Day 1038: Super Don’t Worry?

Has anyone heard of the board game “Super Don’t Worry?”… as opposed to normal “Don’t Worry”, which I assume also exists, but have never seen before.

During my R&R, the house we rented in Greece had a ton of board games… and one of the games that drew Grayson’s attention was called “Super Don’t Worry”.  All the pieces were there expect the directions.

So, because of the name, Grayson decided it was the Greek version of “Sorry!”, his favorite American board game… and completely made up similar rules on the fly even though the game board and pieces were nothing like “Sorry!”.

It was pretty darn funny… and out of curiosity, I decided to find the game in hopes of figuring out the real rules… however I can’t find anything about it online.  It’s as if the game doesn’t exist at all.

I have no really hopes of finding it, but I thought I would just throw it out there.

Day 1037: Politics, a Love/Hate Relationship

Although I purposefully avoid the topic of ‘politics’ on this blog, don’t be fooled; I am a very politically minded person and I can’t get enough of the stuff…

In real life (as opposed to blog life) I enjoy discussing politics with people of all backgrounds.  And I REALLY like looking at issues from all perspectives in a very methodical, unemotional, and detached manner.  I personally think it’s easier to understand an issue when you turn off your emotions, turn off the talking points of others, and just research facts.

As a result, I have found that I am less interested in individual issues and more interested in political strategy as a whole.  It’s all a big game and it fascinates me. 

How big of a game do I think it is?

Well, back in 2008, I created a Political Primaries Fantasy League, where every player had to pick a Republican and Democratic candidate for each state… and players earned points equal to the percentage of votes the candidates they picked earned in those states.  (You didn’t have to pick the same candidate for all states; you could pick whoever you wanted for each individual state.) 

Now, some of you are probably drooling with boredom already, but I have to admit.  This fantasy league ended up being a lot of fun and it really forced players to research candidates from both parties AND understand what was important to different states… it forced player to step out of their comfort zone a little bit. 

In addition, the game really got us talking about strategy.  There were a lot of heavy hitters from both parties that lost their footing early in the primary process… which begged the question, “What did they do wrong?”

So, yeah… I have a pretty bizarre love affair with political strategy.  Coupled with my background in Theatre, I sometimes wonder if I would have been better suited as a campaign manager.

Sure, I have some platform issues that I personally find important, but for the most part I am pretty middle of the road, flexible, and I have a very eclectic voting record… but that certainly has its draw backs as well.

When you are sitting in the middle you tend to forget how passionate many people can be about “their” side.  And, even during simple conversations that passion can lead to a lot of very negative unnecessary mudslinging and very derogatory comments about the people they don’t agree with… and most of it has very little to do with fact and everything to do with personal nastiness.  

Sure, I enjoy poking fun at politicians when they say or do something silly… but I just don’t see how being nasty is productive or how it benefits ANY part of our country political dialogue.

Anyway, when a conversation gets to that dark place, folks put their defenses up and it’s pretty much impossible to say anything that isn’t taken personal… and well… the ability to have a logical conversation disappears.  
  
And that’s what I hate about politics.

Day 1036: Oh, that Grayson!

Grayson just cracks me up.  He is always very interested in how my day is and I just love how he asks.

Grayson: “Dad, can I ask you a question?”

Me: “Sure buddy.”

Grayson: “Dad… Dad… I want to ask you… Dad, how was your day at work?”

Me: “It was pretty good.”

Grayson: “That’s good Dad, I’m glad you had a good day in Pakistan.”

Now, sometimes Grayson doesn’t ask me how work was, sometimes he just asks, “Dad, how was your day in Pakistan.”

And my stock answer has become: “HOT!”

Day 1035: Hot Weather Training

So… while I think the only drawback to going to Suriname is the horrible internet speeds… Serena is pretty apprehensive about the heat.  Which I find kind of funny since she lived in Mombasa, on the coast of Kenya, for two and a half year… but I’m pretty sure she’s having horrific frizzy hair flashbacks.

Anyway, it’s pretty much 90 degrees Fahrenheit year around in Surianme… with 100% humidity.  So yeah… it’s going to be hot… and since spring is now coming to a close, the Schutz family has begun the longest summer of our lives… it should last until late 2014.

Honestly, though.  I’m looking forward to cooling off.  It’s only mid-May, but the daily highs in Islamabad are consistently hitting over 105 degrees Fahrenheit, (Tomorrow’s expected high is 108 degrees!)

