Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Top Secret

Right now, I'm working on something so top secret that I can't even tell you. If I did tell you about it, I'd have to, like, make you promise not to tell anybody else. That's how secret this is, man. Totally cool, though. Wish I could tell you more, but I can't. It's secret. Remember? Right. I'll show you when I'm done and the coast is clear.

--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Monday, September 28, 2009

Website Power

I was gonna power my website entirely on wind generators, but since it's only windy in Wyoming here about 360 days of the year, I was concerned about that 5 days of down time. That's not good for business.

--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Good news, Wyoming! California is still stupid

by the Cheyenne Green Living Examiner


Under a severe budget crunch, California has three big plans to save their wallets from extinction: cancelling their big-money solar plant plans in the Mojave Desert, holding a big State yard sale to sell off overflow equipment and stuff they no longer need and... raising the amount of renewable power they are requiring themselves to buy.

That last one might not be so bad, as the original plan was to raise the mandate for the amount of power California must have from renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) to 38% and to do so from in-state sources.

Then came the Governator. Wyoming can thank him for nixing that plan and implementing only the bad bits. Bad for California, that is. So far, California is the number one importer of Wyoming green power and it looks like they'll continue to be so, no matter how many windmills we throw out there and how much power we can produce to send to the Golden State.

Once again, good news for us. We get the jobs, they get the debt. Good trade.

Eventually those socialists out there are going to have to wake up and realize that their high-dollar experiment has run out of funding and come back to earth. Until then, I say we milk them for all they're worth. It's not like we pay for the wind here. Right?

--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Gay Closet

I've always wondered if when a gay person changes to become straight, do they go back into the closet? What about bisexuals? Are they just sort of standing in the closet doorway like there's gonna be an earthquake or something?

Which brings to mind transgender and those who've undergone "the change." Do they go in, out, walk around the closet or what?

What if the closet door gets closed and locked? Is there no going back? Can you jimmy it? (Maybe that's the wrong term..)

This is extremely confusing stuff. Maybe if it made more sense, people would be more accepting of homosexuals.

Which makes me wonder how the closet feels about all this. It's sort of caught in the middle through no fault of its own.

If I were a closet, I'd just close my door, bolt it, and tell everyone to F off and find a new analogy.


--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Thursday, September 17, 2009

History of Government Industry

My cousin sent me this via email and I wanted to publish it here.

The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775 - they've had 234 years to get it right; it is broke, and even though heavily subsidized, it can't compete with private sector FedExp and UPS services.

Social Security was established in 1935 - they've had 74 years to get it right; it is broke.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938 - they've had 71 years to get it right; it is broke. Freddie Mac was established in 1970 - they've had 39 years to get it right; it is broke. Together Fannie and Freddie have now led the entire world into the worst economic collapse in 80 years.

The War on Poverty was started in 1964 - they've had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our hard earned money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor"; it hasn't worked.

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 - they've had 44 years to get it right; they are both broke; and now our government dares to mention them as models for all US health care.

AMTRAK was established in 1970 - they've had 39 years to get it right; last year they bailed it out as it continues to run at a loss!

This year, a trillion dollars was committed in the massive political payoff called the Stimulus Bill of 2009; it shows NO sign of working; it's been used to increase the size of governments across America, and raise government salaries while the rest of us suffer from economic hardships. It has yet to create a single new private sector job. Our national debt projections (approaching $10 trillion) have increased 400% in the last six months.

"Cash for Clunkers" was established in 2009 and went broke in 2009 - - after 80% of the cars purchased turned out to be produced by foreign companies, and dealers nationwide are buried under bureaucratic paperwork demanded by a government that is not yet paying them what was promised.

So with a perfect 100% failure rate and a record that proves that each and every "service" shoved down our throats by an over-reaching government turns into disaster, how could any informed American trust our government to run or even set policies for America's health care system - - 17% of our economy?

Maybe each of us has a personal responsibility to let others in on this brilliant record before 2010, and then help remove from office those who are voting to destroy capitalism and destroy our grandchildren's future.

