Society, the Stock Market, and Everything

Will the 9 to 5 Job Be Obsolete In the Coming Years

2012-03-02T15:02:00.001-06:00

It is no secret that many people are trying their hands from working at home. To various degrees of success as working at home can be a tough road to travel, give the amount of discipline that it requires to remain on task. Then again, one may argue that any kind of job, no matter where, does take a lot of discipline to remain on task from the top to the bottom.

Yet many people are finding that the standard job is lacking. It is becoming clear they many are not wanting to tie themselves down to a company, where they be an extension of it. And leadership is down and the economy is a sketchy place. Jobs are in fact out there, but it is just the matter of finding the right job. There is a huge "unwanted job market" although the phrase, "its a dirty job, so someone has to do it comes in mind."

9 to 5 Jobs, Slowly Being Phased Out

Get up, go to work, work, go home, over and over until payday, get the paycheck, lather, rinse, and repeat. With a lot of wasted downtime with very little money. It does go without saying that many are fortunate to have jobs, but regardless of the economic situation in the world, people tend to fall into a rut. There are many people who just drag themselves out into the workplace, because they are unable to break the monotony. They have no passion, they just do the work. Its across the board where people just slave themselves out to get their meager pay to make the bills.

But this is a life that some will have but many are shedding. It does take a great deal of patience and ambitious to go alone without an official company and a fresh paycheck waiting for you, no matter how meager it may seem. And let's face it, unless you do have a fair bit of money saved up for a cushion, then you are stuck in the rat race, like a hamster on the wheel, doomed to go around and around, with no end in sight.

What are you doing with your life?

Some people have gotten to the point where they have no life, they just merely exist. And with the economy, people have been forced to find alternate means of work. Just to try and scrap by enough to pay the bills, when the unemployment runs out and the savings account begins running dry, until you wait for a phone call that will be accepted by a job that never come.

Let's face it, many companies can choose to be rather selective, because the pool of workers is much, much wider. And that is causing many people to take the ultimate gamble, all or nothing, and create their own small business from home. Many examples of people turning what was once a hobby into a business have worked out well. Hell some of them have eventually morphed into the largest corporations in the known world. But most have failed.

Yet if the alternative is going out on the streets eventually, you don't have anything to lose. The phone has stopped ringing, time to see what you can do independently. It is do or die, and many people would rather die than return the 9 to 5 rat race, after a small taste of freedom. Is this the future of the American workforce? Who really knows. But many people are spreading their wings, either by choice or by necessity.

Stock Market Report 3/2/12

The week ends on a slight down note, but not by much.

Dow Jones: 12,977.57(-2.73)
NASDAQ: 2,976.19(-12.78)
S and P 500: 1,369.59(-4.50)

The Blagojevich Pension Diabacle

2012-03-02T08:08:00.001-06:00

I have a feeling this won't be the last we hear about disgraced ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, but the man is reporting to prison on March 15th 2012. At least as of this moment, but it wouldn't be the first time that he got the time where he was sent to prison pushed back. First for the Christmas holidays and then to help his family move. Would any normal prisoner get this treatment? Likely I doubt it very much.

Blagojevich Gets 22 Million from Pension seized to pay off fines and penalties, Leaves $107, 367.86 for family.

So the former governor of Illinois leaves a decent sized nest egg for his family. Well decent sized if you live in the real world, which it is obvious that the Blagojevich family doesn't. That amount of money would be a drop in the hat for them, given the luxuries they enjoyed, most of them very likely ill gotten.

Welcome to the lower rungs. Hope you enjoy your stay.

I do kind of feel sorry for the children, but no more than I do for the children of any criminals who had parents who committed a crime and they were stupid enough to get caught. That is really the crux of this entire manner, the fact that the disgraced former Illinois governor was rather stupid enough to get caught with what he was doing. Whether or not he was sold up the river, that really is something that is up for a lot of debate, but the fact is, he did play a roll in the crimes he committed.

And he'll get better treatment than the average schmuck off of the street. Do you think that Joe Blow who knocks off the local 7-11, would get a reprieve like this. I doubt so very much. Would Joe Blow even get his pension?

The state of Illinois at the government level is festered with a great deal of corruption. At every level. And if your not a fan of Obama, this state is where he came from. There is a good reason why people in Illinois are so miserable a lot of the time, because they have to pay for the inept government.

So on March 15th 2012, as of this moment, which good change, Rod Blagojevich is off to prison, a federal prison in Denver or so reports are saying. Whether or not they are building a luxury suite to accommodate him because God only knows they've done everything else is something that this blog cannot confirm or deny.

Google's New Privacy Policy: Should It Matter

2012-03-01T15:03:00.001-06:00

Today is D-Day for Google and their new privacy policy. We knew it was coming for months and months, where everything is going to be consolidated into one privacy policy, with all of Google's many, many services being put underneath one policy. Some people wondered about the privacy that they are going to have on the Internet. However, if you ever thought that you would have complete privacy on the Internet you are mistaken. Anything that can be communicated, can be monitored. It is just whether or not the people monitoring care enough to do anything about the information they monitor.

Google's New Privacy Policy

Obviously we do have choices. Google is not the only search engine on the Internet. But it is the one that most people are going to search for. Many people search for Google, on Google, day after day. They are going to find much useful information on Google. With these changes, it does remain to be seen who is going to benefit from this.

However if you're worried about privacy, then really you shouldn't be on the Internet, you shouldn't be talking on the cell phone. The Internet really is divided into websites that do kind of respect your privacy but there is no such thing as complete privacy. And then there are people who don't respect the privacy of others.

The only thing that is private are the thoughts in your mind. And even then...who in the hell knows what the government might be up to in this day and age?

Regardless, Google isn't the only people watching what we are doing online. I think we can take that much to the bank. If you don't think the Federal Government or any other thirty party is not watching every keystroke that we make, I got a bridge to sell you. No doubt Google will be able to make any changes that they wish as long as they are the top of the heap. Many people will complete, they will stew, but many of those people who are complaining about this change are right on Google right now. There may be slight alterations as well along the way, for the good and the bad. One thing that is common across any privacy policy is that it is always subject to change.

Stock Market Report 3/1/12

The month of March 2012 begins with a bang, as the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S and P 500 were all up today. Will this be a profitable month or another disappointment? Only time will tell.

Dow Jones: 12,980.90(+28.83)
NASDAQ: 2988.97(+22.08)
S and P 500: 1374.08(+8.40)

But the fact there is any privacy on the Internet is kind of laughable.

Apple Worth More Than the Country of Poland, Economy Off to a Healthy Start

2012-02-29T15:02:00.001-06:00

Apple computers is one of the biggest household names in technology. For years and years, Apple seems to be sustaining a great deal of momentum, where there seems to be no end in sight for the giant. While a lot of Apple's success has been attributed to the late Steve Jobs, in reality, Apple has a team that is really bringing a great energy to electronics.

Now Apple has reached the point of $500,000,000 billion. That is right, Five Hundred Billion! That is an insane amount, that really makes it much greater of the worth of many countries than Poland.

Apple Worth Five Hundred Billion Dollars, What Now?

There could be a road to the next level or a trip straight down to Earth right from Apple. There are always some projects ready for Apple, as any self respecting company would have. They are halfway to one trillion dollars and that is where things get rather interesting for Apple computers.

Could Apple get to a level that many companies only dream? Or will they just fall right back down? Passing into billions of dollars was an impressive feat none the less. And Apple now is on the rise.

Despite the gains, Apple stocks are priced at a cheap level, so it would be a good time to get on board and purchase some stock to a company that might be on the way up.

Stock Market Report 2/29/12

We end the month of February 2012 on a bit of a downer note. There seems to be a higher level of activity with factories as reports have stated. There have been reports of more jobs, but job figures have been something that are up for much debate and interpretation. Still the Stock Market ended in a down note this month. When will March bring. And Dow Jones is underneath 13,000 again. It is likely that there is going to be much ping ponging.

Dow Jones: 12,951.92(-53.20)
NASDAQ: 2,966.89(-19.87)
S and P 500: 1365.66(-6.52)

An Intriguing Discovery About Jesus Christ

2012-02-29T10:25:00.000-06:00

Well no matter what you believe in, this is rather intriguing news to say the very least, the fact that the tomb of Jesus Christ has been found, allegedly, perhaps. But really, that does raise interesting questions about the nature of life and the nature of reality itself. And what finding the tomb of Christ means to the very nature of reality itself.

Jesus Discovery-Uncovering Truths or Just Another Hoax

I would imagine that this is not the first time that someone had assumed that they had found the tomb of Jesus Christ himself. In fact throughout history, there have been times where con artists have tried to claim that they have found the tomb of Jesus, but really it has been proven to be false. And people can rather be mistakes.

Obviously this find has broken out much debate over the Internet, about various things. The debate of religious believers vs. non-religious believers that gets brought up pretty much every single time where anything regarding religion is brought up. Religion vs. religion is also another one. Any time religion gets brought into a discussion, it can be a blood bath. Then there are people who are skeptical that this is Jesus Tomb is the real deal. You just never really know.

It is just like proving religion in many ways or disproving it. There is no concrete way to prove it. And don't try and argue any point. The only thing that makes a religion gain any credibility is the fact that people are believing into it.

We know that Jesus lived. We all know how he was reported to be alive We know that he is followed. But there are many holes about his life that is pretty much guesswork. Should this tomb be proven to be the genuine article, we can learn much. But remember, no matter how much proof for or against any kind of religion leader, towards any god, in the end, people will believe what they want to believe. And perhaps we are all wrong. Or we are all right in bits in pieces of it or someone actually managed to stumble onto the truth. Only in the end, will we know.

