They break into the cars of hard-working people trying to make it during these tough times. At REI, during the past month, we have had 4 employee cars broken into. Thankfully, nothing was stolen in 3 of the 4 because of complications. For example, last Thursday, my friend had her road bike in the back of her Toyota FJ Crusier. Her passenger side window was smashed in but nothing was stolen, partly because the idiots had no idea how to unlock the rear door. So they left with nothing. But they were back this past Saturday and this time it was my car. Yes, I was stupid and left my purse on the passenger seat where it could be seen. At about noon, my manager was outside behind some pods (storage units) cooking our lunch on the grill when he head a window break. He ran around the pods and saw a guy jump into a truck, back out, and leave. My manager was able to see the car and the plates. He called 911 immediately and the police were on the scene within 5 minutes. Problem is that the plates were stolen in Woodland Park on Friday morning at 230 am so there is no way of identifying who stole my purse. All we know is that it was a silver Ford F-159 FX4 truck. The driver is a white male in his 20's. My purse (which I purchased at Uncle Dan's in Chicago :() is gone along with my wallet, $5, DL, debit car, and REI discount card (they might try to use this). I might have also had a checkbook in there but I am honestly not sure. Thankfully, my credit card was not in there. So all in all, I am not heartbroken, just mad that I was violated. Everything that they stole can be replaced and I know "stuff" happens and it was partly my fault. I was stupid for leaving my purse out in plain sight when I knew about the break-ins of the past month. So, today, I have some work to do. On Saturday, I immediately called the bank and cancelled my debit card and put a hold on my account. I also called the three majors credit bureaus and submitted a fraud alert in case these idiots try to use my DL for anything, like get financing. Today I have to go in and get new bank accounts and cancel the old ones. I also have to go get a new DL. Also, my window to replace was $210 so I have to work 40+ hours this week to make up for it. In the past month I have spent $1000 on my car...new tires, new battery, new brake pads and rotors, and now a new window. Boo! But I will survive and I know it is not the end of the world so I am not by any means acting like it is. Like I said, crap happens, and I am thankful that everything can be replaced. It is just a big hassle and I hope these guys get caught. I have a feeling that they will be back to REI since we have no cameras. We will be waiting though with snipers on the roof...okay just kidding but it was an idea thrown out there by some fellow co-workers!
On another note...after my car was broken into and it got around work one of my fellow co-workers came up to me and said, "I'm a pacifist and all, but if we ever catch these guys, I'm gonna beat the S*&% out of them!" I always wondered how pacifists could live in this world, but I guess they really can't. He was pretty angry and it was only my car and purse, imagine if anyone messed with his wife?
Also, given the recent stuff that has happened to me...people having bad road rage and throwing stuff at my car and my car getting broken into, my dad thinks I need a gun. I would be okay with that. It seems to me that because of the economic hard times, people are getting desperate and just more angry in general. Considering how much I drive and how often I am alone, it probably would not be a bad idea to have a gun. I mean come on everyone is buying one now that Obama is gonna be President!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I laugh at...
people with road rage! It amazes me how many people lose their temper over the most trivial things and I have not seen more angry people than I have when driving! To me it is humorous! I actually get a kick out of watching people get so worked up because someone will not get over or they were accidentally cut off! People no patience and NEVER give people a break when it comes to driving. I can understand if there is a dangerous driver on the road that is endagering people's lives, but there is no need to get worked up because someone accidentally did something that made you mad. Okay, so now here is my story...
