Thanksgiving 2015

Written By:  Andrew Eide

Today I am going to tell you what Thanksgiving has meant to me. I am not going to try to do what everyone else does which is to explain the early Thanksgiving and how it possibly came to be what we celebrate in this day.

In all honesty trying to equate our current traditions concerning Thanksgiving with that of the early settlers is an act of futility. The settlers were starving to death and wouldn’t have survived without the assistance of Native American Indians assisting them. To compare that to the over-eating and over-abundance we have during our current Thanksgiving celebrations just doesn’t make sense to me.

Growing up our family got together to have the traditional dinner of turkey and ham and all the goodies which go with them. It was a time for us kids to have two weeks vacation from school and for our family to get together and eat too much.

Over the past ten years or so Thanksgiving, for me anyway, has meant a time to count my blessings and attempt to help those who are less fortunate than I am at that point in time. Unfortunately for 2009 through 2011 I was unable to provide food for those less fortunate than me as I was also living on the low end of the economic scale.

This year has been better for me and my family. So this year I am thankful for numerous things.

I am thankful that I receive a monthly Retirement check from the United States Government for retiring from Active Duty in the United States Navy. I am thankful that Becx has a great job where she can use her skills as a Project Coordinator and utilize her vast IT Technical skills. I am thankful that Keira is doing great in school and that she loves going to school. 

Be thankful for all the things you have.

Scorpio Traits

Written By:  Andrew Eide

I am a Scorpio. Under the Zodiac sign of Scorpio those born between October 24^th and November 22^nd are Scorpios. Yes I am late posting this blog concerning the traits of a Scorpio since it is after November 22^nd but I still need to put the information out there for you.

The common Positive Traits of a Scorpion include:  Determined and Forceful…Emotional and Intuitive…Powerful and Passionate…Exciting and Magnetic. Yep…that’s me!

Some items Scorpios like include:  Unraveling Mysteries…The Comfort of Their Home. Again…that’s me!

Some items Scorpios dislike include:  Being Analyzed…Being Asked Personal Questions…Meeting New People…Having to Trust a Stranger with Anything They Consider Important Enough to Keep Secret. Oh yeah I hate those things!

Some important items to consider for a Scorpio include:  Lucky Number = 8 (for some reason I have better success with 7 and 3).  Lucky Color = Magenta Blue (any Blue will do for me). Lucky Day = Sunday

A typical Scorpio has the characteristics of self-criticism…intense concentration…a passionate drive…all which results in either complete success or utter failure. A typical Scorpio is suspicious and they need to be proven the facts before making a decision. The emotional aspect of a Scorpio makes them extraordinary at any career. Once again that’s me!

Scorpios are known for their intense and powerful natures. They never settle for mediocre and they always try live a good life or it isn’t worth living. Scorpios are rarely found at the center of activity but they always know what is going on. The intense sensitivity of a Scorpio makes them one of the best and most loyal friends…but that same quality makes them the most treacherous of enemies.

Finally Scorpios are extremely demanding of others…but they will never ask someone to do what they won’t do themselves.

Honestly I fit the typical Scorpio mold.

Election Day 2015

Written By:  Andrew Eide

Election Day in the United States is normally the first Tuesday in November. This year Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 3. I assume there are items up for a vote for the State of Georgia for November 3rd but I have no clue what they are. Unfortunately the State of Georgia doesn't let us know what is being voted on every year except when it is a Congressional Mid-Term Election or a Presidential Election. When I lived in California they always mailed a pamphlet to voters to let them know what was up for a vote. Whether it is a Proposition or a special election for something else, at least we were informed. Honestly I don't feel like driving to my normal polling place only to find out that no election items are being held and I wasted my time and gas in my car.

Daylight Savings Time (DST) 2015

Written By:  Andrew Eide

There is a saying here in the United States, where we practice Daylight Savings Time, of Spring Forward and Fall Back, designating the starting of Daylight Savings Time in the Spring and returning, or falling back, to Standard Time in the Fall.

When I was a kid, growing up in Oakland in the 1950’s, there was no such thing as Daylight Savings Time. Well there was but what I am talking about is that there was no observed Daylight Savings Time when I was a kid. I remember playing outside until past 9 p.m. when there was still daylight out.

I researched Daylight Savings Time through the United States Naval Observatory website at:  (http://aa.usno.navy.mil). This is the official website used when I served in the United States Navy to obtain official Sunrise and Sunset data anywhere in the world we were located. The United States Naval Observatory gives the following history of Daylight Savings time in the United States:

The Act of March 19, 1918, called the Standard Time Act, established by law standard time zones in the United States. The Act also established Daylight Savings Time. However, Daylight Savings Time was repealed in 1919 while the Standard Time in Time Zones remained in law. Daylight Savings Time was re-established nationally early during World War II and it was continuously observed from February 9, 1942 until September 30, 1945. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 provided standardization in the dates of the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time in the United States but it still allowed for local exemptions from observance. This Act provided that Daylight Savings Time begin on the last Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October and the time changed over at 2 a.m. local time.

In 1974 Congress enacted earlier starting dates for Daylight Savings Time. Daylight Saving Time began on January 6, 1974 and then in 1975 it began on February 23. After those two years the starting date reverted to the last Sunday in April. In 1986, a law was passed shifting the starting date of Daylight Savings Time to the first Sunday in April 1987. The ending date for Daylight Savings Time was not subject to those changes and it remained the last Sunday in October. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 changed both the starting and ending dates for Daylight Savings Time. The Act of 2005 changed the dates in 2007 to begin Daylight Savings Time on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.

Now you see why I feel Daylight Savings Time is a waste of time. The kids of my day survived without Daylight Savings Time in effect. By the way…remember to set your clocks back one hour on 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2015.