Just learned about an ‘eco-friendly’ webhosting service you should take a look at
I just heard about ThinkHost, a webhosting company that is 100% powered by wind and solar power. Think about that when you think about hosting your blog or website. That's a pretty amazing claim.
I presently have a contract with a different hosting company, but I'm taking a close look at ThinkHost and their webhosting services. Go ahead and click on their links here (or on the display ad to the right) and find out for yourself. As another amazing "beyond green" feature, ThinkHost will plant a tree on behalf of each customer who signs up for their webhosting service. Wow!
[tags]ThinkHost, 'beyond green' webhosting, webhosting services, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
National childhood obesity epidemic? Maybe more play would help
Tackling our national obesity and related health epidemics (did I mention that I'm seriously overweight myself?) should begin with kids playing more, not with fancy weight equipment but playing games and running around parks and playgrounds.
When I was a kid, growing up in a very small town in mid-America (Tecumseh, Nebraska) in the 1950s, it was common for summer to be spent almost entirely at the local park and swimming pool. Oh, sure, some of us who were more "eggheaded" than others made regular visits to the town's small library. But freedom to play and families who encouraged play, made Old Egghead Me the chubby exception rather than the rule.
Today's kids have a different set up, really, especially those living in large towns and cities: In fact, it is risky to let small kids (even larger kids) roam unattended. So the playground and park time, and pool time, must be more closely supervised. But PLAY should be the key, not EXERCISE. Play is fun; exercise can be fun but also resembles work a little too much.
And don't forget a real tool you have to combine play and exercise for today's kids: Wii.
I don't own a Wii, i.e., that wonderful active gaming system by Nintendo, but I can point you to a website where you can find some great discounts and offers on Wii games and Wii stuff -- including such Wii games as Wii Fitness, which incorporate great physical exercise with play for kids and adults. (HINT: To find the site, just look in the footer on this page for one of our network sites devoted to Wii games and stuff.)
Whatever you choose to do, your kids AND you can overcome obesity and have fun doing it, with more play more fun, less "exercise" -- oh, yeah, and probably smaller food portions!
[tags]overcoming obesity, having fun, playful excercise, Wii games and stuff, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Energy policies based primarily on oil are ALL ultimately flawed beyond fixing
There's no getting around it, America (for that matter the whole world) needs a solution to the "energy crisis" we have become painfully aware of in recent months because of the high price of gasoline and the outrageous (obscene?) amounts of profit raked in by the oil companies.
I won't get on a rant against Big Oil, but I simply must do my small bit at helping America think about a sane "energy policy," whatever that is.
My son (he's an engineer so very direct by nature) has put it as well as I could regarding the myriad plans for reducing oil consumption, hybrid vehicles, "clean coal" plants, and all the rest: "You know, it's all fossil fuel and no matter what we do to cut back, conserve, drill, or not drill, it will someday run out."
That, really, is the bottom line: Oil and coal, completely apart from any advantages or disadvantages, will some day run out. It may be 10 years, 30 years, or 100 years, but there is only a finite supply of oil in the world. Measures to formulate any energy policy based on oil are ultimately doomed. Or, to look at it another way: the best acne treatment plan in the world only covers up the blemishes if it fails to treat the underlying disease(s).
The best energy policy in the world, likewise, only covers up the problem if it fails to SERIOUSLY develop non-oil energy sources to power our vehicles, heat/cool our homes, and run our industries.
Here's a thought, I believe, in the right direction: Hydrogen powered vehicles are not really far out of reach. At least two major automakers (BMW and Honda, I think) already make usable hydrogen powered vehicles. The challenge mostly is to provide affordable, widely available hydrogen "stations" where they can fuel up.
Wake up, folks. Don't let any politician of any political party play "the energy card" and fool you into thinking more drilling for oil is the answer. That's only covering up the blemish. Alternative fuel sources will always and only be the "answer" to America's and the world's energy future.
[tags]alternative fuel sources, hydrogen powered cars, energy policy, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Do you buy office supplies? Do you ever buy them online? How does that work for you?
Funny what a person thinks about sitting in the midst of a rainstorm looking at a computer screen. In my case, the old mind turned toward office supplies -- what I need, what I buy, and where/how I buy 'em.
So naturally, I wondered -- what office supplies do you buy and where do you buy them. Do you buy office supplies online, and how well has that worked for you.
