Tulsa Topics

Since our company has been doing work in Eastern Europe (former USSR), I have had correspondence with friends and co-workers that live in that part of the world.

One thing I found somewhat different, is that most people in Russia and the formers USSR celebrate Christmas on January 7th instead of December 25th.  I was told that December 25th is generally called "Catholic Christmas" in that part of the world.  This intrigued me enough to investigate further and here is what I found here:

Christmas is NOT celebrated in Russia on January 7th. It is celebrated on December 25th. Of course, the follow up question would be "When is December 25th?"

Pre-revolutionary Russia used the Julian calendar universally, i.e. for government, personal purposes and church purposes. When the Soviet government changed to the Gregorian calendar, the Russian Orthodox Church did not make the change. They continued using the Julian calendar, which is (currently) 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.

Since Christmas is a religious holiday, it was not celebrated as a Soviet state holiday (focus during the Soviet era was on New Year). As a religious holiday, it continued to be celebrated in churches and in homes, privately, on December 25 - but, the December 25 used by the Church. Even with the fall of the Soviet Union, the Church still uses the Julian calendar.

Think of it this way: Go to Moscow. Buy a newspaper on January 7. Look at the date - sure enough, it will say January 7. Walk into a Russian Orthodox church, carrying that newspaper. As soon as you enter the church, it is, for all practical purposes, December 25. (No, the newspaper will not change the printed date). Any announcements, bulletins, Gospel readings etc. will reflect that today is December 25. Turn around, walk out of the church and, as soon as you exit, it is January 7.

It should be plain to see, but this also means that the date for celebrating Russian Christmas is not connected to January 6 as Epiphany, as Julian January 6 falls on Gregorian January 19, which is Russian Epiphany (usually called "Theophany" in the Russian Church).

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas in Eastern Europe on the 7th of January (Gregorian) or the 25th of December (Julian).

С Рождеством Христовым

Posted by Bobby at   01:42 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Christmas Russia Former+USSR 7th+of+January

About 4 months ago, the good folks at Charley's Greenhouse contacted me about a picture I took about two years earlier at Niagara Falls State Park in Canada.  The original picture is to the left.

They wanted to use the photo for the cover page of their Holiday Gift Catalog which you'll find below.  The finished product is below

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and upcoming New Year!

  The Finished Product

Posted by Bobby at   01:18 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Charley's+Greenhouse Niagara+Falls Greenhouse Poinsetta

I saw where Michael Bates posted his paying gigs list and thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane.  It's funny how I never really planned to be in the field of work I am, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

• General Labor for Reproduction Antique Furniture Shop – Summer & After School Job
• Youth Conservation Corp – Summer Job
• General Labor for Oil Field Manufacturing Company – Summer & After School Job
• Electrical Control Panel Assembly – Summer & After School Job
• Service Station Attendant / Flat Repair – Check the Oil?
• Electrical Control Panel Assembly – Fulltime / College Part Time
• Learning Resource Center Assistant – College Fulltime / Job Part Time
• Assembly Supervisor for Oil Field Equipment Co. in Tulsa/Kansas
• Manufacturing Manager for Oil Field Equip. Co. in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
• Manufacturing Coordinator for Oil Field Equip. Co. in Tulsa/Kansas
• Inside Sales/Calibration Specialist for Oil Field Equip. Co in Tulsa
• Electrical Mechanical Engineering Support in Tulsa
• Website Design & Real Estate Photography
• Automation Senior Controls Specialist based in Tulsa but working all over the world.

I've bolded the jobs that probably helped me the most in life.

So where has your career path taken you lately?

Posted by Bobby at   12:24 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Work Career Jobs

Help stomp out head bumps in your lifetime!

Posted by Bobby at   11:24 AM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa+Topics Head+Bumps Safety+Sign Tunisia

It has been reported that due to the recent votes of the Senate & House our debt is a whopping $11.3 Trillion smakeroos.  To shed some light on this gargantuan amount of money, let's look at some comparisons:

A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.

