Rise up this mornin', three little birds beside my doorstep. Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true. Singin', this is my message to you-oo-oo.
I ran across an interesting site, if a bit alarmist. Having just paid for my first $ 40 tank of gas, it caught my eye. It discusses our finite supply of oil versus increasing demand. For instance, there are 1.3 billion Chinese. Only 1.3% of them own cars. That is going to change in a hurry.
Peak Oil.
Check it out. It definitely makes you think, and may even scare you into riding a sweet bike around.
Although, before you go egging SUV's, keep in mind that only 40% of our oil is burned by passenger cars. The remaining 60%, presumably, is burned to produce energy for our homes, to produce and transport goods and services, and to fuel the daily activities of various businesses and governmental entities... Or to power this laptop. Or my tv.
Nevertheless, it inspired me to bike more and drive less.
---
I wrote a little bit about books yesterday, but I wonder why I bothered. Nobody reads books anymore. I love movies as much as the next guy, and television is a great invention, but if I were forced to choose, I would definitely choose books.
I am a reading junkie. I read constantly: while I eat; when I sit down; when I go to bed every night for at least an hour. I have always been this way. My mom delights in telling stories of when I was a kid and a friend stopped by on a summer day and asked me to play, and I said, "No. I'm reading a book."
I am convinced that reading so much made me smarter than I would have been otherwise, and I know reading was the reason for my high standardized test scores. I also know that reading so much made me a better writer. (Ever notice that hardly anyone can write or even spell anymore? I'm talking about educated adults. It amazes me.)
UJ even once made fun of me, because I stopped at a wayside for him to go to the bathroom and when he came back, I was reading my book. I am constantly thinking of where my next fix will come from. When I travel, I bring 3-5 books, as I have tremendous fear of running out of reading material. I go through 40 - 50 books per year, on average. A little less than one a week.
It's a shame that television, video games and sugar are producing a generation of fat, borderline illiterate kids with ADD. But you can't force a kid to read a book. How can a book compete with X-Box?
I am going to terminate this rant, for fear of sounding like a grumpy old man.
And if you want a book recommendation, drop me a line telling me what genre you like, and I will be happy to respond.
--
I just read in Outside Magazine that only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs. Nearly all are seeking more time off and a better work-life balance.
I guess too many of us are spending all that time and energy climbing the ladder, only to reach the top and find it was leaning against the wrong wall.
Don't wait for your ship to come in. Row out to meet it.
--
Note to fans of Ron Burgundy: Do not bother with the Wake Up Ron Burgundy disc. It is billed as another movie, but it is a side plot from Anchorman cobbled together from deleted scenes. There were a couple chuckles, but I found myself wishing I had just re-rented Anchorman. There is usually a reason deleted scenes get deleted.
Good night. Stay classy, San Diego.
Peak Oil.
Check it out. It definitely makes you think, and may even scare you into riding a sweet bike around.
Although, before you go egging SUV's, keep in mind that only 40% of our oil is burned by passenger cars. The remaining 60%, presumably, is burned to produce energy for our homes, to produce and transport goods and services, and to fuel the daily activities of various businesses and governmental entities... Or to power this laptop. Or my tv.
Nevertheless, it inspired me to bike more and drive less.
---
I wrote a little bit about books yesterday, but I wonder why I bothered. Nobody reads books anymore. I love movies as much as the next guy, and television is a great invention, but if I were forced to choose, I would definitely choose books.
I am a reading junkie. I read constantly: while I eat; when I sit down; when I go to bed every night for at least an hour. I have always been this way. My mom delights in telling stories of when I was a kid and a friend stopped by on a summer day and asked me to play, and I said, "No. I'm reading a book."
I am convinced that reading so much made me smarter than I would have been otherwise, and I know reading was the reason for my high standardized test scores. I also know that reading so much made me a better writer. (Ever notice that hardly anyone can write or even spell anymore? I'm talking about educated adults. It amazes me.)
UJ even once made fun of me, because I stopped at a wayside for him to go to the bathroom and when he came back, I was reading my book. I am constantly thinking of where my next fix will come from. When I travel, I bring 3-5 books, as I have tremendous fear of running out of reading material. I go through 40 - 50 books per year, on average. A little less than one a week.
It's a shame that television, video games and sugar are producing a generation of fat, borderline illiterate kids with ADD. But you can't force a kid to read a book. How can a book compete with X-Box?
I am going to terminate this rant, for fear of sounding like a grumpy old man.
And if you want a book recommendation, drop me a line telling me what genre you like, and I will be happy to respond.
--
I just read in Outside Magazine that only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs. Nearly all are seeking more time off and a better work-life balance.
I guess too many of us are spending all that time and energy climbing the ladder, only to reach the top and find it was leaning against the wrong wall.
Don't wait for your ship to come in. Row out to meet it.
--
Note to fans of Ron Burgundy: Do not bother with the Wake Up Ron Burgundy disc. It is billed as another movie, but it is a side plot from Anchorman cobbled together from deleted scenes. There were a couple chuckles, but I found myself wishing I had just re-rented Anchorman. There is usually a reason deleted scenes get deleted.
Good night. Stay classy, San Diego.
posted by Joe at
11:16 PM
5 Comments:
Hook me up with a book recommendation. I was just thinking yesterday that I was craving a good book, but was too lazy to go to the bookstore and read the inside cover of 45 books until I found one that tickled my fancy. I like girly stuff. Not sappy or corny, just no kidnapping plots, explosions or wars. More like Oprah's book list stuff. Don't judge me.
i just read where the chinese are now saudi arabia's biggest oil customer surpassing the usa. this little fact is going to continue to effect world politics as well as our way of life. can you say $3.00 a gallon?
Book recommendation? Oprah's book list stuff, eh? Mmmkay. You give me a challenge right off the bat. That is not my usual domain. Don't worry, though, no judging. After all, I just finished a three-book series about samurai.
Try The Secret Life of Bees, which my darling bride enjoyed. I also liked the Shipping News by Annie Proulx. It is a strange love story set in Newfoundland.
I recommend the book, Fast Food Nation. This should be required 'text book' reading for all high school students across America. Did you know 78% of all ground beef has shit in it? Disgusting!
Tell'm McDoodie, the gross quantities of fecal dust found on one's uncovered toothbrush in the bathroom is even deadlier.
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