Maybe it's the writer in my, but I probably enjoy shopping at a good office supply "big box" store more than I enjoy going to one of the "big box" home improvement stores. I like to browse everything from the computers and printers to the printer cartridges and paper supplies.
In my case, the office supplies I buy on line are generally computers and computer related parts and equipment. I simply have found more good deals on computers, computer memory, etc., online rather than in my city. (With the exception of our local "Best Buy" store. I have had such terrible personal experiences buying computers from them that I will never do it again.)
As far as routine pens, notebooks, folders, printer paper, printer ink, etc., I generally don't go to office supply stores either online or offline -- I get most of that stuff at my local Wal Mart store.
How about you? What sorts of office supplies and equipment do you buy online? Or elsewhere?
Nothing profound here. Just curious.
[tags]office supplies, buying office equipment online or offline, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
I’ve never understood obsessions some people have about sports equipment
Many years ago, I went through a "running phase" -- a period of a couple of years when I started jogging for health and weight loss which turned into a fairly hardcore spell at running some 10K road races. (I did one half-marathon, but never tried a marathon.)
In the course of my running days (daze), I discovered the science of running shoes, i.e., the entire industry out there eager to get you to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on quality, specialized running shoes. If you aren't a runner, you can't appreciate the finesse and nuances of the shoes. (Perhaps golfers get some taste of this with the myriad of styles and functions involved in buying golf shoes, but I think running shoes go way beyond golfers' shoe obsessions.) Oh, don't get me wrong. I understand the basic need for quality, supportive shoes to keep runners' feet and legs healthy.
Or, maybe not. There's been a lot said and done in recent years about running, walking, and living barefoot. Yes, there are actual studies and "apostles" out there who insist the human foot, leg, and entire body would be stronger and healthier if we all went completely shoeless. The fact of the matter is, I'm much more comfortable walking around the house barefoot than in my best pairs of shoes.
But whether we're talking about running, golfing, or baseball -- sports fans really do tend to obsess over their equipment. I suppose sports pros are the same way, but I really understand pros who are driven to have the very best, latest equipment. After all, it's their job at stake when they run, play ball, whatever.
Lighten up, sports fans. Have fun, but don't overspend for no good reason. Use your money well and wisely. Now, about that incredible pair of shoes I picked up online a few weeks ago ...
[tags]sports fans, sports equipment, running shoes, barefoot runner, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Most of America’s homeowners hope for ‘Fannie’ and ‘Freddie’ to stay well
I know very little about mortgages, mortgage lenders, and the whole mortgage industry. We've lived in the same old house (built in 1911, I think?) since 1980. Although we've refinanced it a few times, we haven't done so lately. But I do know this: When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in trouble, we're all in trouble.
Those are the two federally established agencies that guarantee at one stage or another the majority of home mortgages in America. The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) was set up under FDR's New Deal then rechartered by Congress as a publicly traded company in 1968. It's the nation's largest mortgage buyer. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) is the nation's second largest.
If these two biggies go under as a result of the huge home foreclosure crisis, we might as well fold up our tents, figuratively, and steal off across the desert sands to throw our lot in with the Arabian oil magnates -- because there'll be little left of America that the Arabian nations, Japan, and China don't own. Many financial pundits are certain that the federal government simply will in no case allow Fannie and Freddie to fail. To do so would be, seriously, the destruction of much of our economy.
I hope and pray the pundits, in this case, are right, don't you?
[tags]mortgage lenders, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, financial pundits, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Online shopping has changed the way we shop for many things, hasn’t it?
I've made two or three recent purchases online in recent weeks -- in both cases, I bought books. In one instance, I found a great price on a used copy of a book I wanted at Amazon books. In another case, I found the best deal I could as a "Buy It Now" option on eBay and made my purchase there.
In every case that I've bought something from Amazon or eBay, I have had nothing but good fortune. The condition of things I've bought has been as described. The shipping has been prompt and there were never any hangups with lost or damaged merchandise.
Here's the amazing thing: Probably 10 years ago, I never could have made my purchases, because there was little or no recognizable "Internet" and certainly very little "online shopping" anywhere. The best I could've done 10-15 years ago would be mail order catalogs. Today, I spent several hours working at this keyboard setting up an online affiliate marketing site. Something that was completely unknown back then.
How do you use the Internet? Do you shop online much? Once in awhile at least? Let us know.
