Global Warming is one of the big issues of our time. "Big Al" Gore won an Oscar for his so-called documentary and I applaud him. The fundamental issue of Global warming is CO2 emissions. In his Oscar acceptance speech he said, "We all need to reduce our CO2 emissions by reducing our energy usage, and in the process, save the world".
It turns out that Al Gore, just in his primary residence (one of four homes) is using 22,000 kilowatt hours of energy each month. As a comparison, here on our 20 acre ranch we use about 2000 kwh per month, which includes our 3000 sq ft house, 600 sq ft guest cottage, and small winery...and I would think our living space is much larger than the average. This says that Al Gore's energy usage is more than ten times the average American ...in just one of his four houses. But in a recent interview he said that even though their energy usage is high, he buys "Carbon Credits" in the amount that makes his usage "Carbon Neutral".
It was later revealed that he owns part of the company that sells him the Carbon Credits!
I did not understand the Carbon Credit thing, but being conscientious, and not wanting to be called a "polluter', I Googled it. One of the first websites that came up was from the "Clean Air Conservancy", and they sold Carbon Credits. Their website says that they have an Emissions Bank where they keep "retired pollution". I am not kidding folks...
They have forms on the web site that you can fill out to see if your car (or home) is "carbon neutral". So I filled out the form for one of our cars: 2007 Toyota Avalon with estimated annual mileage of 20,000 miles. After filling out the form and clicking 'submit', I received a message that the car was not "carbon neutral", but it could be for $37.80 per year (6.3 carbon credit units). The site then asked for my Visa number and even said that I could buy additional carbon credits for anyone as a gift. I am not kidding folks...
But having a science background, and working daily with plants in my vineyard, I started thinking -we live on a 20 acre ranch, with an estimated 600-900 mature oak trees. When we built our house we landscaped with over 500 plants and shrubs, and we have 200 mature grape vines. We have our own water system and burn clean propane for cooking and heat (in addition to a high tech efficient fireplace). Just these oak trees, plants, and vines alone must suck up huge amounts of CO2 and exhale pure clean oxygen. I do not know how to calculate "carbon credits", but we must have them coming out the wazoo. And since we do not really need additional income at this stage of our lives, we have decided to "donate" these carbon credits to friends and family, rather than sell them.
Our son Mike drives a huge gas guzzling SUV which spews CO2 emissions into the beautiful countryside around Washington D.C. Our good friend Scott Forward drives off-road motorcycles all over Baja, not only destroying the environment, but also polluting the pristine Mexico air. And our liberal friend Mike Holland flies all over the country in his private plane dumping CO2 into the upper atmosphere. But being close friends and family, these folks do not have to worry...we have decided to give them a carbon credit certificate which will make them "carbon neutral'. Here is all we ask in return... the next time we are together, they buy us a dinner or a few bottles of good wine. It's our sacrifice...but we have the carbon credits and want to share.
I hope this is a start of a movement - if you have excess trees, or plants, or drive a Prius, or ride a bike to work, or use florescent bulbs, or are lucky enough to own some "retired pollution" - you most likely have extra "carbon credits" that you can pass on to your polluting friends or family, like we have. Let's work together on this so Big Al will be proud of us.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Her name was "Lipstick"
It's been a few years, but I still remember that her name was "Lipstick."
Not that she wore a lot of make-up...to my knowledge she didn’t wear any - no false eyelashes, no rouge. She wasn’t beautiful, but she had that look that makes females attractive. Large eyes, some would say too far apart, but they always seemed to be wide open and full of life. Her large beautiful lips glowed a golden color in the sun, and that’s how she got her name. She had a beautiful body and when she moved, her tail moved slowly back and forth with a smooth rythym. She never wore clothes but was still modest in her own way. I used to have a martini with her almost every evening. She did not drink, but always stayed close...she loved my company.
Lipstick became part of our family one year and was my constant companion ever since. Joining me for my morning coffee most days, her body moved with the grace of a bird, gliding with effortless motion as we both relaxed in the morning sun. She could have spent her life in the city, safely enclosed behind glass walls, but chose instead the country, surrounded by the sounds of birds and waterfalls.
