Janitorial Musings

Name:
Location: United States

Hah! As if! Not saying a gol-darned thing. Use your imagination!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Political Thoughts from a decidedly non-intellectual

I'm writing this as I attempt to stay clear of the media today. I wonder how many people will not go out and vote because the media has already declared a winner?

I am truly thankful that no one was at my polling place with a machine gun telling me how to cast my vote. Similarly, I did not have to have a sex-change operation, or lighten my skin, or pass a test in order to fill in my dots. No one offered me money to vote a certain way. No one threatened to kill my children if I didn't toe the line. For that, we should all be grateful.

I voted, but it was more an anti-vote than a gung-ho, that's my candidate vote. I truly wish there were someone who represented my views. (Alan Keyes where are you?)

Our Constitution sets up this system, but we, the people, are the system. Just as we are free to change for the better, we are also free to change for the worse.

It seems to me, that we as a country have become exactly what we thought we were reacting against: a country run by entrenched political lifers, elected nobility as it were. When there are candidates appearing on the ballot today, that were there 46 years ago, I think that's a problem. Where are the citizen politicians? I would love to have a part-time legislature, for both State and US representatives.

How can I make an educated vote when I don't know who these people running for President are going to appoint as cabinet members? That's the nitty-gritty.

The Presidential job seems to me less important than the House/Senate. I suppose a president who can/will stand up to the sometimes nonsensical bills that spew out of Congress has more importance/weight than not. Where is that person? If I were running, I would carry with me a giant ball-point, fire-engine red, VETO pen. Maybe I'd be elected.

Why should we vote for someone purely to right past wrongs? Whether it's a woman or a person of color, doesn't it matter what they stand for? If someone stands FOR everything, isn't that equivalent to standing for nothing? If I wanted a rock star - I'd vote for Bono, or maybe Eric Clapton, or heck - even Bob Dylan. A media darling doesn't necessarily make a good President. On the flip side, why should I vote for someone who is an entrenched pol? Even if they promise change, how much can they truly deliver? Not much, I'm thinking. A "maverick" doesn't necessarily make a good President either.

History will have to be the judge.

So, yes, I voted. Yes, I am once again grateful to live in America where we have this opportunity. Yes, we can still be civilized as evidenced by the lack of animosity/intimidation at the polling site. Hopefully, we will survive as a country until the next Presidential election.

Maybe what we need is a Janitor to go to Washington and really "clean things up". Joe the Plumber, meet Jean the Janitor! :)

Now, to the laundry and maybe to some violin playing!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Christmas Carol Sing


The second hymn sing will be on Sunday, December 23 beginning at 2 PM. Bring your voice! You can invite a friend - especially basses. You can even come if you intend to just listen. It should be a fun time with Advent songs and Christmas Carols. Unfortunately, my tech support person is not home at this time and I have no earthly idea how to attach the pdf files for your perusal ahead of time. But, fear not! We'll work on it tonight! Check back soon...

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Birthday

Wow! I can't believe it's been this long since a post! I even forgot how to sign in...

Not much to say in this post except that Michael turns 7 on October 3! Amazing...
Whose idea was it to start sending in birthday treats for the entire class on the kids birthday? They even let you bring in treats on the 1/2 birthday in case your special day occurs in the summer. If it's on a weekend, no worries! You can send in a treat on the Friday before or the Monday after.

From a janitorial perspective - what a nightmare! Chocolate frosting in carpeting, chocolate crumbs on the floor...

It's probably not such a great idea from the nutrition standpoint, or the dental, or the hyper children on chocolate, and especially the crash at about 1 1/2 hours after the treat.

Despite the above rant, the brownies spiked with M&Ms are just out of the oven and ready for the big day! I draw the line at frosting. Not happening!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Ahhh....cable TV

I admit it. Yesterday I channel-surfed. Shocker! And I found something so awesomely amazing that I had to post about it!

I found the America's Cup Live Pre-Qualifying Trials on TV. Wahoo. Vicarious sailing!

The American Boat is the BMW Oracle boat. You should google it and check out the pics. All I can say is "Wow".

Seriously, we were all into it. Even Donal. The sails were HUGE. The boats are sleek. The crew is all male, all buff. All silent. Precision. Timing. Skill. Cooperation. Wow.

Bet you wish you were there!

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Mawwige


More softball games last night. Two more defeats. Sadness. The opposing team was pretty good-natured about it though. The ump was sympathetic. However, this post has little to do with softball...

An entertaining interlude occurred in the second game. Our ump warned us ahead of time of what would soon be transpiring. See the photo.

One nameless softball dude proposing on the pitcher's mound to a nameless softball chick. Apparently she said yes. But that's the thing...what if you really want to say no?! You're there in front of mobs of people. Are you really going to decline this guy in front of such a crowd? Can you really do that to him?

So, guys - if you're not SURE about the female's response - propose in front of a crowd. She can't possibly say no. She'll say yes, take the ring, give you a hug and smooch, and if she really wanted to tell you you're off your rocker, she'll send the ring back by certified mail with a lovely note of explanation.

Sure broke up the monotony of losing....

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Things you don't want to see


Recently our dishwasher sprang a leak. No problem, right? The mechanical genius (me) is on the case! I took it apart and found the most likely sources of the problem - a stretched seal, a loose screw, and a worn out gasket. Unfortunately, I took off the toe kick panel and found many other little problems...mice calling cards. Here's a view. Not a pretty sight. So, I vacuumed up all of the peanut shells and the mouse turds and various other unrecognizable disgusting vomitrocious thingies . In the process, I managed to break part of the vacuum cleaner. Sigh. No worries there though because it's under a ten year warranty. At least, I hope that part is covered. So much for mechanical genius, right? Double sigh. On the bright side, the area under the dishwasher is now clean! It doesn't smell like old mouse pee anymore either! Sears carries all the parts I need and they are on the way. The previous owner had a peanut-in-the-shell fetish. Seriously. He had bowls of them everywhere. No wonder there was a teensy weensy rodent problem! I spent a lot of time vacuuming mouse turds and wiping down every surface when we moved in. Silly me, I didn't even think to take apart the dishwasher!

Now I just have to get rid of the meal moths! The sprinkling rite did NOT work! Trouble is, I can't find their food source. Everything has been cleaned/vacuumed/bagged/sealed. Working on the sex pheromone angle. Trouble with those things is that they only last about a week. Any ideas? Reminds one of the D.Cous Japanese Beetle escapades...more fun this year I wonder??

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Softball Fun





Summer is here! OK - maybe just Spring, but since softball has started up, summer is coming...
Maryn and Lauren got roped in to playing on the ETC team this year. A new experience for both...Here are some pictures. If I join for the summer session, should I ask for "Janitor Jean" or M.O.M. on the back of my shirt???? More importantly, could I even hit the dang ball? Doubtful, based on our backyard batting practice! Nicole looks pretty spiffy with her "real" softball mitt, cleats, socks, and shinguards :) I think Reenie is scowling cuz ETC kinda got stomped. Better luck this week!