The debates have begun....

Well, how many of you watched the 1st debate last night? How many of you were surprised it actually happened? I don't know what you saw, but I saw one man willing to talk, debate and answer questions. I saw another man who couldn't look his opponent in the eye...not once that I saw, couldn't stay on point and thought it appropriate to snicker about his opponent's points and accusations. I don't need my next President to be snickering at other people during intense negotiations, treaty signings, or debates.
And what was up with the jewelry debate? Who cares who wears a bracelet, ring, nipple clamps or a necklace? So...if you wear a bracelet with someone's name on it, you care about the troops more? Guess it doesn't matter if they both have one...they cancelled each other out in my book. I believe they both care about our troops...who doesn't? Okay, guys...McCain is looking more de-duh-dee in my book than ever before, but I will definitely continue to pay attention to both of them.
(*de-duh-dee reference....see Carlos Mencia http://www.carlosmencia.com/08/ )
Til next time...

Test #2...done!

Test 2 of 4 (not incl. final) in A&P is done! Woo Hoo! It's so cool to be transported back some 15+ years ago to my days at University of Montevallo...the air is cool, the trees are starting to drop a few leaves and others are just barely beginning to turn. Fall is here! We've been waking up to 52 degree temps in the morning for the last week and a half and there's more to come. The afternoons are only getting up to the high 70's and low 80's with a very pleasant breeze. Ahhhh....just feels good to breathe!
Fall festivals are starting soon...hopefully we'll have some time off to check them out! We do live in the country now...time to check out some clogging, fried pies, and sheep shearing contests. Yee haw! :) Can you tell? I LOVE FALL! Happy Friday...

So...why are you in college?

As an 'adult' returning college student, I have (what I think to be) a unique perspective. I see other students walk into class, lay their heads down and proceed to sleep through what is supposed to be one of the toughest courses...Anatomy & Physiology. Are you kidding me? Then there are those students who argue with the teacher because they (the student) read the question WRONG! Hello? Read your friggin' book, douchebag! I swear...I really have lost what little patience I used to have with stupid people. And maybe they aren't intellectually stupid, but they ACT stupid. One guy (who happens to be older than me, I do believe) went up to the professor after class and said to her, rather sternly, 'Show me in the book where it says that.' Sorry to tell you dude, but those of us who read the question correctly...got it right. I think it's because of the purpose I have associated with my education that I am passionate about it. I'm also a huge nerd and have always enjoyed school. :) But I see these people texting during lecture, rolling their eyes and constantly watching the clock. Why are you here? Just wasting your parents money? Wasting your time? Oh well...I'll continue to study, go to class, enjoy it as much as I can and make the best grades I'm capable of. Not my problem if they fail...I guess it just pains me to see it since I know how valuable a good education truly is. Heck, mine is going to help Lon and me have a more comfortable life and retirement. That is SUPER important to me. And we LOOOOOVE to have fun!!! Okay, I guess that's enough for today...I'll give my fellow Chatt State students the weekend off...maybe they'll be more focused next week.

We are still enjoying days starting off around 60, topping at 80 with a cool breeze all day...and it's supposed to last at least another week! It may just be a preview, but I'm loving this no-A/C, windows/doors open, no humidity kind of weather. Woo Hoo!

Ahh...FALL!!! I've missed you!!!!

No, I don't think it's here for good just yet, but I was able to turn off the A/C and open all the windows this morning. Yippee! It was a VERY pleasant 65 with a high today only reaching 77. This weather should last all week...Woo Hoo! The fresh cool air, wind blowing through the trees and hint of fall take me straight back to our 1st anniversary in Traverse City, MI with some very good friends, Tim and Renee. By the way, Congrats are in order for you guys for getting your house built and being able to move up there permanently! We are definitely up for a repeat visit! You can check out some of our pics from that wonderful trip at http://www.lonjordan.com/album/Traverse%20City/index.html

I hope wherever you are in this beautiful country (or world, for you overseas folks!) that you are experiencing some equally pleasant weather. Last week while at the Riverpark, I saw one branch of a maple tree with its leaves already turning bright red. I will definitely have some gorgeous pics to post of our 1st fall color change in Chatt. Last fall we were here for 3 short days and fell in love with the city. I'm so excited to be living here and get to see it everyday!

If you went to sleep early on Saturday night, you missed a fantastic SNL opener! Here's a link...Tina Fey's Sarah Palin is dead on! Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnRUKIMegn8

Michigan Wins!

Well, it may not have been pretty, but the score is what matters...and the Wolverines pulled it off! Way to go, Blue!!! I had planned to spend today studying (which I did), but I did have to turn the game on, too! Don't worry...I muted it (a little). :) Unfortunately Lon had to work and missed the game. Next week...Notre Dame. We'll see how that goes. :-S

As for the presidential choices and their running mates...well, McCain helped me like one candidate's team more than the other...and it wasn't his! Sarah Palin scares me...pro-gun, anti-abortion rights, pro-drilling up one of our nation's wildlife refuges, hmmm...no, I don't think I want her running my country (McCain is 72 and not in the best health!).

