tobes484 on Xanga

tobes484
read my profile sign my guestbook Location: United States Message: message me Member Since: 10/5/2004

SubscriptionsSites I Read
Subscribe to tobes484 Get trial subscription guitarer1c2 GTThriller

Groups Blogrings
University of St. Thomas previous - random - next Lover + Friend = Lend previous - random - next

Posting Calendar

\|<< oldest \| newest >>\|
view all weblog archives

Friday, August 03, 2007

Falling

As we look at what happened here in Minnesota with the collapse of the 35W bridge it makes me think a bit. Already, with a day of the calamity, Rep. Oberstar has pushed a $250m funding bill through the transportation committee to help replace the bridge. When I first heard this my reaction was "WOW that was fast, I am glad our US Representative chairs the committee!" But then I got to thinking some more. Remember what happened 2 years ago? The hurricane that devastated the southern seaboard? Where was/is there support from the federal government?

I understand that this is a freeway with lots of traffic and it does become a hassle without it, but with only 5 people dead so far it's not quite that horrible. Shoot more people die in shootings very month in North Minneapolis then died in this collapse, where is the aid for those people? Remember the hurricane, why did that take so long for any support? Darfur? Sudan? Detroit?

I guess I am glad I live in a state that is able to garner federal support and has influence in the senate and house so when a disaster does happen we are able to recover faster. In the meantime don't forget all the other much more tragic tragedies that may not happen on such a monumental scale.

Well that's all for now.

10:37 AM - 55 views - 2 eprops - 1 comment - email it

Sunday, February 18, 2007

I know it's been forever since that last time I posted but eh, it's hard after college. A lot changes ya know?

I could attempt to recount all the momentous events that have happened since the last post, but if you know me, you already know...

Anyway, I digress from the real reason for this post. I am posting now because of a harsh realization, an upcoming change in my life style, and hopefully the betterment of myself and the world as a whole. Quite a mouth-full huh? Well it's all true. No, I am not becoming a martyr, getting married, or joining the military. I am just going to try to become a better environmental steward. I used to be more so, or maybe I just thought I was, but now I am going to take more direct action in my life.

What brought this all about? Why now? Well, I suppose a series of compounding factors. First, Colleen and I had a heart-heart about eachothers lives and we both noticed what was missing in my life; my environmental passion. Second, I do feel a whole that used to not be devoid of life. That hole is my love and passion for the environment. So I looked at my life and noticed some changes that could be made right away and with little expense or effort.

I have taken the basic steps of course, but I need to go further if I really want to be happy. EVERYONE should recycle and save electricty, but there is so much more. Water for instance, I used to take longerish showers and leave the water running while hand-washing dishes, no longer will I do either. When I did dishes today I turned the water to a very low level and low and behold my dishes are clean! WOW. How many gallons did I save there? 2, 10, 7, either way I saved and that's all that mattered. The other major part of my life I want to change is my primary mode of transportation. I have to have a car, there really is no way around it, but I don't have to have the car I have right now. My Oldsmobile has been averaging in the low 20's for MPG and while that isn't bad for what it is, I want better. I will trade the big V-6 for 25% better MPG anyday. You should too, if you can. If you drive an SUV I prolly hate you, FYI. WHY DO YOU NEED IT?!

-Tangent- I have always gotten really mad with all the people that drive SUV's and trucks for leisure. YOU DON'T NEED TO under bascially any circumstance. I admit that I do own a full-size truck. But when do I use it? I use it to haul materials, furniture, trash, etc etc from my property and others. Business use only. There have been many times where I just want to slash the tires of a suburban/escalade/expedition/H3. If it were legal I would eliminate as many as I could. GET A FUCKEN STATION WAGON. -End Tangent-

What else have I done in the meantime? I donated a substancial amount of money to the National Resources Defence Counsel (NRDC). For me they are the Environmental organization that I most closely align with. I hope that with my money they can do some good for America. It's funny because I hear all these great things about Europe but never America... Maybe I should move... Or, do my part and see what happens.

At least it's a start.

(I may or may not post later about life events, who knows. Do you care anyway?!)

11:06 PM - 31 views - 8 eprops - 4 comments - email it

Friday, September 22, 2006

Its weird, now that I am out of school time flys by. The weeks seem to pass like days, its really crazy. I really can't believe that its friday already. It seems like just yesterday Colleen and I were camping. Such is life I suppose. At least its payday!

This winter I really want to travel somewhere. Looking at STA Travel I see so many amazing deals to fly to Europe. I would like to go somewhere if I can. My uncle lives in San Diego and I could go there, but I would need to like rent a car or something as he lives in a suburb... Which leads me back to Europe. The problem is no one has time/money to go with me. I guess we will see in a month what happens.

Work has been good, but not very interesting. I feel I am learning more about computers and networking but not really feeling any more like it is my place to be. Hopefully in the next few years I will own my own business and can wake up whenever I want damn-it!

Eh, this is boring. I want our staff meeting to start so it can end. That way I will be going back home to nap or?

4:18 PM - 39 views - 2 eprops - 3 comments - email it

Monday, September 11, 2006

In support of 9/11

In my support of 9/11 I say to all Americans wearing shirts, stickers, badges, etc with flags on them that they should stop. Yep, you heard me. Take off the stupid shirts, throw away the other garbage, you are not patriotic. If you were smart you would relaize that this that crap is actually illeagal. For those who dont know what I am talking about take a quick read of U.S. flag code as posted below. The following is from Title 4, Section 1 of the United States Code of goverance.

Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court. The words “flag, standard, colors, or ensign”, as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

9:38 AM - 24 views - 2 eprops - 1 comment - email it

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Well I finally found the duplex that I wanted and bought it. I got it for about $15,000 under asking price which was a steal already. Now I just want to get in it and start work so it can be rented. Luckly with this property very little needs to be done and its in an amazing rental area. Less then a mile from the U of M. The address is 742 Madison St NE, Minneapolis MN 55413.

Here is a pic!

P.S. If you know anyone that needs housing let me know!

1:04 PM - 28 views - 2 eprops - 1 comment - email it

Next 5 >>