After the Storm

It is after the storm and we at Georgianna Hardware Corporation hope you are all safe and have everything that you will need for the coming days.

If you are fortunate enough to have electricity we have a treat for you.  We updated our web site by adding some easy cookie recipes to our Kitchen Fun page.  Break out those baking sheets and cooling racks!

Why Care About the Presidential Election?

Sometimes I feel like I am preaching to the choir, but today's blog is specifically for the young people that are questioning why they should be bothered being interested in this presidential election.  This will take about two minutes of your time to read.

My mom's family came to America on the Mayflower. History books have taught me that they left England because they felt so strongly about their religious freedom. They were referred to as Separatists and had many difficulties prior to their arrival here.

My dad's family came to America from Nova Scotia, Canada. My paternal grandparents decided to come to America with hope of starting a new life. They were a young couple that had already experienced having two of their children die of Scarlet Fever.

Not having interest in any election is something that is not new to me. Actually, I follow politics for my entertainment and I get it that you're disinterested, but I'd appreciate your being kind enough to allow the few minutes for me to make my case.

This presidential election is rather unique in the fact that our country is divided so evenly. This month we are starting to see changes to our country that have been put in place by our current president. Companies are experimenting to see how they can still make profits while avoiding paying for health care. The first thing those companies did was cut employee hours to 28 hours per week. I bet that hurt. By my calculations those people will receive a check for $168.00. Crap. My smallest grocery order this month was $127.54.

Who cares? Your healthy. You didn't even want to work full time. OK, think about the number of doctors that are becoming disinterested in serving their communities because they never get time off, their pay is going to be reduced, and they will need to make budget cuts with their staff. Odds are they will need to have a part time staff. They went to school for this? They are doing more accounting than assisting people and they're not happy. Can you blame them?

We have heard a lot about Libya recently. Big deal. Most Americans don't even know where it is. That doesn't stop us from sending money to their country and we will do it again next year too. In return we had four Americans killed. Only four, but they weren't your brother, uncle, or friend. Americans care so our government sends money to countries that need financial assistance. Don't forget the millions that we send to others countries and that inludes North Korea, Columbia, and Russia. Wonder why North Korea wants to blow us off the face of the earth? Maybe it's because we gave them $106 million in 2008 but only gave them $2.5 in 2009.  I did the research using our government's web site at http://foreignassistance.gov/CountryIntro.aspx so that you didn't need to.

If you're in the twenty-something bracket think back to September 11, 2001. Do you remember where you were when you heard about the attack on your country? Prior to September 11, 2001 there had been few foreign attacks on U.S. soil. Just for reference, we had the War of 1812, the U.S.-Mexican War in 1846, an attack led by Pancho Villa in Columbus, NM, in 1916, the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and an attack in New York on the World Trade Center in 1993. These people that you have no interest in keep all of us from harm.  

I remember feeling that my vote didn't count and the president didn't really represent me. Not that either candidate can relate to me now! Who cares? The question is, why care?  Well, as American citizens we have been granted our unalienable right: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  The generations before mine didn't just throw these rights away, they've kept them in check for you. Even with its current difficulties people still have a desire to live in our country and they have good reason to. C'mon, that's kind of cool to know that people you don't even know want to have a life like yours.

If you don't care, too bad. You're not the first and you won't be the last. Worst that can happen is the candidate you choose might not win. I have a realistic view. Is the glass half full of lemonade or is it half empty. Realistic me: It could be piss. You're in America because the generations that came before you thought your rights were important. It's time you care.

The Final Debate

Tonight we'll have the final debate.  I'm barely over the last one!  So much excitement, so many news reports, the post debate debating has been a constant.  Even though I love this stuff and find it hard to keep a fairly neutral position, I've become tired of it all.

Tonight I heard Don Lemon having a conversation with two men.  Don was level headed and that reminded me of what I was going to blog about today, being patient.

We need to be patient and wait for answers.  We need to be patient and the economy will recover.  We need to be patient with everything.  Well, the guy behind me that blew his horn when the light turned green wasn't very patient.  It seems nobody is patient.  Neither were either one on Don Lemon's guests.  Then, in the next segment of news the year 2025 was reference.  Really?  I can't wait for the debate and I'm sure happy that I remembered to buy popcorn for tonight!

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On the BIM Soapbox Again!

It happened again.  Two days ago I was rambling on about BIM and VDC software and now it's back in the news.  Contractors using BIM are actually outnumbering the architects that are using it!  Usage of BIM software has increased from 49% in 2009 to 71% in 2012.

It's no wonder that the software is getting so much attention.  The advantages include improved collaboration, predictability, and faster delivery.  Using BIM software also increases safety and reduces waste.  You have to love these win-win scenarios.

GRAPHISOFT is offering free sessions at the Ecobuild America conference in Washington DC on December 5 and 6, 2012.  Visit http://www.aececobuild.com/registration and enter Priority Code SPK12 to receive a free tech user session and other benefits.  (Ref. to GRAPHISOFT offer http://www.marketwatch.com/story/graphisoft-educational-user-sessions-at-ecobuild-america-highlight-open-bim-and-green-building-2012-10-16 )

If you're involved in construction in the slightest way, please take a moment to check out our October 2012 page for a brief overview.  At the very least you can nod and smile when BIM comes up in conversation!  

