Retired Engineer Bob
Retired Engineer Bob's JournalWhen do you become "radicalized"
I had pretty much always voted Democratic, but became more concerned due to the am radio crap of the 90’s.
Once I heard on right wing radio a serious proposal to quarantine those with HIV in fenced in camps. I had recently been diagnosed with HIV. I recall thinking they are seriously proposing putting me in a concentration camp. To this day I cannot wrap me mind around Log Cabin Republicans- is it a form of masochism or the stockholm syndrome?
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Martin Niemöller
From https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists
Money making ideas
The first one I had a few years back is to become an Evangelist church leader. I was going to call it “The Church of the Divine Prophet”. Totally high end, I would offer salvation to the rich. A guarantee of salvation to those worried about the “eye of the needle” thingy. $100/k to get in, insist on the 10% tithing. Totally right wing, with an emphasis on the culture war and how their virtues will grant them salvation.
Recently I got the idea about selling Trump sperm, perhaps $200k/per. Imagine the thrill the right wingers will feel knowing their wife, daughter, or granddaughter will birth his progeny. I believe if the Orange Shitgibbon were given a cut in the profits, we could obtain good supplies. Perhaps have Ivanka do some lap dances to spur things along.
Is there a moral downside to fleeing the right wing rubes?
Am I insane?
Edit, Ivana to Ivanka
I am a capitalist
After such a provocative statement further explanation is needed of course.
Where to begin........
Mom was a stay at home person. She has convinced me that this was her choice, although I have lingering doubts. Our regional school district had no pre-school when I was a pup, nor kindergarten. School started at grade 1.
I did watch Sesame Street, and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood pre-school at home. Mother made a point to read to me early. I was encouraged to learn early on.
Reading, reading, reading. I loved reading, evolved from Hardy Boys to Jaws by the 4th grade. Science fiction became a big thing for me. I recall being excited getting a library card for Milwaukee system, the world opened up.
Per testing, the school suggested I move up one or two grades. Mother refused, thought emotional development is as important as scholastic, and held me back.
I guess I had a penchant for math and science. High school testing suggested I persue (sp?) engineering. Graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in ‘89.
The first job was for a consulting engineering firm, $22k/yr. After almost 10 years, my boss told me they were fed up with the current company which had been bought and sold several times. The top four folks from the local office were going to start a new company. I was invited to join, and I could invest in shares.
I did. Borrowed $25k (at 9% interest) from my folks. Shares were $125/per. Paid folks back. Part of my retirement is being forced to sell share back. Current value is $2,550/share. I can retire at 56.
My company did water and wastewater treatment. We had to compete against other firms to get our work. Contractors had to competitively bid our projects. Everything was open to public inspection. We won more often than not and we’re successful. Access to clean water has saved more lives than any other medical advance. Our work prevents cholera, typhoid, dysentary among others.
I refuse to feel guilty.
I am a Democratic Party supporter. My first presidential vote was for Dukakis.
Had a mid life crises a couple of years ago
So I got this:
Spent a couple of years researching vehicles, loved the CTS-V and Z06, but they were a over what I was willing to spend. When the latest generation Camaro came out with the ZL1 it got my attention. Then I saw this video:
Contender for the worlds worst relationship
His name was Gregario
I was an extremely closeted when I graduated from college. My orientation was known to me much earlier than this, I knew I was gay. My first orgasm occurred in grandma’s bathtub, thinking about sex with a member of my sex.
I had two groups of friends, one weekday and one weekend. My parents sent my brother and I onto my mother’s parents every weekend. It was great, mom’s parents spoiled us silly. Having friends Frankie (home) and Jeff (Weekends at grandma’s) was good, we both eventually began exploring our sexuality.
Jeff got married to Candi (female), I was his best man.
Frankie moved to Arkansas.
This all happened before college. Year 1982. AIDS/HIV hit. I totally freaked out, no sex for the next four years. Imagine that, celebrate through your college years, that was me.
After graduating, finally moved to my own place. I finally decided to go to a gay bar. Ended up meeting Gregario, I fell head over heels. He was a very good looking young Hispanic man, I was “truly in love”, sex was beyond belief.
So Gregario soon ended up living with me. He pledged his commitment to our relationship. I was warned by others that he was less than faithful, but I choose not to believe them. I was smitten, and would hear no criticism.
Things got worse. He would leave for the weekend claiming he had a job being a waiter in a one for away restaurant for a high end restaurant, I went along believing.
I was told the his mom and fiancée were coming up from Texas, and needed a place to stay. It turned out mom and fiancé were 15 folks that needed a home, they ended up in our apartment.
After I got everybody moved out, which included my paying security deposits for their apartments, things settled down.
I always had to travel for work. A project in Minneapolis had me gone the for the week, got home about 7:00 pm Friday. At about 8:00 pm, there was a knock on the door. POLICE, we have a warrant to search your apartment. I looked it over, sure enough they did. It turns out my beloved Gregario had “allegedly” had sex with a minor in my apartment while I was away. Of course he denied everything after he got home that evening.
Nothing ever did come from the pedo sex.
Gregario’s health deteriorated. AIDS was diagnosed.
Gregario did die from AIDS, his body laid in state in my house (long story). I was an emotional wreck.
Interesting Gregario was previously diagnosed with HIV. He knew he was positive before I met him, I found papers of him dealing with agents that could help with his HIV. Proof positive he knew he was HIV positive before I met him. Oh well.
After his death, I went through a many emotions. Grief, soon replaced with rage and hate. I imagine I am still dealing with this.
Missed vacations
I know it feels trivial and selfish to an extent, but I feel like whining over a planned vacation that had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.
This was to be my hubby’s and my lifetime trip, our honeymoon that had never occurred. Business class flight to Paris, a few days there. On to Amsterdam for three days of seeing the sites and partaking of the herb.
Hop on the riverboat for 8 days to Switzerland. Take the train to Munich and spend a couple of days exploring the region.
Planned for June of 2020, cancelled of course. All deposits ok if rescheduled before the end of 2021.
I’m hoping Europe gets things under control, hoping to reschedule for 2022.
Anyone else planning a rescheduled vacation?
Howdy Hi
Very glad to be able to join the forum. As posted previously, long time lurker, previous member- 10 plus years ago.
I am looking across the kitchen table, and see my husband of seven years, partner since 1996. He is taking over the full time job duties, and will be able to provide health insurance for us both. My retirement is pretty well secured thanks to him. He is allowing me to jump off the rat race at age 56.
Just filled out my timesheet for the week, 16 hours. Work is allowing me to go part time/contract, pay is a bit better than being a Walmart greeter. I am truly blessed.
Anyhow, greetings and salutations to my DU friends.
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: Milwaukee
Home country: USA
Current location: Carmel, IN
Member since: Wed Apr 14, 2021, 09:08 PM
Number of posts: 759
