It was very expensive ($200+ for a hotel room, REALLY?) and it was HUGE (three different levels of the Detroit Convention Center with some meeting rooms more than a football field away) but in the end, I got what I wanted; information on how to do business with the governent.
And it didn't take long. The very first seminar I went to Tuesday afternoon was the best. And to be honest, the rest of my experience there was less than fulfilling. I spent an hour and a half standing in a line for pre-registered attendees only to learn they couldn't find my bag and name tag. At least 'I was in the system' meaning they took my money. I knew that since I had a confirmation number. I got a temporary and was told to come back in 30 minutes. I checked back three times over the next 2 hours -- between meeting -- before I got a real badge.
Perhaps the worse part of this conference -- other than the cost for this tight-wad -- was the way many of the seminars were conducted. There were perhaps 30 different, 1-hour break-out sessions going on at any given moment. But the vast majority of them never repeated. Several times there were two seminars I wanted to attend going on at the same time. So I would bounce around.
A couple of times I went to a room and the speaker was a no-show or the topic being covered was not the same as was listed in my printed agenda. Other than the one seminar Tuesday afternoon, the next bast thing was the networking opportunities. There were ALOT of people there. Our federal government alone spends more than 6 BILLION dollars a year. All of us there were looking for our piece of the action.
I also learned a new language; or at least started too. It was impossible to carry on a conversation with-out at least one acronym per sentence and usually two or three. Like VSOB = Veteran Owned Small Business; or SDVSOB = Service-connected Disabled Veteran Owned Business; or RFI = Request for Information; or RFQ = Request for Quote, and on and on. I'm serious when I tell you I felt like I was in a room full of people speaking Klingon.
I attended a seminar on the Verification Process for a VSOB, which I just completed last week. The poor guy making the presentation was pounded by distraught veterans who had been denied certification. Judging from the feedback from the audience, the VA has some real issues. Hopefully, I will not be amongst that group.
I planned to stay thru Thursday -- today -- but left yesterday after the morning session. I had seen all I needed and that motel room was KILLING me! Besides, my goal of learning how to get more business from the government was accomplished at my first meeting. Luckily for me, I caught it.
One final observation about our government is how it is a self-perpetuating monster. It is so big and so complex that it takes more and more people to keep it running. Don't misunderstand me, there is not one other place in the world that I'd rather live than in the USA. But I think living in a democratic society means accepting that the government is an insanely complex megatron that is nearly impossible to oversee. It's just too big. Too many closets. Too many self-interests. Too many rules with loop-holes. Too many people with too many hidden agendas. Is this another example of 'Too big to fail?'
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Getting Ready for Another Week of Running
Tomorrow morning I will hit the ground running. Bank business first then put something together for my driver in Cleveland, OH who should be empty by 9 am. Then some errands, including about $1,000 to the Secretary of State for license plate renewals on three trailers. It's expensive being in business. But prospects are good.
I just saw another article abut the near-term forecast for the trucking industry. Everything I have read points to a strong demand for business and a shortage of drivers. The result will be higher freight rates and longer delivery times. I'll take the freight rates but we will not sacrifice service times. That's what we do, get it there NOW.
Like most of the stories I am reading, the reason for the increase in rates despite the (so called) week economy is the reduction of QUALITY drivers available. You can't get kids right out of high school because you must be 21 to have a CDL. Non-collage bound kids go more toward the trades like carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Also, the major changes the feds have imposed on the trucking industry -- specifically making public safety records of drivers and carriers -- has eliminated many of the less-safe operators. Then there is the quality of life thing. People don't want to be away from friends and family for a week or two at a time. Over-the-road truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job.
That's why the niche were are in is so awesome. We are cheaper to operate than a big truck. Fuel mileage in particular but even repairs and maintenance. But we still get about 80% of what a big truck makes for income. Because we have a pretty good market of out-bound loads from St. Louis area manufactures, I bring guys straight back home after each load out. My guys are out from one to three nights at a time and home almost every weekend. Everybody is happy.
So the future is bright, beginning with my busy day tomorrow. Then sometime late afternoon I will head to Detroit for the Veteran Small Business Conference starting Tuesday afternoon for three days.
Go, go, go.
