Buyer Beware

Hind-sight is better than Fore-sight!

How many times have you heard that in your life time? It was generally a well heard term in our home growing up. Well here is a hard lesson in life to learn and realize that you have learned it.

In this economy, never ever use a bank card that you have for a reservation.

I was in the process of moving while filing for my taxes at the same time. I felt it would be easier for me to get my tax return on one of those Intuit-TurboTax Cards. I read all the disclaimers, disclosures, and “dark gray” areas to make sure it was on the up and up. My relationship with Intuit-TurboTax is fairly new, about three years old. This is the first year they have offered this debit card – to my knowledge. I chose it. BIG MISTAKE!

On March 1st, I reserved over the internet an Uhaul truck. $1.20 was run to make sure the card was good (which has happened to me before). On March 2nd, I picked up the truck on March 2nd and my card was run again for the cost plus 20-30% (which also has happened before). This hold came to about $91.00 and some change. General rule of thumb, ladies and gentleman this is a common practice with credit card companies – it is called “CHARGES PENDING.” It is an authorized hold that generally drops off after 5 – 10 working days. I have never seen one held after 5 working days.

When I turned the truck in on March 3rd, I paid cash for the entire bill. It came to about $77.00 and some change.

On the 5th working day, I called Uhaul customer service to discuss this matter with them. That was March 9th. A gentleman that answered the phone with their customer service department was most helpful. He was sending an e-mail to the “charge department” in the corporate offices to have this matter taken care of. It would be resolved as earlier by drop off by Monday.
On March 12th, I checked the bank account. It hasn’t been removed. I started calling and found out that from Bancorp Bank, Inc. most of all holds are held up to 60 days and they reserve the right to do so because Uhaul Corp., okays it. I got Uhaul Corp on the phone via a three way call with Bancorp Bank. Bancorp gives us a list of requirements to have the hold drop as well go into their spill with Uhaul Corporate Offices. The Uhaul representative tried to correct the Bancorp representative on the different types of authorized holds and what they were looking at was not that type of hold. A (2nd) email/fax was sent and Bancorp verified that the hold was no longer valid. But it wasn’t corrected according to the bank when I checked.

I asked to speak to the person with the bank that said it was incorrect. I was denied that the hold was dropped because “They (the holds) are authorized by the security department and the information cannot be release to me or to them because of security purposes but it is incorrect. We need to resend the information all over again.”

A 3rd e-mail/fax was sent. It was verified as being received. But I was told “security is not going to release the funds for an undisclosed matter.”

I asked, “OH? What is the reason? I want to speak with the people or department who made the decision.”

I was told, (this is really good),

“Ms. Burns, you cannot talk to that department. It is security. They do not talk to the general public. They will not tell me why it was denied, because of security reasons. I do not have access to that information. No one does, not even you Ms. Burns because of security purposes. Your money will be getting released in 60 days. “ (Is Bancorp Bank part of Homeland Security?)

I spoke with more than 7 customer service agents with the bank, not one looked at my account before they started quoting policy to me. I finally got hold of someone who was with customer service who advised me that, fraud division generally handle pre-paid services, and she transferred me over to them. While I held for 45 minutes as called number 13, a recording came on the phone that they had closed for the day. Their normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time.

I filed a complaint with the Federal Reserve that will take 60 days to investigate. I wrote Uhaul Customer Service an e-mail. I called the president of Intuit and e-mailed Intuit. I have sent a total of 6 or 7 e-mails to Bancorp Bank. I even sent an e-mail to VISA International to see if they can define and teach “PENDING” to Bancorp. I have spent a total of 8 - 12 man hours on this project. I have held on the phone 4 of those 8 hours. I have been hung up on three times. This has made be physically ill.

Today marks the 10th business day. No money has been released and no phone call has been made to me. No one has apologized for this practice. I will not be able to get my small $91.00 (and change) nor my $1.20. I wonder how much interest Bancorp Bank is receiving on similar issues?

Most people live pay check to pay check and need their money. I do. I am one of those people!

“DO NOT SECURE ANY RESERVATIONS ON THE INTERNET OR BUSINESS USING YOUR PERSONAL CREDIT OR BANK CARD EVER AGAIN IN YOUR LIFE!”

I am not sure I will be using Intuit-TurboTax next year for myself and the other people I do taxes for. I have done upgrades on my desk top and purchased the last Intuit program through Office Depot. I was also thinking about buying Quick Books (Intuit). No I don’t think so.

I am not credit savvy, or very bright in many things dealing with society and personal finances. I try and it doesn't work for me. I am not full of wealth. My aspiration in life is that of humanitarian. That I understand 1000% --that is my training in life. I loathe people with money who say that their money came via God. It didn’t!

Honestly people who have money have obtained it by (a) inheritance, (b) working very hard and being financially smart, (c) off the backs of laborers, or (d) dishonestly. I like the “b” group. I work hard and am financially dumb(the "b-1a group"). The last time I checked God had nothing to do with US cash flow. God only deals with the morality of our souls. God could care less how much cash or assets you or I have. He does cares if our needs are met. Cash can purchase needs by the individual or someone can give us our needs. It matters not. Some may argue that he watches over. Yes he does. He watches over to see man SCREW UP!

When doing business to hold a reservation, do it with a prepaid credit card that you don’t mind having money held on. It is a common business practice to hold the amount of purchase + 20-30% of the bank authorizing the rest of the money. But make sure there isn’t more money held than that. Sometimes banks make mistakes and hold twice that of the purchase.

One should never do business with Bancorp Bank Pre-paid debit cards. They issue information on your account without looking at your account. It seems they have a different telephone number and different customer services for different corporate sponsored cards and that none of them have anything to do with the other. The regular customer service has access to your card. They also can tell you like they told me,

“It seems that after looking at these charges, they have gotten confused on the terminology and that is why your money has been held.”

REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION, I WANT MY MONEY. I CAN’T GET IT BECAUSE NO ONE LISTENS AND OR WILL GIVE ME AN HONEST ANSWER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR ANY BANKING INSTITUTION TO HOLD YOU MONEY PAST 72 HOURS ONCE IT HAS BEEN CLEARED. WELL IT TAKES 60 DAYS FOR FDIC GET INVOLVED.

Does any of this make sense? Hind-sight is better than fore-sight. No. I will not in the future do business with Bancorp Bank, Inc.

Moral of the story, if this happened to me, it will happen to you too. BEWARE!

To smoke or not to smoke? That is the question. 19th February 2012

To Smoke or not to smoke…That is the question?

For all intent purposes we will use my father for this blog.  He died from lung cancer in 1993. First question that many would be to ask, “Was he a smoker?” No. He was not. Did he ever smoke? Yes he did. He quit smoking 5 years before getting lung cancer.  See that is what his problem was. Wrong that is not how he got his cancer. My father had contracted Squamous Cell Carcinoma. According to MD Anderson (University of Texas Cancer Center Fact sheet 2012) “Lung Metastases; Cancer found in the lungs is sometimes another type of cancer that started somewhere else in the body and spread, or metastasized to the lungs. These tumors are called lung metastases, and they are not the same as lung cancer. They usually are the primary, or original, type of cancer.” (http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/index.html?cmpid=google_branded_ppc&gclid=CKGx9Kblqa4CFSleTAod4DWBSw)

You see my father had this huge mole on his chest that was always flesh color. One day I noticed it as turning black when he was outside working. He and I talked about going and getting it checked. He never did. During the early 50s just before many of our troops went to Korea, my father was involved in a cleanup in Washington State of “unknown test substances.”  In about 1986, my father also sold and changed a tire of two, to some Cuban dump truck drivers who were handling an unknown ecological clean up of some type of toxic materials just west of Sealy, Texas. The reason I remember this is because they were getting a tremendously large order of tires for this one specific job. In 1991, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer—unknown by the VA Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Years later after going over all of Dad’s records, before and after his death, I see that Dad died from a cancerous mole that spread into the lung then into the spine and brain. Meanwhile, my father’s cousin died (the age of 90) who smoked and drank her whole life. She died of “old age.”  Bottom line no matter what, when God takes you, you are gone.

The point I am trying to make sounds funny to a certain extent. “E-Cigarettes” the fashion of 2012! I started to investigate the E-Cigarette.  I looked at the websites below to get some information on them.  How many years has studies been done?

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/  http://www.thesmartstyleliving.com/ereviewb.asp?source=bing  http://www.electroniccigarettereviewsite.net/   

http://ecigarettesusa.com/

http://www.elixirliquid.com/

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15250593815/electronic-cigarettes-of-houston-katy

Is this the revolutionary “chic” method of smoking in the second decade of the new millennium?  Back in the 1960s, cigarette smoking was really marketed with some of the same information I had read on the websites mentioned above: words like “totally safe” “doesn’t seem to cause health issues” “acceptable indoors” (http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/tobacco-ads-1960s).   But wait, I have to ask how many independent studies have been done to see if these claims are true? Not near enough and yet as always, we good “ole’ American citizens” jump on the band wagon looking for a solution to something again. 

Use your brain. Lung Cancer can be caused also from living in an area prone to omit toxic chemicals in the air. We have EPA to take care of that. HAHAHAHA! According to the American Lung Association (http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/healthy-air-at-home/prevent-problems.html) cigarette smoking is not the number one cause of lung cancer in America today. It is RADON! Radon is a common radioactive gas found in nearly all soils. 

About 6 years ago, I had some x-rays done for a severe upper respiratory problem.  (No doubt caused from cigarette smoke.) Out of curiosity, I checked the box “NO” where asked do I smoke. Three days later the doctor called me and mailed me an x-ray report.  Lungs clear. In the doctor’s notation, “Glad to see you stopped smoking! See I told you your lungs would clear up fine.”  I stopped smoking about 2 hours before the x-rays. DAH! According to medical research, this is “likely” to cause that.

CURE:

Do not go hog wild and over use anything.  Stop doing everything that is not natural. No more living in houses, no more smoking anything manufactured. Only eat organically grown foods – laced with horse pooh because cow and chicken pooh has too much wrong with it. I understand bat pooh is the better of all of it.  But if you have to squat in the woods or behind a bush somewhere, make sure when you wipe it is not a leaf from poison ivy. (That hurts in the long run—painful too!)

But whether or not you smoke, know the dangers. When a doctor tells you the benefits outweigh the dangers…I am sure many patients who have ended up wanting to kill themselves while taking Chantix didn’t read the side effects label.  But be informed regardless that not all side effects are reported and you should consult your physician. He or she doesn’t know either. Call the pharmacist, who doesn’t know what side effects were not reported. Why don’t they know? Simple, it wasn’t reported.    

***I decided to use Julia’s method of source citing for this paper! I am boycotting MLA, APA, and XYZ.***(until I start my masters program.) 

In Search!

As long as I can remember, my father often commented every 2 to 3 years that you can never go back. We can reflect, remember fondly, look to where we have been to see where we are going, but we can never go back. Oh, how true that statement really was. One minute ago it was history. Unfortunately my father never took his own advice. Mother and he were looking for something from the past that gave them a remember of “wonderful encounters”; this is why we often moved about every 2 to 3 years from
Houston, Texas back to Mississippi or Alabama--in search of “something.” [Fast forward to 2011] I moved to Houston, Texas from ten years in North Carolina because (a) I was financially broke and in financial trouble, and (b) to further my education. Houston is and will always be a town to revitalize in as far as I was concerned. One day I went in search of Mickey.

Houston was where I grew up at. Although, I attended high school for three years at my mother’s alma mater, Murphy High School, in Mobile, Alabama, my impressionable years were in Houston, Texas. At the very beginning, of my senior year, my father decided he was not making enough money to support his family and moved the three of us, mother, himself, and me.  My two (much okder) brothers were own their own. I was not a happy camper about this and just recently (in the last 10 years) forgave my deceased father on this issue.  

