Thursday, April 2, 2009

None Of My Business

The phones at worked kind of picked up some this morning. It actually started ringing right after 8:00 am! One call from a developer sounds especially promising.

It has been a little slow. I have to remind myself that it's always slow for us between the "heating" and "cooling" season. If folks aren't running their furnaces or A/C units all the time they don't break down as often. I've been listening to the talking heads on the nightly news too much. If you just went by them you'd think the sky was falling. I know the "economic crisis" is real, but I think it's way overblown by the media. Sure I know a couple of folks who have been laid off but in reality (at least my day to day reality) things haven't changed that much.

The effects of the talking heads however are hard to avoid. I know it's keeping me from spending money I normally would. New furniture for example. I've been looking for months, have seen a few things I like that would work just fine but when it comes to giving up that money I just can't do it. The talking heads got into my brain and it keeps me thinking, what if? Multiple that by a few million Americans and we really do have trouble. Not that I have any answers here, just me spouting off. Lately I've been changing the channel to The Simpson's or The Family Guy at 6:00 o'clock. I think I'll just keep doing that.

I had lunch at our house with a friend from my old Evil Coffee Empire days. She left about the same time I did. She's a full time Mommy now, living over on the peninsula. She brought her boys over for an overnight stay in town. I'd met her oldest when he was a baby and hadn't met the youngest. I wasn't surprised when they both turned out to be very articulate (for their age) young men. It really blew me away how the 7 year old would look me directly in the eyes and talk with such passion about comic books. Not surprising given how smart and wonderful his parents are. What did surprise me was that about 2 minutes after that he and his brother turned into whirling dervishes and careened all over the house, knocking over furniture and scaring the hell out of the dog and cat. I think Miss Lilly spent the night in the goat barn. I sure didn't see her. Don't get me wrong, they're great kids but...I'm sorry NONE of my niece's or nephew's would ever act that way in some one's home. Mom didn't seem to notice anything so I turned the TV on which had the expected result of instant child zombifcation.

My own sister has un-friended me on Facebook.

Sheesh, it's not like I was following her around asking "Can I play too" like the old days. Get over yourself Sis! - Not Really, I know she's only on there to keep tabs on my neice who's there as well. But it will make for great fun at the Christmas dinner table this year, if I can keep my mouth shut until then. "Mom!...."

I ploted out the raised beds on our CAD program at work. Then had major sticker shock at the price of materials. I may still do it, but..well, see above...I've thought about scaling it back but if I have Mr. Jay locked and loaded to perform, er..build it I should probally get it all done at once, we'll see.

As I'm told each Thursday morning:

"We can see the light of Friday, make hay in the sunshine!"

14 comments:

Jenny said...

We're typically slow in Jan/Feb/March, but this year it's clearly different and I think you described why very well... we're all scared to spend anything. My business is heavily tied to retail, so we've seen many of our customers stop ordering product. A far cry from just a year ago.

Sooo... I've done the same thing; stopped watching the news and instead I'm working on projects and praying for some SUNSHINE. Soon.

FYI - my nephews are articulate and well behaved. Especially when visiting people. Just sayin'.

Cheryl said...

I've been blocked by my daughter and my neighbor on FB. I can understand my daughter, the other is a F-U as far as I'm concerned. And I can't bring it up with her and won't. I'll just keep on acting like it doesn't bother me.

I say go for the garden. You'll get so much pleasure out of it, and you'll have it in place to use year after year. My sister had a square garden when she lived in WA. Google it. Worked great for her.

Praying for sunshine. We're not due for a while.

meno said...

I find myself, for the first time in my life, just turning off the news.

It's better to read a book.

happyone said...

I'm sure glad that some people are out there buying - it was great to sell our land in PA!!

I've seen more and more kids like the ones who were at your house. There is no excuse to behave that way. I just can't understand the parents that don't seem to care when their kids act like that.

I've yet to get into the Facebook thing. I know now it's just a matter of time before I go and check it out.

KathyA said...

Great post! I know what you mean about not wanting to spend. I continually ask myself if we really need something. I'm much more comfortable with saving the money in a safe place (mattress? -- or at least NOT with Bernie Madoff!).

It peeved me greatly when people would bring their kids over to my house and then let them run wild. One person was even critical of me for having my kids in a playpen (okay, they were 7 & 8 and the playpen was upside down -- kidding). This while her 4-year old jumped from my cherry wood butler's tray to the couch to the floor! She said, "I NEVER put my children in a play pen!" I said, "I can tell."

Scarlet said...

I didn't realize you can un-friend someone on FB. I'll be your friend, Brad, if you want a replacement for your sister. ;)

No, seriously.

The story about the bright kids had an unexpected twist. Thank God for TV!

Hope you're having a great Friday! :)

Jamie said...

Brad - this was truly a great post. SO many things covered...

I know what you mean about the talking heads, but I am a news junkie...and the sky really may fall one day. LOL. You know though, we are in a recession -- and you proved it by saying that you just cannot give up the money to buy new furniture. THAT is the problem, and it's certianly understandable. We all listen to the news and think we'd better hold off on buying that new whatever. Perhaps if all of us turned off the talking boxes, or switched to the family guy like you, then we wouldn't be in the mess we are in. One thing I really don't understand...at my new place of employment, there is no recession. They are still making a ton of money, although I am told it's nothing like before. Well seriously, how much money does one need to make?

Hang in, it will get better. And I'm right there with you, kids that don't know how to behave should stay home, and their parents should be stood in the corner. Just sayin'.

Hugs friend. Happy weekend. :)

zirelda said...

Oh I like the Friday quote. I always do the Friday countdown. 8hours and 3 minutes till Friday night.

The economic crises has hit me some. I can't refi my house because the value has fallen and I have an ARM taking effect. That is causing some stress for me.

Not to mention I don't have the money to bring the value up. So whatever.... I guess. I'll just hold on to the seat of my pants and slowly lose my mind. :)

Happy Saturday Brad.

Summer said...

I emailed you today and it was returned by that Mail Damien guy. Ha.

Uhoh. Did you BLOCK ME?????????

Love you.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I think the media coverage is making the perception of the recession much, much worse. Really, when I listen to news coverage of the economy, my anxiety just mushrooms.

fiwa said...

I'm still boycotting the news and so far the sky hasn't fallen in on me. I'm sure it has helped my anxiety.

You could grow some veggies if you went ahead with the bed - think of the money that would save you! ;)

My niece blocked me on myspace a few years back. I found her on facebook but I don't know if she can handle having an adult "friend" yet, so I just left it alone.

Love you - hope you're enjoying these last couple of days of sun.

fiwa

Leann said...

I believe the talking heads are probably blowing it out of proportion but I also know it probalby depends on where you are geographically.

Hope4Grace said...

Honey I so am a bad blog friend, forgive my lazy self for not visiting more. But I do read every word you utter (read: write) on my google reader...

And I'd always keep you on my facebook. IM tomorrow and we'll be face friends.

Leann said...

Hellooooooo, is anyone there???? *tap* *tap*