Well the skeptics and sinners have been thinking this week. Some hard nose republicans are touting after a few week in office that Obama is back to the democratic ticket of spending as usual. They claim their strength to fiscal conservativeness, yet the executive branch of California is faced with a how many billion dollar debt? 30? 40? more? BILLION dollars! Well, I believe the politics of old should and are ready to be thrown out the door. Whether it is republican or democrat, tax cuts or infrastructure spending, too much of either doesn't work. It takes a nice and balance combination of the two. Give cuts to those whom need it to encourage spending while having the government spend on infrastructure will grow the economy no matter what the situation.
Will Obama's Stimulus Package Work?
Well I hope so. I believe that 95% of the stimulus package will stimulate the economy for short and long term growth. Focusing on infrastructure, energy, and education you really can't go wrong. Each sector needs as much attention and money it can get. All focus on long term sustainable potential output for our economy. I challenge all who oppose to suggest something better that won't take years to implement.
So much for Bailouts. Let the companies whom managed their business fail so others can take their place. It is natural selection, thinning of the herd. The billions (outside of the financial system) spent on bailing out companies should have been added to the investment in the starving renewable energy sector. That is and will be the largest growth area in our economy, and has the potential to become the very core or our economic system. Much like oil has for the past years.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A misson for guacamole with ironic and dissapointing outcomes
After a long drive to our most enjoyable Mexican fare on the east coast we found ironic hardship. Waking up to plan our day of a large afternoon meal revolving around great margaritas and killer guacamole, we both were excited. With the large yellow building in sight, saliva glands hitting on all cylinders I thought out loud and said 'What if it is closed, what would we do?'. We pulled into the parking lot to find the windows and doors boarded up. Damn, we just drove 45 minutes of anticipation and it looks like the building is abandoned. Kelly points out to look at the roof, Black. A kitchen fire has struck the building. It was very disappointing. After a glance over my left shoulder I noticed that across the street there was a fully operational fire station.
Are you serious? How could this happen.
What do we end up with? 'Sante Fe restaurant', believe me there was nothing 'Santa Fe' about it at all. Note to all- don't get between a man and his guac!
The Power of the Avocado:
First of all- The word "avocado" comes from the Nahuatl word āhuacatl ("testicle", a reference to the shape of the fruit). Native Americans looked up to this tasty fruit hanging in the trees and this is the name they came up with?
High avocado intake has been shown to have an impact on blood serum cholesterol levels. Specifically, after a seven day diet rich in avocados, hypercholesterolemia patients showed a 17% decrease in total serum cholesterol levels. These subjects also showed a 22% decrease in both LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and 11% increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Source
That is enough for me to eat at least a few avocados a week!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Week of Love
While most of my entries have been regarding my frustration with people and topics about the economy. I been given the strong desire to share joy. The joy of happiness, the joy of not having hardship and the joy of having a beautiful & caring wife. I have designated this week to be the week of love. Every day leading up to Saturday I have made a commitment to be positive while things in my surroundings are negative (economy), and to show the one I love how much good she brings out in me. I ask for all who read this blog to do the same, no matter how stressful, painful, and bleak life is- Simply be genuinely positive with your outlook. See what happens and what becomes of you.
I met my wife, Kelly, when I first received a taste of true happiness. She has filled my life with complete and utter joy. There isn't a moment that passes that I don't wish to spend more time with her, and give her all that wants, needs, and desires.
Below is a piece of our Grecian Honeymoon to help all understand the power & grandness of love.
This picture was taken on a catamaran traveling inside the volcano of Santorini. We arrived to this romantic island by water ferry from the island of MyKonos. This Island holds a few small town on top of it's volcanic crest 5000 feet or so up. The volcanic hill sides are covered in homes that are literally dug into the hill. It is majestic how the white washed Greek home roll across the crest of this volcano.
The day after our arrival and new introduction to a terrific Grecian fare, Santorini Tomato Fritters, we headed to the opposite side of the island to meet our private boat and crew for a afternoon of swimming, boating and dining. After meeting our new friendly Aussy Captain and deck hand we set sail for 3 beaches. Santorini is the only place in the world that has 3 different type of sand beaches, a white, a red, and black sand beach that are literally a couple of miles apart. Quite remarkable really. Truth be told, we 'forgot' our swim suits thinking this was simply a dinner cruise so when we were given our itinerary we were a little shocked. We decided that we would probably not be swimming. We pulled into the first stop, a cascading slope of bleached white sand cliff side flowing into a seemingly abandoned beach area. Kelly and I looked at each other with nobody in sight for miles (except our crew) and tore or clothes off and jumped into the 70+ degree Aegean Sea. After floating for a period of time and having explored rock formations in utter bliss, we headed back to our floating romantic vessel. Off we went, being served terrific Sauvignon Blanc, we laughed at the carefree spirit for which we just partaken in.