I just saw another article abut the near-term forecast for the trucking industry. Everything I have read points to a strong demand for business and a shortage of drivers. The result will be higher freight rates and longer delivery times. I'll take the freight rates but we will not sacrifice service times. That's what we do, get it there NOW.
Like most of the stories I am reading, the reason for the increase in rates despite the (so called) week economy is the reduction of QUALITY drivers available. You can't get kids right out of high school because you must be 21 to have a CDL. Non-collage bound kids go more toward the trades like carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Also, the major changes the feds have imposed on the trucking industry -- specifically making public safety records of drivers and carriers -- has eliminated many of the less-safe operators. Then there is the quality of life thing. People don't want to be away from friends and family for a week or two at a time. Over-the-road truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job.
That's why the niche were are in is so awesome. We are cheaper to operate than a big truck. Fuel mileage in particular but even repairs and maintenance. But we still get about 80% of what a big truck makes for income. Because we have a pretty good market of out-bound loads from St. Louis area manufactures, I bring guys straight back home after each load out. My guys are out from one to three nights at a time and home almost every weekend. Everybody is happy.
So the future is bright, beginning with my busy day tomorrow. Then sometime late afternoon I will head to Detroit for the Veteran Small Business Conference starting Tuesday afternoon for three days.
Go, go, go.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Was I Complaining about, No Miles?
One thing in life for sure -- things are always changing. For the past couple of months the total number of miles I have driven in my truck would be measured with two-digits. Not anymore.
I left FL on Thursday, a week ago, and drove the 1100 miles up to southern IL -- in one day. Friday was the 20th celebration of my 40th B-day. The weekend was with my son practicing driving a truck with a big trailer hanging off the back.
Monday was getting equipment inspected and up to snuff. Tuesday was a day I have been planning for since October 2011; my Veteran Owned business certification. I would have thought this to be a pretty simple process; check my DD-214 (discharge papers) and some of my official business documents like my Motor Carrier letter of Authority, bank statements, DBA listing with the State. Easy peasy. Not so.
Apparently the Veterans Administration takes their endorsement quite seriously. I went into great detail about my history going back 40 years during the interview process. I spent about three hours with my interviewer and think it went pretty well. I should get the determination in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, Nathan and I drove 450 miles to Lincoln, NE and picked up a new (to me) flatbed trailer -- AND 450 miles back. It was midnight when we got back. But Nathan was along to help with the drive. I meant to get some pix of my new rig but it has been non-stop. But I will, because I think this set-up is the 'cat's meow' for what we do. I will address that in more detail when I get the pix.
No rest Thursday. After dropping the trailer at Lombardo Trailer for service and a check-up, Nathan and I headed for the coast of North Carolina -- 950 miles away. We had booked a job to tow back a 36' houseboat to Lake Carlyle near here. That went NOTHING like planned.
We arrived in Swansboro, NC about 10 am today (Friday). This is a very old boat and the trailer had been sitting a long time. I was told the boat was 10' wide. It was 10'4". The 4" difference resulted in me having the wrong oversize permits for our trip thru four states. Plus it was 14' high, only 6" more than legal but still a problem. Wrong permits.
But I tried anyway. We got the loose items secured. Hung red flags and our over-size signs. Adjusted the hitch, hooked up and pulled her out of the weeds. Our first stop, 10 miles later, revealed the three tires on the passenger side to be so dry rotted I was surprised we made it that far. I'm still not discouraged; I have two spares - on wheels -- and I'll buy a third. That is until the mechanic at the tire shop said the lug nuts were so rusted he would probably break them off in removing the tires. The final straw was when he said it would be Monday or Tuesday before he could get it done because of the amount of labor involved. I quit. I towed it back to the shipper and said I was sorry. Those tires were unsafe and we weren't hanging out til Tuesday -- maybe.
When bad things happen to you, it is rarely just one thing going wrong. It is an accumulation of single items that add up to a disaster. This was a bad from the start and kept getting worse. I envisioned one of two things happening. Either a cop was going to notice our oversize boat and pull us over to check paperwork (now we are in trouble for wrong permits) or a tire was gonna blow and I'm on the side of the road -- or worse -- in a REAL pickle. Too many bad things happened here already to continue. We're done. Take the bullet now and move on. So we are heading back to IL now, empty.
