Passing of a Swedish Neighbor

I met Richard over a month ago. We stood at the stone wall that divides our gardens and spoke for a short bit. I had seen he and his wife outside a number of times. They worked in the garden constantly. I have never seen such a well manicured garden in all my life!!! He was an older man. I have since learned that he was 86. Anyway, we made introductions. He explained that he was from Sweden. I told him I was flying back to the USA the next morning to see my grandfather who had fallen and was in the hospital. We agreed that I should visit he and his wife and have some vin rouge (red wine) sometime.

Following my short visit to the USA, and for the past month, I have not seen Richard. Several weeks ago, I noticed that their grass had grown higher than usual and wondered if something was wrong. Well, my thoughts were confirmed Friday night while having dinner with a Swiss couple (also neighbor's of mine). They informed me that Richard had a heart attack and died a month ago. He had made breakfast and was serving his wife in bed when it happened.

It's too bad I never got the chance to have wine with he and his wife. Even from my short conversation, I could tell that he is a nice man. Today, I spoke to his wife and told her how sorry I was to hear the news. She confirmed that he died just a few days after speaking to me. I suppose it happened while I was visiting family in the USA. She is very sad of course and noted that it is "difficile". She made the comment that she is all alone. I feel terrible for her. I told her to let me know if I could help with anything. She was thankful for the offer but it did little to ease the pain of her loss.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the everyday occurrences of our busy lives and forget the smaller, more important details.

Paris Hilton's Energy Policy

Neither US Presidential candidate has been able to articulate an energy policy as clearly as Paris Hilton, and they sure as hell haven't looked as good as her in the process.

It's understandable if you are distracted and have to watch a few times to actually hear what she is saying. The first couple of times I watched, I thought I was hearing her call my name... : )

How many presidential candidates have their own ideas anyway? They have a team of "experts" around them to give them options and recommendations. All they have to do is make a decision and present it. Paris makes both of these guys look like amateurs with no ideas on important issues like energy.

McCain needs some spark and youth behind him. He should consider Paris for VP, or at least a campaign advisor on energy policy. Whatever happens, we just need to see more of her!

Global Oil Problem Not Just About Oil

The US is the largest user of oil by far, but it won't always be. Nations like China and India will soon pass the US up. Why is this happening now?

I believe the root, in addition to the ignorant policy of the US government to import versus drill, is founded in a series of governmental and private sector failures. Two of the most key are a poor public education system and corporate greed. Schools in the US are not competitive in a local economy, much less a global one. Jobs at the tail end of last century and from here on out require brains and skills. The economy is global. Kids coming out of public schools in the US must compete with the smartest that a number of other nations have to offer. They are competing for a finite number of jobs. Who will win? The smartest, most skilled kids will win.  This is dangerous for the US economy in that it must import knowledge (in addition to oil) from other countries.

This is where lack of education and greed have come together to form the perfect storm. At least 10 years ago, Corporate America (and large companies from other developed nations) began experimenting with shipping high technology jobs to less developed nations. Why pay an American $150hr when you can pay someone from India $20hr? Many would argue that companies now pay 5 times to get the job done, but this really does not matter. The fact is the money is being spent in another country - one where $20/hr goes as far or further than $150/hr in the US. What does any of this have to do with oil?

When a person has money, he or she spends it. In a country where a person does not have a car, what is the first or second thing he will buy? That's right. A car. Cars take fuel and this is where the problem starts to take shape. A number of "developing nations" are now "developed enough" to ignite an expansion which is driving global demand for oil to levels never before seen. It will get worse. It will not stop.  Advanced jobs are now being exported into Eastern European countries like Poland.  It's great for the local economies but will continue to strain the global situation.

Let's get back to the topic of oil. For the past 1/2 century, the US has imported more and more oil. The US does not have the infrastructure to utilize its own resources. The real shame is that the US government will try to pressure Saudi Arabia to release more of its oil to drive prices down, but the US will not drill for its own oil!!! This is a sad state of affairs effecting the world economy.

The solution: take steps to improve the school system by hiring qualified teachers, paying them middle class wages, implementing testing to validate teachers have knowledge in their brains to share, and fire those who don't perform. Provide large tax incentives for companies that utilize American resources. Drill now in Alaska but continue to invest in alternative energy sources and drive down the use of oil.  Educate Americans about the importance of energy conservation and provide rewards to those who do it.  The solution is complex and involves multiple areas - not just oil.

Newsflash: Obama has solution to reduce dependency on Middle East oil

It's simple.  Everyone, please inflate your tires and get regular tune ups.  Now why didn't anyone else think of that?

Swiss National Day

Swiss National Day is today so happy Swiss Day to my new friends in my temporary home. See link for history.

History of Swiss National Day

I spent some time at the Cully Festival which was nice.

Here's my street decorated with Swiss Flags.


I like boats.


Did I say I like boats?


Well I really do... : )


Some of my fellow villagers from Cully.


Happy Swiss Day!!!

US Soldiers Walk on US Soil in Iraq

My cousin shared this picture and explanation with me. In this picture, a US Army soldier is tending to his tiny 'plot' of grass in front of his tent. He is actually using scissors to cut the grass. It is said that he asked his wife to send him dirt (US soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet. Before the men of the squadron have a mission, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil -- to bring them good luck.

May God Bless our Soldiers as they fight for freedom for a people
in a part of the world who have never seen real freedom!!

Baylor might land #1 prospect out of 2009 class!!

All I can say is Hell Yeah!!!  Sic 'em Bears!!!!

Read news from KUSports.com

Click to watch this guy play!!!