Yesterday I read yet another blog where the writer was upset because people were donating money to help Pale Male (hawk in New York) and not to more human causes. I was annoyed.
Why do people give to animals and not other people? People issues are societal issues. You cannot change this issues over night. You can save the animal overnight.
The other issue is that usually, the animal didn't have much to do with it's situation. Usually people were the cause of the situation. People start getting very sad about the negative effects we cause to GODs little creatures and they want to right the wrong someone else created.
Give people a break for helping the animals and not other people. At least they haven't given into the cynicism of today's world that things are only going to get worse.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Judge Greg Mathis
I was watching Judge Greg Mathis and he state a phrase I thought was so very important.
People buy what they want and beg for what they need.
This is the philosphophy of a lot of young people today. When they have money, they buy what ever they want, and put all the current and future expenses aside. Then they have to beg, borrow or steal the remainder of money they need.
This is a situation of instant gratification and monetary insecurity. These people either are used to a life where they get instant gratification or are afraid their money situation will always (or has always) deprived them of their desires. They are going to get what they can, while they can, and screw the consequences because they are always going to be poor irregardless.
This philosophy is undercutting the quality of life of a lot of people. It is the bane of modern America. Parent's, please be aware of the existence of this mentality and give your children an allowance and teach them about money. If you can't be an example for them, please enroll them in classes. They need to have a bright future.
People buy what they want and beg for what they need.
This is the philosphophy of a lot of young people today. When they have money, they buy what ever they want, and put all the current and future expenses aside. Then they have to beg, borrow or steal the remainder of money they need.
This is a situation of instant gratification and monetary insecurity. These people either are used to a life where they get instant gratification or are afraid their money situation will always (or has always) deprived them of their desires. They are going to get what they can, while they can, and screw the consequences because they are always going to be poor irregardless.
This philosophy is undercutting the quality of life of a lot of people. It is the bane of modern America. Parent's, please be aware of the existence of this mentality and give your children an allowance and teach them about money. If you can't be an example for them, please enroll them in classes. They need to have a bright future.
All About Allowances
Children should get a reasonable amount of allowance starting about age 5. They should be required to save 50% of the money. They should be allowed to spend a portion after that and donate a very small portion to charity.
When they have spent all of their money, they shouldn't be allowed to borry any more or have mom or dad buy them what they want. This teaches them that they are responsible for their money, their decisions and their wants and desires.
In order for this to work, mom & dad cannot be purchasing everything the child wants. Mom and Dad should save purchases for Birthdays, Christmas (or other religious holiday), back to school shopping & special occasions. The occasional fun purchase from mom and/or dad is fine too. If you buy everything your child wants, when they want it, the allowance does no good.
You need clear guidelines as to what your child is responsible for paying for. Ideally you shouldnt expect your child to pay for necessities like school lunch, necessary clothes and any other expenses that you would expect a parent to have to pay for.
Your child should be expected to pay for: cell phone calls & text messages to friends, fun stuff for school (within reason), dances, fashion clothes that they desire, games, dates, etc...
This list is negotiable, but parents should decide on a budget for what the parent expects to pay for and what is expected for the child to pay. If a parent feels that they should pay for 1 sport a term, or they agree to pay for 5 dances out of the year, or they parent pays for the cell phone because it's on a plan where they child cannot exceed the basic charges, then that's OK.
What you are trying to avoid is purchasing everything your child desires and giving them money to squander. I hate to use the term squander, but it's a very important lesson for children to learn that money doesn't go on trees.
If your child has an allowance and they have to make choices about what to buy and what to pass up because they want something else more, it teaches them about how life is going to be when they are working and paying for their own expenses.
The decision making process is very important for children to learn.
It's also very handy for it not to be mom & dad's fault and it relieves mom & dad from always having to say no.
No I can't/won't buy that for you today Versus It's too bad you didn't save any of your allowance money, you'll have to wait until next week/month and purchase it later. It sure lets Mom & Dad off the hook.
When they have spent all of their money, they shouldn't be allowed to borry any more or have mom or dad buy them what they want. This teaches them that they are responsible for their money, their decisions and their wants and desires.
