Surprisingly huge on the inside. Three floors, full basement, 2 1/2 baths, and lots of echos until the furniture arrives. Wow. Plus, the little red Audi that cruises at 160 kph on the autobahn doesn't hurt. 

The new neighborhood. 

Bush Administration Double-Talk

After hearing a story on the radio about how fatherly and human Sadam Hussein is, I heard another story about the known whereabouts of Usama Ben Laden. Of course the Usama story was only half as long as the Sadam story, but I can deal with that without too much complaint. I mean it is hard to talk about a person that is not making headlines right now, right? NO, it isn’t!

Here’s what got my fire stoked. The head of the CIA, the man that works for Bush, said that not only did he have a very good idea where Usama was, but that the United States could not go get him because “we have to respect the national sovereignty of other countries.”

Please find it within you to excuse my language, but what a load of shit! This coming from the same administration that invaded Iraq and directly, and indirectly, caused the death of thousands and thousands of people. This coming from the same administration headed up by George W. Bush who said that, “any country that gives shelter to terrorist is our enemy”? Way back when the “War on Terrorism” started there was going to be nothing that stood in the path of the American juggernaut, the American path of vengeance. Now, Bush’s man (and please do not pretend ignorance in the fact that the head of the CIA, FBI, etc. works directly for and at the pleasure of the President. This could not have been said without 1) approval from the oval office; or 2) a very short career for the agency head.) says that the administration knows where Usama is, but is not able to get him because another country might be upset.

Either we are going to get him, or we are not. Either we are going into other countries or the past three and a half years have been a lie. Is the administration scared because this other nation is too strong and we are too spread out? Or do we not want the price of oil to skyrocket by invading the wrong country. How about some Honesty from the Bush administration? Why aren’t the people upset about the lies and manipulation by the administration? Are the masses truly sheep? Where are the cries of outrage? Where are the news commentators? CNN? Fox? NPR? Somebody? Where is your outrage? Let’s hear it?

Freecell Update

Here are the lastes Freecell stats:

Total: 92%
- Wins: 150
- Losses: 13

Streaks:
- Wins: 22
- Losses: 1
- Current: 14

Moving Day

The sun rose above the horizon, signaling the dawn of a new day, a moving day. We got up, prepared ourselves, and went out to greet our new house. For the next few years this will be our piece of serenity, our home.

When we left Hawaii we had less than two weeks from the time we got our orders to the time we arrived in Germany. In other words, thanks Uncle Sam. The Army is the Army. There is no use complaining, yelling into the wind. But like the butterfly, if you flap your wings just right even the smallest among us can create world change. (Butterfly Effect: Look it up)

Leaving Hawaii with such a short suspense did not allow our household goods to be shipped ahead of time. So, our furniture, kitchen supplies, car, etc. will take over 90 days to get to us. In the mean time we don’t have any cookware in our new home. Therefore, on our first night in our home in Germany we celebrated by going out to dinner at the Chinese restaurant at the end of the block. It is sad that I had to leave Hawaii and go to Germany just to get decent Chinese food. My son’s fortune cookie had two fortunes. The first said that Thursday would be a lucky day for him. How about that today is Thursday and he got a new home, complete with a bigger room. His second fortune said that he would be lucky in love. My wife wondered it that would happen on a Thursday.

My wife’s fortune said that she would receive good advice from a relative. Mine said that I would have good luck in April. Wow, my son gets instant gratification, while I have to wait ten months just to have some good luck. Watch, I will find a penny. Or, maybe I will get two extra fries with my value meal. I could have a day at work where everyone I spoke to was brilliant and without personal or professional problems. Right.

Everyday is a joy, so maybe my luck will be that every day during the month of April will still be a joy, just like last April, and May, and June, and July….

Facing Bad News

Have you ever noticed that there are those that are not willing to face "bad news"? This is news that they do not want to hear. It does not have to be personally directed at them, it just can't be what they want to hear. Life is much more manageable if the question that you ask is not "Why me?", but "What can I do next?" There are very few absolutes in life. Because of this there are usually multiple paths to any destination. Therefore, if you find that your way is blocked: Search and you may find the way. If you can not find it on your own, look for those that can help you. The only true obstacle is usually one's own despair.

Freecell Stats Update

Total: 90%
Won: 95
Lost: 10
Streaks
Wins: 22
Losses: 1
Current: 4 Wins

Is it just me, or does the human nature dislike losing? For some losing can be defined as doing less the one's best. For others losing is anything less than coming in first, than winning. What does your nature demand: Coming in First or Doing your Best?

Freecell Stats Update

Since I started it, I might as well keep you posted on my free cell stats. I know that you are wondering how I did this week. True, the "you" probably could be used in the singular fashion here, instead of plural. But I like it. Ready? Here we go:

This session: 67%
- Won: 2
- Lost: 1

Total: 90%
- Won: 70
- Lost: 8

Streaks:
- Wins: 22
- Losses: 1
- Current: 1 Win

There yo have it folks. Honest to a fault at times, those are true as of this second. (Although I am playing another game even now...)

Sudoku Sucks Eggs

Notice that I didn't say anything about the poor sods that play this game, just about the game itself. Maybe it is just my impression, but come on. The hard setting is not that much more difficult than the easy setting. Once you have filled in a few grids everything flows into place. Yes, my mind sees patterns a bit more clearly than some others that I know. But that does not change the fact that it really isn't that hard. I can see why it is addictive though. Getting the adrenaline rush of solving a mystery will catch most people. But Sudoku isn't enough for me. Try it for yourself at http://www.sudoku.com and see if it is for you. No, that is not an endorsement, just an opportunity.