Next week the VA is sponsoring a 3-day conference in Detroit designed to help vets do business with the federal government. I will leave here Monday afternoon so I can get there by noon Tuesday for the first seminar. I am really looking forward to that.
But right now I'm rolling the seat back for a nap. My turn to drive in an hour or so. I love my internet connection thru my phone with my laptop -- when I have 3G, anyway.
(BTW Trinity -- no calls accepted from "Unknown" numbers. Sorry. :-)
I left FL on Thursday, a week ago, and drove the 1100 miles up to southern IL -- in one day. Friday was the 20th celebration of my 40th B-day. The weekend was with my son practicing driving a truck with a big trailer hanging off the back.
Monday was getting equipment inspected and up to snuff. Tuesday was a day I have been planning for since October 2011; my Veteran Owned business certification. I would have thought this to be a pretty simple process; check my DD-214 (discharge papers) and some of my official business documents like my Motor Carrier letter of Authority, bank statements, DBA listing with the State. Easy peasy. Not so.
Apparently the Veterans Administration takes their endorsement quite seriously. I went into great detail about my history going back 40 years during the interview process. I spent about three hours with my interviewer and think it went pretty well. I should get the determination in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, Nathan and I drove 450 miles to Lincoln, NE and picked up a new (to me) flatbed trailer -- AND 450 miles back. It was midnight when we got back. But Nathan was along to help with the drive. I meant to get some pix of my new rig but it has been non-stop. But I will, because I think this set-up is the 'cat's meow' for what we do. I will address that in more detail when I get the pix.
No rest Thursday. After dropping the trailer at Lombardo Trailer for service and a check-up, Nathan and I headed for the coast of North Carolina -- 950 miles away. We had booked a job to tow back a 36' houseboat to Lake Carlyle near here. That went NOTHING like planned.
We arrived in Swansboro, NC about 10 am today (Friday). This is a very old boat and the trailer had been sitting a long time. I was told the boat was 10' wide. It was 10'4". The 4" difference resulted in me having the wrong oversize permits for our trip thru four states. Plus it was 14' high, only 6" more than legal but still a problem. Wrong permits.
But I tried anyway. We got the loose items secured. Hung red flags and our over-size signs. Adjusted the hitch, hooked up and pulled her out of the weeds. Our first stop, 10 miles later, revealed the three tires on the passenger side to be so dry rotted I was surprised we made it that far. I'm still not discouraged; I have two spares - on wheels -- and I'll buy a third. That is until the mechanic at the tire shop said the lug nuts were so rusted he would probably break them off in removing the tires. The final straw was when he said it would be Monday or Tuesday before he could get it done because of the amount of labor involved. I quit. I towed it back to the shipper and said I was sorry. Those tires were unsafe and we weren't hanging out til Tuesday -- maybe.
When bad things happen to you, it is rarely just one thing going wrong. It is an accumulation of single items that add up to a disaster. This was a bad from the start and kept getting worse. I envisioned one of two things happening. Either a cop was going to notice our oversize boat and pull us over to check paperwork (now we are in trouble for wrong permits) or a tire was gonna blow and I'm on the side of the road -- or worse -- in a REAL pickle. Too many bad things happened here already to continue. We're done. Take the bullet now and move on. So we are heading back to IL now, empty.
Next week the VA is sponsoring a 3-day conference in Detroit designed to help vets do business with the federal government. I will leave here Monday afternoon so I can get there by noon Tuesday for the first seminar. I am really looking forward to that.
But right now I'm rolling the seat back for a nap. My turn to drive in an hour or so. I love my internet connection thru my phone with my laptop -- when I have 3G, anyway.
(BTW Trinity -- no calls accepted from "Unknown" numbers. Sorry. :-)
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Bill Bryan CDJ -- STILL Trying To Get Into My Wallet
I thought I was done with Bill Bryan Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Fruitland Park, FL -- but no, not yet. I bought a new (to me) Dodge Ram truck from them about a month ago. Details and specifics can be found in an earlier blog, but in a nutshell, I got an excellent truck but really felt 'beat-up' by the dealership -- mostly from the business manager.