But suddenly Lipstick was gone. A victim of nature’s cruel cycle of life, after becoming a midnight snack for a hungry raccoon. She is now in that great Koi pond in the sky, swimming to her heart’s content for all eternity. These are the harsh realities of living in the country, surrounded by wild turkeys, raccons, Indian casinos, and wineries. But it was our choice to move here, and as we forge out our life in this untamed wilderness, we will think of Lipstick often, and keep a vigilant watch for the wily raccoons who continue to make many nightly raids on our goldfish pond.
Not that she wore a lot of make-up...to my knowledge she didn’t wear any - no false eyelashes, no rouge. She wasn’t beautiful, but she had that look that makes females attractive. Large eyes, some would say too far apart, but they always seemed to be wide open and full of life. Her large beautiful lips glowed a golden color in the sun, and that’s how she got her name. She had a beautiful body and when she moved, her tail moved slowly back and forth with a smooth rythym. She never wore clothes but was still modest in her own way. I used to have a martini with her almost every evening. She did not drink, but always stayed close...she loved my company.
Lipstick became part of our family one year and was my constant companion ever since. Joining me for my morning coffee most days, her body moved with the grace of a bird, gliding with effortless motion as we both relaxed in the morning sun. She could have spent her life in the city, safely enclosed behind glass walls, but chose instead the country, surrounded by the sounds of birds and waterfalls.
But suddenly Lipstick was gone. A victim of nature’s cruel cycle of life, after becoming a midnight snack for a hungry raccoon. She is now in that great Koi pond in the sky, swimming to her heart’s content for all eternity. These are the harsh realities of living in the country, surrounded by wild turkeys, raccons, Indian casinos, and wineries. But it was our choice to move here, and as we forge out our life in this untamed wilderness, we will think of Lipstick often, and keep a vigilant watch for the wily raccoons who continue to make many nightly raids on our goldfish pond.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Heavenly Suicide
To those of us in the West, suicide bombing is not just savagery but something we will never completely understand. Whether we are religious or not, there is something perverted about taking your own life along with the lives of innocent men, women, and children at the same time.
We have been told that as a reward for being a "martyr" the suicide bomber will be rewarded with 72 virgins when arriving in heaven. The dictionary defines a martyr as "One who suffers death rather than renounce his religious opinions". Who is asking a potential suicide bomber to "renounce his religious opinions"? It seems to me that someone has brainwashed these young men. If those of us that are not Muslims do not renounce our religious beliefs, is it really his destiny to kill us? That does not fit the definition of a martyr...and it's ironic that the largest percentage of people killed by Muslim suicide bombers or other Muslim "martyrs", are fellow Muslims...not just in Iraq - a million "martyrs" died in the Iraq-Iran Muslim war, and hundreds have died recently as the Palestinians started killing each other.
None of us know what happens when we get to heaven but what if the 72 virgin scenario were accurate? Mr. Suicide Bomber let's think about what could happen...
First you blow your body into a thousand pieces so you can go to heaven. You kill a lot of innocent people in the process...probably even women or children. I assume somewhere between the "suicide scene" and heaven, your body is reconstructed and ready for the 72 virgins. Kind of like the way the Tin Man stuffed hay back into the Scarecrow and put him back together after he was torn apart by the Wicked Witch's Flying Monkeys.
Anyway, so you arrive in heaven and there they are...72 young ladies dressed in black waiting for you to put them into "heaven". Now these are virgins, so you must be gentle and not be like a gorilla and hurt the young ladies. This is not an easy process, therefore I think we can assume you will be quite a man if you can deal with one virgin a day until you "take away their flowers".
So Mr. Suicide Bomber let's think this thing out...
You now have to have sex with a virgin every day for the next 72 days. I know you are young and virile, but this may be tough. And at the end of the seventy second day, don't plan to rest. Virgin number one, two, etc. will be waiting to start all over again. No slacking off my friend...these are your virgins and it is your responsibility to take care of them.
So Mr. Suicide Bomber are you sure you really want to do this...?
