Here's an experimental idea I've had in the back of my head for a while now. I do a lot of driving and a spend a decent amount of time alone in a quiet office which gives me plenty of time to think. I set this blog up initially so that I could share not only my experiences and have an outlet for rants but also to put up my ideas and opinions so here it goes: A weekly collection of thoughts and opinions from a less than perfect human being.
First and foremost let's discuss the oil crysis that is going on right now. Gas to hit 7 dollars a gallon in two years F@%^! I'm right there with you ladies and gentlemen, I recently bought a car and I love the thing immensely. It's a kick ass ride that is a blast to whip around with a great stereo. It's a 2.4L 4 cylinder Toyota Matrix XRS and is rated 19/29. I'm averaging 26-26mpg every time I fill up and here's how:
1. Cruise is your friend.
All you wanna be race car drivers out there need to slow down, drive 65 and leave it there. All the zig zagging and lead foot driving out there is not only safe but burns through your fuel tank at a much quicker rate than if you keep the car at constant speed and UNDER 70 mph. My father and I have both proven that the under 70 mph method not only helps return high averages of mpgs, but any speed between 65-70 gets you to your destination in a time efficent manner as well. No you can't leave your house with only 10 mins to drive 40 miles, so some time budgeting is required. Not to mention if everyone drove the speed limit or slightly above, emmisons and greenhouse gasses can be reduced significantly.
2. Walk
Get up off your butt every once in a while. If you can walk to the store, ride a bike, take the train: DO IT! Mass transit is not always the most convineint way to get around, living in Chicago all my life I understand this completly. BUT it saves you gas like none other, why? DUH because you're not driving. Simple solutions for complex problems. Oh and walking is good for you too, it's already started to change my pudge on my body :)
3. Turn your car off, stop idleing your vehicle
I see this all over the place and it drives me crazy. In the bitter cold Chicago winter or intensley hot summer I can sort of understand it, and I'm guilty as charged with this sometimes too. But seriously, sitting having your car idle for a long period of time is not good for several things. One is the environment, two is your car, and three is YOU. You may not realize it but there is an amount of fumes that gets back into your car when you are just sitting there with the engine running, windows opened or close does not matter. Air filters and all that does not matter, if there is no air flow to carry the fumes away they find their way into the cabin and now you are breathing an intesnly charged amount of polluted air-much more potent than the city air you breathe everyday anyway.
YES it is bad for your car! Your car is not designed to sit there idle forever. If there is not changes in pressure and combustion in your cylinders carbon builds up in them and then you've got huge problems, not to mention all the unnecessary heat, wear on your intake system, gear train, engine mounts, everything.
The environment just because why would you want to churn out more pollutants than need be?
Since I'm on a role with the environment here I'll continue. Recyle. Seriously, it's not that hard and YES it does make a difference. NO things that are in the proper recycle bin do not just end up in the landfill anyway. IT DOES MATTER.
Use a piece of paper front AND back before you toss it in the recycle bin. We do it at my office and it cuts paper waste by more than half! We print things that are not official documents on the backside of official documents that are not being used anymore. Essentially "scrap" paper is run through the same printer with the blank side up and viola! Two pieces of printed paper for the price of one. We mark the side that is old with a squiggle in pen so we can differentiate between the two.
Turn the freaking lights off, please. Around my house and my office I only have lights on that I absolutley must have on either for security reasons or if I'm working in a specific room. Also seriously, change your bulbs out from those pre-historic bulbs and use florescent or LED. Yes they cost slightly more when you buy them, but in the long run they can and WILL save thousands of dollars.
Quit smoking and drinking like you're invincible. You're not, get over yourself and grow up. An occasional cigar and or drink is totally fine but getting drunk off your ass just because you're in college and can? What are you 14?
All of you activits and "believers" should read the biblical text you keep refferring back to saying you are doing God's will. All of you claim to be doing it for "your God" when ultimatley we're all trying to get to the same place and please the same deity with a different name. Seriously stop killing each other, brainwashing your children, and smell the 21st century. Believe what you want when you want, no one is right the bible is too freaking old to be correct anymore and God is not as prominant in everyday life as we are led to believe. I believe in God, I really do-my life experience and blessings like my darling girlfriend are proof there has to be some higher power running the show. But maybe he/she/it just does not give that much of a shit about you as an individual, but the world as a whole. Love your neighbor as yourself is the greatest commandment given, why are we not obeying it more?
