Sat, 31 Dec 2011

Icon for Today

I originally wrote this in July of 2009. The old one represented the increased use of cell phones.

But I have a new icon to show now the last day of 2011. It seems that the art of conversation -- even on the phone -- is going the way of the letter. Now texting is the preferred mode of communication. It's so rampant that California has declared a maximum enforcement period over the New Year to stop distracted drivers. They have issued 15,000 tickets for texting while driving and it isn't even the first yet.

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Because it's hot here, I get out in the morning to walk. I have noticed that the early morning icon is the bicycle and trashbag full of aluminum cans. But the REAL icon for our times is the person with the cell phone stuck to their ear. You see them in all sorts of places across all social strata, age groups, and ethnic groups. Usually, they're talking really loud as if everyone needs to hear their conversation.

posted 15:26 [/bloids] permanent link

Happy New Year 2012!

From our house to yours, a happy and prosperous new year.

I thought I'd pull out last year's blog and see if my wish for the world came true. Although the media keep claiming that the economy is getting better, I don't see all that much improvement. Sure, the rich are richer, but the poor seem to be doing as bad or worse and I don't call that improvement. The U.S. is out of Iraq and, THAT is an improvement as far as I am concerned since I thought it was a mistake to go there in the first place. I'm uncertain whether we actually achieved anything by being there other whan wasting our soldiers' lives and lots of money. I am sure someone MADE lots of money by us being there, otherwise, we would never have gone and stayed so long, but all-in-all Iraq was another Viet Nam. We can only hope that we will be out of Afgahanistan soon without much more loss of life or waste of money.

Happy New Year, 2011!

Another one gone by. The last two have been pretty tough with the economy and all. We can only hope that 2011 will be the start of a better period for everyone. I look forward to a productive and peaceful year for everyone and hope that we can learn to compromise in our politics and show compassion in our lives.

posted 14:07 [/Thoughts] permanent link