Switzerland Shows US How to Handle CEOs. Here in the United States, had the minimum wage kept pace with productivity since the 1960s it would now be ... read more
That's a nice headline, and it felt good doing it today. Granted, the bulk of the balance was simply transferred to another credit card. But still ... :) I also closed out the checking account associated with the card, making sure to clo ... read more
Good news: SunLife Financial sent me a refund check! Bad news: It was because they denied my policy for, according to them, failing to send all of my paperwork in on time. Um, I think faxing it in at least a couple days prior to the dead ... read more
HARD COPY Vol. 2, No. 1 Hard-Hitting JournalismJanuary 3, 1990 formerly known as The Holmes Family Newsletter Predictions for 1990 Elvis Presley will still be dead. Vice-President Quayle will be kicked out of offi ... read more
The Lazy Pug Café was a dilapidated old farmhouse abandoned years ago. A massive, ancient oak tree, Ol' Lightnin', lurked out back while the house itself served as a sad but charming reminder of days gone by. Locals were grateful someone was finally bringing the old girl back to life. Come meet pugs Daisy, Chandler and Joey! There are cats and humans, too, but it's all about the pugs! Pugs rule!
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As recently as a few months ago, the Lazy Pug Café was nothing but a dilapidated old two-story farmhouse. Set back forty yards from the road, there was a beautiful old weeping willow in front and massive ancient oak tree out back. Abandoned years ago, the estate's only purpose lately was to serve as a sad but charming reminder of days gone by. Locals witnessing its resurrection were grateful someone was finally bringing the old girl back to life.
They say... What are the main ELEMENTS OF A STORY? Setting Character Plot Conflict Theme Point-of-view Tone Style... but I would put them in order of importance: Character, Conflict, Plot, Point-of-view, Theme, Style, Tone, ... read more
These guys played in my neighborhood today (still playing, actually) for the neighborhood pool party. They're pretty good, so I thought I'd mention them here. And, apparently, one of my neighbors (or at least someone local) had to step up ... read more
I've been following and listening to Jeff Goins's TribeWriters program, and he says an important aspect to successful blogging (at least as far as getting noticed) is to guest post on other people's blogs. Jef ... read more
Forcing individuals to have an experimental, toxic drug which has now almost certainly caused more deaths and injuries than any other prescription drug in history surely breaks laws in all civilized nations. The PCR test is the most dang ... read more
I like a headline that demands attention!It's official, I'm a parent. Elizabeth had her first bowel movement since we've had her, and it was on my watch! Tara was unable to put Elizabeth down for a nap while I was out walking around town l ... read more
After a nerve-wracking trip to the airport and getting through the airport security we finally made it to our plane. We were told that our Rep, Galina, would be flying with us. We never saw her until we were already on the plane. She was ... read more
Where to begin... The original plan was for us to go to the Minister of Education and submit our dossier and then formally receive our referral. What really happened:Galina called the ministry this morning only to find out that they were ... read more
Well, I had an exciting morning. Who needs coffee to wake up? It was around 5:30 when I let our pug Joey out in the backyard. I'm standing there keeping an eye out for critters (there is no fence) when, sure enough, a couple of coyote ... read more
OK, now we're home! I'll try and do a trip summary tomorrow after a good night's sleep ... in my own bed. Tara says she feels like Dorothy, There's no place like home! ... read more
I forgot to mention I built a fence last weekend. It only spans about 12 feet from the side of the house to the retaining wall dividing us from our slightly-uphill neighbor. I've still got to cut a gate into it. Hopefully, I can pull tha ... read more
It was actually cold all day today, but that didn't stop me and Elizabeth, then the pugs, from spending half of our day outside! First, we went exploring the new neighborhood being built nearby. I don't know why they're building. There's ... read more
Another reason for short-sighted land developers to leave as many trees as possible when destroying/preparing the site for the next new neighborhood. People living in neighborhoods with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffe ... read more
A Face in the CrowdVol. 5, No. 3, May 25, 1993Eleanor Gets LicenseAfter taking the DMV driving test every year since the age of 16, Eleanor has finally passed and been given her drivers license!It just goes to show that perseverance pays ... read more
The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 8 Anniversary IssueMay 25, 1990Editor's Note: This is the big one! The big enchilada. The killer tomato. It's the anniversary issue! (Aren't you excited?) It was one year ago today that a yo ... read more
Not Just Another NewsletterMONDAY, JULY 19, 1993CIRCULATION: From 8 to 15 (depending on our mood and how many stamps we have)Copyright 1993 / Enterprises / 2 pages BILL ARRESTEDThat's right. Bill, this newsletter's edito ... read more
The Barking Dog Vol. 4 No. 6, July 22, 1992 Who names these newsletters, anyway? earthquakes, earthquakes! We're sick of earthquakes! Why doesn't the government do something!? On June 2 ... read more
the NEWS Vol. 2, No. 6, April 16, 1990Back in spite of popular demand. WORLD NEWS Mike is back from Germany and looking very European. (Fancy haircut, pale complexion, but otherwise healthy. ) He's having trouble getting used to speakin ... read more
news from La-La Land HAPPY NEW YEAR!!Vol. 3, No. 1, January 4, 1991 Newsletter editor murdered!The editor of this newsletter was apparently murdered some time over the weekend according to police. We think it was our editor, anyway. N ... read more