The View From Here

I journeyed to The Home Depot today in Rocky River, a CLE suburb that borders Lakewood on the West End.  I was just running in for a minute, but I had to use the little boy’s room first - when ya gotta go, ya gotta go.  What I witnessed was a classic moment in Big Box Store Customer Service.  It kind of helps one to understand why it takes so long to get phone help.

As I wandered back to the restrooms, I heard a guy on his cordless phone tell a customer “It was in this week’s ad ?  I’ll have to go look at it - please hold.”  He then preceeded to the restroom ahead of me (at least he washed his hands after), moseyed through the store with no sense of urgency whatsoever, and located the “ad rack” by the entrance.  He then - with the same lack of enthusiasm - meandering back to the Kitchen Department.  When he went to retrieve his phone from his pocket to address the customer’s question he dropped the phone, with the battery ejecting across the floor - dropped call !

Obviously I was shadowing him (from a distance - he didn’t know) to see how this played out, and it basically went exactly as I thought it would, except for the “dropped call” part.  Now I can better understand why it takes FOREVER to get telephone questions answered at these places - I really don’t think most employees care.  As stated, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go, but maybe they shouldn’t take the customer with them when they do…

OK - not really.  Oh, I’m unemployed right now, I just don’t have the blues about it.  I was actually going to start looking for another position in September, but once again “fate” played it’s hand.  My position was “eliminated by upper management” on Friday, June 6th.

I was employed by this company since April 2005 in Supply Chain Management and did not really enjoy my position, so I quit in July of 2007 - if you look in my archives I posted about it.  To make a long story short, they “hired” me back the next morning for a position in Facilities Management.  I actually gave them 6 weeks notice when I resigned, so I really never left the company.  I thought it was going to be a great situation but as stated earlier - I would be looking in the Fall.

This kind of thing has happened to me twice before, so it was old hat.  I was part of a large down-sizing in 1996 and again in 2004.  Ironically, if I would have still been employed by the company that let me go in 2004, I would have lost my job at the end of May as that company has closed.  Maybe I need to attract stronger companies !

My situation this time is a bit different than the previous ones too.  First off, the weather - then it was Winter, now it is Summer (almost) - YES !  I am also in a much better place financially as I had many more financial obligations and expenses than I do now.  As I have stated before in this forum, Slim and I try to live simple lives.  Society and marketing tries to tell people that they deserve the best, and of COURSE you can afford it.  Not falling “victim” to that logic helps a lot.

I’m not about to say that we’re on Easy Street, but we’re OK.  I will continue to cut coupons, shop for food bargains, hit the ethnic markets, and buy inexpensive cuts of meat that I can prepare using methods that make them fabulous !  We will curtail some spending, but for the most part we will not really have to change our lifestyle since we practiced these habits already.  I also have close to a month of my normal salary & benefits, and there is always unemployment benefits.

As for my job search - I’m not, really.  At this point in my life, I want to do something I will enjoy, not just collect a paycheck.  I am working around the house and yard, completing projects and keeping up The Estate.  I’m riding my bike more, working on my jump-shot & walking about town.  I am not planning to put the financial burden on Slim, just taking some time off to figure this all out.  God knows what He’s doing, and also what I’ll be doing - I just have to find what it is…

As many of you know, I LOVE to be in the kitchen.  And you may also remember my love of gardening - this year is no exception, with almost everything in the ground already.  We even had some plants survive the Winter, which for NE Ohio, was very mild.  Now, on with the show !

Surviving for a first time were two of the three Rosemary plantings.  They normally perish under cover of snow, but these hearty fellows made it through !  So did some Parsley, Oregano, Lemon Thyme and Sage.  I’m not saying they grew back this Spring - I was able to use them all Winter !  Not bad when you can cut fresh herbs in the middle of “The Off Season” as I call it.

Returning for yet another year also are Chives, Leeks, Green Onions, Mint, Strawberries and others.  We were also pleasantly surprised to see that our Mesclun Mix (salad greens) came back - right now we could probably make side salads for ten, and we’re just getting started !  Slim planted a “Butterfly Garden” last year, and the Lavender is doing well, along with Chamomile and other fragrants.