The salesman and I had an agreement; an 'out-the-door price' sealed with a handshake and my initials on a piece of paper. By the time I actually got out-the door, the price had inflated a little more than $250. When I picked up the truck, the brand-new bedliner that had been in the truck when I test drove it was gone. (The salesman later on offered to make it right but I declined).
The out-the-door price was to include taxes, title, registration, etc -- EVERYTHING. So a couple of days ago I get a phone call from one of the clerical (I'm assuming) support ladies at Bill Bryan CDJ telling me they had wrongly calculated the sales tax due the state of IL and that I owed "the state" another $120 or so. I told her no, "I don't owe the state anything. They aren't calling me for more money -- YOU are." I suggested she talk to my salesman. I haven't heard anything else. Maybe NOW I'm done with them.
I have posted before my opinion of car dealers. I think they specialize in 'smoke and mirrors' and, despite their smiling faces, are mostly interested in sucking everything out of you they can and make you feel good about it in the end. I think 95% of all car dealers give the rest of them a bad name. My experience with this dealership reinforced that opinion.
The salesman and I had an agreement; an 'out-the-door price' sealed with a handshake and my initials on a piece of paper. By the time I actually got out-the door, the price had inflated a little more than $250. When I picked up the truck, the brand-new bedliner that had been in the truck when I test drove it was gone. (The salesman later on offered to make it right but I declined).
The out-the-door price was to include taxes, title, registration, etc -- EVERYTHING. So a couple of days ago I get a phone call from one of the clerical (I'm assuming) support ladies at Bill Bryan CDJ telling me they had wrongly calculated the sales tax due the state of IL and that I owed "the state" another $120 or so. I told her no, "I don't owe the state anything. They aren't calling me for more money -- YOU are." I suggested she talk to my salesman. I haven't heard anything else. Maybe NOW I'm done with them.
I have posted before my opinion of car dealers. I think they specialize in 'smoke and mirrors' and, despite their smiling faces, are mostly interested in sucking everything out of you they can and make you feel good about it in the end. I think 95% of all car dealers give the rest of them a bad name. My experience with this dealership reinforced that opinion.
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Calm Before The Storm
An extremely busy couple of weeks is set to start for me later this
week. I always have trouble sleeping the night before I start a new
trip. This time it's a few nights early as my mind already begins
contemplating the various events and outcomes. At least the weather
around here is back to normal.
I will leave Florida Wednesday or Thursday and drive my new truck to Illinois. Originally, I thought I was going to take my motorcycle with me to eventually drive back to FL with. Not anymore. Instead I will fly back on Southwest Airlines using a credit I had from a previous cancelled reservation.
Friday morning I have a doctors appointment; nothing special, just the normal poking and prodding one is suppose to get as they get older. Also, my new truck has an appointment to get a new 5th wheel hitch installed. Then Sat or Sun it's a 1,000 mile road-trip to pick-up my new trailer.
Next week, among other things, is orientation for my newest driver -- my oldest son. I will ride with him for a week or so teaching him how to not run-over things. If you have ever towed anything you will understand. He has not. And his first effort is going to be with a 36' wagon. That's a lot of stuff hanging behind you to think about. But he is a smart kid and a fairly good driver -- for a 28 y/o anyway. It won't take long for him to get the feel for it.
The week after next -- the last one in June -- will be the 2012 National Veterans Small Business Conference in Detroit. I have been undergoing verification by the VA as a Veteran Owned Small Business. This certification is to enhance our ability to do business with the federal government. The conference is an opportunity to mingle with the decision makers and to learn how to maneuver thru the red tape. That will be a three day affair after which I drive back to Illinois (because I'm taking my new truck to MI) and finish up any loose ends. My flight back to Paradise is Monday night July 2.
Busy, busy times ahead as we get close to the official start of Summer. And I just remembered, today is the day Jupiter enters the constellation of Gemini. Depending on who you want to listen too, this is suppose to be a very powerful period of my life. It will take Jupiter a little over a year to pass thru so, time will tell.
I will leave Florida Wednesday or Thursday and drive my new truck to Illinois. Originally, I thought I was going to take my motorcycle with me to eventually drive back to FL with. Not anymore. Instead I will fly back on Southwest Airlines using a credit I had from a previous cancelled reservation.