Did I make an emotional mistake? Yes and no but I learned that I am a dinosaur and no longer fit in this town. Within two weeks, I had my daughter drive me down Airline Drive. Hundreds of ghost came up out of the streets. The first thing that I recognized was Cunningham’s pharmacy. In the past 90 days, I finally worked up the nerve to stop and go inside to take a look. Clyde was no longer the pharmacists; the restaurant was gone—the owners turned ½ the pharmacy into a doctor’s office.  All the wonderful “find everything” stock was no longer. There wasn’t a front counter. The original Pac-Man video machine was gone. I turned and walked away. Sitting in the car with my daughter, the Burkhalter brothers were scattered to the wind, the police no longer had their mid-night snack, and I felt as if I was in another time and Joe deceased. We all moved on.  

The next stop was to look at Peg O’Neal’s service station on the west corner of Little York and Airline. If Walls Could Talk there would have been many interesting stories that could have been told, including but not limited to– Virgie Hart and about her wild daughter (Anna Nicole Smith), Master Bates, practical jokes that of the early 80s police officers out of the North Shepherd Sub-station played on many, as well as some of my own secrets, not to mention my very best friends of the time--gone. If you have ever seen the Cheshire cat’s grin or the character, Deputy Dog – then you have seen Peg O’Neal. In 1980, many a criminal thought about robbing his gas station, but they thought again because of the .38 he kept under his jacket not to mention, Mr. O’Neal had the county contract to issue the sheriff’s office gas.

Grand-mother Auippa lived a block away from Peg O’Neal’s station. She was my best friend’s grand- mother. Pure Italian married to an Italian who had a nice Italian boy married to a “spit fire” Irish red-head who had my best friend and partner in crime. From another union of Daddy Roy’s he had a son. What attracted me so much to this family is their flavor—their zest for living a country/city life and being a rare “native” of Houston. For anyone who was anyone and lived in Houston in 1981, knew it was rare to find a native Houstonian due to a rash of in flux from the northern states—many industries has closed up north and people were looking for work. Along with this influx, came a mixture of undesirables as well with felony warrants circling their heads to make it a band writer’s paradise. I will tell you this about Grand-mother Auippa, when she said jump-- you asked how high and she had the “coolest” black and white photographs of men with machine guns, cars with running boards, and would always answer when asked,

 “Who are these men?”

“They are relations of my late husband. They all lived in Chicago.”

To this day, going to her house and walking through it, is like going back in time. The architectural structure and the 40-50s décor -- very priceless!

 I finally realized that life is forever changing. People will always be people, but the change is with ourselves and the evolution of the features in which we see. About a week or so later, I found myself with my daughter on Spencer Highway, in Pasadena, Texas. Before the Urban Cowboy, there was a really colorful honky tonk called “Gilley’s.” Down the road from it was “Johnnie Lee’s.” Over off of Interstate – 10 (on the north side of the east bound lanes), a way down past Uvalde on the out skirts of the city limits was a smaller place called “Charlie’s.” (It was more upper scale.) Those memories will always haunt me of fun. Fun, fun—fun, fun, fun! On February 4^th, we went in search of Gilley’s. As I was driving down Spencer Highway toward the east, I couldn’t find anything remotely resembling Johnnie Lee’s or Gilley’s. Of course Charlie’s is gone to the wind as well.

The Tele-Wink is still in my town—still thriving with old home cooking; the “old” Hobby Airport, the town of the delicate cock-tail, oil production, mink stoles, extreme high fashion and southern haughtiness is as gone as Lutheran High School on Winkler, Broadway Baptist School and the Gulf Gate Mall itself and many more.  I have been in search of Gilley who grew older and the building has been gone for more than 20 years. Try driving down Spencer Highway and asking, “Where is Johnnie Lee’s?”

The answer would be Johnnie Who? There are school buses on Sherwood Cryer’s dance floor. The image in my head is receiving a $20 bill bet for running through the dance floor, climbing on the stage and kissing the soft, sweet smelling, and smiling cheek of Mickey Gilley.         

The truth! Take the time to be informed!

It is the dawn of another day. I am awake, reading, catching up on, and preparing myself for the day of looking for employment in a big city. The only problem is that the older you get, the harder it gets especially if you are an older woman with a degree.

I noticed this picture being posted on Facebook about a soldier who sustained injuries in the War on Terror only receiving his 50% disability pay. Like so many pictures I researched this young man and the information behind the picture.

Who are you and what is your story?

The caption underneath was by Derek Batchelor and the story line was by Tim Shuler. Derek Batchelor is a concerned citizen from Greenville, SC. Tim Shuler is? According to my research, guess what I found out.

According to Amie Gnatt Spengler (a Facebook patron of the Great State of Texas!) this is Marine Lance Cpl William Kyle Carpenter. His picture was used by a Tim Shuler to further Mr. Shuler’s political agenda without permission. Well what am I doing? I am using it without his permission also. The real story behind this gentleman’s photograph should be the story as published by Jeff Wilkinson in the Post and Courier out of Charleston, SC., on March 10^th 2011, Senate Gives Thanks to Wounded War Hero.  It discusses how he was basically put back together to be able to live in our society once again and the thanks he is being bestow with by our Congress.

I have to question, with my past experiences in life with the Veterans Administration, was it enough? Not hardly. Will it ever be enough? No!

I am requesting that when you see a soldier (Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Reservist) thank them. Shake their hand and thank them for the great service they do our country. It is really easy to do.

Marine Lance Cpl William Kyle Carpenter THANK YOU so much for the service you have performed for our country. 

Thank you to Amie Gnatt Spengler (a stranger to me who believes in the truth) for bringing the truth forward about the picture and for providing the correct site information for all of us to be more informed.

(** Thumbs down on you Mr. Derek Batchelor and Tim Shuler, especially you Mr. Shuler -- for funneling the wrong information and possibly committing  plagiarism 101.**) (To the photographer of Cpl W K Carpenter --thank you.) 

