Are we winning?

I've heard it discussed on Fox news, talk radio, and on the internet so much over the last years that I am completely numb to the question. Most of the hosts and the guests have their own agenda and it's all just a bunch of white noise at any given day in the background as I go about my life. I don't know if we are winning or not. It seems to depend on your definition so I never give it much thought, except for those rare segments where they use the word "draft".

Last night, during one of those quiet father/daughter conversations that I wouldn't take a million dollars for, she asked me if we were winning the war. Time seemed to stand still as she waited for my answer. We had been talking about 9-11 some and she was asking me about children in Iraq and if they were going to tear down those buildings again. Suddenly the white noise that I have grown to ignore was now demanding an answer. I wanted the answer to be accurate and honest. Perhaps most important was explaining it on a 7 yr old level.

Honest but simple has always served me well with her. I told her that I really didn't know because it was so far away but that a lot of good and bad people had died and that I hoped we would win soon. The satisfaction that I hoped to hear in her voice, at the well thought out answer I provided, was immediately replaced with questions number 2.

"Would you or N ever have to be in a war?"

I can't remember how I answered question 2, I'm worried it wasn't honest or simple.

Strawberry Lemonade

Last night I made strawberry lemonade. It's a good summertime drink. I used country time lemonade and then added some juice from a lemon. I cut up some strawberries and put it all in a glass with some ice. I found out that the key is to let the strawberries sit in the drink for a while to really let the flavor come out. It's something I plan on making again before the summer is out.

Olympics 2008

I really like video montages and so called "fluff pieces". For instance, 5 minutes before the 7th game of the world series, they usually recap the first 6 games and give you some under-story to really build up the drama. This video is enough to get me excited about watching the gymnastics this year. Great music, great voice over from the coach, I could do without the commentator chit-chat but other than that the first half of this is awesome. I don't know where NBC gets the music for these, they probably have the resources to make their own.

DMV / Tax Collector Runaround

One bit of good news regarding the truck situation. There's a $550 tag on it that I should be able to get some credit on. I call the vehicle tax collector. Yep, just come up here and we will use your drivers license to give you your money back on the remaining months. Should be $250, SWEET.

I get to their office. The lady I talked to is not there. I speak with another lady. Older, more seasoned. As a side note, I'm sure I don't have to go into much detail on these folks. If you've ever been to get your tag renewed somewhere, you know what I'm dealing with. Most of them are pissed off most of the time. This lady lets out a witch like laugh when I tell her I'm there to get my $250. Sir you have to have the physical tag for us to give you the credit. I'm not happy but what she's saying makes sense. 2 days later I go to the vehicle graveyard where the biggest financial mistake of my life sits. Luckily they have the tag ready for me and it's mine with only a signature. Surprisingly it's the easiest part of this process.

Later that day I proudly walk in with my tag because I know this will be quick now that I have what is required. A new "teller" grabs the tag, types in her computer and hands me a receipt that says, "credit voucher... $250". Um, WHERES THE CASH!
"Oh, we don't give you cash, you will just have the credit for next year when you renew the tags" I say nothing, grab the voucher and walk back to my van.

2 weeks later...
Guess what, its time to renew the tags on the van. $32.50. At this rate it will take about 8 years to get my $250 worth of credit but Im past being mad about the money at this point. I'm out that way one day so I stop in. I don't have the credit receipt or the renewal info so Im taking a little risk of another waste of time, but I'm thinking they probably have all this in the computer. NOPE, in fact if you loose the voucher, you loose the credit. In 2008... What, unbelievable.

More days later, I go back with all the paperwork. Okay that will be $14.00. I'm so mad I can't speak. .. Well this year we have new plates and you can't use the credit for that part.

I leave once again, and I'm realizing I've seen these people too many times in one month. I want to burn the building down, but I get in my car and leave, without using any of my credit.