Is this what they teach in college now?

I was bored and reading through CNN's website, and came across an article about new home sales. Ho hum article, nothing special.

Until I read the second to last paragraph.

Click to see the article

The exact paragraph is:
"The latest Census Bureau report shows median prices for new residences sold in December fell 1.5 percent from the previous month to $221,800. Half of the homes sold for more than the median, the rest for less."

Now isn't that a given? If you have a "median" figure, that means that the data must fall either above, below, or exactly on. Since something like homesales will hardly ever sell for such an odd number.

Is this a new class for communication? How to state the obvious while making it sound important?

Lemme see if I can do it without edumacation:

"Over half of children are above the average weight, while the other half are below."

"While 50% of Americans have a household income more then the national average, the other 50% still lag behind."

This is why I don't watch news on TV anymore.

(Sidenote: I don't actually trust CNN for any news - they are completely biased and have edited out individual words from content. The best example was during a presidential speech, they chopped half of a sentence out, and it was OBVIOUS because Bush's whole posture changed within a milisecond. I could of done a better job with ahome computer).

In other news - I had my interview, it went really well, I will know in a week or so!

Finally, time to recommend a couple of shows to some people. Both can seem weird at times, but have a very deep sense of both religion, philosophy, and moral ethic.

The first is my all-time favorite Anime series, and is still showing episodes on Cartoon Network. Otherwise, the DVD's aren't to hard to find.

Neon Genesis Evangelion - 27 episodes and 2 movies.

The show centers around a young boy named Shinji, who barely knows his father, and his mother is dead. He is recruited by his scientist father to pilot a giant fighting "robot" (watch the show, you will find all is not as it seems...) against "angel's" who are out to destroy mankind. In the start, the series is simple - Boy who is too whiney fights off aliens.

But the plot thickens - the project is called into question. What exactly are the angels? Why are we fighting them? What are they looking for? And why is Shinji so important.

And the ending... it is the most stunning ending to an anime series I have ever seen.

Definitely check it out. Avaliable for rent at most rental stores.

The second series is a new phenom in the US, and is becoming more and more popular. But we liked it before it was popular, so there :)

Full Metal Alchemist - 52 episodes + One movie - currently on Cartoon Network

Full Metal Alchemist takes place in a world eerily similar to ours, only that Alchemy is the dominant force behind things, not Science and Technology.

The story is about Edward and Alphonse Elric, who tried to use alchemy to ressurect their dead mother. Ed ends up losing an arm and a leg, while Al loses his entire body, his soul beign bound to a suit of armor. The series follows their exploits during the search for the "philosopher's stone", the ultimate power that will restore them. But what happens if and when they find it? Is that the end? Why does this world seem so similar? Who is the man of light? And why does Hawkeye keep shooting at that puppy?

When Jen and I first watched it (a couple weeks in), we thought it was a cutesy-type anime. You know, some fighting, but nothing horrible, no blood or anything. Couldn't figure out why it was on at 11 at night.

Then everything changed, including our love for the show... Let's just say that this show is not for children. Adult themes run rampant (no nudity). But also the philosophical aspects of their craft, alchemy. The ending isn't here yet - although Jen and I got our hands on a copy of the movie in Japanese. Very good ending movie... and a very interesting premise.

If you are more into Manga, pick up the FMA Manga - more expansive story, still just wonderful.

Well, one step away....

As you may or may not know, I recently applied for a promotion at my wonderful workplace. That would put me from a regular old drone to a supervisor.

Normally, you can't do this. You have to go up the ranks (processor, team lead, then supervisor). But so far I have avoided that little trap and I have skipped the team lead position and gone straight up. The three people I have interviewed with have all been impressed, and the final interview I have is with a manager I have a good repoire with. So I feel good about this!

What would it mean? Well....

• More Pay
• Work in a supervisory/management role
• Would have to go back into the office :(
• Wayyyyy more stress
• Less time with Family
• Would travel for my position
• Jen could get a part time job

All in all, some people might go "but the negatives far outweight the positives (or affirmatives... tee hee).

I just have one more hurdle to clear... I will keep everyone Posted.


Next, I had someone ask me who my favorite Superhero was, and what my favorite comic book is. And the harder I thought about it, I thought I was going to say Batman, or Deadpool, or Green Lantern. You know, the standards.

But then it hit me. My all time favorite comic book character is Jaime Madrox, AKA Multiple Man.

He is a B list character. Heck, a C or D list character. He has a cool power, where he can create duplicates of himself that he can control. Sometimes, they even try to control him. He has to be careful, because he is technically human - even though he uses kinetic energy to create a duplicate, he is not super strong, or invulnerable, or anything like that. He doesn't fly, have psychic powers, or even have a cool uniform.

He was always fun to read in the old books, but he recently made a breakout in his own LS - Madrox. This showed him at his best. And pushed him to the top of my list.

He had a dream - to help mutants by creating a detective agency. But he knew nothing about being a detective. So he created his duplicates and sent them on journeys to master various arts. One learned kung-fu. Another learned to master detective skills. Another to perfect his shooting skills.

And then he absorbed them back to gain their skills, their knowledge. But this comes at a price... when one of them is hurt, he feels their pain mentally. When one of his duplicates is bleeding to death, he feels what it is like to die. Yet he continues because he knows that someone has to stand up for the rights of mutants, especially after the events of Decimation. (since you probably don't know what that is, it is when the Marvel Universe lost most of their mutants).