Along with the typical crops : Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash, Zucchini, Peppers, Eggplant & Basil, we have added Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts - yep, Brussels Sprouts.  I put my own twist on Sprouts, so don’t cringe just yet.  I don’t boil them or steam them like our ancestors - mine are excellent !  I cut them in half, saute them in Peanut Oil with Salt & Pepper until the outside begins to carmelize, then finish them with Butter - Yummo !

We are also adding Grapes this year.  Eventually I’d like to make wine, but for now they’re just for eating.  I plan on trying my hand at cheese making, sausage making and Charcuterie (dry curing meats - think Salami and Sopressata) at some point.  It would be amazing to serve our friends & family a complete non-vegetarian meal “made” entirely on site, but currently Lakewood does not allow livestock within the city limits.  Hmmm…maybe I should run for Mayor…

Update :  In a “surprising” turn of events, Vladimir Putin named Prime Minister of Russia

Originally posted in March 2008 : As some of you may know, there is a very important transfer of power about to take place in the former Soviet Union. They are holding “elections” today to elect a new President - how exciting ! When Russia, China and others hold elections for top leadership there are worldwide ramifications. A superpower having a changing of the guard is normally a big deal, but not this time. It seems the resurgent Russian Bear is back to her old ways.

Vladimir Putin, the current President, basically hand-picked his successor - Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev is “running” for President, and has the “support” of Putin. If Medvedev wins, he will appoint Putin as his Prime Minister, thus leaving him in power. Most agree that the President will basically be a “figurehead” - as is the case in this country - and that Putin will continue to wield vast amounts of power in his new role as PM. It’s no secret that Putin is power hungry - this just confirms it beyond the shadow of a doubt.

The Putin administration “allegedly” oppressed (suppressed ?) the competition to the point that labor leaders are making their members phone in after they leave the polling places to confirm that they voted for Medvedev “or else”. Children were sent home with literature to help persuade parents to vote for Medvedev. Opposition party workers were harassed to stop working for their candidate. The government has raided campaign offices, closed newspapers, and frozen bank accounts. Looks like an old dog “has returned to it’s vomit”. Welcome to Cold War v. 2.0…

Update : Article on International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/01/asia/letter.php

Originally posted in March 2008 : I tried to find a Chinese word for censorship, but it doesn’t appear to exist.  Censorship exists - but there just isn’t a word for it other than “government”.  This should surprise no one since the “People’s Republic”, at the end of the day, is a Communist state.  And what do Communists do best ?  Control virtually EVERY aspect of of their citzenry’s life.  What they read, what they listen to, internet access - even the number of children you can have.

I think we all know what goes on in China - it’s only been happening since the “Republic’s” inception in 1949 (and before).  Without going into every  violation of human rights that the government is guilty of, I just want to bring up something I noticed on the internet.  It should surprise, again, no one.

Tibet has been protesting against Chinese control for quite some time.  Recently the Tibetan people, and especially monks in particular, have held large-scale protests  that have often led to violence.  This week is no different - two people were killed, cars overturned, fires set and people arrested.  What was most surprising to me was that ALL the major international news agencies reported on the situation, and it was normally the lead story.  After checking 3 or 4 CHINESE news agencies, I could not find a single story on anything related to the Tibetan conflict.   Watch your back, Taiwan…

Without going into all the details, we recently had a horrible experience with Insignia Products, Best Buy’s “house brand” - which is made by LG I believe - and Best Buy.  The problem was with a DVR recorder that also transfers VHS to DVD as one unit.  We bought the Insignia product because it seemed to have all the features we needed, and was moderately priced.

 We got sucked into the “Best Buy Syndrome” because they always had everything we needed at a decent price, a wide selection, and stuff was usually “in stock”.  We do not purchase a lot of consumer electronics - our main TV was a 15 year old 20-inch tube.  We upgraded to a 27-inch tube a couple years ago.  We’ve also purchased a couple refridgerators, laptops, iPods and other miscellaney, all without problems.

