Update XX: A Darn Good Judge of My Financial Situation

[J-Mann]

What do you do with all of the documents you have printed? Do you have a filing cabinet?

I don't keep them too long.  I only keep them until I know the merchant has received my payment and my current balance reflects the payment.  I don't own a shredder, so I always just rip up the sheet into little bitty strips and throw it away.

Which makes printing all that more unnecessary. Extend the life of the ink you do have and start saving confirmations as PDFs.

[J-Mann]

To answer Lief, the things you mentioned are good and I give the president credit for those.  However, with the more jobs, you do realize the majority of the jobs that have been created are not adequate, leaving the workers still largely underemployed.  I do realize that being underemployed is still better than being unemployed, but if Americans are still largely underemployed, the poverty rate isn't going to go down very quickly.  I also do not like his executive action on immigration.  That is not going to secure our borders and basically gives jobs and drivers licenses to illegal immigrants taking those away from American citizens who desperately need those jobs.  I also don't like his administration forcing businesses to cater to same-sex couples when they choose not to do so (for instance, the wedding cake bakery in Denver).  Any business should be allowed to be selective and to deny whom they serve, gay or straight, if they so desire.  It's a part of the free enterprise system we have in the United States.  There are several more things I find troubling in this administration.  I realize he cannot control what individual judges will rule, but still it reflects on him.

Should businesses be able to throw out black people if they so desire?

And if this really is all about religious liberty, why hasn't there been any controversy about a bakery refusing to make a cake for someone on their second, third, etc., marriage? Could it be that bakers don't really care and are just happy to sell their the cakes, but a few attention-whore insincere bakers just want to make a big scene about gays to drum up business, knowing that a whole bunch of right-wingers will show up to their bakeries to "stick it to Obama" ?

Bakers generally never know the details of the events where their cakes will be consumed anyway, and bakers never complain about that -- except for a couple of them whining about gay marriage (but no other "sins").

Yeah ... this. Curious as to your answer, Jeff. Why is it OK for a business to say, "I don't like this lifestyle and refuse to cater to it," when it's not in other instances. "Religious conviction" is, as you know, just an excuse for bigotry, because -- ya know, gay people put penises in butts, and that's gross. Thereforce, no cake.

And this is honestly a tricky situation. If you let a business get away with refusing service because of, essentially, something they don't like about a person, you're opening them up to do that to anyone for any reason. Simply cite "religious belief," and exclusion is OK.

On the other hand, I know elements of the gay community would take this too far ... find a Suzie Homemaker business that is adorned with religious iconography and they'll order a cake festooned in leather harnesses and dildos just to make a person feel uncomfortable and raise a fuss when the baker says, "No, I won't do that."

Lots of blurry lines with this issue. But at the heart of it, Jeff, I want to know if you genuinely think I -- if I'm behaving as a sensible, non-disruptive and law-abiding citizen -- should be able to be denied service anywhere (a business or, as in the regulations recently discussed in Kansas, government service agencies) if someone just doesn't like who I sleep with at night.

[J-Mann]

You'd think somebody has to drive 30 miles each way to do anything would appreciate low gas prices. But, I guess as far as Bushie is concerned, it's $0/gallon no matter what.

I would prefer $3.00 a gallon.  The low, low prices are killing oil field jobs in Oklahoma.  I have several friends who work in the oil field and they have reported massive layoffs due to the low oil prices.  Oil should be around $80 a barrel as a general rule according to some of my oil field worker friends.

Why should all of us in non-oil field jobs pay an extra $1.25 a gallon — a good $15 or $20 per week — to subsidize your couple of friends who work in the oil industry? Far more Americans benefit from lower oil prices than higher ones. Businesses too.

Why should Oklahoma's economy as a whole suffer just because the rest of the country doesn't want to spend an extra dollar a gallon (which is really not that much in the grand scheme of things)?

It is "that much." This has been like a tax cut for the middle class. Instead of spending $70 every time I fill up my tank, I'm spending $35. On my other car, it's $25 instead of $40. That's an extra $1,200 a year under normal conditions. Spend it or save it, this will have economically a wider a more-substantive impact than if a few oil businesses had slightly higher profits.

[J-Mann]

You'd think somebody has to drive 30 miles each way to do anything would appreciate low gas prices. But, I guess as far as Bushie is concerned, it's $0/gallon no matter what.

I would prefer $3.00 a gallon.  The low, low prices are killing oil field jobs in Oklahoma.  I have several friends who work in the oil field and they have reported massive layoffs due to the low oil prices.  Oil should be around $80 a barrel as a general rule according to some of my oil field worker friends.