He currently stars in the new X-Factor with Guido, Wolfsbane, and more C and D list characters!

Pick up the book, give it a try.

Even those of you who don't read comics should try them. You may be suprised at the depth of the stories. Besides the new X-Factor and Madrox LS, I would recommend Kingdom Come (the art from Alex Ross is worth it alone), and the trade paperback of Identity Crisis ( I have that one in hardcover - great book).

I hate being ill...

Anyone else hate having the flu? I mean sure, I don't have to go to work, but I can't even eating a saltine without feeling nauseaus.

Oh well, that's the way the world works. At least I get to catch up on my movie watching - we still have movies from Christmas that we haven't even opened yet!

In other news, Chloe lost her first tooth! Hooray!

Nothing else too much to write today. Except an interesting article I saw from fark.com

Did you know that there is a private mint out there putting out money in $20 coins, called "Liberties"? They are not real, official money. The government doesn't sanction them. But they don't forbid them either.

Basically, if stores and banks wish to take them, they can. But they can't be forced to take them (like with $2.00 bills and dollar coins).

The article (click here for it) is great for a laugh, and some insight into these coins.


Finally, my wife started a blog as well!

Here is the link to hers:
http://wibarnesfamily.blogspot.com/

She's mainly putting pictures on hers, and keeping it as an online photo album of sorts... i think. who knows what she will do with it!

Reading other blogs takes me down sometimes...

After all, Sig is now a professor, Lisa is a teacher, Erica is going to be a bug expert (btw - you should go on to also do criminology - be the female Gil Grissom!) and what have I done with my career?

Well, almost nothing. That is, until I think about what I actually do all day.

I get to change someone's life every day - sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Every day, I decide whether someone will receive payment for medical treatment, or whether they will have to pay out of their own pocket.

I get to sort through thousands of pages of documentation and determine whether a doctor is trying to screw taxpayers. I get to bring the wrath of the law down upon facilities who try raise the cost of healthcare.

I get to help those less fortunate get a second chance, whether it be by approving a transplant, or taking care of a multi-million dollar medical bill. But at the same time, I can destroy a family by telling them that we can't help them.

And yes - we are the last place they can go.

I started feeling better after I got my yearly review - I paid over twenty billion dollars in claims last year. I denied over eighty billion dollars.

Those are the kind of numbers that make someone feel important.

Pictures...

Chloe, With Cinderella, at Cinderella's Royal Table in Disneyworld, Sept 14th 2005

First Day of Kindergarten

Chloe Posing

Thought everyone might enjoy a few photos of Bug.

It's great hearing from everyone again! Keep the comments and emails coming!

Why do certain people still surprise me?

To give a minor update on what is happening with my ex-wife...

Currently, she is in trouble with Child Support. She owed a years worth, which she paid in two weeks ago. But, she still doesn't have a job (heck, she still lives with her parents), and is currently ignoring a court order to find one. So the State of Wisconsin is taking her to court for being a deadbeat mom.

So, I am sitting (in the middle of a meeting), and I get a phone call from her "new lawyer". Who tells me that I am to "cease and desist" from filing frivolous lawsuits, and "let them know" that we will not be going to court.

Do these people not understand that I am not doing this? I am not preventing her from finding employment? And most of all, I am not the one dragging her ass into court?

Ahh, but the plot thickens.

You see, it turns out her lawyer is a member of the same law firm that the court commissioner works for.

Which means, the trial gets "delayed". How convenient.

And to think, all she had to do was get a part time job at McDonald's. Or work at a gas station. She didn't have to get a "good" job, just something, anything. But instead of doing that (which should be done anyway, to support her OTHER child and her, what, 4th boyfriend and 2nd husband since we divorced?) she pays for a lawyer.

Some people are not very bright.

Finally getting with the times...

I decided it was time to do my own blog. Let former friends and contacts know about my life, and just post random thoughts and other tidbits of information that I can aquire.

For those of you that don't know me, I am a 25 year old husband and father living in Eau Claire. I work for an insurance company doing many functions, and having fun. Especially since I work from home, so I don't have to put up with people during the day, which gives me the time to do this blog! My wife is a manager at a local telemarketing firm - she get's to fire people all day, lucky woman. And our daughter is 5 and a half, in kindergarten, and too emotionally mature for her age. But anyone that knows her past knows why. We also have two cats, the ever annoying Bixby (who refuses to get off my lap at the moment) and the loyal Lucky, who is currently sleeping on his back with his feet straight in the air. yeah, both of our cats are strange.

I will try to update this often. But it may be weeks between updates. Or days. hell, maybe even hours.

As for news in our family...

August 15-22nd, we will be in Disneyworld! We are making our second trip down. We are once again staying at Port Orleans Riverside, and this time my parents are coming along! It should be a great week. We had a blast last time (except for at night... note to everyone, if you are going to travel with in-laws, NEVER stay in the same room), and with Bug being another year older, we should have even more fun this time. Not to mention we have more play money...

The wife and I have decided to go low(er) carb. Not following any specific diet, just cutting out carbs and increasing protein, and doing a bit more excersing. After one week we were both down about 10 lbs. Will keep everyone updated!

And finally, I still hate my ex wife. Most people berate me initially for not having and residual "feelings" for her. Nope. She is a very bad person, who has done very bad things to both me and still does them to my daughter.