Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Entropy & Order
We have had a definite summer mix of entropy and order in our household.
Entropy:
My work watch battery died. My casual watch band broke. The stores are always packed when I go to get them fixed, so I keep waiting for another time.
The Tivo that I got Celeste for Christmas didn't work as billed. It was not recording programs and was randomly resetting. We have gotten 3 replacement units to test (the latest seems to be working finally).
My cable modem stopped working together with cable TV. I could only get one or the other - in the middle of trying to test one of the replacement Tivo units!
The suburban needed new tires after we got a flat on a family outing.
The refrigerator was slowly dying, but gave us enough warning to go find a replacement.
The first replacement refrigerator had a leak in the freezer. It made beautiful ice sculptures, but that was not enough to offset our real need for a freezer.
The day that the first replacement refrigerator was delivered, our clothes washer decided that holding water was optional and dumped it all out on the floor. It gave us no warning, so we went appliance shopping again.
The second replacement refrigerator was obviously damaged, yet the retailer sent it to us anyway. The delivery guys were smart enough to show us the damage before unloading it.
The third replacement refrigerator and the new washer both arrived today. Both seem to work, but the delivery guys did some carving in the wood door jam to the kitchen as they moved the unit in.
I've missed some details, but that gives the general direction.
This is not a rant, but rather an observation that sometimes the bad luck cycles like to coincide. However, it's easy to forget the good things (i.e., the order) if you don't stop and think about it.
Order:
Bethany made it to Norway to visit Ina and family, stayed for more than 3 weeks, and returned as planned. Our webcam and cell phone communications allowed for daily contact as planned.
Bethany finished her Girl Scout Gold Award and we got to hold a nice party for her and her friend (they had "twin" projects at the same location) at the park where they did their project.
Celeste and I made it to our first no-kids getaway in almost 20 years last month. Hayley had a great time with Flying Van and family, Bethany was in Norway, and Andrew is still lives with Gramma in Costa Mesa.
Hayley has started summer Volleyball in preparation for trying out for the high school team. She is also moving into high school as a freshman and will join her sister at the same school for the first time in 5 years.
Hayley got a preview of being an only child while Bethany was away. It was good practice for when Bethany heads to college in a little over a year. She seemed to like it, although she did miss her sister.
Celeste and I had our first chance to see Andrew and his band perform recently here in Lake Forest. He has been working with them for a while, but it was the first venue that was close enough when the kids were busy for us to check it out together.
Entropy:
My work watch battery died. My casual watch band broke. The stores are always packed when I go to get them fixed, so I keep waiting for another time.
The Tivo that I got Celeste for Christmas didn't work as billed. It was not recording programs and was randomly resetting. We have gotten 3 replacement units to test (the latest seems to be working finally).
My cable modem stopped working together with cable TV. I could only get one or the other - in the middle of trying to test one of the replacement Tivo units!
The suburban needed new tires after we got a flat on a family outing.
The refrigerator was slowly dying, but gave us enough warning to go find a replacement.
The first replacement refrigerator had a leak in the freezer. It made beautiful ice sculptures, but that was not enough to offset our real need for a freezer.
The day that the first replacement refrigerator was delivered, our clothes washer decided that holding water was optional and dumped it all out on the floor. It gave us no warning, so we went appliance shopping again.
The second replacement refrigerator was obviously damaged, yet the retailer sent it to us anyway. The delivery guys were smart enough to show us the damage before unloading it.
The third replacement refrigerator and the new washer both arrived today. Both seem to work, but the delivery guys did some carving in the wood door jam to the kitchen as they moved the unit in.
I've missed some details, but that gives the general direction.
This is not a rant, but rather an observation that sometimes the bad luck cycles like to coincide. However, it's easy to forget the good things (i.e., the order) if you don't stop and think about it.
Order:
Bethany made it to Norway to visit Ina and family, stayed for more than 3 weeks, and returned as planned. Our webcam and cell phone communications allowed for daily contact as planned.
Bethany finished her Girl Scout Gold Award and we got to hold a nice party for her and her friend (they had "twin" projects at the same location) at the park where they did their project.
Celeste and I made it to our first no-kids getaway in almost 20 years last month. Hayley had a great time with Flying Van and family, Bethany was in Norway, and Andrew is still lives with Gramma in Costa Mesa.
Hayley has started summer Volleyball in preparation for trying out for the high school team. She is also moving into high school as a freshman and will join her sister at the same school for the first time in 5 years.
