So, this argument is a natural progression from the "we were here first" argument put forth by Native Americans. Logically, since they were here first, the land was "stolen" from them. But as an extension of this logic, the Moon belongs to the U.S. on the same basis. The United States owns the moon. So there.
All that being said, I think it's rather ridiculous to assume that because the native peoples were displaced by the Europeans in North America, that it was the first time such a thing has ever happened on this planet. People have been pushed out, conquered, assimilated, and replaced throughout the history of humankind. To the victor go the spoils, as the saying goes, and it's been that way as long as life has existed.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The U.S. Government Needs a New Agency: The People Protection Agency
Today I'm advocating for a new governmental agency. Yes, I know--that's more government intrusion. However, I'm advocating for a People Protection Agency. This agency would have specific powers, namely, to grab all regulations passed by the EPA by the throat, and stomp them into the ground until they're dead. Well maybe not all of them. My proposal would be to have this new agency oversee the EPA and toss out any law that causes harm to people. For example, an EPA statute that protected an endangered form of snail, would be jettisoned if people were losing jobs because of that statute. My reasoning is simple. Most individuals believe that human beings were the final stop on the evolutionary chain, making man the highest order of animal. It stands to reason that the highest form needs to do whatever it takes to survive. Losing ones livelihood because of a snail, fish, or insect, or any number of lower forms of life, is detrimental to the survival of the species. Therefore, I'm recommending that such an agency be created--to stop the over regulation and red tape associated with protecting endangered species, and that the highest form of life on the chain be given top priority when it comes to survival.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Writing to be writing
I'm writing here in my blog because to day I'm avoiding writing. In other words, I'm writing to avoid writing. The writing I'm avoiding is my novel, Last Stand at Cibola. The reason I'm avoiding working on my book, is because this morning the furnace went out and I spent all my time replacing the thermocouple, and now it still won't light, so I'm giving it ten minutes and trying it again. Basically, I can't really get into my novel writing in that short of a period of time--at least, I'm telling myself that. The reality is probably different, but as the saying goes, perception is reality. I'm going to try and find some extra time this evening to work on the book.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
On taxing the "rich"
When I've posted links on Facebook, at least in the last several months, several of them have been about President Obama's plan to tax the "wealthiest" among us. Repeatedly in speeches, the president has made references to making sure that "millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share". Several of the links I've referenced to in my Facebook postings have been about how the wealthiest Americans are already paying the lion's share of taxes in America. Here's an example of one of those links: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039767/Obama-tax-increase-Do-wealthy-Americans-pay-middle-class.html
The answer is simple: those whom Obama considers rich, already pay more than the rest of us, both in total dollars, and in tax rates. But why should that matter? In this time of economic disaster, shouldn't they be asked to pay even more? The answer, again quite simply, is no. Here's why.
Those who earn over $200,000 per year, which seems to be the income level that Obama begins thinking of them as "millionaires", include the vast majority of employers. Entrepreneurs, most of whom are taxed at an individual rate, do most of the hiring in America. The question then becomes, will they still hire as many people if their bills (including taxes) are higher? It's a question that must be asked because it's highly relevant to the discussion. Let's take the average citizen as an example. Let's say Joe Johnson is humming along, happily earning $50,000 per year, buying things as needed, and sometimes as wanted. He's really got his eye on a nice fishing boat, selling for about $5000. Now Joe's a good saver, and has saved most of the money to purchase the boat, but then the unthinkable happens---he loses his job. Try as he might, he can't find a job that pays as well as the job he had before and he winds up at a job paying $42,000 per year. Suddenly the extra he had for paying off the rest of the boat is needed for basic necessities: food, house payment, gas for his car. He decides to put off buying the boat, although he really still wants it.
In the same way Joe has decided not to purchase the boat, employers must make decisions on whether or not to hire future employees. If their bills increase, they have less money with which to do this. At a time in which our unemployment rate is very high, to decide to increase taxes on those who do the hiring is foolish at best. Even President Obama has said this in the past. Obama says you don't raise taxes in a recession
Another reason for not raising taxes, on the rich or anyone else, is that it reduces the incentive to stop the outrageous spending. If I'm getting $1000 more per month, as an individual, am I going to be more likely to spend, or less? I think the answer is clear. And that's even more problematic when the money you're receiving is a gift from someone else. Someone once said that it's always easy to spend someone else's money, and it is. Frankly, as a citizen, I don't trust my government to spend my money wisely. Remember, these are the same people who spent $400 for a hammer and something like $1000 for a toilet seat. Do we really want them collecting and spending more of our money for wasteful things like this? I'd rather stop the inflow and make them reduce the outflow.
All that being said, there's nothing wrong with asking those who have the means to contribute more. Warren Buffet and some others who have a lot of means have said that they don't pay enough in taxes. Fine. They can cut checks and send them in to pay more. It's easy to do. They should put their money where their collective mouths are. Frankly, I'd rather see them contributing to the Food Bank, or the homeless shelters, or any number of privately owned charities that actually do more with less money than our federal government. I'd rather see them going around helping individuals and families, than sending in more money to be squandered by government agencies.
The bottom line is, heaping more taxes on job providers doesn't help in an ailing economy. Cutting spending does. Asking people who have the means to voluntarily help their neighbors goes much further than any increase in taxes ever could. Remember what Ronald Reagan once said: "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money". Think about it.
The answer is simple: those whom Obama considers rich, already pay more than the rest of us, both in total dollars, and in tax rates. But why should that matter? In this time of economic disaster, shouldn't they be asked to pay even more? The answer, again quite simply, is no. Here's why.
Those who earn over $200,000 per year, which seems to be the income level that Obama begins thinking of them as "millionaires", include the vast majority of employers. Entrepreneurs, most of whom are taxed at an individual rate, do most of the hiring in America. The question then becomes, will they still hire as many people if their bills (including taxes) are higher? It's a question that must be asked because it's highly relevant to the discussion. Let's take the average citizen as an example. Let's say Joe Johnson is humming along, happily earning $50,000 per year, buying things as needed, and sometimes as wanted. He's really got his eye on a nice fishing boat, selling for about $5000. Now Joe's a good saver, and has saved most of the money to purchase the boat, but then the unthinkable happens---he loses his job. Try as he might, he can't find a job that pays as well as the job he had before and he winds up at a job paying $42,000 per year. Suddenly the extra he had for paying off the rest of the boat is needed for basic necessities: food, house payment, gas for his car. He decides to put off buying the boat, although he really still wants it.
In the same way Joe has decided not to purchase the boat, employers must make decisions on whether or not to hire future employees. If their bills increase, they have less money with which to do this. At a time in which our unemployment rate is very high, to decide to increase taxes on those who do the hiring is foolish at best. Even President Obama has said this in the past. Obama says you don't raise taxes in a recession
Another reason for not raising taxes, on the rich or anyone else, is that it reduces the incentive to stop the outrageous spending. If I'm getting $1000 more per month, as an individual, am I going to be more likely to spend, or less? I think the answer is clear. And that's even more problematic when the money you're receiving is a gift from someone else. Someone once said that it's always easy to spend someone else's money, and it is. Frankly, as a citizen, I don't trust my government to spend my money wisely. Remember, these are the same people who spent $400 for a hammer and something like $1000 for a toilet seat. Do we really want them collecting and spending more of our money for wasteful things like this? I'd rather stop the inflow and make them reduce the outflow.
All that being said, there's nothing wrong with asking those who have the means to contribute more. Warren Buffet and some others who have a lot of means have said that they don't pay enough in taxes. Fine. They can cut checks and send them in to pay more. It's easy to do. They should put their money where their collective mouths are. Frankly, I'd rather see them contributing to the Food Bank, or the homeless shelters, or any number of privately owned charities that actually do more with less money than our federal government. I'd rather see them going around helping individuals and families, than sending in more money to be squandered by government agencies.
The bottom line is, heaping more taxes on job providers doesn't help in an ailing economy. Cutting spending does. Asking people who have the means to voluntarily help their neighbors goes much further than any increase in taxes ever could. Remember what Ronald Reagan once said: "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money". Think about it.
Monday, September 12, 2011
I am an American
I am an American and yesterday was September 11th. For one brief span of time ten years ago, nearly everyone came together in unity. As a nation, we had been attacked. As a people, we seemed in that moment to become united. Sadly, that has drifted away. The liberals fight the conservatives, and politics is a cess pool of invective–civility has fled like animals fleeing from a forest fire. We think it has not always been like that.
