Epiphyllums/Epi Hybrids - Orchid Cactus

Epiphyllums/Epi Hybrids - Orchid Cactus


Had this cactus for over six years, ever since it was just 4 stalks. It was given to me by a family friend who has since passed away. Ever year, I love watching the buds grow and the flowers open.

Chocolates

Finally found the name to that mouth watering piece of Cadbury chocolate I had over 6 years ago: "Fudge Dream", found in the Cadbury Milk Tray assortment. I could eat those all day long; they are by far my favorite piece of chocolate on the face of the earth. Thank you to my pen pal for reminding me how wonderful they are.

Eagle Eye Cam

http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/

keyboard

I could have the world at my fingertips, thought this keyboard in front of me. If only I knew which order to hit theses keys in, I could do anything I ever dreamed of. It’s all in the order they are pressed…

our future

Information Overload, Get Your Cure Here

So those brainiacs found a Cure for Information Overload, all I can say is: very very interesting. Well worth the read!

Gas Prices

I remember when I was a kid just before the Gulf War, gas prices were at about 95 cents per gallon. During the war, we all thought they were outrageous as we watched them climb well past the dollar mark. These days, we are complaining as they reach three dollars per gallon, but complaining I shall no longer do.

While visiting the United Kingdom last March, I happened to glance at the adverts for gasoline (petrol), and saw shockingly low prices of 95p per liter! I haven't seen a gasoline sign with 0.95 on it since I was a kid! Once I did the conversion though, I realized my mistake. 95 Pence Per Liter is equal to about $6.29 USD per gallon. Next time you complain about gasoline prices, think of the poor people in the U.K.

Interesting to note, that the gasoline prices in the U.S. is about 23% tax. Incase you are wondering, 47% is crude oil, 18% refining costs and profit, and the last 12% is distribution and marketing costs.

In the U.K. on the other hand, an average of 75% of their petrol costs are government taxes. Here, 9% is crude oil, 3% is refining, and 8% is transportation costs.

I tried to find out what these taxes go to pay for, but I was unable to find any specific details. Although, from now on, as I pump my gasoline, I am going to think of how lucky I am to be paying only $3.00 per gallon!

Waste Not...

Waste Not…

So I’m at work yesterday, and a strange vehicle pulls into our yard and up to our trash cans. Strange vehicles in the yard is no new event, happens all the time… but I always keep an eye on them to see what they are going to do while there, as we have had tools stolen in the past.

This one was a local city car, and it appeared the guy was throwing away fruit. I had to head in that direction anyway, so I approached him and tried talking to him about it. Once I filtered out all his rudeness, and after talking to my boss about it, this gist of the story was this.

He is a new code compliance officer that works with our police unit and one of his many jobs is to crack down on people selling fruit on street corners illegally. So here he is throwing away great looking oranges, strawberries, peanuts, and more. When I asked about giving them to employees, again, after much rudeness, I got out of him that it’s a bad idea since it’s not known how the fruit was grown, with what pesticides, etc. Since it was confiscated evidence, it had to be destroyed.

This whole encounter just made me sad. Too see all of that fruit wasted, it is a terrible thing. I can see where he was coming from, on the possible health hazards of it and all… but I still have a hard time accepting it.

Cultural Trends

Cultural Trends

I have always wanted to fit in… be a part of something. I think to some degree we all do… but how much we let our cultural trends affect our lives is up to us. Sometimes I feel as though I have let the culture around me effect me a little too much. Sometimes I wonder if maybe some of the big important decisions I have made in life were based on trying to “fit in” instead of what I really wanted for myself. I feel as though I am constantly living and reliving past choices and past possible mistakes. How do I find a way out of this evil loop in my mind and start enjoying the now, the life I have built, for better or for worse?

Too Much

Too Much

I am realizing, but having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I have too much stuff and too much going on.

Too many hobbies, too many ideas, too many interests, too much clutter, too much, too much, too much…. and no where near enough focus. My mind just wanders from one thing to another to another. It’s positively driving my crazy! Every time I downsize, I find something else instead to focus on.

Is there such a thing as a format and reinstall for the mind? Too many programs installed is causing it to slow down…