I finished reading:
"Los Alamos" written by Joseph Kanon. 517 Pages.

Book # 9 of 2010 and 3635 pages at an average of 404 pages per book.

-Richard

So, what do I think of the infamous health care bill passed by Congress this week?

I guess, most people who know me would think that I would be ecstatic. I am pleased that it is a step in the right direction, but, not particularly happy because the bill, although it is progress it is still watered down too much and once again the individual personal politics, biases, irrational fears and kick-backs of the members of congress produced a weak bill. In the end of the day those making too much money out of the sick still get to do so. In my opinion this is almost like an insurance watchdog law, similar to car Insurance rather than a wholesale change. By this, I mean the government controls rate increases, the refusal of treatment and discrimination for pre-existing conditions. Yes, it will mean more people will be able to afford health care, but, it still has way too much power in the hands of the insurance companies and not the doctors.

What, I don't get is the complete hysterical reaction by the right. In a way they've won. This is not a "socialised" health care. It is no where near. In fact for those people who already have healthcare they "should" see a premium decrease because the extra premiums to cover those who go to emergency rooms with coverage etc.. etc.. should now not happen.

What is interesting is that some States are challenging the ruling saying it should be a States role to for Health Care and not the Federal Government. I agree with this to a certain degree . I think the ideal would be the Federal Government mandating the States to provide an affordable and guaranteed health care to all their citizens, allowing the States to chose how this is done. The Federal Government should only step in as a mediator, or "enforce" where the State fails to take care of it's citizens.

A long, long way to go and as I posted previously let's get away from this selfish party politics and personal gains and for once do what is right for all the Citizens of this Country.

-Richard

What's right and what's wrong?

I didn't go to Church today because I have picked up some virus and did not feel so good. So, I spent some time thinking. A dangerous thing I know. I guess my thoughts started by focusing on health care as it's so predominant in the news circles in the US at the moment, but, then I went beyond to a concept that we as a society seems to have lost. Plainly and simply what is right and what is wrong. We spend to much time focusing on how something fits within a Political Position, an economic position, a religious position or a nationalistic position without looking outside to what is the right thing to do. Perhaps if our leaders in Congress, Washington, the Duma etc.. could get away from lobbyists, special interests, irrational fears and simply do what is best for the vast majority of their people, not the minority the World we live in will be such a better place. I am idealistic. Absolutely!! I am thinking Utopian. Absolutely!! Am I being unrealistic. Unfortunately yes!! This Country I now call him was founded on ideals such as these, but, it did not take long for them to get lost. Some examples of what I am talking about starting with my pet peeve:

• Health Care. It is right that everyone can get health care and not worry about it. It is wrong that so many people can't most through no fault of their own. It is wrong that Government or the Private section make this impossible.
  
• It is wrong that some unborn babies do not get a chance
• It is wrong that in the 21st Century so many people cannot have somewhere to live or nothing to eat whereas as others have so much they do not know what to do with.
• It is wrong that a CEO can earn millions whilst spitting out the minimum wage worker who earns that for them and does not care that they lose everything they have.
• It is wrong that Trillions of Dollars are spent on Military's around that World and that the vast majority of people have nothing.
• It is plain wrong that billions or people around the world are scared for their safety, are scared for their future are scared what the next day will bring whilst a small, small percentage live in mansions taking everyone else for what they have.
  

I could go on and on and fill pages and pages. What would it take to get leaders who will do the right thing irrespective of personal gain? Have leaders who look at the big picture of everyone, not just a small circle that affects them? What would it take for the Political spectrum to look at every issue and say "we are the Government of the People let's do what's right and right for ALL the people"?

About two thousand years ago a guy called Jesus walked the face of the Earth. A series at Church is talking about what if 86'd or took Jesus out of the equation where would Christianity be, or what would it be? The answer is nothing. Now, taking this a step further. Jesus was a historical figure, his teaching recorded in many forms, not just The Christian Gospels. If you believe in God, Jesus is the Son of God or neither, but, just acknowledge that he was a good historical teacher look at his teachings. "Give to the poor", "heal the sick", "live in Peace", "love your enemy as your self", "take care of the little children". This is no different to what two thousand odd years later I have just said. Two thousand years of staggering scientific progress and knowledge. Tremendous technological developments, but, where are we really? In exactly the same position that Jesus talked about as he traveled along the Sea of Galilee.

-Richard

I finished reading:

Eisenhower - Allied Supreme Commander" written by Carlo D'Este. 705 Pages.

Book #8 of the year. 3118 pages at an average of 390 pages per book.

-Richard

Another year older. Where did the last year go?

