Raoul's 2 Cents: Can anyone tell me what's happening with the banking institution? I've been asking other people if they noticed it too and it seems like they have been getting terrible service as well. Bank of America's security is so tight it takes forever just to prove you are who you say you are. Chase Bank (like BofA) charges you for every transaction --- they charge you for keeping YOUR money in their bank. Banc of California seems to be better and more courteous but the the turn-around of key employees (including 2 branch managers) in just 3 months is very disconcerting. The managers were nice people so I'm guessing the higher-ups were not easy to work with. Funny, each of the managers kept on asking me how much money I was going to be maintaining in their bank --- as if they needed to use my money for something else.

Raoul's 2 Cents: In the heat of an argument I was called names and I was deemed worthless. When insults are hurled at you it can hurt especially when it comes from people whose opinion you respect. I didn't even think of returning the insult because it was clearly uttered in a moment of anger. As I calmed down, I remembered my Mom who had the super human ability to absorb insults and pain in order to preserve a relationship. So instead of being defensive, I used that incident to reflect on the merits of the insult.

Raoul's 2 Cents: Oh, the demands we put on our children. I'm not talking about my family but families in general. We are all guilty of this. (Well, "guilty" may be too strong a word but you know what I mean.) And it's not only normal but it's good that we want the best for our kids. But It's like we get into this self-inflicted competition of the human race that started with the first family.

Raoul's 2 Cents: So I'm in New York visiting my grandson and I get this email from Debbie of Moreno Valley wishing me a grand time. I get a call while strolling in the park with the baby … clean air and sunny skies after the other day's thunderstorm … and I get a call from my aunt in Virginia. She also wishes me a fun time with my grandson.

Raoul's 2 Cents: If you had a cure for cancer would you keep it to yourself? Would you sell it? Make a profit from it? Let's turn things around. If someone were selling it, would you buy it? At what price? Sky's the limit? Would you take it? Would you be suspicious if it were free? These are no longer hypothetical questions. We face the same questions

Raoul's 2 Cents: Lots of crazy things going on in the world. Afghanistan is crumbling; billions of US military equipment are left to the Taliban; a new wave of booster shots might be necessary because of the Delta virus; Dr. Faucci's loyalty is now questioned; school is open --- "face mask on, face mask off," protests erupt against the vaccine imposition;

I didn't think I'd be affected this much but a cloud has been hanging over me since Tuesday. A good friend of our TGIF family passed away last Monday. Don of Kelowna, B.C. who had consistently sent the funniest jokes of the week was found dead in his bathroom apparently due to a heart attack. What a shocker!

My schedule's out of wack because the work from last week sorta lingered these past few days and I just want to go to sleep. Those late night work have something to do with it. But you know what? Even though I'm tired, I am satisfied

In the opening scene of the movie "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," George and Martha Washington walk to their humble home, unlock the front door and see the horror of their dirty house. "What a dump!" Martha exclaims --- giving us a glimpse of the battle what was to unfold in the movie.

My wife and I had always passed this Hot Dog Fast Food place called Wienerschnitzel (heard of them?) but never went in. We planned to donate blood in an hour so we thought a hot dog would be perfect for the short time frame.