For those who believe, this is is a rather promising discovery, with the tomb of Jesus in Jersuleum. For those who don't believe, then there is really no telling you anything. For those of us who are decidedly neutral and are just observing this from a knowledge based point of view, then it is a fascinating topic of discussion, at least from afar.

The Jesus Tomb Discovery Was Made in June 2010 and will be a subject of much debate and skepticism or joy for many years.

Obama's Approval Rating Hovers Slightly Higher

2012-02-28T15:03:00.000-06:00

In the past several months,Barack Obama’s approval ratings have edged up ever so slightly. From a 44percent approval rating to 53 percent for the United States President. Thosewho follow the situation closely will know that approval ratings are much likethe wind. It can change the direction that it is blowing right in an instant.And while Obama seems to be edging up right now, it could be just the calmbefore the dangerous storm.

2012-TheMarch To Election Continues as Obama’s Approval Rating Slightly Edges Higher.

The stock market for what it’sworth, has had an oh so slight rally in the last few months. For those who doown stocks, that might be a good thing, but a lot of American people havealready been burned rather hard by that market. Not to mention that it is hardto invest money in the stock market when you don’t have any.

Obama and jobs is a curiouscombination. Has he made some gains? Yes in a way, but we still have a lot ofground to cover. The 2012 Election is intriguing, as many seem to be writingObama off automatically. The experiment as it seems might be nearly over, butObama might have a trick or two up his sleeve, to just barely edge out fourmore years.

One must not really put all thatmuch stock in the approval rating of the President. It can change with bothminor and major things. Anywhere from a few grammatical errors in an importantspeech to a huge economic blunder that costs many their jobs and their livelihood,that is how fickle the approval rating is.

As we march into March, theelection is coming. Obama seems to be edging up more, where he wasn’t at thebasement levels he was approval wise, but not at the height of his approvaleither. Yet many people tend to take the approval rating of the President asthe gospel, including the President himself and many other key members of hisstaff. So really even if it is fickle, people take it seriously enough where itcan lead to have ramifications where it shouldn’t.

Obama’s approval is on a veryslight upswing but by this time next week, it could be falling like a lead balloon.

StockMarket Report 2/28/12

We are officially back in therange of 13,000+ land for the Dow Jones as stocks across the board are on therise. Here is the report for the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S and P 500 for today.

DowJones: 13,006.26(+24.75)

NASDAQ:2,986.76(+2-0.60)

Sand P 500: 1,372.21(+4.62)

Fuel Pump Drama

2012-02-27T15:03:00.002-06:00

One of the most pressing recurring concerns as it has been noted time and time again, would naturally be the gas prices in the United States. Gas prices have been hovering over three dollars, into four dollar land, and there have been some fears that it is dangerously going to reach five dollar territory before too long. Yet, despite all of these fears, it really does depend on the commonly held principle of supply and demand. It is a small favor that this winter has not been one that needs much demand, due to the warmer weather.

What Will You Do When Gasoline Breaks the Budget

That is a question that many people are asking. Stacking up and carpooling does seem to be a likely effort, as several people in the general area being picked up and dropped off on the way to work can rather minimize fuel costs. However should you live in an area where it would be even more problematic to carpool to work, then that is a problem. If someone times it right, they can walk and ride their bike to work, but with further distances and potential bad weather, that might not be feesible some mornings.

What to do about the price at the pump is a problem. And long term projections for this summer are not looking all that promising. Five dollar area per gallon, that is scary, but is there a limit to how high it can go? All previous limits for the price have been obliterated right before our eyes. It is getting to the point where the cost of living can be a steep price.

Good luck at finding alternate sources of energy...well finding alternate sources of energy is not a problem, but finding one that works and then getting the masses to really go along with it can be a problem. It can be done but people are rather set in our ways. And obviously people just keep driving, keep using fuel, thus the gas prices go up. They may falter down, but four dollars and maybe even five dollar gas prices are not going to be uncommon.

Stormy economic times for sure and the doom and gloom might just be stepping up.

Stock Market Report 2/27/12

The Stock Market opens this full week with some ups with the Dow Jones only being barely down. Hopefully it is the sign of an encouraging week as we say goodbye to February 2012 and hello to March 2012

Dow Jones: 12,982.19(-0.76)
NASDAQ: 2,966.16(+2.44)
S and P 500: 1,367.60(+1.86)

What Will Barack Obama's Legacy Be When Its All Said and Done

2012-02-26T13:54:00.000-06:00

The past fouryears(and slightly before that and perhaps long after that), have not been kindto the average American person, through the downfall of the economy in recenttimes. Whatever healing that might have occurred in recent months, really isminor and we have a lot of healing to go. There is much healing and much time.Despite the downfall of the United States economy being done in months, itreally has collapsed over the past four years, during the Presidential Term ofone Barack Obama.

Now Obama is a rather polarizingperson to put it mildly. His term as president was not a complete wash but tosay that he did great things might be pushing it a bit much. Then again, thehuge debate is this. Was Obama a man doing the best he could, who is put in asituation where no one could fix the American economy, which was doomed todemise? Or was Obama a bumbling idiot not worthy of the highest office of theland in the United States, where he spent more time flying on Air Force Onethen he did doing anything proactive?

The truth may not be as cut anddry as we think.

WhatWill Barack Obama’s Legacy Be In the End?

Deciding what the legacy ofBarack Obama and how much of the damage was or was not his fault will really bedependent on whether or not he gets a second term. And right now…I have no ideaif he’s going to be elected again. The Republican candidates against him havetheir own flaws that might turn off the average voter, so if Obama wins, it isthe case of the devil we know, rather than the one we don’t.

On the other hand, if BarackObama doesn’t become President for a second term, people are going to look atwhat happened over the past four years and nothing else. And this is where theAmerican economy tended to fall right into a hole. Obama is not one of thestirring examples of a good president, although there have been a couple ofworse ones.

If Barack Obama does becomePresident again…well he could heal some of his reputation, hopefully learningfrom some mistakes in the first term or he could really add more black marksnext to his name. In all fairness, it was years of reckless financial decisionsthat caught up with the United States, long since Obama, from decades past. Hemost certainly did not help it, but his efforts were like placing a straw on acamels back, thus snapping it.

No one wants to be the personthat the economy completely and utterly fails beyond all repair for years undertheir watch. Is the economy fried beyond repair for years? Well, it’s not ingood shape, with those out of work and struggling to feed their families beingthe key, no matter what the highly screwed unemployment rates will tell you.

Obama really is shrewd in acertain way, by misdirecting some of the heat towards Congress. Then again, onemight believe it, as all politicians will have their own agenda, but Obamamight not be a strong enough and credible enough leader to do what needs to bedone.

So what will the legacy of BarackObama be? If we had to judge him today, to put him down in history without anychanges, really it won’t be a good one. Only time will tell how historiansjudge Obama, or if the chapter of Obama will be a very long one. And if he isremembered, will it be for good reasons? Only time will tell what the legacy ofBarack Obama and his role in what the United States economy is. Right now it’snot looking too entirely promise, whether if Obama was competent but inheritedan unfortunate situation or just incompetent.

Why is Facebook So Popular While Other Social Media Sites Fizzled

2012-02-25T11:00:00.000-06:00

For better orfor worse, Facebook has revolutionizedthe way we look at the Internet. It is really hard to imagine the Internetwithout it, but it was not too many years ago where Facebook was something thatwas only the merest flicker. And we might not be many more years away fromFacebook being something that we talk about, what we say, “hey remember whenthat particular thing used to be popular?

Facebook really has ensnared theminds of many, causing them to spend a lot of time on it, some might say wastetheir time. But why is Facebook so popular online? The reasons are many of whyFacebook has gained the level of popularity it has. Let's discuss them now.

Whyis Facebook So Popular While Other Social Media Fell Through the Cracks?

We know there have been manysocial networks all over the Internet. Not all of them have really gottenbeyond a select audience. Facebook for the time being has elevated itself rightabove the pack. Even if its peak might have been a year or two go, recentlyFacebook has gone public with their IPO. Those on the ground floor might bemillionaires, depending on how fast they get off of the ground floor and cashout should the Facebook bottom be dropping out within the next few years

But regardless the popularity ofFacebook has caused the social media giant to go global. The reasons forFacebook’s popularity are kind of simple. And why it has eclipsed all other forms of social media.

1)It is rather easy to use Facebook

The ease of use is one reason why the social media empire has been built. Not necessarily a good thing, asanyone who can access the Internet can access Facebook. This has caused anepidemic of cyber bullying, online fraud, phishing schemes, and maliciouscontent being spread because of the wider and sadly sometimes not as savvy tothe darker side of the Internet audience. On the other hand, more people havegone tech savvy. Much to the horror of teenagers around the world who havebefore discovered their moms were on Facebook. Many would consider that a drawback of social media.

It has allowed many businesses tostep into the 21^st century, to perhaps inject some extra life intothem, to an entirely new generation of customers online, utilizing this social media.

2)Not Much Thought is Required for Facebook

The masses tend to enjoy thesimpler things in life. The stupidest ideas in the world on paper often do makea fair amount of money. Ladies and gentlemen, this would be Facebook in anutshell and to a lesser extent other forms of social media. Chat with friends and family, upload pictures and share pictures.Like things. In very few words. Often to the management of the English languagebut to be fair, Facebook doesn’t really have as much to do with that as textingon cell phones.

