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.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Changing the Collective Thought Process
After my dad pulled to my attention an article in the New York Times (January 23rd 2009 issue) titled: Environmental Issues Slide in Poll of Public Concern. The findings said that because of our economic situation the environment has become dramatically less of a concern to Americans. I found it unbearable to hold back and not try to shed light into what I call 'The Collective Thought Process'.
The World is ONE system. Our economic and environmental health are sub systems of the larger biosphere. Our natural environment provides humans with food, shelter, fuel, and many other natural resources which feed our economic system. One can only harvest enough resources to allow the natural ecosystem to grow back for the following years harvest. If one harvests too much, not enough will grow back the following year. Instead of focusing in the exact volume to consume in a given year or its capabilities, one should focus in on efficiency. Getting more from less.
Our society consumes more than is needed to sustain and grow, inadvertently waste is produced. Recently, due to the economic situation Americans has begun curbing their buying habits. Focusing their dollar spent on more useful and lasting purchases.
Global warming: It is happening, but is not the main topic of environmental concerns. Our global temperature has increased over the past few decades, believed by the majority of the scientific community. This is not my biggest global environmental concern.
Global climate change: Seattle is getting wetter & drier, New York warming in the winter but some years colder, hurricane larger & disappear for seasons, desertification growing along with the monsoons in India. Our climate is changing around us. So fast that we are beginning to not to see it. Two days ago I was working at the New York International Gift Fair, while selling a great company's mission in ECOBAGS.COM; I met a middle aged woman. She came up to me, she being from the south and said 'boy is it cold out there!' I concurred with her. It was very cold out there approaching the teens for god know how many consecutive days. Compared to last year which was very mild with little snow, this year New York City has been hit with a lot of cold, snow and in particular ice. The change from last to this, has been very dramatic. That volatility is what the majority of educated scientist and intellectuals call global climate change. So I turned to this lady and said 'your right it is very cold, but our warming planet doesn't mean that winters will be warmer, summers hotter and every cold front that much more bearable'. She looked at me in confusion and smiled and kept on walking. Our collective thought process has been brain washed on the word 'warming'.
I don't fear the heat (unless I live near an expanding desert) but I fear in my and chilren's life time the increases rainfall, floods, topsoil erosion, loss of farming capability, desertification, and all the rest that a warming planet does to our climate. Our collective and ignorant thought process connects global warming with simply heating and whether it is hot or cold outside.
If some believe it is as simple as this, let them attempt to live their lives in bliss.
The World is ONE system. Our economic and environmental health are sub systems of the larger biosphere. Our natural environment provides humans with food, shelter, fuel, and many other natural resources which feed our economic system. One can only harvest enough resources to allow the natural ecosystem to grow back for the following years harvest. If one harvests too much, not enough will grow back the following year. Instead of focusing in the exact volume to consume in a given year or its capabilities, one should focus in on efficiency. Getting more from less.
Our society consumes more than is needed to sustain and grow, inadvertently waste is produced. Recently, due to the economic situation Americans has begun curbing their buying habits. Focusing their dollar spent on more useful and lasting purchases.
Global warming: It is happening, but is not the main topic of environmental concerns. Our global temperature has increased over the past few decades, believed by the majority of the scientific community. This is not my biggest global environmental concern.
Global climate change: Seattle is getting wetter & drier, New York warming in the winter but some years colder, hurricane larger & disappear for seasons, desertification growing along with the monsoons in India. Our climate is changing around us. So fast that we are beginning to not to see it. Two days ago I was working at the New York International Gift Fair, while selling a great company's mission in ECOBAGS.COM; I met a middle aged woman. She came up to me, she being from the south and said 'boy is it cold out there!' I concurred with her. It was very cold out there approaching the teens for god know how many consecutive days. Compared to last year which was very mild with little snow, this year New York City has been hit with a lot of cold, snow and in particular ice. The change from last to this, has been very dramatic. That volatility is what the majority of educated scientist and intellectuals call global climate change. So I turned to this lady and said 'your right it is very cold, but our warming planet doesn't mean that winters will be warmer, summers hotter and every cold front that much more bearable'. She looked at me in confusion and smiled and kept on walking. Our collective thought process has been brain washed on the word 'warming'.