What was different about this experience ?  Well, over the Summer the DVD unit failed.  Best Buy repaired it and it’s been fine since - until a couple weeks ago.  The same problem recurred, and I wanted it fixed for free since it WAS a recurring problem.  After many go arounds with Insignia and “Geek Squad”, all I had to show for it was frustration.  Neither party was willing to accept responsibility, and basically implied I should have bought the Extended Warranty - whatever.

 After explaining our dilemma to the store manager, and chastising her for her inferior house brand and worthless Geek Squad, I advised that we would NEVER buy ANYTHING from Besy Buy again.  I mentioned the thousands of dollars we have spent at their store, and the fact that we would never be back.  I cut up my Best Buy Card (with their scissors), dumped it in her hand, and stated “I won’t be needing this anymore”… 

When I first started blogging I wasn’t sure what I would write about, or if I would even stick with it. I wrote a lot of posts early on because it was someting new and different, and I wanted to get a running start on the whole thing. I didn’t know where it would go from those first posts just over a year ago - but I certainly do now. It was new, and now it isn’t.

Things like this have happened to me my entire life. You know, you start something and are “into it” for awhile and then something else comes along. In my 20’s and early 30’s it was playing sports : football, basketball, racquetball, golf, softball, mountain biking and others. In my mid-30’s life got busy so I dropped everything but an occasional game of hoops and my biking, and I started cooking, staying home and entertaining a lot more. Late 30’s/early 40’s less hoops, a bit less biking, a bit less entertaining (but still more than most). Now, I spend a lot of time on the house & yard, in the kitchen, and gardening.

I have also “dialed it down” - at least compared to how I was - always on the go. I enjoy shopping at ethnic markets and specialty stores instead of always at the “mega-grocery”, and I only go to stores when I absolutely “need” something - not just to shop or look around. I cannot tell you the last time I went to a mall - it has been well over a year. When I bike, it’s normally because I get that “urge” to go, not because I feel I “need” to get some biking in. Often evenings are just spent reading, pondering, and conversing - with a bit of wine and a fire. I do not like to feel rushed or obligated to anything.

So to summarize - I’m just in a “different place” right now. And in a few months I may be in “another place”. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to stop by, to comment, to give their opinion. I’m not saying that this is a final post as I may blog again, even under a different blog name, and maybe not even as JTI. I am constantly evolving, and only God knows what the future holds - for any of us…

And if you’re from NEO you know exactly what I’m talking about - the annual slugfest between the St. Edward Eagles v.  the St. Ignatius Wildcats.  Records don’t matter, because these two teams are playing for honor and bragging rights.  They are the only two major CLE all-boys Catholic High Schools, so a lot is on the line for these kids.

St. Ed’s - my dad’s alma mater - is just a couple blocks from here, and St. Ignatius is a few miles down the road in downtown CLE’s Ohio City neighborhood.  Coincidentally, our house and street (the last street built in this city) was being built in 1955 when my dad was a student at Ed’s.  Neither school has a big enough stadium since both are land-locked, so they alternate the location of their annual gridiron contest based on who’s “home”.  St. Ed’s plays next door to us at Lakewood Stadium, and St. Ignatius plays at Byers Field in Parma - about 10 miles away.

This year’s battle was at Lakewood Stadium, and the main parking lot (as you may have read previously) is right up against our property.  The game is usually played on a Saturday, but this year was on Friday.  The tailgaters usually start early in the afternoon, and the place gets pretty wild.  There were kids and adults filling up the parking lot, people tossing footballs, screaming, blowing impromptu “musical” instruments, street parties, and an endless stream of people.  Both stadiums capacity is well over 10,000 and it’s always a complete sellout - you can’t get tickets even if you wanted to scalp them - this game is that huge (there were some on ebay for $20).

