It's nice to have the Internet because........

I remember back in the day when there was no Internet and to find out anything outside of what was on the news or in the newspapers, you had to either have an encyclopedia or go to the library.  Does anyone reading this remember the card catalog or the Dewey decimal system?   To find something that may even closely resemble what you were looking for you really had to do some digging.  Even then, you could not be sure it would have all the information that you needed.  This was the way it was back in my high school days and to some extent the beginning of my college days which took place almost 10 years later!  I remembered almost hyperventilating when I found out that you could get a volume of dissertation abstracts on CD during my time at graduate school.

Fast forward to today.  The information superhighway has long been having a profound effect on our lives and to access just about any information you would need all you need to do is enter your search words in Google, Bing or any one of the many other search engines and there you have it.  All this can be done from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere that has a WI-FI connection.  Now how cool is that?  All the time that is saved can result in more productive time being spent reaching your goal as a result of the information that is so easily within our grasp.

Now I must admit that I need to give thanks now and then for having such easy access to this bounty of information because I am fully aware of what it would be like to not have it.  It makes the projects that I am working on so much easier and they can be completed in less time.  Some people focus on the potential dangers that are lurking on the "net" but when you think about it, anything not used properly poses some risk.  A few years ago there was a lawsuit involving a woman who died from drinking too much water while participating in a contest sponsored by a local radio station.  Having access to the Internet also affords more ease in our daily lives.  It has taken the place of the phone book (do those even get printed anymore?), newspaper, maps, going to the bank, shopping catalogs and so much more.  You can even start your own business using the Internet and not leave your home.

A lot has come into being during my lifetime.  Men have landed on the moon. The personal computer has been developed.  Numerous advances in technology have been made and the introduction of the Internet is one of those numerous advances for which I am especially grateful.

Enjoy your days Everyone!

Erik's World!! (and welcome to it): It's nice when you have people!

Erik's World!! (and welcome to it): It's nice when you have people!

It's nice when you have people!

Now I am not talking about the people who are in your family or are related to you, I am talking about those you deal with in your day to day encounters outside of the family.  I liking having people that I feel comfortable with when I go out to take care of business and errands.  It just seems to make the process a whole lot more enjoyable.  For example, if I need car work done I go to Pablo.  When I go to the hardware store there is always one particular individual (whose name I don't know!) that I go to for help.  Johnnie usually greets me at the door when I go to the market and if Francisco is at the health food store I always say "hello" to him.  Yesterday, I met a gentleman named Josh and although he does not know it yet, he is my new cable guy!  Very helpful individual.  When I go get Mexican food I always say "hi" to Anna and I now have a new contact named Jeff who is the tree trimmer.  My pool person is Troy, Miguel is the gardener and if I need some emergency repair work, I keep Jesse's card in my wallet.  Mike is my dentist and Leslie is my primary care doctor.  Oh yes!  I can't forget Paul at the Rite-Aid pharmacy.  If I need a tow truck, I give Milo a call.  When it is time for some delicious Fish & Chips, Mr. Kim and his lovely wife have a great place down the street.  When I have a hankering for a delicious hot dog, Hector is always ready at the Wienery to serve up one of his specials.

Another added benefit to having your own "people" is that they have their people.  So you can always ask "Can you recommend anyone for....."?  So the list of your people always stands a good chance of being able to expand.  It's nice to be able to say hello to a friendly face instead of just going through the mechanics of handing over your money in exchange for whatever it is you want to buy.  It kind of makes things a bit less regimented when you leave the house and venture out into the world.

So if you don't have many people that you can say hi to, introduce yourself to the next person you come in contact with that provides you good service.  Thank them for a job well done and make it a point to see them again next time you visit their place of business.  It will probably throw them for a spin when they see that you are a nice person as well and are not out to get something from them.

The first miner has been rescued in Chile!!

Oh my goodness!

After more than two months in subterranean captivity, the first miner has just been rescued (at the time of this post) in Chile.  It is truly a miracle and a testament to the ingenuity of man and the hope that binds people together.  From what I read, the temperatures were between 80 and 90 degrees F and I can only imagine what it was like being stuck so far below the surface of the earth.  Thank the heavens that the 33 individuals who endured this ordeal were able to have food and water delivered to them as well as being given the ability to communicate with people on the outside.

What a glorious day for the Chilean republic!  Now this is truly something to be joyous about!  Talk about being given a new perspective on life in general.  How grand it is that people are able to band together and put their minds to use to overcome colossal obstacles.

May the families of those 33 individuals who went through this ordeal be overcome with the joy of knowing that they will soon be reunited with people who hold a dear place in their hearts.

Thank you GOD!!!!

If you see someone down in the dumps......take a look at this video!

Donald O'Connor in the movie "Singin' In The Rain"



"Make 'em Laugh!"


As the saying goes, "Laughter is the Best Medicine"

It's October!!

I am soooooooooooooooooo waiting for the Great Pumpkin!