3)Easier to Keep in Touch With People

Schedules can be hectic in thisday and age. Facebook is much like what the shopping mall used to be, an onlinemeeting place. Plus there are those who use Facebook to reach out and touchsome people who they might have lost touch. Granted, that is not necessarily thebest thing, as we soon remember why we lost touch with people. Still Facebookand social media have brought us closer together, at the risk of face to facesocial interaction. One might say that face to face has been replaced withfacebook to facebook interaction, so the social media platform thrives on that extent.

4)Facebook is heavily promoted by household names

It is a rather you scratch yourback and you scratch mine. Facebook allows companies to really access a newaudience of customers and companies direct their customers from their websiteto their Facebook pages. It is a two way street. Twitter is a close second, butit doesn’t quite have the capabilities of Facebook yet.

For better or for worse, Facebookis the king of social media. Will anyone dare knock it off of its pedestal?Google Plus is making a round for it but only time will tell.

Really Massive Postal Service Cuts Coming, over 35,000 Jobs to be lost

2012-02-24T20:05:00.002-06:00

Earlier today, talk about whether the postal service would survive much longer occurred on this very blog. Things look rather grim for the United States Postal Service. The once proud entity that delivered no matter what the cost, through rain, through snow, through sleet, through hail, it didn't matter, as nothing could stop the almighty postman. The United States Postal Service, even as long as a decade ago, was thought to be untouchable. There would always be a postal service. This Internet thing might be an alternative, but surely it couldn't replace an institution like the Postal Service?

As it turns out, the Postal Service is in jeopardy, but not rather completely ready to tap out. However the sufferings should not be minimized or swept under the rug in any way.

35,000 More Postal Service Workers to Be Laid Off

Doom does not really begin to underline what this current economic climate has brought us. For any business, it seems rather obvious that the solution to fix it, is hack and slash, hack and slash, hack and slash, over and over again.

That just merely stops the bleeding for a minute.

The United States Postal Service is wobbling. Postal mail in the United States will either be shut down within the next five years or it will be brought to a drastically reduced service.

What can we do?

Well sadly the ball is in the hands of the United States Government who are trying to fix this situation.

In other words, we are doomed.

Hack and slash and raise the price of stamps as well is the attempt to offset the losses.

35,000 jobs lost in over 223 mail processing plants. Obviously, it will be the smaller towns that will be the first to go and get consolidated in with the bigger ones. Thus making the United States Postal Service an even more muddled mess that it is. We may be getting a five day week pretty soon for the postal service(or four most weeks once you cut out the holidays which seem to happen every week).

The United States Postal Service had a loss at about $3.3 billion dollars during the final quarter. That is on top of the losses and at their current business model, they are on track to lose even more by the year 2015.

Raising the stamps for United States Postal Service first class mail is a solution that has been put out there, but it does have a problem. Raise it too much, and more people will decide to limit what they send out. Those who are desperately are clinging onto the postal service, will decide to step right into the digital age. Thus the Postal Service will have an even more muddled mess and will lose more money and more people will lose their jobs.

I would sooner all of those over priced politicians up in Washington who are doing Jack to help the average American citizen take a pay cut and use that money to jumpstart the United States Postal Service. But that might be asking too much.

Still I never thought I would see the day where the United States Postal Service would die off. Will there be something that threatens the almighty Internet one day? Perish the thought indeed.

Could the Postal Service in the United States Cease to Exist

2012-02-24T15:09:00.004-06:00

For the past number of years, many have been keeping a close eye on the United States Postal Service. How there seems to be a bit of a decline, as it tends to really be falling for the way side. There are more people that are moving everything online, but naturally, there are many others who still feel more at ease with receiving their bills right through the postal service and doing any business the old fashion ways.

Is the Death of the United States Postal Service Closer Than We Think.

Yet, in recent years, the United States Postal Service has gotten a reputation of being shoddy and slightly insufficient. Where they have not really gone up to the task, where they have taken perhaps many more days off. Then the price of stamps have gone up. Those who are still using the service are rethinking their options and it really turns into a horrific mess.

Naturally, it would be hard to imagine life without the United States Postal Service, and really, all of the potential change that would cause. The transition is something that might be more difficult to wrap our head around. Yet it is highly likely that within the next five to ten years, we might be looking back at the United States Postal Service, as something that has faded off into the night.

There will be many changes for sure, which may be just merely life support to cause the United States Postal Service to hang on. Many people will lose their jobs before it all said and done and life in the United States of America as we know it will be changed.

Stock Market Report 2/24/12

The weak ended on a mixed note. Here are the final numbers for the Stock Market for the Dow Jones, the S and P 500, and the NASDAQ for Friday February 24th 2012.

Dow Jones: 12,982.95(-1.74)
NASDAQ: 2963.75(+6.33)
S and P 500: 1365.04(+2.28)

Running a Nine Year Old Girl to Death Over Eating a Candy Bar.

2012-02-24T10:03:00.002-06:00

It takes a lot to rather stir up emotions for anyone anymore. There are many people out there who should not really be minding children for any reason whatsoever. Hell, one would be foolish to rather trust people with a single cell species, much less a living breathing child. This one outraged me, both the punishment and the reasoning.

Grandmother and Stepmother Force Nine Year Old Girl to Run to Death over Eating a Candy Bar

Are you freaking serious? Actually, I can really believe something like this happening, because there have been stories of mothers beating their infants to death for crying, because they can't stand the sound of them crying when they are playing games on Facebook. And for the record, I really wish I was making this up, but it has happened.

But this incident, making a child run out in the hot, because of eating a candy bar, a bit too far. We have moronic parents, but then these caregivers(using that term utterly loosely), punishing a child in such a manner, it really turns your stomach in knots. Even if you don't have children of your own, it is quite frankly appalling. Running a child to death over eating a candy bar of all things. What in the hell was wrong with these people?

Words just fail me. You need a license for everything in life but taking care of or having children it seems. A nine year old child was killed, perhaps not completely intentionally with punishment being taken too far, but some horrific punishment for such a minor offense. I hope these two women rot in whatever prison. And its a prison where prisoners don't take too kindly to those who harm children.

Just sick and utterly appalling. And this will be far from the last time we hear of something like this happening, with a nine year old girl barely living her life.

Stock Market Turns Around Midday After Rough Morning

2012-02-23T15:09:00.004-06:00

The story is just the same so many times that you have sworn that you have heard it before. The stock market after a rough day(or rather day and a half), manages to pull out a rally towards the end. Would the rally be anything to really rally about? In the end, it is really hard to say. On Tuesday, the Dow Jones shot above 13,000 for a fleeing moment and then plummeted. Some of its rally today caused it to go back into greener waters.

We have what amounts to a tedious cycle. Much like a hamster stuck on the wheel the stock market and to a lesser extent the economy appears to be going around and around experiencing the highest of the highs, some lows, but in general just really not going in any logical direction.

Investors appear to be waiting for something that are giving them stronger confidence. And stock that is actually being purchased is at a lower level. As we have said right here on this blog, the economy in 2012 seems to be much like a weather forecast. What we predict today is seldom true tomorrow.

There may be a mild crisis with fuel in this country coming. No doubt this will lead to many assessing the situation and calling for alternate sources of energy. But alternate sources of energy would require a mass re-education of Joe Average American and that might be years before that happened. Hopefully Americans are going to find it easier to walk or to bike to work, only driving when necessary as that will ease the bleeding.

Stock Market Report 2/23/12

As we said, the stock market is up. What will the end of this four day week and the last full week in February 2012 be? Tune in tomorrow but right now, here are the numbers for the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S and P 500 after the closing bell.

Dow Jones: 12,984.81(+46.24)
NASDAQ: 2,956.98(+23.81)
S and P 500: 1,363.46(+5.80)

Hazing is a Term to Make Bullying Sound More Acceptable

2012-02-23T12:04:00.001-06:00

Bullying is a term that has some bad connections for it. The psychological affects of those who are bullied, the affects on their self esteem(often causing them to turn into bullies themselves on many times where the tables are turned) have been looked at more closely. Anti-bullying awareness is rather at a higher point, in the school yard. Of course, it is a uphill battle to be fight, with Facebook and other social media, bullying takes on a different form than that is commonly depicted with your stereotypical representation of bullying and bullies that are depicted as one dimensional villains on most children's shows.

Those who are easily defined as targets will be bullied on their Facebook or on Twitter either directly or indirectly. There is a cyber bullying epidemic that is going to be addressed and as awareness spreads, hopefully more people will see the light. Of course, that behavior has to be learned somewhere and the grisly truth might be pointed to a shattered, splintered homelife.

Which brings us to hazing. Or initiation for an even more politically correct representation of the term. Often tied to sports teams or even on the college level, at fraternity or frat houses. In some desperate need for acceptance, people tend to not question the initiation that they are told they have to undergo. Of course, some of the measures that people are required to do to fit in, you must wonder if you'll ever be accepted. And the chances are no. Some people might claim it is all in good fun or it is was tradition. Well so was slavery at one time.

Traditions are not all good. And there are times where hazing gets out of control. To the point where it leads to severe injury or even death.

If someone expects you to go through a rather humiliating initiation, you never will be completely accepted. They are setting you up to fail. Don't think that you will earn any respect, other than the most twisted kind.

Forcing people to go through these initiation, hazing them, is bullying at its lightest and potential criminal assault at its worst. Children can be cruel, and adults aren't much better when they get to college age(of course many never mentally leave high school). And the coaches and teachers and other administration just stand by and let things happen. Everyone will wonder why when a tragedy occurs.

Bullying, no matter what terms you dress it up with, is still wrong and people should not have to jump through hopes to crave the acceptance of others.

