Thoughts For Thursday...

Yes, the weekend IS coming, and sooner than you think.
We've got some NICE weather to herald it, also.
(I know...soon we'll be complaining about the cold)
Our Hooiserland forecast this day brings us partly sunny skies (early on), temps topping out in the low 70s, and NO precipitation.
Now that alone is cause to celebrate a bit, isn't it?
So, go get yourselves a refreshing drink to start things off (already have my cup of java) as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the ammo box is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

“Day by day we increase in age. Step by step we reduce the number of our steps. When you grow old, you shall see life differently and you shall get a better understanding of the journey of life: how you lived it and how you should have lived it!” 
This was spoken by someone I had never heard of until yesterday - one Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, and if you can find ANY information about him, good luck.
All that came across is that he is from Ghana (hence the clue), is an author, and not much else.
I can't even find out when the hell he was born.
He does have a FB page and a blog, so you might find more information there.
I searched for the better part of an hour yesterday and found nothing that I could include here.
But, he does have some good quotes...
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
AUGUST 24 -
---It's National Maryland Day

(still doesn't mean much in Indiana)
---It's National Peach Pie Day

(not a fan, but to each his/her own)
---It's National Waffle Day

(this I can do...and just might for breakfast)
*** Next up, time to rail against another one of our marvelous FEDERAL agencies.

And, it's one I've had "difficulties" with before...several times.
We're talking about the USPS.
My friend's birthday is coming up, and we both got into this habit of sending each other things in the mail, usually books or DVDs. So, I go ahead and order a couple items, both of which don't have to travel far across the fruited plain.
Yesterday, I was checking the status of the order, and the tracking number tells me the item was DELIVERED around 10 A.M yesterday "at the front door or porch".
Now, since I WATCH for the mail to come (in our neighborhood, it's a good idea...just sayin'), I didn't see or hear any mail truck (they have a distinctive sound). Not to mention, Wifey and I were out front at that time doing some lawn chores, and neither of us saw anything related to the USPS.

I don't see a porch in the background there.

Plus, we DON'T have a  bloody porch!
So, I don't know WHERE the hell this "information" is coming from.
I check the mail BOX - nothing there. I checked it several times during the afternoon...still nothing.
I did finally see the mail truck come up the street, an went out to the mailbox...STILL nothing.
Now, WHAT THE F*CK is going on here anyway?
I call the post office and they tell me the carrier is a substitute (oh, big surprise there), and that they expect him in shortly and will ask about my package. They would either call me that afternoon (which they did not) or this morning)
You know, when it comes to the FEDS, I take nothing for granted. Hell, I worked for them, so I KNOW how they roll.
We have our HOUSE address on the house itself, our MAILBOX is labeled with our correct address, the package also had the correct mailing (ship to) address (as per eBay and Paypal), so I have no frigging clue as to HOW the hell anyone could f*ck anything up...unless you have some mook that can't read worth a damn, or doesn't give a shit about work ethics doing the route.
We'll see what happens today, but at this point, I am NOT a happy camper.
*** Next up, I was going to mention the photo-ops our "king" (mayor Henry) was at yesterday, but I don't feel like tossing my breakfast (before I even eat it)...lol.
*** Next, there seems to be a brouhaha over having citizens carry in public without a license.
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20170824/handgun-permits-defended

This is a bit of a "point of contention" for me, and not because people should be denied to Constitutional Carry a firearm...
Let's just say I'm not a fan of the COST of obtaining a permit for CCW (about $125 here in Fort Wayne), plus all the damn hoops you now have to jump through (electronic forms, a third party location you have to show up at.
I miss when all you had to do was go to the FWPD HQ and fill out the form THERE< get your fingerprints taken and then wait a month. That was easy compared to this new gig. I don't like not having direct police involvement with any of this, nor do I like sitting in some location with a bunch of people who look like they should NEVER have a weapon. Reminds me of the BMV (or Social Security office)...lol.
I've already HAD background checks done for me, had my prints taken a couple times, and I;ve never been arrested, and I'm a good shot and hit what I aim at.

Who BETTER to get a green light to carry a firearm?
Many people at those places look like they should NEVER get a driver;s license and certainly don't look like they should be getting "free" money from the gov't. I (at least) earned mine over decades.
*** Next, time to chill out at "Kitten Corner"...
The kids were once again rambunctious as hell, so I'm thinking we're going through the "terrible twos"...

JUST like children. Imagine that.
Only these two are a LOT faster, and you can nail them with a squirt bottle to settle THEM down...heh.
And with all the running about, photos are few and far between.
Gotta catch 'em when they're crapped out.
*** Next, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

A more "interesting" perspective to supervise.

Our twosome were right out on the patio as usual, awaiting their "breakfast" (sorry, no waffles).
They then both "supervised" as Wifey and I worked out front.

In STEALTH-MODE behind the fountain grass.

Whiskers did disappear for a time, but Midnight seems to stay most of the day (after his patrol).
Going to be interesting when it does get cold outside...might have to make us a couple proper shelters for them.
*** Last back to the pistol range...technology can be useful, but you can never discount the human aspect.

By that, I mean that no matter HOW much technology comes our way, people will be the rtue determining factor as to the USE of that tech, for good OR for bad (just look at social media).
I say this, because the mail service USED to be good., Mail a letter or package, and by having good PEOPLE working there, stuff got to where it was supposed to, and a lot more often...in ANY weather (so the motto goes).

These days, everything is BAR-CODED, and electronically scanned to INSURE that things don't get screwed up.
And yet...they DO, and a lot more frequently.
I believe the reason is that people today "think" that technology is there to do their job FOR THEM...nope, sorry.
It's there to speed the process along, but as long as you have people looking for an easier way to shirk their own responsibilities when it comes to the work environment (and the ethics attached to that), we are going to have glitches in the system...HUMAN glitches.
Technology is another TOOL to be used (properly)...not abused.

Maybe instead of focusing all our collective talents on MORE technology, maybe we should instead try harder to improve the human condition, so as to find that "sweet spot" when it comes the merger of all this tech that never seems to stop coming at us. Without PEOPLE doing THEIR job as they should, all the tech in the world doesn't mean jack-shit.
All it DOES mean, is that we'll have more efficient ways to muck things up...a lot faster.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.