I will not forget 9/11. I won’t forget the planes plowing into the towers of the World Trade Center, nor the horror of watching bodies jump or fall from the windows. I won’t forget the heroism of the firefighters, and others, who devotedly continued on trying to save as many as possible, even as the buildings collapsed on top of them. How can one ever forget that?
But there’s another thing I won’t forget. I won’t forget how we came together as a people, united, caring and loving. Determined. I won’t forget how we are all much more alike than we are different. And I would like to think that no matter how you believe, whether you agree with me or not on any number of topics of vital interest, that I would bust down a door to pull you out if need be. For the common cause that unites us all, is freedom and liberty, the sense that humanity matters and people’s opinions are valuable, that the rights of an individual are vital to the continued liberty, and even humanity of us all. I am an American. We are Americans.
I will not forget 9/11. I won’t forget the planes plowing into the towers of the World Trade Center, nor the horror of watching bodies jump or fall from the windows. I won’t forget the heroism of the firefighters, and others, who devotedly continued on trying to save as many as possible, even as the buildings collapsed on top of them. How can one ever forget that?
But there’s another thing I won’t forget. I won’t forget how we came together as a people, united, caring and loving. Determined. I won’t forget how we are all much more alike than we are different. And I would like to think that no matter how you believe, whether you agree with me or not on any number of topics of vital interest, that I would bust down a door to pull you out if need be. For the common cause that unites us all, is freedom and liberty, the sense that humanity matters and people’s opinions are valuable, that the rights of an individual are vital to the continued liberty, and even humanity of us all. I am an American. We are Americans.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The rich and taxes
So the basic supply-side economist will say that if you raise taxes on the rich, they will create less jobs. The counterargument to that is that trickle-down approaches to the economy have never worked, and that the stinking, evil rich don't create jobs even when their taxes are lowered. They instead pocket the money and make themselves richer.
Don't buy it.
Take the case of the late Larry Miller, former owner of the Utah Jazz. Before Miller owned the Jazz, he was a car dealer, with several dealerships. But he hadn't begun with several. He began with one. As he became more successful, he added dealerships, which added jobs. In time, he bought into the Utah Jazz, and eventually became full owner of the Jazz. Under his ownership, the Jazz became more successful, which created more wealthy for Miller, but also created more job opportunities.
Miller continued his holdings as he bought into other enterprises, like the Salt Lake Stingers (now the Bees), and the Larry Miller Sports Park. All of these created more jobs.
Now, some would say that he would have done the same, even if taxes were raised. Maybe. We don't know. What we do know is this: Larry Miller continued to create jobs instead of lining his own pockets as he grew richer. Yes, he became wealthier, but his wealth helped out normal people who needed work. This is the exact opposite of what the anti-supply-side supporters will tell you. They have argued with me that the rich don't create more jobs, they just line their pockets. Larry Miller is proof that they are wrong.
Don't buy it.
Take the case of the late Larry Miller, former owner of the Utah Jazz. Before Miller owned the Jazz, he was a car dealer, with several dealerships. But he hadn't begun with several. He began with one. As he became more successful, he added dealerships, which added jobs. In time, he bought into the Utah Jazz, and eventually became full owner of the Jazz. Under his ownership, the Jazz became more successful, which created more wealthy for Miller, but also created more job opportunities.
Miller continued his holdings as he bought into other enterprises, like the Salt Lake Stingers (now the Bees), and the Larry Miller Sports Park. All of these created more jobs.
Now, some would say that he would have done the same, even if taxes were raised. Maybe. We don't know. What we do know is this: Larry Miller continued to create jobs instead of lining his own pockets as he grew richer. Yes, he became wealthier, but his wealth helped out normal people who needed work. This is the exact opposite of what the anti-supply-side supporters will tell you. They have argued with me that the rich don't create more jobs, they just line their pockets. Larry Miller is proof that they are wrong.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Old Yeller
This past week I watched Old Yeller for maybe the 4th or 5th time in my life. What a wonderful story of friendship, growing up, and taking responsibility. Near the end, after Travis has had to put his dog down and he and his pa are sitting there talking to each other, there is a great statement made by the pa. I don't have the book in front of me but he says to Travis: "Now and then, for no good reason, life will haul off and knock a man flat." And then he goes on to say that, and I'm paraphrasing here, "life has good times too. And if we spend all our good times thinking about the bad, then it all becomes bad". I really like to look at life that way, and I thank Fred Gipson, author of Old Yeller for the lesson he continues to give me long after his death.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
How I've lost 7 pounds since Christmas
As someone who has always wanted to be healthy, in order to do the things I love to do, I spend a bit of time every once in a while searching the web for a better exercise program. I have thus created my own program from various sources, and if it can be useful to others, that's great. That's why I posted it here. Granted, this method isn't for everyone...maybe it's not even for me in the long run. One thing's for sure, it works. I have been able to lose weight and become more fit at the same time, and that's important to me.
Mondays: On Mondays I have to be to work a half hour earlier, so I do one of my easier workouts. I get on the treadmill and run at a fairly easy pace for a while, then I speed it up incrementally, like up a tenth every four to five minutes. I do this for 40-45 minutes with the goal to use up at least 500 calories, according to the treadmill instrument panel. Depending on the treadmill--there are some made by different companies at the Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center--I either burn 500+ or 600+. I imagine the real total is somewhere in between.
Tuesdays: I begin again on the treadmill, running gently for five minutes to get warmed up. Then I jack up the pace, going from about a 9:30 mile pace to about an 8 minute per mile pace for about a minute. I slow back down, but not quite to the 9:30 pace, maybe 9:20 or so for four minutes, and then run 1 minute at about 7:50. I keep this up, each time slowing down but slowing down a little bit less, and speeding up a little bit more, until I've used up 600 calories. Then I go to part B of Tuesdays workout when I do a variety of pushups, found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPLoCnuam7c . After that I do two sets of bench dips, and two sets of any kind of triceps exercise. Sometimes my interval training changes to a slower pace but with a steep incline, changing the incline every four minutes instead of changing the pace. It adds variety when I'm feeling like not doing my workout.
Wednesdays: Once again I'm on the treadmill, this time to run at a comfortable pace for the entire time, not too fast, not too slow...more of a recovery day, so I try to keep it slow enough that I could still talk if I wanted to, without getting out of breath. Since Wednesdays are my arm and back workout, I then move to the machine and do two sets of 12 bent "V" rowing, with 100 lbs. Then, because I'm having trouble with my left elbow and biceps tendons, I do two sets of 12 on the lat pull-down machine with 60 pounds. Then I do two sets of 12 curls with the curl bar at 45 pounds. So much for the easy day! When I really need a break, I eliminate all the cardio on Wednesdays, but I haven't done that in February because it's fitness month at the gym and I'm trying to go every day except Sundays. The 12 reps is just what I'm on now. I'm building from 10, trying to make it to 15, but going up a little at a time.
Thursdays: This is another killer day! It begins with ten minutes of a warm up jog on the treadmill. Then I walk around and stretch for a few minutes getting real loose. After that I do M100s, which you can see here: M100s . BTW, I cannot do 100 without stopping. The most I've been able to do without at least stopping for a few seconds is about 34. So, when I get to that point, I walk to the next corner in the basketball court area, and go again until I can't do any more, on and on moving to another corner until I complete the 100. After that I go back into the treadmill area and try to get my 600 calories burned off (I estimate the M100s burn off about 200, but I have no way of knowing how accurate that estimate is). Then I do a variety of abdominal exercises that I don't know the names of, except one is called "Roman Chair Situps". Then I'm done. I was so worn out after Wednesday this past week that I abandoned the M100s and instead did an extra interval workout.
Fridays: By Friday, I really need an easier workout so, like Wednesday, I run at a fairly easy pace for 45 minutes. Then I do two sets of leg press with 200 pounds, two sets of lunges with each leg, two sets of 20 calf raises, two sets of leg extensions, and two of leg curls. Then Friday is done.
Saturday: The gym opens at 7 on Saturday and I have to be to work at 8. So I do a five minute warm up run, and then do a race pace 5k on the treadmill. That's it and the week is done I can go on to Sunday when I
REST!!! It's not enough rest, but it's REST!!
For my diet, I just try to eat healthfully, avoiding red meats more than I used to, eating less goodies, eating Clif Bars to supplement my diet. More bananas for potassium etc. Yes, I still eat desserts, but I keep it under control. That's about it. I'm needing a break, so after next week I'll do an easy week, and hopefully be back to killing it by the next week.