What To Do About December 21st 2012

2012-02-22T23:00:00.000-06:00

The real answer to that questionis really nothing. Perhaps sacrificing every politician in Washington to somedemonic goat god might save us, but that is a longshot. And it’s not like thedemonic goat god would want them. But in all seriousness, if the world doesend, we can’t really do much about it. Other than rant about it. Well I’m goingto rant about how ya’ll are idiots for believing this clap trap what seems likethe three millionth time.

The latest supposed doomsday isapproaching on December 21^st 2012. Obviously some people believebased off of some evidence gathered by the Mayan calendar that the world isgoing to end on that date. Naturally some people are rather in quite the tizzyto say the least. I think that a lot of people tend to get all riled up aboutsomething that isn’t going to happen rather easily. There is really only onesimple conclusion to really draw from all of this.

Agood portion of the human race is gullible enough.

And there is another conclusion Ihave gathered from this.

Thereis a good percentage of the human race that is rather too stupid to live.

Really that is what it all boilsdown to. You hear stories all of the time of people who get sucked into scamswhere really all we need is just a bit of common sense and perhaps a little bitof research on your search engine of choice if you’re not certain. ThisDecember 21^st 2012 nonsense really does tend to grind on my lastnerve…actually its been since about 2009 or 2010. It seems to be getting worse.

Of course, I think that a lot ofthe people who are claiming doom and gloom are in fact trolls trying to rile upthe people who really do honestly believe that the world is going to end on acertain date. At least some people is getting some laughter. December 21^st2012 will in fact be followed by December 22^nd 2012.

Do I think the world will endeventually? I’m sure that is the case eventually. And more than likely, it isgoing to be the result of us humans doing something supremely and utterlystupid beyond all belief. Likely involving messing with something that we hadno business messing with.

“Oooh, what does this button do?”

You might laugh right now, but it’sgoing to end like that in the end. Not likely on December 21^st 2012.People have been predicting the end is here since before even Jesus Christ.Centuries before Jesus Christ, that is long time of failures and people beingabsolutely wrong. Then again, a lot of them are absolutely delusional crackpotslike our old pal, Harold Camping.

If the world ends, then really,what are we going to do? We’re just going to have to make peace with ourselvesand find out what exactly the afterlife is with one hundred percent clarity. Sodo what you must. Make peace with yourselves, your sins, rack up a boatload ofcredit card debt, while I laugh at you come December 22^nd. Drinkuntil your liver utterly fails. The world is your oyster and everyone will soonbe bringing you sauce.

When the world doesn’t end on December 21^st2012, we will have December 22^nd 2012.

And even if the world ends, I forone don’t care. It’s not like I have any magic wand that I can wave and makethings go all better.

Or do I?

Fuel Prices Rise But Not As High As Expected

2012-02-22T15:07:00.003-06:00

Perhaps it may seem like faint praise, but the nicer than normal weather for this winter really did keep fuel prices at a more manageable level this winter season. With that fact in mind, it is not going to be certain that these low prices at the fuel pump are going to be something that is going to last forever. And indeed, it is the same story that we hear, where there might be some moderate drops, before a spike.

During the times of the year where there is a lot of travel, there tends to be higher fuel prices. And let's face it, this is a time of the year where there is not an entirely lot of of traveling going on. Therefore, there are not going to be a lot of traveling so there is not going to be high prices at the fuel pump.

Still the warmer than usual weather has helped us out a great bit and has caused the fuel prices not to rise up to an astounding level. Although it is not without its share of problems and headaches. Perhaps we should dust off the old bicycle or start walking as fuel prices raise yet again.

Stock Market Report 2/22/12

The rally yesterday was turned around for the ugly today as the Stock Market, with the Dow Jones, the S and P 500, and the NASDAQ all went down today. Let's see what the numbers were.

Dow Jones: 12,938.60(-27.09)
NASDAQ: 2,933.17(-15.40)
S and P 500: 1,357.66(-4.55)

Train Crash in Argentina Kills Many, Injures Many More

2012-02-22T12:36:00.004-06:00

Sadly, we come to the realization many times where anything made by man can have faults and when traveling on any form of transportation, people tend to roll the dice with their lives. Most of the time there is nothing to worry about but this time, a tragic ending occurred for an Argentina commuter train on Wednesday February 22nd 2012.

A scary situation for those who lived it and what is even scarier is that out of the eight hundred or so passengers on the train, 600 were injured and 49 were killed. Confirmed right at this moment as of Wednesday afternoon. The speed was only 16 Miles Per Hour, but when crashing, even a slight speed can be something that can lead to fatal consequences.

Whether or not this will lead to reforms remains to be seen. There have been multiple accidents and many delays in the same area as the company running the rail system has run by incompetently. It sometimes takes a tragic event to open the eyes to what is going on but it remains to be seen whether any lessons will be learned from this disaster.

Dow Jones Rises About and Then Dips Below 13,000 Within Hours

2012-02-21T15:03:00.000-06:00

The mystical magical 13,000 levels for the Dow Jones, the one that many have been seeing it has rapidly approaching, occurred earlier today. Yet, as soon as the Dow Jones elevated above that level, it just slipped right back down. It was a rather blink and you miss it rally to the top and then the Dow Jones skidded right to the bottom.

The rally of 2012, when the stock market was rallying has been a rather tentative one. Election year is here and we'll really know what the cards hold come the Spring and the Summer. The economy as we have stated before, no matter if the smartest man in the world gets elected President(and the chances of that are slim to none), is not going to get fixed by a wave of a magic wand or a few good decisions. Years and years of horrific decisions have undermined the economy, dating back to many Presidents. Those investing into the Stock Market are becoming a depleting minority and while it can give us an idea where the winds of change are blowing, it is hard to tell.

The year is going to be a long one. 2012 could be the year that is the calm before the real storm. And if you thought that fall back in 2008-2009 was bad, we might be in for something worse. Great Depression version 2.0? Well its hard to say, as it is a different, different world in many ways.

Stock Market Report

Mixed bag at the old Stock Market today.

Dow Jones: 12,966.37(+16.50)
NASDAQ: 2,948.57(-3.21)
S and P 500: 1,362.22(+0.99)

United States Postal Service and Stock Market to Be Closed for President's Day on February 20th 2012

2012-02-19T15:30:00.000-06:00

Just a bit of a note, the Stock Market will be closed on Monday February 20th 2012 for President's Day, hence there will no Stock Market report. For those of you using the US Postal Service, the United States Postal Service will also be closed as well. I know, it just seems like it was closed a few weeks ago on Monday...because it kind of was. Of course, given that the rumors that the United States Postal Service could be going to four to five day weeks, it should be something that we are going to get used to. For those who don't feel at ease with the security of the Internet, that's going to be an adventure getting all of the bills out on time.

But on the bright side, at least no one will lose any money in the stock market tomorrow by virtue of it not open. And kids, you get to sleep in, well some of you do, if you get school off. Sucks if you have to use President's Day to make up a snow day like I did. But no mail, no stock market and no school on February 20th 2012 on President's Day.

Don't Ask the Sheriff for a Lift If You're a Felon

2012-02-19T14:15:00.001-06:00

Its time for laughter and joy, as it is time for one of my favorite semi-recurring bits of this blog, stupid criminal stories. Criminals tend to be a superstitious and cowardly lot. Well for the most part. But criminals rather can be at the dim end of the gene pool. Which I'm sure the police is really happy about, as it makes their job easier.

Still let's take a look at this moron. So you got away from prison, managing to avoid detection and even procured a get away vehicle. Obviously you must be doing something right. Well as vehicles tend to do, they break down at the drop of the hat. You run out of gas, there is some engine failure, or who knows what is going to happen with the car.

So the most obvious reaction is to flag down the sheriff for help when your get away vehicle breaks down. Of course, any criminals that stupid likely are unable to read anyway. They are the type of people who post their crimes on Facebook or mug for the security camera without any other face. Two of these things have happened. There are more stupid criminal stories out there right there then I or anyone else has time to print.

The moral of the story is that this felon was taken in and much laughter was had by all, who were looking for their day to be brightened. So let us take our hats off and salute criminals that are in fact stupid enough to do these things. It gives the blog writers of the world something.

The Horrible and Outrageous Wait At the Doctor's Office

2012-02-18T22:00:00.000-06:00

A little word to the wise for anyone who is about to rather make their next doctor's appointment. If you can swing it, the earliest appointment possible is in the end. Therefore, in there, you will be able to get in and out, no muss, no fuss, just really going to get in there and pretty much get mostly out. Well unless there is something that is wrong with you, then there will be a whole lot of fuss.

However, if you have an appointment at the doctor's office after the first few, then be prepared to wait out a bit of time. And perhaps a bit more time if the doctor's appointment is much later. The worst part of your latest doctor visit will not be the bill(even if that is pretty bad) but rather the long wait.

A Long Wait in Doctor's Office is Inevitable

The huge problem is that there are a lot of doctors out there who have been practicing health care for a number of years. Therefore, they are from the old school way of medicine, with pen and paper, where there was no computers. These days, technology has moved on and those who have left behind, their hand was forced in many ways.

We all know that delays happen. An appointment goes ten minutes long, another goes five minutes long. Figuring out how long each person will be in the doctor's office is not an exact science. However it is one where the estimates are so grossly off. When someone has an 11:00 AM appointment for example and doesn't get back to see the doctor until almost one if not two, that is something that is unacceptable to many. Not so much for a routine checkup but if something was severely wrong with you, that is not happening with your stress level.

