves a community of around 750k people had 6 help wanted adds today. if there is a job, the competition is fierce with unemployment running rampant. that's how bad things can get in the span of a year. My problem is I want to help people all the time. I wish I could help you. That is the kind of person I am. Ask Darla, she hates that about me and yet loves it at the same time. While your situation is a little different it still reflects just the same. I am not lost on the fact that one wrong second, one poor choice of judgment by me or someone else and I could be right there next to you. I can't feel your pain or understand what it is to lose everything. To say I do would be insulting to you because it is not true. But I do respect your opinions and thoughts. While you may have lost physical abilities, your mind was not injured. I can not speak for anyone other then myself but I do listen to what you say. I have learned from you. I don't know if this will mean anything to you but I do hope things get better for you and your family. I did not mean for this to be insulting or hurtful. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 08, 2008, 08:00:09 PM let me speak for the other end of the spectrum. I was typing my last post as you were yours. I had you in my thoughts the entire time. As I said I am not lost on that fact. It was in my mind the whole time I was posting the original post. That was why I was trying for satire but couldn't.1 year ago last week i was in a very similar position to you spanky. my family wanted for nothing. if anyone did want anything we immediately went out and bought it and never gave it a second thought. i had thousands of dollars in the bank. a job that paid in excess of 75k a year. a harley that i spared no expense on, life couldn't have been better. my wife had lost her job but it didn't matter. her income was the icing on the cake. you have no idea how close to having nothing you are. :sad3: yes there have been circumstances that have conspired to put me where i am today. but yet this is where i am. i have used up my unemployment, which if push comes to shove i collected illegally to begin with. at that, when you made 1500 a week 350.00 a week doesn't go far. my wife and i have no health insurance. the kids get medicaid. i have sold everything that isn't nailed down and had any value. my kids are on the welfare lunch program. i have applied for food stamps and emergency assistance. i have also applied for ssi it takes 5 to 6 months to get an approval. i just had my 4th surgery and am going to physical therapy yet again. there is a possibility i will need another surgery in 6 weeks if the therapy doesn't work. at this point i am unemployable. it hardly matters because there are no jobs here anyhow. our local paper that serves a community of around 750k people had 6 help wanted adds today. if there is a job, the competition is fierce with unemployment running rampant. that's how bad things can get in the span of a year. My problem is I want to help people all the time. I wish I could help you. That is the kind of person I am. Ask Darla, she hates that about me and yet loves it at the same time. While your situation is a little different it still reflects just the same. I am not lost on the fact that one wrong second, one poor choice of judgment by me or someone else and I could be right there next to you. I can't feel your pain or understand what it is to lose everything. To say I do would be insulting to you because it is not true. But I do respect your opinions and thoughts. While you may have lost physical abilities, your mind was not injured. I can not speak for anyone other then myself but I do listen to what you say. I have learned from you. I don't know if this will mean anything to you but I do hope things get better for you and your family. I did not mean for this to be insulting or hurtful. Agreed. I know you well enough, I read it as you intended. birdymaker, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: birdymaker on October 08, 2008, 08:01:48 PM things will turn around for me and my family someday. it just ain't gonna be today ;) it truly has been the perfect storm.
in the end hopefully i will prevail through the legal system and get everything that is owed me. they don't make it easy. the good news is there are government programs to help us through times like these and our families and friends have been helping also. the good news is we have been able to keep the house payments up, so things could be worse. it is in times like these that you learn what is really important. i truly have have a new outlook on life and all this has given me a greater understanding of my fellow man. i now look at that homeless guy in a whole new light. you'll have to excuse me, satire flies right over my head at the present time. i do appreciate the kind thoughts and that is all the help i expect or need. when you see that person struggling, just understand there are a lot of ways to end up walking a mile in his shoes. :) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Jules on October 08, 2008, 09:27:54 PM Right on brotha! (said one of the 7 others :D ) We don't have a high cost of living in the U.S., we simply have the cost of living high. I know I'm fortunate and am thankful for it. Even if I'm back down to chasing one skirt Jules :-[ ;) So hobbit, tell us all about her. You know I love these stories. ;D Come on don't be shy. ;D Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 08, 2008, 09:49:21 PM Right on brotha! (said one of the 7 others :D ) We don't have a high cost of living in the U.S., we simply have the cost of living high. I know I'm fortunate and am thankful for it. Even if I'm back down to chasing one skirt Jules :-[ ;) So hobbit, tell us all about her. You know I love these stories. ;D Come on don't be shy. ;D :nono: OK, just a bit though ;). I'm likely to end up with nothing anyway - an ex was reaching out to me after her divorce, but it seems she just wants my friendship. Another one is much younger than I, and much too cute for me (so, so cute she is) - but something tells me I'm not completely out of the question. Then, of course, is the same friend I have an on again off again interest in - you know who I'm talking about. But as Shihan once said to me - if you're chasing two rabbits, you'll never catch one. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Jules on October 08, 2008, 10:01:48 PM Hobbit, which one do you like best.
Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 08, 2008, 10:50:45 PM Hobbit, which one do you like best. Don't go all zen master on me - let me flirt with the young one for a while ;) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Spanky on October 09, 2008, 03:50:29 AM Hobbit, which one do you like best. Don't go all zen master on me - let me flirt with the young one for a while ;) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 09, 2008, 08:27:56 AM Hobbit, which one do you like best. Don't go all zen master on me - let me flirt with the young one for a while ;) LOL! Don't *fudge* with hobbit! :o Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Fuzzy on October 09, 2008, 10:45:34 AM Late to the party but good post Spanky,
Yes, things could be better for all of us. And things could be worse for all of us. I think it's clear there are many points of view. I know, at this point in time, things are good for my family when compared to many others and I'm thankful. I've gone through some bad things this year and I've always tried to stay optimistic. Things do work out. I wish the best for everyone. Even the doom and gloomers. ;) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Jules on October 09, 2008, 02:02:22 PM Hobbit, which one do you like best. Don't go all zen master on me - let me flirt with the young one for a while ;) Hobbit,....."let me flirt with the young one for a while"......Yuck, that just makes you sound like a dirty old man. [sm_disgust]........... ;) ;D ;D ;D Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 09, 2008, 06:53:05 PM Hobbit, which one do you like best. Don't go all zen master on me - let me flirt with the young one for a while ;) Hobbit,....."let me flirt with the young one for a while"......Yuck, that just makes you sound like a dirty old man. [sm_disgust]........... ;) ;D ;D ;D Yuck??? I'm not THAT old! Not likely to turn into much, but here we are...... Her being her normal goofy self: (http://www.golfinguy.com/pics/shan-n-me2.jpg) And a more normal pic with her cuteness better represented: (http://www.golfinguy.com/pics/shan-n-me.jpg) I share way too much! Don't make me regret it! No pics of the other one at the moment. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Spanky on October 09, 2008, 07:03:26 PM You better nail her or I will be sorely disappointed in you.
Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Jules on October 10, 2008, 12:56:23 AM She looks lovely hobbit. ;D
(Is she the young one, or the older one. :o ;) ;D ;D) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 10, 2008, 05:44:45 AM Very hot R.H.!
(the chicky is pretty cute too. :D ;) ) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 10, 2008, 06:49:18 AM Spankers - a gentleman doesn't brag ;)
Jules - of course that's the young one - 25 to my 39 [sm_shock] And stroh - don't tease me, I'm fragile right now (NOT!) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Gamma Pi on October 10, 2008, 07:07:49 AM At least this one shaves her underarms.
Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 10, 2008, 07:20:16 AM At least this one shaves her underarms. Why does everyone hate the french? Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Gamma Pi on October 10, 2008, 07:29:18 AM At least this one shaves her underarms. Why does everyone hate the french? /tj Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: gleek on October 10, 2008, 07:30:02 AM Spankers - a gentleman doesn't brag ;) So when can we expect to hear about it? Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 10, 2008, 07:40:30 AM At least this one shaves her underarms, and her.... ______TBA______ [sm_naughty] Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Seamus on October 10, 2008, 08:19:13 AM What lovely, big, beautiful...eyes...she has.