Have You Visited?

Have you visited our site recently?  We've made a number of additions to our web site, but perhaps you have missed them.  To keep up with us and our news you can connect with us on Twitter or facebook.  Visit our Social page to make the connection.

The Second Presidential Debate

Another evening of reality television!  This time it was the debate.  I can't say that there was anything that swayed me one way or the other and I admit that I am sitting down to write a blog in place of a diary. 

My first concern about the debate was jobs.  Jobs for Americans that are unemployed, underemployed, graduating from high school, graduating from college, living someplace that they would rather not because their income doesn't fulfill their dreams.  Each candidate has a plan yet we have experienced almost four years of a plan and the results are questionable.  There is still nothing specific.

I am also concerned about the infrastructure.  Not much was said about the infrastructure in America, but it needs improvement.  Improving the infrastructure would add jobs, but we need money to cover the expenses of materials and labor.  The new highway bill, MAP-21, doesn't give a great deal of promise.  Actually, with the provisions for bicycle trails I am concerned about the distance to the grocery store.

Like many others I read the comments my friends posted on facebook.  Healthcare, employment, and defense cuts are mentioned and more than once honesty is questioned.  I wish the candidates would give public schools the credit they deserve.  Americans are well educated and can keep up with current events.  Americans are tough too and we can handle the truth.  Well, maybe not.  My doctor is on the other side of the hill.  I'll need to pedal my bicycle uphill both ways!

Please take a moment to visit Georgianna Hardware Corporation.

 

BIM and VDC Software

I read an article tonight about BIM (Building Information Modeling) and VDC (Virtual Design Construction) that left me wondering why the construction industry has been slow to incorporate the construction modeling software into their business as a standard. I have to agree that the cost and the learning curve, which I see as nothing other than cost, are the root of the problem.

There are many corporations that talk about progress and being open minded to new ideas and since I didn't know much about BIM I started to research it. Come to find out we have already used some of the free software from Google, SketchUp, in our business!  We also made reference to Google Sketchup in September when we highlighted the capabilities of 3D printers. I'll admit, we used Sketchup for 2D graphics and I am still learning to use the software after more than a year but that should not deter anyone.

When I went on the search to find construction companies that use the BIM and VDC software I was able to find a few companies that show very impressive results by using the software that has been around for at least three years. It all makes sense. Improved communication of the design, build, and cost would surely streamline any operation. It's a matter of discipline and commitment to implementing the change of routine.

I appeal to two sectors of business, construction and technology. First, construction companies need to be more accepting of technology and recognize that it might actually make the job easier. Second, software companies need to be recognize that their products need to be user friendly and they do have a place in the construction industry.  I realize that these changes will mean companies will incur a cost, but increased revenue appears to be the final result.

Visit Georgianna Hardware Corporation to learn more about the BIM and VDC software that we found.

We're Concerned About Jobs

     We're concerned about jobs.  We've heard about the taxes, but without a job we cannot be taxed.  We can't even go to the mall and spend money on things that are taxed at the local level.  This whole situation is obviously a big mess.

     There are other things to be considered too.  What are we teaching the next generation?  As for myself, I see an angry younger generation that is trying to understand things that are way above my middle-age ability. Knowing that one of six children are receiving assistance for food provisions, it leaves me wondering how these children are handling this crisis that they experience every day.  With mom or dad not longer working this is added stress to the children too.    

     As adults, our coping skills include humor.  Wonder what the next generation thinks of our laughing about there being a lack of oxygen in Denver?  I'm fairly certain that a five year old child hasn't learned about altitude changes.  I keep hearing about light-hearted comments, but I'm not even sure how much my heart weighs!

     The next time the younger generation tells you that you're clueless, take a moment and think about it.  I agree that we need to pull ourselves up by the boot straps and hang in there through these tough time, but think about how the next generation interprets what they see and hear.

OK, folks.  I'll get step down from my little soap box.  When I heard teens talking earlier, it crossed my mind that they should be talking about cars and dances, not gas prices and political debates.

We Need Literacy

We Need Literacy

     When I was talking with a friend of mine the other day she said, “There is no reason not to learn. Education is free.” There is no doubt in my mind that she is right. That is more so true today than it has ever been. I'm not a classroom person, but since I can read, I can learn.

     There are 21 million Americans that cannot read at all. That's hard to believe, but I feel confident it is true. More than 40 million Americans cannot read well enough to fill out a job application. Low literacy levels are easily connected to poverty, but Dollar General is doing something to correct that.

     The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is available to help. I found 23 available programs within 25 miles of my home. This means people are helping people.  It crosses my mind that if I couldn't read I probably would not have found this information on the internet. Again, Dollar General helps by providing a phone number, 1-877-38YOURGED. (1-877-389-687433)

     I realize that the phone number suggests that a person will be working toward their GED, but this is America and it is still a free country. Everything you do will be by choice. I've always thought it was fun to learn. We can't all be the best at everything, but we can all share our knowledge.

     Dollar General has 10,000 store in 40 states, 14.8 billion dollars in sales. I read that the founder had a third grade education. That's cool. More of us should be talking about things like the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.