Not only did Ms. Spengler set me straight, she reminded me of my own "convictions" and "pet peeves."  When I write to be a honest as possible, but remember about history. Historians have often embellished over the years (added to and taken away from) to the point what is the truth about something in our history.

The truth is tell a lie long enough and it becomes truth. 

This story is a classic example of published material actually being incorrect. 

An informed person should take the time to research if what they have just read is in fact true.

**A Special Note off the subject matter: A political election is coming up. Take the time not to believe in all the written political information flying around -- being pushed on society. Research each candidate on your own to find out what is true and if he will be the most suited one for that position. After all are we not hiring that candidate when we vote him into office?

To Chip or Not to Chip is the Question?

I am not sure whether it is the sign of the times or what? There seems to be a tremendous amount of conspiracy theories flying all in the air from the mouth of society that certain government leaders being the anti-Christ to many governments converging with each other to plant micro-chips into people for identification purposes. These implantations of these types of chips are the sure sign that the apocalypse is fast approaching. It is all scary! A person just doesn’t know what to believe as being plausible and or truthful. We just have to use our best judgment.  I started this research project over the internet to may prove or disprove the US Government chip implantation in the people. All I can say is WOW! I learned that I did a full revolution of ignorance to ignorant knowledge.

For a person not to know anything I found out really fast less than before. We as a society are about 50 years too late [a day late and dollar short]. The Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) has been around for approximately 50 years or so.  In the words of the famous telephone character Gomer Pyle “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!”

The purpose of the RFID chip was used to track merchandise. Then it has become multi-purpose in the past decade or so to track animals in the wild. It has graduated to track domestic animals to Alzheimer’s patients, military equipment, lost airline luggage, fire and rescue teams, prisoners, and much more according to the Motorola Corporation.

I understand that the US Government is thinking about using the RFID chip to track citizens.  I really couldn’t find any concrete documentation to that affect.  Since the first use on a human in 1973 to current there is one question that continually arises.  “The question is where did this idea come from [RFID chips in human]? How would it prove to be convenient or by any means prove to be of some use to humans? Many people have contradictory opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of RFID implant in humans. Well the idea was simple. You can pay for services that you avail through the radio frequency identification chips. Another important application is in the case of medicals.” (Alam)

My personal opinion as to the advantages of this application; this would include safety for the location of missing children or missing elderly.  It would also help in the prevention of criminal activity or missing military personnel. It would protect every citizen against identity theft. Those possibilities are wonderful. It would also help expedite medical services for a person unable to speak. It would provide the information needed to save a life. The disadvantage is invasion of privacy. (Stanley) Would this be “chipping” away at our Constitution? Are basic civil liberties that the ACLU has so boldly and proudly fought for all these years in danger again? Great Britain has already decided to scrap the thought of infringing on the rights of its citizens pertaining to the chip. But, Spain is using it as identifiers to pay for certain services. (Koprowski) At this very moment what the American People may or may not be aware of is the Department of Homeland Security, under the last Bush Administration, had already set into motion the application of the RFID for domestic terrorists security measures. What I did find interesting is that the Department of Homeland Security is working with Wal-Mart on a similar computer programs. (DHS) I am sure that the majority of domestic terrorist would like to save a dollar and shop at Wal-Mart so that the US Government can keep an “eye on them.” *

All this technology and its use, again, alerts the ACLU and several law schools as a test of the 4^th Amendment. (Dalal, Stanley) The market is set and on the rise. The major buyers for the RFID are our governments –worldwide. The cost is inexpensive to make and implant.  “Government schemes and large orders from emerging markets have been driving the market. However the technology’s vulnerability to security and privacy issues continues to be a challenge for the market...Research conducted by TechNavio reveals that the global RFID market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26 percent. The report which focuses on the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific indicated that the market is currently driven by large investments being made by various governments across the world…Several countries like China and the US invests heavily in RFID to use them for government related purposes.” (Wood) 

It is everywhere and in everything we do now. It is probably in your employee badge as I write this blog and you don’t even realize it. If it comes about as being required (humans having it implanted) or being denied certain aspect of social programs vastly needed for survival, who will win? We may say no today, but would you say no when you are standing in line and cannot get your payroll check cashed without one or withdraw money from your bank? Is this enough information to make an informed decision? To ask these questions is like saying that this is the mark of the Anti-Christ beast. We have all been made aware to keep our eyes open, listen, and beware of Christian “over” zealots as well as our US Government. 

It is scary and we cannot at all tell what our future will bring or whether or not all these signs are truly apocalyptical. We can (though) be informed and be prepared on all accounts. We can make sound decisions. But rest assure the RFID chip is here, growing, being used, and will remain. The future purposes are unknown for the American people because the DHS report was the only official governmental report that I personally was able to find and it didn’t mention mass chip implantation on society. But then again has the CIA risen its fascinating head into another clandestine “cold war” theater performance?

Works Cited

Alam, Shah Newaz. Buzzle.com-Intelligent Life on the Web. RIFD Chip in Humans.  4^th October 2011  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/rfid-chip-in-humans.html  Web 21^st January 2011.

Dalal, Reepal.  Boston Law Review. Chipping Away at the Constitution: The increasing use of RFID Chips could lead to an erosion of privacy rights.  Vol. 86:485 http://www.bu.edu/law/central/jd/organizations/journals/bulr/volume86n2/documents/DALALv2.pdf   Web 21 January 2012.

Data and Integrity Advisory Committee. The Department of Homeland Security. Report No. 2006-02:The Use of RFID for Human Identify Verification. 6^th December 2006. file:///C:/Users/Aaron's/Desktop/Homeland%20Security%20discussion%20on%20RFID%20Chip.pdf  Web 21^st January 2012.

Kanellos, Michael. CNEtt. News.com. Idea of Implanting tags raises Orwellian fears.  23^rd August 2004. http://news.cnet.com/2009-1008_3-5318076.html    Web 21^st January 2012.

