Rare Gems or just Fossilized Poo?

15 more days. Then comes the road trip. But here's what strikes me as funny. While looking on the Internet at the attractions and hotels I will be going to, I've been reading comments of guests. One place had a comment "This is the best hotel ever", the very next comment was "Be afraid, be very afraid". One of the attractions we will see is the Incline Railway in Chattanooga, TN. It is essentially a railroad car that goes up a mountain side at a 78 degree angle. "What a great view and great ride" was one comment. "I couldn't have been more bored. I can't believe I had to pay for that" was another.
Ok, I get it. The Internet is a great way for angry people to let the world know that they are angry people. It is so much cheaper then getting counseling or just trying to see the good in the world. So I am either about to have the best time of my life or the worst time of my life. Who knew you can't believe everything you read on the Internet???

Don't Forget To Live Your Life

It's been a rough day. I'm at work right now. I just heard on the news another story about how we should all squirrel away any money we have in case the economy gets worse. Those comments get me so angry. I'm not going to stash money for a rainy day. I'm going on a vacation of a lifetime. In doing so, in a small way I am going to help this strained economy. But far more importantly, I will create memories that will last forever.
A potential guest came to this hotel for a room. I told him our rate. Instead, he decided to save 8 dollars and stay at a motel that is known for drugs and prostitution. This man was over 70 years old and will have a horrible stay at a terrible place because he wants to save 8 bucks.
I found out that a friend I met on youtube is fighting a serious illness. This guy has a better outlook on life than most people I have encountered.
All of these stories have one thing in common; it is vital that while going through our daily grind, we all remember to actually live our lives. I feel pity for the people who haven't figured that out. And for the ones who understand that secret, I feel admiration and respect.

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!

Yesterday I was watching national news with Brian Williams. Right before going to a commercial, Mr. Williams said, "The Earth was almost in big trouble yesterday, more in a minute." I went from not paying much attention to biting my nails. When the commercials were over, Brian Williams explained that an asteroid dubbed 2009 DD45, came within 40,000 miles of hitting our planet. That is closer than the moon is to us right now. This asteroid is the size of a ten story building. According to the news, had it hit our planet, it would have the power of 1,000 Hiroshima size nuclear weapons.
And the story gets better. Our scientists didn't discover it until last Friday. It missed us on Monday. I'm not one of those wacky internet conspiracy theorists. I'm a big fan of science and actual rational thought. But this one makes me wonder. First, the path of these things is elliptical, meaning it will be back (and next time it will be angry). Second, what do scientists know and not tell us? What would you have done differently had you known 1,000 nuclear weapons worth of energy were heading for your house? Can we get Bruce Willis on speed-dial just in case we need his help stopping one of these things?
Fortunately for us all, the thing missed. Hopefully it will again. But just in case, I think I am going to start building a space shuttle and then get it all gassed up.