In order for this to work, mom & dad cannot be purchasing everything the child wants. Mom and Dad should save purchases for Birthdays, Christmas (or other religious holiday), back to school shopping & special occasions. The occasional fun purchase from mom and/or dad is fine too. If you buy everything your child wants, when they want it, the allowance does no good.
You need clear guidelines as to what your child is responsible for paying for. Ideally you shouldnt expect your child to pay for necessities like school lunch, necessary clothes and any other expenses that you would expect a parent to have to pay for.
Your child should be expected to pay for: cell phone calls & text messages to friends, fun stuff for school (within reason), dances, fashion clothes that they desire, games, dates, etc...
This list is negotiable, but parents should decide on a budget for what the parent expects to pay for and what is expected for the child to pay. If a parent feels that they should pay for 1 sport a term, or they agree to pay for 5 dances out of the year, or they parent pays for the cell phone because it's on a plan where they child cannot exceed the basic charges, then that's OK.
What you are trying to avoid is purchasing everything your child desires and giving them money to squander. I hate to use the term squander, but it's a very important lesson for children to learn that money doesn't go on trees.
If your child has an allowance and they have to make choices about what to buy and what to pass up because they want something else more, it teaches them about how life is going to be when they are working and paying for their own expenses.
The decision making process is very important for children to learn.
It's also very handy for it not to be mom & dad's fault and it relieves mom & dad from always having to say no.
No I can't/won't buy that for you today Versus It's too bad you didn't save any of your allowance money, you'll have to wait until next week/month and purchase it later. It sure lets Mom & Dad off the hook.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The High School Years
Most of my friends know my high school years were no picnic. I was surely on the most hated list. People went out of their way to make each day as miserable as possible for me. I was called vile names every day, all day long. I was hit, kicked, put down, teased, and harassed by the minute.
The interesting thing was, that at my 5 year high school reunion, people said they never meant anything by it. I still don't get that. Why does someone go through so much effort to be so vicious towards someone when it doesn't mean anything to them? I now have the opportunity to go to my 20 year reunion some time in the next 2 years and I wonder if I should go, and if I should say anything to these people. I'm rather torn.
Am I supposed to pretend I'm really cool with everything now and tell them it's ok? Or should a few choice words be voiced? Will they get it? Is it worth my time?
Since I started this post I had a similar conversation with a very good friend show had similar experiences in High School. I told him the tormentors either dont get it and never will or they already feel badly about it. I guess I should take my own advice and not mention anything unless asked. But just in case you were one of those tormentors in your own highschool, hopefully you have some remorse and realize how closely you pushed some towards suicide and how your victim may face life long depression as a result from the stress. Teach your kids otherwise and pass on some tolerance and understanding.
The interesting thing was, that at my 5 year high school reunion, people said they never meant anything by it. I still don't get that. Why does someone go through so much effort to be so vicious towards someone when it doesn't mean anything to them? I now have the opportunity to go to my 20 year reunion some time in the next 2 years and I wonder if I should go, and if I should say anything to these people. I'm rather torn.
Am I supposed to pretend I'm really cool with everything now and tell them it's ok? Or should a few choice words be voiced? Will they get it? Is it worth my time?
Since I started this post I had a similar conversation with a very good friend show had similar experiences in High School. I told him the tormentors either dont get it and never will or they already feel badly about it. I guess I should take my own advice and not mention anything unless asked. But just in case you were one of those tormentors in your own highschool, hopefully you have some remorse and realize how closely you pushed some towards suicide and how your victim may face life long depression as a result from the stress. Teach your kids otherwise and pass on some tolerance and understanding.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
I bought a new bike
In order to get in shape and run a few errands without having to hop in the car, I purchased a new bicycle.
It's a pretty nice bike, but rather finicky. I keep having to take it back to the bike shop for minor adjustments, which is rather frustrating as the bike shop is a long drive from my house! So much for avoiding trips in the car.
Adding to my frustration is the fact that I missed that the bike was made in China. Severe disapointment here. When you spend that much on a bike, you just don't expect it to be made in China. Seems to be well made though, I guess the quality control people at Marin do a pretty good job.
