The Life and Times of Jim
Hi, there. I'm Jim. Welcome to my phlog!
This site was written for Las Vegas, then LouisVille. Now, it seems to be about anywhere. In these phlogs, you'll see a lot of my personal notes and pictures. I like to post my observations here to remember life and celebrate it. I'm not religious. I don't pray for good fortune. I'm ecstatically grateful for the gift of life and I think our time should be remembered and not taken for granted. I'm not a writer. I think pictures tell stories so much better than words. I love just about everything in this life, and, I guess that would have to include you. So, if you've seen me, don't be surprised if your picture is in here somewhere. Of all the critters, people are absolutely the most interesting. 
<< 11/2007 < 10/2008 Calendar 12/2008 > 11/2009 >>Sign InView Other Logs
Wed 
11/05/2008 07:28:29
 jim  Some days are just Foggy
Driving to work early can be a challenge during a Pittsburgh morning. If I'm not scraping ice off of my windshield, I'm struggling to see the road 100 feet in front of me. In contrast, it beats washing the dust off my ride in Las Vegas.
Wed 
11/05/2008 06:53:31
 jim  Obama Wins!!!
I liked both Obama and McCain, but I REALLY liked what Obama said.
And I like his speeches because he's not reading them, and they just sound right.
It'll be interesting watching what he does about the mess this country is in.
By that, I mean, education, health care, economic growth, the credit crisis, human rights, ecology, the energy crunch,
and finally, terrorism.
Tue 
11/04/2008 16:52:22
 jim  If I could live to be 300 years old
If I could live to be 300 years old,
I would start tommorrow, trying to find ways to live 1,000 years.
If I could live to be 1,000, I'd spend my life trying to find ways to live 1,000,000.
But instead, I've spent all of my life, just trying figure out how to survive to 50.
I doubt I'll live to be 60.
Its a crazy world.
Money is the motivator and longevity is not.
We sing praise to people that live past 100 years old.
They can barely see, hear, and walk.
And we spend billions on medical care systems that don't even try to preserve youth.
They mask aging, but don't seem to have a clue on how to really extend a persons life.
Certainly, they haven't found ways to live 1,000 years old.
When they do, I'll sing praise to the medical profession.
Then their motivation won't be money. It will be survival of the human species.
Which I believe, will ultimately lead to the preservation of all life on this planet and possibly the Universe.
Sun 
11/02/2008 08:44:12
 jim  My Songbird
For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
Its alright, I know its right

To you, I'll give the world
To you, I'll never be cold
Cause I feel that when I'm with you,
Its alright, I know its right.

And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before.
Sat 
11/01/2008 11:03:01
 jim  Upside Down Vegas Mortgages
Eyewitness News has learned Nevada now tops the list of states with the highest number of homeowners who
Owe more than their house is actually worth.
So many Americans now owe more than their homes are worth that there's even a new term for it.
It's called underwater borrowers. "That means they owe more than their house would sell for on the open market," said Jack Woodcock with Prudential Americana Group. And it comes as no surprise to local real estate experts that Nevada once again leads the nation in the number of underwater borrowers at a full 48-percent.
That means nearly one out of every two Nevada homeowners is now in this negative equity category.
But local experts who know the market say just because a lot of residents are underwater right now, that doesn't mean they're all going to drown.
"You don't have to drown. Time is on your side," said Woodcock. "It's just a matter of holding out for a while."
Woodcock says those with stable mortgage rates will be better able to stay afloat, but those with adjustable rate mortgages that are due to reset in the coming months are the most vulnerable to foreclosure.
"They need to look at the benefits being provided by the bailout plan right now," he said. And while experts may differ in the length of time they predict it will take for the economy to see any meaningful recovery -- six months to two years -- those who know the southern Nevada market best are confident about one thing,
"I'm absolutely confident that if we're not at the bottom we're very close to it now."
Underwater homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages can contact any real estate or mortgage professional for more information about your refinancing options.
Contact the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors
Sat 
11/01/2008 00:00:01
 jim  Set your Clocks Back Tonight
You don't really want to be early to work on Monday, do you ?!
Fri 
10/31/2008 18:13:13
 jim  Its a Pumpkin Affair
See, Pumpkins ARE good for something!
Thu 
10/30/2008 06:30:45
 jim  Snow, turkeys, and Beaver Pennsylvania
Tue 
10/28/2008 22:10:43
 jim  As I lay me down to sleep

As I Lay Me Down to Sleep


It felt like spring time
on this February morning.
In a courtyard birds
were singing your praise