Most doctor's offices have sadly descended to a level of lesser competence. Where we are very much in a transition period. Hopefully you clear your day and bring a book, because you will find yourself spending a lot of quality time in the waiting room unless you are fortunate enough to have an early enough appointment where everything is not backlogged. Even beyond the usual delays, things are absurd. Such is the price to make sure we are healthy, I guess.

Is Retirement Merely a Pipe Dream for Many Seniors?

2012-02-18T16:03:00.002-06:00

In our mind’seye, retirement is that happy timewhere we no longer have to work another day in our life. The road to retirementmay be a short one or it can turn out to be a long and winding road, with manymore years until we can afford to settle down for all of the benefits thatretirement will offer.

Retirementisa nice dream, isn’t it?

Sadly, all retirement might be isjust a dream. We are going to love to just kick back, finally spend time withthe family, perhaps finish that nice household project that we never got aroundto because of work commitments. Regardless that is what retirement is going tobe, but for those who have retired overthe past several years, they have found themselves returning their way to work.

Many companies who seemed oncestrong have dried up and have laid countless off of work. With those who hadworked for their entire lives, waiting for that time on the job to pay off,crying in absolute misery. The reason for these retirement woes is extremely simple and at the same time utterlyfrustrating beyond belief.

Once a business goes under, the retirement benefits go right under withit. Therefore, unless people saved a great deal of what they earned, then theyreally do in fact have nothing to fall back on. Except for more years of work,until the point where their body just cannot work anymore and they might not beable to enjoy life any more.

Working until your body shutsdown is not a happy way to spend what should have been the golden years. Yet,those on the cusp of retirement age are finding out that everything isexpensive, perhaps they have not saved up properly, or incompetent managementleads to them getting screwed out of retirement benefits that most certainlyhave been is.

It does really underline the factthat we need to start saving our money when we are young but even then, thereis a situation where we still might not be able to live.

The cycle of the work life neverreally ends for many. And the reasons are sometimes very much the fault of thepeople but with an alarming rate, they are no one’s fault. With retirement begin that golden apple thatno one seems to be able to reach. There are few benefits. Hopefully somethingcan be done, but it seems like seniors are being swept directly underneath therug.

Europe Credit Crisis Worries As the Stock Market Ends Week On a Mixed Note

2012-02-17T15:03:00.004-06:00

Europe a situation we will be watching. Hoping for a resolution, but for this point, there seems to be a waiting game. We may not be any closer to gaining a solution for the woes in Europe that have befallen the economic structure. Credit across the board is not as strong as it used to be. Especially in Greece, a problem that has been documented previously on this blog. The credit crisis in Europe is a pretty damning situation.

Will it ever end? That is a question that many have had over the past several years. Let us hope that eventually we will get more room to breath. Many do have a feeling that as far as the world is concerned, the worst may be yet to come.

Stock Market Report 2/17/12.

The Dow Jones and the S and P 500 find themselves gaining ground, with the Dow Jones in spitting distance to 13,000. Will the Dow Jones hit that magical number next week? We're just going to have to wait and see.

Dow Jones: 12,950.78(+46.70)
NASDAQ: 2,957.78(-8.07)
S and P 500: 1361.22(+3.18)

A Death of a Celebrity Makes Us Gain a Fresh Appreciation for Them

2012-02-16T20:00:00.000-06:00

Obviously one would have be living underneath a rock not to have heard of the death of Whitney Houston. The speculation, the rumors, what lead to the death, what could have been done, what should not have been done, but in the end, another life extinguished at the age of 48, before the life of many truly to begin. Yet after someone dies, we tend to gain a fresh appreciation for those who have left us, the famous especially.

Some have said that death is perhaps one of the best things that could have ever happened to a celebrity. As morbid as that might in fact seem, there is some kernel of truth to the matter. And the kernel of truth is that celebrities do get trust into the spotlight when they die. It is a media feeding frenzy in some cases. People who are fans tend to appreciate the work of the fallen even more. And people who didn't really think much of the people when they lived, tend to realize their contributions.

We have seen many people succumb to their own mortality in recent years among the famous. There have been personal demons, as the price of fame can be a steep one. It can be a deadly, dangerous road to travel right down to in the end. Some really do excel in that environment but others to tend to fold to the harshest of vices, the most deadly of poisons. Life is more often than not hard.

Whitney Houston, many were fans, many claim to be, many show respects, and many were saddened. Just like Michael Jackson, just like Heath Ledger, just like many others in the years. We tend to immortalize their work onto a brand new pedestal. Despite the sins of the life, it takes a tragic and sudden end, before we realize the connection we have had to a person. And many have felt that connection.

It is not just with celebrities mind you. Family, friends, whatever, we all feel it when they leave. But obviously the news media aren't going to speak much about them. We never truly know what we have until it is gone.

Greek Bailout Hopefully To Arrive Next Week

2012-02-16T15:04:00.005-06:00

Well that is the hope. Then again the Greek bailout has been hemmed and hawed about over the past many weeks, with it being the center of all of the financial worry around Europe and by extension, the rest of the world. Greece seems to be in a very sketchy position and the problems for the country might not be out of the woulds.

Then again, the word "bailout" has become rather much another word for "super quick fix that will end up causing more damage." Only time will tell what will happen. Stock markets were up today, but we are far from out of the woods yet. One must wonder if we ever will be. We are clinging onto ever fading hope.

Stock Market Report 2/16/12

Stock market was up today back in the green. Hopefully the week will end up a rather high note. The S and P 500 once again reached brand new heights.

Dow Jones: 12,904.31(+123.36)
NASDAQ: 2,959.85(+44.02)
S and P 500: 1,358.05(+14.82)

Some Potentially Good News for the Housing Market

2012-02-16T10:35:00.000-06:00

I stress the word potentially, as with any news involving the economy in this day and age can have some kind of deceptive double meaning. Need I remind you that the unemployment rate is something that is rather going to mislead us all into thinking that we have more people in world, when in reality, it only signifies the fact that people are not really making all that much money.

Still let's see what this news signifies, both from what people are saying and what it could really mean.

Buying a House is More Affordable

Now at first glance, that might seem like good news. Of course, given that there are many more houses that are going up on the market at a reduced value, that might lead to some potential financial headaches in the not so near future. The housing market depending on where you live can be actually okay given the current state of the economy to a horrific disaster.

Location, location, location, that is really what it is all really about. That is just the fact of the matter, the state of the game as it refers to the housing market. So houses may be affordable but when you consider how we got to this point, it really does raise some questions.

On the bright side, or what seems to be the bright side, there are a lot less people who are being delinquent mortgage payments. Of course, people not being able to pay off their mortgage or any debt or really any obligations, is part of the reason why the economy managed to get in the state it is. Banks and other borrowing institutions are cracking down, perhaps a few years too late.

The housing market is one that many do watch closely. But the scary thing is that it has been on shaky ground and this could be the calm before another storm.

Will the Other Shoe Drop With the Economy

2012-02-15T15:03:00.002-06:00

In recent times, there has been some news that might be considered good with the United States economy. However, there was some news that has been rather damning as well. And the very real fear that even if we pull ourselves up, the worst might be yet to come. Perhaps it is a fear that many have been rather mistaken with. Are we screwed no matter what we do? Is it only inevitable that we head right into a further recession? Perhaps dangerously flirting into a depression.

The waiting game is this. The economy is slowly gaining some ground in areas but losing bid. The only reason why unemployment seems to be down is because people have been out of work for some long that they are no longer drawing benefits. Laziness is a part of it for sure, but it is also because of circumstances beyond their control. Any new jobs that have been created is just a mere drop in the bucket.

In the end we wait for the other shoe to drop. And how hard of a drop it will be when it happens. We will never know until the battle is over.

Stock Market Report 2/15/12

There was a last minute rally at the end, but it was not enough to pull the stock market for the Dow Jones out of losses but on the brought side, it avoided triple digit losses today. So that is only a small amount of solance.

Dow Jones: 12,781.63(-96.35)
NASDAQ: 2,915.83(-16.00)
S and P 500: 1,343.25(-7.25)

No Quick Fixes for US Economy

2012-02-14T15:02:00.002-06:00

Sometimes Ireally wonder if no small part of the reason why the economy is in the state itis in, is that most people really are not able to think very long term. Thenagain, that is very true with the politicians right in this economy, who arelooking for the latest quick fix, to patch their approval ratings, to drag themright to the next election. It is much like a buggy computer program where acouple of patches will fix one problem and bring like to another problem.

Investing in the stock market issomething that leads to some people being extremely fickle and it is often onestep forward, three steps back. Immediately the moment things keep going up,people celebrate, but the slightest crack and stock volume tends to go down. Itseems like it is an uphill battle for the stock market. Granted a huge spikewould be disastrous, but a steady climb is what is necessary.

But a steady climb has a fewslips along the road. And people just decide to jump back down and stop themission before it is completed. Invest,pull out, invest, but it is a long term project to really make money but peopledo not have the patience for it.

StockMarket Report 2/14/12

Slight up today, on Dow andNASDAQ, with a last minute rally.

Dow Jones: 12,878.81(+4.77)

NASDAQ: 2,931.83(+0.44)

S and P 500: 1350.51(-1.26)

Dividend Coming from Apple

2012-02-13T15:06:00.002-06:00

Apple Computers has really been one to watch for sure, as it has put out many revolutionary products. So from the perspective of a casual customer, no doubt there are those who are going to be looking out from what is going to be next on the market from Apple. With the death of Steve Jobs last year, many wondered what was going to be the next step for Apple. Would they thrive or would they head right down to the gutter.

