Has it always been this bad?

Question: Has the world always been in such a bad situation? It seems like the news is always so glum these days. But when I stop to think about it, I can't remember it ever being extremely happy in any way. Are things worse now than 5 years ago, or 10, or 50? Maybe I just haven't been paying enough attention...I dunno.

Dear Mom, part II

Oh yeah, went to the dentist today. It's been awhile (years). No cavities, things looked good.

Not a fan of the dentist's office.

Thanks Mom!

Nothing like a good phone conversation with your mother to remind you that you haven't written on your blog in awhile. I guess happy birthday/anniversary posts don't really count...though I tried.

Thing is, there are some new things happening lately that I've been meaning to post about, so here goes.

1. We're moving to South Dakota this October.

2. I'm going back to school to become a dentist.

3. I'm lying about both these things.

Here's what's really happening:

1. Noah's learned to climb out of his crib. He actually learned months ago, but the first time he did, he fell and hurt his arm, so he's not been climbing out since. But three days ago he was just standing in our doorway all of a sudden while I was getting ready for work. My first thought..."Shit, now it's on".

So the last few nights have been a nightmare, trying to get him to stay in bed. We pulled down the front of his crib to convert it into a toddler bed, which he seems to like, but the freedom is too much for him. I liken it to what would happen if we legalized pot: The first few days would just be too much freedom for most people. But eventually you'll get tired of it and just go to sleep.

The worst part is that he cries for me, making me feel responsible for his unhappiness at being being baby-gated into his room. It wouldn't be so bad if he was crying for mommy.

2. I'm switching jobs at my company. I've spent the last 3 years out on the sales floor, prior to which I was running the show in the back of house. But I've learned that sales really aren't my thing. I've actually known that for the past 3 years, but the money was pretty good. I've gotten tired of never knowing how you'll do with your commissions though, and it will be nice to have a steadier paycheck. Plus I won't have to work nights twice a week anymore, which will make all of us happier. I guess. I kind of like closing shifts, it gives me time to do grocery shopping and Goodwill trips, but I'll just have to find time elsewhere.

3. Is anybody else pissed at the financial institutions that have gotten themselves into some messed up situation? These are the same places that over the last few years you'd keep hearing about how they were giving these huge bonuses to their CEO's, even to those that were quit/fired. The same CEO's that got them into such messed up situations. Now they're in the deep shit and Bush wants to bail them out?

How about taking 700 billion dollars and paying everybody's credit cards off? The banks own the credit cards, so they'd be getting the 700 billion dollars in payments. Fair deal? Seems fair to me.
Now I understand how banks went under in the Depression. People start thinking that maybe the banks aren't smart enough to take care of their money. And if my bank can't make wise choices about how many millions they give their shitty decision making, thieving, low down, rotten CEO's, I'm not going to be keeping my money there anymore either.

Happy Anniversary

To my lovely wife, happy anniversary darling.

She's an absolute saint for putting up with me.

I love you.

Chicks