Wednesday, December 29, 2010

On sexist or racist comments

I find it fairly ironic that people who don't want to hear sexist comments often make sexist comments themselves. I have also heard people complain about racist comments while making racist comments themselves. Same story with sexual orientation comments, size comments, etc.

I have worked hard to eliminate sexist/racist/etc. comments from my speech patterns and it is tough. First you have to think through things we are used to hearing and decide if they are biased and then you have to constantly filter what you say to make sure you don't repeat a biased comment that you have heard. It is difficult and I wouldn't say I was perfect but at least I am aware and try.

Worthwhile things are often difficult, but we should always try. Meanwhile I get to laugh at you when you complain about sexist comments in one breath and make one the next. :)

Monday, December 27, 2010

Finances in relationships

I read a news article about couples hiding spending from each other. The article tried to make the point that couples are more willing to talk about sex than money, but I don't think it really succeeded to make that point. Regardless, here is my thoughts on finances in relationships.

When a couple is living together but not married they shouldn't pool their money into one account. Marriage is a legal bond and if you haven't committed to that you shouldn't commit to pooling your money. Keep your money separate and each should contribute to the joint expenses (housing, food, utilities, shared vacations, etc.) by whatever agreement they can work out.

When a couple is married they should pool their money into one account but they should have an agreed on amount that each should get per week/month/whatever to spend as they wish. This amount should be for individual hobbies, clothing, entertainment, etc. It should be kept in separate accounts if it accumulates. This allows the individual to spend money as they wish without the need to get approval from their spouse. Of course this amount should be equal for each.

That is my opinion on the subject any way and if you are in a relationship where things work differently then good for you, at least you have a solution that works. But if money is a cause of friction in your relationship then maybe this will give you something to think about.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Some random stuff

I have been trying to blog for a couple of days now but I haven't been able to come up with anything to say. Christmas is over, that makes me happy because I don't like the crowds. My niece Tracie had her baby and is doing well, that also makes me happy. But neither is something that I have done, just things that have been happening around me. I prefer to blog about things that matter to me rather than my day to day doings because my life is fairly boring.

So let's see, what can I say .....

Gambling is fine as a recreation but if you see it as a way to make money then you are wrong. There is no way to make money by gambling, only lose money.

I think self sufficiency is a good idea, I just wish I could be a bit more self sufficient myself.

Speaking of self sufficient, I see marriage as a good thing. Couples often complement each other as far as skills go which means a couple can be do more than an individual can. I could really use a wife to keep me organized, a skill I lack.

Perfection is impossible but that doesn't mean we shouldn't get as close as we can. I see a lot of people settling for "good enough". That is a fairly lousy attitude to take with life. Take some pride in yourself and your work and do the best possible.

I am fairly amazed at how few people read now. It is kind of disconcerting. But I guess that is how it is. I wonder if people will read more in the future? It may come back around some day.

I guess that is enough randomness for now. Maybe soon I can come up with something important to say.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Memories, or the lack thereof

It always amazes me what people can remember and what they can't. My ability to remember is notoriously bad, yet I have met people who can remember the names of teachers they had in grade school 40 years after the fact. I couldn't have told you the names of the teachers 2 years after the fact.

I can remember some things from long ago but not many. I couldn't tell you about any of the Christmas presents I ever got except a stuffed penguin I got when I was 18 or 19. I couldn't tell you any of the phone numbers I have ever had and can barely remember the one I have now.

Yet there are people in the world who can remember those things. It amazes me. How do they do it? How can they remember what happened 40 years before?

Of course there is a balance. I may not remember well but I understand concepts well and can apply those concepts in unique ways once I know them. I may not remember who my second grade teacher was but I know the theory behind how each household appliance works and could design a refrigerator or washing machine if I had to.

I guess each have their own abilities and inabilities, but how do you folks live with your heads full of names and dates? I guess I will never know.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Running hot and cold

I don't know why but right now I am either freezing or baking, never in between. It is quite annoying.

Winter has started at last, that may have something to do with it. The new medication I am taking is allowing me to be a bit more active, that may have something to do with it. Or it may just be because I am old.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Pain free, for a while at least

I am on a second course of prednisone and I can't tell you how great it is to be able to walk down stairs without my knees cracking and popping from the pressure. Prednisone is dangerous and shouldn't be taken often but having a week or so without pain after so many years of constant pain is wonderful. I hope the new medication works as well. Pain isn't fun even once you have learned to live with it.

Economic self reliance

A lot of American jobs have been sent over seas where the labor rate is cheaper. As a result almost nothing is actually built in America anymore. This an obvious problem, one that the government doesn't seem to care much about. I find that very odd.

While it is impossible to be a totally self sufficient island in the world economy I am worried about America's absolute reliance on the world economy as a whole. If we become solely dependent on one country or continent for something and that part of the world decides they don't like us anymore what will happen? During World War II the U.S. auto factories made our tanks, bombs, and planes. Will the next war be called off because we can't buy the necessary electronics to run our war military? I would think that the government would force certain manufacturing capabilities to remain within the U.S. control to ensure we can defend ourselves.

Yes, labor is cheaper in other countries, but shouldn't we have tariffs and taxes in place to ensure that we retain certain basic abilities within our own country? Shouldn't we have the ability to rely on ourselves in times of crisis or war?

I know none of this is new or even very exciting, but I have never heard a good answer to these basic questions. I can't believe the government hasn't considered the possibility of another war or some natural or political disaster wiping out one of the suppliers of basic goods. But where are the answers?