--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Friday, September 11, 2009

This is Heroes' Day

I'm going to stick my neck out and say something that some might consider inappropriate for this day, the anniversary of 9/11/2001.

Today is not Patriot's Day.


We all know the history of 9/11 and what happened on this day in 2001. We also know why it is called Patriot's Day and why President George W. Bush and Congress thought it appropriate to name this day Patriot's Day.

They were wrong.

Today is not Patriot's Day and what happened on 9/11 was not a patriotic thing. What happened on that fateful day was the willful slaughter of thousands of innocent Americans who were going to work that day like they would any other day. Some worked in an office, some wore badges, some carried wrenches, but all were just men and women, regular people, going to work.

What happened on 9/11 was a massive group and individual showing of bravery by the men and women tasked with responding to emergencies such as what happened at the Twin Towers on that sad day in our history.

Those people were not Patriots, they were Heroes. Patriots are those who fight for their country, whether with words, deeds, or both. Heroes are those who put themselves at risk in order to save others whose lives are already at risk.

On 9/11/2001, Heroes ran to the rescue of those who were in peril.

On 9/11/2001, people who normally would consider a good game of racquetball or getting on the subway after 10pm to be a nerve-rending event were called, instead, to care for wounded and bloody co-workers, to carry the injured down smoky stairwells, or otherwise commit acts of bravery beyond what any worker in the Twin Towers ever imagined themselves being required to do. Heroes responded to an event that occurred without warning, heedless of the danger to themselves as they helped their fellow man.

Patriots, by contrast, amassed in Lexington Square on April 19 in 1775 and decided to tell their oppressors, once and for all, that they weren't going to stand for the tyranny any longer. Patriots, on that day, fought and died for their beliefs and their country.

The biggest difference between a Hero and a Patriot is the thought behind the actions taken. A Hero must decide in a split second whether they are to be a hero or a coward. A Patriot has time to consider the options and decide the best course of action to achieve the goals that will save his or her ideals.

Neither is better or worse than the other. Both require a strong inner resolve and a dedication to the welfare of others. Heroes are required to be reactionary, ready to respond right away and to not worry about putting their lives on the line to help others. Patriots are required to be strategists who put their lives on the line when it will cause the most harm to the enemy.

9/11 is Heroes Day. A day when true American Heroes showed that no matter how soft the world thinks we are, no matter how compliant the enemies of this country might believe us to be, there are always plenty of Americans who're willing to jump in to do what needs to be done. To do what's right.

Hopefully we can count on those Heroes amongst us today to also be Patriots. Because the time is coming when the job of Heroes will take a back seat and the role of the Patriot will need to be filled.

Today, we remember the Heroes. Take your hat off and pray for those Heroes who didn't make it. Tomorrow, I hope you'll then look to your flag, your rifle, and your resolve and remind yourself that our country needs Patriots now more than ever.


--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

5 Most Romatic Places to Propose

I was thinking about this, after reading a Tremendous News post this morning. I started thinking about my own marriage proposal and how it could have been.

I was honestly not all that romantic about it. I didn't swing for a fancy dinner, didn't buy expensive flowers, or any of that. In fact, I proposed at home while we were watching TV. I just kind of blurted it out. "Hey, we should get married." A couple of months later, we were in Vegas.

It worked out, I guess, but it wasn't all that romantic. Here's how it could have been, in my mind. It's all about real estate: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. So here's my list of the 5 most romantic places to propose marriage.

1. Denny's
How can you go wrong with Denny's? It's the all-American restaurant, always has the happiest and most service-oriented wait staff, and has a general atmosphere that just screams "ROMANCE." Even in the smoking section.

2. Facebook
How more romantic can you be about expressing your love and wanting to be with someone for time and all eternity (or next week, whichever is greater) than by broadcasting your intentions over your Facebook wall? And theirs, of course. Otherwise it's just kind of silly.