A trillion dollars is so large a number that only politicians can use the term in conversation. (Wall Street, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Bro's.)

Trillion = 1,000,000,000,000.

The country has not existed for a trillion seconds.

Western civilization has not been around a trillion seconds.

Because of Washington, every member of your family now owes $37,667.

Remember good tax paying citizens, this is just the Federal Government.  It doesn't include what the City, County and State yanks away from you.

I guess we're going to have to start working harder to help pay for all the entitlement programs in play.  Hopefully your job doesn't get affected by the whiplash effect coming down the pike.  There might be a silver lining in all of this.  We could bring back the CCC and WPA for much needed public  projects like..... A new stadium downtown.  Heck maybe we could even throw a few out of work souls at fixing our streets.

If this doesn't cause your blood pressure to rise, then see a doctor.  I took some of my frustration out by writing our Senators and Congressman an email.  As their boss (that's right, they are employed by me, John Q. Citizen), I'm going to fire them on grounds of incompetence, unless some of my demands are realized.  Until then they should consider themselves on notice.

October 6, 2008

Dear [Insert Illustrious Name Here],

I am one who is fed up with the way Washington is being run. I demand an explanation on how this financial crisis happened and who was responsible for it.

If laws were broken, I want those responsible prosecuted. For those who acted unethically, I want to know who they are and what they did. I want hearings on this matter, and I demand that they be open, not behind closed doors.

I want to hear from you that you support open hearings. I hold Congress responsible to get to the bottom of this matter so that it will never happen again.

Posted by Bobby at   10:03 PM | (0)         | (0)
 John+Sullivan Jim+Inhofe Tom+Coburn McCain Obama Bailout Crap+Sandwich Barney+Frank+Sucks Wall+Street+Meltdown

Posted by Bobby at   10:56 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

NOTE: AKA the "I voted "NO" before I voted "YES" flip-flop waffling crew.

Today

HR1424
Aye    OK-1    Sullivan, John [R]
Aye    OK-2    Boren, Dan [D]
Nay    OK-3    Lucas, Frank [R]
Aye    OK-4    Cole, Tom [R]
Aye    OK-5    Fallin, Mary [R]

September 29

HR3997
Nay    OK-1    Sullivan, John [R]
Aye    OK-2    Boren, Dan [D]
Nay    OK-3    Lucas, Frank [R]
Aye    OK-4    Cole, Tom [R]
Nay    OK-5    Fallin, Mary [R]

The rest of the country:

Posted by Bobby at   09:11 PM | (0)         | (0)
 John+Sullivan Dan+Boren Frank+Lucas

NOTE: I'm feeling rather betrayed by our current President, our Senators, and our Representatives.  The Presidency of the United States will be decided soon enough, but what about the incumbents in the Senate & House?  Regardless of the ultimate outcome of the so-called bailout, always remember this day when the House of Representatives (Who's Representatives?) sold the American population out to the tune of 700+ Billion.  While I'm fuming mad, here's something to ponder that a good friend of mine sent me:

Commentary by Charlie Reese

545 People

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of 300+ million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.

In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority.

They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.

I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.

No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget.

He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.

Who is the speaker of the House? She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300+ million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.

I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible.

They and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

The friend that sent me this has the following added commentary:

This is one of the most "common sense" articles I have read to date.  Charlie Reese should be hugged...the rest of us should be slapped...we can't even agree long enough to regain control of these greedy degenerates.  By the way, if they (the gov't) keeps us confused over the issues, it's because they want it that way...we, the people, can NEVER unite if we can't agree on what the REAL problem is, and we can NEVER agree if we remain confused in the maze of politics.  THEY control US, and we let them.

I couldn't fail to disagree with him any less.

Posted by Bobby at   08:40 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Inhofe Coburn Sullivan

Good business ethics are good business.  In the eyes of the consumer, you are no better than your reputation.

