Snippets

I know it's rude to listen to those that are around you talk about what's going on in their lives but sometimes it's too hard not to listen. Like, the other day I was walking down the street after a successful term at the gym, minding my own business. It was late in the afternoon on a fairly busy city street when I heard this, "Yes, he faked his death and is now living in Mexico somewhere." I was so intrigued I wanted to turn around and follow the ladies to see if they were talking about what happened on their favorite TV show or someone they knew. What would you have done?

Total Reform

So, I have been pondering much about the state of the economy and how government just cannot seem to keep up with its spending initiatives. I guess, from my last post, you are clear about that! So, I have an idea that will be quite unpopular for some and, probably, quite popular for others, here it is:

Since this is the technology age, instead of having government offices for everything under the sun staffed in many places with many people and many computers and much overhead cost, why don't we require that some things be done by computer, and by computer only. If you do not have a computer there are computers available in every library and other public spots. You may use those. Can you imagine the amount of money we would save?

I know you are thinking, "Like what services?" So, here's what I am thinking, car registration and other automobile related transactions (there is no reason why most of these cannot be done online, of course there are exceptions here, like the actual driving exam); tax forms and advice (no more local IRS or state outlets but call centers would be available if you cannot find your answer online but you may have a wait ahead of you); those are the most obvious to me but there are hundreds of other opportunities to cut here. That way we could take the money the various governments continue to take from the education coffers and put it back.

What do you think? Am I on the right track?

Busy, Busy, Busy

Can you say busy enough? I know this is the time of year when everyone is crazy busy but this year it seems like I am in control in an out of control world. It is a little disconcerting to say the least. I am constantly feeling like I am missing something but, I am so at peace about it.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

This Makes the News?

I was at the gym yesterday afternoon watching the televisions (I rarely listen, I find it kind of entertaining to just watch and make up what people are saying). The teles have the usual mix of something for everyone, music videos, a talk show (like Tara or Oprah), sports, sitcoms, and, at least one channel always tuned to, CNN.

I am looking around at the various teles and settle on CNN for a bit. As I am on the elliptical trainer building up my cardio fitness I watch the ticker at the bottom of the screen, Obama visits with White House, something about Pakistan, Iraq, etc., then it passes by, "World's Ugliest Dog Dies".

I wait for the ticker to circle and I see it again, now that is news? And CNN News at that? It must have been a slow day in the news, which I guess isn't necessarily a bad thing.

These Boots Are Made For Walking!

I have these boots (but I have two of them) and since it is fall-like weather now I decided to wear them today, black boots, black skirt, black tights, sweater/jacket set, black trench coat.

So, today I leave for lunch at normal people's lunch hour because I was starving! Usually, I go to lunch sometime around 2:00 or so. As I am standing outside a potential eatery perusing the menu a rather nice-looking fellow approaches me and says, "Hi!"

"Hello," I respond

"I like your boots, they are very Sarah Palin-esque," he says.

I begin to think I might just mosey on down the street to the next place that catches my eye but, I can't. Instead I say, "Except that I had my boots before anyone knew how Sarah Palin was!"

To which he replies, "They are very Femme Fatale. Nice boots!" He starts to walk away, then returns and says, "You know, you are very striking." I was not quite sure what to say or if I should acknowledge but, I think I am too polite sometimes. I replied, "Thank you."

I stepped up to the counter to place my order all the while wondering how I was going to shake this guy. Well, when I turned around, he was gone.

Not sure if I was freaked or flattered but, I do now remember why I choose to go to lunch a little later than *normal*.

Daylight Savings Time

Wow, I cannot believe that Halloween is almost here. I remember each year sometime around Halloween, we have to start thinking about setting our clocks back to Standard Time so this is the time of year I ask, "When do we set our clocks back?" of "When does daylight savings end, again?" Those thoughts made me check the Daylight Saving Time schedule for 2008.

I remember that we used to lose Daylight Savings Time in October but fairly recently the time for setting the clocks back in the fall moved to sometime after Halloween, I think the first Sunday in November. So, the time change for fall 2008 is next weekend. On Sunday morning at 2:00 all the clocks go back. Yes, we gain an hour next Sunday. That means that for the states that participate Daylight Savings Time, (Arizona, Hawaii and some of the US Territories stay on Standard Time all year long) those citizens will turn their clocks back one hour at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 2, 2008. That is when the official time will change from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time.

So, plan ahead because you will have an extra hour to entertain, get things done, or just relax. What are your plans?

Obama Tax Calculator

I try not to talk politics because I think too many people just want to speak their piece and not listen too others, me included, so it's generally not a good idea for me to get going down that path. But, I don't count this as really talking politics. I found this Obama Tax calculator and I also found this other Obama Tax Calculator. It appears that the first one is the "official" version and the second one, well I have to say that I like the numbers on that one much better. Maybe "Joe the plumber" can plug his numbers in here and see what his taxes will be under each scenario and we can all move on.

Morning Banana Diet

Have you heard about this? Apparently it's all the rage in Japan and my guess is it's just a matter of time before bananas are a scarcity throughout the world.

Apparently, you can lose weight if you have a banana, or two or, actually, as many as you want, and some water at room temperature for breakfast. Then you can eat anything you want for lunch, a snack (at 3:00), and dinner but, you must complete your eating by 8:00 pm and you may not have any desserts after your meals (it actually does not say anything about having them before...). The only other caveat is that you must go to bed by midnight. Sounds pretty simple, huh?

I'm thinking that some bananas may be on my next shopping list.

Britney Come Back?

In Britney Spears' new video she debuts her new body, apparently all of it, and she is rumored to be in fabulous shape. Apparently, she hangs her success on the use of Nutrition 53. Nutrition 53 is ex-pro football payer, Bill Romanowski's, company that sells nutritional supplements. These supplements are apparently all the rage in Hollywood right now.



I did some quick research and I cannot find any real opinions on the Nutrition 53 products or program so if you have any information you'd like to share I am all ears.

Skin Care Junkie

You might not know it by looking at me but I am a skin care junkie. actually I think I am addicted. I want to try everything so I never, and I mean never, stick with the same brand or product time and time again. I surf the beauty boards looking for the next best thing then try to locate it and try it.

I recently read about the Clarisonic PRO Professional 3-Power Levels Skin Care System (I like the pink one but it also comes in white) and wondered if it could really be that great. Then my colleague brought it up saying it was REALLY expensive but her skin never looked or felt better. Of course, I did some research and thought I would never spend $200 on a product for my face (and it's not $200 any more!). Then I look back at all the products I have tried at most every price point and think, "Well, maybe." It sure does get rave reviews so it goes on my list, my Christmas list, that is. Maybe some unfortunate soul will read this (like my husband) and get a brilliant idea!

I'll keep you posted...