Liberal minded one

Reunion 2011

2011-06-09T12:37:00.001-06:00

Reunion 2011, a set on Flickr.

How fast the years roll by. It was the best reunion to date and it may be because there was the added Wilson Jr. High reunion to cap it off. It gave me a feeling of connection to my youth and people from my past still chugging along.

I fear the next one will not be as much fun if it is in 10 years (or even 5). I hope I am proven wrong at that time!

the wild lovebirds of midtown Tulsa

2009-03-03T21:51:00.001-06:00

looks like a perfect home
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

My daughter took this picture from her second floor apartment near the end of August. She had heard them many times before she finally saw them. She knew their voices from the mated pair I had more than 15 years, as well as the pair I had given my mother (she shortly after traded them in for a cockatiel, thinking it would be a tamer bird).

There are four birds in the photo, the two on the outside of the light, one inside the shade and the one doing lookout on the wire. I suspect that all four are males, just because all my green ones were male and the yellow were female (and much larger).

I gave a friend a mated pair around 1997 that came from one of my many clutches and he adored them. He hung their cage out on his front porch on a lovely day and they opened their cage door and disappeared. He was distraught and went to a pet store to find out if there was a chance he could find them. They told him the birds would be headed for Florida en route to Africa--an interesting story, to say the least.

This flock of lovebirds lives in midtown Tulsa about 4 miles from where my friend's birds escaped more than 10 years ago. The area has lots of very large, old trees and lovebirds make their homes inside tree hollows and the likes, and do not roost on branches at night. Perhaps they are descended from my two adorable birds, Henry and June...

study in oil, artist undetermined

2008-11-12T06:16:00.002-06:00

study in oil
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

My father closed his office this year and gave away everything he had collected over the last 60 years during his travels. He gave art and Persian rugs to patients and fellow dentists, but my brother did manage to get the lion's share of valuable items. I didn't like the idea of dad giving away what I saw as a massive investment and urged him to find an auction company that could do an internet auction. I didn't want to go over like a vulture and put my name on things I didn't need because they were valuable. So, by the time I did go over to see what was left, it was nearly bare.

This painting was overlooked simply because it was in a closet in one of the bathrooms. I was immediately struck by the exquisite beauty and true artistry, so I grabbed it and brought it home. Although it is not framed I went ahead and hung it on my bedroom wall after a few weeks of examining it in detail. I can not make out the artist's name and there is no date on it. My father doesn't remember where or when he got it, so it is an intriguing mystery to me.

Whoever the artist was, perhaps I will never know. I do like to simply gaze in appreciation at what he (or she) put onto a blank canvas. I wish I knew the story behind the work, but it is fun to make up stories and imagine scenarios.

in loving memory 1998-2006

2008-01-22T01:26:00.001-06:00

boo-key's books
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

It is been over a year since I lost my beloved Boo-key Ram Das. You were the most remarkable being I have ever had the pleasure to know and your time with me was far too short. You were the light of my life and your love kept me going through rough times. You were always there for me, wanting to jump in my lap and hug me. Holding you was always such bliss and gave me great happiness.

I will always despise the Chinese greed that stole you away from me. I am so sorry that I tried to give you the best buying you the Hill's canned cat food in gravy, and later the W/D formula that was also tainted. I unwittingly killed you, my beloved darling.

You are always in my mind and I miss you just as much as I feared I would. Life without you lonely. I miss you, I love you and no being can ever replace you. When I close my eyes I can see you and smell your lovely scent. I still expect to see walking around the house.

Thank you for being my best friend and love. It was my honor to have been owned and loved by you. I kiss you eternally.

no snow, all ice and sleet

2007-02-16T14:30:00.001-06:00

no snow, all ice and sleet
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

after the ice storm, the ground looked like a Zamboni had smoothed it over. If my ice skates still fit me I would have tried skaing, as it was a perfectly smooth surface.

Jaden's face

2006-04-12T23:56:00.000-06:00

face
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Jaden was born on April 5, 2006 at 11:46am. I met him for the first time today. His first name was Seven Aidan (nine and ten), which fit with his birthday of 4-5-06. Weighing in at 5 pounds and height of 17", (and all nose:), he has a winding road ahead of him. His final name is Jaden Christian, which means devout (full of fire) christian. May he help to make the world a better place for all creatures, great and small.

eye spy

2006-02-23T02:42:00.000-06:00

eye
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

this reminds me of the DARPA logo, before they decided to not be so public with their intent...we are watching you!

elements

2006-02-11T17:39:00.000-06:00

Your Love Element Is Water

In love, you connect deeply and commit totally.

