a quote

"There are 10^11 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers."
- Richard Feynman

what economic turmoil are you talkin' about?

Don't worry. Yes it's true our economy is in shambles. The dow is down like over 1,000 points. More and more people with degrees are being forced to take jobs that are typically reserved for teens and underachievers at places like McDonald's and Starbucks. The housing market is almost non-existent. We've got empty houses everywhere while people are being evicted and forced to live on the streets. Fourteen commercial banks have gone bust so far this year. (Including my precious WAMU) 33% of Americans said they believed the country was in a depression. Oil has plummeted by about $15 dollars a barrel. $700 billion is being spent to save some greedy people. Etcetera etcetera etcetera...

But like I said don't worry. The Mariners still have 116 million dollars that I'm sure they're putting to good use.

a lifestyle change?

As I was working away on a big project yesterday, I couldn't help but notice a radio advertisement/infomercial state that just by driving 55mph instead of 65mph you can get 30 more miles out of your tank. Soon thereafter I embarked on a trip down to Matt's house (which is about 20 miles down the freeway) in my car which was dangerously low on gas (already in the red). I decided to drive 55-60 mph instead of my normal 65-70 and see what I could squeeze out of it. When I started my journey I was worried that I might not be able to make it to Matt's house without stopping first and getting some of that sweet premium juice. Nevertheless, I put on some relaxing music and hunkered down in the rightmost lane never accelerating more than necessary, drove at a constant speeed and didn't pass any cars. (even when I was behind a motor-home) Let me tell you it's a whole other world in the right lane, people over there drive patiently and kindly and there's not pressure to go fast or get out of the way. It was surprisingly nice. Needless to say I made it to Matt's without problem. The true test came on the way home, I decided to go for it. I got back on the freeway at about 2 a.m., set the cruise control for 58mph and enjoyed a leisurely trip home. By the time I exited I was getting a little worried because I still had another 4-5 miles before I was at my house, but I was determined to make it without filling up. I patiently cruised on to highway 9 and up to Soper Hill rd, and eventually down 83rd and right up into my driveway. My car is now as low on gas as I believe it has ever been (I don't know what I'm going to do since there are no gas stations very near), but yesterday I embraced a new lifestyle. An attitude of patience, economics, and thriftiness. Will I faithfully continue in this new on-road manner? It's hard to say, but I think it is fair to say that at least I have been willing to embrace change, expand my horizons, contemplate new things and from that kind of willingness good things usually come.