Author: Thomas Walters

Several higher profile candidates have ended their quests for the White House in recent days, and weeks, ending much of the speculation about a crowded field and overlap.  For those that merely dabble in the political orbit, the new language is “suspending” rather than “dropping out”.  It’s virtually the same but sounds lighter and fluffier. In the interest of complete transparency, I ended my campaign quite some time ago, and my exploratory committee, in addition to my entire campaign apparatus is missing. (Should you see them someplace, please ask them to “phone home”.) Sadly, however, few of my followers noticed, and even fewer noted their despair at the void this would leave in the field.  (But thank you, Rebecca in Billings, Montana, for kind words of support.) Continue reading “Suspending My Campaign”

Another “Ripped from the headlines”. There is a news item headlining today’s paper.  It’s about a gentleman that runs a restaurant in New Hampshire.  He escaped from his native Lebanon some years ago and recently became a citizen of the United States.  For some reason unclear to me, he decided to make a trip back to his native Lebanon to visit relatives.  It appears that parts of his former life in Lebanon didn’t escape official notice and he’s been detained.  To make matters worse, he’s suffering from a chronic medical condition about which I suspect Lebanese officials care little to not at all. And while I feel tragically sorry for him, my question first and foremost, with Hezbollah currently running Lebanon, is, “what were you thinking?” Continue reading “Don’t Go There!! Americans Abroad”

Remember that feeling either of joy or dread that everyone felt back in January when the tax forms and information started to roll in?  Taxpayers are divided into two categories – those that are getting a refund, so the savings account will get a bump or that new refrigerator seems possible – please issue that refund before the Presidents Day Sale, and those that will owe  money, and thus will be standing on tiptoes on the cliff of mid-April before filing. Continue reading “Tax Prep, or The Taxperson Cometh”

As my global readership knows, I’ve written somewhat extensively on the health benefits of napping, as well as various techniques and formats for napping successfully.  Therefore, it’s high time I set up a niche market in consultation – the Nap Consultant.  Actually, I’m a bit conflicted – do I call myself a “consultant”, which implies a degree of support and empathy. Or I could use the term “specialist”, which suggests a high degree of expertise and training.  While we’re at it, this is not to be confused with a “sleep specialist”, who deals in sleep disorders and uses a whole array of plug-in electronics and/or medications.  Nay, nay.  This is pure, natural, healthy midday sleep that rejuvenates, restores, and allows human beings to extend their day well into the evening and beyond. Continue reading “Art of the Nap II – The Nap Consultant”

This is not an endorsement for any candidate, as I feel that would seriously jeopardize my credentials as an impartial, independent blogger / influencer.  For those of you that don’t understand the primary system, it’s a convoluted, messy, scrappy way that we pick delegates, and sometimes really good delegates – they’re called superdelegates, state-by-state that will eventually elect the party’s nominees. We have dozens of candidates blowing through gazillions of gallons of jet fuel crisscrossing the country in attractive geometric patterns, and its ultimate purpose is to take all of the mystery and surprise out of the conventions. That’s it in a nutshell. Right now, there’s a lot of fun going on here in New Hampshire surrounding our primary because it’s the first officially scheduled one, except for Iowa, which is a caucus and not really a primary.  The difference is that people go to polling stations and, well, I’m not really sure what, but somehow they indicate their preferences.  We use a paper ballot, which is much better.  Then we have Russian nationals to count the ballots and tell us who won.  No, we don’t really, but Mr. Putin has offered his people to help. Continue reading “Heading Into the Primary – An Update”

How things have changed over the years.  While it seems that many establishments, from medical practices to service providers and retail stores are spending less and less time worried about customers actually in their buildings, they’re very concerned about customer feedback after the experience. Continue reading “Advances (Or Not) in Customer Service”

As we’re well into January and knocking on February’s door, I’m reposting my stern advice as a service to everyone about Christmas decorations going on too long. I can’t help noticing the number of people that still have festive wreaths up on doors, bows on the windows, and Rudolph grazing in the yard.  The people that really ought to be reprimanded are those that still have up the large inflatable crap figures all over the front lawn. What is with these people?  Somewhere along the way, Americans have lost all sense of taste. Continue reading “Take Down Christmas!”

That, when you receive a medication in the mail that you’ve been using for years and years, it comes with twelve pages of instructions, warnings, and information too technical to understand?   I get it if it’s a first-time, newly prescribed medication.  But if it’s something you’ve been taking since you broke 30 and you’re now on Social Security, (or in the medical / insurance community, we call it “preexisting”), then is it really necessary to cut down three trees and wad them up into a tiny ball to let you know everything you possibly could about it?  If it still works, I’ll assume the best.  Thanks so much. Continue reading “Why Is It . . . . . . . . . . . . .”

If you’re like me, a committed follower of trends and directions in design, from Property Brothers and their stable of shows to Christina prowling the coast to that wonderful couple single- (or double, actually) handedly renovating an entire community in Louisiana from scrap lumber, the latest trends in home decorating keep us on the edge of our seats.  Therefore, a newspaper article in this morning’s paper, titled “Designers weigh in on the latest home trends for 2020” caught my attention to the exclusion of the upcoming primary or pictures of the president’s New Year’s Eve party.  (Where, for the informed reader, he spent the quiet black-tie event sipping champagne, laying off workers in his winery, and planning drone strikes.) Continue reading “Design Trends and Forecasts – 2020”

Yes, we all know the holidays are stressful.  For those of us that may not be too severely affected, or so we tell ourselves, there is still anxiety.  Where did we put all the sales slips in case something needs to be returned?  They were right in the drawer over . . . . . . I know I saved them. How much wrapping paper is left, or should we buy two dozen more rolls while everything is half price?  What color bows should I buy – I don’t know what colors will be stylish in 2020.  Oh, God. Where am I going to put everything Santa brought? I don’t need more clothes – my closet looks like Target just restocked. Should I get rid of something?  No, I like what I have. How long before the Toyotathon expires? Continue reading “Post Christmas – Letdown or Relief?”