I hope this has helped anyone looking for an exercise program. In a perfect world, I would definitely recommend alternating this with an easier week, as far as the treadmill stuff goes.
Mondays: On Mondays I have to be to work a half hour earlier, so I do one of my easier workouts. I get on the treadmill and run at a fairly easy pace for a while, then I speed it up incrementally, like up a tenth every four to five minutes. I do this for 40-45 minutes with the goal to use up at least 500 calories, according to the treadmill instrument panel. Depending on the treadmill--there are some made by different companies at the Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center--I either burn 500+ or 600+. I imagine the real total is somewhere in between.
Tuesdays: I begin again on the treadmill, running gently for five minutes to get warmed up. Then I jack up the pace, going from about a 9:30 mile pace to about an 8 minute per mile pace for about a minute. I slow back down, but not quite to the 9:30 pace, maybe 9:20 or so for four minutes, and then run 1 minute at about 7:50. I keep this up, each time slowing down but slowing down a little bit less, and speeding up a little bit more, until I've used up 600 calories. Then I go to part B of Tuesdays workout when I do a variety of pushups, found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPLoCnuam7c . After that I do two sets of bench dips, and two sets of any kind of triceps exercise. Sometimes my interval training changes to a slower pace but with a steep incline, changing the incline every four minutes instead of changing the pace. It adds variety when I'm feeling like not doing my workout.
Wednesdays: Once again I'm on the treadmill, this time to run at a comfortable pace for the entire time, not too fast, not too slow...more of a recovery day, so I try to keep it slow enough that I could still talk if I wanted to, without getting out of breath. Since Wednesdays are my arm and back workout, I then move to the machine and do two sets of 12 bent "V" rowing, with 100 lbs. Then, because I'm having trouble with my left elbow and biceps tendons, I do two sets of 12 on the lat pull-down machine with 60 pounds. Then I do two sets of 12 curls with the curl bar at 45 pounds. So much for the easy day! When I really need a break, I eliminate all the cardio on Wednesdays, but I haven't done that in February because it's fitness month at the gym and I'm trying to go every day except Sundays. The 12 reps is just what I'm on now. I'm building from 10, trying to make it to 15, but going up a little at a time.
Thursdays: This is another killer day! It begins with ten minutes of a warm up jog on the treadmill. Then I walk around and stretch for a few minutes getting real loose. After that I do M100s, which you can see here: M100s . BTW, I cannot do 100 without stopping. The most I've been able to do without at least stopping for a few seconds is about 34. So, when I get to that point, I walk to the next corner in the basketball court area, and go again until I can't do any more, on and on moving to another corner until I complete the 100. After that I go back into the treadmill area and try to get my 600 calories burned off (I estimate the M100s burn off about 200, but I have no way of knowing how accurate that estimate is). Then I do a variety of abdominal exercises that I don't know the names of, except one is called "Roman Chair Situps". Then I'm done. I was so worn out after Wednesday this past week that I abandoned the M100s and instead did an extra interval workout.
Fridays: By Friday, I really need an easier workout so, like Wednesday, I run at a fairly easy pace for 45 minutes. Then I do two sets of leg press with 200 pounds, two sets of lunges with each leg, two sets of 20 calf raises, two sets of leg extensions, and two of leg curls. Then Friday is done.
Saturday: The gym opens at 7 on Saturday and I have to be to work at 8. So I do a five minute warm up run, and then do a race pace 5k on the treadmill. That's it and the week is done I can go on to Sunday when I
REST!!! It's not enough rest, but it's REST!!
For my diet, I just try to eat healthfully, avoiding red meats more than I used to, eating less goodies, eating Clif Bars to supplement my diet. More bananas for potassium etc. Yes, I still eat desserts, but I keep it under control. That's about it. I'm needing a break, so after next week I'll do an easy week, and hopefully be back to killing it by the next week.
I hope this has helped anyone looking for an exercise program. In a perfect world, I would definitely recommend alternating this with an easier week, as far as the treadmill stuff goes.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Utah Bear Trial: Questions that affect us all
This week the trial began in the case of the Ives family who lost their son to a bear last year versus the U.S. Forest Service. Sad though it is that this family lost their son, it brings up two questions in my mind that must be answered. Number one is, who has responsibility for the death of the boy? And number two is, should the parents be suing?
So, who has the responsibility? First of all, the family does. As the Forest Service claims, there are signs everywhere reminding people that bears frequent the area, and to use precautions necessary for such an area. That being said, the area in which the people were camping was in particular danger–increased danger, because a bear had been in the very campground earlier in the day on which Samuel Ives was dragged from the tent and killed. This specific danger required specific warnings.
Here’s an example of why. Suppose that on your street in your neighborhood a known child molester had been spotted earlier that day trying to get a kid into a car. Now, suppose that nobody let the families living on that street know about the incident. Suppose further that your child was abducted and killed by this creep. What if you then found out that the police had known about the molester trying to pick up another kid earlier that day, and didn’t bother to tell anyone. Would not the authorities share the blame for what happened for not warning the people about a specific threat in the area? Sure, they could use the excuse that there are always bad guys out there, and people need to be vigilant all the time. They could say that. But there are times when people need to be more vigilant than at other times.
Like the anecdotal child molester story, the bear incident shows that in this case, more stringent warnings should’ve been given. And who should they have been given by? The people who knew what had happened earlier in the day–the U.S. Forest Service.
That brings us to question two: Should the family be suing? My initial response is yes. That’s the only way the Forest Service will do things differently when confronted by a similar situation in the future. On the other hand, maybe the things they do differently will effect large numbers of people, like closing whole canyons down because a bear has been seen–just to avoid potential law suits. And another thing that bothers me about suing, is that it comes out of taxpayer’s pockets. Granted, there are a bunch of things that my money goes for via the Feds that I don’t like, that I probably don’t like much more than giving this poor family who has lost a son some money.
It’s a complicated question with no easy answers. Now that it’s in court, I’m not even sure that I hope they win the lawsuit. I’d like to see the Forest Service admit they should’ve done more to warn people, but I don’t want to see more and more people suing for incidents such as this.
So, who has the responsibility? First of all, the family does. As the Forest Service claims, there are signs everywhere reminding people that bears frequent the area, and to use precautions necessary for such an area. That being said, the area in which the people were camping was in particular danger–increased danger, because a bear had been in the very campground earlier in the day on which Samuel Ives was dragged from the tent and killed. This specific danger required specific warnings.
Here’s an example of why. Suppose that on your street in your neighborhood a known child molester had been spotted earlier that day trying to get a kid into a car. Now, suppose that nobody let the families living on that street know about the incident. Suppose further that your child was abducted and killed by this creep. What if you then found out that the police had known about the molester trying to pick up another kid earlier that day, and didn’t bother to tell anyone. Would not the authorities share the blame for what happened for not warning the people about a specific threat in the area? Sure, they could use the excuse that there are always bad guys out there, and people need to be vigilant all the time. They could say that. But there are times when people need to be more vigilant than at other times.
Like the anecdotal child molester story, the bear incident shows that in this case, more stringent warnings should’ve been given. And who should they have been given by? The people who knew what had happened earlier in the day–the U.S. Forest Service.
That brings us to question two: Should the family be suing? My initial response is yes. That’s the only way the Forest Service will do things differently when confronted by a similar situation in the future. On the other hand, maybe the things they do differently will effect large numbers of people, like closing whole canyons down because a bear has been seen–just to avoid potential law suits. And another thing that bothers me about suing, is that it comes out of taxpayer’s pockets. Granted, there are a bunch of things that my money goes for via the Feds that I don’t like, that I probably don’t like much more than giving this poor family who has lost a son some money.
It’s a complicated question with no easy answers. Now that it’s in court, I’m not even sure that I hope they win the lawsuit. I’d like to see the Forest Service admit they should’ve done more to warn people, but I don’t want to see more and more people suing for incidents such as this.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Questions of Life
The questions of life...why are we really here? Obviously, I have my own thoughts on this. For many years of my youth, I struggled with various opinions and theories, flitting this way and that like some kind of bird that had lost its bearings. It’s not easy being sure about things in life. What I became more sure of as time went by is that things matter. What a person does effects not only himself, but those around him. When I act, there is a reaction, and it’s not always what I intend it to be.