Friday morning I have a doctors appointment; nothing special, just the normal poking and prodding one is suppose to get as they get older. Also, my new truck has an appointment to get a new 5th wheel hitch installed. Then Sat or Sun it's a 1,000 mile road-trip to pick-up my new trailer.
Next week, among other things, is orientation for my newest driver -- my oldest son. I will ride with him for a week or so teaching him how to not run-over things. If you have ever towed anything you will understand. He has not. And his first effort is going to be with a 36' wagon. That's a lot of stuff hanging behind you to think about. But he is a smart kid and a fairly good driver -- for a 28 y/o anyway. It won't take long for him to get the feel for it.
The week after next -- the last one in June -- will be the 2012 National Veterans Small Business Conference in Detroit. I have been undergoing verification by the VA as a Veteran Owned Small Business. This certification is to enhance our ability to do business with the federal government. The conference is an opportunity to mingle with the decision makers and to learn how to maneuver thru the red tape. That will be a three day affair after which I drive back to Illinois (because I'm taking my new truck to MI) and finish up any loose ends. My flight back to Paradise is Monday night July 2.
Busy, busy times ahead as we get close to the official start of Summer. And I just remembered, today is the day Jupiter enters the constellation of Gemini. Depending on who you want to listen too, this is suppose to be a very powerful period of my life. It will take Jupiter a little over a year to pass thru so, time will tell.
Friday, June 8, 2012
The 'PERFECT' Trailer?
I bought a new trailer today. I found it on eBay. This will get matched up to the new truck I bought last month and be operated by my oldest son, who is about to become a (very, very, very, very, very,very) small part-owner of the company. So let's go back to the beginning.
I am always thinking how to fine-tune the niche of the trucking industry that we operate in and make it more profitable. Since fuel is our number one expense, we must find a way to do what we do the most efficiently. I believe the Cummins 5.9 diesel produced in 2005, 2006 and early 2007 is THE BEST motor on the market for what we do. I bought a 2006 Dodge 2500 ready to go.
My almost 28 y/o son has perhaps reached a point in his life where what he has achieved so far is not good enough and he is prepared to do what it takes to move forward. I'm quite proud of him reaching that point 25 years ahead of his old man. Smart kid. He actually came to me with the idea of driving, not that I haven't drop a hint for a long time. He will be available to drive July 1 but he has no CDL, a requirement for all my equipment; until today.
I found a 36' gooseneck car hauler. Several things make THIS trailer special. Most importantly are the axles. They are 7,000 lb Dexters (2 tires each axle) rather than the 12,000 lb Dexters (4 tires each axle). Obviously I can't haul as heavy a load with this trailer, but that is okay. I get alot of lighter loads too. And because of this lower rating -- 14,000 lbs for the trailer and 10,000 for the truck -- this combination is below the 26,000 mark set by the feds and is therefore non-CDL; perfect for my son.
And for the return trip home we can easily get TWO cars up when the opportunity is there. More income per trip means higher cents-per-mile -- the ultimate number that tells you if this was a good trip or not.
Now, truth be told, I don't own the trailer yet, officially. I have a gentleman's agreement over the phone. He faxed me a copy of the clear title and I mailed him a check today for 20% with the balance to paid in cash within two weeks, when I go pick it up. So, here we GROW AGAIN. Very exciting.
I'm also excited because I saw the sun for a few minutes earlier today. That was the first time in three or four days -- MOST unusual for these parts. We have been stuck in this same weather pattern since Tuesday and it is just pumping one wave of rain after another. It is tearing up the beach, too. I'll bet we lost another foot or two of waterline as the waves reclaim the beachhead. The city spent a whole lot of money pumping sand ONTO this beach two years ago. Mother Nature has something else in mind.
I am always thinking how to fine-tune the niche of the trucking industry that we operate in and make it more profitable. Since fuel is our number one expense, we must find a way to do what we do the most efficiently. I believe the Cummins 5.9 diesel produced in 2005, 2006 and early 2007 is THE BEST motor on the market for what we do. I bought a 2006 Dodge 2500 ready to go.
My almost 28 y/o son has perhaps reached a point in his life where what he has achieved so far is not good enough and he is prepared to do what it takes to move forward. I'm quite proud of him reaching that point 25 years ahead of his old man. Smart kid. He actually came to me with the idea of driving, not that I haven't drop a hint for a long time. He will be available to drive July 1 but he has no CDL, a requirement for all my equipment; until today.