Both teams are usually ranked in or near the top locally, and both teams are no strangers to national ranking.  I think there was a period in the late 90’s that Ignatius was ranked numero uno in the nation for two or three straight years !  This game had playoff implications, and St.Ignatius pulled it out 19-14, probably securing a solid playoff spot and knocking St. Ed’s out.  I love HS football in the Fall - the excited kids, the bands, the screaming fans, the school buses from all over the region, and the pure tradition we all experienced growing up.  Slim and I watched the spectacle from our newly renovated patio, with a fire, some vino, and watched a little more history unfold…

The Chimenea, that constant patio companion to the Morans and their guests for many years, has died in a construction related accident.  During a late night building project to construct a pergola, a workman lost control of a support beam, which in turn directly impacted the fragile, yet still functional Chimenea.  By the time help arrived, there was nothing that could be done; in Lakewood, age 6.

 ”I was first on the scene since I lost control of the support”, stated a worker, who refused to be named.  “It was horrible - quite like nothing I had ever seen.  I’m not sure I’ll ever get the image out of my head.  Everything was going smooth, and then WHAM - it was gone.  I may need counseling.”

The Chimenea was born in a factory in Mexico in 2001 to a family of oppressed, low-skilled laborers.  Purchased in 2002 to usher in the first Father’s Day celebration between two families in Lakewood, Ohio, the Chimenea served as a selfless companion to outdoor activities.  Heavily used for six seasons, the Chimenea began to show it’s age in 2007.  After one near fatal incident during Grammapalooza 2007 - in which an inebriated Pammycakes ordered her husband Snakeye to “KIck it !  Kick it over !  John wants you to destroy it !”, the end was near - but the Chimenea would survive to burn another day.

Services will be private.  The family asks that there be no flowers.  Donations in liquid form can be made the next time friends and family stop by.  A new Chimenea or variant thereof will be purchased soon.  Cheers, old buddy - you will be missed.

OK - so maybe it ain’t Paradise, but it WILL be a Parking Lot.  With Modular Classroom Trailers.  And more Vandalism.  And Traffic.  And an Eyesore.  What am I talking about ?  Lakewood City Schools has decided that the Multi-use Athletic Field that has been our neighbor to the South FOREVER is now better used as a portable “Campus” as they put it.  One day you go to work and see the Sun glistening off the dew, then you come home to 3 or 4 acres of dirt - nice.

 We LOVE relaxing on our back patio.  It is our favorite place to be in the Summer, where we eat most meals, and where we entertain.  This is not just some concrete slab with a couple plastic chairs either - this is a stone patio with moss, Trumpet vines, a fireplace, a swing and nice furniture.  It is also surrounded by tall trees, Tropical plants, a 30ft long herb garden and various landscaped planters.  It is an escape, a refuge, an outdoor living room.  It is where we are immersed in the changing of the Seasons.  The openness of the field - very tough to find in the city - just added a bit more, as it is only about 20ft away from the patio.

So, without warning, the schools decide to bulldoze the whole place.  We get a note on the door the SAME DAY which starts out with “As you may have noticed…”  As I MAY have noticed ?  Where was my opportunity to oppose this ?  Heck, dude behind me had to have a Public Hearing because his garage was going to be taller than most, but the city schools can just do whatever the you-know-what they want and then send a letter AFTER it’s too late to stop them ?  After posing these concerns on the Principal’s voicemail, I have not received a call back yet.

Along with everything I mentioned previously, we could also have an increase in crime, and a decrease in property value.  The field has long been used by the neighborhood, and also had a Baseball Diamond.  There were Track & Field meets, JV Football practices, weekend Softball games - you name it.  Unfortunately, it is also where medivac helicopters landed as it was the only place close to the hospital that they could.  Lakewood has normally done things “above board”, but this time they dropped the ball…

Update : (as advised by the Principal) This phase of the project was unveiled back in 2004 during a series of school disctrict planning meetings which were open to the public - 35 Trailers for 4 years while they renovate the high school, then take it all away and put the field back as it was.  We’ll see…