I'm sure that you all have seen news stories that quoted or referred to an unnamed “Pentagon Source.” You may have wondered who this source was and what his/her job was. Let me clarify this for you. When I worked at the Pentagon, I was surprised to discover that reporters will randomly call the Pentagon telephone numbers hoping that someone, anyone will answer the phone. No matter who answers, the reporters will fire off questions on the current situation. Here is how to identify Pentagon sources:
Pentagon Insider – Someone who works inside the Pentagon.
High-level Pentagon Source – Someone who works on the fifth floor of the Pentagon. Sometimes referred to as a “Top-level” Pentagon source.
Pentagon Source – Someone who works at the Pentagon but not on the fifth floor.
Confidential Pentagon Source – Someone who works at the Pentagon but can't remember what floor he/she works on, a common malady at the Pentagon.
 
Now you know.

Ben Franklin said that all people want to appear reasonable. I agree with that statement, but it started me thinking. Actually, I have been thinking for a long time. I mean it started me thinks about what most people think about themselves. I have come up with a list. I have enough material here to write about for a while.
Most people think:

• that they are above average intelligence.
• that they fairly good looking.
• that they are a “people person.”
• that they have a sense of humor.
• that they are open-minded.
• that they are a team player.

Most people think that they are average intelligence. I guess that is because they do not know how an average is calculated.  We can’t all be average. We are evenly split between above or below average. It would be better to set a goal to be one standard deviation from the average. That would be a group of 68% of the people (based on a normal bell curve distribution).

Most people think that they are good looking. Studies show that one out of three people would be considered ugly. So... look to your right and left. If you don’t see ugly, guess what?

Most people think that they are a “people person.” This bugs me. Not everyone can be a people person. I believe that people persons are rare. In my own experience, people who claim to be a people person are not. Being a people person is not a title you may bestow upon yourself. It is granted to you by people who know you. However, most people want to be thought of as a people person. People persons are not your every day, average individuals. They have a special talent for dealing with people, and that talent is that they make people happy. That is the way you can identify real people persons; they are happy, their administrative assistants are happy, their bosses and subordinates are happy, and their customers are happy. They also go out of their way to make people happy by volunteering in various programs to help people. People persons visits prisons, help the handicapped, visit the elderly, or help the poor in some manner. If a person claims to be a people person and the people around them are not happy and they do nothing to help people, they are simply wannabe’s.

Most people like to think that they have a sense of humor. They probable do, but not a great sense of humor. I have been a teller of jokes for a long time, and I like to think that I have a great sense of humor. I have learned that most people’s sense of humor is rather thin. A sense of humor is not about telling jokes. Jokesters seek attention and, to some extent, want to make people laugh. I am not talking about that type of humor.

People have a great sense of humor when they can laugh at themselves. They see the humor in everything, even the darkest hour. They use humor to relieve tension and to defuse potential fights or arguments. They never take themselves too seriously.

Most people think they are open-minded. I do not believe that anyone is completely open-minded. We are shaped and influenced by our values. People develop their values and beliefs in childhood and nurture them over years of personal experience. They empower and motivate people and are enduring. Values matter because they help people understand their experiences. Those experiences provide a start point for what to do in everyday situations. I think it would be more accurate to say that people are open-minded within their set of values.

Most people think they are team players. And they are. I have been racking my brain trying to think of a profession that does not require teamwork. Even jobs like boxing require support such as a coach, trainer, and work out partners. A thief might work alone, but that is not a profession. Every job requires teamwork and employers want and need to hire team players. I have never seen an ad for a position that states, “Team players need not apply.”

I don’t think team player is a particularly valuable skill since everyone is a team player. I know many would disagree with me. It is usually an unstated requirement for every job. It is like reading and speaking English for most jobs. If the requirements don’t list English language skills-it is understood. In the past, I have told job seekers not to list team player on their resume if they have other skills. The exception, of course, would be applying for a position on a team such as hockey, baseball, football, and technical teams.

The real issue is how good of a team player you are. As I said earlier, all jobs require teamwork. However, some teams lack good teamwork and are actually dysfunctional. Instead of saying, someone is a team player, it might be better to say they work well with others.
​
I hope this helps someone.

I read with interest an article a couple of years ago on my news feed by Kate Villa, the “6 Things You Should Never Do on Your Work Computer”. Kate listed these things:

• Never Save Personal Files to Your Desktop. ...
• Don't Go to Any Sites You Wouldn't Show Your Boss. ...
• Don't Have Personal Conversations Over Office Chat. ...
• Fight the Urge to Shop Online. ...
• Don't Use Your Personal Email. ...
• Don't Search for Jobs at Other Companies.

