Welcome to the Hatbox! My name is Stephen Hatfield, and this is my personal blog, where I talk about things that interest me. The site is built using Expression Engine, and the template was designed by Simon Collison etc.
Anniversary Of D-Day
June 6th as most know is the anniversary of the invasion of France at Normandy by the Allied forces in WWII. My hats off to all those brave men, who survived and did not survive. Every single soldier who landed on those beaches is a true American hero!
Do You Treat Your Own CDs Like This?
I have owned CDs for lots and lots of years and never has one been damaged so that it doesn’t play. Yet the books on CD I get from the library are consistently scratched. Do people think that because they are free (so to speak) that they can throw them around like frisbees? Perhaps I am asking too much for people to handle CDs from the library like they would their own - or - I am an exception and most people mishandle their own CDs like they do with the ones from the library. I suspect though that these same people that ruin library CDs are the same people who throw trash out of their car windows along the road.
Free Is Nice
Carol, Delaney, Ella and I got back just a bit ago from our free night compliments of Priority Rewards. We stayed at the Staybridge Suites near the girls. It was very nice! Included were dinner, beer and wine, breakfast, and all the swimming we could handle. That part was what the girls like best. Delaney took are of washing all the dishes we used. She is an unbelievable great helper! Ella did her usual job playing life of the party. If you want to get away for a night, I would highly recommend Staybridge Suites. The regular price is not even that bad, around $90 a night for a suite and all that I mentioned.
A New Retiree
That would be me. After 30 years at Lilly and 6 years at the University of Minnesota before that, I am retiring officially at the end of the year. My last working day was Friday December 18th. Prior to leaving I had a very nice retiree lunch sponsored by the company, an extremely nice retirement reception, a super lunch hosted by the quality group I worked with the last few years, a nice evening with one of my best co-workers, Anand, and lastly a nice after work celebration with my quality buddies. Leaving the parking structure for the last time as an employee felt strange and exhilarating.
It is starting to really sink in now but it is taking some time. Last Saturday I found myself thinking about work stuff and reminded myself I didn’t have to do that anymore. On Sunday, when I moved my briefcase to set up to iron my shirts like I always do, I realized I didn’t need that anymore either. It is now emptied and stored.
I am really looking forward to January 4th, 2010, though. When I wake up that day, and not to an alarm clock, I can lay back and relish NOT having to go to work that day!
I haven’t decided for sure what I am going to do but when I decide, you can find out here.
Controversy At Notre Dame
Today our new president will be delivering the graduation speech at Notre Dame. This event is not without controversy. People are divided as to whether it is proper or not for a person who has recently lifted the stem cell research ban that in essence condones abortion, paid for by taxpayers, not all of whom support abortion. I am with those who think it is not right that Mr. Obama deliver this graduation address. Notre Dame is an institution supported by the christian church. How can the administrators of Notre Dame allow the speech by this man given his decisions affecting abortion. While it may be politically expedient to have Mr Obama deliver this address, it is morally wrong. My opinion of Notre Dame has definitely been lowered by their failure to uphold the principles of their church, religion and our nation.
Oh Deer
Last Monday while driving to work, it was raining and dark (when you leave for work at 4:30 am, it is always dark). Something appeared to be blocking the road ahead but I couldn’t make it out. I slowed down and sure enough in my headlights, frozen, were 4 deer! I stopped (and fortunately the person behind me was able to stop as well). The startled animals scurried to get off the road, slipping and sliding on the wet pavement. They made it to safety. Had I not stopped I likely would have hit at least 2 of the critters.
I’m Back
After a loooooong absence, I am back and pledge to regularly post new stuff. To leave a comment you will have to register. Sorry but gotta keep those spam comments away.