Shortly after our laugh we pulled into the black sand beach. Well, holding nothing back in this post- we dropped our towels for another dip into Poseidon's front porch. Diving down to grasp handfuls of black volcanic sand we couldn't help but have a grin from ear to ear, amazed by the vastness of our isolation. Back to the boat we went, for another glass of wine and off we went to beach number 3, the red sand beach. At the Red sand beach we decided to pass on the dip and instead had another glass of vino.
Our last leg of our water journey took a little detour to the center of Santorini's volcano. There is a little island of newer bedrock that holds a sulfur hot spring bubbling up 100+ degree sulfur. Sulfur is known to be very good for your skin no matter how bad it tastes. To get to the center of the spring it was about a 1/4 mile swim. This small island was deep black basalt, coated with sulfur and with hundreds of names cut into the rock. The deeper back, the less names appeared. 'Did we come all the way across the world to pass on the opportunity to feel the center of the world?' Hell no. I dove in head first to see how much sulfur I could handle. It was a once in a lifetime experience, to feel so much raw power coating your body and gliding deeper to the source with the one you love. It was at the heart of things, so delicate and entrancing. A sense of exuberance filled both of our minds with not only excitement, but also a dash of fear.
After our swim back and shower, (sulfur is VERY potent) our lovely crew had fresh squid and pork on the grill for us. We dined the night away basking in our love for each other. This what life is about, sharing such once in a lifetime experiences with the one you love and realizing that love. Feeling such strong and differing emotions, only to have pure content and happiness with your best friend. It has a profound effect on the mind, body and soul.
I met my wife, Kelly, when I first received a taste of true happiness. She has filled my life with complete and utter joy. There isn't a moment that passes that I don't wish to spend more time with her, and give her all that wants, needs, and desires.
Below is a piece of our Grecian Honeymoon to help all understand the power & grandness of love.
This picture was taken on a catamaran traveling inside the volcano of Santorini. We arrived to this romantic island by water ferry from the island of MyKonos. This Island holds a few small town on top of it's volcanic crest 5000 feet or so up. The volcanic hill sides are covered in homes that are literally dug into the hill. It is majestic how the white washed Greek home roll across the crest of this volcano.
The day after our arrival and new introduction to a terrific Grecian fare, Santorini Tomato Fritters, we headed to the opposite side of the island to meet our private boat and crew for a afternoon of swimming, boating and dining. After meeting our new friendly Aussy Captain and deck hand we set sail for 3 beaches. Santorini is the only place in the world that has 3 different type of sand beaches, a white, a red, and black sand beach that are literally a couple of miles apart. Quite remarkable really. Truth be told, we 'forgot' our swim suits thinking this was simply a dinner cruise so when we were given our itinerary we were a little shocked. We decided that we would probably not be swimming. We pulled into the first stop, a cascading slope of bleached white sand cliff side flowing into a seemingly abandoned beach area. Kelly and I looked at each other with nobody in sight for miles (except our crew) and tore or clothes off and jumped into the 70+ degree Aegean Sea. After floating for a period of time and having explored rock formations in utter bliss, we headed back to our floating romantic vessel. Off we went, being served terrific Sauvignon Blanc, we laughed at the carefree spirit for which we just partaken in.
Shortly after our laugh we pulled into the black sand beach. Well, holding nothing back in this post- we dropped our towels for another dip into Poseidon's front porch. Diving down to grasp handfuls of black volcanic sand we couldn't help but have a grin from ear to ear, amazed by the vastness of our isolation. Back to the boat we went, for another glass of wine and off we went to beach number 3, the red sand beach. At the Red sand beach we decided to pass on the dip and instead had another glass of vino.
Our last leg of our water journey took a little detour to the center of Santorini's volcano. There is a little island of newer bedrock that holds a sulfur hot spring bubbling up 100+ degree sulfur. Sulfur is known to be very good for your skin no matter how bad it tastes. To get to the center of the spring it was about a 1/4 mile swim. This small island was deep black basalt, coated with sulfur and with hundreds of names cut into the rock. The deeper back, the less names appeared. 'Did we come all the way across the world to pass on the opportunity to feel the center of the world?' Hell no. I dove in head first to see how much sulfur I could handle. It was a once in a lifetime experience, to feel so much raw power coating your body and gliding deeper to the source with the one you love. It was at the heart of things, so delicate and entrancing. A sense of exuberance filled both of our minds with not only excitement, but also a dash of fear.
After our swim back and shower, (sulfur is VERY potent) our lovely crew had fresh squid and pork on the grill for us. We dined the night away basking in our love for each other. This what life is about, sharing such once in a lifetime experiences with the one you love and realizing that love. Feeling such strong and differing emotions, only to have pure content and happiness with your best friend. It has a profound effect on the mind, body and soul.
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