Khara, Kanika.  Buzzle.com-Intelligent Life on the Web.  What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology.  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-is-radio-frequency-identification-rfid-technology.html   Web. 21^st January 2012

Koprowski, Gene J.  FoxNEWS.com. Where’sJimmy? Just Google his Bar Code.  14^th May 2010. http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/05/14/radio-frequency-rfid-implant/   Web 21^st January 2012.

Staff Marketing. Motorola.com. RFID Government Solutions.  2012.  http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Solutions/Industry+Solutions/Government/Airports+and+Seaports/RFID_Government_Solutions_US-EN   Web 21^st January 2012.

Stokes, Jon.  ARS Technica. FDA Approves implanted RFID Chips for Humans  October 2004. http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2004/10/4305.ars   Web 21^st January 2012.

Wood, Laura. Business Wire-a Berkshire Hathaway Company. Research and Markets: Global RFID Market 2010-2014 – Market and Vendor Landscape Supported by Drivers Restraints and Trends:   Research and Markets, 4^th March 2011.  http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110304005545/en/Research-Markets-Global-RFID-Market-2010-2014--    Web 21^st January 2011

Beware! We just might fool you!

Recently I have moved (December 2011) back to a place where it will always have fond memories for me. It is always said you can’t go back and oh how true I know that statement well.  What I once knew in my town of Houston has changed greatly. Everything I once knew is either dead, torn down or moved on. My best friend (my first room-mate since high school) even left her home town for her much loved country life to raise children, horses and “weenie” dogs.  When we graduated high school there wasn’t much around us. Now it is a huge vast metropolitan city, stretching several counties. She graduating from the agricultural north side and me from those unknown south side kids I really knew nothing about.

On the-night-before Christmas, we got together after not seeing each other for more than 25 years. I didn’t realize how much I had missed seeing her every day; sharing secrets that would never be told. Her little brother came in from Arizona with his family. As I looked around the room, in her grand-mothers house, I thought at that moment that this is what life is all about.  Her little brother telling stories of our love forgotten past, drinking soda, eating, laughing, and watching the youngest child enjoying all the festivities that Christmas gave him.

My children realized (which they commented on afterwards) “Mom, we have never seen this side of you, happy and carefree? What happened?”  This is just one segment of life my precious young people that we all do not necessarily anticipate. Life will always have its ups and downs.  As we grow older we see things in such an unusual perspective that it is sometimes strange or maybe even surreal. We see things differently than the way we did when we were 20.

I can see me standing up in the passenger side of a fast car’s t-top, roaring 80 mph down I-10 West turning around and throwing up on a police cruiser following closely behind. Was that projectile coming out of my mouth? Oh yes! When I arrived home, I was escorted on the shoulders of a big lanky officer and placed in the tub to sleep. One-the night-before Christmas, my children learned about how their Mother was head banger, country western dancer, and all around wild child.

But it just didn’t begin there. About a week before my daughter learned that her Mother knew how to tie a tie with a pair of panty hose while seeing a mouse that no one knew existed; it is funny being told you’re “drunk”; seeing things until everyone else sees it and starts screaming. (That was in Mobile, Alabama on 4 something or other Dauphin Street) Needless to say I wasn’t drunk.  Very often did I get overly intoxicated because I detested the nose feeling when the incredible “liquor monster” came out of it. They also learned that I was “the only wild child” when everyone thought it was my room-mate the red-head.

To go down memory lane, there was this fence. One of my dear friends from high school and I could not handle that “darn” fence. She was generally the passenger. Mother C asked me one day if I had hit her fence and knocked it over. I looked at her and said no, which was a big lie. She knew it. I realized that green paint had knocked off my fender onto her fence post. (Amazing how that happens!) But as she called me NDF = no damn fun, she yanked my chain about that every-day since. I was afraid she was going to kill me!

 Grand-mother A took my room-mate and I dancing one night. At 11:00pm, we were dying at 21—back, knees, legs, and feet. Grand-mother A had something on us; she was still going strong with the rest of the 60 and 70 year olds. I vowed right then and there – that is the type of lady I want to be when I get older. A great lady with a lot of years and love left to give everyone. Has it turned out that way? Hell yes!  So the memories will slowly unfold as I continue to write my blog. Two male guy-pals from high school, I remembered! OMG after 30 years, I remembered! No---it really isn’t what you think.  The cow tipped and they had to re-tip it back in the bolder holder!

Beware! To all the young people, if you are being mooned by what may look like some saggy elephant butt against the window, it might be me! If I flash someone and my breast fall to the knees well, just consider it gross fun! Why can’t I have a great time! Hell I want to get my PhD and I might just join some outlaw motorcycle gang! Does any- one know how to pimp an electric wheel chair?

A  True  Southern  Woman

Compared to times past, a southern woman was a Celtic woman. She would work the fields, give way to child birth, rest a day, and start all over with her busy life of planting, canning, tending to all the needs of the home, garden, and yard stock. She was also just the trainer of great men with a special romantic quality befitting her life.

           


It was once thought she was a delicate little flower like those who sat on her veranda day after day, while being waited on hand and foot.  She would swoon at the first drop of a hat! (That was probably because her corset was way too tight!)

Late last night, as I was looking at photos of the ladies that I knew; it all of the sudden occurred to me that I am a southern woman, crazy through and through.

~~But ~~

What about the other southern women that I knew? I took the time to really look at some of them? Wow! I was amazed. I have spoken with so many I admired and never realized it until this moment; they are really surprising women – each to their own accord with talent, sophistication, beauty and forcefulness that would equal more than an army worth of intelligence; they are the creators of our future generations; they are the rulers of men; they are the saving grace of what is to become. Women like these set an example of how our world will be saved because they are fast becoming the majority.

A true southern woman equals if not becomes better than a man at any undertaking such as the 

“wild world of sports.”

Each of these ladies is successfully professional as a highly motivated student, a jewelry designer/culinary gourmet, a chef, and a specialized operating room registered nurse. 

                A true southern woman whether at play or at work can be beautiful and elegant; they can command aristocracy with a firm or soft hand of their choosing in any situation with a confident smile.

Oh, but beware of those smiling eyes because they know their business very well. 