I found a 36' gooseneck car hauler. Several things make THIS trailer special. Most importantly are the axles. They are 7,000 lb Dexters (2 tires each axle) rather than the 12,000 lb Dexters (4 tires each axle). Obviously I can't haul as heavy a load with this trailer, but that is okay. I get alot of lighter loads too. And because of this lower rating -- 14,000 lbs for the trailer and 10,000 for the truck -- this combination is below the 26,000 mark set by the feds and is therefore non-CDL; perfect for my son.
And for the return trip home we can easily get TWO cars up when the opportunity is there. More income per trip means higher cents-per-mile -- the ultimate number that tells you if this was a good trip or not.
Now, truth be told, I don't own the trailer yet, officially. I have a gentleman's agreement over the phone. He faxed me a copy of the clear title and I mailed him a check today for 20% with the balance to paid in cash within two weeks, when I go pick it up. So, here we GROW AGAIN. Very exciting.
I'm also excited because I saw the sun for a few minutes earlier today. That was the first time in three or four days -- MOST unusual for these parts. We have been stuck in this same weather pattern since Tuesday and it is just pumping one wave of rain after another. It is tearing up the beach, too. I'll bet we lost another foot or two of waterline as the waves reclaim the beachhead. The city spent a whole lot of money pumping sand ONTO this beach two years ago. Mother Nature has something else in mind.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Astrology -- Are You a Believer?
I think there is definitely an influence that planetary alignments exert on us humans. We have proof right before our eyes twice a day as the tides in the Gulf shift according to the position of the moon, primarily. Since the earth and the average human body are both about 70% water, doesn't it make sense that we are also affected by the positions of the planets?
Now, that being said, let me add the disclaimer. I seriously question the abilities of humans to interpret these alignments and give a sound enough meaning that we can make important life decisions. We have a pretty good example of that failure also -- The Bible.
I'm a Gemini. And on June 11th, Jupiter will 'enter' my 'house' - astronomically speaking. I was shown one astrologers interpretation who predicted I was "...about to begin one of the biggest and best years of your life." Considering how good my life has been so far, I thought that to be a very powerful statement. Things have already been going pretty good for me on a business level and I anticipate adding two more drivers -- doubling AGAIN -- next month.
Being the inquisitive one that I am, I did some more research. Not everyone out there agrees. Go figure. Another expert says, "Jupiter in Gemini is deemed to be very scattered with too many things going on to ever deal efficiently with any of them." Hmmmm. Reality check.
I guess I will just continue to do what I have been doing and look up at the stars at night and try to decipher for myself what they are twinkling to me. Although tonite -- very unfortunately -- will not be a good one. It's been cloudy and overcast all day with a 15-20 mph wind from the west. Our beach is white from the froth and slowly eroding away back into the Gulf.
The worst part about potentially no sunset tonite is that Venus will be transiting (crossing) the face of the sun from our perspective starting just before sunset. Wonder what that means? AND it is a Full Moon. OMG!
Now, that being said, let me add the disclaimer. I seriously question the abilities of humans to interpret these alignments and give a sound enough meaning that we can make important life decisions. We have a pretty good example of that failure also -- The Bible.
I'm a Gemini. And on June 11th, Jupiter will 'enter' my 'house' - astronomically speaking. I was shown one astrologers interpretation who predicted I was "...about to begin one of the biggest and best years of your life." Considering how good my life has been so far, I thought that to be a very powerful statement. Things have already been going pretty good for me on a business level and I anticipate adding two more drivers -- doubling AGAIN -- next month.
Being the inquisitive one that I am, I did some more research. Not everyone out there agrees. Go figure. Another expert says, "Jupiter in Gemini is deemed to be very scattered with too many things going on to ever deal efficiently with any of them." Hmmmm. Reality check.
I guess I will just continue to do what I have been doing and look up at the stars at night and try to decipher for myself what they are twinkling to me. Although tonite -- very unfortunately -- will not be a good one. It's been cloudy and overcast all day with a 15-20 mph wind from the west. Our beach is white from the froth and slowly eroding away back into the Gulf.