For you, love is all about taking risks and moving into unknown territory.

You attract others with courage and confidence.

Your flirting style is defined by your flexibility and ability to adapt.

Nurturing and shared learning are the cornerstones of your love life.

And while you may jump in to love too quickly, you always come out the wiser for it.

You connect best with: Metal

Avoid: Earth

You And another Water element: will pull each other down into a dark place

What Element Is Your Love?

chicken little redux

2006-02-02T00:39:00.000-06:00

I have, sadly, been avoiding my blog since I seem to have totally messed up the template I love by adding a Flickr badge. My knowledge of html is quite limited, but apparently enough to be able to do some damage. It is in abyssmal state, but I don't want to wreck it any worse than it already is at this point.

My intent on Tuesday night was to meet like-minded people at the NBC affiliate in Tulsa at 7:30 to drown out in protest Mr. Bush's speech. After much internal conflict I opted to take the safe route and avoid any possibility of being shown with the group I thoroughly support. I am in critical need of employment and don't want to risk any possible repercussions for exercising my 1st amendment rights that are currently included in our bill of rights. I understand that economics are a valuable tool to those demagogues that seek to instill their will on the masses, and blacklisting is not beneath them or their sheeple.

I did not watch the SOTU on Tuesday, but I did spend Wednesday reading various articles on buzzflash.com, my lifeline to the news. Of the many enlightening articles I read, I was totally flabbergasted at one from a San Antonio station. The lead to the link implied that Halliburton (via KBR) had gotten another sweetheart deal much like the ones in the many theaters of the US military. Upon reading it I realized that it was much more sinister than the lead stated and what it said really hit home. The INS, a division under the so-called Homeland Security, has contracted with KBR (on a contingency basis) to build large processing/detention/deportation centers in the US.

This article was jaw dropping, so just for posterity I am going to commit an illegal act and include it below. I wish blogger allowed us mac users to to the many lovely things to highlight specific passages, but that is not possible. What really is striking is that it talks about building these centers (which may never be built) for OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS that might arise. I firmly believe that this is paving the way for the new US style concentration camps for dissenters, homosexuals, liberals, intelligentia, non-believers, etc. I have often wondered how the Nazis managed to do this very thing, and it was because the educated, thinking people did not accept the fact it could happen and the masses couldn't care less.

I wish I was wrong, but I fear I am connecting the dots and yelling "the sky is falling." I guess this makes me a wacko conspiracy theorist out of touch with reality. So much to be fearful of, and it is not foreign terrorists!!

Halliburton unit's immigration contract is repeat deal
LAST UPDATE: 1/31/2006 5:10:48 AM
DALLAS - When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was picking someone to plan and perhaps build centers to handle a crush of immigrants, it turned to a familiar name.

The Corps last week awarded a contract worth up to $385 million to KBR, a subsidiary of engineering and defense contractor Halliburton Co. KBR held a similar contract from 2000 through 2005.

The contract calls on KBR to set up temporary processing, detention and deportation facilities in case of a surge of people trying to enter the country, according to immigration officials.

"It's part of (the government's) planning should there be some sort of emergency, say some sort of upheaval in Latin America, that would cause a mass migration," said Jamie Zuieback, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Zuieback called it a "contingency contract" and that the Halliburton unit might never be asked to build any such centers.

Halliburton said KBR might also be used to open more detention centers if they were needed for new government programs.

The Army Corps issued an open call for contractors, but only KBR bid for the work, said Clay Church, a Corps spokesman.

KBR has been paid just $5.9 million so far under the 2000-2005 contract, although up to several million dollars in additional claims from last year are awaiting routine auditing, Church said. That contract, like the new one, included a one-year base period and four one-year options.

Halliburton announced last week that it will sell a minority stake in KBR through an initial public offering of stock.

Houston-based Halliburton, which was led by Vice President Dick Cheney from 1995-2000, is the largest government contractor in Iraq. It recently passed $10 billion in orders to provide housing, meals and other services for U.S. troops and to rebuild Iraq's oil industry.

