I took one university course before discovering I was entitled to go into a Master’s Program at York University if I got over 75%-ile on the GMAT. With ten years successful business experience and by testing out of the Baccalaureate Level course (CLEP test). This one course was Logic. The professor got his doctorate by doing a thesis on ‘Giving and Do-Gooders’. On the day of the final exam I brought him a one page premise in support of ‘He who is least selfish, is MOST selfish.’. He read it while we wrote the exam, which I finished early enough for him to tell me all the things that were wrong with my premise. My best point in retort was ‘Why didn’t you consider this possibility?’ He was incensed and threatened like a lot of people who deal with my ‘know-it-allness’. After all, he had achieved his esteemed doctorate and I was just 29 in a first year B.A. class.

So why was I wrong? Why did it upset him so much? What could I possibly have known that made him avoid me like the plague when I saw him at the racetrack (horses, and he didn’t even acknowledge a wave) a couple of weeks later? How could I see something he hadn’t even considered or that his thesis guides hadn’t brought up? What value is there in an education where ‘do-gooders’ are diminished by egoists who don’t even observe that humanity has higher aspirations than mere selfish recognition in the mode of such arcane and abstruse ideologues and pedagogues as Hegel? I quoted Van Dyke’s poetry and Gibran (maybe the poetry and its’ heart touching rather than intellect enchanting appeal was the cause):

“There are those who as in yonder valley, the myrtle breathes its fragrance to the air. These are the children of GOD, and through them he smiles upon the earth!”

My sense of ‘Brotherhood’ was offended by his narcissistic pessimism but I smiled in the confidence that I was right. That annoying look of pomposity that comes from actually learning and being interested with an open mind rather than a sheepskin from fools who ‘think’ they are wise men. It could easily be said that this is arrogance and it has been said more than once. The reader may think that and if they have read this far in this book they are entitled to have that opinion of me. For myself I know I am a ‘fool’. THE SOUL is another matter indeed. Yes, I know there are many who give in expectation of return or in hope of building fences that obligate and manipulate others to recognize their specialness. The white picket fences of fantasies have confronted my search on more than one occasion. Read the rest of this entry

Drive slower, save the planet!

The environment is a hot issue that we just can’t afford to ignore any longer. To some, being environmentally aware is a way of life, a necessary and fundamental aspect of existence. To others being ‘green’ is something to aspire to, a lifestyle that with a bit of guidance could be achievable.

Young people have been brought up in a culture of ecological revelations, such as the depletion of the ozone layer and melting polar ice caps. We all know that these things are still happening yet we’ve still got a long way to go before the impacts of modern society on our planet are decelerated. Our parents weren’t particularly clued up about the effect that peoples’ actions have on their environment and recycling was certainly never an option in many houses in the 80s and 90s. However, these days we do have the resources and the knowledge to make little changes that can improve the planet for the better. If we can slow down on the road then we might be able to slow down climate change.

High levels of Co2 emissions are one of the biggest influencers of climate change and environmental damage. Exhaust emissions contain a myriad of chemicals which clog up the atmosphere and cause long term damage to our surroundings. Aviation contributes to a large proportion of the damage. Each jet requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel to get to its destination. Short of getting to your holiday resort by rail, a bit tricky if you’re off to the Maldives, there is little that you or I can do about aviation emissions. However, drivers can make a massive difference to the environment by taking a few steps to reduce their emissions and help reduce harmful pollution.
driving; by reducing the use of your pedals you reduce the use of fuel.

* Anticipate conditions, and accelerate and decelerate efficiently. This is safer and uses less fuel. It is also proven that you won’t get to your destination faster by speeding. According to Earteasy.com the most fuel-efficient speed for your car is roughly 55 mph, or 90 km/h. Increasing your speed from 55 mph to 75 mph boosts your fuel consumption a stunning 20 percent!
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You can reduce the amount of fuel you use by up to 25% by changing some of your habits. Driving is expensive, with the cost of car insurance, road tax and fuel to consider. It’s not difficult to alter your lifestyle; we owe it to our future offspring and more importantly right now, we owe it to our pockets! Whilst we may not live long enough to see the benefit to the environment we can feel the immediate benefit to our pockets.

By being slightly more conscientious drivers we can all make a huge difference. Follow these tips from www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk and you’ll soon help protect the planet and feel the immediate payback in your pocket.

* Keep a steady speed when I must be a glutton for punishment.
Think I can conquer the monster known as Walmart. Men are thick headed. There ladies I said it. We think we can conquer, fix, or figure out anything. Then we wonder why women go to the bathroom together! To talk about the stupid things their men do!
Why do I go to Walmart? Well, where I live it is the closest and only place that is open after midnight. You would think it would be very easy to get in and out of there. Ummm, no, not when you have the 20-30 night owls trying to checkout at the only register open that late. Anyway here is what happened to me the other night…
I am lying in bed minding my own business when my wife says, “you need to go to walmart”. Nails on a chalkboard, fork scrapping teeth kind of thing. So, as I curl up in the fetal position and stick my thumb in my mouth, I say “WHY!?” My wife says, “we need milk” and she wants to get a new bed set for our son’s bed. “Please tell me you are not serious.” My wife turns her head and gives me that “look”. Nuff said. I had my shoes on before she could finish the glare. Read the rest of this entry