Funny, but people can change over time, without a really good explanation as to why, or at least, maybe we don’t know what happened in their life to make them change. That can make it difficult for those of us trying to understand why that person changed. Was there an event that triggered it? Was it the influence of persuasive friends or mentors? Did they just drift because they weren’t sure about things, finding themselves much further off course than they had originally intended?
I ask myself this knowing that when some people reject God, they not only become ambivalent towards believers, but eventually come to despise them. Atheists, who don’t believe in God, many times make it a large part of their lives to convince, or at times, even force people to not worship the God they believe in. Why is this? Could it be that some become atheists because of their trials, and can’t believe that a loving God would’ve put them in this situation, therefore making it easy to rail against the God they once believed in, or at least tried to believe in? That’s really the only way to explain the irrational hatred of believers by non-believers.
I pity those who have lost their way. I hope for a change in them. It bothers me to see such railings against people whose desires are basically good—Christians want to love others, and serve them. They want to be good and moral people. Yet we often fail in these attempts because mortal weaknesses get in the way. Mortal weaknesses also plague atheists, but since they profess no beliefs, they are not failures at living up to them.
I wonder, who is better off, the man who has ideals and tries to live up to them, but fails often, or the man who has no ideals to live up to, and thus never fails to live up to any because he doesn’t believe in any. For example, a guy might believe that it’s wrong to lie, and then find himself doing just that for fear of telling someone the truth. He has failed, true, in not lying, but perhaps he has lived a higher ideal, like not hurting someone’s feelings. Who can know? On the other hand, a guy who has made no such goals as to not lie, has not failed at anything if he lies. Kind of like, if I don’t plan on exercising, I haven’t failed when I don’t do so. The other guy who made an exercise plan and failed to strictly follow it has failed. He may have exercised only five days of the week instead of six. Yet which person is better off really? The guy who exercised some, but not up to his goal, or the guy who never had the goal, and never exercised?
Well, I’m drifting. Needless to say, there’s a lot that goes into life. But let’s not get off track for the wrong reasons. If we don’t make an exercise plan ourselves, let’s not rail against those who have the compunction to do so, for the bigger failure is not the guy who takes a day off from his plan once in a while, but the person who never makes the plan in the first place.
Funny, but people can change over time, without a really good explanation as to why, or at least, maybe we don’t know what happened in their life to make them change. That can make it difficult for those of us trying to understand why that person changed. Was there an event that triggered it? Was it the influence of persuasive friends or mentors? Did they just drift because they weren’t sure about things, finding themselves much further off course than they had originally intended?
I ask myself this knowing that when some people reject God, they not only become ambivalent towards believers, but eventually come to despise them. Atheists, who don’t believe in God, many times make it a large part of their lives to convince, or at times, even force people to not worship the God they believe in. Why is this? Could it be that some become atheists because of their trials, and can’t believe that a loving God would’ve put them in this situation, therefore making it easy to rail against the God they once believed in, or at least tried to believe in? That’s really the only way to explain the irrational hatred of believers by non-believers.
I pity those who have lost their way. I hope for a change in them. It bothers me to see such railings against people whose desires are basically good—Christians want to love others, and serve them. They want to be good and moral people. Yet we often fail in these attempts because mortal weaknesses get in the way. Mortal weaknesses also plague atheists, but since they profess no beliefs, they are not failures at living up to them.
I wonder, who is better off, the man who has ideals and tries to live up to them, but fails often, or the man who has no ideals to live up to, and thus never fails to live up to any because he doesn’t believe in any. For example, a guy might believe that it’s wrong to lie, and then find himself doing just that for fear of telling someone the truth. He has failed, true, in not lying, but perhaps he has lived a higher ideal, like not hurting someone’s feelings. Who can know? On the other hand, a guy who has made no such goals as to not lie, has not failed at anything if he lies. Kind of like, if I don’t plan on exercising, I haven’t failed when I don’t do so. The other guy who made an exercise plan and failed to strictly follow it has failed. He may have exercised only five days of the week instead of six. Yet which person is better off really? The guy who exercised some, but not up to his goal, or the guy who never had the goal, and never exercised?
Well, I’m drifting. Needless to say, there’s a lot that goes into life. But let’s not get off track for the wrong reasons. If we don’t make an exercise plan ourselves, let’s not rail against those who have the compunction to do so, for the bigger failure is not the guy who takes a day off from his plan once in a while, but the person who never makes the plan in the first place.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Aaarrgghhh! My computer is down!
I have so much to say and less than ten minutes to say it. My computer went down at the end of last week and I'm rushing--using the library computer to make this post, check my e-mail, and a whole bunch of stuff--all on my half hour lunch. I've got another computer on order from Best Buy, but I don't know how long it's going to take to get here--they estimate January 29-February 5--so I'm not able to do as I'm used to doing. We're just too dependent upon these machines! Needless to say, I won't get my world changing post posted today, but maybe soon.
I'm not really sure what went wrong with my desktop, only I was having a lot of problems with freezing, and trying to fix them caused more problems until I'm where I'm at now...computerless.
But on the bright side, I've practiced my guitar a whole lot more, and got a lot more reading in, so there is that.
I'm not really sure what went wrong with my desktop, only I was having a lot of problems with freezing, and trying to fix them caused more problems until I'm where I'm at now...computerless.
But on the bright side, I've practiced my guitar a whole lot more, and got a lot more reading in, so there is that.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Goal: Reducing body fat
In researching the optimal way in which to lose body fat, I've found a couple of important facts. First of all, it's the total calories you burn through exercise, or through a reduction in intake, that are important, not the kind of calories. In the past, many have suggested that by exercising aerobically at low-intensity, one could enter a "fat-burning zone", while exercising at a more intense rate would put a person out of the fat-burning zone, and into the carb-burning zone. Research has not proven this to be true.
Simply put, less calories in and more calories out is what creates fat loss.
The argument persists between low to moderate intensity workouts versus high intensity workouts. Which is better? The answer is, both can be productive at reducing fat. There is a simple equation that illustrates what I'm trying to say, and that is, the higher intensity exercise a person can safely maintain for as long as the person can maintain it will burn the most calories. So if you're time is limited, a high-intensity cardio workout for 20 minutes, may be the equivalent of a moderately intense 30-40 minute workout--at least as far a burning calories goes.
An excellent article on the subject can be found here: http://www.mens-total-fitness.com/cardio.html
The bottom line is, to lose fat effectively, you need to exercise at a pace that you can continue doing 5-6 days a week for the rest of your life. Increasing duration or intensity will speed up the overall fat burned during any one particular session of exercise. Once fat-loss goals have been reached, you can generally back off a bit on the total amount of exercise.
Key also in this is diet. My best advice is this: Avoid fast foods, eat desserts sparingly, get enough protein in your diet in a form other than red meat, eat a lot of veggies. Also, choose good snacks to eat throughout the day, and that doesn't mean Oreos or Twinkies!
Good luck on making your fitness goals in 2011! I'm right there with ya.
Simply put, less calories in and more calories out is what creates fat loss.
The argument persists between low to moderate intensity workouts versus high intensity workouts. Which is better? The answer is, both can be productive at reducing fat. There is a simple equation that illustrates what I'm trying to say, and that is, the higher intensity exercise a person can safely maintain for as long as the person can maintain it will burn the most calories. So if you're time is limited, a high-intensity cardio workout for 20 minutes, may be the equivalent of a moderately intense 30-40 minute workout--at least as far a burning calories goes.
An excellent article on the subject can be found here: http://www.mens-total-fitness.com/cardio.html
The bottom line is, to lose fat effectively, you need to exercise at a pace that you can continue doing 5-6 days a week for the rest of your life. Increasing duration or intensity will speed up the overall fat burned during any one particular session of exercise. Once fat-loss goals have been reached, you can generally back off a bit on the total amount of exercise.
Key also in this is diet. My best advice is this: Avoid fast foods, eat desserts sparingly, get enough protein in your diet in a form other than red meat, eat a lot of veggies. Also, choose good snacks to eat throughout the day, and that doesn't mean Oreos or Twinkies!
Good luck on making your fitness goals in 2011! I'm right there with ya.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Starting to write again
All this stoppage and restarting is killing me. I'm going to develop a habit of writing every day. I'm not sure what my New Year's goals will be yet, but they will involve writing a certain amount of time daily, or at least, five days per week. I don't know why I have to limit it to five--if I don't have access to my computer, I still can carry a notebook in which to write things down.
Wow, I used to use a notebook all the time. What the heck. We've evolved.
