Ice

They said it was 1/4-1/2 inch of ice. It loaded up the trees and the trees came down. Power outages all around. Fortunately, our power came back late yesterday afternoon. So, we only lost it for about 8 hours. Cable was out a while longer, but it's back too. Internet now works, everything.

We're hosting a few people who weren't so lucky. Not a great place to stay, but it's cheap. Mi casa, es su casa and all that. We even had a potential for 7 more guests (family of 5 plus two people who whould have had to sleep in separate rooms). They would have been welcome too.

I am forever greatful to God from whom all blessings flow. He has given me much in my lifetime. If I can give some of it back to some of His people, well, I'll never get back even with what He's done for me.

Hats off to Burger King

I went by Burger King this morning to get my weekly serving of cholesterol. Sausage, egg and cheese on a croissant. If there was a legal limit on cholesterol, this would exceed that limit.

When I got to the driveup, the man gave me the bag, the coffee, cream and sugar. As I left, he said "Merry Christmas!"

I was shocked, but not too shocked to wish him a Merry Christmas as well.

Hats off to Burger King for being brave enough to risk offending people!

I may have a double helping of cholesterol this week....

Providence

If you google "define: providence" you get (among others) these definitions: "the guardianship and control exercised by a deity", and "a manifestation of God's foresightful care for his creatures ".

It seems ostentations (showy) to say "God planned this" or "God planned that" when something good happens. But it seems just the opposite to call it a coincidence. And while I like the idea of karma, Providence seems to fit better in this case.

Flashback, 1993, Carolina's Medical Center wants to be a "regional" hospital. They scour the country for talent and find Dr. Michael Bosse, trauma and orthopaedic surgeon and hire him from Johns Hopkins Hospitals. October 2, 1993, I am involved in a traffic accident and break my femur, my elbow and my ulna (forearm). Dr. Bosse does his stuff and puts humpty-dumpty back together again. I always thought it was Providential that he moved just before my accident.

Now, flash to present day. My back started bothering me pretty bad on Thanksgiving weekend. I hate doctors, but I went to see one on Tuesday. He gave me pills. The following weekend, I nearly went to the ER. But I waited until Monday. On Monday, I pushed HARD to see an Orthopaedic specialist. I called this one place (I had to do some detective work to even get the number) and they said that it would be a couple weeks. I puhsed harder and they said it would be Thursday. I accepted that, then they called me back and said they could see me that day.

The doctor came in and I explained about the stuff I had done in 1993. He said he trained under Bosse. He knew the guy well and write me a note with a lady in Bosse's office who could help me get the records from Charlotte. He knew the name and phone number without looking it up.

I truly believe it was the Hand of Providence working again. I was very nervous about this and He made sure there was a connection to the man I admired in the past. He made sure the right doctor was there, now twice.

Providence. I like the sound of that...

Accounting for Economics

I'm finishing up my Management Accounting and Management Economics courses. I'll probably get a B in the first and an A in the second. I'm disappointed at the B, but I have some really good sounding excuses. It will be my second B in the program (first was statistics). Overall, not too bad. I've heard rumors that you're allowed to make two C's, my employer only looks for an overall GPA of 3.0, which should create no problem.

The accounting class is NOT a bunch of forms and stuff. Very little on the debits/credits. It's more decision oriented. For example, if you make widgets and get a special order for 1000 widgets at a discount price, should you accept the order? It all depends and that's what we study.

The economics class is sorta the opposite. Assuming you make widgets, how much should you charge for them? What will give you the most profit? Will accounting profit be more or less than economic profit?

There are lots of issues between accountants and economists. It's fun to take both courses at once and see how the professors deride the other profession. And to know, they could change hats tomorrow and never miss a beat. Reminds me of a football rivalry....

Happy Holidays

A lot of people are getting upset over this "Happy Holidays". Stores, in the interest of diversity, say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". This way they don't offend Muslims, Jews, aetheists, agnostics, Hindu, Kwanza-nites or dogs. Christians are upset, because it means taking Christ out of Christ-mas.

First I believe stores should be willing to step out and take a risk. If you're buying things that are obviously Christmas-oriented (Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas lights, Christmas cards, etc), they could guess. If you're buying stuff that says Hannukah, they should wish you Happy Hannukah (I've said that to friends who were Jewish). If you're buying something that says Happy Birthday, they should mention that too.

But I have an answer to the indecisive who say "Happy Holidays!". Simply turn and ask them "What holiday?" or "Which holiday?" If they truly want the holiday to be happy, they should tell you which one, or what day it is. I'm not sure when Hannukah is, but I want to have a happy one. And Kwanza doesn't hold special meaning for me (I probably misspelled it), but I'm cherish the day (as I do other days). Besides, I could take the day off and relax with family and friends. I just need to know which holiday is supposed to be happy.

So next time the Wal-Mart greeter tells you "Happy Holidays", ask them "which Holiday?"