Hayley got a preview of being an only child while Bethany was away. It was good practice for when Bethany heads to college in a little over a year. She seemed to like it, although she did miss her sister.
Celeste and I had our first chance to see Andrew and his band perform recently here in Lake Forest. He has been working with them for a while, but it was the first venue that was close enough when the kids were busy for us to check it out together.
Labels: Andrew, Bethany, Family, Hayley, Ina, Scouts, Vacation, Volleyball
Sunday, July 18, 2010
An Open Letter to my Governmental Representatives
I rarely do this. I like posting about my family, my travels, and generally non-confrontational topics. However, I am strongly moved by this and have decided to use my voice in one of my rare protests. I truly believe that my family is now in increased danger that is not being effectively addressed.
With that introduction, here is a letter that I am forwarding to as many of my governmental representatives as possible.
Dear (Honorable Elected Representative):
I am rarely moved to action by events of the world, but I find myself so moved now. My life primarily remains focused on caring for my family and loved ones, working for my local community, and maintaining my career. I do take notice of larger events of the country and the world, but it’s rare that I take action on those events. I elect governmental representatives to handle the larger matters for me. However, the need to care for my family and community has led to this letter based on recent international actions. We are at an increased level of danger that is not being effectively addressed by our representatives.
You are one of my elected government representatives. With this letter, I am formally requesting you to represent my disgust and fear with the handling of the criminal pursuit of the US fugitive Roman Polanski.
Mr. Polanski is a self-admitted child rapist. However, it appears that his “talent” for making movies has exempted him from properly atoning for his crime. For a common person (such as myself), there would be sexual predator lists and prison terms to pay for the exact actions admitted by Mr. Polanski. However, for Mr. Polanski there is a free life outside of the United States and the extremely vocal support from much of the entertainment and media industries.
I am a father of two teenage daughters. I am appalled at the actions that Mr. Polanski took with a thirteen year old girl in 1977. I admit that I don't know all of the facts of the case, but I understand enough to know that Mr. Polanski should face a criminal trial for his actions related to events that he has admitted in a court of law.
My sense of justice in the world leaped on 26 September 2009 (coincidentally my birthday) when the Swiss government placed Mr. Polanski under arrest per a US-originated international arrest warrant. My faith in the US government (especially the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office) was heightened and the spirit of international cooperation was apparent with the decisive action of the government of Switzerland. Mr. Polanski finally tasted a small measure of justice.
The world felt safer for my daughters on 26 September 2009. A clear, strong message was sent to those who would prey on my teenage daughters. Your actions will not be tolerated. You will not be forgotten. You will have no special status based on who you know or what you do. You will be pursued, you will be captured, and you will face justice. You will be punished for your criminal actions. This was especially true in my home state of California where the crime occurred and the arms of justice were reaching out.
My sense of justice and safety was shattered on 12 July 2010. The world is a more dangerous place for teenage girls - especially in California. Predators similar to Mr. Polanski have received a strong message. Your actions can be excused. You will be forgiven. You have special status based on who you know or what you do. If you are captured, you will receive strong support, those seeking justice against you will be persecuted, and you will be released. Your actions are not your fault, so you will not be punished. This is especially true in my home state of California where many of the protests of Mr. Polanski's arrest originated and the arms of justice were slapped back.
I have been betrayed by the liberal "elite" of Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general, the French government that harbors Mr. Polanski, and the Swiss government that released him to prey on the world again. I feel equally betrayed by the now-adult victim of this crime who now mysteriously supports her attacker despite never rescinding her accusations. I have not been supported as strongly as possible by the US government. Where are the howls of protest from my governmental representatives and the US media over this travesty of justice?
I realize that matters of law and international relations are complicated. That is one of the reasons that governmental representatives are needed. However, those complications do not trump the real danger resulting from the actions around this particular legal and international matter.
Your help in this matter will not appear to be popular. Those with the loudest voices will cry foul. However, the quieter majority, who can be slow to protest but will be decisive at the voting booth, demands justice. You have a chance to do the right thing and let the unjust protests fall on deaf ears.