Friday, June 1, 2012
The Ten Commandments From my Spritual Soap Box
Two things I generally try to steer clear of in most any conversation -- or blog post -- are politics and religion. But on occasion something tweaks my interest, and in my effort to post a little more regularly, I will violate that restriction.
I describe myself as a pragmatic Jew. Let me define that a bit for you. The easy part first -- I'm Jewish. At risk of oversimplification, the biggest difference between a Jew and a Christian (75% of the US population in 2008) is their belief pertaining to the Son of GOD. The Christians think he has been here once already and the Jews are still waiting for him.
Like Christianity, Judaism is also greatly fragmented into smaller groups from zealots to...... well, I guess pragmatics like me. The dictionary describes pragmatic as "... a practical point of view or practical considerations....treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions and results." In other words a VERY logical person that is less on 'faith' and more on 'show me'.
Jews and Christians both agree on the first part of the Bible - The Old Testament. One of the stories in the Old Testament is about Moses leading the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Remember Charlton Heston crossing the Red Sea when GOD opened a path for them? Later on in their travels they end up camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai (aka Mt. Horeb) in the Sinai Desert. Moses goes to the mountain top to see what GOD wants him to do. He was gone for 40 days and 40 nights but returned with, among other things, The Ten Commandments - two stone tablets inscribed with the WRITTEN word of GOD; the ONLY written words of GOD in the Bible.
Okay, here's the part where I put it together for you. I identify SIGNIFICANTLY with most of the Jewish ideologies. It makes me comfortable. And I have been to at least 30 or 50 different religious services in my life -- comparing. I believe in the Old Testament. I think you would be the perfect person if you lived by those guidelines. I'm not that.
So I blend the ideology of Judaism with the practicality of Common Sense and logic. I have a couple foundations in my belief. One of the Top 3 is: "Have Fun without stepping on anybody else intentionally." Life is short. Tomorrow is NOT guaranteed. Live like you're dying, cuz you are.
That's a Pragmatic Jew. To me.
Oh, and the Ten Commandments? In my mind, if those 10 things were important enough for GOD to put them in writing, then I'm really going to try my HARDEST with them first. Isn't that like the teacher giving you the answers to the test BEFORE you have to take it?
I describe myself as a pragmatic Jew. Let me define that a bit for you. The easy part first -- I'm Jewish. At risk of oversimplification, the biggest difference between a Jew and a Christian (75% of the US population in 2008) is their belief pertaining to the Son of GOD. The Christians think he has been here once already and the Jews are still waiting for him.
Like Christianity, Judaism is also greatly fragmented into smaller groups from zealots to...... well, I guess pragmatics like me. The dictionary describes pragmatic as "... a practical point of view or practical considerations....treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions and results." In other words a VERY logical person that is less on 'faith' and more on 'show me'.
Jews and Christians both agree on the first part of the Bible - The Old Testament. One of the stories in the Old Testament is about Moses leading the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Remember Charlton Heston crossing the Red Sea when GOD opened a path for them? Later on in their travels they end up camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai (aka Mt. Horeb) in the Sinai Desert. Moses goes to the mountain top to see what GOD wants him to do. He was gone for 40 days and 40 nights but returned with, among other things, The Ten Commandments - two stone tablets inscribed with the WRITTEN word of GOD; the ONLY written words of GOD in the Bible.
Okay, here's the part where I put it together for you. I identify SIGNIFICANTLY with most of the Jewish ideologies. It makes me comfortable. And I have been to at least 30 or 50 different religious services in my life -- comparing. I believe in the Old Testament. I think you would be the perfect person if you lived by those guidelines. I'm not that.
So I blend the ideology of Judaism with the practicality of Common Sense and logic. I have a couple foundations in my belief. One of the Top 3 is: "Have Fun without stepping on anybody else intentionally." Life is short. Tomorrow is NOT guaranteed. Live like you're dying, cuz you are.
That's a Pragmatic Jew. To me.
Oh, and the Ten Commandments? In my mind, if those 10 things were important enough for GOD to put them in writing, then I'm really going to try my HARDEST with them first. Isn't that like the teacher giving you the answers to the test BEFORE you have to take it?
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