Why should all of us in non-oil field jobs pay an extra $1.25 a gallon — a good $15 or $20 per week — to subsidize your couple of friends who work in the oil industry? Far more Americans benefit from lower oil prices than higher ones. Businesses too.

Why should Oklahoma's economy as a whole suffer just because the rest of the country doesn't want to spend an extra dollar a gallon (which is really not that much in the grand scheme of things)?

It is "that much." This has been like a tax cut for the middle class. Instead of spending $70 every time I fill up my tank, I'm spending $35. On my other car, it's $25 instead of $40. That's an extra $1,200 a year under normal conditions. Spend it or save it, this will have economically a wider a more-substantive impact than if a few oil businesses had slightly higher profits.

So, nobody cares about Oklahoma's economy or their workers?

How much should I care? Enough to drop another $1,200 per year? That's a high price for a family to pay to ensure Oklahoma workers are cared for.

The oil industry makes enormous profits and benefits from significant tax loopholes and will continue to do so. This is a "needs of the many" situation. Lower gas prices may mean a slowdown in the previous years' boom, but a strengthening economy tied to those lower prices may ensure jobs for the ultimately few who are impacted negatively.

[J-Mann]

Perhaps I overreacted.  All I'm saying is business owners should not have to serve anyone and everyone that comes into their establishment.  They reap their own rewards.  Business owners have just as much right to turn me down if they so choose.  I'm not targeting the gay community exclusively.  I'm just thinking about truly free enterprise.  If people, of all colors, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations would stop getting so butt hurt over every little gust of wind that doesn't go their way, this world would be a lot better off and people could tolerate each other a whole lot better.  Again, religious people such as me are just as much to blame in getting butt hurt over every little thing as the non-religious community.  I will admit, I am just as much to blame, as well.  I am preaching to myself just as much, if not more, than anybody else.  So, don't act like I'm only targeting the gay community or pointing fingers.  I am not.  I am including everybody in this sermon, including myself.  As I tell those whom I have influence over, if you see me pointing a finger, just remember there are three more fingers pointing right back at me.

I don't think you overreacted. It's just full of immense complexity -- how do you balance the freedom of a business owner and the freedom of the individuals who want to buy his goods or services? At what point is it not OK for a business owner to say, "I don't want to serve you?" What reasons are justifiable?

Typically, people migrate to those businesses that mesh better with their needs, wants and societal / cultural point of view, ie: Target vs. Walmart, Whole Foods vs. Price Chopper, or the barbershop from "Friday" vs. Supercuts. But the catering-preferences of a business owner aren't always known ... so is it right that, say, a restaurant owner could ask you to leave because he didn't like your appearance, or your spousal choice, or your car?

[J-Mann]

Why should Oklahoma's economy as a whole suffer just because the rest of the country doesn't want to spend an extra dollar a gallon (which is really not that much in the grand scheme of things)?

I'm pretty sure you're jerking our chains right now...

Do you not remember that much of Oklahoma's and Texas's economies rely on the oil and gas industry?  It is no accident that the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline (which I support, BTW), would run through Oklahoma and Texas.

If lower gas prices indeed hurt the Oklahoman economy as much as you're saying, you may want to take issue with those who run the oil companies. Take a look at their profits ... their net profits ... on a quarterly basis, and tell me whether or not those could take a sliver of a hit to keep people employed?

Of course they could. Lower prices don't mean that oil is any less necessary. The need for bodies is still high ... if people are losing their jobs, it's not because the oil companies don't have the funds available to invest in more expansion or the employees to make that happen. It's because they answer to investors who want to see a certain number on the bottom line.

[J-Mann]

Bushie do you support the repeal of the 1964 Civil Rights Act?

And the Fair Housing Act of 1968? It says that property landlords (in most cases) must accept those people as tenants in their own properties whether they like it or not!

That's a good law.  Shelter is one of life's basic necessities.  No one, and I repeat no one, should be denied a place to live.

Maybe if everyone were afforded a place to live and food to eat whether they can pay for it or not, that would decrease the crime rate, the starvation rate, and even the suicide rate.

And thus the tricky nature of the whole discussion when it involves "religious conviction." In some areas of the country -- particularly in the parts you and I live in -- a known homosexual could legally be denied housing options if a landlord disliked that orientation.

[J-Mann]

Hi, guys.  I certainly didn't mean to sound the least bit racist or bigoted last night. Although, bigotry is not necessarily a bad thing, but I digress.