As my elected representative, I implore you to help make the world safe again for my daughters and my community. Please send a LOUD AND FIRM message to the newly emboldened sexual predators of my teenage daughters in California that their actions are not welcome nor are they safe if they pursue their criminal urges. You represent us based on the people’s faith in your knowledge and ability to effectively guide governmental mandates that include legal justice and interactions with other governments. Please do all in your power to encourage the pursuit of Mr. Polanski, and all like him, to make the world safer for the innocent victims of these deviant predators. Please help restore our faith in justice and the institution of government as an enforcer of what is right and wrong. Please decrease our level of danger.
If I can assist you in any way in this endeavor, I am at your disposal. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Robert George
With that introduction, here is a letter that I am forwarding to as many of my governmental representatives as possible.
Dear (Honorable Elected Representative):
I am rarely moved to action by events of the world, but I find myself so moved now. My life primarily remains focused on caring for my family and loved ones, working for my local community, and maintaining my career. I do take notice of larger events of the country and the world, but it’s rare that I take action on those events. I elect governmental representatives to handle the larger matters for me. However, the need to care for my family and community has led to this letter based on recent international actions. We are at an increased level of danger that is not being effectively addressed by our representatives.
You are one of my elected government representatives. With this letter, I am formally requesting you to represent my disgust and fear with the handling of the criminal pursuit of the US fugitive Roman Polanski.
Mr. Polanski is a self-admitted child rapist. However, it appears that his “talent” for making movies has exempted him from properly atoning for his crime. For a common person (such as myself), there would be sexual predator lists and prison terms to pay for the exact actions admitted by Mr. Polanski. However, for Mr. Polanski there is a free life outside of the United States and the extremely vocal support from much of the entertainment and media industries.
I am a father of two teenage daughters. I am appalled at the actions that Mr. Polanski took with a thirteen year old girl in 1977. I admit that I don't know all of the facts of the case, but I understand enough to know that Mr. Polanski should face a criminal trial for his actions related to events that he has admitted in a court of law.
My sense of justice in the world leaped on 26 September 2009 (coincidentally my birthday) when the Swiss government placed Mr. Polanski under arrest per a US-originated international arrest warrant. My faith in the US government (especially the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office) was heightened and the spirit of international cooperation was apparent with the decisive action of the government of Switzerland. Mr. Polanski finally tasted a small measure of justice.
The world felt safer for my daughters on 26 September 2009. A clear, strong message was sent to those who would prey on my teenage daughters. Your actions will not be tolerated. You will not be forgotten. You will have no special status based on who you know or what you do. You will be pursued, you will be captured, and you will face justice. You will be punished for your criminal actions. This was especially true in my home state of California where the crime occurred and the arms of justice were reaching out.
My sense of justice and safety was shattered on 12 July 2010. The world is a more dangerous place for teenage girls - especially in California. Predators similar to Mr. Polanski have received a strong message. Your actions can be excused. You will be forgiven. You have special status based on who you know or what you do. If you are captured, you will receive strong support, those seeking justice against you will be persecuted, and you will be released. Your actions are not your fault, so you will not be punished. This is especially true in my home state of California where many of the protests of Mr. Polanski's arrest originated and the arms of justice were slapped back.
I have been betrayed by the liberal "elite" of Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general, the French government that harbors Mr. Polanski, and the Swiss government that released him to prey on the world again. I feel equally betrayed by the now-adult victim of this crime who now mysteriously supports her attacker despite never rescinding her accusations. I have not been supported as strongly as possible by the US government. Where are the howls of protest from my governmental representatives and the US media over this travesty of justice?
I realize that matters of law and international relations are complicated. That is one of the reasons that governmental representatives are needed. However, those complications do not trump the real danger resulting from the actions around this particular legal and international matter.
Your help in this matter will not appear to be popular. Those with the loudest voices will cry foul. However, the quieter majority, who can be slow to protest but will be decisive at the voting booth, demands justice. You have a chance to do the right thing and let the unjust protests fall on deaf ears.
As my elected representative, I implore you to help make the world safe again for my daughters and my community. Please send a LOUD AND FIRM message to the newly emboldened sexual predators of my teenage daughters in California that their actions are not welcome nor are they safe if they pursue their criminal urges. You represent us based on the people’s faith in your knowledge and ability to effectively guide governmental mandates that include legal justice and interactions with other governments. Please do all in your power to encourage the pursuit of Mr. Polanski, and all like him, to make the world safer for the innocent victims of these deviant predators. Please help restore our faith in justice and the institution of government as an enforcer of what is right and wrong. Please decrease our level of danger.
If I can assist you in any way in this endeavor, I am at your disposal. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Robert George
Labels: Rant