I'm still recalling things you said
to make me feel alright.
I carried them with me today

As I lay me down to sleep,
this I pray,
that you will hold me dear

Though I'm far away,
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy

-- Sophie Hawkins 



Tue 
10/28/2008 21:31:31
 jim  Mars, Pennsylvania
Only in Pennsylvania do you see outlandish, zany things like this.
Welcome to Mars.
We've driven down beautiful two-laned highways, where pockets of civilization are strewn about the mountainous terrain, in towns with names like Mars, Moon, California, Washington and Beaver. Some towns adhere to the theme.
And we come home, to spaceship Earth
Tue 
10/28/2008 06:19:00
 jim  Will it snow today?
Its 37 degrees outside and it's supposed to snow today and tommorrow.
I am hoping we get some nice flurries.
I'm half alive, running at 60%.
Been sneezing and wheezing, but I'm plowing through this cold with a smile on my face. It's still beautiful here.
Becky's knee got better.
But we're both a mess.

But I love you all *sniff* *sniff* !!!
This Halloween is going to special.
Sun 
10/26/2008 14:40:56
 jim  Whats cool and whats not...
We went back up to the trash compactor today. What a beautiful day !!!
While we were up there, I decided to put some windshield washer fluid (with deicer) into the truck. A girl pulled up behind us, and I asked her if she'd like some...she said YEA!!! Then she asked me if I'd like some Rainex...I said YEA!!!
That was cool.
We needed some quarters for the washing machine, so we went to Big Eagle.
Becky hopped out of the truck, and couldn't walk. She's got tendonitis in her right knee.
That was not cool.
I got her to drive one of those motorized carts. She did. It was fun watching her navigate the cart.
That was cool.
We're getting old. We're starting to give back all of the gifts we recieved from our youth.
And that's not cool.
But on second thought, I'm with a beautiful woman. We're going to age well together.
And that....is very cool!!! 
Sun 
10/26/2008 14:19:54
 jim  Meet Scats
Sat 
10/25/2008 15:33:08
 jim  Apartment Complex

Believe it or not...this is where we take our trash. We talked to several people at the compactor. I think it is amazing how several people can live in the same area, see the same things, and have totally different opinions. For instance, we love it here, we like the manager, the grounds, our neighbors...everything. Another guy at the compactor agreed with us 100%. He took our picture. Then a lady came up, and complained about EVERYTHING we said we liked. I took a look at her trash bag, it was small. Then I looked at her car, it was full of trash. I thought her life might improve a lot if she just bought larger trash bags.
Fri 
10/24/2008 07:11:22
 jim  Views from my work site
It is still dark when I come into work at 7am. I think its beautiful, but then again, I think everything is beautiful. 

These vibrantly red bushes are everywhere. What are they?

Famous Daves is close to work. They closed to remodel. We are wondering if they will ever open their doors again.
These geese look like hay bails from a distance. They like this field for some reason. They call other geese when flying to this field, and they are rarely fly alone.
Wed 
10/22/2008 18:42:40
 jim  Atrias Restaurant

Normally I don't say much about the restaurants I eat at, but Atrius has class, an excellent menu, and very good prices.
Wed 
10/22/2008 06:09:42
 jim  Its cold in Pittsburgh
The leaves are falling, and the temperature has already hit 29 degrees.
I'm thinking this is going to be a very cold winter with lots of slushy snow.
Words of Wisdom from the Locals
- Get windshield washer fluid with an antifreeze ingredient in it. It makes the snow turn yellow...lol
- Keep a heavy jacket in your vehicle

