02.15.2010

First, I would like to tell how school is going.  My database class went from really stressful to kind of exciting.  Now that I am better understanding how Access works and what all it can do, it is more interesting.  My web design class started as exciting and has now moved to a borderline obsession.  I had no idea how much could be done and the possibilities that could be accomplished with just a few lines of HTML code.  I am very excited to get my website re-done with a whole new look and feel.  I will keep you all posted on that one as well.

I just have to share this experience with you that happened to me last Thursday afternoon.  I was at work and things were kind of slow.  My co-worker, Julie, had put in a work order to switch some cables or something on her computer.  The maintenance guy, Mark, showed up soon after saying things were slow that day and he was glad to have something to do.  So, as he was working, one of my former instructors (and my inspiration for writing), Miss. Mackenstadt came in and was talking about a book she had just read.

Our conversation quickly moved from the book she had read to my faith.  She asked me some very tough questions.  We had talked many times before about faith and the bible.  Keep in mind that Miss Mack does believe in God, but questions much of the bible and how to get to heaven and who should go.  As we were talking, Julie listened in and Mark kept working.

Mark finished up and was getting ready to leave when Miss Mack asked him about his faith.  As Mark started talking, it turns out he is also a Christian and shared his faith with Miss Mack!  It was a very wonderful and stimulating conversation!  Afterwards, I saw Mark in the hallway and we agreed to both pray for Miss Mack.

Think of how God worked that whole afternoon out.  Mark just happened to be looking for something to do that da and Julie just happened to pick that day for putting in the request for help.  It all worked out perfectly!  I know some would say the timing and everything was just coincidence, but that is a whole lot of coincidences at one time!  No, it wasn’t any coincidence, it was God’s hand at work in that room that day and I am very thankful to have been a part of it.

By the way, I have prayed for Miss Mack every day since.

Bob

02.15.2010

I attended a writer’s seminar with Jean Tennent last Friday and what a great experience.  I took away some great tips for writing that I think will help me a great deal.

I must admit that I haven’t worked on my novel in a few weeks now, mainly because of time.  Also, I seem to have written myself into a tight corner and wasn’t really sure how to get out.  After the seminar and thinking about it more, I may have found a way out.  I am still jotting down notes for ideas of other stories / novels, too so my mind is on constant alert.

I will keep you all posted on my progress of writing and the experiences that it comes with.

Bob

02.04.2010

I want to start this entry with something that has bugged me for a while, but more to inform you of something I found out.  I see a lot of people posting birds and telling people they accept PayPal as payment.  PayPal is great and I love the service.  However, when people post that the buyer must add 3% or some other amount for PayPal fees, that is not legal.  I was going to buy some birds once from someone who wanted to tack the additional fees onto their auction so I contacted PayPal about that.  (I had heard it wasn’t legal before, that is why I questioned it.)  Anyway, PayPal came back and said the seller is not supposed to charge the buyer extra fees to cover PayPal’s fees. 

Sometimes, I give a discount to people who pay with PayPal because it is instant and you know you have the money.  You can often ship same day or next day for them.  I either do not do business with people who insist on charging the extra PayPal fees or I simply won’t send it to them.  I won’t participate in illegal activity.  For those of you who do use PayPal, please be aware of this and check with PayPal if you have any questions.

I still don’t have all my birds paired up yet, but am slowly getting there.  Most of my WOE’s are mated, but I ended up with extra Black hens.  I still haven’t decided whether to part with them or keep them since they are pretty nice Blacks.  I will be cutting back on the WOE’s once they are all paired up.  The way they raise, I certainly don’t want a lot of them around.

I got a few pairs of Fantails paired up, but not all of them.  I need to go through and pick out those that will stay and those that can go in the next couple weeks or so.

I have been on the fence for over a month now as to whether to keep my Kazans or not.  I think I have decided to hang on to them.  They weren’t easy to find int he first place and they are decent birds.  Besides, I have always liked them and I think a guy ought to keep what he likes. 

I am supposed to get a couple nice Chinese Owls this weekend so be watching for them if anyone is interested.  Of course, I also should have some really good Fantails by the end of the month as well when Dwight calls.  I may actually get down to 30 birds or so before it is all said and done.

There is going to be a big change coming with my website and I will give some hints on that as we go.  Basically, one thing is that it is going to be completely re-done from scratch.  I’m calling Ty Pennington and we’re tearing down the old and building a new and improved version complete with pool tables, swimming pool, and those cute little flat screen TV’s that come up out the foot of the bed.  Well…maybe not ALL of those things, but some major changes are coming…

Bob

02.01.2010

Sorry I haven’t posted before now.  It’s been very crazy around here with kids’ activities, school work, etc.

I hope you all are doing well so far.  I know some of you have not started pairing birds up and others have had birds mated for a month or more.  Either way, I hope the prospects are good for you.

I recently watched a small all-breeds club implode over personal differences and it got me to thinking about this problem.  Why do Pigeon clubs fail? 

I have been a part of many Pigeon clubs over the years and have been an officer in a few of them.  I have seen treasurers run off with club money and friendships lost forever.  I know that when you get a group of people together, not every one is going to always hold the same views, which causes differing opinions.  I think that can be a great thing for a club.  New perspectives and views can make a club stronger.

What I can’t seem to wrap my brain around is this nonsense over personal differences that are taken to extremes.  I mean, let’s just be realistic, IT’S JUST A FREAKIN PIGEON CLUB!  We’re not talking about huge corporations with millions of dollars.  We’re talking about a bunch of guys who love the same thing (Pigeons) and just want to get together and hang out every once in a while.  Frankly, I don’t even see how politics should be more than a miniscule part of a club.  It seems that once a club gets up and running, the whole point of it gets lost in political BS.  Is the allure of being President of a Pigeon club that important?  Does having a title by one’s name trump friendship?  I just don’t understand how adults with the same love and passion for something cannot get together and move towards the same goals.

I had the erroneous thought once that I could start and run a Pigeon club without the crap that runs rampant in most clubs.  I know there will always be those filled with jealousy when someone starts a new club, but those a re not people to be worried about.  A dog on the outside of the fence can only bark, it can’t hurt you.  It’s the dogs in the yard with you that can turn on you when you least expect it and cause much more damage than any of the outside dogs could.

I don’t have the answer to fix the problem.  I do see why people don’t want to get involved with clubs and why there is so much turmoil within the hobby.  Even different clubs have the same general goal and should be supported.  However, the fear of someone else’s club being bigger and better than another prevails so club A tries to discredit club B and in the end neither one wins.

Remember, Pigeon clubs (ANY club) needs the hobby in order to survive.  The hobby does not need pigeon clubs in order to survive.  The vast majority of Pigeon fanciers do not belong to or participate in any club.  They simply have their birds for the enjoyment and relaxation they provide.

Bob