Several military audits have questioned Halliburton's work in Iraq, and some congressional Democrats have accused the Bush administration of favoring the company with noncompetitive contracts. The Justice Department is considering whether to investigate how the Army Corps gave Halliburton a no-bid contract for restoring Iraq's oil fields.

Charlie Cray, who helps run HalliburtonWatch.org, a group critical of the company's government contracts, said Halliburton should be barred from new government contracts until all investigations into its work in Iraq are finished.

Halliburton officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has denied receiving favored treatment because of its political connections.

never say die?

2005-08-26T00:02:00.000-06:00

Your Ideal Relationship is Marriage

You've dated enough to know what you want.
And that's marriage - with the right person.
You're serious about settling down some time soon.
Even if you haven't met the person you want to get hitched to!

What's Your Ideal Relationship?

How many options are there for a committed relationship? Marriage is legal protection for many things beyond just the commitment. It is good to have a partner in life. I really wish that there was the equivalent of civil unions here in the US. A legal bond that gives the union certain rights, a legal contract for partnership, like any business contract. Marriage seems to have too many expectations and religious overtones.

"Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." Bertrand, Lord Russll (1872-1970)

Guess I could be a citizen--not just a consumer

2005-08-25T23:42:00.000-06:00

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

every picture tells a story...

2005-07-31T17:39:00.000-06:00

Seems I am going overboard on the blogthings, but it is so much fun. I am a maniac when it comes to taking tests and have done most of the tests offered on Tickle. Even though I think I know who I am I like finding confirmation in my beliefs.

You are dependable, popular, and observant.
Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.
In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do.

You are unique, creative, and expressive.
You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.
And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Belief

2005-07-31T17:29:00.000-06:00

Funny, I always describe myself as an agnostic and define it as "I don't know and I don't care." Guess that is the truth...

You are Agonistic

You're not sure if God exists, and you don't care.
For you, there's no true way to figure out the divine.
You rather focus on what you can control - your own life.
And you tend to resent when others "sell" religion to you.

What's Your Religious Philosophy?

The keys to my heart

2005-07-31T17:13:00.000-06:00

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was insecure and in constant need of reassurance.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

morning sun

2005-07-31T16:56:00.000-06:00

morning sun
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

I prefer the sol photo, but we both got blogged on Sunrise/Sunset. What an honor, and surprise!

Now I know...I am somewhat a product of environment!

2005-06-05T09:37:00.000-06:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

70% General American English

15% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

1012

2005-06-05T09:22:00.000-06:00

Your Birthdate: October 12

Being born on the 12th day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life.

The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental.

There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, sometimes "couldn't care less" attitude.

You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression.

Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing.

You are energetic and always a good conversationalist.

You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters.

Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about.

You are affectionate and loving - but very sensitive.

You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I fall down on the death penalty, as I believe in it in extreme cases

2005-06-05T09:12:00.000-06:00

Your Political Profile

Overall: 5% Conservative, 95% Liberal

Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

Beach on the lagoon, Cameleon Marival AI in Puerto Aventuras

2005-04-18T15:31:00.000-06:00

Beach on lagoon Cameleon Marival in Puerto Aventuras
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

This is the first photo that I took on my trip to Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico in May 2003. Wonderful place to visit, but would have been nicer with a friend along, too. Loved this photo so much I had it as my wallpaper for a while. I think I am ready for another vacation to someplace similar, if not the same. I am afraid that the growth of Quintana Roo over the last couple of years would be too sad to see, particularly in Puerto Aventuras.

Ipanema Sunset

2005-04-14T10:27:00.000-06:00

Ipanema Sunset
Originally uploaded by Jase Apparent.

I have to blog this photo, even though I didn't take it. Takes me back to when I lived in Ipanema back in 1981-2. What a beautiful place to live, particularly if you like lots of people and highrises. Lived across the street from the beach on Avenida Viera Souto on the fifth floor. I don't expect to ever see this sight again, in person, but one never knows....

Ancient Rome zoom from atop a hill

2005-04-03T02:25:00.000-06:00

Ancient Rome zoom, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

The best possible shot of Rome full of landmarks. The Pantheon, St. Peter's, the Colosseum...amazing. It took a while to realize what all is in the photo and probably still not totally aware.

Rome is my favorite city in the world. Spent 2 days there in 1965 and 5 days in 2001. I would love to live there, someday. So much history in the world's greatest city!

Ti amo, Roma!

Just enough knowledge to be dangerous...

