I wish I was better read or more well versed with the greatest authors so I could find some profound quote on death. Over the last few weeks, there seems to have been a number of "deaths" among "celebrities" in this world. Ed McMahon was followed by Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, the Oxy Clean guy (Billy Mays, a famous NFL quarterback was murdered (McNair), and now Walter Cronkite.
So much death... and all at in a condensed amount of time. This on top of 40 years ago today they landed on the moon, the economic crisis, the move toward socialized health care with a trillion dollar price tag to do it. The world is changing.
A former manager once told me that deaths of "good" people occurs when their energy and spirit are needed in the world to revitalize the earth's spirit and inject good back into the world. Many of these deaths have done that. Farrah's fight with Cancer brought people together. Jackson's dancing and music made us feel good and remind us to have fun. Billy Mays that life is too short and you have approach life with energy and gusto. McNair, that violence is sometimes unexpected and we all have to do our part to make the world a better place by living according to our highest morals. And now Cronkite.
I hope that Cronkite's death rejuvenates the field of journalism. Brings people back to the industry to provide real researched reporting, with less opinion and more fact. I hope it encourages reporters to again ask the hard questions whether they "support" a person or not, and actually especially if they support him or her. Ask those direct questions, because in this age of information overload, we need direct clear answers. We need someone who will not be afraid of looking bad by asking Obama why he hasn't written a bill to propose instead leaving it up to congress to do ALL the work. We need someone who is going to challenge the Republican party asking specific members WHY they are not for equal right in recognizing families differ and a "domestic" partner should be afforded the same right, and recognizing that will "rebuild" a home foundation with TWO parents because it will be allowed and accepted.
Someone who is going to challenge Senate committees, lobbyists and businessman to focus on a solution and do the research to bring to light all the "deals" that happen that aren't in the best interest of "the people." Who are aware of, inspire, and even demand that those with money and power are socially responsible and hold themselves to a higher ethical standard.
Walter Cronkite, I hope that your spirit goes out and brings honesty, integrity, curiosity, and a renewed vigor to seek out the truth in the field of Journalism.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
What I did at work today
Below is a chronology of our experiments with Peeps, those fun colored sugar confections that appear every year around Easter. Remember, we were at work. :-) Here are the emails that summed up our experiments. Identities have been concealed to protect the innocent and integrity of the research.
Official experiment log and responses of the Peep-ologists at company XYZ
March 9, 2009
Entry 1: Initial Experiment 9:30AM
These are the official findings of the “Peep” in the Microwave experiment:
The peep was placed on a paper plate and inserted into the microwave on Medium High for 30 seconds.
There was little or no change in first ten seconds. The peep then began to “puff” up. It stayed rather small for another 5 seconds and then came the dramatic change. The peep become “engorged” and swelled to massive proportions. Seeping beyond the sugar coating and becoming roasted on the inside.
The peep was removed with about 5 seconds remaining.
After viewing the results of the experiment, the participants consumed the peep commenting on the fact that it tasted better than if it had not been “Nuked”. The real drawback to the flavor was that the outside sugar coating got hard and really tasted bad.
So, in conclusion, peeps are good roasted if you can do away with the sugar coating and they are great fun to watch them swell into a massive lump, particularly if you are with a great group of people!!
These official findings will never be published beyond this email. So, don’t go looking for it in a science journal!
Entry 2: News release 10:00AM
Breaking news...in an unprecedented scientific experiment, held in Funsville, USA, peep research specialist Wisp (2009) identified the molecular constitution of the wingless bird. While the Wisp (2009) research demonstrated the breaking point of a peep, further studies are necessary to determine if the Chick Peep's cousin, Rabbit Peep, is made of the same stuff. The lingering question: Will a rabbit peep crack under the same nuclear pressure?
Reference:
Wisp, P. (2009). Personal demonstration of peep show. Company XYZ Kitchen; 3rd Floor.