Jeff, in what context is bigotry not a bad thing? (honestly curious)

Christians must follow the Biblical view of gay marriage.  The Bible does not support gay marriage.  The world sees anybody who does not support gay marriage as a bigot, but these "bigots" were just following a higher law - the Bible and the author of the Bible - Almighty God.  Following what the Bible says is never a bad thing, thus, in this case it is acceptable to be labeled as a bigot.

This is why I wish you (and others) would study the history and context of texts like the Bible rather than just interpreting what the words mean to you. Some of the same passages that condemn "lying with a man" are not only debatable in meaning due to the hand-me-down nature of the stories that preceded their first writing, which has then been translated dozens of times from the original text, but they're also side-by-side with other "rules" that ban the eating of shellfish, tell you never to mix your crops or to murder your children if they backtalk.

Later passages never talk about "gay marriage," but generally speak against orgies.

I've never understood why so-called sola scriptura Christians feel so free to dismiss the parts of the Bible they find inconvenient while vehemently attaching themselves to others. Would you support laws that ban divorce? Jesus ACTUALLY spoke against that. Would you support punishing farmers who mix their crops? How about killing children who throw tantrums, or executing the denizens of Sirloin Stockade who loaded up on shrimp?

Other than the general, unarguable and near-universal tenants in the Bible (ie: don't kill people, etc.), I don't understand what merits your adherence and what merits your dismissal ... seems a convenient game of pick-and-choose, don't you think?

[J-Mann]

i think we all realize that in bushie's circle of friends and family...being a fat is not a bad thing and not looked down upon.

im sure mama bushie encourages him to eat more.

That's actually an interesting question, Jeff -- does your family acknowledge the health risks posed by your obesity and encourage you to eat better / exercise, or is it ignored?

[J-Mann]

I am leaning toward renewing my lease for at least another six months.  I have every intention to do just that unless I were to get a job in Oklahoma City before March 31.  I have until that date to make my official decision to either renew or vacate.  The new lease would start June 1.

This point got lost amid all the theological debates. Unbelievable.

That's not really news -- most of us loyal Update readers knew Bushie would be renewing the moment he mentioned it as a possibility. I mean, it's such a horrible idea that the sheer fact that Bushie mentioned he was considering it was a clear indication that he'd already decided.

The real new revelation getting lost here is that Bushie is now pushing 450 pounds. At this point, he will have four different kinds of diabetes by his next checkup.

Patient Zero for Adult Types 3 and 4 Diabetes?

[J-Mann]

Wait so does death-bed-conversion Hitler go to Heaven or not?

For Christians of Jeff's background, the answer is, "of course." And as far as that belief goes, it's fairly core to Christianity itself: individuals can be saved regardless of what they have done if they repent and ask forgiveness and accept Christ as their Savior. There is no magic number of good deeds that need to be done in order to qualify for salvation. Can you imagine being the guy who missed getting into heaven by one good deed? It'd be like the sales person who misses quota by a dollar!

However, it's pretty despicable for anyone to use this core belief to justify a very un-Christian way of living. This is one reason why the Catholic concept of purgatory (which is referenced in the Bible as a purification process) promotes works in addition to acceptance and salvation. Perhaps if one believed that centuries of painful punishment was required to "burn the hell out of them," they would focus on doing good while on earth in addition to simply knowing the loopholes of a religion.

[J-Mann]

I have to break my brief silence.  Today was a more successful day in the job search arena.  I scored an CAD interview at a company in West Tulsa.  I have already PM'd a couple of Update regulars to get their thoughts.  I will say this that it is a contract-to-hire position and at least $15 an hour.  It's about 17-18 miles from my apartment completely on the west side of Tulsa, but I am used to driving 32 miles one way in OKC, so 18 is nothing.

Things certainly are spread out in Oklahoma. I had a roughly 40-mile round trip when I worked in Manhattan but lived in the country outside of a small town physically separate from Manhattan.

In Kansas City, I have a 24-mile round trip per day ... and cutting down a few miles during the commute and on weekends has made a big difference. Thirty-two miles one way seems excessive, though I suppose you were working and living where you could.

I didn't mention this in my PM, but I'd consider that distance in your decision. Thirty-six miles per day, or 180 per week, would have you praising low gas prices.

[J-Mann]

It isn't so much about the distance of commute as it is the time it takes to complete it. At least people in New York have the excuse that they can't afford to live closer in. Not that having a long commute there isn't a terrible way to live also, but in a town like Tulsa or Memphis, it makes no sense at all, especially for somebody who doesn't have to worry about public school district boundaries. Anything more than 15 minutes is just self-imposed sadism.