As usual, when people make these lists, Kate missed the mark by a mile. Here’s my list of the additional things you never should do on your work computer. Your work computer should never be used to:

• Sext: clients might be interested in the junk your company sells, but they aren’t interested in your junk.
• Order food delivery to you at the office—unless you order enough for everyone.
• Gossip—unless it’s really juicy gossip.
• Participate in teleconferences in your underwear, especially while drink hot coffee.
• Troll for dates, especially among co-workers.
• Set alarms to wake you up—use a windup alarm or your iPhone.
• Purchase drugs—use the regular office dealer.
• Watch porn—unless, of course, your company is in that industry.
• Gamble—unless, of course, the entire office participates, or your company is in that industry.
• Write a tell-all expose about your company. If you want to be a whistleblower, use your home computer.
• Write the next great American novel on company time, unless you dedicate the book to the company.
• Connect to the hidden cameras you installed in the restrooms.
• Plagiarize from co-workers.

 
I hope this will keep you out of trouble and employed.
 

Crime is on the Rise, Again
 
I read with interest an item in our local paper about a driver who was stopped by the police for not wearing a seat belt. In his glove compartment the police found an unloaded pistol. It was registered to the driver. Apparently, he argued with the police because these are the charges:

Failure to wear a seat belt while driving – first degree.
Failure to wear a seat belt while driving – second degree.
Failure to wear a seat belt while driving – third degree.
Concealing a weapon without a permit to carry a concealed weapon. (It was in his glove compartment.)
Failure to properly secure a concealed weapon. (The glove compartment wasn’t locked.)
Failure to properly notify police of concealed weapon in a car when stopped for not wearing a seat belt.
Failure to fully cooperate with police while they conducted an illegal search of automobile.
Making non-verbal faces at police during illegal search of automobile. (Rolling eyes)
Failure to not memorize the serial number of a concealed weapon. (Also couldn’t remember what he had for breakfast.)
Failure to have committed a more serious crime worth citing.
​
Remember to always cooperate with law enforcement officers. 

I decided that my novel was too short, so I’m adding a couple more chapters. Here’s more of my WIP. Enjoy.

The Case of the Cheating Girlfriend (Cont.)

“They’re still investigating but it looks as if someone came to their apartment and when JB answered the door he was shot at point blank range. The perp then walked back to the bathroom and shot Shanice several time as she was getting out of the shower.”

“Let us know if you need any more information.” Jen disconnected.

Two weeks later…

Once again, Jonah called Jen from his office. “We just got an arrest warrant for Matthew Jones. We’re on the way now. Just thought you’d like to know.”

“Fill me in when you get home,” Jen requested.

Later that night after dinner, Jen asked Jonah to explain what happened when they arrested Matthew Jones.

“Oh, he surrendered quietly. Not a problem. After reviewing your investigation and going through JB’s computer, it was clear that JB was trying to black mail Mathew Jones. He sent your report along with pictures and demanded payment or he would expose the affair with Shanice.”

“How much did JB demand?” Jen asked.

“He demanded $100,000. That wasn’t too much considering that Jones was worth millions.”

“So, did Jones fly to Nashville and kill JB and Shanice?” Jen asked.

“Pretty much. There was GSR on JB’s shirt, so Jones must have shot him as soon as he opened the door. Then he walked back to the bathroom and shot Shanice five times, emptied the gun on her.”

“Did he confess?” Jen asked.
​
“No, he lawyered up. The Nashville homicide have videos of him arriving at the Nashville airport and renting a var. They also have the murder weapons which matches the bullets taken from the bodies.

I decided that my novel was too short, so I’m adding a couple more chapters. Here’s more of my WIP. Enjoy.
​
The Case of the Cheating Girlfriend

“I do?” Jen stood up and moved over behind Molly to look at her computer. She looked at his picture. “You’re right. He’s that guy who advertises on TV to sell Fords. His motto is ‘Go to bat with Matt’ If he owns four Ford dealerships, he must be doing very well.”

The next Friday…

Jen and Molly agreed that the best strategy would be to follow Shanice from the gym after her class. They had a good picture of Jones, so they knew what he looked like. They parked where they could see the entrance to the gym and waited. Soon, Shanice arrived and went inside. She had walked from the hotel. At the time that Shanice should be teaching, Jen and Molly decide to go inside to see if they could spot Jones. They told the receptionist at the front desk that they were looking for a friend. They found Shanice’s class. They didn’t see Jones anywhere.

