Sunday, 12. July 2009
Three years ago, I was using an average of 6,200 gallons of water a month for an average water bill cost of about $78. And I live alone.
$78… more than I actually was spending on gasoline every month! That is a lot of water. Enough to fill a 12-foot swimming pool every month. And, as it turns out, most of it I was simply flushing away. Read more �
Saturday, 13. September 2008
As one can see from my prior very-long-winded post about the so-called housing bill, I’m more than a little interested in the how the mortgage industry in our country operates. My own personal experience, which I’ll share now, perhaps will help not only illustrate just how screwed up the industry is, but also, how even the smartest of persons can end up with a mortgage nightmare. Maybe it will save a few of you some grief in your own lives.
Wednesday, 16. April 2008
Very likely later today, the Colorado senate will be voting on a proposal to raise the cost of a marriage license from $10 to $35. According to The Gazette, Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, is against the idea, arguing that the State should do “everything it can to promote marriage and should consider adding the fee to the cost of getting a divorce instead.” I say Schultheis is not only wrong, but that the Senate should consider raising the cost of a marriage license higher. Much, much higher.
Colorado, like many states, makes it extremely difficult and expensive to get divorced. Now, I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing, but I do believe the emphasis is in the wrong place. I don’t think divorce needs to be made more difficult. I think we need to make it far more difficult to get married.
Why? Because it’s cheaper – and simpler – to get married than it is to license my dog. Seriously. If I wanted to get married – and I don’t – all I need to do is go pay $10 and sign a short piece of paper. Until not too long ago, you didn’t even need to show an ID.
Wednesday, 16. April 2008
The flight is short between two worlds, less than two hours and I’m landing in an odd, strange world. I remain seated as those around me rush to grab their bags full of their ever-important-stuff from the overhead compartments, rushing to leave the plane even though no matter how much they rush, it always takes at least fifteen minutes to debark and at least an hour to get through Customs and Immigration.
Americans. Always in such a rush to get to the next red light.
Wednesday, 16. April 2008
It’s the time of the year when we spend hours wrestling with crowds in the mall, when finding a parking space within a ten minute walk of the store is the high point of the day, when we send cards to people we didn’t talk to all year, and warm our homes with the smells of baking and cooking. Turkey, ham, potatoes, fruitcake, yams, bread, and of course, holiday cookies: especially chocolate chip cookies. After all, what are the holidays without lots of diet-busting, tooth-decaying cookies to eat? Ahhh… you just have to love chocolate chip cookies… the feel of the dough as you mix it, the eating of a few raw chips before you add them to the mixing bowl, and the heart-warming smell of them baking.
 |