Olympic-sized dreams come true, Mom!

If you haven't seen this - check it out, it's fantastic and makes me laugh out loud:

The Olympics Sap-o-meter

Hope that works out for ya. Oh the sacrifices.

Brand New Day

Alright, brand new. Time for a return, a change.

I find myself listening more (trying to) and more to what might be best. It's difficult with all the static. The distractions, the bad habits weigh down upon me. But it's time for a change, time to lend an ear. I feel plagued by choice and need a break. The options are suffocating.

Self-improvement is self-destruction - or is it vice versa. Doesn't matter much either way.

Slow down. Take one thing at a time, but it's so difficult. Often, less is more. I wonder if you're first instinct really is the best. That's what I'm trying to listen to more, my gut.

Also, definitely (commonly mispelled) need to carry the camera more, share some. Will it help? We may see.

Rewards

Upon the suggestion of a commenter - I think, yes, a reward must be in order. So, I've come up with some new achievable goals and decided to reward myself if I can keep them up for a month. Prize - one CD. I certainly need a new CD and will enjoy that especially if I keep up with my goals. Perhaps I can even get a sheet of paper and have gold stars. Yes - fantastic!

Ok, in other news - I'm trying to decide whether I should get a personal/professional website. Mostly professional, with perhaps some personal links and things. I need a place where I can put all my web crap together - or at least that not so crappy portions of things. And now I'm looking for examples... suggestions welcome. Something personalized, but not flashy nor obnoxious. And it's a careful balance to not let it diverge from the original purpose to become more facebookesque. I am planning something that could be handed out on a business card - something nice - personalized.

Generation Gaps

Inspired by WashPost (of course) Prehistoric Pols ...

The Google and the Internets have obviously been confounding more than a few of our country's leaders. This depresses me. Science and technology are an element of the equation that sets the USA apart from other countries. The proportionate spending of our national budget in these regards is often shameful. Even our military technologies such as the F-16 have been auctioned off to the highest bidders.

And these are the people making policies for the FCC and newspaper/media ownership, copyright and patent laws, and more. "A series of tubes" doesn't quite cut as as an explanation. While seniors are using the Wii to promote activity and interaction, out leaders don't even know what You Tube is. Now, I would suggest that anyone become a technophile, but a little basic knowledge would be appreciated. Now wonder they don't care about running a yearly budget deficit and an astronomical national debt, they must think the world's ending and their children have no future. They have shoved their problems onto our shoulders ... personal responsibility a joke. Supposedly, we're all feeling entitled now. I don't feel that way. I feel fucked over.

Anyway ... I hope that you are at least mildly following the election. And if you are young, vote young ... these other folks just don't have our interests at heart.

Don't know what to write

Just wanted to add a new entry. I'm now going to Google hydroponic herbs. I want an herb garden and if it has soil my pets will soil in it.

People making decisions

Suggestion from - WP article - that conservatives trust people to make good decisions. When is this effective? What are the situations in which people consistently make bad decisions against their own interests?

For example, taxing the richest 1% of the country more is in the best interest of 99% of the population, yet many people oppose this on principle. I'm certain there are other examples. Also, for some reason, people often have a hard time balancing long term risk. And if presented with an appropriate third option, people may be swayed one way or another. Decision making is a very interesting thing to me.

But I'll also concerned about the things which people do not choose: illness, etc. People do not elect to have debilitating afflictions, so as a society, are we not somewhat responsible for these folks. It gets more confusing with things like smoking and lung cancer, heart problems and obesity, etc. In these situations, the short term decisions may have long term consequences that affect many others. Who is responsible in these cases? Using the government to control vices only makes sense to me in the case of direct negative consequences (i.e. drunk driving, theft, murder, certain drugs). Otherwise people should be left to decide what's best for themselves.

No I've royally confused myself and seem to have gone off on a half-rant. Ah well.

Lastly, I'd like to put down my vote in favor of evolution again. Sometimes, science wins and rightly so.

I am the guinea pig

So, today - I volunteered to be the guinea pig. My ears ring a little, but otherwise, it's alright. I kind of like being the guinea pig. Always interesting to find out more about science and experimental methodology. I also listened to this Radio Lab episode about their own show. Okay, I can't find a direct link right now, but it was in the podcast. Wow, I feel geeky.

This is a nerd out post anyway. But I think that recording a radio show would be awesome. Maybe I'll get on it one day.

Check out the guinea pig again ...




Thought about something else too - man, I'm having some serious memory lapses. Oil prices, writer's strike, etc. Anyway, short post I suppose, but at least I'm at it.

Is sharing that picture a violation of copyright, who knows?