Palin: Can't take it any more.

Ok, I've tried to stay somewhat quiet to my peeps about politics as I don't think those mix all that well. I've also tried to stay objective about Sarah Palin's nomination as VP candidate for the Republican party, but I'm not sure I can anymore.

While most of you know where I lean in this election - I've tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, and hear her out as her touting as a "reformer" is something we could all likely agree upon is needed. However, after seeing a recent interview with her, I thought it was very pertinent, and cruicial, to share this clip of Palin with Katie Couric this week on CBS to show.

This is one piece of the longer interview, but here Couric asks Palin about Foreign Policy, Financial Crisis, etc...While I fully respect that there are differing opinions/viewpoints on all of these topics, I think the critical issue at hand here is the fact, or appearance of fact, that Palin has LITTLE to NO grasp of basic policy issues. I find her answers amazingly confusing, round-about - not directly answering the question (repeating a previous answer more seriously doesn't count), and ill-informed, and even on some points insulting (see Couric's question on 'Why she hasn't have a passport' at :57 seconds into the clip – to any of us that have been fortunate enough to travel, I think you’ll feel equally insulted).

Take a few minutes to watch this clip and make up your mind for yourself. I am not just frightened by the now cliché (but real) thought of her being "one heartbeat away", but am more so discouraged/alarmed that John McCain chose her as his running mate – is this his process to make important decisions such as this? I continue to ask myself if he chose her because he thought she would be the best #2 he could find, to compliment his set of skills to lead our nation, or because she would win him the election?

This is the most important election I’ve been a part of. You?

Does an empty bathroom need the lights on?

I feel like my grandma when writing this one ("turn that light off")....but after walking into many a empty bathrooms, only to find myself and an already "ON" light as the only participants, I thought I'd write about it - this is one simple thing we can all do - not just because its the "right" thing to do, but also because:

• You will save money! This particular family saved $1250 a year on their electricity bill - i bet you could beat that if you have a big house, or lots of lights, or a tanning bed in your house. The less we all use, the cheaper it should get for everyone....I'm not econ major, but I think that works.
  
• You will save the planet. (you like your planet, all those green trees, blue water, right?) Lights on in an empty room = wasted electricity = more electricity needed = more powerplants needed. Whether you get your electricity from hydro, coal fired, or other (do you know where you get yours?) - it likely impacts our environment in some way (dammed rivers, nasty emissions from burning fossil fuels - can you say global warming?)
• You will feel smart and cool! Whether your driven by economic, scientific, or emotional reasons, a simple flick of the finger on the light switch when you're the last one leaving a room will make you feel like you're taking it to the man - one way or another.
  

This doesn't at all only apply to your home....I thought of it at work when I walk into the shared bathroom that is empty but well lit, or in the workroom that sits empty but lit half the day....oh, and I haven't even touched energy efficient light bulbs....

Think about it. Do it.

Here we go! T-Mobile is up first.

Welcome to my first attempt at a real blog. I find that as I wander through this wonderful world of ours, sometimes Common Sense seems to go right out the door - so this is my little attempt at bringing it back....or at least bringing a smile to some faces along the way. Couldn't we all use a little more if it in our lives?

Up first? How about the new T-Mobile/Google phone - the "G1", which is Google's answer to the uber-popular iPhone - which it seems like everyone and their brother has one of these now....don't get me going on the new heads down iPhone crowd.


As a loyal T-Mobile customer (pretty sure they've been my only wireless provider since the magical day I got a cell phone), I expected to get some special break, or treatment, or at least gesture when T-Mobile released this bad boy...I've been eyeing a iPhone for a while, but with the AT&T charges for texting, couldn't make the move.

SO, T-mobile advertises the new G1 for $179, which is great I think - "its $20 cheaper than the new iPhones, this is a no brainer right?"

So I log into my T-Mobile account to "reserve" my shot at glory and envy of all my friends.....well to my surprise MY cost for an 'upgrade' to my current phone is $299 (and that includes the "online discount" of $100). Are you kidding me T-Mopbile? So for being a long time, bill on time paying customer, I get a higher cost to get into this fancy G1 game than somebody switching over from AT&T or verizon?

Holy Smokes .......makes we want to go get one of the real deal iPhones - am I the only one felt like I'm held captive by my wireless provider with contracts, upgrade costs, and random charges that take too long to battle to be worth it?