Entry 3: Competing Theory
Bardin, a burgeoning peep-ologist, theorizes that the Rabbit Peep research will yield similar results to the Chic Peep experiments, performed by Wisp in 2009, with one major difference. Bardin’s theory states that the shape of the Rabbit Peep, while being bombarded internally by microwaves, will expand in a manner that has a higher level of hilari-ous-itude than the Chic Peep. Plus, and perhaps more importantly, there is the finite possibility that the remains of the Bunny Peep will without explanation, end up cradled between two flat, flour based, crunchy confections, with a small bar of processed, hydrogenated, sweetened and solidified product of the coco bean, after which it will miraculously disappear.
Entry 4: Official Findings Phase I, March 9, 2009 10:30AM
The Rabbit Peep experiment brought about drastic changes in the development of marshmallow expansion.
The circumstances and preparations were all consistent with the “chick” peep test. The same temperature was used as was the same microwave, leaving little to question as to the final results.
The microwave was set on medium high for 30 seconds. The rabbit peep began to expand into a massive mess of marshmallow within five seconds. The experiment was stopped at 20 seconds as the peep expanded and began to shrink.
Participants were mixed in their judgment as to which peep tasted better!
Missing from both experiments was chocolate and grahams, which would have added a new dimension to the overall outcome of in this experiment of “Peepology”
Further experiments will be conducted to determine the merging ability of two different peeps. It could solve the age old question as to which came first the chick peep or the bunny peep and which will best stand the test of time!!
Entry 5: Future research
New Peep-ologists are looking to expand Peep research even further. One researcher stated, "I am so excited about this research and wish to join the research team with a new project. Flaming the 'Peep' over open fire."
Is there more to come? Only the future will tell.
Official experiment log and responses of the Peep-ologists at company XYZ
March 9, 2009
Entry 1: Initial Experiment 9:30AM
These are the official findings of the “Peep” in the Microwave experiment:
The peep was placed on a paper plate and inserted into the microwave on Medium High for 30 seconds.
There was little or no change in first ten seconds. The peep then began to “puff” up. It stayed rather small for another 5 seconds and then came the dramatic change. The peep become “engorged” and swelled to massive proportions. Seeping beyond the sugar coating and becoming roasted on the inside.
The peep was removed with about 5 seconds remaining.
After viewing the results of the experiment, the participants consumed the peep commenting on the fact that it tasted better than if it had not been “Nuked”. The real drawback to the flavor was that the outside sugar coating got hard and really tasted bad.
So, in conclusion, peeps are good roasted if you can do away with the sugar coating and they are great fun to watch them swell into a massive lump, particularly if you are with a great group of people!!
These official findings will never be published beyond this email. So, don’t go looking for it in a science journal!
Entry 2: News release 10:00AM
Breaking news...in an unprecedented scientific experiment, held in Funsville, USA, peep research specialist Wisp (2009) identified the molecular constitution of the wingless bird. While the Wisp (2009) research demonstrated the breaking point of a peep, further studies are necessary to determine if the Chick Peep's cousin, Rabbit Peep, is made of the same stuff. The lingering question: Will a rabbit peep crack under the same nuclear pressure?
Reference:
Wisp, P. (2009). Personal demonstration of peep show. Company XYZ Kitchen; 3rd Floor.
Entry 3: Competing Theory
Bardin, a burgeoning peep-ologist, theorizes that the Rabbit Peep research will yield similar results to the Chic Peep experiments, performed by Wisp in 2009, with one major difference. Bardin’s theory states that the shape of the Rabbit Peep, while being bombarded internally by microwaves, will expand in a manner that has a higher level of hilari-ous-itude than the Chic Peep. Plus, and perhaps more importantly, there is the finite possibility that the remains of the Bunny Peep will without explanation, end up cradled between two flat, flour based, crunchy confections, with a small bar of processed, hydrogenated, sweetened and solidified product of the coco bean, after which it will miraculously disappear.
Entry 4: Official Findings Phase I, March 9, 2009 10:30AM
The Rabbit Peep experiment brought about drastic changes in the development of marshmallow expansion.