The above statement was shamelessly gleaned from the program handed out at Quik Trip's 50th Anniversary Birthday Bash.  Here's my "Top 10" list of entities that could use this advice:

1. Tulsa's very own TDA
2. Tulsa County Commissioners
3. Tulsa City Hall
4. TMAPC
5. Wall Street
6. Payday Loan Sharks
7. Subprime Mortgage Lenders
8. U.S. Senate
9. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
10. U.S. House

What's your list?

Posted by Bobby at   12:16 AM | (0)         | (0)
 Reputation Business+Ethics Tulsa Oklahoma

The Proverbs rule of thumb. A rule of thumb from the Bible says, "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value."

How Oklahoma voted:

Aye Coburn, Thomas [R]

Nay Inhofe, James [R]

<Soapbox mode ON>

The "Entitlement" dams are about to burst.

When did it become a "right" to own a home?  When did it become a "right" to have medical care?  In recent times this list could go on and on.

Now I agree that everyone should have an equal opportunity to own a home or receive medical care, but opportunity is NOT a right.  What is opportunity?  Opportunity is working towards something worthwhile.  It could be saving to make a down payment on a house, a car, or any other major purchase.  It is equal access to education to better oneself and to earn a decent wage to be able to support yourself.

Somewhere in the U.S.'s recent history our lawmakers, and some of the population, has crossed wires.  Instead of working hard to obtain a goal, the "entitlement" mentality has kicked in and immediate gratification is realized by certain segments of the population.  When traditional methods are "short circuited," sooner or later a breakdown will happen.  This is what we are witnessing first hand which is the proverbial fallout from short circuiting the traditional system.

My best friend has it pegged.  He told his teenage son that he had two choices.  He could either be an asset to society by getting a job and attempting to support himself, or continue to be a liability to society by remaining on the same course he was on.  If his choice was being a liability on society, my friend told his son he was going to take him out and it wasn't going to be on a date.  I'm happy to say his son got a job and is beginning to come around to being a productive member of society.

Anytime the Government alters the natural course of anything, be afraid... be very afraid.

<Soapbox Mode IDLE> (more thoughts to come)

Posted by Bobby at   11:58 PM | (0)         | (0)
 HR1424 US+Senate Entitlement

Ran across this video on YouTube that pretty much explains it all....

Posted by Bobby at   08:22 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Obama Financial+Meltdown Community+Reinvestment+Act

So let me get this straight.... we give a bunch of taxpayer money to financial institutions interest free.  They in turn loan it out to taxpayers with interest.  They might pay back the money?

Is it just me or does something seem fishy about this convoluted thinking?  I know there's more to the EESA than I state above, but in a nutshell that's basically the crux of the situation.

Although President Bush was trying to shotgun this one through the political machinery, the House defeated the EESA v2.0 by 23 votes (228 NO, 205 Yes).  Oklahoma's representatives voted as follows:

District 1 - John Sullivan (R) - No
District 2 - Dan Boren (D) - Yes
District 3 - Frank Lucas (R) - No
District 4 - Tom Cole (R) - Yes
District 5 - Mary Fallin (R) - No

For a couple of days I have been trying to get my head around the magnitude of the proposed bailout.  The first step was trying to determine exactly how much a billion with a "b" was.  I billion is 1,000 million or 10^9.  This would be $1,000,000,000 which by itself is an absurd amount of money.  700 billion with a "b" would equate to $700,000,000,000, which is even more absurd.

Based on the CIA Fact Book the US has approximately 303,824,640 men, women and children that live here.  Divide 700 billion by the population and you get approximately $2304/person.  That's how much a bailout would cost everybody in the US.  The CIA Fact Book also breaks down the Demographics of the population into age groups, i.e. 15-64 is 67.1% of the population.  This is the age spread which is most likely to be turning a buck, and paying into our wonderful tax system.  If you divide the number of people that fall into that sector into the bailout price, it's approximately $3434/person.

In comparison the so-called Tax Stimulus Check that my wife and I received earlier this year was only a measly $1200.  I'm thinking the check was just some lube for what is to come.  Relax, lean back, and take it because resistance is futile.