I was driving home from school today at about 730 pm approaching Monument Hill, where you have to get some momentum going up to keep your speed. As I was gaining speed, I came up rather quickly on the slow cars in my lane (the right lane), so I looked in my mirror and got over, you know, cause I had plenty of room to get over, or did I? Not according to the guy that sped up behind me...yes as soon as I got in the left lane, the guy behind me sped up to make it seem like I cut him off. He road my tail and would not get off and flashed his brights at me annoyingly. But, I just laughed cause I knew he was getting soooooooo worked up about it! So I just maintained my speed of 75 while I passed the cars in the right lane, but, according to the guy behind me in the minivan, I was not doing it fast enough...my bad! So I finished passing the cars on the right and got over as quickly as possible...no I did not want to play into his game and stay in the left lane blocking him...although that would have been fun! So as I merge over and allow him to pass, I hear a big thump outside my car! Yes, he threw something out of his window at my car! LOL! Who does that? I laughed even more as he sped away. He later got off at the Monument exit as did I. He went straight and I turned left. I was tempted to follow him and get his license plate number (it was a temp plate and in the back window so it was hard to see). But, I chose not to for fear of being shot and I did not want to give into his road rage! And no nothing happened to my car...whatever he threw, it was of no substance and we were driving about 80mph so the wind took most of the force out of it.
I was driving home from school today at about 730 pm approaching Monument Hill, where you have to get some momentum going up to keep your speed. As I was gaining speed, I came up rather quickly on the slow cars in my lane (the right lane), so I looked in my mirror and got over, you know, cause I had plenty of room to get over, or did I? Not according to the guy that sped up behind me...yes as soon as I got in the left lane, the guy behind me sped up to make it seem like I cut him off. He road my tail and would not get off and flashed his brights at me annoyingly. But, I just laughed cause I knew he was getting soooooooo worked up about it! So I just maintained my speed of 75 while I passed the cars in the right lane, but, according to the guy behind me in the minivan, I was not doing it fast enough...my bad! So I finished passing the cars on the right and got over as quickly as possible...no I did not want to play into his game and stay in the left lane blocking him...although that would have been fun! So as I merge over and allow him to pass, I hear a big thump outside my car! Yes, he threw something out of his window at my car! LOL! Who does that? I laughed even more as he sped away. He later got off at the Monument exit as did I. He went straight and I turned left. I was tempted to follow him and get his license plate number (it was a temp plate and in the back window so it was hard to see). But, I chose not to for fear of being shot and I did not want to give into his road rage! And no nothing happened to my car...whatever he threw, it was of no substance and we were driving about 80mph so the wind took most of the force out of it.
I should be writing a paper, but...
this is way more fun!
Let the holiday parties begin! Here are some pics from the annual REI pre-Thanksgiving party...
of course my crazy dog was in attendance cleaning up the crumbs on the floor!
Let the holiday parties begin! Here are some pics from the annual REI pre-Thanksgiving party...
of course my crazy dog was in attendance cleaning up the crumbs on the floor!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Demo day at Loveland!
Look closely...this AMAZING Burton "Feel Good" board that I spent most of the day on has a Bible verse on it...wierd!
Today some of my fellow coworkers and I headed up to Loveland for ski/board demo day! I had a blast riding some of the best boards out there...and drinking free beer! The snow was not great by any means, mainly cause we have not had much snow at all...I don't know what the deal is! But, it was snowing the whole time we were there and the wind was pretty intense at times, which made for a very chilly day! Here are some pics from the fun-filled day...
Shannon Garvin and I!
Looks like I am a rockstar on that board!
Okay, maybe not! lol!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Dear God...
On behalf of the American people I acknowledge that we have made a very, very, VERY big mistake today...so help us God!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Obama and Abortion
Lately I have heard so many bad arguments for why Obama should be supported by Christians despite his pro-abortion stance. Most bring up the fact that even with Bush and Republicans in office Roe vs. Wade has not been overturned. Here is one argument I have heard: I see no reason to believe that McCain will do anything to address abortion. And, truthfully, is our goal to stop abortion or to change lives & hearts. If children are simply being born into death, is that advocating life?
Here is another: Aborted babies go to Heaven but we are bombing Muslims in the Middle East who are going to hell, so abortion should not be the most important issue in this election. Yes, this is a terrible argument and surprisingly it was given by a rather intelligent Bible scholar.
