Another day in the wonderful world, which is full of the beautiful and the disgusting, the kind and the gruff, the light and the dark, rags and riches, and you and me.
I haven't ridden my bike to work for two weeks now, and it is depressing. Never mind that the weather has been beastly hot and we have had some torrential rainfalls - we have had more rain than anytime since 1880 something - that's quite awhile. My piece of mind is now in several pieces. A small consolation is riding the CTA to work, bus and train, as I have been trying to catch up on my reading - behind on everything.
Still steamed about our politicians and the debt ceiling - get something done! Then try to solve some other problems - don't just posture for 2012. Saw a saying that is apropos: Washington DC is like lying what Wisconsin is to cheese.
Take care.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Brinkmanship
Our government leaders are behaving poorly, to say the least. We are an amusement to those around the world because our two political parties will not compromise and provide an answer to allow the raising of our debt limit. But what is worse is the disservice our elected representatives are doing to us, their constituents. They are putting the federal government and all of the state governments in a position to default on its obligations. In the case of the federal government, the obligations are those which our elected officials created themselves. Bond rating agencies are considering lowering the rating of our bonds even if there is no default! It is not good practice to push these serious matters to the brink of disaster for the sake of politics.
It has been documented in The Economist and most news media in this country that the two opposing partisan plans at one time stood two percentage points apart, but still no agreement. The Democratic plan called for 83% of the reduction to be in budget cuts with 17% in tax increases and the Republicans were at 85% and 15%, respectively. The Republicans seem to want to solve the issue for six months or so, and then be able to bring it up as a campaign issue next year. What is more important in their minds - a stable government and economy or getting re-elected?
Where are our true statesmen in this country? The "Gang of Six" tried, but was shot down by their own parties. It is hard to have any respect for the political hacks who are not working for a reasonable compromise, but just like to stand in front of cameras and microphones and pontificate. There are many other difficult issues that must be addressed, such as jobs, education, health and welfare of the people. Yet our politicians are letting them fester while they grandstand.
It is time for a compromise - time to stand up to the far right and far left of the parties. It is hard because there is no pork in this settlement, like there usually is. "I will vote for it if you appropriate a little money for my district for some roads or bridges...."
So, ladies and gentlemen, start doing your jobs like the rest of us. Maybe you'll take a little heat, but you all retire from elected office as millionaires if you weren't one going in - you can stand a little heat can't you?
For everyone else, except our elected officials, take care. Keep a close eye on how responsible your representatives are. Many some of them should be turned out next year for not being able to look after our interests.
It has been documented in The Economist and most news media in this country that the two opposing partisan plans at one time stood two percentage points apart, but still no agreement. The Democratic plan called for 83% of the reduction to be in budget cuts with 17% in tax increases and the Republicans were at 85% and 15%, respectively. The Republicans seem to want to solve the issue for six months or so, and then be able to bring it up as a campaign issue next year. What is more important in their minds - a stable government and economy or getting re-elected?
Where are our true statesmen in this country? The "Gang of Six" tried, but was shot down by their own parties. It is hard to have any respect for the political hacks who are not working for a reasonable compromise, but just like to stand in front of cameras and microphones and pontificate. There are many other difficult issues that must be addressed, such as jobs, education, health and welfare of the people. Yet our politicians are letting them fester while they grandstand.
It is time for a compromise - time to stand up to the far right and far left of the parties. It is hard because there is no pork in this settlement, like there usually is. "I will vote for it if you appropriate a little money for my district for some roads or bridges...."
So, ladies and gentlemen, start doing your jobs like the rest of us. Maybe you'll take a little heat, but you all retire from elected office as millionaires if you weren't one going in - you can stand a little heat can't you?
For everyone else, except our elected officials, take care. Keep a close eye on how responsible your representatives are. Many some of them should be turned out next year for not being able to look after our interests.
Life
Today I give you a metaphor, not a saying, for the day.
Life is no "brief candle" to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. George Bernard Shaw
Take care.
Life is no "brief candle" to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. George Bernard Shaw
Take care.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Heat and Humidity
Another ride to work this morning - it was 79 when I left and it just was a difficult ride for some reason. The Lake was just a little choppy and I could see about a half dozen sailboats out on the water - far enough out that I could just see their white sails and not the boats themselves. There were still many branches on the ground on the South Side and I saw one crew starting to work on cutting them up and removing them.
The Race to Mackinac put on by the Chicago Yacht Club is this weekend. It is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the US and is over 330 miles in length (if you take a straight course) and I think that there are close to 300 entries. Always a big deal here.
And finally, a quote for the day:
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. Russell Baker
Take care!
The Race to Mackinac put on by the Chicago Yacht Club is this weekend. It is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the US and is over 330 miles in length (if you take a straight course) and I think that there are close to 300 entries. Always a big deal here.
And finally, a quote for the day:
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. Russell Baker
Take care!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Yoga
A interesting quote from a Yoga person, I presume.
I mean the whole thing about meditation and yoga is about connecting to the higher part of yourself, and then seeing that every living thing is connected in some way.
Gillian Anderson
Take care.
I mean the whole thing about meditation and yoga is about connecting to the higher part of yourself, and then seeing that every living thing is connected in some way.
Gillian Anderson
Take care.
Today's Ride along the Lake
It was a beautiful and hot ride this morning. The temp was already 84 at 7 am, which made the ride a little laborious, but I still made it in 57 minutes. It is getting easier every time.
The Lake was as smooth as it ever gets, hardly a ripple the whole distance. I saw one cirrus cloud far off to the east and that was it - otherwise just a beautiful blue sky with a very bright sun. There was a haze along the horizon, such that I could not see the Indiana steel plants this morning - just viewed those south of Chicago.
It is a peaceful time for me - good exercise - clear mind - a beautiful vista and many folks just moving along. The morning ride is healing.
The afternoon ride is about speed. I usually have a little tail wind and my body feels more like going - I mean really going. There are many more folks on the path and one has to be very alert. It is a totally different experience. Usually great numbers of sailboats out, sparring with the wind. Tourists trying to find their ways.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
Take care.
The Lake was as smooth as it ever gets, hardly a ripple the whole distance. I saw one cirrus cloud far off to the east and that was it - otherwise just a beautiful blue sky with a very bright sun. There was a haze along the horizon, such that I could not see the Indiana steel plants this morning - just viewed those south of Chicago.
It is a peaceful time for me - good exercise - clear mind - a beautiful vista and many folks just moving along. The morning ride is healing.
The afternoon ride is about speed. I usually have a little tail wind and my body feels more like going - I mean really going. There are many more folks on the path and one has to be very alert. It is a totally different experience. Usually great numbers of sailboats out, sparring with the wind. Tourists trying to find their ways.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
Take care.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Another bike ride
It is starting to be a good routine, this riding to work. Feeling better already and am always uplifted by my hour by the Lake. A strange sight this morning was a woman riding north on the trail, not putting her hands on the handle bars, and smoking a cigarette. Now that's a first!
The sun was especially bright this morning and the Lake was even more beautiful than normal. It will be pretty warm riding home this afternoon, as it is supposed to hit 90 here today, but at least the wind will be to my back.
Take care, my friends.
The sun was especially bright this morning and the Lake was even more beautiful than normal. It will be pretty warm riding home this afternoon, as it is supposed to hit 90 here today, but at least the wind will be to my back.
Take care, my friends.
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