Wow, I used to use a notebook all the time. What the heck. We've evolved.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Getting ready to get fit in the New Year
Well, Christmas and Thanksgiving are both past, and I'm hoping my dependence upon "goodies" has receded as well. Of course, New Year's Eve can also be a time of eating large and putting on unwanted poundage. With my New Year's goal of losing 20 pounds by the end of March, I can't wait until I get past December 31st to start. In the past, I've found that the most effective ways of burning calories include first, controlling what you eat, and second, doing some high-energy burning form of exercise. Eating is the most important. There have been times when I've exercised like a mad man for weeks on end and had the pounds slowly trickle off, one or two ounces at a time. However, when combined with healthy eating habits, such as abandoning french fries, shakes, and donuts, the pounds seem to come off much faster. So, my health tip of the year for you is to stop eating poorly, and only partake of sweets on rare occasions, maybe once a week eat a cookie or two. Also, plan your menus to include lots of veggies, and a lot less fat. I'm going to do it. Join with me for a fit New Year.
The Christmas You Get You Deserve?
In the famous song I Believed in Father Christmas, originally recorded by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, the closing line in the lyrics is, "Hallelujah noel, be it Heaven or Hell, the Christmas you get, you deserve." The sentiment is well-thought out, and applicable in most situations. The contention of the author who penned those lyrics seems to be that our attitude controls what our perception of Christmas will be like. Ninety-nine percent of the time, that is true. But some times, events happen that are out of our control--bad things. For example two people I know--one because she was my neighbor and is still my Facebook friend, and the other because we share an internet forum together and who is also my Facebook friend--both lost loved ones just days before Christmas. The first woman's husband unexpectedly died. He was a young man leaving his wife and two children behind. The second woman had carried her baby to near full-term, feeling its movements up until the last, only to have the baby die in the womb just a few days before the due date. Here is a link to that story: Some losses are unsurvivable. In both cases, tragedy struck in the merry time of the celebration of our Savior's birth.
Now, I don't know how they are coping. I don't believe either one of them, though, deserve to have hell for Christmas. They are people who have just experienced great loss. My heart and prayers go out to them as I call on the Lord to bless and help them through all that has happened in their lives.
That being said, most of us do get the Christmas we have earned. I hope yours was filled with happiness, as mine was, knowing that the Lord is there for me in my times of need. I celebrate not the innocent child, born in a manger, but the risen Lord who knows my frailties, faults, and feelings. Who comforts me and lifts me. Who took all the sins of the world, including mine, upon him in the greatest act ever performed--the Atonement. I love Him. Though I don't always show it through my actions, I love Him. I hope he will forgive me for my sins and help me to be a better person.
Now, I don't know how they are coping. I don't believe either one of them, though, deserve to have hell for Christmas. They are people who have just experienced great loss. My heart and prayers go out to them as I call on the Lord to bless and help them through all that has happened in their lives.
That being said, most of us do get the Christmas we have earned. I hope yours was filled with happiness, as mine was, knowing that the Lord is there for me in my times of need. I celebrate not the innocent child, born in a manger, but the risen Lord who knows my frailties, faults, and feelings. Who comforts me and lifts me. Who took all the sins of the world, including mine, upon him in the greatest act ever performed--the Atonement. I love Him. Though I don't always show it through my actions, I love Him. I hope he will forgive me for my sins and help me to be a better person.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Democratic Leaders are Lying Through Their Teeth
So, what the dems are trying to lead people to believe is that the Republicans want to give a huge check to the rich in the form of a tax cut. They're telling people that the eeeeevvvil wealthy people in America are getting a rebate if the Republicans get their way, that $43,000 will go into the rich folks' pockets soon and the middle class will suffer because of it.
BALDERDASH!
No, the Republicans are trying to get tax rates to remain the same as they have been since President Bush lowered them. The "rich" and everyone else, won't be getting any tax cuts they will paying the same amount in taxes that they have been. That $43,000 the dems would have you believe they are getting, is a $43,000 job that most probably will vanish if those who provide most of the jobs, i.e., those making over $250,000, are paying higher taxes.
Sometimes the idiocy of the left is sincerely frightening. It's always damaging to our country.
BALDERDASH!
No, the Republicans are trying to get tax rates to remain the same as they have been since President Bush lowered them. The "rich" and everyone else, won't be getting any tax cuts they will paying the same amount in taxes that they have been. That $43,000 the dems would have you believe they are getting, is a $43,000 job that most probably will vanish if those who provide most of the jobs, i.e., those making over $250,000, are paying higher taxes.
Sometimes the idiocy of the left is sincerely frightening. It's always damaging to our country.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Two hikes this week: Gobbler's Knob and Bald Mountain
Friday, June 11, 2010
New scientific discovery: The Moon IS made of green cheese
AP - Stockholm. Sources indicate that what was formerly thought of as a "fairy tale" is in fact, true--the moon IS made of green cheese. Scientists have gathered from around the world to attend the We Were Wrong Symposium in Stockholm this week.
"This definitely puts global warming on the back burner," said one scientist. "It changes our entire concept of the universe."
Former astronaut, Neil Armstrong could not be reached for comment, but another unidentified NASA official stated that, "We always believed that the stuff on the moon was crushed rock. Now after further review, it seems that it is in fact, mold."
The powdery substance has long puzzled scientists, but now new information is coming forward after many long years of scientific drought. "You see, the moon is hot on one side, and the other side is a refrigerator," said one NASA official, "perfect conditions for mold to get a hand hold."
Senator Barbara Boxer of California chimed in, "There are doubters, but most of those people don't believe in fairy tales either. I bet they don't even believe the Goldilocks story actually happened." She declined further comment on the issue.
A significant segment of the scientific community, however, doubts the findings. "There are many of these supposed 'scientists'," Yale professor Stewart Pacman said, "who have invested in moon mining companies and other related firms. Funny how these are the same ones who insist that the moon is made of green cheese."
Said another, "Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, our government is going forward with taking steps to mine the moon for cheese. Incredibly stupid, I would think, especially considering those fraudulent e-mails on the matter."
And what about those "fraudulent e-mails"?
It seems that a couple of "green cheese" advocates were caught sending e-mails about trying to fabricate evidence when their science was unable to prove their green cheese theory. Our research has found that scientists Robert Fullerbrush and Dick Amway who wrote the e-mails in question are both heavily invested in "Green Cheese Technologies", a firm devoted to the creation of space mining equipment.
Said Pacman, "They've sold us a bill of goods. Too bad nothing will come of it, but a broken economy."
"This definitely puts global warming on the back burner," said one scientist. "It changes our entire concept of the universe."
Former astronaut, Neil Armstrong could not be reached for comment, but another unidentified NASA official stated that, "We always believed that the stuff on the moon was crushed rock. Now after further review, it seems that it is in fact, mold."
The powdery substance has long puzzled scientists, but now new information is coming forward after many long years of scientific drought. "You see, the moon is hot on one side, and the other side is a refrigerator," said one NASA official, "perfect conditions for mold to get a hand hold."
Senator Barbara Boxer of California chimed in, "There are doubters, but most of those people don't believe in fairy tales either. I bet they don't even believe the Goldilocks story actually happened." She declined further comment on the issue.
A significant segment of the scientific community, however, doubts the findings. "There are many of these supposed 'scientists'," Yale professor Stewart Pacman said, "who have invested in moon mining companies and other related firms. Funny how these are the same ones who insist that the moon is made of green cheese."
Said another, "Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, our government is going forward with taking steps to mine the moon for cheese. Incredibly stupid, I would think, especially considering those fraudulent e-mails on the matter."
And what about those "fraudulent e-mails"?
It seems that a couple of "green cheese" advocates were caught sending e-mails about trying to fabricate evidence when their science was unable to prove their green cheese theory. Our research has found that scientists Robert Fullerbrush and Dick Amway who wrote the e-mails in question are both heavily invested in "Green Cheese Technologies", a firm devoted to the creation of space mining equipment.
Said Pacman, "They've sold us a bill of goods. Too bad nothing will come of it, but a broken economy."
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Ann's Animal Names
These are the "Animal Names" that my sweet, talented, wonderful wife creates. (I removed her artwork because for some reason it kept showing up as my photo in links to my blog I posted on other sites.)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Persistence: Your Key to Winning in the Writing World
I was just thinking today about how much available time I've had since I had shoulder surgery. A lot. And how much writing have I done? Not as much as I'd have liked to have done. Oh, I've done some articles for examiner.com, and that's pretty much it. Personally, I need to get back into the daily habit of writing, especially if I want to sell anything, especially my novels. I've found that nothing happens without persistence. Well, I take that back, nothing happens without persistence unless chance takes a wild hand in things and luck happens. Since I don't believe luck can be counted on, there's only one thing that can--my own hard work and dogged determination.