• We have multiple renewable resources for oil and gas that we are not using...why then would we want to go and drill up one of our states and use up MORE of our irreplaceable fossil fuels and filthy up the environment in the process? That doesn't sound like a good idea. Has she not heard of bio-diesel, hemp oil, used corn oil, etc. (people are already using these!)
  
• And why does she see the need to take away a woman's choice regarding her own body and/or embryo/fetus? She was able to make her own decisions (CHOICES!) about her 5 kids and her daughter had a CHOICE to keep her baby, as well. That doesn't seem fair that they had choices, but others shouldn't. "Mom-of-five Palin is anti-abortion (even in cases of rape) and opposed to sex-education classes (she believes in abstinence instruction for teens). From USmagazine.com Well, we can see how well that would work since our country is one of the leaders in teen pregnancies. And how many kids/teens do you know that do EXACTLY what they are told and don't do the opposite just because they want to? (I would think not very many!) Isn't that what is being taught anyway...and not working? And no, I'm not influenced by the fact that her daughter got pregnant. Accidents happen and parents can't monitor their children 24 hours a day, nor do I think they should. They have to grow up sometime and life is a VERY good teacher...
  
• Pro-gun...what the heck does that mean? I know that 'guns don't kill people, bullets (or people) kill people.' Yes, I've heard it, seen the bumper stickers and t-shirts, but that doesn't mean I want it to be so easy for anyone to get one. Unfortunately, there is crime and a black market and the wrong people can get them no matter what restrictions are placed on law-abiding citizens. But to say you are 'pro-gun'...I would really like to know exactly what is meant by it. Still doesn't appeal to me...since having been shot myself, I'm not a fan. If there was a way to get them all off the street and only in the hands of military and security (police) personnel, I would be all for it. Hunters can do it the old fashioned way...ever heard of a bow and arrow? A spear? Those worked for thousands of years and you actually had to exert yourself in the 'hunt.' Might not be a bad idea for our rampantly obese nation to put a little more exercise into our 'fun' and sport. :) I'm not dissing hunters, just making the point of how they could have fun IF only military and police had access to firearms.
  

I apologize for my rant...didn't realize I had all that pent up inside! :) I really am having a great Saturday and my honey will be home any minute! Yeah! I will still watch the debates and make up my mind by November. There's still a lot I want to hear from both sides that nobody is saying...like how exactly they are going to make all these changes they keep talking about (both sides).
Til next time...

Did you know?

I don't feel like most people understand what an amazing product hemp really is...and no, I don't mean weed, pot or marijuana (though it definitely has it's advantages as well.) I thought I would post a few items, most of which are verifiable in the Encyclopedia Brittanica (which was printed on hemp paper for 150 years!) If, after reading these, you still don't think hemp could pull our country out of a slumping economy I would love to know why! :)

1. Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC.

2. Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic. The federal government subsidized hemp during the Second World War and US farmers grew about a million acres of hemp as part of that program.

3. Hemp Seed is far more nutritious than even soybean, contains more essential fatty acids than any other source, is second only to soybeans in complete protein (but is more digestible by humans), is high in B-vitamins, and is 35% dietary fiber. Hemp seed is not psychoactive and cannot be used as a drug. See TestPledge.com

4. The bark of the hemp stalk contains bast fibers, which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibers and are also rich in cellulose; the cellulose and hemi-cellulose in its inner woody core are called hurds. Hemp stalk is not psychoactive. Hemp fiber is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more insulative than cotton fiber.

5. According to the Department of Energy, hemp as a biomass fuel producer requires the least specialized growing and processing procedures of all hemp products. The hydrocarbons in hemp can be processed into a wide range of biomass energy sources, from fuel pellets to liquid fuels and gas. Development of biofuels could significantly reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

6. Hemp grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Almost half of the agricultural chemicals used on US crops are applied to cotton.

7. Hemp produces more pulp per acre than timber on a sustainable basis, and can be used for every quality of paper. Hemp paper manufacturing can reduce wastewater contamination. Hemp's low lignin content reduces the need for acids used in pulping, and it's creamy color lends itself to environmentally friendly bleaching instead of harsh chlorine compounds. Less bleaching results in less dioxin and fewer chemical byproducts.

8. Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition, and does not yellow with age when an acid-free process is used. Hemp paper more than 1,500 years old has been found. It can also be recycled more times.

9. Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard.

10. Eco-friendly hemp can replace most toxic petrochemical products. Research is being done to use hemp in manufacturing biodegradable plastic products: plant-based cellophane, recycled plastic mixed with hemp for injection-molded products, and resins made from the oil, to name just a very few examples.

- http://www.thehia.org/ - http://www.votehemp.com/

All statements above found at www.venusproject.com.

I'll have more interesting facts for you to think about soon...in the meantime, you are free to check out the link I have labeled Industrial Hemp. Just so you know...hemp is related to marijuana, however the amount of THC (the part that gets you 'high') in hemp is so minuscule, smoking it would be like smoking grass clippings...from your lawnmower! Yuck! That certainly does not sound like a good time to me. I truly hope you have found this enlightening...or at least, interesting!