Given the fact that Apple seems to be doing well and may in fact be one of the companies to watch for dividend wise in 2012 is going to put it under the nose of investors. In this day and age, the only sure fire investments right in the stock market would be those that have dividend. Right now the fact that there may be a dividend is a cause for much speculation. However, regardless, Apple is going to really be a company that is going to thrive in 2012. This will give added interest to investors.

Stock Market Report 2/13/12

The stock markets found itself in the green with the S and P 500 creeping above the 1,350 level. It has done so before in the past but whether or not it will hold remains to be seen. However the latest week on the stock market begins on an upswing.

Dow Jones: 12,871.99(+70.76)
NASDAQ: 2,931.29(+27.51)
S and P 500: 1,351.77(+9.31)

Cranky Rantings: Why Valentine's Day Enrages Me

2012-02-13T11:24:00.003-06:00

For those who don't know, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Obviously, guys(and perhaps some girls), this is your cue to panic if you didn't get your significant other a gift as of yet. There's still time, if you don't want a one way trip to the doghouse. Or the couch. If you're lucky. Of course, the fact that a gift is expected really does tend to rather agitate me. Then again, I've always seen Valentine's Day as a commercialized hoax to line to the pockets, candy companies, flower companies, and card companies.

Valentine's Day-A Massacre If You Have Other Pressing Things On Your Mind Other Than Materialistic Goods

People tend to talk about Christmas as something that is over commercialized. Perhaps true, but with Christmas, you really tend to have the joyous family atmosphere and a time where you meet up with family that you have.

With Valentine's Day, you buy someone candy or flowers or a card or jewelry if you have the budget for it, if you're in a significant relationship with someone. If you're not in a relationship, then you have better things to do with your life likely anyway to worry about that holiday and just amuse yourself with people bending over backwards to get something tacky, in the hope that they will be getting lucky, if you catch my drift.

And God forbid you have other concerns on your mind other than your significant other. Because, heaven knows that the world will just grind to a halt for one day of the year. I'm nearly certain that there has been blood shed over someone forgetting Valentine's Day.

February 14st. To me it is just another day of a very short month. Then again, love makes you do stupid things. And obviously for a holiday that can celebrate love, in does inspire a lot of rage when someone doesn't get what they want on this day. There is a more dark side to Valentine's Day. Christmas does have some fluffy joy to it at least.

For you sane people who celebrate the joy of the day, good for you. For those who get all uppity because the day is forgotten, I think there's really hope for you. For those of you who purposefully forget to prove a point, I salute you, you have quite the set on you my good man. Regardless, have a good one, but don't take Valentine's Day too seriously.

Lots of New Tabs Added to the Blog

2012-02-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

Ah, the old sorting of past articles and I'm sure I've missed something. You take a look up to the tabs at the tip top of the blog and you can see what I've done. Internet, Technology, Parenting, Domestic, Society, Health, and just whatever, all at the top of new tabs. More likely more to come. Stay tuned.

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

2012-02-11T20:48:00.002-06:00

So sad, another tragic victim, died way too young. Wasn't the first, won't be the last in the entertainment industry.

The Viral Video of the Dad Shooting Daughter's Laptop Over Facebook

2012-02-11T15:09:00.002-06:00

Oh...boy. It just really does amuse me in a way of all of the things that seemed to went viral, these seem to be the most inane. I'm inclined to say that no one was right in this situation. For those who don't know the story, this fifteen year old girl was not happy about things she had to do at home, so she complained about them on Facebook, using some potentially coarse language. The father wasn't pleased, so he shot the laptop.

On the one hand, I think that youth of today are many times disrespectful little snotrags(of course I thought this when I was a teenager, but that's beside the point, not that I was the perfect model myself, and of course, there are many adults who are far worse than your average teenager but that's beside the point) and this daughter came across as a self entitled little brat. On the other hand, shooting a computer, not quite sure that's going to be the most sane thing in the world. And we just tend to go back to my main beef with Facebook in general, people tend to take disputes that should be private too far and this is what happens. Perhaps we should consider it lucky that a person was not shot, instead that a laptop was shot.

If you want my opinion, no one was right. The daughter did herself no favors by what she posted, but the father sure as certainly did herself no favors by posting said video online. Naturally that raises questions about how completely stable the entire situation is, but I'll leave that to a professional to figure out. And obviously now the entire world knows what happened. What a way to live in infamy.

The entire video can be viewed in all of its, glory, right here as uploaded on YouTube.

No Matter What the Alphabet Soup Spells, Its Still Censorship(ACTA)

2012-02-11T14:34:00.004-06:00

SOPA and PIPA recently were defeated and postposted hopefully indefinitely, although no doubt I don't think that many of us will rest safely until those who got the bill rolling are far away from Washington and hopefully off of the streets for good.

However, its not over. It is rather alarming how politicians tend to vary the world over. They don't get technology and they think they can easily try and make people feel like they are criminals, under the guise of stamping out Internet Piracy.

ACTA, SOPA, PIPA, Different Letters, Same Meaning

The ACTA or Anti-Counterfitting Trading Agreement was proposed by the European Union as the latest measure to deal with Internet piracy. The problem as it is is this.

It doesn't matter what intentions the bill has when it is proposed.

It doesn't matter what you think the reason for the bill is.

It is what the bill will do in the not so distant future, what it will open the door for. Human oppression always starts innocently enough. The problem is those who committing crimes won't get caught, only the stupid people.

And obviously, one link, long since forgotten on a website, to one video, or one picture, and the legal flood gates are opened. I'm not sure if this would have a more dismal effect on the world economy than SOPA would but its pretty bad.

It all starts innocently enough. If you look back to many dictators finding their way into power, it all starts with what seems like the best intentions.

People are protesting this one too. Our political leaders seem to have a rather dismal view of the people that voted them into power, thinking they will just fall into line and not look at the situation for what it is.

Reading between the lines, people tend to do away with what they don't understand. There have been protests and some countries are realizing what will happen.

This is not over. It will never be over, until this generation of politicians are completely ran out of office in favor of those who understand what technology truly is.

Stock Market Ends Week on Downswing

2012-02-10T15:04:00.001-06:00

Today’s stockmarket results just makes it seem like we are at the beginning of a hugeselling spree for many stocks. Which just continues the very obvious trend thatcontinues where the stock market has slight gain as opposed to slight loss. Thenever ending economic slumps and slight rises continues. Let us hope for somehealing, but with the 2012 election coming, it appears that we are going tohave many empty promises. Regardless the week ends on a down note for the stockmarket. The situation in Greece is doing the world economy and thus the USeconomy no favors. There have been riots recently in Athens and revolutionaryspirit in Greece seems to be bubbling.

StockMarket Report 2/10/12

Dow Jones: 12,800.25(-90.21)

Nasdaq: 2,903.88(-23.35)

S and P 500: 1,342.63

Nothing Should Surprise Us in the World Anymore

2012-02-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

You ever seesomething on the news and read about something that you really should beoutraged about. But you can’t be bothered to be too outraged about it, becauseit is something that is becoming all too common place in this day and age.Where you know what happened is bad, but you just shrug your shoulders andreally don’t dwell on it for more than a few seconds.

That’s what the world has come tothese days. It does seem like the majority may have long since accepted theworld is generally a dismal place in the year of 2012.

WeAll Grow Immune To the Bad Things Eventually.

There are a lot of bad things inthe world that happen. A lot of rather good things that happen in the world aswell granted. Life is not all dismal and horror and destruction. But we don’thear about much of the good things. And if we do, it is somewhat of anafterthought. We get a brief mention.

In the world, there iscorruption, there is death, there is mass destruction, people out on thestreets, people becoming parents where you wouldn’t even trust them with agoldfish. And then people bemoaning that some poor child had to suffer. It israther kind of sad that all of the things that licenses are required for, theone that doesn’t require the license is in fact birth.

It is to the point where we readabout many of the horrors of the world and go, “yeah that sucks” but promptlymove right on with our day. The only thing that really amounted to a lot ofoutrage was recently was SOPA and PIPA. And that was an extreme situation wherewe really got pushed too far.

The only thing that really stirsus up is gross attempts to limit the civil liberties of people. Governmentcorruption is about as common as breathing now. We actually expect people to beon the take right now with someone. Incompetent parents are becoming more so.Shattered marriages happen, often times between celebrities.

There is a lot of awful things inthe world. We just are now beginning to shrug anything up. The reason why noone seems to really care anymore is, that we have really been burned out. Therehave been times where I have thought that humanity has peaked as a species andits all downhill from here.

The world’s not going to end in2012, despite what some whack job conspiracy theorists might say. But I kind ofwonder if we’d be better off just to be put out of our misery right now beforethings get really bad. If you looked at the world strictly based on what’s inthe news, then you would really see a messed up place.

Nothing should surprise us in theworld anymore.

Are More Dark Days Ahead for Homeowners

2012-02-09T15:03:00.001-06:00

A rather quickthought on the economic report today for the stock numbers. In what should be asurprise to no one, those who actually do remain true to their obligations andpay off their payments are getting the shafts with this new mortgage deal.However, the banks, and those incompetent bunglers who didn’t really remain allthat on the level, are getting the better deal. That just really tells youabout all you need to know right about now. As usual, those who do the rightthing are going to have to pay for the sins of everyone else.

Homeowners are going to really bein for a bumpy right the next few years, even worse than the ride that justoccurred right now.

StockMarket Report 2/9/12

Stock market is up today. Good, Iguess. We are living in some tepid times right this week. Which can be a goodthing, as at least it’s not going down.