I heard Tony Campolo speak on our campus last week and he brought up how even if McCain were in office, Roe vs. Wade would not be overturned and even if it were, abortions would still occur. He said that we need to focus more on why these people are having abortions, mainly because they are poor and don't have the resources to support a child, in order to lower the abortion rate, rather than make it illegal. I do agree with Campolo that the Church needs to do a better job at reaching out to these woman but I also think the first step is to make it harder to get an abortion in the first place, which means making it illegal.
I also think that these Obama supporting Christians are ignoring the fact that Obama is not just pro-choice, but he is radically pro-choice. Read this...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
EDITORIAL: Obama is a 'liar' on abortion
If you want to know Barack Obama's real views on abortion, you should meet registered nurse Jill Stanek.
Mrs. Stanek worked at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois from 1993 to 2001. When she worked in the hospital's Labor and Delivery Department she saw that babies who survived abortion attempts were left to die alone in supply rooms. They could linger for as long as eight hours, without medical care, without even the dignity of a warm blanket or a soft touch. Their tiny bodies were then dumped in the trash. Mr. Obama's spiritual mentor served on the board of the hospital. Mrs. Stanek went on a public crusade to protect these children.
At a 2001 Illinois legislature hearing, Mr. Obama questioned Mrs. Stanek. She insisted that children needed medical care if they were born alive. Mr. Obama said: "Ms. Stanek, your initial testimony last year showed your dismay at the lack of regard for human life. I agreed with you last year and we suggested that there be a Comfort Room or something of that nature be done. The hospital acknowledged that and changes were made and you are still unimpressed. It sounds to me like you are really not interested in how these fetus [es] are treated, but rather not providing absolutely any medical care or life to them."
Mrs. Stanek replied: "What the hospital did was try to make things look better. What it really is, is that the baby is still dead."
In committee testimony, Mr. Obama said it was sufficient to give "comfort care" to a baby that is born despite all the efforts to kill it. "Comfort care" means giving the infant a warm blanket and permitting the baby to be held by someone as it dies. This is the most Mr. Obama could find in his heart to provide - a warm blanket for a child grasping for life. Mrs. Stanek told The Washington Times that Mr. Obama showed callousness when he questioned her in committee testimony: His inability to grasp that babies born alive need medical care was disturbing.
Despite all the details Mrs. Stanek provided in her testimony, Mr. Obama voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act in the Illinois legislature in 2002 - a bill that would give legal protection and medical assistance to a baby born from a botched abortion. Mr. Obama stated that he feared the bill could undermine Roe v. Wade. When a similar bill was put to Congress, other lawmakers had better sense and bigger hearts: The Born Alive Infants Protection Act passed the Senate with a vote of 98-0. It was signed into law by President Bush on Aug. 5, 2002. Infants born alive are now recognized as legal persons with full rights.
Mr. Obama even voted against banning partial-birth abortion - a radical procedure - in the Senate, in October, 2007. Since 2005, he has a 100 percent rating on pro-choice votes by NARAL, a leading, national pro-choice organization.
There is no doubt that Mr. Obama wants not only to uphold existing abortion laws, but a more radical view. At an address before Planned Parenthood on July 17, 2007, Mr. Obama said: "The first thing I will do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." He received a standing ovation. FOCA was introduced in Congress in November 1989 by Rep. Don Edwards, California Democrat. The legislation has since been a focal point for staunch pro-choicers. The bill would codify the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, into law in all the states. This would overturn state laws that have been passed to limit or delay abortions. Contrary to Mr. Obama's pledges to reduce the number of abortions, he really wants to make them easier to get - while overriding state and federal laws.
Mr. Obama wants to uphold an abortion policy that has a disproportionate impact on blacks. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, finds that 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, but 37 percent of all abortions are performed on black women and teens: Blacks are 4.8 times as likely as whites to have an abortion. A vote for Mr. Obama is, in effect, a vote that permits the disproportionate elimination of blacks in America.
Mr. McCain believes unequivocally that life begins at conception. Mr. McCain even supports requiring parental notification for underage girls who want to abort the fetus. His 0 percent rating by NARAL is perhaps one of his greatest achievements as a senator. On one of the fundamental moral questions of our time, the choice is clear: One man favors life, the other prefers a society that permits the death of the most innocent and vulnerable of us.