And when you compare that to Suriname’s current highs, which are dancing around the high 80s to low 90s… Suriname is sounding pretty awesome right about now. 

Now, listen.  When you’re talking about temperate like 90 and 108, it’s pretty easy to dismiss it by saying, “Hot is hot,” but an 18 to 20 degree difference, like in the case of Islamabad and Suriname, is pretty darn significant.  Just imagine we’re talking about 50 vs. 70 degrees and you’ll see what I’m talking about.  That’s the difference between jackets and t-shirts.  And in the case of Islamabad and Suriname, it’s the difference between nudist colony and death by heat stroke. 

It’s HOT!  Dang hot!

Day 1034: Help with Satellite Internet... in Suriname

I am in desperate need of help and guidance.

There is no such thing as a perfect location and I have recently discovered a significant drawback for my next assignment in Paramaribo, Suriname: Internet is slow AND cost prohibitive.

The best (Platinum) DSL internet package in Suriname runs at a speed of .5 Mbsp, which is pretty much dial-up and folks already there say it’s impossible to upload pictures… So, SchutzHappens is pretty much going to be dead in the water at these speeds.

Plus, this extremely slow speed comes at a price: $150 per month!!!!!

Yeah, NO THANK YOU!

So!  I’ve started researching alternatives in the form of Satellite Internet providers (HughsNet, WildBlue, Skyway, and Starband).

Now, the thing to keep in mind is that DishNetwork and DirectTV are both available in Suriname, so, in theory, I should also be able to use one of these Satellite Internet providers, especially Skyway or Starband because they use the EchoStar Satellites (Dish Network) to deliver their service.

Anyway, I would love to speak to someone who has had experience using one of these providers in the Caribbean, Central American, or Northern South America… or any someone who has advice on an alternative I haven’t looked into yet.

Please email me at SchutzHappens@gmail.com

THANKS!

Day 1033: Top 15 Albums of 2003

Blink 182 – Blink 182 (Pop Punk)

**********

Dave Matthews – Some Devil (Rock)

**********

Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism (Indie Rock)

**********

Dido – Life for Rent (Trip Hop)

**********

Evenescence – Fallen (Rock)

**********

Everclear – Slow Motion Daydream (Alternative Rock)

**********

Jem – It All Starts Here (Trip Hop)

**********

Linkin Park – Meteora (Alternative Rock)

**********

Michael Buble – Michael Buble (Big Band)

**********

Muse – Absolution (Alternative Rock)

**********

Sarah McLachlan – Afterglow (Adult Contemporary)

***********

Snow Patrol – Final Straw (Alternative Rock)

***********

The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow (Indie Rock)

**********

The White Stripes – Elephant (Rock)

**********

Train – My Private Nation (Roots Rock)

Day 1032: FTD Flowers is a Scam!

As Mother’s Day approached Serena and I thought it would be nice to send flowers to our moms.  We haven’t been around for Mother’s Day for quite a few years now and wanted to do something a little more special than just a skype call.

So, Serena started looking at FTD Flowers (www.ftd.com)... Which is VERY expensive and their cheapest set was like $25, plus delivery.  And if you’ve ever had flowers delivered you’ll know that delivery fees are not cheap… it was pretty much the same price as the bouquet!

Anyway, Serena remembered something!  “A few months ago I sent flowers to my Grandma for her birthday and as a ‘thank you’ FTD emailed me a coupon for 15% off my next purchase!”

Me:  “Sweet!  Let’s do it!”

Serena pulled up her account, found the email, clicked on the special link provide to claim her deal, and then Serena said, “What the heck?  This can’t be right.”

Me:  (Looking over her shoulder) “What is it?”

Serena: “Look at the prices.”

Serena had pulled up the same $25.00 bouquet of flowers… but now, the base price was $30.00 with a huge red ‘X’ through it and in large red writing it said, “ONLY $25.00!!!”

I couldn’t believe it.  Serena even pulled the two windows up next to each other… I really wish I had screen shots to show you.  But trust me.  FTD’s ‘special’ 15% off was totally a scam.  And I am sure many other companies are doing it too. 

Personally, I think lying to customers in an attempt to secure our loyalties is unconscionable.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that.  SchutzHappens DOES NOT endorse FTD.com.