Dow Jones: 12,891.37(+7.42)

Nasdaq: 2,927.23(+11.37)

S and P 500: 1,351.96(+2.00)

The Nonexistent Middle Class(and Stock Market Report 2/8/12)

2012-02-08T15:03:00.001-06:00

The EconomicReport, formally known as the Stock Market Report, for February 8^th2012. The stock market while an intriguing part of the economy, can get rathertedious to just merely discuss. While the economic report will have some stockmarket news, along with the final numbers of the Dow Jones, the NASDAQ, and theS and P 500 but there will be other things to discuss. Let’s talk about theMiddle Class. Yeah, that mythical thing that doesn’t seem to exist anymore.

TheEconomic Report: RIP Middle Class

I think for years the middleclass has stuck out like a general oddity of society. People who weren’t inpoverty, but most certainly not rich. They lived a moderately comfortableexistence, getting on with their lives. They might not have been able to affordmass luxuries, but they did live a pretty happy life style.

The middle class has pretty muchburned itself out. There was a dip pit in between the rich and the poor where I’dsay a good fifty percent or so of the people in the United States once resided,in Middle class land. Then the pit got smaller, with more people flying over tothe poor side of the pit(and a couple making it over the rich side). Prettymuch the middle class has narrowly disappeared.

What happened? Well there hasbeen an economic slump. It has been turning around a little bit. Perhaps itmight be. Then again, it could be another ugly lead in to another bigger crashthat finally knocks what remaining middle class that is there right off intothe poor side of the town.

Those who do have the money,those who don’t need to get taken care, will get taken care of. Because if youhave money, you don’t need to take care of yourselves, people will give youthat nudge. And when you don’t have money, it does seem that no matter whateffort you indulge in, you’re pretty much screwed if you aren’t a part of theupper class.

Granted, we’d all like to thinkthings will improve. But the problem is that any momentary hope is cut off,when the Feds decide to funnel money into bailing out people who got into thisposition through their own incompetence in the first place.

StockMarket 2/8/12

Slightly mediocre day on theStock Market for Wednesday February 8^th 2012.

Dow Jones: 12,883.19(+4.99)

Nasdaq: 2,915.86(+11.78)

S and P 500: 1,349.97(+2.92)

Stock Market Report 2/7/12: Watching the Stock Market

2012-02-07T15:02:00.001-06:00

Today the stockmarket seems like a rather peaceful day for the most part. Many are keeping theireyes open for stocks to rather look out from throughout the remainder of 2012.After a slight dip today, the trading on the Stock Market for February 7^th2012 was a bit more stable. Could the insanity that occurred during the pastdecade, with decisions based mostly on fear be gone? Or is it merely a calmbefore the storm?

StockMarket Report 2/7/12: Decade of Fear and Uncertainty

The bigger picture is reallysomething that didn’t exist in the market, in the economy. People freak out bigtime over the most moderate awful news. People scramble in to make a quick buckwhen it seems like something is on the upward trend. Buy, buy, buy, sell, sell,sell, the nature of the market is just something that is up and down. Thebottom fell out in about October of 2008, with the ride going right throughout 2009,2010, and into a bit into 2011. We still haven’t had much of a turn around butwe have more.

In the end, we live in a societythat is extremely push button and impulsive. That has reflected on the trendsand the trading of the Stock Market. We have dealt with some hope, some dismaldays but really in the end, the stock market has been unstable at times. 2012offered some hope and the hope tends to be on shaky ground, as we have becomeso jaded as to wait for the other shoe to drop.

This week there will be manystocks to look at, with Coca-Cola, Disney, and Cisco being reported to be amongthe top gains. Household names of companies which seem to be on the upwardtrend, those that are steady and perhaps on the upward trend. Those who want tostep their toe into the stock market water would do well into looking intothose stocks but anything can happen and will happen.

Will 2012 be a fresh beginning ora further low? We’ll find out for sure.

DowJones: 12,884.90(+39.77)

Nasdaq:2,904.08(+2.08)

Sand P 500: 1,347.10(+2.77)

Stock Market Report 2/6/12: Gold Down and Greece Problems

2012-02-06T15:03:00.001-06:00

The stock marketfor the United States started this week right off of the wrong foot. Gold,which appeared to be on the upswing during the last month, slid right on theway down this month. Let’s take a look at the stock market report for MondayFebruary 6^th 2012.

StockMarket Report 2/6/12: Not a Golden Day

On the bright side, we have notlost too much ground, but it could merely be a trickle before the blood isgoing to flow. The situation right in Greece did not seem to inspireconfidence, as there is no golden haven right in the country. The situation inGreece and other European countries are something that causes some problematicviews for the economy. And problematic views with the economy causes the stockmarket to be on shaky ground.

It seems right now, we live anddie by virtue of those gold futures. Gold futures were the only thing thatseemed to be on the upward trend but now we are rather shaky trend. As withalways, it is too soon to tell. As more information tends to come out, and morenews, we might get some encouraging news and some not so encouraging news. Theteeter totter that is the stock market continues to rise up and down.

The rally that occurred over thefirst few weeks of 2012, where there is no sign to say that we cannot turn thataround, but there is also no indication that it won’t just undo what gains havebeen accomplished. 2012 had some promising news last week with highs which hadnot been seen from years, but as anyone who has paid attention the last fewyears, the highest of highs can turn around, depending upon investorconfidence. It remains to be seen whether you should fully stick both feet intothe murky shark infested investing waters.

Dow Jones: 12,842.86(-19.37)

NASDAQ: 2,901.99(-3.67)

S and P 500: 1,344.29(-0.61)

CAPTCHA is a Necessary Evil

2012-02-06T09:08:00.001-06:00

You ever noticethose little words that you have to type in in the box on a website to provethat you are a human. I’m sure you have had if you have been on the Internetfor any amount of the time. If you have signed up for anything at all ever.They are the bane of many Internet users, as sometimes they can be difficult toread under certain circumstances. They are called CAPTCHA.

CAPTCHA-Afrustrating but necessary component to any website.

Sometimes to make a post, to edita post, to sign up, to sign in, you are required to type in letters. Letterswhich an automated system cannot read. These automated systems or bots can postspam, that contain links that may be potentially malicious. Links to maliciouscontent reflect badly upon any website, as they get tarred with the same brushand often times blocked by many search engines if they are proven to host orlink to malicious content.

Once the spam floodgates areopen, it can be a doozy of a time to delete all of that spam. Often times somuch is posted, in the form of fake articles, fake profiles, or fake commentsthat it can crash the website. Therefore CAPTCHA is introduced in an attempt tostop those who wish to spam, rather personally or through automated programs.

Naturally this can frustrate theaverage user but let’s say you are an article writing website, that is floodedwith a great deal of spam, as was the case with a website I am on recently,before they administrations introduced CAPTCHA before posting articles in a wayto weed out the spam. Would you rather just strain to read those letters orwould you rather just have your article buried in a flood of spam? Buried thatwould it cause any revenue or readings to be lost. I personally would stickwith the CAPTCHA but your mileage may vary.

Note that there are many websitesthat pay users to just to type in CAPTCHA. These websites may pay money, butthey are also as a front, where human users crack the CAPTCHA so spam can beposted to websites, fake profiles can be created to send spam, pretty mucheverything that goes along with that. So steer clear of these websites thatoffer payment for CAPTCHA as they can be shady at best, and from a certainpoint, kind of aiding and abetting criminal activities. It is like giving acriminal a tool. You might not be committing the crime but still offeringvaluable aid.

You might scream and want to pullyour hair out regarding CAPTCHA, but they are going to be in your best interestin the long run, even if they are an adventure to read.

Two New Pages Added to the Blog of Insanity

2012-02-04T23:00:00.000-06:00

On the pages section right at the top of the pages, there are two pages added for articles I have written over the years(well technically year). One of them is articles I've written on education in general. And other set of articles is business articles. There will be more linked, more to come obviously, but these are the first two pages that are posted at the Blog of Insanity. Everyone have a good day, especially on Sunday, where there's a Football game that you might have heard of. Super something or other. Something about a salad bowl. Anyway take care.

Facebook-The Downfall of Many Stupid Criminals

2012-02-04T17:00:00.000-06:00

Facebook, we allknow it. Some of us love it. Others not so much. However, we cannot deny thatit has been something that has been used by many, whether we love it, hate it,or our positively indifferent to it. Naturally, there have been many timeswhere Facebook has had things posted on it for the world to see, that arepotentially incriminating. Some of those things are not all that legal.

FacebookStatus-Bringing Down Crime One Idiot At a Time

Obviously there may be no suchthing as the perfect crime. Due to the fact that many committing a crime arenot going to be among those who will be able to pull off something withoutdetection. Ego, lack of intelligence, just being plain sloppy, pick yourpoison, but rather there are just times where it seems like they do somethingstupid that gets them caught. Most likely telling the wrong person, as they aregoing to have to boast that they got away with it. The minute a criminal tellssomeone how they got away from it, chances are, they won’t be getting away forit much longer.

This has been around prior toFacebook, but it does seem like every time I turn around, there seems to bemany crimes where the criminal’s only flaw in their plan was that they were aFacebook user and had to boast of their crimes. They might think it is private,it is safe, but nothing is completely private on the Internet. Even if someonedoesn’t snitch on you, there’s got to be someone keeping an eye out forpotentially illegal activity on Facebook or any other social networkingwebsites.

So indeed, posting that you areat the place where you are committing the crime as you are committing the crimeis stupid. Posting pictures of what you have robbed on Facebook, also stupid.And let’s not forget, logging onto Facebook at the house of the people you arerobbing, on your computer, and forgetting to log out might be an even more boneheaded move.