3. The Swap Meet
Back east, you Yanks will call these "flea markets." I guess you don't have Indians and horses and stuff there. Anyway, the swap meet is probably the most charming, expressive, memorable, and romantic outdoor location I can think of for an excellent marriage proposal opportunity. They're always clean, full of the nicest and most well-groomed people, and the bargains... Hoi!

4. The Zoo
Think about it. It's obvious. Most people love animals and the zoo is full of animals. What more romantic location that just screams "FAMILY ATMOSPHERE" could you pick than the zoo? I mean, it's full of animals in prison who're just ecstatic to be there and stuff. Plus the jungle sounds are sexy. Note: avoid the monkey cages when proposing. Nothing ends a marriage's future faster than chimp poop.

5. The Star Trek/Anime/RPG Convention
Bonus points if it's all of those rolled into one event. Nothing says "I'm a sexy bitch" more than one of these conventions. As a bonus, chances are you're the hottest couple in attendance too. To do it right, though, you've got to be in costume AND seize a microphone during a presentation to make the proposal in public and preferably in song (themed to the convention, of course). Note: this is not a direct jab at Nick and Rebecca.



--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Monday, September 7, 2009

For Harold

A friend of mine, Harold Sensor, died this weekend and I just found out about it today.

Harold had crooked teeth and shaved his head, but he was a happy man, a fun guy, and a very good friend. He talked nice about people or didn't talk about them at all.

He always wanted to buy dinner, share a cigar, or otherwise shoot the bull.

Sometimes Harold was a little goofy, often he was maybe a little too smart, but never was he mean or vindictive and he was always there. He answered his phone when I called to complain and he laughed at my stupid jokes.

We shared mutual friends, contented heartburn after dinner, and usually we were glad to have run into one another.

With Harold, there was no reason to fight, no mean spirits to contend, and nothing too rude or obnoxious not meant as a joke.

I am glad to have known Harold Sensor and he is one of the characters who've storied my life that I won't easily forget or regret knowing.

So take a worthwhile rest, Harold, on a comfortable cloud. But not for long, knowing you, I'm sure you'll be back, somewhere, sometime.

I will watch for you.

--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Secret to Lasting Marriage

A lot of people have all kinds of advice on "lasting marriages." Dr. Phil and all those dillweeds have lots of things to tell you about what you should be doing to keep a good marriage going. Or repair a bad one.

Whatever, dude.

Here's my advice, which I can confidently give after ten years of real-world marriage experience and zero psychotherapy and psycho-babble classes on the subject:

Be stubborn.

That's it. Stubbornness saves marriages. I'm convinced.

Look, I'll explain.

I have red hair. I'm extremely stubborn. Bull headed, hard as a mule, dumb as an ox, whatever you want to call it. I. Do. Not. Budge. Easily.

Therefore, we've stayed together. I won't go away, I refuse to be convinced we should split up, and I rarely even consider the possibility that we aren't "right for each other."

None of that clap-trap about "communication" and "keeping it real" is involved here. Just the fact that I will not give up. That's it.

Sure, we yell once in a while. Get angry sometimes. Call each other names occasionally. We're civilized (mostly), though, so we don't beat on, throw stuff, or otherwise abuse each other. No midnight stabbings or drunken fisticuffs happens here. We do have a row once in a while.

I've got news for Dr. Phil: that's fucking normal. People who live together, sharing finances, food, problems, dysfunctional families, etc. will fight. Welcome to the real world.

The question is how do we fight and do we make up for it afterward?

See? I suppose some psychologist will quack about how fighting is a form of communication and whatever. Ya, sure, pal. Fine.

The point is the fighting doesn't end the relationship. Why? Because we're too friggin bullheaded to let that happen.

Some people might call that hard-headed stubbornness "love." That's as good a word as any.


--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me

M&Ms

Which color of M&M is the one that will kill you? I forgot. Tell you what, I'll just eat all of these and we'll see what happens. I also heard that the good colors balance out and negate the bad effects of the bad color.

--Read more coherent stuff from Aaron by visiting his main blog at Aaron's EnvironMental Corner - where the environment is looked at mentally. Or something like that. Or just Twitter: Tweet Me