After her class, Shanice walked back to the hotel. Jen and Molly followed her in Jen’s car at a distance. They parked outside again and waited to see if Jones showed up. Nothing happened. Finally, as it was getting dark, Molly suggested they go sit in the lobby of the hotel where the lighting was better. They moved inside the hotel and sat down with their cameras ready.  Jen sat facing the main entrance while Molly sat facing the elevators.

Two hours later, Molly spotted Jones getting off the elevator. He walked swiftly toward exit. Molly tried to signal Jen, but Jen was talking on her cellphone. She realized they might not get a good picture. As Jones walked by, Molly started to get up and dropped her cane. Jones stopped to pick it up for her. As Molly struggled to stand up, Jones offered her his hand. That also got Jen’s attention, and she started secretly taking a few pictures with her cellphone. Molly stood up with Jones help and paused to look at his face.

“Oh my God,” she said. “You’re that guy on TV. The one who sell cars.”

Jones smiled. “Yes, ma’am, I am. Matt Jones is the name.” He extended his hand to Molly.

“Oh my,” Molly gushed. “I was thinking about buying a Ford-a pickup.”

Jones looked down at Molly prostheses. “Are you a veteran?”

“I am, sir.”

“Thank you for your service. We offer a discount for veterans.” He reached inside his coat and removed a business card. “Come see me. I’ll give you a good deal on a pickup.”

“I will.” Molly held up her cellphone. “Mind if I get a selfie? My girlfriends will be impressed.”

“Sure. Tell them to come by for a good deal.” He leaned in with his head next to Molly as she took their picture. After she took the pictures, they shook hands and Jones left.

Jen walked up to Molly. Both were grinning. “You are such a flirt,” Jen said.

“Yeah, don’t tell Marty. How did we miss him?”

“He probably arrived while we were at the gym watching Shanice and waited in the lobby until she arrived then went up to her room with here.”

“Okay, that makes sense. What do we do now?”

“I have an idea,” Jen said. “Follow me.” They walked over to the receptionist and were able to get Shanice’s room number. Jen also asked what time the maid service starts. Shanice’s room was on the sixth floor. Jen and Molly took the elevator to the sixth floor. Shanice’s room was near the end of a long hallway. Outside the door on the floor lay a tray with leftover food, two wine glasses and an empty bottle of wine.

“They ordered room service,” Molly said. She took out her cellphone and took some pictures.

“Makes sense,” Jen replied. “Jones is all over the TV. He can’ risk someone recognizing him. He’s a married man with a family.” Jen picked up the wine bottle and held it so Molly could take a picture of the label.

Once Molly and Jen got back to the office, they printed out their pictures.

The next day…

Jen and Molly decided no to follow Shanice to her Saturday class. They arrived at the hotel early and saw her leave. They figured that Matt and Shanice would have a rendezvous after her class. She had a late flight that afternoon. Jen saw the housekeepers arrive for work and followed them into their locker room. After fifteen minutes she emerged and walked over to Molly.

“Well.” Molly asked.

“All set. The housekeeper that cleans the sixth floor will bag up their trash and put it in a gray bag. They normally use clear plastic bags. She’ll leave it by the trash dumpster in back. Cost us $50.”

“What time,” Molly asked.

“Two pm when she finishes her shift.”

Jen and Molly knew that Shanice’s class was from 8 to 9 am. At 9:30 am, Shanice entered the hotel. Molly decided to wait in the car to avoid bumping into Matt since he knew what she looked like. Around a quarter after eleven, Matt walked into the hotel. Jen saw him took a time stamped picture.
Matt walked straight toward the elevators. After he left, Jen decided to join Molly in the car. They went for lunch at a fast-food joint. AT 2 pm, Jen and Molly pulled behind the hotel. There, next to the dumpster was a gray trash bag. Molly grabbed it and threw it into the back seat.

Back at their office, Jen placed a large plastic tarp on the table and Molly dumped the contents of the bag onto the tarp. The women began to shift through the trash from Shanice’s room. Most of it was paper products. Finally, Molly said, “Bingo,” as she held up a condom wrapper. “They definitely had sex.”

Jen took out her cellphone and snapped a picture. “here’s another on,” Molly shouted. “Twice? Lucky girl.” She placed both wrapper on the table and Jen took another picture.

“Any condoms,” Jen asked.

“Ew, I hope not,” Molly replied. “Probably flushed.”

Later, Jen finished their report and e-mailed everything to JB. They concluded that Shanice was cheating on JB.

Three Weeks later…

Jen and Molly were working on their next case when Jonah called from APD Homicide. “Jen, do you, or did you, have a client in Nashville, Tennessee?