We are thankful that there are alot of idiot criminals out there, I think in many ways. Facebook(and othersocial networks), can be something that has caused these criminals to behoisted on their own petard.

Stock Market Report 2/3/12: Nasdaq and Dow Jones Highs Off of Jobs Report

2012-02-03T15:02:00.001-06:00

Some encouragingeconomic news came out today on Friday February 3^rd 2012. The jobsreport was released today, always a report that could cause a great deal ofterror or triumph. Yet today, the jobs report that were released had beenproven to lead to encouragement and the NASDAQ rose to a high level as well.

StockMarket Report 2/3/12: NASDAQ and Dow Jones highs

Eleven years since the NASDAQ hasreached the heights it had been this year. After a weak decade plus, the NASDAQhas been lifted to levels that is not been since December 2000. Also the DowJones reached highs that had not been seen since the latter part of 2008, whenthe economic crisis had begun to hit a fever pitch.

Granted, one good jobs reportwill not be something that will completely restore the confidence of many, butit is a step in the right direction. There will no doubt be debate for sometime to come whether or not it just seems like the jobs report seemed goodcompared to what has happened in the past. And naturally all data is up tointerpretation.

Still the good times may continueto roll right on the stock market or we might have another dip. The week hasended on a slightly promising note but Monday is just another day, thebeginning of another week. As we keep an eye on the Stock Market, as investorstrend lightly, it cannot be disputed that the levels on the NASDAQ and the DowJones have reached levels beyond what they have previously.

What will the week of February 6^thbring? Keep all eyes on the market and remember as always to do your homework andto invest wisely. We might still be in treacherous waters.

Dow Jones: 12,859.62(+154.21)

Nasdaq: 2,905.66(+45.98)

S and P 500: 1,344.82(+19.28)

Stock Market Report 2/2/12: Groundhog Day

2012-02-02T15:03:00.001-06:00

It is now thetime for the Stock Market Report for February 2^nd 2012 and for thosewho care about weather forecasts as predicted by a rodent, the famousGroundhog, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow. Others have not. Given thatthe weather will do whatever it wants, who knows whether we’re have six moreweeks. Granted it’s up for debate whether we’ve had six weeks of winter weatherto begin with but hopefully we will have many weeks of good news on the stockmarket. As Facebook is the rage, we did have a rather easy day right on theMarket.

StockMarket 2/2/12: Groundhog Day Edition.

A day that we are on theborderline of things. A day where we did not really fall right too muchunderneath the positive mark but also did not rise up. A nice and quiet day, asFacebook’s IPO looks to make people gain big. At least at first. Whether or notthe good times will roll as Facebook takes that next still is something thatremains to be seen.

Could we be seeing something of agreen flag to buy fresh stocks? Perhaps, but there is just cautious optimism atbest. The labor market is always on shaky ground, many would say unstable, andobviously regardless of how smartly people are going to invest, many will stillbe feeling a bit of a crunch and a bit of a cramp.

We are just going to have towatch the markets, and hopefully make sense out of it. I think one undisputedlesson over recent years as what we thought we knew years ago might no longerapply to the stock market, at least in some respects. A company like Facebook forexample is set up to be something big, perhaps in the short term, but in thelong term, it could flame out. The 1990s have taught that and that is part ofthe reason And we’re still in debt as a country, which means individually,there might be a certain ceiling.

Time will tell, and until tomorrow,remember to invest wisely.

DowJones: 12,707.08(-9.38)

Nasdaq:2,859.68(+11.74)

Sand P 500: 1,325.58(+1.48)

Stock Market Report 2/1/12: Stocks Rally to Start Feb

2012-02-01T15:02:00.001-06:00

As Facebookcontinues its preparations in going public, a new month started, and with a newmonth offers new hope. Is the new hope, false hope? With a shorter than normalmonth(but longer than most Februaries due to it being a leap year), the StockMarket rallied today. Some encouraging news globally was perhaps a keymotivator for this change.

StockMarket Report 2/1/12: Another Month

Last month had days that wereequal parts strong and weak. There were rallies, slumps, and just days werestocks remained flat. The stock market has increased across the board fortoday, as those in Wall Street prepare for a fresh month. A fresh month withsome fresh hope and hopefully some news that is encouraging. Globalmanufacturing has spiked, but there are other areas that are a bit weaker thanwe would have assumed.

Facebook is going to be a hugepart of the stock exchange no doubt. Whether it will be a new day for thecompany or just the beginning of the end will be something that we will take alook at in the coming weeks. Internet companies tend to be something of double edgedsword. The dot com high rise and then high fall of the late 1990s and early2000s could be one of the commanding factors to the state the stock market is.

Yet Facebook is a household name.For better or for worse, a lot of people use Facebook, so in many ways,offering stock is the next move. Perhaps a calculated risk that might pay offin the end. Facebook has a chance to boom big and flame out just as quickly asyou could imagine. As today’s rally has been encouraging, tomorrow is alwaysanother day, but hopefully this will be a week in general where we end on apositive note, as we conclude looking at where we stand financially going intoFebruary of 2012.

Until tomorrow remember as alwaysto do your homework and invest wisely.

Dow Jones: 12,714.65(+81.74)

Nasdaq: 2,848.27(+34.83)

S and P 500: 1,324.07(+11.68)

Stock Market Report 1/31/12: January 2012 in the Books

2012-01-31T15:02:00.001-06:00

As Facebookprepares for its Initial Public Offering this week, one must wonder whatFacebook’s IPO will mean for Wall Street. The Stock Market was the usual mixedback on the final day of January 2012, on Tuesday January 31^st 2012.

StockMarket Report 1/31/12:Month Wrapup and Facebook IPO

This month had some ups and somedowns. The stock market seemed to be remotely strong at times, and the lowswere not as low as it could have been. January 2012 was reported to be the bestfinish that the Stock Market had since 1997. Of course given the obvious postholiday slumps, that might not be the best indicator. It is just that thestocks did not drop all that much throughout the month.

Investing in the stock market,the game has not changed as is a very calculated risk. But perhaps the risksare greater and the rewards might be less in the long run for many stocks. As Facebookprepares to go live with their IPO on Wednesday, it may be a boon for the StockMarket but it may also be just another crack in the foundation for both themarket and Facebook. Many believe Facebook had a peak of about a year or twoago and there are many concerns about the company security wise and how it willaddress it.

Still it may be a logical stepfor Facebook to take. And it might allow the market to really rebound in anextent. Still it will be big news for the market. Investors will be watching tosee how Facebook plays when their IPO is live this week.

We may live in some interestingeconomic times with both news good and bad. Until next time, invest wisely.

Dow Jones: 12,637.15(-16.57)

Nasdaq: 2,813.84(+1.90)

S and P 500: 1,312.44(-0.62)

The Nightmare that Is Dealing with Customer Service

2012-01-31T10:09:00.001-06:00

Let’s face it,customer service has not been what it used to be for a very long time. In fact,there are companies who get agitated at their consumers who ask perfectly legitimateinquiries. When working with customer service, you will deal with your case ofrude people. Granted, there is enough rudeness to go around, both with thecustomer service department and the people calling.

Providing of course you actuallyget a hold of a real person.

CustomerService-Pretty Much Dead Come To think about It

You hit the phone to deal withyour problem. You wait a little bit, wait some more, and then do the verypopular, “press one for English” option that is the bane of many people whodeal with customer services. Then you are put right through the list of prerecordedinquiries, where you have to press a certain number. Granted there is the trickto get a real person on the phone where you can press “0” but good luck athaving that work to any degree of success. Sometimes it does, but other timesyou might just get thrown into another command chain of numbers until you get areal person.

Who might have to put you throughto another department, where you fly right through the chain of numbers rightagain. The “0” must be worn out on your telephone by now as you try and get acustomer service representative. You may get one, but hopefully they knowsomething about your problem. Of course, they offer solutions that are soobviously common sense that you tried them before picking up the telephone.

Then there is the fun when youget thrown right into a Customer Service Loop. Or as I like to call it, “TheStudent Finance” effect, where you get sent right back to the first person whodirected you to another department. You can go through this about two times,before you wish you had a landline phone so you could hang yourself with thecord.

Online customer service is notmuch better. You are lucky to get an e-mail response or someone in the chat ifyou catch them at the right them. And most of the e-mail responses tend to bequite automated and give you phone numbers where you can get more help. Andmore pain. If a company website has a FAQ, it won’t likely help, with the mostgeneric problems ever.

The reason for the decline ofcustomer service is kind of obvious. The easiest expense to cut is employeesand the easiest department to cut them from is the customer service department.

So hopefully if you do contactcustomer service for anything, you’ll get a response. Just be sure to set asidea couple of hours of your time before doing so.

Warmer Weather This Winter: Global Warming, World Ending, or Just Wacky Weather

2012-01-30T16:46:00.004-06:00

Sixty degrees in the midwest United States towards the end of January is something that is rather insane. Not that I'm complaining mind you, its just that the weather is just much warmer in many parts of the nation and the world. It's not often that we can open the windows and don't even have to put a jacket on. Still the weather is stranger, which really does give both people who think that global warming is out of control(and there is some valid arguments granted), and also those who might think that the world will be ending on December 21st 2012(which there are no valid arguments)

Still it is a welcome change not having to dig through a lot of snow. Hopefully you're going to enjoy that weather. Sadly that is going to cause havoc in many ways and we're going to get ill from these sudden changes of weather. Still regardless enjoy the nice weather while it lasts, as I'm sure the snow will return with a vengeance.