One Of These Days I Gonna Get Organized

I think the Buddhist saying go like this: Happiness is the absence of want.

Hello Europe Here I Come

Making it to Amsterdam might cost me 40% less by next year. In 4 months the value of the US Dollar has risen from .62 to .74 compared to the Euro. Watch out France and Germany, I'm also headed your way, this time flexing my maybe almost equally valued dollar. Beers and brats, I think I'll be able to afford a few.

Last time was close, this time more than close

I've been reliving the 2004 Presidential elections. Four years ago at this time; Bush lead with 264 projected electoral votes, while Kerry trailed closely behind with 253. Michigan and New Hampshire were tied and I predicted with Kerry's strong debate performances that he would win. But early Wednesday morning when Bush barely pulled ahead in Ohio, my heart sunk with the realization that Kerry would lose. That I America would lose, and I that I would lose.

On Wednesday, when I got into the fortified Republican strong-hold, known as my office, I swore off politics. I placed a moratorium on all political news coverage. I was gonna have to find something else to occupy my time. And I thought maybe for the next four years. The war in Iraq was gonna have to go on without my dissenting opinions.  So I enrolled for classes at the local community college.

This time around, Obama is leading McCain 349 to 174, with Ohio, Missouri, Virginia, and Florida in his projected win column. These are states Bush won four years ago. My source, then and now, is http://www.electoral-vote.com. If reliable as they were four years ago, Tuesday night should be a good night for me and I won't have to think about enrolling in school Wednesday morning. But after the win, is there that much to be happy about?

Mindfulness

I thought I'd give it a try. Here's the wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness_(psychology)

I saw an interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn and it peaked my interest. I have Mindlessness down pat so I know have something back to.

Who needs sleep?

Well, I finally accepted it was me! This Sunday, I watched a "60 Minutes" report on the effects of sleep deprivation. Even on the first day, it affects your health and your level of leptin. Which the report said "increase your hunger" and "places your body into a pre-diabetic state." The program linked sleep deprivation as a factor for American obesity and decline in elderly health.

On the another program I've watched recently on PBS about mind/body health. The speaker contributed the two greatest factors to mental health conditioning were sleep and exercise. I agree. I've started the exercise, now let's get the eight hours of sleep. It was noted in the "60 Minutes" show, that there are three different levels of sleep and the quantity of "deep sleep" was a substantial factor.

Since I get up at 6am, I'm gonna have to hit the hay at 10pm. There's only television that I'm missing, but with a DVR, I can just watch "Charlie Rose" the next day. I think I've finally learn to appreciate sleep.

One mandatory tool for Linux

Arghhh!! Dos files on my Linux box, the dreaded ^M. And yet again I am on another version of Linux. So far Mandrake to RedHat to CentOS to Unbuntu and now to Debian. Each one with it's own different way to install my much needed "dos2unix" app. So here's the latest for Debian:

apt-get install tofrodos

In case you may need it.

A walk downtown

I had to run an errand today; trying to find a FedEx Kinko's that had a Notary. Being away for almost 4 years, I made the wrong turn on Sacramento to find Kearny. When I found myself down by the Embarcadero Center, I turned around and it was a quick walk back to Kearny. I passed by a few of memorable restaurants, like Alfred's. From there it was a quick walk back to Union Square then back to work.

From my office on 2nd and Bryant, I can walk to anywhere downtown for lunch. I can see myself realizing more of this city's potential. Restaurants, bars, cafes, bookstores or just a walk to get some sun.

Nothing Like A Sharp Knief

I recently bought the Furi Diamondfinger Sharpner. This turned out to be one of the best things I've bought in a long time. Having a good sharp knife makes cooking easier and much more enjoyable. Chopping, dicing and slicing has been made quicker and more effortless.

Super Bowl Winners

Wow, what an exciting Super Bowl! High drama, teams playing for history, Boston vs New York, the classic American underdog, best offense vs stout defense; these are the ingredients for a great game. And if that wasn't enough, there were turn-overs, sacks and critical fumbles!

The real winners of this Super Bowl are the fans. We got a great game and a great anticipation for another great season upcoming. The defeat of the Patriots turned out a better story than the favored "perfect season" storyline. This game proved how hard it is to attain the "perfect season" or other "perfections" like Joe Montana or the 70's Steelers winning 4 Super Bowls.

The way the Giants executed their win, left no doubt that their's was a not a lucky win. And even though the Patriots came up short, there's every expectation that they will seek a "perfect season" next year. This is drama in the salary cap era.

Here are the other winners:
Terrell Owens - He gets to keep claiming he's better than Randy Moss.
Joe Montana - Tom Brady couldn't pull of "The Drive" to win the Super Bowl and this should squelch talk about the Best QB ever.
Archie Manning - How much more fatherly pride can a man have.
Boston Red Sox - Bruins not a chance and the Celtics won't make it, leaving the Sox the kings of New England.

And here is the biggest loser:
Tiki Barber - What's the Emmy version of the Lombardi trophy?