Finally stereotypes and ignorance. I've heard so many people bitching about how stereotypical society is and how stereotypes suck and blah blah blah. First off stop playing in to them. If you don't like the stereotype: ELIMINATE IT. Plain and simple, we are all in control of our actions and mouths-those of us without disorders-use some self control and get rid of the stereotypical behavior.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
end of line.
Update
Hello There! It's been a wonderful week, and I thought it time to update my blog before I call it a night and curl up for sleep.
Firstly, my flare up continues to make my life difficult and I found out the medicine I'm on for my condition has possible side affects that are identical to the symptoms it is supposed to be reliving me of.... I like my doctor and told him I would try an increase from 6 400mg tablets a day to 12 400mg tablets a day. 4800mg a day with this medicine and although i have noticed a slight difference in things that are good, there are a lot of problems that are more intense. After reading the info on this drug and thinking about it, I know understand why I've got pain in my chest, abdomen, joints, heart burn, and a whole long list of things. I always thought medicines were designed to treat symptoms not intensify them but apparently I'm wrong on that.
After one more week if things don't improve I'm going back to see Dr. J and I'm just going to have him give me the freaking injectable and call it a day. The thought of sticking myself every two weeks with this stuff is not all that appealing but if that's what it takes to start feeling like I"m living instead of just existing I'm all for it. The injectable is called Humira, and it seems like a very good option.
On to happier things now that I'm done ranting :) First and formost Jess and I are official. I am officially off the market. I'm taken and very very very happy about it! I made it official on Tuesday, June 24th 2008! She seriously makes me happier than I've ever known and being around her makes me feel sooo good and safe and strong-it feels better than playing music, scary thought huh? I can definitely see this going someplace amazing and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us and this incredible relationship :D!
Got an XM portable tuner and it's pretty freaking sweet! I can listen to my cubbies at work now :D and I know the guys around the office are going to appreciate hearing the game while they are in!
Speaking of Cubs: SWEEP! Now what White Sox fans? Win the world series once and you all act like the Sox are these incredible ball players. That happened 3 years ago now and you guys can't do it again..... It's our turn this year!
Eric and I went to our first night game at Wrigley Wednesday night and it was a blast! They won against Baltimore 7-4. In the words of my brother "Baltimore Sucks!" WOOT GO CUBS! The plan is to attend some more home games in the near future and get some people to go with us. Let me know if you want to and we'll get something going :D
In Eric's news: He had an interview today with the FAA over the phone! Lucky duck doesn't even have to get dressed for his interviews I simply could not believe it-but I am so very happy for him and hope very much that he gets the job!
end of line.
Firstly, my flare up continues to make my life difficult and I found out the medicine I'm on for my condition has possible side affects that are identical to the symptoms it is supposed to be reliving me of.... I like my doctor and told him I would try an increase from 6 400mg tablets a day to 12 400mg tablets a day. 4800mg a day with this medicine and although i have noticed a slight difference in things that are good, there are a lot of problems that are more intense. After reading the info on this drug and thinking about it, I know understand why I've got pain in my chest, abdomen, joints, heart burn, and a whole long list of things. I always thought medicines were designed to treat symptoms not intensify them but apparently I'm wrong on that.
After one more week if things don't improve I'm going back to see Dr. J and I'm just going to have him give me the freaking injectable and call it a day. The thought of sticking myself every two weeks with this stuff is not all that appealing but if that's what it takes to start feeling like I"m living instead of just existing I'm all for it. The injectable is called Humira, and it seems like a very good option.
On to happier things now that I'm done ranting :) First and formost Jess and I are official. I am officially off the market. I'm taken and very very very happy about it! I made it official on Tuesday, June 24th 2008! She seriously makes me happier than I've ever known and being around her makes me feel sooo good and safe and strong-it feels better than playing music, scary thought huh? I can definitely see this going someplace amazing and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us and this incredible relationship :D!
Got an XM portable tuner and it's pretty freaking sweet! I can listen to my cubbies at work now :D and I know the guys around the office are going to appreciate hearing the game while they are in!
Speaking of Cubs: SWEEP! Now what White Sox fans? Win the world series once and you all act like the Sox are these incredible ball players. That happened 3 years ago now and you guys can't do it again..... It's our turn this year!
Eric and I went to our first night game at Wrigley Wednesday night and it was a blast! They won against Baltimore 7-4. In the words of my brother "Baltimore Sucks!" WOOT GO CUBS! The plan is to attend some more home games in the near future and get some people to go with us. Let me know if you want to and we'll get something going :D
In Eric's news: He had an interview today with the FAA over the phone! Lucky duck doesn't even have to get dressed for his interviews I simply could not believe it-but I am so very happy for him and hope very much that he gets the job!
end of line.
