Christmas break

Ok, now finals are over. Its dark by 4:30 and cold. Ice on the roads and people drive 2 feet from my back bumper. I can't figure this out. I've wondered how many of them realize what can happen? I know I'm an irritating driver, because I always drive really, really slow. You know the type... holding every body up at only 5 mph over the legal limit. Imagine the audacity of it. Only going 60 in a 55. ( I am being sarcastic here ). And every night on the local network news there is inevitably some horrifying picture of smashed up cars where people were killed or maimed for life. For those of you who are reading this and think I'm just a wuss, go smash your fist into a brick wall. Now, how fast do you think your hand was moving when it hit? 90 mph, 80 mph? Unless your very unusual, it might be 40 or at the very best 45 mph if you are in real good shape. Ask any EMT and they will tell you that anything above about 35 mph and your dead, period. Did you know that most fatal motorcycle accidents happen at under 25 mph? So the next time your flying down the highway at 65 mph in winter driving conditions in your 4 wheel drive SUV with anti skid brakes and all the electronics, 10 feet behind that asshole in front of you; think about that one. Even with an airbag, if someone t-bones your vehicle at 45 mph with you in it, its good bye almost for sure, or worse in a wheel chair for the rest of your life.

Well, its summer, graduation is almost done for many students, and its pouring down rain! Here, there has been 15 inches so far since March 30. That's actually very good because this area was headed for a critical water shortage this summer. This has helped.

An opinion from a conservative in this area, that came to light yesterday, was that Bush has not been honest and wants only power: this conservative opinion would not have existed a year ago. Funny how time changes everything somehow. Does time heal all wounds or does time wound all heals?

Does absolute power corrupt absolutely? Can we, as a nation, make ethical judgements that reflect genuine compassion for potential victims who are referred to with the Orwellian slant as "collateral damage"?

On getting old

For those who are not there, if you make it you will know. What's it like to get old? You look in the mirror and see someone different; but you feel the same inside. Things hurt a little, but generally if you exercise you don't feel different. You are where you are, its the same as when you were 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 40. Life is life. That's where it stops. If you live in the U.S., you become worthless to many. You are treated as though you don't exist by many. There are exceptions, but they are few and far in between. You see the end in sight. What to do? Screw them all. Think young, think free and don't look at the end. Appreciate every day. There are many things free that enhance life. Allow yourself to jump out of the mold. Do what you can, exercise and eat right. Keep yourself active and challenged. Always look for the full side, not the empty side.