Mrs. Stanek told The Times that Mr. Obama's talk of compassion for the weak and underprivileged rings hollow to her: "Frankly, I think he is a liar."
If Obama is elected, one could get an abortion at any age, with no one's permission, for any reason, at any time, and by any method. Moreover, our tax dollars would pay for the abortions. Not looking at any of the other issues that I think Obama is wrong on (like economics and foreign policy), I think he is sooooooooooooo wrong on this one that I cannot see how any Christians could support him!
And there you have it...my rant for the day!
Here is another: Aborted babies go to Heaven but we are bombing Muslims in the Middle East who are going to hell, so abortion should not be the most important issue in this election. Yes, this is a terrible argument and surprisingly it was given by a rather intelligent Bible scholar.
I heard Tony Campolo speak on our campus last week and he brought up how even if McCain were in office, Roe vs. Wade would not be overturned and even if it were, abortions would still occur. He said that we need to focus more on why these people are having abortions, mainly because they are poor and don't have the resources to support a child, in order to lower the abortion rate, rather than make it illegal. I do agree with Campolo that the Church needs to do a better job at reaching out to these woman but I also think the first step is to make it harder to get an abortion in the first place, which means making it illegal.
I also think that these Obama supporting Christians are ignoring the fact that Obama is not just pro-choice, but he is radically pro-choice. Read this...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
EDITORIAL: Obama is a 'liar' on abortion
If you want to know Barack Obama's real views on abortion, you should meet registered nurse Jill Stanek.
Mrs. Stanek worked at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois from 1993 to 2001. When she worked in the hospital's Labor and Delivery Department she saw that babies who survived abortion attempts were left to die alone in supply rooms. They could linger for as long as eight hours, without medical care, without even the dignity of a warm blanket or a soft touch. Their tiny bodies were then dumped in the trash. Mr. Obama's spiritual mentor served on the board of the hospital. Mrs. Stanek went on a public crusade to protect these children.
At a 2001 Illinois legislature hearing, Mr. Obama questioned Mrs. Stanek. She insisted that children needed medical care if they were born alive. Mr. Obama said: "Ms. Stanek, your initial testimony last year showed your dismay at the lack of regard for human life. I agreed with you last year and we suggested that there be a Comfort Room or something of that nature be done. The hospital acknowledged that and changes were made and you are still unimpressed. It sounds to me like you are really not interested in how these fetus [es] are treated, but rather not providing absolutely any medical care or life to them."
Mrs. Stanek replied: "What the hospital did was try to make things look better. What it really is, is that the baby is still dead."
In committee testimony, Mr. Obama said it was sufficient to give "comfort care" to a baby that is born despite all the efforts to kill it. "Comfort care" means giving the infant a warm blanket and permitting the baby to be held by someone as it dies. This is the most Mr. Obama could find in his heart to provide - a warm blanket for a child grasping for life. Mrs. Stanek told The Washington Times that Mr. Obama showed callousness when he questioned her in committee testimony: His inability to grasp that babies born alive need medical care was disturbing.
Despite all the details Mrs. Stanek provided in her testimony, Mr. Obama voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act in the Illinois legislature in 2002 - a bill that would give legal protection and medical assistance to a baby born from a botched abortion. Mr. Obama stated that he feared the bill could undermine Roe v. Wade. When a similar bill was put to Congress, other lawmakers had better sense and bigger hearts: The Born Alive Infants Protection Act passed the Senate with a vote of 98-0. It was signed into law by President Bush on Aug. 5, 2002. Infants born alive are now recognized as legal persons with full rights.
Mr. Obama even voted against banning partial-birth abortion - a radical procedure - in the Senate, in October, 2007. Since 2005, he has a 100 percent rating on pro-choice votes by NARAL, a leading, national pro-choice organization.
