Following Passion

What does it mean to be passionate? I think my cousin Jeff sums it up pretty good in his blog Passion=Truth. I wanted to take this time to educate you about another man who followed his passion and through it accomplished great things.

This man, John Muir, was a great visionary and also happened to be Wisconsin raised and educated individual. He is what some might refer to as a trail blazer! Blazing the trail has been a term used for the first man out ahead of the group making tracks for the rest to follow…and in my opinion this is he! He was an adventurer, conservationist, naturalist, but perhaps his most important role was his passion as a writer of God’s beautiful country…for it is what got him recognized by President Theodore Roosevelt. Today Teddy Roosevelt is credited with the designation of 150 National Forests, the first 51 Federal Bird Reservations, 5 National Parks, the first 18 National Monuments, the first 4 National Game Preserves, and the first 21 Reclamation Projects. Now Teddy does deserve this credit since he did implement the whole process in his role as president, but every match needs a spark and that spark in my opinion was John Muir.

Following your passion can present opportunities not yet seen by us, but through the hand of God it will become evident that this passionate quest was worth it!



Tunnel View by Ansel Adams at Yosemite

Follow-up (Making News)

Ha-ha...hilarious and a little sad, but this couldn't have been a more priceless follow-up to my last story about stupid people and attack parrots...see Bird Boy

Making News

So what makes it into the media today usually fits into one of two categories; bad press or good press. But, alas with the explosion of idiots everywhere enters the new category of stupid press. The latest example of this is about the anti-depressants for animals that are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Problem:
Without getting to deep into the article, the greatest point in the article is made when it has been determined that the highest rated suicidal pet is the parrot…apparently all those colors are giving that bird a bad trip.


Answer:
So what to do with suicidal parrots, turn them into attack parrots. In London, England a pet store owner had an ill tempered parrot that was apparently “pet” knapped...not for long though! This macaw bit the ear of the thief leaving a blood trail for police to obtain a proper DNA match.

This culminates the article of stupid pet drugs and stupid criminals!

Paycheck to Paycheck

No matter how much you make or how little you make, you will use the phrase "paycheck to paycheck." So why does it seem so different as compared to nearly 30 years ago when my parents were raising a family of 3 on a modest middle class wage? The answer, still boggles many of my social circles today...but let's look at a few of the facts we have uncovered:

First of all, the late 70's provided a time when a average salary of $40,000 could get you into a nice home. For example, in the Midwest, in a nice suburb outside the city limits you could get a 2000 sqft. home with 4 bd. 2 ba for around $100,000. Today that same house with some updates will now command a price tag of up near $300,000 (and that's conservative). Yep...that is where we are today. Now instead of jumping 30's ahead, lets go 30's back into the late 1940's. Now granted a house of these proportions were few and far between but the standard Craftsmen Cape Cod style homes were around $50,000. So let's summarize;

• 1948-$50,000
• 1978-$100,000
• 2008-$300,000

does this make sense to anyone...please explain!

Next, in 1980 my parents never had a computer and therefore had no internet. No computers means that they didn't do online shopping($xxx/mos.), and would not have had a monthly internet service($60/mos) either. I am going to go out on a limb and say that this saved them about $1500 annually (not including the overall investment of a computer).

Another is the constant need for things. I like things they make me go fast, feel cool, look good...so what's wrong with that. For some of us nothing is wrong with it, but it teeters a fine line called GREED! Greed tends to lead us into battles of financial mayhem. Let's take the example of a name brand item, say purses, or to be more fair to both sexes we'll look at clothing. Suddenly the Levis at the local department store for $20 is not good enough we need the $150+ designer jeans. If we look at that example that would mean that we spend 87% more than what our mom and dad spent on an item. That is an extreme example, however the next time you go and purchase an item think about that percentage, or even 50%...I'd be willing to bet your spending thousand more that your parents did.

Lastly, another item we had discussed was how the format of companies has changed. By this I mean retirement benefits, health benefits, and general care for their employees. This may have not been as instrumental in the financial arena, depending on which companies you are comparing. However, the security and the stability a good job provides seems limited in today's world!

Personally I think all of these have affected me in form or another, not to mention many others that will need to wait for another post. You get the jist about the financial woes of living paycheck to paycheck. I've got to be honest though I am one lucky SOB to be living the life I am ...so God bless!!!

Political Headaches

Let me preface this subject with the point that I am an optimistic indivdual, but as the caucuses and primaries near an end (or at least the decisive ones) for the 2008 presidential nominees...my head begins to burst. Why?

First, we start to see the insane amount of money that is being tallied up. This year, according to Open Secrets we will probably exceed the $1 billion mark for total candidates spending on their political campaigning....seriously! Now perhaps I am the only one that finds this ridiculous, but considering the candidates are arguing about people not being able to afford rising health care, or the fact that a record number of home foreclosures has been seen...I feel that any statements coming out of these candidates mouths is a bit contradictory. Yes, I do understand that funding comes from different places and that it is not all easily transferrable funds, but seriously we are listening to and watching ads about political promises that may or may not come to fruition. I think you can support your country in other ways than trying to buy your president into office.

Another problem I have with this political campaigning is the consistent distress within a political party. Even though a party is supposed to unite individuals to draw them to closer, we see below the belt shots dished out like it was a heavy weight fight in Vegas. Promises to play fairly are always made and never kept! Not surprising since they are competing to run our country but what a headache to listen to.

My last issue with the political system in place is that we have the best of the best flip floppers in the nation representing our country. I do believe in the war, I don't...I voted on this bill, I didn't...pick a position already. If you signed something you didn't look at...stop back pedaling and deal with it, or don't put your name on the damn bill in the first place. Everyone makes mistakes but not owning up to them is of poor character!

I hope that things settle as we finalize the party nominees for this 2008 presidential race...at least for the sanity of Americans everywhere!


**Some politcal humor for you**
With McCain cleaning up rather easily on the Republican side of things, I thought this was a funny picture to share regarding our two Democratic nominees...