Posted by Bobby at   04:58 PM | (0)         | (0)
 EESA HR3997 Oklahoma Taxes Financial+Meltdown

I always get a chuckle when someone asks my wife or my parents, "What does Bobby do?"  First of all that is a fair question especially from someone that is close to you.  My work title officially is a "Senior Controls Specialist" which in real world terms means whatever it takes to get a job done when I'm on it.  The bulk of my work is related to being an industrial computer geek.  I write, simulate, integrate, and commission programs used on equipment that utilize Industrial Computers and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) for automation.  This encompasses almost every industry.  So far this year I've worked in the Petroleum Industry, the food industry, the manufacturing industry, and the pharmaceutical industry.  Sometimes this is drop dead simple, sometimes it encompasses many late hours at the jobsite.  Basically in my line of work every day is a new day and every project a challenge.

At the end of the day, or when I return from being on the road, my wife will ask me what I did and I guess I sound something like the following YouTube video to her because she usually gets kind of blurry eyed before I finish.

Posted by Bobby at   10:21 PM | (0)         | (0)
 work

I ran across the following article on a web site called Associated Content. Anyone can submit content and the following article was submitted by Melissa George regarding her ordeal experience at Tulsa's BOK Center.

Struggles with Tulsa's BOK Center Daytime Debut
Among a day filled with inspiring motivational speakers, Tulsa citizens found a few areas for major improvement before the next all day event.
View more »

My wife told me that she got caught in the traffic heading to work and it was not pretty.

"Build it and they will come," we were told.  It was built and indeed they did come..... boy did they ever.  I wonder how many will come again after their downtown experience.

Posted by Bobby at   11:31 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa BOK+Center Traffic

A great way to discover Blogs dealing with anything remotely Oklahoma is checking out the Blog Oklahoma web ring.  Kevin Latham does a great job of maintaining and doing the grunt work of keeping it running smooth like a well oiled machine.  Oh and I almost forgot, Happy Birthday to Blog Oklahoma! (I think I was in North Africa when the gala event went down).

Started on July 25, 2003, the Blog Oklahoma web ring has grown into a diverse and interesting community of Oklahoma bloggers.

I originally found out about Blog Oklahoma's web ring from Tulsa's "Grand Potentate" of blogging, Michael Bates of Batesline.com.  I'm pretty sure that's where I discovered what a blog was as well.

Kevin not only manages the Blog Oklahoma ring, but has an excellent site on Oklahoma History called.... you guessed it, BlogOklahoma.us.  Want to find out more about the great state that we live in?  If so, you most definitely want to bookmark this site.

Want to see some "Bleeding Edge" technologies at work?  Check out the long list of web sites that Kevin has a hand in at..... yep, you guessed it a again, BlogOklahoma.net.  While you are there check out the Blog Oklahoma podcasts.  I've dabbled in podcasts from time to time and you would think it would be easier to talk than write a blog entry.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Podcasts can be perplexing at best and tormenting at worst.

I've listened to more than one of Kevin's podcasts so he must be doing something right.  I do not know where he finds the time to accomplish what he does, but I'm happy he chooses to do what he does.

Thanks Kevin!

Posted by Bobby at   10:31 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Oklahoma Blog+Oklahoma Oklahoma+History Blog+Oklahoma+Webring Podcasting

Rejuvenating Rail Transportation in Our State

When: Monday, September 22, 2008, 6pm

Where: Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis, Tulsa, Oklahoma

What:
'Oklahomans Taken For A Ride' 
A Don Grissom film, Oklahomans Taken for a Ride, to be screened at the Circle Cinema on Monday, September 22, at 6:00 p.m.

A discussion will follow the 24-minute film featuring Tom Elmore, Executive Director of North American Transportation Institute of Oklahoma City
who has worked diligently for many years to protect the rail infrastructure
of Oklahoma. With the current fuel crisis, it becomes more and more apparent we need to begin using rail transportation where possible;
and that is why this film and Tom's efforts are so important to all
Oklahomans.

The film is free and the public is invited. This is a one-time showing so
please come see this important film.