2005-03-28T13:42:00.000-06:00

...is what a friend told me and I have now proved him right. Couldn't leave well enough alone and decided to turn off what I thought were extensions for a Palm Pilot, as they are not needed. Bottom line is that I have totally crippled/incapacitated my Mac which now has a system error and I can't get it to start up to try to rectify that problem I created. I am now in Mac hell and will have to call a Mac nerd/geek to help my out of the hole I dug for myself. The thought of going home to no internet is horrifying and it is the first time I have cratered my baby.

I am drooling over the G5 with the dual processor, now, and would love to get one (and go into major debt for it). Don't know when I will be back up at home, but maybe I can get the OS X actually operating, too, after having installed it a year and a half ago. Tonight I will be calling Mac specialists to see what can be done for me. Very depressing. Guess I will have to do housework tonight!

Damn computers! I was so proud of myself for keeping it up and running as long as I have on my own...maybe a little too much hubris on my part.

Philtower Lobby East

2005-03-26T16:58:00.000-06:00

Philtower Lobby East, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

The awesome Gothic lobby of the Philtower building, built in 1927 by Waite Phillips. They are turning several of the upper floors into lofts, that look like they will be very nice (and expensive). As the building is on the National Historic Register, it is safe from destruction or radical change.

The stone used in the lobby is travertine and was imported from Italy. The Phillips were big fans of Italy and since it was built during the depression it was a steal. The Phillips never suffered from want of money as demand for oil did not go down to zero.

I love this building.

Holland Tunnel NJ entrance

2005-03-25T23:18:00.000-06:00

Holland Tunnel, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Monday night, April 12, 2004, around 8 pm. The beginning of a 3 hour 'tour' of New York. My first visit there since 1965, and long a dream of mine to return. An added touch that it was raining and dreary. Got to see the Statue of Liberty through the truck window through the rain at night.

It was still a thrill to set foot there for any length of time. Having lived in Rio I have developed an appreciation for the big city and NY is the greatest to me. A place where one can walk and public transportation is abundant is so foreign to Oklahoma. I know that I love downtown Tulsa because of the ease of travel by foot.

Perhaps someday soon I will make it back to the big city and will be able to spend many more hours.

Clint seems to really love it in the city and he is just a small town boy from Joplin, MO. His 33rd birthday is next week and I wonder if he has yet come to terms with his sexual identity? Religion had such a strong hold over him, plus the fact he did not want to disappoint his parents--that was his morbid fear. Would they have rejected their only son? We had so much fun together at the ballet, and we could be so silly. We enjoyed each other and the relief through clowning around from too much work. He is still so dear to me. New York next year....

BOK reflection in Williams Tower 1

2005-03-25T22:48:00.000-06:00

BOK reflection in Williams Tower 1, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

A reflection of BOK Tower and the Crown Plaza Hotel off the side of the Williams Tower 1. This is the sister building of the Williams Tower II, which i2E will be moving to at the end of June.

MidContinent Lobby Penguin

2005-03-25T22:44:00.000-06:00

MidContinent Penguin, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

One of the penguins produced for Tulsa Zoo Friends fundraising effort to pay for the black-footed penguin exhibit at the zoo.

There are dozens of penguins around Tulsa, both indoors and outdoors. Some have been kidnapped and later recovered, sometimes damaged beyond repair.

1991 Honda CRX HF

2005-03-23T08:53:00.000-06:00

1991 Honda CRX HF
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

My car of 13 years has now become my second car, which I do not need. Gets outstanding gas mileage, averaging about 45 mpg. Insurance is high, but with the price of gas the trade-off might not be too bad. Time to sell it as the insurance is due and so is the tag. Has new tires and new brake system. Timing belt was changed before 100,000 miles and the car has around 145,000, now. Does $2700 seem too much to ask since I have recently put $1500 into it? Great little car--like a four-wheeled motorcycle with a body.

1980 Braniff Concorde Flight Certificate

2005-03-20T13:51:00.000-06:00

1980 Braniff Concorde Flight Certificate
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

The flight of my lifetime. Way cool. At least I broke the sound barrier one time!

Giza 1965

2005-03-20T12:23:00.000-06:00

Giza 1965
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

I love the look on the camel's face. Dad as an Arab is interesting...

