Daylight time or Standard time — which do you prefer?
This weekend, we’ll be performing that scientific magic we perform here in the U.S. every year — changing time itself.
Okay, we aren’t REALLY changing the nature of the Universe and time itself, we’re just shifting from Daylight Saving Time back to Standard Time. Which means we’ll be getting back to “normal” time, right? Although, if we simply stayed on Daylight Saving Time, that would BE normal time, wouldn’t it?
I jest about all this. In fact, I’ve never understood why we don’t stay on Daylight Saving Time if it indeed is supposed to be more power-usage-friendly or economical or whatever. Why go back and forth? I don’t know what sort of outdoor lighting you have on your property or your street, but we have a parking lot across from our house with several large lot lights that shine brightly in our windows through part of the evening. I’d just as soon know when and how to expect that lighting all year around.
I won’t presume to understand all the history and issues between the time change. If you know more about it than I — and you probably DO! — post a comment and tell us what you think about it.
Meanwhile, just remember to set your clocks back an hour to Standard Time this weekend, or you’ll amaze all your friends and colleagues by showing up WAY early for everything on Monday!
Voting is a precious privilege, use it and use it wisely
I won’t make this any big deal, really, but if you live in the U.S. and are qualified/registered to vote — SHAME ON YOU IF YOU DON’T GET OUT THERE AND VOTE IN THIS ELECTION!
I don’t wish to scold or preach or anything (though as a parent of two grown children and a former pastor, I’ve done more than enough of both!), but I passionately believe voting a a tremendous privilege and a solemn responsibility for everyone who qualifies.
I’m sure that we have visitors/readers from all around the world, so much of this post is pretty “America-centric,” really. But it is so important that we all vote if at all possible. We have the ability to say “yes” or “no” on hundreds of important issues regarding how we and our neighbors will live our lives. We have the ability to approve or disapprove of the people who will lead us.
I won’t presume to tell you who you should vote for in the U.S. presidential race, though I feel passionately in favor of one of the two major party candidates. (I have a much more “political” blog where you can easily figure that out if you wish to visit there.) But I urge you to vote for the candidate of your choice. If you’re REALLY undecided, after the 20+ months of political campaigning we’ve endured here in America, I honestly don’t understand. But get out there and vote.
And if you’re lucky enough to live in one of those states set up to accommodate early voting — vote early and avoid the huge crowds that are expected on Election Day (next Tuesday).
I feel better now. And I’m sure you’ll feel better, too, if you take my admonition seriously and get out there and vote!
We all need to step back and stop the financial panic
My son has worked hard over the last 5-10 years to live frugally and invest regularly in the stock market.
Yeah, that’s right — he’s lost a bundle on paper, and his portfolio takes another hit on most days.
He told me yesterday that the major reason the economy, and especially the stock market, is tanking right now is one word: PANIC. According to him, and according to what I hear daily on various cable news sources and on the Internet, that panicky “herd mentality” continues to be the single biggest influence that makes the stock market yo-yo up and mostly down.
Sure, times are hard right now given just about every economic indicator you hear about — but there still are people out there finding good mortgage quotes, there still are people out there who are buying stocks, and there still are people out there with stable, dependable jobs and careers.
So — all of you who are running around, waving your hands over your heads, and shouting, “the sky is falling, the sky is falling” — calm down. Cut out the panic, will ya??
I thank you. And my son thanks you even more!
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