Jan 142011
 
Jiminy Cricket
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This has been an interesting week.  We started a new contest here at the Coots.  We were trying to see who could write the best post, in terms of generating discussion.  Bob started off snarky and then Ralph went all sugary sweet and praising.

Enough to make me sick.  All of it.  In the end, Bob has the most comments on his post, I think he is paying some big bucks to win this little contest.   Now really, do you folks need any more of Bob?

Small poll here:

[wp_surveys]

That’s what I thought.  Now I am not exactly sure what to do with this post.  I should just sit under my tree and let the delicate sound of the kettlebell inspire more creativity.

In fact, my first instinct was to just shut up and let my creative superiority ebb and flow across the coots so that everyone is under my benevolent spell.  My second instinct is to crack my knuckles and write a post to make angels weep and the sun turn away in fear.
Continue reading »

Justin

Justin is the young Coot with a Cantankerous Soul who continues to be educated by older, more cootish Ralph and Bob. His Cantankerosity is his own.

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Jan 122011
 
Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) and membe...
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Up with Praise

“Anything in any way beautiful derives its beauty from itself and asks nothing beyond itself. Praise is no part of it, for nothing is made worse or better by praise.” Marcus Aurelius

Praising my team is beyond my puny abilities!

Ruminating on my colleagues here at COC, I am overwhelmed with my limitations. Where can I find the words to capture the extraordinary talents and sensitivities of those two young whippersnappers, Justin and Bob. Even my exquisite perception and matchless skill is challenged. I am reduced to despair at the daunting feat. Only the soothing words of Marcus Aurelius can give me comfort as I stare at the blank screen in front of me searching for words that are adequate to the task. Still, there is nothing left but to try. How should I begin?

I will start with Bob

Bob, the newest member of the team struggles with the boisterous, egotistical enthusiasm of his tender years, assenting that he can do anything with great bluster and energy. The foolhardy energy of youth is a wonderful thing to watch as it beats itself against stone walls.  If young people didn’t have it, their constant failures would surely cause them to give up. No need to worry about Bob.   Bob shows great potential if he can retain that energy and temper it with wisdom as the years wear down those rough edges. Ah to be young again!

And, of course, sensitive Justin

Justin is another kettle of fish; a horse of a different color or perhaps another breed of cat. He too suffers from the handicap of youth and inexperience but unlike Bob he is a sensitive and introspective stripling, immersed in poetry and music when he isn’t changing diapers or perfecting the haunting chime of his kettlebells. These pastimes provide him an escape from his humdrum existence as a stay at home Dad with four kids. My hope for Justin is that sleepless nights from his newborn and the impending teenage years for his oldest will help give an edge to Justin’s mellow musings. As I have learned, everything improves with age and none of us is getting younger, even Justin.

And me- I do what I can for these youths

Because of my generous and positive nature, I can only praise and encourage these youngsters. It isn’t in me to criticize and chasten. I believe in my team and their potential. But I can only do so much. It is beyond my power to glorify. I can only encourage and inspire. But maybe you readers can help here. I know that despite their flaws you appreciate Justin and Bob and want to see them grow to their full potential. Perhaps you have some advice to assist them in their growth and development. I know they will appreciate your good wishes and encouragement and I sure get tired dragging them along here at Coots. Anything you cant do to put a cattle prod to their evolution will earn my gratitude. Leave a comment and help them with their development. On behalf of the team, I thank you.

Ralph

Ralph is the inspiration for Cantankerous Old Coots and is our Grand Duke of Cantankerousness

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Dec 222010
 
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Have you heard this one?  Wait, here is a disclaimer before I even start.  If you want to keep up some delusion of the greatness of the country and faith in humanity at Christmas time, don’t read further.  This story makes me cringe.

Let’s start at the beginning.  It was a lovely morning in Prince William County, Virginia near Christmas.  At one public high school a group of 10 boys gets together wearing hideous Christmas sweaters and singing carols to their fellow students.  They call themselves the Christmas Sweater Club and I think it sounds like a very nice thing to do.

If that is not enough Christmas Cheer, the boys began to hand out those small candy canes wrapped in plastic.  This is where it goes downhill on a greased rocket sled.  The boys get detention and disciplinary action for their kind and fun loving actions.

They were accused of trying to maim and injure fellow students, with the mini candy canes!  I was unaware of the lethality of the Candy Cane besides getting it stuck in your throat.  Apparently, you can sharpen the candy cane with your mouth and use it to inflict harm.  I was not aware of this but there it is.  Don’t stare too closely at the picture over there, you could poke your eye out.

These kids are also getting nailed for littering and creating a disturbance.  It seems the principal had told them that not everyone wants Christmas cheer and they should keep it to themselves.  What a crock of reindeer poop.  I know of one principal that should be on Santa’s Naughty list and probably deserves a swift kick in the pants from the rest of the country.