Dad and George

2005-03-19T12:32:00.000-06:00

Dad and George
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Dad met George at Donald W. Reynold's 80th birthday party in Las Vegas somewhere back in the 80s. Who was Donald W. Reynolds? The king of billboards, where he amassed a fortune. Why did he know dad? Gum disease. Old Don may be gone, but his Foundation goes on. Dad is still kicking at almost 83 (March 30), even with Parkinson's.

Cain's Ballroom

2005-03-19T01:18:00.000-06:00

Cain's Ballroom
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Salon home of Nostradamus

2005-03-18T20:18:00.000-06:00

Nostradamus
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

The house where Nostradamus wrote The Centuries, now a museum. Shot in May 1980. The museum was closed until the end of May. At least there was a mail slot to look through.

Fishing on Chesapeake Bay at sunset

2005-03-18T18:07:00.000-06:00

Fishing on Chesapeake Bay at sunset
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

This is one of my favorite shots from my trip to the east coast during April 2004. The massive numbers of contrails over the bay had converged into one mass, with one still visible in the upper left hand corner. The location is the southern tip of Tilghman Island on the eastern shore of Maryland, with the sun setting over Washington, DC. What a beautiful moment in time...

Sunset on the Chesapeake

2005-03-18T14:56:00.000-06:00

Sunset on the Chesapeake
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Even though they are beautiful, swans are the bane of the bay.

hummer

2005-03-18T13:17:00.000-06:00

hummer
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

hmmmmmm, wonder why demand for gas isn't going down?

Things few people want to know...let alone think about

2005-03-18T11:03:00.000-06:00

in the past 20 years approximately 1 million species have disappeared from the world's tropical forests.
from 1960-1985 over 40% of the central american rainforests were destroyed to create grazing land for cattle.
the united states imports over 100,000 tons of beef from central america each year.
it takes 23 gallons of water to produce a pound of tomatoes.
it takes 5,214 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
one acre of land can produce 20,000 pounds of potatoes.
one acre of land can produce 165 pounds of beef.
the u.s. cattle industry produces 158 million tons of waste per year.
livestock production is the #1 cause of water pollution in the u.s.
22 million acres of land have become unusable due to desertification.
85% of the topsoil loss in the u.s. is the result of livestock production.
in the u.s. 33% of all raw material consumption is used solely in the production or meat, egg, and dairy products.
it takes 1 pound of grain to make 1 pound of bread.
it takes 20 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.
75% of the grain sent to 3rd world nations goes to livestock production.
the countries with the diets highest in animal products are also the countries with the highest rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.
80% of u.s.d.a. chicken inspectors no longer eat chicken.
50 percent of men who eat meat regularly die of heart disease.
4 percent of men who eat no animal products die of heart disease.
if the average commuter passenger load in the u.s. were increased by just 1 person per day we would save 3 million gallons of gas each day.
americans spend over 1 billion hours stuck in traffic each year.
30% of u.s. greenhouse gas emissions come from cars.
air is sold in mexico city for $1.15 a minute by sidewalk vendors.
what greenpeace spends in a year general motors spends in 4 hours.
3.5 million children under the age of 6 suffer from lead poisoning.
in europe 50% of the cars still use leaded gas.
2 million gallons of motor oil are dumped in american waterways each year.
over 8 million tons of oil are spilled into the world's oceans every year.
5 billion gallons of water are flushed each day in the united states.
sewage treatment facilities in the u.s. discharge 5.9 trillion gallons of sewage wastewater into coastal waters every year.
u.s. tuna fishermen are permitted to kill over 20,000 dolphins every year.
2 million sharks die in driftnets in the north pacific every year.
only 1 in 10 baby chimpanzees survive the trip from the jungle to the zoo.
1 billion animals are killed each year in experiments.
17 million animals are trapped In the u.s. each year for fur.
many traps are so painful that animals chew through their own limbs to escape.
for every fur animal trapped, two other animals (dogs, cats, deer, etc) are trapped and killed.
in 1987 450,000 minks died on fur farms from heat exhaustion.
1 ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and enough energy to heat the average home for 6 months.
enough wood and paper is thrown away each year in america to heat 1 billion houses for a year.
six times more jobs are created by recycling as by landfill operations.
the amount of money spent on trash disposal in american schools is equal to that spent on new textbooks.
out of every $10 that americans spend on food, $1 pays for packaging.
65% of garbage in the u.s. is packaging.
50% of all trash thrown away could be recycled into new products.
500 new dumps are built each year in the united states.
over 1 billion trees are used to make disposable diapers every year.
americans throw away 20 billion disposable diapers each year.
americans dump the equivalent of 21 million shopping bags full of food into landfilIs every year.
2.5 billion batteries are thrown away each year by americans.
over 700,000 tons of hazardous waste is produced in the u.s. every day.
americans throw away 10 million cigarette lighters every week.
500,000 people die of cigarette related diseases in the u.s. each year.
pesticides that are banned in the u.s. (such as ddt) are regularly sold to 3rd world countries.
90% of all food borne pesticides are found in meat and dairy products.
10% of nursing mothers who were vegetarians had ddt in their breast milk.
90% of nursing mothers who were meat eaters had ddt in their breast milk.
in 1945, before widespread pesticide use, u.s. corn growers lost 3% of their crop to insects, last year they lost over 12%.
74 different kinds of pesticides have been found in drinking water.
over 100 chemical contaminants have been found in the breast milk of nursing mothers in the u.s.
of the 34 chemicals most widely used on lawns, 25% are widely believed to cause birth defects, genetic mutation, and cancer.
americans spend 6 billion dollars on their lawns each year.
25% of u.s. nuclear reactors would not be able to contain a core breach meltdown.
a 1985 study predicted a 5% chance of core breach meltdown in the u.s. before 2005.
in 1992 430,000 people in the world died from cancers resulting from nuclear testing radiation.
more money is spent in the u.s. on nuclear weaponry in one year than was spent on housing from 1980-1992.
to date, cleaning up storage facilities for nuclear debris has cost taxpayers 200 billion dollars.
in 1989 the u.s. military used 200 billion barrels of oil, enough to keep all american public transit systems running for 22 years.
1 ton of toxic waste is produced by the u.s. military every minute.

