I heard something very interesting on the radio today.   Several experts were being interviewed about sustainable cities.  It turns out that cities consume about 75% of all energy that is generated.  However, cities have the most opportunity to conserve and reuse energy because of the density of buildings and population.  Homes that share walls like apartments and condominiums save energy.  These types of homes are much more likely to be found in cities rather than suburbs or small towns.  City dwellers are also much more likely to walk and use public transportation.

We still have a long way to go.  Automobiles only use 20% of the fuel that is put into the tank.  Much of the energy is burned up and driven off into the environment. Many   European cities have advanced recycling and composting programs that help to pay for the changes toward more sustainable living.

It is possible to convert our current American mind set to provide a sustainable future for the next generation of Americans.  As sustainability becomes more popular or even fashionable, Americans will embrace sustainable lifestyles.

Political opinions are something that everybody has. They are your personal opinions and it is very rare that you will find someone feels exactly as you do about politics. But one thing that everyone should agree on is the support of our countries troops. They don’t decide where they go to fight.

Those brave men and women who join the military have no choice in what they do and it is their commanding officers that tell them. They must do what they are told or they are severely punished. It is completely and totally unfair to blame them for any problem, issue or complaint you have with the government.

So even if you do not like the policies of our current leaders you should still not only respect and honor the sacrifice of these men and women but you should also support them. Whenever our country is in danger it is those troops who will be there to defend us. That is why you should never diminish the extreme sacrifice that they give every single day of their lives.

Humans can do some pretty amazing things. Throughout history there are plenty of examples of people who have endured some serious hardship doing what they believe is right or just trying to survive even though we can be fragile at times.

There are many stories of prisoners of war who have endured elaborate torture while staying quiet through the whole thing. These people were not only willing to die for something but they were also willing to suffer excruciating pain. Another example of the toughness of humans is the Long March of the Red Army in China. The army was at a loss and was forced to split up and retreat. One part of the army marched over 8,000 miles across China in little over a year, with the enemies at their heels. They eventually escaped, rejoined the rest of the army, and won the war.

So no matter how weak and insignificant people may seem, they can do some pretty amazing things. All it takes is some serious determination and persistence. If you keep at it there is nothing you cannot do. Remember this as you start your next do-it-yourself project.

The very first time I had to get up in front of people I had a guy tell me to “picture all the people out in the audience naked and you will bee just fine”. Well, I went out to the podium, looked up and saw a man in the front of the room sitting on the first row who weighed over 350 pounds and as I struggled to picture him naked I slowly found myself getting nauseated. I them looked to another part of the room and saw a beautiful young women and started to picture her naked and had to stop because more than the bile from the first guy started rising. In other words, picturing people naked did not work!

So what does? Now that I have spoken hundreds of time in front of various sized audiences, I can say there are two things that I have found that help me tremendously; breathing and conversation. I simply remember to breathe before, during and after the event. This alone keeps me calm and balanced. Once I get to the stage I simply have a conversation with the audience. I look them in the eye, I laugh if appropriate and I cry if appropriate and everything in between. I stay open and honest just like I do when I converse with my friends and it has served me well for many years since that first experience.

If you have had a good experience with The Sam’s Club Travel Appreciation Certificate then you are the exception. I thought I was the only one who “didn’t get it”. It a definite lesson in “reading the small print” as the front of the certificate says you get this great $100 discount if you ”book a vacation package that consist of an E-Special Rate Hotel along with one or more of the following: airfare and/or car rental”. Not true.

My wife and I tried to book a hotel and car rental, which should have worked according to the front of the card, but our plans didn’t fit their idea of a vacation. Funny, I didn’t read on the front or back that I couldn’t rent a car in one place and drive to my destination and stay in a hotel; alas we cannot. You see, according to their idea of a vacation, your hotel and rental have to be at the same time in the same town, which means you have to FLY there. Some “offer of appreciation”! With this type of hype and service, it’s no wonder that everyone I know is moving to Costco’s. Maybe there I really will be appreciated when I upgrade my membership!

Our families are taking some time off to enjoy the 4th of July Celebration this year in high style. We are forging downtown to have a wonderful evening of music and meriment, topped off with music and fireworks to cap off a wonderful fun filled day.

We wish the same thing for your family and friends. Take time to remember America and celebrate all she has done for you and your family. She may not be perfect but we can’t think of anywhere else we would rather be. Happy 4th of July!

Here are the top 5 reasons you should pay all your bills through your bank online.

1)      The #1 place ID Thefts happen is at your mailbox. If you receive and send sensitive mail (financial) electronically, it never hits your mailbox.

2)      Save paper thus help save the plant! It’s amazing how much paper is saved through electronic delivery. Just think if you never had to get another bill stuffed with all the other offers…

3)      Save yourself a bunch of time by setting up your bills ahead of time and never having to write check again; a lifesaver at our house!

4)      Never miss a payment due date. You can set up your bills to be paid for the entire month ahead of time and never worry about them not being sent out.

5)      Access your bills from anywhere in the world. No matter where you are (unless maybe the Amazon or Artic Circle) you can access your bills to get them paid. Now you have no excuse to travel the world over.

So it’s easy, safe, secure and accessible. So why aren’t you paying your bills online again? You may want to rethink your position and talk to your banker as it will save you time and money – and just maybe your identity.

I have to write about this because I find it one of the most disturbing things I have heard of in a long time; sexting.  It’s the practice of kids sending semi nude or nude pictures to each other on cell phones.  It’s also the chance for your child to get arrested for their first felony for distributing child pornography, even if they are not the one in the picture; just one of the ones sending the photos.  I’m not sure which one of these things is worse and I guess it would depend on what side you end up on; the self exploited or just the exploiter?

What bothers me most is the fact that these kids don’t understand what exploitation really is because they have been brought up in a culture that worships the Britney Spears and Paris Hilton’s of the world.  I have nothing personally against these young women; it’s the culture of exploiting anyone that we should be against.  I am not against free speech but I am for leveling with these kids as early as possible about the consequences of these types of actions. This is something that could potentially damage a life beyond repair.  Please talk to your kids about what is going on and don’t assume your kid won’t do it.  You might just be surprised one day when the police knock on your door and then you will have to ask yourself who is at fault.

We feel compelled to acknowledge that most of us have been touched or know someone that has been touched by the current economic situation.  It has hit us on a personal level as my wife’s company is closing their doors in April.  At first, we thought how bad this was going to be and then after discussing it further, we decided to look at it as a blessing in disguise.  When I was growing up, my father had a saying that he used every tine things got tight, “They can’t eat you”.

No matter what else has changed, they (whoever they are) still can’t eat you.  So we choose to stay positive and encouraged by the spirit that has always prevailed in this country that says, never count us out; we will be back better than ever!  Yes, it may be hard and may take some time but we will all be better off in years to come.  We refuse to buy into the hype of doom and gloom in America because we come from those who have fought their way out of hardships much greater than this and we know a brighter future is ahead.  We will put our heads down and work toward that; an honorable goal indeed.