We have two relentless negotiating business women, a leading trend setter in education, and an international public relations specialist.

A true southern woman will fool you in passing. They may seem like 

a  ball mom, rocker fan, jet setter, novice musician, 

or 

 mysterious bridal model;

actually I will leave you guessing what they do in their community. 

Their degrees of intellectualism will surprise you – characteristic of a southern woman. 

 For all these women have triumphed and surpassed the men of their time. Women may have raised and contributed strong men to our society but these are the women who were sent to mold our future; these are the leaders that we should recognize. They hold the truths in their hands and they will quietly, exquisitely refined, and beautifully set examples for even stronger women that will govern, lead, outlast, and that will save our tomorrow. These are the southern women of the now!

This is the true southern woman I most admire…my mother.

This is my most admired future…my daughter an aspiring literary artist. 

“May our voices sing sweetly across the world!”

ICQ is more like I C U?

Last night about 11:30pm (CST), I noticed like every other night, my niece got on the internet and went to a chat room to speak with people from all over the world about religion and politics. I decided to join in out of curiosity. So I signed into to this chat room call ICQ. After two minutes, I was blasted with all these different private IMs which I found out they were from men all over the world.

I am not stupid by compare but I just detest men and women that think this sexual exploit is exciting! Not only is it not exciting it is boring by far! [Or so I thought.] I wanted intellectual conversation – politics, religion, worldly culture. The first opening statement I received was “asl?” [Age, sex, location] Well of course being a “smart ass”, I explained that American Sign Language is a bit hard to see on the internet without a cam. Big mistake saying cam in private chat room. Everyone wanted to show me their “Polly that needed a cracker.” I was not offended. But a few of these men I spoke with I had to ask if they talked to their mother, daughter, wife or sister in that manner? How would they like it if someone did? I received several apologies. I also spoke with a 15 year old boy. I asked him if his mother knew he was in an adult chat room and that he should be careful as not to get hold of a predator of some sorts.

I even had a person state that “the USA sucks ass!” I agreed that it does suck canal water out of the best asses—look at corporate America. Las Vegas has a great system for water conservation using waste water I had ever seen. I was censored by the ICQ police who felt the word “FXCX” or “TXTs” is appropriate but not what I said. (?) I think it is wonderful when we are censored in the US. It is okay for the vulgar use of slang words but not okay to be a smart ass!

Sometimes they try that censorship on FaceBook, and of course I pull the Constitution bit – yes I am one of those liberal’s that believe in the ACLU—you know the bunch that defends the constitution to its height for all citizens.

I had one young man tell me he was a 23 year old male turkey and ask me if that bothered me? Why should it? I was curious though as to why he called himself a turkey? That is rather an old slang word from the past. It ended up I was the turkey because he was from the Country Turkey. I spoke with men from Illinois, Nigeria, Moscow, Turkey, someone from the Ivory Coast of West Africa-Ghana, and a man from Washington, DC. The man from DC was lonely and a marketing specialist.  Oh please open that door – lobbyist or congressman. I was so hoping to get hold of one or the other. If it was someone I could have identified – what a public copy of the post it would have been to the press this morning!

All I have to say about all of this is people have definitely become disassociated with reality.

Come Join Me in the Lemons

By Julia Burns

December 25, 2011

(Girl Holding Lemon, Bouguereau, 1899)

I am waiting not for you to join me.

         For I have ask more than mine eyes have cried

This very morn the hills have called my name

        And I picked the plumpest fruit, round and deep

For I wait not for you to join me

I thought to slice each one

Prepare the juice of the sun and the drops that weep from above

 While sweet tendrils drip from my breast to drive us

From this pane, for I dare not want you to join me

 As I lower into the cool chamber after slipping down my gown

My lemons afloat are waiting for you

For you have joined me into taking this cool air, rippling water and all

And tasting what all is offered but

I dare not ask for you to join me

You come of your own volition

Come join me in the lemons?

Fashion! ~or~ is it just plain ugly?

I was looking at the Camellia Ball from December 2011 in Mobile, Alabama.  I was so excited to see my first cousin and his little girl (she was a server/hostess) to the debutantes. He was so handsome (but not as handsome as my own son) (mother showing partiality.)

The gowns were absolutely beautiful but interesting on some of the ladies. I was never a hound to fashion until I reached 20 years old. Then when I reached 40 – it was comfort.  My butt became a little more spread out and in a million years I would never have thought I would be writing to criticize women and their fashions for any reason – no, never, not me!

Ladies, now has come the time, I am 52 years old today! I am going to “blast” you. Mardi Gras season is approaching fast.  Get a book on fashion – please and remember a few things (a) it may look good on the model in the magazine, but (b) it may very well look horrid on you personally. I will also blast some of the young men in their finest tuxes (rental or personally owned-matters not.)

Debutante or not, or parent(s), have you all lost your minds? I have to ask this of the photographer too taking some of the pictures. This is supposed to be a Southern young ladies finest hour!

What I saw was not right. I am criticizing (deeply with my heavy southern accent).

(1)               If you have a stomach pooch, do not wear a dress that is designed for a flat stomached woman.

(2)              When a woman descends stairs they are to walk turned to the side not straight down.

(3)              When walking forward, glide, smaller steps. Do not walk like you are taking great big steps to attack.

(4)              Plus size ladies, there is nothing wrong with being plus size. But, buy your gowns or undergarments that do not reveal the third and fourth back breast of our bodies. I am a plus size and this problem is easily attended to with a little imagination.

(5)              Sleeveless is ok on some women but not every woman. Work with the flaws that you have. If you have sumo wrestler arms, with a wobble, or an extra layer in the back of the arm, small sleeves can minimize this or a simple cover sleeve (shoulder sleeve.)

(6)              Gentlemen, please make sure your pants are hemmed with a simple break at the shoes. If you wear a 30 in length, do not show up in a 32 length. The baggy “khaki” pants look un-kept and like you just hopped out of bed without a thought in your head and went to a formal dance. Besides, the Camellia Ball was a formal and mothers what are you doing letting you son show up in a blue blazer, khakis, a pair of deck shoes, and a red tie.  Formal means tux; business means blue blazer. Someone take that young boy and shoot him for being a clone!