From the Moby album EVERYTHING IS WRONG 1995

Work related PR time

2005-03-17T14:28:00.000-06:00

i2E, Inc.

Since I can only access the editing features at work, I will take this opportunity to tout my place of business. The site is a black hole with too much information and more being added all the time. One of my tasks is to post articles on the site from newspapers (after proper authorization, I will add).

i2E, Inc. is a very different place to work and I think pretty much takes me full circle in the arena of not-for-profit entities. I started in education (University of Tulsa and, later, the University Center at Tulsa) in the field of development, on to finance (Tulsa Teachers Credit Union), then the arts (Tulsa Ballet), next on to enclosed wildlife (Tulsa Zoo Friends), followed by health (American Diabetes Association). Now I am in the strange world of not-for-profit business that seeks to create wealth for the state of Oklahoma through the growth of entrepreneuralism. Once you get into the n-f-p ring, you just start circulating around in it.

And now for something completely different....Cain's Ballroom. The home of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, as well as my favorite musical venue in Tulsa. It was through Cain's website that I wound up finding this blog site, and only through a roundabout way. Blame it on Steve Earle. I wanted to post a comment to his website, but I had to do it through blogger and, voila, here I am. Thank you Steve and I look forward to seeing you at the Cain's on April 4th.

It is my hope that I will finally find the time to start writing "1965: The World as I Saw It." OK, sounds like I am full of myself in that my take on the world might be more unique than someone else's, but it truly is pretty unique. How many 11 year olds get a trip around the world as a 6th grade graduation present? Big year for me, big year for the world at large. Can't think of a better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my landmark event. Whether or not I can do a good job of it is another question altogether. Only thing left to do is jump in and start sketching.

I also need to take a stab at the memorial poem for Judy I have been procrastinating about for 20 years, and maybe have it done by the anniversary of her death in April. Even though she was a month older than I, she froze herself in time at the too young age of 18. I wish she had thought about it a bit more and to this day I am so sorry that I didn't come when she called. Would seeing me possibly have been the important difference that changed her route, or was it fated? Hindsight is so painfully clear...I still miss her and mourn my loss.

Leaping Leprechauns

2005-03-17T06:25:00.000-06:00

Time to get ready for work and hit the rush to town. Guess I should wear a splash of green to celebrate my Irish ancestry, but I don't think I would get pinched if I decide against it.

Just two more days in the mine before I can call the day all mine. Sounds somewhat contradictory, but makes sense to me!

Happy Monday

2005-03-14T12:09:00.000-06:00

Monday, Monday, can't stand that day. There ought to be a law against it.