I still can't believe how friendly Pittsburgh people are.
They offer kind words, good advice, pure honesty, and have a positive outlook on life.
They're family values are the highest I've ever seen, and their love for sports in undying.
Through my travels, I've noticed unfriendly pockets of places in friendly towns.
I haven't found any pockets like that in Pittsburgh, and we've been all over.
Even the bums (which they're aren't many of) tell you their story.
I think I'd hate being alone here, but Becky and I meld in whereever we go.
This is an incredible place.
Tue 
10/21/2008 13:44:26
 jim  Rainy Skys
Thu 
10/16/2008 20:16:39
 jim  Atoms are shaped like kidney beans
I just gotta say this. I've seen pictures of atoms...and they're funny.
If gravity affects them at all, they're shaped like kidney beans...lol
Theory is great, but it may lack important items like GRAVITY.
Don't trust every thing you read. Don't trust pictures.
Everything you need to know is in your mind.
Wed 
10/15/2008 18:34:38
 jim  Shadyside
Sun 
10/12/2008 20:11:08
 jim  Wexford Fireworks
Sun 
10/12/2008 16:53:30
 jim  Fun with Pix
Sun 
10/12/2008 16:04:10
 jim  McCandless Day
Sun 
10/12/2008 15:37:15
 jim  McCandless Carshow
Sun 
10/12/2008 12:47:50
 jim  Afternoon Delights
Sun 
10/12/2008 11:56:13
 jim  I am not an economist BUT
Two things have happened in this century which are phenominal:
- The cost of houses have doubled or tripled.
- The cost of transportation / fuel has doubled.
The powers that be, could try to bring home prices down to what people can afford...
- yea, that might work..
Relief loans could be provided for loans in trouble...
- yea, that might work..
But it seems to me that what really needs to happen in this country is
Incomes must rise, to meet the rise in cost of  everything else.
It's been a long time since my salary doubled. I'm making less than I was in 1996. How about you ?
I think inflation must occur for all areas that haven't caught up to the housing and transportation inflations.
I think we need to grow our own food and produce our own products.
We need to produce own our oil...don't you think ?
We need to produce SOMETHING besides slavery for the other impoverished countries of the world.
I also want to add this,
How could buying oil from Iran and Iraq ever have helped the free world?
We built the monster.
Sat 
10/11/2008 17:34:46
 jim  Wexford - Church Road Cemetary
Sat 
10/11/2008 09:04:35
 jim  Wild Turkeys - Outside our door
Sat 
10/11/2008 08:45:06
 jim  Everybody must get stoned
22 July 2008 , By MICHAEL THEODOULOU IN CYPRUS
An Iranian mother of four faces death by stoning "at any moment", human rights campaigners have warned. Kobra Najar has spent more than ten years behind bars after being convicted of adultery and encouraging another man to murder her violent and heroin-addicted husband, who forced her into prostitution. If her sentence is carried out, Najar will be ritually washed, wrapped in a white shroud and carried on a stretcher with her hands tied behind her back to an open space in the prison at dawn. There she will be buried up to the armpits and stoned to death in the presence of prison officials.
Sat 
10/11/2008 08:01:23
 jim  Who is the real ass?
Numbers 22:21-29 (New King James Version)
Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his ass and went with the princes of Moab.
But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him.
Balaam was riding on his ass, and his two servants were with him.
When his ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand,
his ass turned off the road into a field.
Balaam beat his ass to get his ass back on the road.
Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides.
When his ass saw the angel of the LORD, his ass pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it.
So he beat his ass again.
Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.
When his ass saw the angel of the LORD, his ass lay down under Balaam, and he was angry
and beat his ass with his staff.
Then the LORD opened his ass's mouth,
and his ass said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"
Balaam answered his ass, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."
Fri 
10/10/2008 22:19:24
 jim  Kinneywood Park - Scream Night
Fri 
10/10/2008 04:14:37
 jim  My favorite sayings
When the US sneezes, the whole world catches colds.
Live today as if its your last. Plan tommorrow as if  you're going to live forever.
No matter how much reason you offer a person with faith, they don't get it.
Make the most amount of money in the least amount of time.
When your occupation, vocation, and vacation are the same, you're set for life
I take that back. If your happy in your head, you're set for life.
The eleventh commandment 'Thou Shall Not Get Caught'
Do unto others (before they do unto you).
Eat, Drink and be Merry (for tommorrow everything might suck).
The best formula for wealth is to be born wealthy, which wasn't my option.
Success is dictated by being born wealthy, being attractive, having a good voice or being just plain lucky. Intelligence doesn't seem to have much to do with it.
Being a doctor or lawyer is a great idea, if you can afford working 8 years through college.
I'd sue everyone who has ripped me off, if lawyer's didn't rip me off.
I wonder what the chairman of Lehman Brothers did to make a half a billion dollars a year. The company went under.
Path of least resistance is the reason for how the rock rolled down the hill into the road. The dent in my truck was its purpose.
Wed 
10/08/2008 16:10:48
 jim  Rainy Days in Pittsburgh
Tue 
10/07/2008 07:34:36
 jim  Fields of Wexford and Ross

I still can't believe any apartment could have such a beautiful view of a forest.
Mon 
10/06/2008 18:31:10
 jim  Vestal Park
Sun 
10/05/2008 20:56:44
 jim  Pittsburgh People
Sun 
10/05/2008 18:18:16
 jim  North Hills Park

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