There is no doubt that Mr. Obama wants not only to uphold existing abortion laws, but a more radical view. At an address before Planned Parenthood on July 17, 2007, Mr. Obama said: "The first thing I will do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." He received a standing ovation. FOCA was introduced in Congress in November 1989 by Rep. Don Edwards, California Democrat. The legislation has since been a focal point for staunch pro-choicers. The bill would codify the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, into law in all the states. This would overturn state laws that have been passed to limit or delay abortions. Contrary to Mr. Obama's pledges to reduce the number of abortions, he really wants to make them easier to get - while overriding state and federal laws.
Mr. Obama wants to uphold an abortion policy that has a disproportionate impact on blacks. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, finds that 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, but 37 percent of all abortions are performed on black women and teens: Blacks are 4.8 times as likely as whites to have an abortion. A vote for Mr. Obama is, in effect, a vote that permits the disproportionate elimination of blacks in America.
Mr. McCain believes unequivocally that life begins at conception. Mr. McCain even supports requiring parental notification for underage girls who want to abort the fetus. His 0 percent rating by NARAL is perhaps one of his greatest achievements as a senator. On one of the fundamental moral questions of our time, the choice is clear: One man favors life, the other prefers a society that permits the death of the most innocent and vulnerable of us.
Mrs. Stanek told The Times that Mr. Obama's talk of compassion for the weak and underprivileged rings hollow to her: "Frankly, I think he is a liar."
If Obama is elected, one could get an abortion at any age, with no one's permission, for any reason, at any time, and by any method. Moreover, our tax dollars would pay for the abortions. Not looking at any of the other issues that I think Obama is wrong on (like economics and foreign policy), I think he is sooooooooooooo wrong on this one that I cannot see how any Christians could support him!
And there you have it...my rant for the day!
A Partay to remember...Happy Halloween!
I spent Halloween night at a party in Denver with some fellow DenSem students. The house was PACKED and I hardly knew anybody, or even if I knew of them I did not recognize them cause everyone was costumed. But, it was a very fun LATE night!
Kenneth=mashed potatoes
Kristen, Shanna, and I...okay so crazy story...both of these girls are from my past and we have all reconnected at DenSem. They are both in the counseling program. Shanna went to Air Academy and we grew up playing soccer and bball against each other. I don't think we liked each other considering our schools were big rivals. We reunited at DenSem in one of those "you look really familiar" moments. Kristen (on the left) and I went on the AIA missions trip to Asia together. She was the only other person on the team that summer from CO and now look...we are still friends because we were reunited at DenSem and it is awesome cause she is the only person whom I still talk to who knows how much that trip meant to me. Okay and wierder...Kristen and Shanna live together!
Allison is She-Ra and I am hippie (in case you couldn't tell)
Time home Friday night/Saturday morning: 1 am
Time to bed: 1:30 am
Time up Saturday morning: 7:30 am
Time worked Saturday: 8:45 am till 11:00 pm
Time going to bed Saturday night: well it's 12:22 am and I am still typing, which means thank God for falling back in daylight savings time cause I'm spent!
Kenneth=mashed potatoes
Kristen, Shanna, and I...okay so crazy story...both of these girls are from my past and we have all reconnected at DenSem. They are both in the counseling program. Shanna went to Air Academy and we grew up playing soccer and bball against each other. I don't think we liked each other considering our schools were big rivals. We reunited at DenSem in one of those "you look really familiar" moments. Kristen (on the left) and I went on the AIA missions trip to Asia together. She was the only other person on the team that summer from CO and now look...we are still friends because we were reunited at DenSem and it is awesome cause she is the only person whom I still talk to who knows how much that trip meant to me. Okay and wierder...Kristen and Shanna live together!
Allison is She-Ra and I am hippie (in case you couldn't tell)
Time home Friday night/Saturday morning: 1 am
Time to bed: 1:30 am
Time up Saturday morning: 7:30 am
Time worked Saturday: 8:45 am till 11:00 pm
Time going to bed Saturday night: well it's 12:22 am and I am still typing, which means thank God for falling back in daylight savings time cause I'm spent!
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