(7)               If you are going to play the part of the “southern wife” make sure your husband is perfectly dressed and that includes the smile on his face and combed hair. Gentlemen could you at least seem happy to be presenting your most prized offspring at that moment. Talk about tacky and sour!  If your daughter misbehaves maybe it is your unpleasant appearance – fathers!

(8)             If you are in a strapless gown, do not bend over to have any picture made. I am big busted (always have been) but there is nothing more unsightly as seeing sagging, hanging breast on any age woman especially from the front at a formal event. I saw one young lady in a strapless with breast ready to fall out with the wrong move and her cleavage was showing a bit too much? Was she wearing any panties or a strapless slip or strapless bra? Didn’t look like it to me!

(9)              To the woman in the fur coat, loose it. Do not point out and ask questions of the little girls and just don’t point. It is rude to point period! Fur coats are out of season-- out of style!

(10)                      Ladies that have died hair, make sure it isn’t too dead. Make sure the color is compatible with your skin otherwise the picture will capture a washed out woman looking older than she really is.  (My friend who is a hair designer specialists in Mobile would have laughed at your coloring because in several pictures, it was damn dead looking --hair and face.)

(11)                       When choosing a dress, kindly remember, this a ball and not a beauty pageant. Debutantes please wear all white and not different shades of pink. Pink is not a flattering color on every one.

(12)                      Other ladies when attending a formal, a short skirt is not in for every formal. The majority of the ladies were in gowns, short to calf length (tea length) is generally considered cocktail.  Short sequined ensemble is “Hollywood youth” form the Lindsay Lohan collection and not southern gentility.

(13)                      Kill the large flower bouquet until you are finished being escorted by your father’s down the stairs. Look up! Be proud to be there. The chin should be level, with confidence in your eyes looking forward. It never hurts to practice.  Do not look like you are being sacrificed.

(14)                      There is not much I can say about Mardi Gras other than ladies be inventive with your gowns. Do stop wearing that tiring old “crap!” Year after year I see some of the same styles. BORING! Same thing with men! BORING! Ladies remember (if you are older) (or your body type has changed) be unique.

(15)                        Highlight your best features.

Here are some ideas:

Busty women with large plump breast can flaunt them. No problem but not strapless. It is still cool at night during the season. Think heart shaped bust with lighter color sheer chiffon that goes up to the neck attaching to a satin nap at the neck with sleeves that fits to the actual arms, back and neck area. A simple sequin or pearl button in the back followed by a gentle opening with a zipper will make the gown priceless and unique. If not look at the older fashions from the 40s, 50s, and 60s; have your dressed made with silks or satins. A woman floating across the dance floor in layers of satin, silk or chiffon around her waist to the floor is beautiful. It would make her the angel of the ball. Ribbon taffeta, glitter tulle, a lame, or netting would make a great outer layer to any gown but be careful because they are very delicate fabrics. Check out the different fabrics before choosing your gown. Organza, charmeuse, faille, habutae, crinoline, certain mesh, polka dots (yes polka dots), and dare to say “COTTON” or “LINEN” are acceptable. Jackie O wore a linen gown with a back opened empire jacket once. How elegant was that? VERY!

If a woman has a back that is her best feature, flaunt that back but do not flaunt the front at the same time. If her arms and legs are great but not her chest, flaunt those beautiful arms or legs.  A slit in a woman’s gown is definitely a head turning event (especially up the back of the dress.) Her husband will definitely look twice and if he doesn’t just shoot him!  Go sensual not overly trashy sexy. Aloof sensual, delicate, charming, simple, elegant – do not go bold, busty, letting the roles of age be seen in your gowns this coming season.

MEN

It is time you out right purchased tuxedos.  Try looking at the designer specials like Hart Schaffner Max Gold Trumpeter-Capital Collection.  It has a high necked collar which is very “James Bond” cool, sleek, and sexy! Notice the leg break; it should be a slight indentation just at the top of the shoe. You do not have to wear a cumber bun with this outfit unless you just want to. Of course no man can go wrong with Armani unless you buy an Armani knock off. These are generally a great buy if you shop Nordstrom’s.  Get out of the tails and please leave the tail tux (cutaway tails) to the ultra formal wedding or the formal wait staff. If you want to be sleek and sexy—TRY SOMETHING DARING AND NEW! Joseph and Feiss has a black over grey double breasted that would make any man look like a body builder macho dude coming to get his damsel. Calvin Kline is more “Bond, James Bond” with a black single button over all white. (My son looked absolutely dreamy to the young women dressed in this tux.) Kline also has a grey satin edged peaked lapel. What has happened to the Dinner Jacket? Do men not have enough “gonads” to wear Dinner Jackets anymore? Most of these can be purchased at Men’s Warehouse or any other chain for that matter fairly reasonable.

Ok what I am getting at is BE DIFFERENT this year. Be risky be daring! Find a seamstress. Or here is an idea. Buy the dress 2^nd hand and have it reworked with new fabrics. But do something and don’t be the same tiring group that gets together for a formal event.   

December 16th 2011

Take the Time!

Every day I try to understand why negative things happen with our youth. Why have they become disassociated with society; why have gangs been allowed to form and stay strong? I sit and try to find the answer by reading or even “Google’n” on the net to see if I can comprehend what is happening outside my front door.

I got off the subject for a moment and ran across a music video of the Black Eyed Peas Where is the love? I must be getting old, because I couldn’t understand one single word those young men were “rapping.” Its music and words went so fast that I felt like I was on a roller coaster. Now mind you, I get this occasional feeling to watch some music videos and sing along with the artist. After I look up the lyrics and my very own private jam session begins. Life is explosive for me at that moment because I am on stage as the artist. I feel the lights, the electrifying crowd, and cheers in front of me.  Most of what I listen to is Waylon Jennings, ZZ Top, Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson, Beach Boys – the later 60s, all of the 70s and 80s genre of music. But tonight, I really listened to the Black Eyed Peas.