:snicker: Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Aske on October 10, 2008, 09:08:43 AM .5*n + 7
surrenders Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 10, 2008, 09:13:25 AM .5*n + 7 surrenders Why do you do *feces* like that. You know I'm only up to doing math at a 5th grade level. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Aske on October 10, 2008, 09:18:03 AM .5*n + 7 surrenders Why do you do *feces* like that. You know I'm only up to doing math at a 5th grade level. Take your age. Divide it by 2. Add 7 That's the youngest chick you can go for. (Subject to state laws for ages under 21 or so to begin with LOL ) Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: stroh on October 10, 2008, 09:19:22 AM .5*n + 7 surrenders Why do you do *feces* like that. You know I'm only up to doing math at a 5th grade level. Take your age. Divide it by 2. Add 7 That's the youngest chick you can go for. (Subject to state laws for ages under 21 or so to begin with LOL ) LOL Thanks. I had never heard of that. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Seamus on October 10, 2008, 09:48:01 AM Quote Take your age. Divide it by 2. Add 7 Yeah, if you follow Koranic Law.[sm_devil] Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Spanky on October 10, 2008, 12:15:43 PM Just to get back on track for a second. I thought this thread was about a hottie that shaves?Let me preface this by saying I love and respect you guys, and I don't mean anything negative if it should come across as such ('cuz sometimes I do come across as such), but I kinda have a dog in this hunt. One of the differences between the Spanky/Birdymaker input seems to be choice. And the difference also might be control. BM (remember I love you brother), but I thought the catastrophic events that happened to you this past year are the result of riding a motorcycle and getting hit by some ass munch, the resulting cascade effect (or is it affect) is directly related to that incident. Unfortunately it's one of the possibilities when you make the choice to drive a motorcycle, I have motorcycle friends both real and imagined, one lost his leg below the knee in a similar incident as yours, would he/you be in the same position now if you would have been in a car that day, you know what, probably not, and I'm sure you have "what iff'd" this thing until you're absolutely sick about it. What I have always taken from reading your stuff is, we are all one accident away from being in the same position as you are now, (bent over and getting reamed with no lube), any of you reading this take a step back once in awhile and picture what life would be like if you "couldn't" go back to work, how long could you last? How many of you have six months of mortgage/rent saved up? A 1929 situation is out of my control. *bunghole*s in politics and big bizness and wallstreet and...you name it... have been *goshdarn* with (did you know I coined the term "pardon my french" yeah, yeah that's the ticket) and taking my money for years (bye bye 401K), if this country has an economic collapse what could I have done to avoid it. When I lost my job of 19 years in April '07 again that was out of my control, downsizing/right sizing whatever you want to call it, hit my department hard, 7 people-100 years of company experience out the door, companies are cutting heavily top to bottom (mostly bottom), and/or like Strohski, they're figuring out ways to cut your pay, if that happens what choices do you have? What choice/s did you have Mike?. Fortunately in my scenario I was given a healthy severance, it lasted about 9 months, no one would hire me, under edumacated and over paid I was, when unemployment and severance ran out panic set in . Unlike BM I was able to at least scrap and find something, eventually. This is an absolutely horrid time to find any kind of work when you have my educational profile coupled with the fact that I was stuck in a very narrow job field (radio? dieing!), I finally found work as a tow truck driver for what turned out to be about $3.00 an hour, worked in a *feces*ty warehouse for $11.00 an hour, went on at least 10 interviews, sent out over 100 resumes, kept hope alive. And then the State called with an offer for Correctional Officer training, you think I didn't jump at that. I spent 10 hours yesterday (2 of it in the rain) guarding construction workers, who dug a 10 x 4 foot hole 5 feet deep and then filled it in again, and I loved it, I realize how lucky I am to have come through this *feces*. And the crazy thing is, I have a made a personal goal to make Sergeant within 5 years, and if I do I'm buying a Harley. Life sometimes is about weathering storms my friends. It's a big one Birdy, but I have every confidence that it will pass. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: hobbit on October 10, 2008, 04:48:09 PM .5*n + 7 surrenders Why do you do *feces* like that. You know I'm only up to doing math at a 5th grade level. Take your age. Divide it by 2. Add 7 That's the youngest chick you can go for. (Subject to state laws for ages under 21 or so to begin with LOL ) Never heard of such a thing.... and I'm ignoring it until she tells me to buzz off* :D * I could be told to buzz off any day now (fully aware I could be nothing more than a big brother figure for her), but she still has something of mine she needs to return - so we're on for dinner sometime soon. Sushi. Let the jokes begin. Title: Re: Just a thought Post by: Seamus on October 10, 2008, 05:41:53 PM I thought this thread was about a hottie that shaves? You're right |