That's the key to success in any worthwhile endeavor.
That's the key to success in any worthwhile endeavor.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
My Examiner Gig
I've been writing for several months now for Examiner.com. I haven't made much off of it. Maybe thirty bucks. Then again, I'm not writing in the most popular or fashionable subject categories. Maybe I need to shake things up and write on movies, or dvds, or popular music, instead of outdoor sports. There's a lot of interest in outdoor sports, but it's scattered and few people know about my articles. That's why I'm posting about them here. To read my articles, go here.
Then, let me know if you like them. I'd love to have some feedback or suggestions as to how to improve my articles, or even some things you'd like to see covered by my articles. Remember, for the most part, it must have a local angle, meaning pertaining to Utah.
Then, let me know if you like them. I'd love to have some feedback or suggestions as to how to improve my articles, or even some things you'd like to see covered by my articles. Remember, for the most part, it must have a local angle, meaning pertaining to Utah.
I think I have high blood pressure...
I think I have high blood pressure. Well the last couple of times professionals have taken it, it’s been high. So I went out and bought a blood pressure checker. Couldn’t resist tormenting myself with a day by day log of my BP. Guess what? It’s high. I’m thinking that it mostly involves my lack of sleep, due to my recent rotator cuff surgery. I can only sleep on my left side now. My right side was the one operated on, and I can’t sleep on my stomach because my right arm would need to be in a position that’s just not comfortable nor sustainable. That leaves my back and left side. My back is out because for some reason, I get bad sleep apnea when on my back.
Which brings me back to my high blood pressure. I think it’s because I’m not sleeping. Then again, it could be because I have all this time off from work and I’m not accomplishing much. I thought it would be a time to work on my novel, but I haven’t done so. Too worried about the cost of ink to print it off, so that I can really read through it and see what needs to be changed. You know, medical expenses being what they are, and with a planned vacation this summer, I don’t want to do anything that’s going to jeopardize that. That could be raising my BP too.
Then again, I’m worked up about the new health care bill, and how it was passed against the will of the people. That angers me. My doc says that stress doesn’t really cause BP to rise, at least, not as much as it was once thought. It’s generally something to do with a poor diet, little exercise, or lack of sleep. I don’t really have a bad diet, and I get exercise (although, not as much as I was getting before the surgery), so that pretty much leaves lack of sleep as the culprit.
Maybe if I spend the time not sleeping, working on my novel, it will be time well spent. Then again, I’d have to print it off.
Which brings me back to my high blood pressure. I think it’s because I’m not sleeping. Then again, it could be because I have all this time off from work and I’m not accomplishing much. I thought it would be a time to work on my novel, but I haven’t done so. Too worried about the cost of ink to print it off, so that I can really read through it and see what needs to be changed. You know, medical expenses being what they are, and with a planned vacation this summer, I don’t want to do anything that’s going to jeopardize that. That could be raising my BP too.
Then again, I’m worked up about the new health care bill, and how it was passed against the will of the people. That angers me. My doc says that stress doesn’t really cause BP to rise, at least, not as much as it was once thought. It’s generally something to do with a poor diet, little exercise, or lack of sleep. I don’t really have a bad diet, and I get exercise (although, not as much as I was getting before the surgery), so that pretty much leaves lack of sleep as the culprit.
Maybe if I spend the time not sleeping, working on my novel, it will be time well spent. Then again, I’d have to print it off.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Apolo Ohno and His Korean Crybaby Counterparts
It's been with great interest that I've watched the Olympics this year. One thing that has been of particular interest to me is the continuing poor sportsmanship of the Korean short track speed skaters in their approach to Apolo Ohno. Don't get me wrong. I have it from an excellent source that Ohno isn't the nicest guy to the average employee working at the ice rink. Maybe he thinks a bit too highly of himself. That being said, in public, and in the spotlight, he seems to conduct himself rather well. Not so the Korean skaters. In the 1500m race held earlier in the week, Ohno collected the silver medal, and his teamate, J.R. Celski collected the bronze. Said gold-medal winner, Lee Jung-Su, "He [Ohno] did not deserve to stand on the podium".
The bad blood goes back to Salt Lake City, 2002, when apparent winner of the 1500m race, Kim Dong-Sung, was disqualified for blocking Ohno. Kim supporters deluged the IOC with complaints. It's been Hatfields and McCoys ever since, with the Koreans mostly sounding like a bunch of crybabies. Take the gift that they handed Ohno and Celski in the 1000m final. With three Koreans in the lead going into the final turn, the two in second and third took themselves out of the race by crashing into each other, allowing the two Americans to medal. That sound you heard was the collective slaps in the embarrassed faces of the Korean team and its supporters. Too embarrassed to admit their own culpability and failure, they tried to put the blame on Ohno.
Look, let your skating do the talking. If you're better than him, go out and win. If not, be gracious in defeat like the hundreds of other Olympic athletes who have done so.
The bad blood goes back to Salt Lake City, 2002, when apparent winner of the 1500m race, Kim Dong-Sung, was disqualified for blocking Ohno. Kim supporters deluged the IOC with complaints. It's been Hatfields and McCoys ever since, with the Koreans mostly sounding like a bunch of crybabies. Take the gift that they handed Ohno and Celski in the 1000m final. With three Koreans in the lead going into the final turn, the two in second and third took themselves out of the race by crashing into each other, allowing the two Americans to medal. That sound you heard was the collective slaps in the embarrassed faces of the Korean team and its supporters. Too embarrassed to admit their own culpability and failure, they tried to put the blame on Ohno.
Look, let your skating do the talking. If you're better than him, go out and win. If not, be gracious in defeat like the hundreds of other Olympic athletes who have done so.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
I Look at Trash Part Two
I just found this interesting link, along the lines of fun and exciting trash. Check this out!Bottomless Trash Bin
Struggling with the Shoulder
Last night I had excruciating pain in my shoulder, probably the worst I've had since the surgery. I was just heading out the door to a meeting, which I probably should've canceled. This morning I've been doing a lot of research, and found several sources that basically said that this is normal. Here is one such source: Recovering from Rotator Cuff Surgery. It looks like it's going to be a long, hard road, and I'd better be careful not to try and push things too far, too fast, or I'll end up on that hospital operating table once again.
On the bright side, the doctor gave me permission to play my guitar, which I was excited about, but which may have led to the pain I was enduring last night. I think I may go with the electric guitar next time as it's thinner than my acoustic and probably won't strain my sore shoulder as much...I'm hoping anyway.
On the bright side, the doctor gave me permission to play my guitar, which I was excited about, but which may have led to the pain I was enduring last night. I think I may go with the electric guitar next time as it's thinner than my acoustic and probably won't strain my sore shoulder as much...I'm hoping anyway.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
I Look at Trash
Yup. I just discovered something again about myself, that I'd forgotten. Now that I have to slow down and walk, instead of run, and doing it outside, instead of on a treadmill, well, I find that I'm looking at the trash along the side of the road, hoping for discovery of something cool. Today I thought I'd found an MP3 player or something, but it ended up being a part to a Verizon cell phone. I thought I saw a free sandwich coupon for Quizno's, but it ended up being a "buy one sandwich and a drink, get a second sandwich free" card. I found a rusty steel ball though. I didn't keep it. I was actually not real excited about the veritable cornucopia of paper cups, empty energy drink bottles, and assorted other garbage left over from those whose IQ is nearer 50 than 100.
There are too many cretins in the world that just dump their trash anywhere. Half of them are probably junior high school kids (since I was walking near the school) who learn in their half-baked educational system about the "realities" of climate change , and probably scream at people for using too much oil, then drop their twinkie wrapper along side the road, without a care in the world.
All that being said, I think there is some virtue in looking through trash for the serendipitous random cool thing.
There are too many cretins in the world that just dump their trash anywhere. Half of them are probably junior high school kids (since I was walking near the school) who learn in their half-baked educational system about the "realities" of climate change , and probably scream at people for using too much oil, then drop their twinkie wrapper along side the road, without a care in the world.