I fell in love with some of their music after reading many of the poetic words. I wanted to sit down and cry in anger. What have we as a society done to our children? We have allowed too much trauma (it matters not how we define trauma) into the world of our youth. Children having sex (at such a young age) without parents being more nurturing is a trauma. According to the song, “Do we practice what we preach?” It seems that we pray in church for our selfish reasons but do we actual pray for someone else in general – our children and help with their guidance? Is the love and human respect actually gone? Do we really have no time to give for the help of one another in the next backyard over? I had to sit and think very hard about all of this.

The children actually see no heroes any more. They see their parents being self absorbed with worry; guilt about not being able to provide because the economy is still so very soft. They hear excuses of why they can’t have a new pair of shoes or someone else may pick on them because their house is not as nice as it once was. They feel ashamed because they are without a stable home. Instead they hear stories of “John Q Public” having his children taken away because the shelters are full; the only place left to live is in their car with little “Johnnie and Susie.” “John Q Public” lost his job and the benefits have run out. [And] for the past 30 years we as a society have swept under the rug our future problems; drank our wine and entertained as if tomorrow wouldn’t exist—because the good life would never end.

Now it is the generation of my children and grandchildren. I am the generation of what our parents were 40 years ago. I see things a little differently and although I continue to be optimistic, I am not so sure. I am scare that when the education of the 18 year old ends in the 12^th year of school or when the college is over with and the degree has been completed what will be left? Let’s look at the facts.

Our economy is in shambles. Our ecology is no better. Our overall society spirituality is really unstable. People are too self-centered on their “individual [I] rights.” Are there no longer any community commitments to help and support one another? The only thing can change all of this now is our adult children, we the parents and we grandparents who are still with us. Get involved and stand strong! The future is hear and it is really scary!     

WWJD

Years back, one of the more popular phrases was “What Would Jesus Do” or WWJD.  It was used quiet often in society by all works of life, especially Christians. Today is not different, even though I am older, I still ask when making a decision of any type (about 75% of the time) “What would he do if in my shoes?” or “What would he do if in their shoes?”

Now, Christians are supposed to be the most supportive non-judgmental people on the face of the earth. HAHAHAHA! Right! We are hypocrites by far, unforgiving, deadly, judgmental jurors on the face of the Earth. Why do you think that is?  Do we all live in glass houses? Must be that we all have an ego that seems somewhat “because we are Christian – we a holier than thou.”

Recently I read an internet article written today (December 1^st, 2011) by Eric Pfeiffer Kentucky church bans interracial marriage. Stella Harville and (fiancée) Ticha Chikuni could no longer participate in church actively because they are interracial (he’s black, she’s white.) This is taking place in 2011 at the Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church, located in Pike County Kentucky according to the article.

Seems they performed a Christian song for the congregation; it must have really up-set the 40 or so delicate sensibilities of the members of the church. Stella was baptized at this church. The former pastor (who recently stepped down was the instigator of all this.) The new minister (Stacey Stepp) advised them to sing whenever you want.  Sounds like this church as some serious issues.

Now I am not going to judge – just want a point a few things out or ask a few questions. Who the heck fire died and allowed these Christians to sit in judgment on any man?  Brother Thompson (former pastor) what color do you think Jesus was? If you say white, someone go to Kentucky and “bitch slip” this man silly just for being unlearned and ignorant backwoods American!  (Common sense about the location where Jesus was born would automatically lean toward a man of “color.”)

Brother Melvin Thompson, since I am not going to judge you, let me just say this part; all though, I would like to accuse you of religious and racial persecution but God will judge you and I will not. I will pity on you and pray very heavily for you soul.

Is there something in the Bible that states interracial marriage is wrong? Let me guess – you shouldn’t marry outside your tribe. Well the best I can remember (from my studies) if you wanted to marry outside your tribe, in the Biblical times, Daddy accepted if the man was worthy of his daughters hand, but he had to pay a few more sheep/livestock to the other tribe for the male to leave his tribe or exchange him for something of equal value. (That was generally done when a tribe had a shortage of men.)

“This recommendation is not intended to judge the salvation of anyone, but is intended to promote greater unity among the church body and the community we serve.” (According to the Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church) What is in your church body and community serve?  Do they all own retired white sheets?  Do you think that God would approve of the prevention of two of his children in sharing their praises to him or Jesus to a community of fellow Christians or a community?

The next time, maybe you all better really consider “What would Jesus Do?” (WWJD)

Pfeiffer, Eric. Kentucky church bans interracial marriage. Yahoo! News: 1^st December 2011. Web. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/kentucky-church-bans-interracial-marriage-150009470.html

18th November 2011

It is about one week before Thanksgiving. My son has come home for college and all seems right with the world. Things may not always go well in my life, but you know I am loved and feel such every day I exists. Thinking the other night, I realized that as we get older, each and everyone of us may have nice things but that is just all they are. Then realizing the greatest thing in life that will never leave our sides is our memories. I had just finished watching a Tennessee Williams movie; some of the scenery was what made me think about memories on the Mississippi Delta.
Not being an expert on the Delta, I have many ancestors there in the ground and it is where my father was born. Occassionally we would take summer vacations there just to look and hear the stories of the past from my Dad. I would also frequent the Delta when I was working in Jackson to visit a customer's facility. I know what I am fixing to write sounds utterly silly, but the river speaks to me; the surrounding land speaks to me as if it is continually calling my name in my dreams.
When this all starts, I close my eyes, and I am overlooking the Mississippi River and fields of cotton. It is early in the morning and all is quiet; the mist is rising from the river. All that can be heard is a lite ripple in the water bouncing off the boats. At this point I am in the middle of river looking down witnessing little whirlpools turning in their own intricate pattern while the water flows slowing in a southernly direction. There are just too many permeating smells that I sense which are all euphoric to me. The sun is beaming warmly in little patterns through the trees on my face. I am truly in heaven.