Now none of us really know what happens in heaven, but what if you have to provide food, lodging, new Burkas, Tampons, etc., etc., for your 72 ladies? And let's not even think about taking them shopping. What if they start getting pregnant? If they each have one child the first few years, you could be looking at 72 little ones running around. Mr. Suicide Bomber...if all this happens I could see where you may consider committing suicide a second time!
So let's think about how your life will be in heaven...most of us have trouble living with one woman for 40-50 years, in addition to kids and all their problems. But 72 women and 72+ children for eternity...ouch! And sadly, if in Heaven you meet up with the other innocent Muslims or other "ex- human beings" that you have killed...what are you going to say to them?
Mr. Suicide Bomber this is probably a very bad decision on your part.
Here is my point...You believe your religion requires that you try to kill all the "infidels" in the world, but before you push that button, think about what you are doing. Take it from an old guy who has been around...this world is not that bad. Maybe you should consider staying here, marrying just one woman, having a few kids and live life like the rest of us. It's not always perfect, but a few kids, watching them grow up, going to soccer games, hanging out with friends, watching American Idol and "24" on TV ...it's not that bad. And maybe even a shot of Jack Daniels in your tea or a glass of good Cabernet from time to time. I believe Allah would understand...after all he is the only one that is perfect...right?
So Mr. Suicide Bomber, let heaven come in it's own time and consider living in peace with the rest of us. Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or even Atheist we are all human beings first and should respect each other. Your life is worth a lot here on earth..don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
We have been told that as a reward for being a "martyr" the suicide bomber will be rewarded with 72 virgins when arriving in heaven. The dictionary defines a martyr as "One who suffers death rather than renounce his religious opinions". Who is asking a potential suicide bomber to "renounce his religious opinions"? It seems to me that someone has brainwashed these young men. If those of us that are not Muslims do not renounce our religious beliefs, is it really his destiny to kill us? That does not fit the definition of a martyr...and it's ironic that the largest percentage of people killed by Muslim suicide bombers or other Muslim "martyrs", are fellow Muslims...not just in Iraq - a million "martyrs" died in the Iraq-Iran Muslim war, and hundreds have died recently as the Palestinians started killing each other.
None of us know what happens when we get to heaven but what if the 72 virgin scenario were accurate? Mr. Suicide Bomber let's think about what could happen...
First you blow your body into a thousand pieces so you can go to heaven. You kill a lot of innocent people in the process...probably even women or children. I assume somewhere between the "suicide scene" and heaven, your body is reconstructed and ready for the 72 virgins. Kind of like the way the Tin Man stuffed hay back into the Scarecrow and put him back together after he was torn apart by the Wicked Witch's Flying Monkeys.
Anyway, so you arrive in heaven and there they are...72 young ladies dressed in black waiting for you to put them into "heaven". Now these are virgins, so you must be gentle and not be like a gorilla and hurt the young ladies. This is not an easy process, therefore I think we can assume you will be quite a man if you can deal with one virgin a day until you "take away their flowers".
So Mr. Suicide Bomber let's think this thing out...
You now have to have sex with a virgin every day for the next 72 days. I know you are young and virile, but this may be tough. And at the end of the seventy second day, don't plan to rest. Virgin number one, two, etc. will be waiting to start all over again. No slacking off my friend...these are your virgins and it is your responsibility to take care of them.
So Mr. Suicide Bomber are you sure you really want to do this...?
Now none of us really know what happens in heaven, but what if you have to provide food, lodging, new Burkas, Tampons, etc., etc., for your 72 ladies? And let's not even think about taking them shopping. What if they start getting pregnant? If they each have one child the first few years, you could be looking at 72 little ones running around. Mr. Suicide Bomber...if all this happens I could see where you may consider committing suicide a second time!
So let's think about how your life will be in heaven...most of us have trouble living with one woman for 40-50 years, in addition to kids and all their problems. But 72 women and 72+ children for eternity...ouch! And sadly, if in Heaven you meet up with the other innocent Muslims or other "ex- human beings" that you have killed...what are you going to say to them?