When we moved to Kansas City, we looked at housing that was closer for either me or my partner for where we need to be during the day. He has a five-block commute while I've got a 12-mile drive. But location and proximity was certainly a consideration when we were moving here.

Jeff, if you find a job in Tulsa, would you consider allowing your lease to run out and finding an apartment closer to work when the time is right?

[J-Mann]

It isn't so much about the distance of commute as it is the time it takes to complete it. At least people in New York have the excuse that they can't afford to live closer in. Not that having a long commute there isn't a terrible way to live also, but in a town like Tulsa or Memphis, it makes no sense at all, especially for somebody who doesn't have to worry about public school district boundaries. Anything more than 15 minutes is just self-imposed sadism.

When we moved to Kansas City, we looked at housing that was closer for either me or my partner for where we need to be during the day. He has a five-block commute while I've got a 12-mile drive. But location and proximity was certainly a consideration when we were moving here.

Jeff, if you find a job in Tulsa, would you consider allowing your lease to run out and finding an apartment closer to work when the time is right?

Meh, Tulsa's a compact enough city that 18 miles is about as high as it would go.  Mind you, I'm going from the far east end of town to the far west end of town.

So, with this position you're currently looking at, you'd be driving the maximum possible distance each day.

The question is, if you found a job before the end of March in Tulsa that is on the opposite side of the city, would you consider find something closer to your job? Maybe it's six of one, half-dozen of the other ... your self-imposed moving costs may cancel out any short-term savings on travel costs.

[J-Mann]

I really don't know what I'm doing tomorrow evening for supper.  I guess it kind of depends on how I feel after my interview.

As always, Jeff, planning or hope or maybes without execution is total BS. I'm not sure why you wasted the money on groceries if you never have any intention of doing anything with them.

[J-Mann]

I really don't know what I'm doing tomorrow evening for supper.  I guess it kind of depends on how I feel after my interview.

As always, Jeff, planning or hope or maybes without execution is total BS. I'm not sure why you wasted the money on groceries if you never have any intention of doing anything with them.

I can see what you're saying, but I think where the problem comes in, I dread cooking for just one person, so I take the easy way out and grab a burger or order pizza.  If I can get over or get around that dread, I'd be in a lot better shape and probably be a fair amount slimmer.

So, a baseless assumption stops you from cooking at home, thus eating better, thus being healthier, thus losing weight, thus being more attractive to employers, thus landing a job, thus staying healthy, thus keeping a job ... ad infinitum.

Get over it. Eat some leftovers the next day. Otherwise, you're telling the Forum (which will judge you quite harshly for this) that you again "planned" to the degree that you actually purchased food which will subsequently go to waste because you're too lazy to do anything with it.

[J-Mann]

I really don't know what I'm doing tomorrow evening for supper.  I guess it kind of depends on how I feel after my interview.

As always, Jeff, planning or hope or maybes without execution is total BS. I'm not sure why you wasted the money on groceries if you never have any intention of doing anything with them.

I can see what you're saying, but I think where the problem comes in, I dread cooking for just one person, so I take the easy way out and grab a burger or order pizza.  If I can get over or get around that dread, I'd be in a lot better shape and probably be a fair amount slimmer.

So, a baseless assumption stops you from cooking at home, thus eating better, thus being healthier, thus losing weight, thus being more attractive to employers, thus landing a job, thus staying healthy, thus keeping a job ... ad infinitum.

Get over it. Eat some leftovers the next day. Otherwise, you're telling the Forum (which will judge you quite harshly for this) that you again "planned" to the degree that you actually purchased food which will subsequently go to waste because you're too lazy to do anything with it.

I know it's an irrational dread, but that's just one of many that I have that keep me from living like a normal human being.  I don't feel like going into the others tonight, but you don't need to judge me (and I don't think you are) for these irrational fears and dreads.

It just lends some credence to your "irrational fears and dreads" being more than normal parts of life. I don't like cooking for one person, either. I do it when I'm alone because it saves an enormous amount of money, I actually eat better as a result and I have food for the next day. There are positives, and even though sometimes I don't like having leftovers or just don't feel like cooking, I usually cook for myself.

You're letting admitted irrational fears get in the way of you living normally, being healthier and saving money. This is why many on here hint at mental issues.

[J-Mann]

I know it's an irrational dread, but that's just one of many that I have that keep me from living like a normal human being.

"One of many that I have that keeps me from living like a normal human being"?  Haven't you repeatedly dismissed the suggestions from others that you see some type of mental health professional because you said you don't need it?

I'm not admitting mental illness and I do live like a normal person in most respects.  It's just a few things that I don't do because of a dread or fear.  Normal people have paralyzing 'phobias' for lack of a better term and no one counts them as among the mentally ill.