[tags]online shopping, buying from Amazon, buying from eBay, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
As I get older, I worry more and more about Medicare surviving
Let me say up front -- I currently have NO medical insurance. Since I quit the old "day job" last fall to work full time at this Internet adventure, I have not had medical insurance. I've been sufficiently healthy that it hasn't worried me so far. I've figured either I would 1) start making enough to buy private health insurance, or, 2) live to be old enough to get on Medicare in a few more years. (Yes, I am getting that old!)
The good news is, I'm staying healthy so far. The bad news is, Medicare isn't -- staying healthy, that is. I just saw a report on CNN about the latest Medicare cuts and the way doctors are starting to close their doors to new Medicare patients because they simply can't afford to treat them.
Just my luck, I guess. When I finally get old enough to take advantage of one of the few working/workable federal programs, the program itself breaks down. Ah, well. Just need to remind myself, life went on for centuries before the government invented Medicare. And life will continue long after Medicare is gone.
[tags]Medicare, federal programs, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Looking for some family fun? How about Radio Disney artists at Morey’s Piers?
If you're looking for a quick, fun, and family oriented vacation in New Jersey, this might be just the opportunity you're seeking. Things to do in New Jersey in July really must include paying a visit to Morey's Piers and enjoying free Disney Radio artist concerts, at the finest Wildwood NJ motels, along and near the beach front at Morey's Piers.
If you're headed that way, or haven't yet found a good family vacation and WILL be heading that way, there's still time to settle into a nice hotel and take advantage of the "Magic Monday" concerts for the remainder of July, on the 14th and the 21st. Featuring Radio Disney artists, these FREE concerts will take place at the Radio Disney stage next to the Giant Ferris Wheel on Morey’s Mariner’s Landing pier. Show times are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The Radio Disney Summer Concert Series finale will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Wildwoods Convention Center Oceanfront Arena. That finale will feature Raven-Symone from Disney Channel’s “That’s so Raven” and the currently showing Walt Disney movie, "College Road Trip" starring Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone. The July 26th concert will also feature Mitchell Musso from the "Hannah Montana Show."
What's the catch? Nothing to "catch" here except a great family fun vacation. Plus, July 26th concert ticket holders may enjoy super savings at Morey’s Piers from the time of purchase through July 27, 2008. Simply show your official July 26 Radio Disney Summer Concert Series finale ticket at Guest Services on Mariner’s Landing and receive $10 off an all-day waterpark ticket for either Raging Waters or Ocean Oasis, or $10 off an amusement pier wristband valid for all three of Morey’s Piers, or $15 off a one-day splash and ride combination ticket.
Can't beat a "catch" like that one at Morey's Piers, can you??
World’s nations simply won’t get serious about tackling world climate problems
I remember how amazed I was as a kid to see one of the NASA launches canceled because there were storm clouds within X number of miles of the Florida launch site: If we could send people to the moon, shouldn't we be able to launch rockets even if there were storms??
Fast forward to my adult years, and I am beginning to learn a lesson all the world needs to take more to heart: The weather, everything related to Climate Earth, is awesome and cannot be controlled -- but it appears that we can do stuff as puny little human beings that isn't HELPING the climate/weather/global warming crisis we appear to be facing.
One of the things we can do that's very harmful, and we do it every day, is pump pollutants and so-called "greenhouse gases" (chiefly carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere, hoping somehow it will just go away and all will be well.
All is not well, and with the G8 and G5 nations -- arcane labels for the world's leading and second-leading industrialized nations -- addressing such issues, things are not looking much better. You see, there's a price attached to cleaning up the gases we release into the atmosphere that no one really wants to pay. If you're an "industrialized" nation, you risk slowing or even shutting down your economy if you restrict greenhouse gas emissions significantly. If you're an "emerging" industrial power, you'll likely not get there if you restrict industry enough to make significant cuts in greenhouse emissions.
What's it gonna be? We have two choices, it seems, in the end: 1) stifle or even cripple the economy, or, 2) boil/roast in our own pollutants and take a good deal of the world down the tubes with us.
Gee, what I wouldn't give for a quick, easy answer to this one. But, as I often said here in the past, I'm just a guy who reads the papers. So, what are we going to do about this mess? Anyone??
[tags]greenhouse gases, atmospheric pollution, industrialized nations, emerging nations, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
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