Mr. Suicide Bomber this is probably a very bad decision on your part.
Here is my point...You believe your religion requires that you try to kill all the "infidels" in the world, but before you push that button, think about what you are doing. Take it from an old guy who has been around...this world is not that bad. Maybe you should consider staying here, marrying just one woman, having a few kids and live life like the rest of us. It's not always perfect, but a few kids, watching them grow up, going to soccer games, hanging out with friends, watching American Idol and "24" on TV ...it's not that bad. And maybe even a shot of Jack Daniels in your tea or a glass of good Cabernet from time to time. I believe Allah would understand...after all he is the only one that is perfect...right?
So Mr. Suicide Bomber, let heaven come in it's own time and consider living in peace with the rest of us. Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or even Atheist we are all human beings first and should respect each other. Your life is worth a lot here on earth..don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
The Two Faces of Mammoth
Those that have been to the Mammoth Mountain ski area in the Sierras of Central California know it is aptly named. With twenty five lifts and hundreds of ski runs, it is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. The ski area ranging in altitude from 9000 to 11,000 feet has spectacular views in every direction. The town of Mammoth Lakes is at 7000 feet, so be ready for some “thin air” breathing the first few days.
We just returned from a ski trip to Mammoth and again the mountain showed us both her personalities. Someone once said " Mammoth's middle name is wind”, and if you have spent time there you will know what they mean. On our first day while having our morning coffee at Canyon Lodge we looked out at a picture of dark skies and "sideways" snow coming down. But we are lifelong skiers, and as we reach the near side of 70 (and me with my artificial knee), every ski trip is precious. So we looked at each other and said, "Let's go for it". My wife does not like cold and wind, and on the way up the first lift, the “sideways snow” was icy and blowing at 25 knots, so we knew we were in for another Mammoth adventure. With low (and sometimes no) visibility, and wind that almost blew us down, we started our first run...not bad as long as we kept our backs to the wind. But I have always said "A bad day of skiing is better than most things". It did clear up for short periods that morning, but “mother wind” kept blowing. My wife quit at noon, but I continued until 2 or so. After almost being blown off a lift, I decided enough skiing for the day, and we retired to the bar. Following a few beers enjoying each others company and watching skiers coming down, we enjoyed an evening of pizza and good wine while watching American Idol (as compared to the 30’s crowd who went to the disco).
The next morning we woke up to Mammoth’s other face…blue skies, no wind, packed powder, and no people.
We just returned from a ski trip to Mammoth and again the mountain showed us both her personalities. Someone once said " Mammoth's middle name is wind”, and if you have spent time there you will know what they mean. On our first day while having our morning coffee at Canyon Lodge we looked out at a picture of dark skies and "sideways" snow coming down. But we are lifelong skiers, and as we reach the near side of 70 (and me with my artificial knee), every ski trip is precious. So we looked at each other and said, "Let's go for it". My wife does not like cold and wind, and on the way up the first lift, the “sideways snow” was icy and blowing at 25 knots, so we knew we were in for another Mammoth adventure. With low (and sometimes no) visibility, and wind that almost blew us down, we started our first run...not bad as long as we kept our backs to the wind. But I have always said "A bad day of skiing is better than most things". It did clear up for short periods that morning, but “mother wind” kept blowing. My wife quit at noon, but I continued until 2 or so. After almost being blown off a lift, I decided enough skiing for the day, and we retired to the bar. Following a few beers enjoying each others company and watching skiers coming down, we enjoyed an evening of pizza and good wine while watching American Idol (as compared to the 30’s crowd who went to the disco).
The next morning we woke up to Mammoth’s other face…blue skies, no wind, packed powder, and no people.
With no lift lines, we skied until our legs were mush. From the first run at 8:30 until the lifts closed at 4, we made over 30 runs in absolutely perfect conditions, skiing from one side of the mountain to the other. As you can see this (almost) 70 year old grandma was having a blast.
So if you go to Mammoth and the weather is bad, hang in there for a day and things will probably change. It is a spectacular place to relax and enjoy nature at it's finest.
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