“Oh, oh. This can’t be good,” Jen replied. “Wait, I’m going to put you on speaker phone. Molly and I worked that case together.” Jen put her phone on speaker. “What’s up?”

“I just had a call from the homicide department in Nashville. They’re working on a case, and they found your phone number and name on the vic’s cellphone.

“Oh, shit. Who?” Molly asked.

“His name was Joseph Brown, but he goes by JB.”

“Yes, he was a client,” Jen answered. “but the case is closed.”

“By any chance, was this a murder-suicide?” Molly asked.

“No,” Jonah answered. “It was double homicide; JB and his girlfriend Shanice Williams.”

“I’ll send you everything we have. What happened?” Jen asked.

I decided that my novel was too short, so I’m adding a couple more chapters. Here is part of one. Enjoy.

The Case of the Cheating Girlfriend

Thing had finally quieted down. Jen and Molly had no active cases to work on which was okay with them. Jen and Jonah married and went on a honeymoon soon after Molly had her baby. The pandemic was still going strong, but the woman had saved enough from previous cases to carry them for several more months.

When Molly arrived at the office, Jen informed her than she scheduled a remote visual chat with a possible new client for 1300 hours. They agreed to work the case together since they had no other cases at the time. Promptly at 1300, a young man connected with Jen and Molly remotely. Jen and Molly introduced themselves and paused for the young man to speak. He was a good looking African-American with close cut hair and a muscular build. His voice was deep. Jen introduced Molly and said they would both work on the case.

“My name is Joseph Brown, but you can call me JB, everyone does. I’m from Nashville. I played semi-pro football for the Nashville Kings until a year ago when it was recommended that I stop because of degenerative brain disease. I was a lineman and took several hits to the head; too many it turns out. I still work with the team as a weight trainer.”

“How can we be of service, Mr. Brown?” Jen asked.

“I would like you to investigate my fiancé.”

“What do you want us to investigate?” Jen asked.

“We got engaged about six months ago. I think my fiancé, Shanice Williams, is cheating on me. If she is, then the wedding is definitely off.”

“Okay,” Jen replied. “We can certainly do that for you. But first tell us more about your fiancé and then why you think she might be cheating.”

“I met Shanice at the gym. I’m a weight trainer for the Nashville Kings and she’s an aerobics instructor for the 24 Hour Fitness chain of gym. She is an advanced aerobics instructor. They fly her to different places to teach other aerobics instructors. We started dating and just clicked.”

“Did you bring a picture of her with you?” Molly asked.

“I can email that to you, along with other details like her age, height andweight,” JB said.

“JB, you’re from Nashville. Why do you want us to investigate her here in Atlanta?"

“That’s where I think she’s cheating. She’s having an affair with someone who lives in Atlanta. 24 Hour Fitness flies her there to teach an advanced class once a month. She trains other instructors at one of their gyms on Friday nights and Saturday mornings.”

“So, you think she’s meeting someone here on those weekends?” Molly asked.

“I do. I pray I’m wrong, but I have my suspicions. Maybe I just being paranoid. But I have to know.”

“So, why do you think she’s cheating on you?”

“I know her schedule, so I don’t try to call her when I know she’s teaching. Sometimes when I call after her classes, she doesn’t pick up. When she calls back, she says she was charging her phone.”

“Well, that’s possible,” Molly added.

“Then there’s this. We live together and she normally does the laundry. This last time, she had a meeting, so I decided to do the laundry. Then I noticed this odor on her clothes. I went to a drug store and niffed all the colognes until I found this.” JB reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle of cologne. He Held it up to the camera. 

Jen read the label, ''’Eros,’ Are you sure that’s the same as the odor on your fiancé clothes?”

“I’m sure of it. It was on her bra and panties. Also, she told me five months ago that she had reconnected with a classmate from high school. He lives in Atlanta. His name is Matthew Jones. Since then, she hasn’t mentioned him.”

“You think she’s cheating with this old classmate?” Jen asked.

“I don’t know. But I looked him up in her old yearbook. There’re a few pictures of the two of them together. I guess they were an item back then.”

“Do you remember his name?” Molly asked.

“Yes. His name is Jamar Johnson.”

“When does she teach in Atlanta again?” Jen asked.

“This week. If you do this, I will need pictures or positive proof. I don’t want to accuse her of cheating unless I’m 100% positive.”

After a few more questions, Jen told JB that they would take his case. JB agreed to the fee and signed a contract.

The rest of the day, Jen and Molly reached the background of JB and his fiancé. Everything JB told them about himself and Shanice checked out. True to his word, JB e-mailed pictures of Shanice along with details of her age, weight and height. He also told them which hotel Shanice would be staying and the location of the gym she where she would be teaching. The gym was just two blocks from the hotel.