It's Been A While
One of my favorite rocks songs of all time. "It's Been A While" by Staind :D
Anyways it really has been a while since I've updated this, I just really have not been in the mood to blog recently-but here it goes:
Everything is going fine for the most part, a few hiccups here and there but that's life-it's to be expected. I passed all of my classes and I officially have Junior status at Elmhurst, a dorm on campus this fall, and caring and amazerful almost very soon to be girlfriend. I still have my job despite all the time I've had to take off for school family and fun related things. I took the basic skills test which was a lot less scary than I thought it would be. I've started being serious about physical activity and have already noticed a difference in my body.
My health is another matter right now. My Crohns feels unstable and it looks like I may be switching medications and finally getting on something that is more powerful with less side affects than traditional drugs. I'll keep this updated at the least on what is going on with that, just in case any google searches on Crohns lands a hit on my blog. I've had Crohns and UC for a little over 3 years now, and I don't claim to be an expert but living with it does give a little bit of a different perspective.
My mother is still desperately trying to find work, and her desperation and frustration with herself is still bringing the energy of this household down but we're all hanging in there and trying to be supportive. Keeping her busy when she's not looking for jobs has proven tough and the task seems to have fallen on my shoulders while my Dad is at work-but I'm not complaining it keeps her in a better mood, we get stuff done around this house that drive me crazy, keeps me busy and active, and helps her keep her mind off things at least a little.
I am happy to report that the fishes, frogs, and snails are all doing well and are very healthy and happy! Even those doomed to die after a couple days my Dan (HA I WIN) I've had most of my fish over a year now and I am so proud at how well I've taken care of them. A little bit every couple of days keeps the tank healthy and the fish happy :D
To Jess:
I know I say this all the time but I want to say it again. You are seriously the light in my life, my rock, the reason behind my strength, determination, drive, and happiness. You have shown me a way of life that is so secure and steady I never could have dreamed would be this amazing. I've got such a good feeling about our future together, and yes we need to take things one step at a time, but as far as I'm concerned as of today- you are it Sweet Pea. You're the only one for me. And very soon my darling it's going to be official, and I can't wait for my plan to go in to action with asking you to make it official! :D MWAHAHAHAHAHA :D!
Anyways it really has been a while since I've updated this, I just really have not been in the mood to blog recently-but here it goes:
Everything is going fine for the most part, a few hiccups here and there but that's life-it's to be expected. I passed all of my classes and I officially have Junior status at Elmhurst, a dorm on campus this fall, and caring and amazerful almost very soon to be girlfriend. I still have my job despite all the time I've had to take off for school family and fun related things. I took the basic skills test which was a lot less scary than I thought it would be. I've started being serious about physical activity and have already noticed a difference in my body.
My health is another matter right now. My Crohns feels unstable and it looks like I may be switching medications and finally getting on something that is more powerful with less side affects than traditional drugs. I'll keep this updated at the least on what is going on with that, just in case any google searches on Crohns lands a hit on my blog. I've had Crohns and UC for a little over 3 years now, and I don't claim to be an expert but living with it does give a little bit of a different perspective.
My mother is still desperately trying to find work, and her desperation and frustration with herself is still bringing the energy of this household down but we're all hanging in there and trying to be supportive. Keeping her busy when she's not looking for jobs has proven tough and the task seems to have fallen on my shoulders while my Dad is at work-but I'm not complaining it keeps her in a better mood, we get stuff done around this house that drive me crazy, keeps me busy and active, and helps her keep her mind off things at least a little.
I am happy to report that the fishes, frogs, and snails are all doing well and are very healthy and happy! Even those doomed to die after a couple days my Dan (HA I WIN) I've had most of my fish over a year now and I am so proud at how well I've taken care of them. A little bit every couple of days keeps the tank healthy and the fish happy :D
To Jess:
I know I say this all the time but I want to say it again. You are seriously the light in my life, my rock, the reason behind my strength, determination, drive, and happiness. You have shown me a way of life that is so secure and steady I never could have dreamed would be this amazing. I've got such a good feeling about our future together, and yes we need to take things one step at a time, but as far as I'm concerned as of today- you are it Sweet Pea. You're the only one for me. And very soon my darling it's going to be official, and I can't wait for my plan to go in to action with asking you to make it official! :D MWAHAHAHAHAHA :D!
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