I don't fear the heat (unless I live near an expanding desert) but I fear in my and chilren's life time the increases rainfall, floods, topsoil erosion, loss of farming capability, desertification, and all the rest that a warming planet does to our climate. Our collective and ignorant thought process connects global warming with simply heating and whether it is hot or cold outside.
If some believe it is as simple as this, let them attempt to live their lives in bliss.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
2009 Inauguration & Martin Luther King Jr.
There is so much to speak about today. This is a great day. The significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday to 41 years after he made the speech 'I Have a Dream' a African-American Man was sworn-in as president. Dr. King spoke of his vision that within 40 years he believed a African-American would be elected president (he also said his hope was 25 years though). He was pretty darn close in his estimate, and it shows the capacity of his vision. Heck, if he lived a little longer maybe it would have been 25 years.
My hope is that Barack Obama uses all the political power he has collected over the past few months to focus on core economic issues. If he does not lead us out of economic turmoil, every other initiative he wants to address will not happen.
He is calling for all of us to sacrifice for the greater good of society. No one, since FDR has had the political resources and momentum to call on so much from Americans. FDR called for the 'New Deal', and Obama is calling for his 'Deal' which will involve many of the strikingly similar concepts as FDR's plan in 1933. Click here to view more about FDR's 'New Deal'. Both involved a lot of government spending, and many argue the only reason we got out of The Great Depression was because we were building up to fight the Second Great War (WWII). It is my belief that what will pull us out of this 'depression' will be the need to conquer 'The First Great Energy Crisis'. It will be as, if not more significant than WWII was on its generation.
What are Americans willing to sacrifice?
So far it has been their jobs, houses, and savings (not that funny). I think it will be peoples time. Spending a couple of days a year doing community service of some sort to help those in need. For young adults a excellent resource to help connect you to a cause in your local community is Dosomething.org. They will take your cell number and within minutes text you the location of a place to volunteer your time in your local community.
I am willing to sacrifice the convenience of eating non-organic & non-local food. Every time you buy food, spend the extra pennies on food that is coming from your local community. It will allow you to contribute to your local community and allow you to feel good about what you are putting into your body. Again, you are what you eat- The age old slogan taught in kindergarten is true! How about extending this commitment to: Make a goal to recycle every can, bottle, jug, newspaper, & piece of cardboard (to start); it is very simple. While you might not see the entire effect of the effort, feel good that what you did will help the next generation. These two (volunteer) services are something little you can do. You know, the 'simple' things. If everybody did the simple things we would be better off.
My hope is that Barack Obama uses all the political power he has collected over the past few months to focus on core economic issues. If he does not lead us out of economic turmoil, every other initiative he wants to address will not happen.
He is calling for all of us to sacrifice for the greater good of society. No one, since FDR has had the political resources and momentum to call on so much from Americans. FDR called for the 'New Deal', and Obama is calling for his 'Deal' which will involve many of the strikingly similar concepts as FDR's plan in 1933. Click here to view more about FDR's 'New Deal'. Both involved a lot of government spending, and many argue the only reason we got out of The Great Depression was because we were building up to fight the Second Great War (WWII). It is my belief that what will pull us out of this 'depression' will be the need to conquer 'The First Great Energy Crisis'. It will be as, if not more significant than WWII was on its generation.
What are Americans willing to sacrifice?
So far it has been their jobs, houses, and savings (not that funny). I think it will be peoples time. Spending a couple of days a year doing community service of some sort to help those in need. For young adults a excellent resource to help connect you to a cause in your local community is Dosomething.org. They will take your cell number and within minutes text you the location of a place to volunteer your time in your local community.
I am willing to sacrifice the convenience of eating non-organic & non-local food. Every time you buy food, spend the extra pennies on food that is coming from your local community. It will allow you to contribute to your local community and allow you to feel good about what you are putting into your body. Again, you are what you eat- The age old slogan taught in kindergarten is true! How about extending this commitment to: Make a goal to recycle every can, bottle, jug, newspaper, & piece of cardboard (to start); it is very simple. While you might not see the entire effect of the effort, feel good that what you did will help the next generation. These two (volunteer) services are something little you can do. You know, the 'simple' things. If everybody did the simple things we would be better off.
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