If you have any sort of paralyzing fear, that's not really normal. Sure, people may be afraid of heights or public speaking, but those aren't everyday encounters for most. Cooking food for one ... that's a strange paralyzing phobia.

[J-Mann]

I got the solution... well, a full psychiatric eval is the solution, but solution for this particular phobia.

Bushie needs to purchase a slow cooker. A simple CrockPot can be had at the WalMart for about $20.

All he's got to do is dump all the ingredients in the pot, let it simmer for 4-8 hours depending on what it is and no worries. If he's too uh... paralyzed... he can go outside and walk around get some fresh air while it cooks.

That's actually a phenomenal idea -- crock-pot meals are insanely easy to make, feed you for a week and typically taste good! Jeff -- I've got a "Lite Slow Cooker" cookbook, if you need meal recommendations.

[J-Mann]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Whoever posted that was a very smart man.

That said, I cannot wait for the 300-Pound Weigh-In Spectacular! Could be one of the best episodes in Update history.

Considering Jeff has spent five years claiming he wants to lose weight, exercise and live healthier and has done mostly the opposite (packing on 50 pounds), I believe a celebration will certainly be in order:

[J-Mann]

For the record, I was still sitting at 290 as of this morning.  We'll see where I am on Monday.

You know that this is nothing to be proud of, right? You should be embarrassed of how much you've let yourself go, but I have a feeling you're not.

[J-Mann]

So only 5 or 6 slices tonight? What will you have for dessert?

No dessert

Will you tell us how many slices you're gonna have?

I'll tell you this evening how many I had.

This is the pride thing I was alluding to earlier. You don't have to boast, "I'm 290 pounds and proud of it" to come across as totally oblivious and ignorant at best. You're unapologetic about the junk you put in your body despite telling everyone (for years) how much you want to change.

Good advice gets largely ignored.

Pleas for moderation are laughed at.

And no, I don't think you should have to eat kale dogs and hipster breath tonight. I won't. But I think you ought to balance your "Super Bowl" days with a balanced, healthy diet and plenty of exercise every other day. That's the pride I'm talking about ... you gloat about the unhealthy crap you'll eat tonight because, well, football, but you do nothing to offset it. Ever.

[J-Mann]

So only 5 or 6 slices tonight? What will you have for dessert?

No dessert

Will you tell us how many slices you're gonna have?

I'll tell you this evening how many I had.

This is the pride thing I was alluding to earlier. You don't have to boast, "I'm 290 pounds and proud of it" to come across as totally oblivious and ignorant at best. You're unapologetic about the junk you put in your body despite telling everyone (for years) how much you want to change.

Good advice gets largely ignored.

Pleas for moderation are laughed at.

And no, I don't think you should have to eat kale dogs and hipster breath tonight. I won't. But I think you ought to balance your "Super Bowl" days with a balanced, healthy diet and plenty of exercise every other day. That's the pride I'm talking about ... you gloat about the unhealthy crap you'll eat tonight because, well, football, but you do nothing to offset it. Ever.

I said what I did not out of ignorance, but not knowing how hungry I'll be in 3 or 4 hours.  I have never said, nor have I EVER implied that I'm proud of being 290.  Unapologetic?  I didn't know I had to apologize for eating what I want to?  I am not going to apologize to anyone, especially anyone on this forum, for what I put into my body.  What I eat, whether healthy or not, is not for the forum to judge.  The forum has NO RIGHT to judge me for ANY action that I EVER make.

Then don't ever post here again. Ever. It's that simple. When a man who is constantly unemployed and who is 5'8" and knocking on 300 lbs shares his life with the world, he's bound to hear some feedback, advice and chastisement when he claims to want to change but makes no effort to do so.

If you're proud of yourself and how you live, let that be it. Don't post another word here. Ever. Because with constant health issues and employment problems, people who actually care may offer you feedback on such things. Don't want to hear it? Then stop posting here for good and seek comfort in those who ignore your problems.

[J-Mann]

... if the Lord wants Jeff to be of a normal weight ...

Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Philippians 3:18-20
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Leviticus 3:17
It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.

Daniel 1:12
Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Genesis 1:29
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

1 Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.

Proverbs 21:20
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.

Proverbs 23:2
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

Sure, Word of God ... but what does that f[inks]ing guy know, anyway ...

[J-Mann]

Six pieces of pizza and a little over one can of pop isn't that bad ... of course, it's only not that bad when you eat reasonably well most of the time.

But my meal was only roasted chicken breasts with a quinoa kale salad so doubt it.

Gay.