Guess who gets to do their civic duty? Totally messes me up! Funny every time I go, I never get selected though. It will give me time to actually read my pocket version of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence maybe if I'm there long enough. I'm supposed to show up tommorow at 12:45. Kind of messes up the day.

(from newsmax.com newsletter)

I find this article interesting. except for one thing, most government employees or services are viewed as inefficient. Working 10 hour days won't help that. But it should save a bundle of cash. In the private sector, It would be difficult for any company that has a 24 hour operation which normally has 3 shifts of workers to implement this. The only thing that would make it feasible, is to modify overtime laws on the books so companies that can implement it could do so without losing additional revenue. In theory, I said in therory, it could work.

My question is what will people do with all that extra time on thier hands?

Utah Pioneering Four-Day Work Week

The state of Utah is leading the way in adopting a four-day workweek, which may become more widespread as the United States seeks to reduce energy consumption.

Since August 2008, all government employees in Utah have been working 10 hours a day, Monday through Thursday, with Friday off. That leaves government buildings vacant on Fridays, with no lights, elevators or computers in use.

"Electric bills have dropped even further during the summer, thanks to less air conditioning," Scientific American reported.

"Friday's midday hours have been replaced by cooler mornings and evenings on Monday through Thursday."

By May, the state had already saved nearly $2 million in energy costs, and Utah projected that it would see a drop of at least 6,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the course of a year.

When reductions in greenhouse gases from the loss of one day's commuting are included, the drop would be at least 12,000 tons — the equivalent of taking 2,300 cars off the road for a year.

El Paso, Texas, is among the U.S. cities also experimenting with a four-day workweek, adopting the Fridays-off schedule in June.

If the four-day workweek were adopted across the country, the elimination of one workday's commuting would lower U.S. oil imports by 5 percent to 10 percent, The New Republic reported, and help workers save money on gas.

The Utah program is popular with state workers, too — 82 percent say they want to keep the four-day workweek, according to a survey by Brigham Young University's Lori Wadsworth. Workers say they enjoy less stress, need fewer sick days, and spend more time with their families.

Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won the "Ukraine's Got Talent" competition. She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret the invasion and occupation of her country from 1941-1945.

(The audiobook version is a good listen)

Glenn Beck's Common Sense

The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine

"If you believe it's time to put principles above parties, character above campaign promises, and Common Sense above all -- then I ask you to read this book...."

Nearly two and a half centuries after Thomas Paine's masterpiece changed America forever, Glenn Beck revisits it with one purpose: to galvanize Americans to see past government's easy solutions, two-part monopoly, and illogical methods and take back our great country.

Where to Buy It...

I have a couple of fingers (same as my grandfather) that are curling. The disease is called Dupuytren's contracture and for me makes it difficult to type, shake hands, and more importanlty just put my hand in my pocket. I have had this problem for years and didn't know what it was. Surgery which of course is expensive dosen't always fix it on a permanent basis so I doubt this proceedure would either....but does appear as an decent option If I can find a local Doctor to perform it.

On my other hand, I have 2 partially knumb fingers that according to some are from spurs in my neckbones, or nerve damage in my shoulder, or nerve damage in the Ulna Nerve...one thing at a time!

Math Logic

Here is a little something someone sent me that is indisputable mathematical logic. It also made me Laugh Out Loud.
This is a strictly mathematical viewpoint....it goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants    you to give over 100%.. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A -R -D-W-O -R -K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K -N -O -W-L -E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5
= 96%

But ,

A-T  -T -I -T  -U -D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And,

B -U  -L  -L -S -H-I -T
2+21+12+12 +19+8+9+20 = 103 %

AND, look how far ass kissing
will take you.

A-S -S -K -I -S-S -I -N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7

= 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty, that While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.

'REMEMBER SOME PEOPLE ARE ALIVE SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO SHOOT THEM'

I finally broke down and got a GPS for the car. Haven't installed it or tried it yet other than turning it on and mapping out a trip around the block. I've had a GPS that I carry that uses my laptop but that's too cumbersome to use regularily.

Basically what I do is rely on maps.

Both of the doors in my Jeep have quite an assortment of maps I have collected over several years. Between my collection, Yahoo Maps, and Google Maps, and specific directions from a client, I can usually find a clients house with no problem.

Did I need another GPS?

Well obviously not, but I found a deal on a refurb TomTom that was reasonable. This model of course is not the top of the line. No MP3player. Like my laptop GPS, You have to enter in an address to your destination. The TomTom is easier in this area than I expected. As you are typing on the touchscreen it offers suggestions based on what it knows about you can select. Kind of like what happens in my web browser.

I suspect this will encourage me to use the GPS more often than my maps. However, the screen is small and the voice doesn't seem loud enough. That may pose a problem when it comes to deciding a place to mount it and how effective it is for regular use. But being as small as it is, it also fits in the pocket so it could double as a hiking tool when walking through town or just doing some exploring.