While Jen was doing background checks on JB and Shanice, Molly was check on Shanice Williams’ ex-boyfriend from high school. She discovered that he does still live in the Atlanta area and now owns four Ford dealerships. He’s a successful businessman, married with a couple of kids. Finally, she pulled up his picture from the internet. “OMG, I know him.”

Jen looked at Molly. “You know Matthew Jones?” she asked.
​
“No, I don’t know him personally, but I know who he is. You do too.”

A couple of years ago, I read with interest an article on my news feed by Kate Villa, the “6 Things You Should Never Do on Your Work Computer”. Kate listed these things:

• Never Save Personal Files to Your Desktop. 
• Don't Go to Any Sites You Wouldn't Show Your Boss. 
• Don't Have Personal Conversations Over Office Chat. 
• Fight the Urge to Shop Online. 
• Don't Use Your Personal Email. 
• Don't Search for Jobs at Other Companies.

As usual, when people make these lists, Kate missed the mark by a mile. Here’s my list of the additional things you never should do on your work computer. Your work computer should never be used to:

• Sext from work. Clients might be interested in the junk your company sells, but they aren’t interested in your junk.
• Order food delivery to you at the office—unless you order enough for everyone.
• Gossip—unless it’s really juicy gossip.
• Participate in teleconferences in your underwear, especially while drink hot coffee.
• Troll for dates, especially among co-workers.
• Set alarms to wake you up—use a windup alarm or your iPhone.
• Purchase drugs—use the regular office dealer.
• Watch porn—unless, of course, your company is in that industry.
• Gamble—unless, of course, the entire office participates.
• Write a tell-all expose about your company. If you want to be a whistleblower, use your home computer.
• Write the next great American novel on company time, unless you dedicate the book to the company.
• Connect to the hidden cameras you installed in the restrooms.
• Plagiarize from co-workers.

 
I hope this will keep you out of trouble and employed.
 

For most folks now days, money is tight.  There never enough, so you can’t waste it on stupid stuff. A few years ago, I read with interest an article on my newsfeed written by Lia Sestric, “6 Really Dumb Ways Americans Waste Money.” Lia mentioned overspending on education, purchasing expensive diapers, buying unnecessary baby stuff, betting on lottery tickets, failing to shop for bargains, and insisting on lavish weddings. In my opinion, she wasn’t even close. Here is my list of more ways people waste money:
​

1. Sending money to someone in Nigeria who claims you inherited a large sum of money. This is a scam, folks.
2. Using your savings to invest in your brother’s or brother-in-law’s stupid ideas. In the case of the brother-in-law, you can’t stand the guy anyway, but you married his sister. Your brother or sister is a different issue. This is a tough one. Never lend money to family -- period. Good luck with this.
3. Enrolling in Trump University. I’m sure you thought this was a good deal. It’s overpriced folks. Go to the local community college.
4. Buying swampland that might be drained. You don’t see this one much anymore. Here’s a hint; if you can’t see it, don’t buy it.
5. Spending a lot of money to buy a map to the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. Think About it; so many maps to the mine have been sold that someone must have found the gold by now.
6. Spending money to claim a prize someone says you won even though you never entered a contest. Another scam, folks.
7. Spending a lot of money on drugs (prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, under the counter drugs, meth, pot, cocaine, heroin, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, candy, sugar and liquor). Enough said.
8. Buying bottled water. Tap water is just as good, and it has fluoride for your teeth. The bottles are made of plastic which comes from oil – bad for the landfill and the environment. Just drink tap water and save. You can reuse the old water bottles and fool your snobbish friends.
9. Paying too much for sex. Sex should be free. If you must pay for it, you’re wasting money. Now, “good” sex is something else. That’s going to cost you.
10. Spending too much on pets. Pets shouldn’t cost anything. If you have a dog or cat, yes, it’s expensive. Pets should be free. Forget dogs or cats; cockroaches make great pets and they don’t eat much. They never bark.

 
I hope this helps everyone to cut expenses. 

We recently had the Geminids meteor shower, the strongest meteor shower of the year. My wife woke up to watch it and saw some meteors. I stayed in bed. I may have figured out a way to count the number of stars in the universe. Follow these simple steps:

1. Section off a portion of the sky about a million square miles. You may have to eyeball this.
2. Count the number of stars in this section. Take your time.
3. Now multiply that number by infinity.

That should give you a rough estimate of the number of stars in the universe. If you have trouble doing this, try it at night.