"Oklahomans Taken for a Ride" highlights the importance of
protecting Oklahoma's remarkable rail infrastructure and putting it to better use.

The event is being sponsored by the Coalition to Save Union Station Terminal Facility in Oklahoma City, but their work has ramifications for the Tulsa community and future transportation options in the state.

This film explores the extent to which Oklahoma's transportation future is threatened by plans of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
(ODOT) to rip out the originally 12-track, 8-block-long Oklahoma City Union Station terminal facility as a part of the I-40 Crosstown relocation. The film details ODOT rerouting plans while also detailing efforts to fight the destruction of the magnificent rail asset. The video also shows how the facility could be readily and economically reused as an Oklahoma
multi-modal transportation hub.

The filmmaker, Don Grissom, was a graduate of Norman High School . He
worked in film and video production in Washington , D.C. for 28 years,
recently returning to Norman in 2007 to continue his documentary career. He
had been involved in the production of One World Quest (Muheim Motion
Pictures), Benny Andrews Route 66 Tour (Ogden Museum of Southern Art), Intel Wars (CNN Documentary), Extreme Makeover (ABC), Drugs (Frontline, Resolute Films), and many other films. Unfortunately, Don Grissom passed away this summer.

Posted by Bobby at   04:12 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tom+Elmore NATI ODOT Oklahoma+City Tulsa Union+Station+Terminal Don+Grissom

Like the title says....  I want to know what's on your mind Tulsa.

Got a rant or rave about current events you want to get off your chest?

How about a hot tip for a post?

A sure pick on lottery numbers?

Click on the button and leave a message!

Please Note:  Your message is recorded and unless you tell me otherwise, it may be used in a post here at Tulsa Topics.

Feel uncomfortable leaving a phone message?  You can always email Tulsa Topics at the following email addy:

Posted by Bobby at   11:13 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa Grand+Central Tulsa+Topics

It's been somewhat interesting watching the Presidential candidates claw it out over the TV with a comfortable distance between them.  I'm sure it will be even more interesting seeing them in close proximity to each other debating the issues.

Who: Tulsa Young Republicans

When: Friday, September 26th, 2008 - 6:30PM to 9:30PM

Where: The Brook

Address: 3401 S Peoria

Join us to watch the first Presidential Debate on September 26th between John McCain and Barack Obama. As the election is only a few weeks away, we need to reach out to as many people as possible and make sure they watch the debate and see the clear differences between these candidates. Please join us for this important and fun event!

Posted by Bobby at   10:16 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa+Young+Republicans Tulsa John+McCain Barack+Obama

My wife and I attended the festival at River West Festival Park and were entertained by the excellent bands that performed on two stages.

Not only were there two stages, but a huge TV was right in between them.  Basically there wasn't a bad seat in the house.

I consumed a few beers and 50 cent hotdogs from the QT mobile kitchen while watching the Mid Life Crisis Band, Crooked X, Rattle and Hum, South 40, Leon Russell, and a little bit of Hanson.

After about 6 hours at the festival it was time to call it a night, head home, and watch the fireworks on CW 12/19.

I'd like to thank QT for throwing one hell of an anniversary party and allowing me to be a part of it!  Here's wishing you success for another 50 years!

Posted by Bobby at   08:00 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Quik+Trip Tulsa+River+Parks Tulsa Chester+Cadieux Chet+Cadieux

Looking for some software, but don’t have the bucks to spend?  You might want to check out Giveaway of the Day’s website.  My boss sent this link to me because he knows I generate a lot of documentation on some of the projects I’m involved with.  The GOTD today is for a PDF to Word converter.

PDF to Word is an easy-to-use software for converting a PDF document to an MS Word (RTF) document. The software supports all Adobe PDF modifications and it is possible to open the output RTF file with any version of MS Word, WordPad or OpenOffice. The PDF to Word converter retains the layout, images, text and formatting of the original PDF file.

Pretty handy little application!

Posted by Bobby at   12:08 PM | (0)         | (0)