The circumstances and preparations were all consistent with the “chick” peep test. The same temperature was used as was the same microwave, leaving little to question as to the final results.
The microwave was set on medium high for 30 seconds. The rabbit peep began to expand into a massive mess of marshmallow within five seconds. The experiment was stopped at 20 seconds as the peep expanded and began to shrink.
Participants were mixed in their judgment as to which peep tasted better!
Missing from both experiments was chocolate and grahams, which would have added a new dimension to the overall outcome of in this experiment of “Peepology”
Further experiments will be conducted to determine the merging ability of two different peeps. It could solve the age old question as to which came first the chick peep or the bunny peep and which will best stand the test of time!!
Entry 5: Future research
New Peep-ologists are looking to expand Peep research even further. One researcher stated, "I am so excited about this research and wish to join the research team with a new project. Flaming the 'Peep' over open fire."
Is there more to come? Only the future will tell.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Rant: New home buyer $7500 loan in 2008 vs. $8000 for free in 2009
This is bull! The government is so stupid. Those people who made responsible decisions don't get any kind of break. I am ready to find a job where I will be let go so I can collect unemployment, which will allow me to get a loan modification for a lower interest rate, and a free $8000 from the government.
I don't' mind the $7500 "loan" in 2008 but it is Bull that the government is giving $$$ that doesn't have to be paid back in 2009. Not only are they handing people free money to buy a house (unlike the responsible citizens in this country), but they are giving it to people who are going to gain the most equity immediately in their homes if the market does rebound. I am all for giving them a loan, but with no repayment. We are already a trillion dollars in debt as a country. Oh my God, when is it going to stop.
No wonder the housing crisis happened. Our government is a horrendous example of fiscal responsibility. Our government is sending the message to the general public, there are more benefits than consequences if you set other people up to fail. Just wait for your neighbor to screw up.
Additionally, look at how much we are spending. We are spending money we simply do not have! I don't understand how that teaches the American people anything. Basically, if you don't have the money, borrow it and then more and more, it will be okay. I am sorry, isn't that why we are in this predicament in the first place. People were living beyond their means, now our government is living beyond its means. Even if we taxed every person making more than 100,000 dollars a year at 50%, I don't think we would be able to pay back the debt we are incurring, particularly when we are taking that tax and giving it away for free to people who barely contribute to the tax fund anyway. We are not a socialist country and I don't want to be. I wish I could decide who to help and who not to help. I am a bleeding hard liberal most of the time... but damn it, this is just stupid. Maybe it is time that I turn into a republican, because even though they may screw the little person, they make people work for their benefits at least.
I don't' mind the $7500 "loan" in 2008 but it is Bull that the government is giving $$$ that doesn't have to be paid back in 2009. Not only are they handing people free money to buy a house (unlike the responsible citizens in this country), but they are giving it to people who are going to gain the most equity immediately in their homes if the market does rebound. I am all for giving them a loan, but with no repayment. We are already a trillion dollars in debt as a country. Oh my God, when is it going to stop.
No wonder the housing crisis happened. Our government is a horrendous example of fiscal responsibility. Our government is sending the message to the general public, there are more benefits than consequences if you set other people up to fail. Just wait for your neighbor to screw up.
Additionally, look at how much we are spending. We are spending money we simply do not have! I don't understand how that teaches the American people anything. Basically, if you don't have the money, borrow it and then more and more, it will be okay. I am sorry, isn't that why we are in this predicament in the first place. People were living beyond their means, now our government is living beyond its means. Even if we taxed every person making more than 100,000 dollars a year at 50%, I don't think we would be able to pay back the debt we are incurring, particularly when we are taking that tax and giving it away for free to people who barely contribute to the tax fund anyway. We are not a socialist country and I don't want to be. I wish I could decide who to help and who not to help. I am a bleeding hard liberal most of the time... but damn it, this is just stupid. Maybe it is time that I turn into a republican, because even though they may screw the little person, they make people work for their benefits at least.
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