A birthday for me also seems to be a time of retrospection. Where am I? Where am I going? This year not so much. There is way too much uncertainty for that at the moment.

What was hammered home to me was how lucky I am. A fantastic wife and great friends who love and care for me. In the end what else matters?

-Richard

I finished reading:

"On Both Sides of the Wall" written by Vladka Mead. 270 pages.

The second of two book in a row that I have read that shows how evil man can be in how they treat each other. Something I will never, and I am very thankful about that, understand.

Book #7 of 2010. 2,413 pages at an average of 345 pages per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Alexander Dolgun's Story - An American in the Gulag" written by Alexander Dolgun and Patrick Watson. 270 Pages.

Book# 6 of the year. 2143 pages at an average of 357 pages per book.

-Richard

I was listening to ESPN Radio today when something the host was talking about really ticked me off. He was talking about the Winter Olympics. His comments where he was not really interested because due to the nature of the sports it could not be true "World Championship" as so many countries were unable to take part because of their climates. This is coming from a host who last week was on about the Superbowl champions being "True World Champions". All who know me know that I love the NFL, but, to say they champions are World Champions is, although technically correct as no one in the world could beat them, is absolutely ridiculous as the US is the only Country to play the sport.

True World Champions can be found in many sports: Football, Basketball, Rugby Union etc.., but, for an this particular host to use the argument he did was one of the most ignorant things I've heard in a long time.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Punch" the very good telling of the story of Kermit Washington's nearly fatal punch of Rudy T. and the aftermath written by John Feinstein. 346 pages.

Book # 5 on the year. 1773 pages at an avg of 355 pages.

-Richard

I finished reading The Bible books of "Proverbs" and "Ecclesiastes" reading a chapter a day.

-Richard

Trying to get back to the cats we fostered. I am a long way behind so am really going to try hard to catch up.



The next two up were Mistletoe (Black and white, left) and Tinsel. They came into us on November 20th 2006 and weren't with us long. Tinsel got adopted on December 3rd and Mistletoe following shortly afterward on December 13th.

-Richard

It snowed yesterday in North Carolina. An unusual event. Nilla loves the snow and had a great time running around and playing in it. This made me think about how we view things. We are generally complicating things and making life difficult. Yes, life can be hard, but, surely we can also learn lessons from Nilla or children in that it is also what we make it?

Through Nilla's Eyes.

It snowed
Cold and fluffy.
I thought "what a pain
Can't work
Can't get out
Can't work
Stuck
What will I do?"

With a wag of a tail
Despite no longer a puppy
Nilla thought "wow
"How cool in this?"
And ran around and around
A white blaze lost
In the white carpet
That is now the back yard.
So much fun!

It's a complicated world
We live in
But, sometimes why can't we
View the world
In the eyes of a puppy,
Or, a child
And just....
Have some fun?

"And he said. "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven". Matthew 18:3

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Wire in the Blood" written by Val McDermid. 496 pages.

Book#4 of 2010. 1427 pages at an avg of 357 pages per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Sun Chemist" written by Lionel Davidson. 284 pages.

The third book finished in 2010. 931 pages at an average of 310 -pages per book.

-Richard

We have had another week of nothing but bad news on the TV with the horrific Earthquake in Haiti. Also, work was really rough this week. Sometimes, despite my faith, it all seems so much. However, every time I feel like this something happens that restores my faith in people and humanity.

Today, I volunteered at the Children's Church. There was a new little girl who was very frightened and scared. During the play time at the end another little boy sat down with her and her Mom and showed them how to play UNO and played with them putting her at ease. A small, spontaneous gesture showing maturity and compassion well beyond his years. Inspired me and made me think that how welcoming am I as a forty year old and would I have done that. Probably not. How we can learn as adults from the "little children". This is the reason why Jesus said we should have a "childlike faith".

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Centaur" written by John Updike. 270 pages.

Book #2 of 2010 for 647 pages at an average of 323.5 per book.

-Richard

Open or Closed? That is the question to start the year off. A good teaching at Church today.

So, for 2010 the question is an I going to be open to God's voice and leading this year and even more for the new decade, or, will I go my own way and be closed to God's voice? I prayer is the former and as one of my favourite worship songs proclaim "Open the eyes of my heart Lord!"

-Richard

I finished reading:

"XPD" written by Len Deighton. 377 pages.

This is the first book I have finished in 2010.

For 2009 I finished 69 books, 22,540 pages at an average of 327 pages per book. This compares with 97 books, 32,099 pages at an average of 331 per book in 2008.