All that being said, I think there is some virtue in looking through trash for the serendipitous random cool thing.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Shoulder Surgery Going to be a Set Back
In more ways than one. By the time I heal up, I'll be out of shape--at least as far as weightlifting goes. My callouses will be gone on my guitar fretting hand. And I'll no longer be able to throw the 97 mph fastball. Life sucks sometimes.
Swedish Pancakes and Sausage
That's what's for dinner tonight. I've got a great recipe that I got off the web for Swedish Pancakes. Then, just a little lingonberries, some butter, and some cream and it's right tasty. So, to go with it, there's the Hormel link sausage, original flavor.
I'm trying to get in some good eating and some good cooking before I go under the knife on Tuesday. I'm getting my shoulder operated on, and I'm not looking forward to it at all. But before then, I've got to make the best hot chocolate recipe I have in my collection. Come on over and try some!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The U.S. Shouldn't Be a Charitable Organization
Within the past couple of days, President Obama has pledged 100 million dollars to the aid of Haiti. Now, I'm not against helping at all, but I am against a president pledging our tax dollars to do it. I heard a guy say, that he was all excited to help out, but then heard about the $100 million and figured, "looks like the government is taking care of it", which is the problem with governmental charity---it stops individual charity, or severely reduces it.
I must admit that when I heard about the gift we are all a part of giving through our taxes, I felt that there was less desperate need for my personal donation.
There's a second reason for my uneasiness at this transaction. That is, it's not possible for us to do this for every nation that has trouble, unless we are prepared for a huge tax increase to pay for it. With a monstrous tax increase already on the table because of the out of control spending by this administration--that seems like something we just can't afford to get into.
Let private citizens contribute and only private citizens. Let the government step in with the military or whatever to help in the distribution, and the heavy equipment needed, but donations will stream in from charitable people everywhere, unless they think, as myself, and the guy mentioned above, that the government is doing it for them.
I must admit that when I heard about the gift we are all a part of giving through our taxes, I felt that there was less desperate need for my personal donation.
There's a second reason for my uneasiness at this transaction. That is, it's not possible for us to do this for every nation that has trouble, unless we are prepared for a huge tax increase to pay for it. With a monstrous tax increase already on the table because of the out of control spending by this administration--that seems like something we just can't afford to get into.
Let private citizens contribute and only private citizens. Let the government step in with the military or whatever to help in the distribution, and the heavy equipment needed, but donations will stream in from charitable people everywhere, unless they think, as myself, and the guy mentioned above, that the government is doing it for them.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Needing a Break
I need a break. I'd like to be out somewhere, amongst the trees, dressed warm, but feeling the cold wind touch my face. I'd like to smell the crisp, December air of the mountains, and sit by a warm fire, sipping hot chocolate, or maybe ice fishing at Strawberry in a tent village with my compadres.
Instead, I'm delivering mail during the Christmas season, working all my days off, finding no time to relax or enjoy.
Yup, I'm whining.
Instead, I'm delivering mail during the Christmas season, working all my days off, finding no time to relax or enjoy.
Yup, I'm whining.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Napster Relics Must Go
I'm currently going through my MP3 list and attempting to single out all the ones I once downloaded from the original free Napster. I'm methodically deleting them. I can't live with the idea of having illegal downloads--it kind of gnaws at the conscience, pestering me to get rid of them, which I intend to do.
I guess the reason I'm doing so is because it doesn't take much waffling in any area to find yourself on a slippery slope, and I'm climbing off that slope, one measly step at a time. Give it a try. You'll be happy you did.
I guess the reason I'm doing so is because it doesn't take much waffling in any area to find yourself on a slippery slope, and I'm climbing off that slope, one measly step at a time. Give it a try. You'll be happy you did.
Climbing Denali
I've been mulling over trying to climb our nation's (and continent's) highest peak...Denali in Alaska, a.k.a. Mt. McKinley. I just got some info from a guy at bogley.com who was a guide there for quite a few years. It looks like it's feasible if I can come up with the money to do it. It looks like it'll cost $7000 to $8000 when it's all said and done, counting the guide, the equipment, the flights to and from Alaska and everything else. I think I'm going to have to sell a book first before I'll be able to do it. That and get a bunch of practice climbing in between now and then. I guess I'll make those two things my goals: climbing a bunch of mountains, and getting a book published. And if anyone wants to come along, let me know.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Guitar Life: Starting Back In
I've made up my mind that I need to get back to my guitar playing with a lot more dedication. I've just been letting it slide, maybe doing too many other things that kept me from playing. I'm working a lot of ten hour days now and that really has cut into my free time, so I need to be more organized. I'm thinking that if I prioritize things I can get them done more to my liking. I really want to become a good player, so I need to dedicate more time to it. If not now, when?
My New Article at Examiner.com
So, my new article "Winter Camping: Eight Tips to Staying Warm" is up. Check it out and let me know what you think on the comment section at the bottom.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Barack Obama is a God
Many people have come to look at our President as some kind of god-like figure. They seem to almost worship him. Even songs have been written about him that seem to deify him. I've actually come to believe that he is god like. He's like Loki. According to Norse mythology, Loki was a trouble-maker and represented change and chaos. Sounds like our esteemed leader a bit, doesn't it?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I Can't Stand You. Prepare to Be Silenced.
In the midst of listening to the Michael Medved Show today, I was floored by what I heard. Medved was talking with a spokesman for the Alliance Defense Fund about the new hate crime legislation that is awaiting the President's signature when a female caller called in. She stated that she was a lesbian and proceeded to state that anybody who said homosexuality was immoral, was wrong and should go to prison for saying such things. Medved continued to query her about freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but the woman went on saying that no, if someone denies that homosexuality is good, they should have to do time. Medved said, and I'm paraphrasing, "so you think that someone who stands up before their congregation in a church and preaches that one man and one woman is the only way a marriage should be, that person should got to prison for saying that?" The woman replied, "I most certainly do."
That's the way of people on the left, isn't it? If your opinion doesn't agree with theirs, you are in need of some jail time. You are the most hideous person on the earth for stating what you believe. I don't know about you, but to me, that sounds like the old Soviet Union or Castro's Cuba. Funny, I kind of liked the old America that I grew up with, where people could say anything they wanted and not have to worry about the thought police corralling them and jailing them for the crime of speaking their minds.
That's the way of people on the left, isn't it? If your opinion doesn't agree with theirs, you are in need of some jail time. You are the most hideous person on the earth for stating what you believe. I don't know about you, but to me, that sounds like the old Soviet Union or Castro's Cuba. Funny, I kind of liked the old America that I grew up with, where people could say anything they wanted and not have to worry about the thought police corralling them and jailing them for the crime of speaking their minds.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
On the Eve of the Utah Elk Hunt
I remember several years ago when I went on my first elk hunt. I had been lucky enough to draw out for a cow tag. As the hunt progressed, I found myself in a clearing, watching and waiting for some elk to come through. It wasn't long before I heard the cracking of brush, and the sound of many large animals coming directly toward me through the trees. They broke into the clearing and I aimed my 30-30 at a nice, fat cow, then pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. It suddenly dawned on me that I had failed to jack a shell into the chamber. By the time I now did so, the elk heard me and took off at a run. I fired a shot at a running elk, but missed, and then they were gone, over the ridge.
I can look back and laugh at that now, but at the time I was kicking myself for missing a golden opportunity. I guess the moral of the story is, when opportunity knocks, we need to be ready.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
My Outdoor Articles
So, I'm writing these articles on the outdoors for examiner.com. I hope you'll take a look and subscribe, or comment and let me know how you like them. They can be found here: clicky-clicky
Utah's Budget Shortfall
Utah Governor, Gary Herbert seems to be on the right track when he says: "I think raising taxes at a time of economic downturn is absolutely the wrong thing to do. We want to grow the economy, we want to stimulate opportunity in the business community. To put taxes of any kind on top of a repressed market would have, I think, the negative result of actually repressing the economy even more and styming the ability for us to turn the corner."
I hope he sticks with it. To raise taxes to cover our bases is what California has routinely done, and look at their economy. Better to cut things to the bone now, and hope thing get better in the future to avoid the upward spiral of more and more taxes to cover more and more services, or even to cover current services. In my family, when we can't afford something, we don't do it. Utah should do the same.
I hope he sticks with it. To raise taxes to cover our bases is what California has routinely done, and look at their economy. Better to cut things to the bone now, and hope thing get better in the future to avoid the upward spiral of more and more taxes to cover more and more services, or even to cover current services. In my family, when we can't afford something, we don't do it. Utah should do the same.
