The Super Bowl ads of 2010 seemed to have a strange common theme running through a few of them: the normal life (of a man) is boring. Thanks TV, for confirming my decision to not live the normal life. I only hope these commercials work to inspire men instead of depress them. Videos below:
Example 1: Super Bowl Dodge Charger Commercial Moral: Being a man, you must do whatever your girlfriend/wife says (and these will all be things you won’t want to do)… except when it comes to the type of car you drive, which will make everything else bearable.
Rocket launched by Elon Musk's private space transport company, SpaceX.
Though, it sounded exciting, NASA’s Constellation Program, which planned to put astronauts back on the Moon by 2020, relied on outdated technology and was an unsustainable path for space exploration. Finally, NASA is moving past its role as “space station trucker” and Moon-traveling glory-story teller. President Obama announced today that rocket technology will be privatized and NASA will pursue a more flexible path into other more exciting parts of space (ig. nearby asteroids, a lunar moon, or a lunar orbit). Read the rest of this entry »
In the news, we constantly hear about tragic gun homicides and it seems as though it is increasing every year. The issue of gun control is inevitably discussed when a gun homicide occurs and often stricter gun control laws are proposed as the solution to future such incidents. However, with stricter gun control, can we truly protect ourselves from those who are a threat to our life? In this world, guns are necessary to protect citizens not only from internal threats but also from external enemies.
Gambling, hookers, booze, and staying up all night. That’s the stereotype of Vegas that the Tourism board wants you to live out. Hence the endorsed motto: What happens here, stays here.
Rule #1:Two nights max. Never stay in Vegas more than 3 days, and 2 nights. A) Your body can’t handle, B) Your mind can’t handle it, and C) Your wallet (or purse) definitely can’t handle it. The first day and night are fun. Soak up all the lights, the action, the excitement, and gamble a little. The second day and night are either a crazy blur, or a chance to see what you missed the first day. The third day you’re either hungover, or simply over it. Go home.
Rule #2:If you’re not willing to lose it, don’t gamble it. That’s the only gambling rule you need to stick to. The rest is up to you. Set aside an amount of money you plan to lose in Vegas and don’t gamble a dime more. If you lose it all in the first night, you’re done. Watch your friends or go see a show. If you’re smart, you’ll pace yourself and enjoy the money you spend on the various games that you probably can’t enjoy back at home. Whether it’s $100, or $5,000, set your limit and stick to it.
Rule #3:Stay near the strip. Vegas isn’t cheap, don’t try to do it cheap. Now, you don’t have to spend $300 for a room at the Bellagio, but you definitely want to be close to the strip. I recommend the Tropicana or maybe Hooters. Hooters is a dump, but it’s a comfortable bed a half block from the main area. Tropicana is the cheapest hotel/casino actually on Vegas Blvd. You should be able to get a room for under $80 on a weekday.
If you follow these three simple rules, you will have done Vegas right. Thousands of people regret their time in Vegas for one reason or another. Of the ones I’ve met, it’s because they broke at least one of these three simple rules.
Look I like Obama, but I like people understanding things better. Here are some things that you need to see in order to have a better understanding of the difference between millions of dollars and trillions of dollars.
First, take a look at this visual representation of $100, $10,000, $1,000,000, $1 billion and $1 trillion (click on the pic).
Then take a look at this video putting $100 million in budget cuts into perspective in regards to the $3.5 trillion budget.
An odd confluence of events occurred recently to cause me to go from managing an English school one month to being unemployed the next. Yes that’s right, I’ve been laid off as of Wed April 8th complete with a “I regret to inform you” letter and last paycheck. No pity necessary; I went surfing the next day. If you’re interested in the details, continue reading. (remember: I’m a plumber and plumbers can’t lie – everything told is as transparent and honest as possible).
Click for a larger view
If you remember correctly, I started my Teacher to Manager post with the same first 7 words as this post. I also concluded the first paragraph with, “at the last minute, I was tossed into the position.” This could have been the foreshadowing for the present situation. Being “tossed” into a management role is significantly different from being promoted to a management role. Read the rest of this entry »
A guy named Luke Riddle wrote an article entitled “Capitalistic Socialism” in which he states that, “Capitalism, no matter how you slice it sets money up as an idol.” This article is a response on “Capitalistic Socialism” as I disagree with the ideas Riddle lays forth.
Though his idea that money is Capitalism’s idol appears to be the case based on our current model of American Capitalism, I would argue that if you slice capitalism into its purest form, it sets production, not money up as its idol. What I mean by production is simply the creation of goods, services, or anything of value.
When a person creates something of value, he is contributing to the betterment of society. If it is of no value, inherently, it will not be a contribution to society, and thus, be worthless. If it is truly worthless, its monetary value will be zero. Capitalism appears to set money up as its idol solely on the fact that money has distortedly become the representation of value in our society. I argue that if the mindset of people were to adjust slightly to recognize production (adding value) as the ideal of Capitalism (and existence) instead of money (the tool and representation of value), then the world would be a better place. Read the rest of this entry »
The following is the gist of an e-mail I sent to friends and family concerning the $850 billion ’stimulus package’:
Right now, Congress is debating the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” This is the Obama-backed $850 billion bailout that you hopefully have heard about. It is our money the government plans to spend and divided by 300 million people, it’s over $2,500 per person. The government is about to take $2,500 from your future bank account. Thoughts?
I recommend taking a second to learn more about it, develop an opinion, and then contact your Senator concerning the bill. The bill passed in the House and is in the Senate right now.
I just sent a note to my elected officials using the We Campaign’s tool (Al Gore’s environmental website). I expect the bill to pass and I figure if the government is going to spend my money, it should at least hear I’d prefer it being spent – investing in alternative energy and long-term infrastructure. Here’s the link if you want to e-mail your reps as well.
I basically urged them to fight for more alternative energy funding in the bill. I recommend doing the same, or urging them NOT to pass it at all. Either way, it’s your money, I figured you might want to take a second to be involved. Read the rest of this entry »
Do you have time to let your mind get blown? Imagining the 10th dimension. This video describes the multiple dimensions. The descriptions of the first 3 dimensions may seem boring, but by the time you get to the 4th and 5th dimensions (4-D, and 5-D), I hope you’re in a thinking mood. Increase your Kunowledge!
Though his idea that money is Capitalism’s idol appears to be the case based on our current model of American Capitalism, I would argue that if you slice capitalism into its purest form, it sets production, not money up as its idol. What I mean by production is simply the creation of goods, services, or anything of value.
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