-Richard

A New Year and a New Decade (sort off!!).... I am copying the Christmas letter that I send out this year from Jenn and I as it kinda sums up last year. For the future year I have one real goal. That is to really trust God more. There are some uncertainties in the short term future. One other thing I want to do is blog more (apart from books) and finally catch up on all the cats that we have fostered over the years.

Richard and Jenn’s 2009

It’s Christmas Morning 2009 and as I sit here reflecting on the miracle of Christmas and the year that has past it is time to right our quick review of the year for our friends spread around the World. I can’t believe that it’s been a year since I’ve done this!!
A year of milestones with me turning 40 (that has to be wrong??) and Jenn 35. We also celebrated 12 years of marriage. Our family gained Olivia a crazy cat, that for some reason adopted me. A long story, but, her life had a bad start with a lot of abuse, but, she is now settled and happy.



Our working life has not changed:
I am doing the same job. However, it’s been a tough year. The recession added a lot of extra pressures and stresses and the year started off badly with a RIF (Reduction in Force / Lay Off’s) where I had to lose two of my employees which was very tough. We also has the news that we are getting acquired by a different company which added a lot different equation to the situation. Currently the move is scheduled for Feb 1st so it’s a matter of waiting to see what happens. I did less travel with the job, but, managed to get to three States I had not been to: Missouri, Kansas and Connecticut which means I been to 39 now out of my quest to go to all 50. I believe I have nearly caught Jenn up!!

We are still actively involved in Snowflake animal rescue which keeps Jenn out of trouble. She has many roles including Kitten intake coordinator, Application screener, Census keeper etc.. etc.. and certainly keeps her out of trouble!! I have now the “dubious” honour of being Secretary on the Board of Directors. As in anything this year the economy has taken it’s toll with adoptions and therefore intake down. We did have some staggering good news in November when we were “gifted” about $500,000 from someone’s will. It came at a time were completely out of funds and could not pay our bills. We have no idea who this gentleman was, but, we are all very grateful at this miracle which will allow us to continue our mission for years to come. We did have a couple of sad events as two of our long term foster cats Katrina and Nimbus died this year. Although they were foster cats they had been with us a for several years so they were really part of our family.
We are still helping teach computers at the local Rescue Mission. A very rewarding and humbling experience we do a few times a year.

We started the year deciding to look for a new Church. The old one got a new Pastor that we did not like, nor, agree with. After going to several (you would not believe how many Churches are in Raleigh, North Carolina!!) we found one called Connections Church, a small, but, growing contemporary non- denominational church. Jenn always felt that this was were we were supposed to be, but, I was not sure. However, now we are both convinced this is the Church we are supposed to be at. One reason we really like it is that teaching is focused on “trying” to live your faith 24/7, putting it in action and not just on Sundays!! Starting in the New Year we are both going to start helping out a little in the children’s church.

We also did fun stuff!! Jenn is still scrapbooking and went on a scrapbooking weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I went along for the ride and at restful weekend reading. We also went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for the first time which is a pretty cool place. We went to some good concerts: The Eagles who were amazing. Last time we saw them was at the old Wembley Stadium years ago. I also went to see U2 and Must in Raleigh another great experience. We had the ultimate “red-neck” experience by going to see George Strait. Talking about red-neck I went to my first NASCAR race and thoroughly enjoyed it. As if I had another sport to be hooked on I am now for some reason addicted to cars driving around in a circle. I also went to my first NHL ice hockey game and College (American) Football game. Despite the years I’ve now lived here I still find amazing that college sports are so big. The game I went to: East Carolina University Pirates vs University of Alabama Birmingham had about 45,000 fans there and this one of the smaller teams. I did have one of the most unusual experience ever at a sporting event. Sitting next to some old guys shouting ‘First Down Pirates…Aaaarrrrgggghhh” in an attempted Cornish accent every time ECU got a first down.
We had a couple of visits from home which was great. Pauline and her family were in the US and we managed to meet up for the day in Ashville and Gavin and his family spent a good few days in Raleigh. We also spent two weeks in Texas visiting Jenn’s family and friends. This trip also gave me another “first”. I went to my first ever American High School Graduation Ceremony and yup, it is just like the movies.

I think that’s the quick summary so we and our family would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Blessed and Prosperous 2010.
Lots of Love,

Richard and Jenn

-Richard

I finished reading"

"Blue Night" written by Cindy McCormick Martinusen. 387 Pages.

"Mr Stone and the Knights Companion" written by V.S. Naipaul. 126 Pages.

Books# 68 and 69 finished in 2009 for 22,540 pages at an average of 327 pages per book.

-Richard