I have been reading several articles lately about the need for America to mind it’s own business in world affairs. It is an admirable idea. The problem, in my eyes, is the complete interconnectedness of the world today. If an exchange burps in Japan, the European exchanges taste the after effects and can tell what the Japanese exchange had for lunch. Same for U.S. markets, Asian markets, every decision made by one company or group is felt globally. This extends to politics, culture, religion, in essence every part of one society is effected by another societies decisions. We can’t just mind our own business when our lives are being affected by the decisions made hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Archive for December, 2007
Thanks to Miss Cellania for this pic. I think the designer might need to heed the warning “Don’t Drink and Design Road Signs”
p.s. I think I finally figured out how to get pics on here.
12/29/07 I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. It is the book that inspired the movie with Will Smith. I read some fan sites about the book and it sounds interesting. It doesn’t appear to be straight horror. I will let you know.
N/A Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. The second in the witch series. Granny, Nanny, and Magret must find a way to save Lancre but without meddling in politics. A spoof on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and other works.
Well, I had a good Christmas. I was able to see all my friends and family. It was a lot of fun. My wife and I were finally able to do something we have been looking forward to for sometime, buying a new mattress and box spring. We went to the Original Mattress Factory and so far we are happy about the purchase. It has been unusual having so much free time. I have been trying to blog but have been having trouble with my wireless Internet connection. Right now it is working. It may not work tomorrow. Needless to say I have been frustrated with it and feel like dynamiting it. This has made me want to get Time Warner Internet just for the stability. We may do that and bundle the package, but that may cost us about $40-$50 dollars more a month. As I told someone about our connection, when it works it works beautifully, when it doesn’t it fails spectacularly. We shall see.
ps. check this out. It is a group called Straight No Chaser doing the 12 days of Christmas in a very unique way.
Life is going to be hectic the next few days. If you don’t here from me again in the next four or five days, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas.
12/18/07 Jingo by Terry Pratchett. I forgot this one on my Vimes series read. A mysterious continent has resurfaced after sinking 1000 years ago. Of course, everyone thinks they own the land and soon war will come, or will it?
p.s. I found a great reading guide to follow if you want to read books in order. Check them out at http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/index.html
12/14/07 Equal Rites by Terry Practhett. This is the first in the unofficial witches series (I call it that). It introduces Granny Weatherwax. It is about a girl who is accidentally given wizard’s power and we all know only men can be wizards.
One story I heard this morning was about Congress passing legislation or at least considering legislation that would change the way the Alternate Minimum Tax is used. This would reduce the tax burden for many middle class tax cut. At the end the reporter said Congress was trying to find ways to offset the “cost” of the bill. There is no cost to the bill. It is a reduction of revenue. That I might have accepted but not the word cost. A cost is money spent, this is money not received. I think what bugs me about the story is it seems the government feels it has an implicit right to any and all of our money so that if for some reason they can’t collect it then it is a cost. I am sure if it wasn’t political suicide the government would love to take all our money. Then they would have the ultimate power since they would control what services we could and couldn’t receive, which is what I think is the ultimate goal of the government.
The following is part of the warning instructions for the washing machine at the Y where I work.
Failure to operate this machine according to the Instruction Handbooks or the work safety and hygiene standards and COMMON SENSE (emphasis mine) may result in conditions which CAN PRODUCE bodily injury or loss of life.
I love it. Common sense is usually not part of a warning but if every body put this on their products it would cover so many issues. You wouldn’t need to put a warning on a hair dryer like “Don’t use in the shower” or Preparation H’s “Don’t use orally” All these warnings are on these products because someone tried to do it. With this warning you could just say, “Is it common sense to use something that uses electricity in the shower? No you will die.” or “Is it common sense to put a gel in your mouth that is used to cause things in you butt decrease in size? No you will get sick, or a really small mouth.” I love it.