Monday, July 06, 2009
The Power of Good Health
A few months ago, a good friend of mine and I were discussing exercise. Somewhere in the conversation, my friend said, "But you like to run, I don't." I replied back that, no, I don't like to run. I like being healthy. There is a difference between liking exercise and liking the benefits of exercise. I exercise because it allows me to remain young, to do things most people my age cannot, or won't go through the effort to accomplish. Here's an example. On Saturday, I ran my first 5k race in 13 years. My time was 25:15--not world class, but it was within one minute of times I ran 14-15 years ago. I guess my message is, start to day to turn back the clock. You'll be glad you did.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Who's Your Daddy?
I continue to be surprised and chagrined at the number of people who want the government to provide all things for them. It's as if they want the feds to be their "daddy", instead of working hard to be successful on their own. Whatever happened to the can-do spirit of America? Now we seem to be saying, I can't make it on my own. I need help. I need to rob from Peter to pay Paul. The government under the U.S. Constitution, was never meant to be like that. I think we have a large percentage of Americans who would advocate for throwing away the Constitution if they really understood what it meant.
It's frightening, really, what's happening within our government right now. Banks being taken over by the feds, Barack Obama passing out handouts with no means to pay for them. The largest deficit spending in history---four times the amount spent during the Bush administration.
This administration is quickly becoming the worst in American history.
So, who's your daddy? Do you have the courage to stand up for the principles that were set forth on this continent more than two centuries ago? Or will you let the country slide into socialism, where all of us are taken care of by a benevolent government, but none of us has any further reason to try and excel? Think about it.
It's frightening, really, what's happening within our government right now. Banks being taken over by the feds, Barack Obama passing out handouts with no means to pay for them. The largest deficit spending in history---four times the amount spent during the Bush administration.
This administration is quickly becoming the worst in American history.
So, who's your daddy? Do you have the courage to stand up for the principles that were set forth on this continent more than two centuries ago? Or will you let the country slide into socialism, where all of us are taken care of by a benevolent government, but none of us has any further reason to try and excel? Think about it.
Miss California Gets Slammed for Answering Honestly
When Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked the question regarding whether or not she believed in "gay marriage" and answered honestly, and bravely that no she did not, the outcry from the left was deafening. She is so hateful some said, what an intolerant person. Now, it seems, you can't even voice your opinion without being taken to the cleaners for doing so. I, for one, am glad she had the courage to answer that question honestly. And what a ridiculous question it was any way. I don't watch beauty pageants, but some of the low-lifes they have on those panels tick me off in their smugness. I hope brave people will continue to speak out for what is right. The term "marriage" means a man and a woman joined together in matrimony. If two men or two women want to have the same kind of relationship, it needs to be called something else. Sort of like, we shouldn't call a cow a dog.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
We Need Background Checks Now
In light of California Angel's young pitcher, Nick Adenhart's death because of a drunk driver, and the thousands of other deaths caused by inebriation, I propose that all those wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages be first asked to provide their thumb print. This thumb print could then be run through a national database to find out if the potential buyer had anything in his or her background, such as an arrest for DUI, or any kind of obnoxiousness or disturbing the peace complaints. This person would then be denied the ability to buy the alcohol. As it is currently, anyone over the age of 21, and sometimes younger, can purchase alcoholic beverages, no questions asked. Many of these same people go out and drink, and injure or kill innocent people on the roads.
I'd also like to apply this to cell phone users who've been ticketed for traffic accidents that occurred while texting or talking and driving at the same time. These people should be stripped of their cells and forced to use only land lines or pay phones.
I'd also like to apply this to cell phone users who've been ticketed for traffic accidents that occurred while texting or talking and driving at the same time. These people should be stripped of their cells and forced to use only land lines or pay phones.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Saturday morning, myself, my son, and my son-in-law went on a small hike along the old Lake Bonneville Shoreline Trail. The part we were on was from Bountiful to Centerville, but the trail is actually much longer than that. I basically stumbled upon one geocache, then I pulled out the GPS and found out which one it was. We hadn't started looking for any of them yet, but after I wandered off in the trees, I turned around and there it was. We found two others that I had downloaded the coordinates for earlier that morning.
The hike itself was pleasant, although I think I'd much rather be up among the pines and quakies somewhere--or even above timberline. Oh well, that's still a couple of months away. It was just nice to get out.
The hike itself was pleasant, although I think I'd much rather be up among the pines and quakies somewhere--or even above timberline. Oh well, that's still a couple of months away. It was just nice to get out.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
What the #!%**@ is happening to our country?
I don't know about you, but I'm peeved, frustrated, and wanting a bunch of people impeached. This bailout/stimulus package is horrifying beyond belief for the future of our country. The people in control are sending the future of our children and grandchildren out the window--either through unparalleled debt, run away inflation (perhaps their plan to solve the debt), and socialism. The New Deal never worked when FDR tried it, and throwing the nation into horrendous debt because its citizens are over their heads in debt will not solve any thing either. Better to let people fall, then help them pick up the pieces.
Frankly I can't believe enough people were bamboozled by the Democrats to allow this to happen. But I see it on several fronts. Those who were tired of Bush cutting taxes and at the same time raising expenditures, the unpopularity of the Iraq war (fueled by many, but not all Richard, members of the press) and those who wanted to make history by helping to elect the first black president. Heck, I have no problem with electing a black president, but we should've made sure he wasn't a socialist before doing so. We should've looked at his campaign promises and seen the light, we should have realized that with Nancy Pelosi in charge of the House, that a veritable cornucopeia of socialist programs would make it through as a blank check to be signed by President Obama.
Then there are those who wouldn't vote for McCain because he's liberal for a Republican, supposedly. So instead, they voted for a third party candidate, helping to ensure the election of the most liberal regime in American history. I hope you can one day justify this to your grandbabies. Warren Buffet said that the stock market was in a shambles the other day. He was right, but not complete. The country is in a shambles. Hold on to your hats, it's a long ride down. I hope in the next few years we can see this as a wake up call and make the changes necessary before it becomes too late--if it isn't already.
Frankly I can't believe enough people were bamboozled by the Democrats to allow this to happen. But I see it on several fronts. Those who were tired of Bush cutting taxes and at the same time raising expenditures, the unpopularity of the Iraq war (fueled by many, but not all Richard, members of the press) and those who wanted to make history by helping to elect the first black president. Heck, I have no problem with electing a black president, but we should've made sure he wasn't a socialist before doing so. We should've looked at his campaign promises and seen the light, we should have realized that with Nancy Pelosi in charge of the House, that a veritable cornucopeia of socialist programs would make it through as a blank check to be signed by President Obama.
Then there are those who wouldn't vote for McCain because he's liberal for a Republican, supposedly. So instead, they voted for a third party candidate, helping to ensure the election of the most liberal regime in American history. I hope you can one day justify this to your grandbabies. Warren Buffet said that the stock market was in a shambles the other day. He was right, but not complete. The country is in a shambles. Hold on to your hats, it's a long ride down. I hope in the next few years we can see this as a wake up call and make the changes necessary before it becomes too late--if it isn't already.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Not to Leave Out the Uinta Mountains
I have recently added a group on Facebook called "High Uinta Lovers". The Uintas are a unique mountain range that runs east and west in the northeast corner of Utah. They are stunning and Utah's highest point, King's Peak, can be found within these rugged peaks. I will post a picture here, but if you go to the Facebook page, there is already a link to some amazing pictures of the Uintas.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Thinking About the Mountains
Wow, the Wasatch Mountains are beautiful when they're snow covered. Actually, they're stunning any time of year. I love living near them and am impatiently awaiting spring, so that I can once again traverse their wooded paths and climb their rugged peaks. I'm not looking forward to the annual inversions that we have around here, that obscure my view of those fantastic spires. The lower photo is of the Big Cottonwood Canyon area, covered in snow, shrouded in clouds. I have a better winter picture somewhere--I'll just have to dig it up. The photo on the right is Sun Dial Peak, with Lake Blanche in the foreground.
The Puppet President Begins?
Barack Obama's naming of Leon Panetta as CIA director can only be interpreted as a cave in to the extreme left. Why else would the President-Elect name someone with zero experience to head the organization charged with finding out plots against America and Americans? It's not only a huge risk for America, but a huge risk for Obama as well, for if American's are attacked and killed because of an intelligence gaffe, he and Panetta will be squarely to blame. Unbelievable, that at a time when terrorism plots and attacks are at their highest, our new President selects a rookie for the job.
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