You Tube Debates and Media Bias

Have you been watching the newest craze in political advertising? Yes, politics has now joined with You Tube, gathering questions from the public instead of having the questions created by left-winged CNN producers. Of course the questions used for the debates are still chosen by the left-winged CNN producers. That became ridiculously apparent during the latest republican You tube debate.

Of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of video-taped questions sent into You Tube only a handful were chosen. For the democratic debate held earlier this month, the questions focused on the war, medical insurance reform, foreign policy and of course immigration. But for the republican debate the questions chosen were largely about the Bible, gays in the military, guns and "what if" abortion questions.

I found it irritating that the biases of the producers were served instead of focusing on the issues that Americans want to hear about - you know, those things that a president might actually be involved in doing something about.

I also found it irritating to have the audience constantly cheering or booing loudly in the background. It was like having a laugh track in the background attempting to influence the feelings and views of the home audience. It did influence the answers of the candidates, and that was most unfortunate.

OK, this article isn't exactly entertaining, but politics is a huge part of our life, and I believe that expressing disdain for the way the debates were handled is a good way to do my part. I mean, if the media effects our life - and it does - then why not speak up and let them know exactly what they can do better next time.

Expressing yourself without apology is a great way to enjoy your life.

Are Color Changing Cars in our Future?

Imagine, a car that is painted with a special technique that causes the color to change depending on the temperature, the humidity or the amount of light that's hitting it. It isn't science-fiction. In fact the technology has already been created.

Another article just out claims that the new color changing technology will allow you to change your car color at your discretion to the color you desire just by pressing a button. At rest, your car is the original color but once you turn over the engine you have the ability to change the color scheme to whatever you want.

Does this mean I will be able to program my T-bird to have orange and red flames on the hood one day and 60's flowers & peace signs the next? Perhaps, but the actual technology is being created for a higher technological purpose, not for the creative pleasure of car owners. But once the technology is out there, who is to say that Ford might not start equipping their 2010 Mustangs with the colorful new upgrade. Awesome!

I'm old enough to remember our family's first color television, the first handheld calculators (which were huge and could only do rudimentary math for about $400 a shot), and the invention of cell phones (previously referred to as car phones). And I cannot wait to see what the near future has in store for us in this fast changing world of technology. In many ways technology definitely makes life enjoyable.

Mother Nature, Gratitude & Enjoying Life

This is a picture of us at the beautiful Waimea Canyon in Hawaii. I'm the one in shorts, bundled up in my husbands' overcoat. We have several pictures of us at different tourist spots, but they all look pretty much like this one.

Actually it has been a great trip. We spent one beautiful day, in pouring rain, zip lining through the rain forest. Another day was spent at Hanalei Beach watching the muddy rivers pour into the ocean creating brown waves and dirty water. And finally one day was spent in thick fog.

I can't complain - much. It was our choice to come in November and Mother Nature has her own schedule to keep. But in spite of the interesting weather Kauai is still one of the most pleasant places on Earth.

I have repeatedly reminded myself that it is a wonderful blessing just to be here again - this time with my husband & our oldest son. At home my husband has to be at work much of the time, but here I have his undivided attention and that alone is something to be grateful for. My son lives in a different part of the state than we do so spending this time with him is priceless. In fact, when I think about it, there is really nothing to complain about.

Of course Hawaii is expensive. We went to a health food store to buy local beef and it was $9.09 per half pound; so we went elsewhere to buy meat and dinner was a raving success.

Some fellow tourists in a nearby condo have been yelling at each other, and at the child traveling with them, for much of the week. I feel sad for them. In spite of all the wonderful things we have to be grateful for it just seems pointless to allow discontent to block our ability to enjoy life - just the way it comes.