I was once paid salary through a US military kickback slush fund. Well, it wasn't called that. Those words are simply my own way of trying to accurately describe the funding arrangement. When the US decided that Bahrain's Air Force would need shiny new General Dynamics F16 warplanes, lots of arrangements were made. One of the agreements was the company would offer reverse funding for the establishment of a technical school. It all made sense really. That allowed the implementation of a method to help get the locals up to speed with the new hardware that was soon to arrive at their door. Additionally, it made the Bahrainis feel as though they were getting something for free. I functioned as a pawn.I have never connected the subsequent Gulf War I directly to the purchase but the sophisticated hardware was delivered just in time to be used during the initial conflict. Let's call that just a convenient coincidence, shall we?
Anyway, the only reason I'm mentioning this today, is because I wanted to quote my former boss. The old guy must no longer be with us. He was pretty much on his last legs during the early 90's. If I recall correctly, the good doctor even had heart trouble while on the job. I was acting director when he disappeared for medical leave once.
When requesting a pay raise due to high expenses in the country, he offered that all people had to set their own financial priorities. He was politely saying, "Put up and shut up." I was probably asking for enough to pay for both the rent and buy food, but I digress. Take what I say with a grain of salt for even from my picture you can tell I've never starved.
More recently, yesterday in fact, a colleague's work computer broke. It was fortuitous actually. The replacement computer came with a stylish 19-inch flatscreen and now I want one for my house! I had been checking monitor prices recently. My current Samsung LCD works superbly. It's very clear. Still, I have had it for a few years and it's a mere 15 diagonal inches. Obviously, even though yesterday's entry seems to deny it, big is most definitely better. It's better at least when it comes to computer screens.
I have enough cash to pick up one on the way to school today. Yet, I'm stuck thinking of Dr. Benson's remarks. I do have to set priorities, don't I?