Human Foorprint

Do you know how much we each impact the Earth in our lifetime? I didn't have any idea until we watched a special on the National Geographic channel entitled "Human Footprint."

In our lifetime, despite being a determined recycler, I can expect to make a mark on this earth to an extent I never considered. I never realized how much so.

Each of us make this mark. Here is a brief list of items we use in a lifetime on this planet:

156 toothbrushes
389 tubes of toothpaste
656 bars of soap
198 bottles of shampoo
272 sticks of deodorant
10 televisions
15 computers
7 air conditioners
8 microwaves
12 cars
5,054 newspapers

We consume:

43,371 cans of soda
4,376 loaves of bread
13,056 pints of milk
13,248 cans of beer
942 bottles of wine

We will:

Use 64 trees to build a home
Spend 12 years, 183 days watching TV
Travel 627,000 miles (25 times around the world)
Use 31,350 gallons of gas
Make 263 visits to a doctor or hospital
Take 37,320 pills
Blink 415,000,000 times
Take 28,433 showers
Generate 64 tones of waste

A lifetime is considered to be an average of 77 years and 9 months.

For more information, check this link at National Geographic:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-footprint/

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"Hobby Job"

I am having a great time working with computers here. My friend, Jeff, bought the store in February of this year and coerced me out of retirement to come in and help him.

We have a great time helping customers with their computers and selling parts, systems and service.

The store is located in Grand Rapids at 3665 - 29th Street S.E. I'm there Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call me if you need anything . . . 616-977-9848.

Stop in and see Jeff, John, Rich, Ben, Josh, Matt, Kenny or me. 10 - 7 M-F, and 10 - 6 on Saturday. We'd love to help you out of a dilemma.

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Dad's Day

Once a year I get to do ANYTHING I want - with no reservations! But, of course, I stay within the realms of rationality and reality (and budget).

Today, depending upon the weather, I will either park myself on the deck and read and listen to music while being supplied with food and beverage by my delightful wife; or (if it rains) go to a movie or two.

But . . . . to get back to my purpose of Father's Day, I always remind myself of how fortunate I am to have such a great family ! ! ! ! I am very proud of my Daughter, who grew up into a very beautiful, intelligent, responsible (more than I was at her age), and talented person.

I am also humbled by the fact that two guys who are the Sons of my wonderful wife, accepted me into their family, despite me being such an old geezer (with a vibrant sense of humor).

THANK YOU ALL . . . This is a great Father's Day Gift

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Bad Roads & High Oil Prices - A Solution?

I think I may have hit upon a solution to the plight of our poor roads and the obscene profits the oil companies are grabbing.

Since many roads that are turning to gravel are constructed of asphalt (an oil-based product), instead of taxing the petroleum barons, why not take their profits in the form of oil and give it to a new government entity that would be responsible for improving our roads.

This new department would have the authority to distribute the oil to asphalt producers, who in turn would have to re-pave all the crumbling road surfaces they did a poor job on in the first place (due to the 'low bid' process).

I would call this new bureaucracy the Asphalt Supply System.

The czar of this newly created cabinet position would have the title of Head, Asphalt Supply System . . . . or Head A.S.S.

If any thought is put into the nomination of this individual, it might be smart to make sure his/her name is NOT "Jack" or "Jaq" otherwise the media could call the new boss . . . Jack A.S.S.

The money would pour out of a spigot (hole) directly to the asphalt manufacturers. It would be nicknamed "The A.S.S. Hole."

If the project does not function well, it could end up being 'the butt of all jokes.'

I think it would be appropriate if this solution would be linked to the legacy of our current federal administration.

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A picture is worth 1,000 words!

(Photo courtesy of Sari)

What more can I say?

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Finally . . . I've seen them all!

WOW! Ten seasons of the Sci-Fi channel's "Stargate SG-1." I haven't had access to the Sci-Fi channel until I got DISH Network in March 2007. And I started recording every episode they broadcast. I had a LOT of catching up to do.

Well, after over a year of recording and viewing . . . . I finished every episode. WHEW!

Now what to watch . . . . . oh, yes, I have 249 other channels to pick and choose from, including DIY (Do It Yourself) channel, the Military channel, HGTV (Home and Garden), Food channel, Travel channel, History channel . . . . well you get the picture.

But I'm gonna' miss the team of SG-1.

But, wait . . . isn't there a new Star Trek movie this summer?

"Live Long and Prosper!"

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"Who Killed the Electric Car"

THIS IS A MOVIE YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE!

Rent this documentary from your favorite video source (I use NetFlix), if you want to see how we have been SCREWED by General Motors.

It appears to me that the electric car is a great alternative to the gas-gouging vehicles we currently use.

WARNING: You will experience a rise in your blood pressure when viewing this movie!

I was very angry when I finished viewing this flick. You will be too!

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Bush Lied? GASP! Is that possible?

Stating that his "loyalty to the truth" overrode his "loyalty to Bush," former White House spokesman Scott McClellan has published a book, which details the ways in which the administration regularly lied to and deceived the American public. McClellan said that the White House had managed the debate leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq in a way that "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option." In this "culture of deception," the corporate media acted as "enablers" to the Bush administration's war of aggression.

McClellan undoubtedly wrote the book, to distance himself from an increasingly detested president. But the fact is that the longstanding beliefs of anti-war protestors have now been confirmed by a former Bush insider.

As I believed for some time now, "King George" lied about going to war; it was not just a case of "bad intelligence," but intentional deception. And we are stuck with it!

I've got to get a copy of this book . . . . what about you?

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Gas Prices = No Summer Travel

It appears that my summer travel plans have been shelved due to the obscene level of price for gasoline. I haven't yet paid over $3.95 per gallon, but I would expect that I will be pumping over $4.00 per gallon into my tank soon. As much as I would like to have a Hummer, I am so glad that there is not one parked in my garage.

With gas prices this high, individuals with part-time, minimum wage jobs won't even be able to afford to go to work. We do have reasonable mass transit, but there are places that the busses don't go. I really feel sorry for those who commute to work in other cities.

I guess most of my travel this summer will be LOCAL. Thank goodness West Michigan has some great places to visit.

I wonder what the gas and oil barons will be doing this summer . . . . Why do I visualize the McDuck cartoon . . . . of the rich uncle sitting in his vast monetary vault among the plethora of bills and bags of coins?

You can't tell me there are solid reasons why the price of gasoline is so high, except for the greed of oil barons and auto makers.

Flying anywhere is costing more, transportation of goods is costing more, prices are increasing everywhere . . . . except in the market for homes.

This is getting absurd. When is it going to stop?

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Barack Obama

Grand Rapids was the site of a major announcement for Mr. Obama on Wednesday, when John Edwards tossed his support to the Democratic presidential candidate.

I sense a major shift forthcoming for voters as many may now well consider Obama a more viable candidate with the support of Edwards.

Hmmmmm . . . . do I forsee an Obama-Edwards ticket? It may well be that more voters would be comfortable with that choice than with Clinton as a V.P. choice.

Also consider the potential for Edwards to eventually slide into position (again) as a presidential candidate in four to eight years.

Food for thought, as 'they' say.

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