Price at the Pump brings out Whiners but not Changers

Noticing that the price at the pump at a local gas station had risen 9 cents since the prior day, I was a little sticker-shocked. With that shock came an easing up of my foot on the accelerator pedal. Then the thought occurred to me as I made my way to work, getting on an interstate to head into town. "No one else seems worried about the gas prices, judging by how fast they are driving, or by their driving style," I mused remembering tips about saving fuel expenditure. To save on fuel, the tips you read usually include a general slowing down of overall speeds. Also, gradual acceleration, as opposed to "gunning it" is always recommended when you read about fuel economy.
So again, to restate the thought at the beginning, I hear people whining and crying about fuel costs, and yet I don't see people actually changing their driving habits to help make up for it. Not only is this post about supply and demand influence, but I think more it is about the fact that we Americans (and probably people of other countries too to an extent) are resistant to change that we don't want. Yes, it's called being selfish and rebellious to what we see as negative stimulus or authority. We're more stubborn than the Israelites of the Bible it would seem.
I hope you see the parallels I'm implying here, yea primarily I'd just like to see people slow it up a bit and be affected to CHANGE by their environment, rather than just being affect to CRY about it. And with that concept, other areas of life should equally be affected, in your morals; in your relationships; in your ideals.
There are immensely worse stimuli affecting our societies and culture in negative ways that we are allowing to change us for the worse rather than motivating us to change things for the better of ourselves and those coming up behind us.
Change, if for the good, is a GOOD thing!

Birth of Days

Some people really hate when Birthday time comes around, I am one of those. I hate the attention to my aging body; my diminishing life; my mortality on the earth. I hate being reminded of what I haven't accomplished yet in the years I've been given. I hate stressing about what, if anything, I'll get accomplished in the years I have left. So once a year, with every "happy birthday!" greeting, the reminder of these things are put forth. Sometimes the reminders even come sprinkled with embellishments like "boy you sure are getting old" and other "over the hill" comments. "How's it feel to be another year older?" I get asked by a poor, unsuspecting wisher of good will. I'd like to respond, "Well, similar to how it feels when I kick you square in the face." I'd like to respond that way, I think it, but somehow before the words get from my mind to my voice it gets converted via the "Be Nice" thought converter into something like "oh, just another day."
Though I should thank God for every birthday I see, and I try to - don't get me wrong. Satan likes to pound at us with negativity, and I'm one of those that often lets him. Birthdays were meant for celebration. And if I didn't get those birthday greetings I might well be complaining that "nobody loves me" or some dribble.
So wish me a happy birthday, but you might wanna do it from afar.
God Bless! :)

Spring is here

         Rising up in action, 

but breaking under too much pressure; 

         softening your ride, 

and bringing more light to your every-day

                                                                            Spring.

Picking out Daddy's Shirt

Just wanted to share the amazing things you can discover in the heart of a child. A Daddy asked his 4 year-old boy to "come here." Now this boy is one of those that actually responds fairly well to such a command, being taught that such a command isn't always bad and is often good. So be careful to not make all your directives to your kids things that are "negative" and they might respond the same. But I digress, he came to where I was standing by my closet and I picked up the 40 lb bundle of joy and stepped into where my "work shirts" were hanging. I asked simply, "what do you think Daddy should wear to work tomorrow" (yes I often speak in the third person, I'm sure it's quite confusing and will scar his grammar for years to come).  He scanned the available selection and picked one. I said, "OK, that's what I'll wear" (notice the change from 3rd to 1st person, definitely gonna muck up his English skills). He asks a sensible question, "why don't you know what you were going to wear tomorrow?" Responding, I simply said, "I just thought I'd let Lucas pick (yes, 3rd person again, Lucas is the boy's name of course). At this, he turns his head to face me in acknowledgment of this bestowing of honor, and gives the most genuine hug you can imagine. He ends the moment with "I Love you Daddy."
Now that's what makes being a parent worth it. That's what makes a child's life worth it. You infuse your child with Love AND Discipline, bringing them up in the Way that they should go, being prepared for an amazing ride.

People ARE special! No, REALLY!

     Sometimes right when you need it, someone, maybe even someone you don't even know personally, gives you some words that encourage you. If you're tied to an office chair much of your working life, might I suggest joining a forum website based on your hobbies & interests (if your job place allows). A forum is simply a website using software that creates a discussion space that people can login and post to (kind  of like facebook or other social networking sites but there's some pretty clear differences). Join one and you'll see what I mean. Facebook and such are more about sharing yourself via pictures/media as well as just comments. A forum focuses on the DISCUSSION aspect. Sure many forums allow uploading of a photo within the context of your post, some even allow other attachments, but the overwhelming purpose of a forum is Discussion of a particular topic.
Forums are amazing places to glean information, you can find answers to problems, or get to ASK your questions about a problem you're having. Are you into gardening, go find a gardening forum and ask that question you have about crossing a grape with a pumpkin. 
All forums have particular rules to live by, usually relating to whether or not you can solicit business, or staying away from inflammatory talk or comments, though some forums may be totally open to that.


But the best thing about forums (and sometimes the worst) is that people can come together and share their opinion and advice. And sometimes its just what you need to hear.

Penny Stocks?

I've always heard that stocks are risky, and penny stocks are much riskier. Strange since, they're cheaper, one might think they would be less risky.
But 'on a tip' and after some research (not enough I assure you), my firefox browser was opened up and Scottrade.com was entered into the address bar. There was some cash funds laying around in there collecting dust since my last stock market ventures and they needed reviving. With the relatively small amount in there I was able to purchase 5000 shares of a penny stock! Never thought I'd have 5000 shares of anything! The idea is amazing to me that, if the per share price goes to even just $1, an amount that isn't sufficient to buy coffee at most places, then I'll be cashing in big time. Inversely it could totally tank.
I didn't bet the farm though, just plugged in some cash that wasnt doing too much anyway. Here's to being an American and being bullish.
If you are new to the stock market world, and you wanna get involved with investing, I've like Scottrade. If you open an account, plug in the referral code VVSV2099 if you would, and they'll grant me a few free trades. Thanks. I'm basically with Scottrade due to the $7/trade cost and the fact they usually have a local branch office in a metro near you to be able to ask questions IN PERSON. I know, their commercials aren't as cute as E*Trades... but I still like em'.

I-45 from Houston

A beautiful windy and sunny day heading north up I-45 from Houston to Dallas and beyond. Lord, if willing, will find us up in Southeast Kansas last tonight. Been down to MD Anderson's in Houston for the MIL's (mother-in-law) checkup with a doc. We enjoyed eating at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse can see my review of that at another blog (yea  I need the multiple blogsites to keep up with my multiple personalities).

We also went Johnson Space Center, which is cool if you're interested about anything NASA, but I didn't get to ride in a spaceship like I'd hoped.  :) 
Drove down for dinner and some sand in Galveston, though drab, overcast and bleak it was still fun to allow our two little redheads a touch of the ocean.
That's all for now, hoping for safe travels.