I hope that this doesn’t discourage these fine young men from continuing to spread the Christmas cheer to their fellow man.  We need Christmas and things to belive in without so much hate as this principal seems to have.  Screw her, good luck to these kids.

Here is a link to the video of the story from the local news.  Watch it and try not to be outraged, then tell me what you are thinking in the comments below.  Especially you, sitting there reading this who hasn’t commented before.  Yes you in the blue shirt.  Please comment already!

Also, share on the social networks if you would be so kind…Thank you and Merry Christmas.  If you don’t celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays.  If you don’t celebrate holidays, we could probably use a guest post because you are more cantankerous than I am.

-Justin

  • Don’t Throw Canes & Don’t Sing Christmas Songs (gadabout-blogalot.com)

Justin

Justin is the young Coot with a Cantankerous Soul who continues to be educated by older, more cootish Ralph and Bob. His Cantankerosity is his own.

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Nov 032010
 

My wife has come home with an interesting problem lately.  If you didn’t know, and frankly from this website, why would you, she is a Nurse in the ER of one of the big hospitals here in Utah.  The other day, her supervisor pulled her aside and told her that some of the “techs” were complaining that she was too hard on them and too demanding.

Now in this situation, a tech is someone who assists the nurses and doctors.  The majority are going to nursing school or just working a second job.  They get to do the mundane tasks and things that need to be done to *keyword alert* ASSIST the nurses in the nurses job.  Some of these punks think that they deserve the same respect as the nurses, just because they are going to school to become nurses.  I say Bah!  They are subordinates until they pass the NCLEX!

Now, my wife is not a supervisor.  She has no aspirations to be such.  However, she knows her job and will utilize all of the resources need to do things at her job, like save lives, or diagnose STD’s.  Some of those resources are the techs.  Please note here that the JOB of a tech is to assist the nurses.

So, here is my wife being too demanding to people who are supposed to be helping her.  She said if they are on the internet and just sitting around talking why shouldn’t she use them?  I would have to agree.  I wouldn’t even pander the petty-anny requests to say “please” and “would you mind” for most things.  You see, I have a background in management and supervising.  I have been trained to have people do their jobs.

I also have a father who was convinced that he was still in the military and, as such, required the no questions asked jump up and do what you are asked right now mentality.  I still have that to a point, especially in the workplace when it comes to people doing their jobs.  So, I ask you fair readers of the Coots, what would you do, or how would you advise my wife to react?

Me, I said we should watch Full Metal Jacket and get her in the mood for some no nonsense demanding of people to do what they should(Why you whiny little maggot!).  That may get her fired but it is a good solution.  If I was in the same situation I am sure I would demand that these people do their jobs.  The old mantra from my restaurant days comes back, “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.”  They may not have anything to clean, but they sure as hell can find something to do instead of look at facebook or email.

I once sent a girl home early because she refused to work.  The next day her daddy came in and yelled at me for being too hard on his little girl.  I told him she could either do what she was supposed to do or find another job.  he was pissed off but could not argue that point.  I don’ t know how anyone can argue that point with my wife either.

Now I want to hear what you have to say about this.  Do you think that people should just be able to float through work and barely do what needs to be done or do you think that they can always find a way to earn their paycheck?  I want to hear some conversation on this.  We are getting quite a few visitors every day and only Ralph and Bob comment with an occasional nugget tossed in by Steve.  Heather did weigh in last week so she has a pass, but everyone else out there reading this, I am capturing your IP address and well………

-Justin

Justin

Justin is the young Coot with a Cantankerous Soul who continues to be educated by older, more cootish Ralph and Bob. His Cantankerosity is his own.

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May 312010
 

Something quick today.

There have been 3 days now that I have gone out to my mailbox and opened it only to find a very pissed off yellow jacket in it.  In some parts of the country they call them wasps, I usually call them those little suckers I can’t seem to kill enough of.

I am almost sure that my mailman put them there on purpose.   I don’t know what I have done to offend said mailman, or why he would want to put a yellow jacket in my mailbox but there it is.

So what do you think?  Should I confront him on this and ask nicely about the yellow Jackets?  Should I go running after him in a bathrobe waving a cane like come crazy old coot?  I know here we are cantankerous, maybe I should go out and wait for him by the mailbox today and give him a tongue lashing that will peel the siding from the neighbors house.

Maybe I should just deal with the fact my mailbox has a hole in the bottom and I should get that new one out of the basement and install it.  Besides, I can’t yell at him today, the mail doesn’t run on Memorial Day.

For all of you who have served in the military at any time, Thank You for your service, you have my deepest respect.

For all of those who have served freedom but haven’t made it back to the country that they loved, please give them a moment of silence on this Memorial Day.  Cantankerous or not, I would not be able to write this site without the freedom their sacrifices provide.

Thank you.

Now go Barbecue something delicious!

-Justin

Justin

Justin is the young Coot with a Cantankerous Soul who continues to be educated by older, more cootish Ralph and Bob. His Cantankerosity is his own.

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