I'm trying to get used to being on a bike again after all these years, but my bum just won't get back into it. It hurts. When does it stop hurting? I have no idea. I've tried 4 or 5 different bike seats over the last 10 years and they've all hurt. This one on the new bike is more comfortable then all the rest.
One really sad thought is that the seat on my old Huffy fits perfectly. Another sad thought is that the Huffy was made in the US. Last of the US made affordable kids bikes. My father bought it for me sometime in the early to mid 80s. I'm thinkin 1983, but since I have no concept of time, I can never be sure.
The Huffy was a great bike. It was quiet and exceptionally well balanced. I did everything in the world on the bike even though it was a 10 speed. I did jumps, gravel, sand, off road, stunts etc... I wasn't going to let the kids on the BMX bikes outshine me. And I wasn't going to trade my 10 speed for a BMX, I liked the 10 speeds.
The shame about using my Huffy like a BMX is that it took a lot of abuse. The frame is in pretty sorry shape and it cannot be rebuilt and ever be the same bike as it was.
My father left it in the rain when I moved out until every component on it rusted to malfunction. The reason it was left there, was because I thought I had gotten myself a new and better bike and I asked my Dad to store it for me. Of course then he stuck it in the rain and forgets to tell me until it's already been in the rain for more than 3 weeks.
But all that is getting off the subject. The replacement bike never did 'fit' right. It never felt like 'my' bike.
The new Marin, however, fits very well and I'm enjoying it.
The scarey part is the automobile drivers. It's a new hobby to lean out your passenger window and scream at the cyclist as you go by. I guess it's supposed to be funny to watch people crash. I'm also getting annoyed at the people who say, "oh so you're trying to make some sort of statement about driving!". No, no i'm not. I like riding. I don't like driving in our traffic and I don't like gas prices. I need the excercise. I really need the excercise. That's all my bike is about.
So please, can you quit screaming at me and let me ride?
It's a pretty nice bike, but rather finicky. I keep having to take it back to the bike shop for minor adjustments, which is rather frustrating as the bike shop is a long drive from my house! So much for avoiding trips in the car.
Adding to my frustration is the fact that I missed that the bike was made in China. Severe disapointment here. When you spend that much on a bike, you just don't expect it to be made in China. Seems to be well made though, I guess the quality control people at Marin do a pretty good job.
I'm trying to get used to being on a bike again after all these years, but my bum just won't get back into it. It hurts. When does it stop hurting? I have no idea. I've tried 4 or 5 different bike seats over the last 10 years and they've all hurt. This one on the new bike is more comfortable then all the rest.
One really sad thought is that the seat on my old Huffy fits perfectly. Another sad thought is that the Huffy was made in the US. Last of the US made affordable kids bikes. My father bought it for me sometime in the early to mid 80s. I'm thinkin 1983, but since I have no concept of time, I can never be sure.
The Huffy was a great bike. It was quiet and exceptionally well balanced. I did everything in the world on the bike even though it was a 10 speed. I did jumps, gravel, sand, off road, stunts etc... I wasn't going to let the kids on the BMX bikes outshine me. And I wasn't going to trade my 10 speed for a BMX, I liked the 10 speeds.
The shame about using my Huffy like a BMX is that it took a lot of abuse. The frame is in pretty sorry shape and it cannot be rebuilt and ever be the same bike as it was.
My father left it in the rain when I moved out until every component on it rusted to malfunction. The reason it was left there, was because I thought I had gotten myself a new and better bike and I asked my Dad to store it for me. Of course then he stuck it in the rain and forgets to tell me until it's already been in the rain for more than 3 weeks.
But all that is getting off the subject. The replacement bike never did 'fit' right. It never felt like 'my' bike.
The new Marin, however, fits very well and I'm enjoying it.
The scarey part is the automobile drivers. It's a new hobby to lean out your passenger window and scream at the cyclist as you go by. I guess it's supposed to be funny to watch people crash. I'm also getting annoyed at the people who say, "oh so you're trying to make some sort of statement about driving!". No, no i'm not. I like riding. I don't like driving in our traffic and I don't like gas prices. I need the excercise. I really need the excercise. That's all my bike is about.
So please, can you quit screaming at me and let me ride?
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