Life Is Such A Sweet Insanity.

Lunch In The Sun.

Originally uploaded by macwarriorny.

I decided to do something today that I haven’t done in a long while. Instead of buzzing home for lunch, I went and parked at the ballpark that Earl and I used to frequent last summer. I felt like it was an appropriate way to wind down with the unofficial end of summer. I was hoping that Earl could join me, but unfortunately we couldn’t get our lunch hours to synchronize, so I’m going at it solo. At least I get to drive his Jeep today while the Acura is getting his first tune-up.

Sitting in the sunshine does wonders for clearing the head. It’s sort of like mental floss, the sunlight cascades in and reaches every nook and cranny of body and soul, washing away the dark impurities and bringing in a needed warm feeling. It’s like a hug from the universe. Just what the doctor ordered.

Earl and I have not made outrageous plans for the holiday weekend. With gas at very, very high prices, we figured we’d do our part and refrain from a road trip to nowhere. We’re going to go to the New York State Fair one day. I’ll be sure to take a lot of pictures. There’s a lot of things in New York State that frustrate the heck out of me, but I’m rather proud of our State Fair. I hear it’s one of the biggest in the country. Earl has mentioned on more than one occasion that it’s much bigger than the fair in Pennsylvania. And our fair has been located on one site for a long, long time; pretty much smack in the middle of the state in Syracuse. The Salt City has always been a hospitable host.

I’m so glad it’s Friday. I’m happy it’s the Friday before a long weekend. As I type that thought, I wonder if the folks in New Orleans and surrounding areas even realize that it’s Friday. Or if it’s a holiday weekend for that matter. How are they keeping track of the days? By counting the promises made of incoming supplies or evacuation buses? By how many sunsets they witness before eat their next meal? The situation is unbelievable. No human being, regardless of nationality, creed, color, sexual orientation, whatever, should have to live in that type of environment. They need help and they needed it two days ago. I can’t help but wonder if there were no budget cuts to the levee system back in June if they would be in the same situation today. I wonder why anyone would build a metropolis below sea level in a giant bowl. A scenario that relied on man-made pumps and such. History has shown that when it’s man against nature, nature always wins. We should live in harmony with the universe, not against it. She should be our friend, not our foe.

There’s a gentle breeze blowing through the Jeep. The sun is still showing brightly. I think I’m going to take a cat nap.

The American Red Cross is doing a day long telethon today from the telephone company I work for. They’ve already exceeded their goal of $50,000 with a total of $61,000-plus, and that was around 11:00 a.m. I think it’s wonderful that people all across the United States are doing what they can to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

My blog friend OPIEblue mentioned another charity on his website that I donated to and I urge you to do the same. It’s the Humane Society of the United States, and they’re helping lost and abandoned pets left in the hurricane’s wake. As he mentioned, even apart from the humane concerns, the number of dead animals contribute to the disease potential in the area and the humane society is helping with the clean up.

Here’s a link if you would like to make a donation.
Click here.

I just had a wildly innovative brain storm about the recent surge in gas prices.

Go metric.

That’s the answer. After all, if the U S Government can adjust the clocks with the idiotic Daylight Saving Time extension so that we save energy and make people happier by giving them “more sunlight”, why doesn’t the U S switch to metric measurements so gas is only $0.82 a liter?

Seeing $0.829 up on a gas pump would make everyone feel so much sunnier.

As I browse through the articles, blogs and photos of the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina I ask myself, how can I complain about a pool that’s gone green or a grandmother obsessed with her change purse at the dollar store?

Our thoughts are with you all affected by Katrina.

A couple of weeks ago one of the blogs I read, OPIEblue, mentioned that song from a couple of years ago that talks about always wearing sunscreen. I think the title is “Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen”. Ever since reading that blog entry and thinking about the song and what not, I’ve had little Nuggets of Wisdom bouncing around in my head that I thought I’d take the time to share. I fully support these beliefs and feel that they lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Live A Little In The Express Lane. If you’re in the 20 items or less lane at the market, department store or convenience store, don’t show a lack of courtesy to those behind you by counting out $33.16 in pennies to pay for your purchase. Either fork out the green stuff or swipe your ATM card through the slot. Live on the edge and risk the ID theft by using your credit card. Those behind you will thank you.

Burn Your Checks. In this day and age, writing a check at aforementioned establishments only convinces those behind you that you don’t really have the money for your purchase and are trying to play the obsolete “float” game. Writing a check indicates that you have no grasp on today’s financial methods and that you really need to get a clue.

Use The Lane. While making a left turn on a multi-lane highways, it’s more acceptable to use the left lane for this purpose rather than inconsideratly dashing across the roadway at the last possible moment. Just because you have a ridiculously huge vehicle does not necessarily mean you have the biggest balls. Actually, it’s usually indicative of quite the opposite.

Drive. Keeping within the vehicular motif, when you’re behind the wheel of the car, please take a moment and actually drive the vehicle. Pay attention to the task of actually maintaining highway safety for yourself and those around you. There’s no need to put on makeup, shave, make a bagel, watch television, read a book, curl your hair, IM your best friend, smack the kids around or masturbate while you’re moving at 65 MPH on the freeway.

Believe. No matter what your spiritual beliefs are, please enjoy your relationship with your chosen deity and revel in it. But don’t beat others over the head expecting them to follow your path to enlightenment. Many worship a God, some worship money, but few worship a “Bible Beater”.

Start off Clean. When you go to bed Sunday night, ready for the work week that lies ahead, go to bed with the washer and dryer empty and the clothes put away. You’ll thank yourself for it the next morning and you’ll have something to wear after staggering around in the early Monday morning.

Smile. Let them see you smile. Smile on the inside. Smile on the outside. Laugh out loud. You’ll feel much better and you’ll be known as the person that can light up a room.

Show Respect. Treat others with respect, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. Every human being deserves respect, even if they’ve just pissed you off beyond belief. Degrading another is a feeble attempt at reconciling a flaw within yourself.

And always remember to wear sunscreen.