I'd tap that

What did we do before bottled water?

The whole idea of bottled water seems silly to me. With the exception of Fiji water, it all tastes the same to me, and no different from tap water (and, in fact, some companies have admitted to just bottling local tap water). And not to even mention the environmental impact, which is atrocious. It's almost like we're polluting the earth for no real beneficial reason...and that's just wasteful.

Americans spend $16 billion dollars a year on bottled water. That's more money per year than we spend on the Iraq war. And, like the war, the effects of those bottles will hang around for years and years to come.

So I was amused and excited to see a new initiative taking place in NYC. It's called TapIt, and it's a network of cafe owners who sign up as partners and allow people to pop in and fill up their reusable water bottles for free. So you're able to have easy access to free tap water, on the go. It's a win-win-win for everyone involved - it cuts back on waste (good for the planet), gives water to people (good for thirsty people) and gives business and exposure to the cafes (good for capitalism).

You can find out more at TapIt.

Our tap water is among the cleanest in the world. And yet that's still not good enough for us. If we stop to appreciate what we have here and use it, then perhaps we'd make an impact on our world.

Harmonious Beer

I'm not going to even talk about the Beer Summit that went down at the White House today. I'm not talking about it because it's absolutely ridiculous that this situation should even be a blip on the President's radar. I'm not going to talk about it because it's absolutely ridiculous that this whole situation should be treated to drinks, like a bunch of college friends getting together to catch up. I'm not going to talk about it because it's, frankly, embarrassing to our country.

But I am going to talk about the beer.

Apparently, the choice of beer caused a bit of a stir, as well, with one Massachusetts congressman wanting Sam Adams to be the only beer of choice. Budweiser is now owned by a Belgium company and Coors and Miller are owned by UK conglomerates. So, Sam Adams is the natural, all-American, all-Boston choice for the White House to serve.

Nothing like a silly political controversy that gives root to another silly political controversy.

My favorite quote, though, was from Jim Koch, the founder and brewer of Sam Adams. He would choose to make a special beer for the event:

"I'd make a blend of ingredients from all over the world. Which is certainly what's represented there with the three participants," he said. "I would blend those ingredients together artfully and harmoniously, because that's really what we all hope for."

Let's all take our cue from Koch...raise your glass of beer, take a chug, and leave this silliness behind.

The USA is the awesomest country in the world...followed closely by Pakistan

USA Today had a "Snapshots" survey in their Thursday paper that looked the countries with the most executions in the world.

In 2008, 95% of the 2,390 known executions in the world were carried out in six countries:

CHINA: 1,718
IRAN: 346
SAUDI ARABIA: 102
USA: 37
PAKISTAN: 36
IRAQ: 34

Really? We've committed 3 more executions than a country with whom we're at war because of their lack of democracy? We typically think of these countries as being dictatorships, unrestful, communist...somewhat unappealing terms from our ethnocentric point of view. And yet, we're right there with the best of them, killing our own people.

As I've blogged before, I am pro-life. But that extends past abortion. I think it's atrocious that our country allows the killing of any human being - whether they are in the womb or behind bars. This survey should put us in our place. And hopefully enact some sort of change.

Save the pennies

My friend, Abby, and I have said for years that there should be some sort of basic money management course that is mandatory for all high schoolers (or even junior highers, for that matter). The basic principle is that few people know the basic principles of saving, of not spending more than you earn, or how credit works.

Forget home-economics, let's talk personal economics. With a little basic education, perhaps our country could have avoided the mortgage and credit situation we now find ourselves in. While yes, you could argue that banks may have taken advantage of situations and people, I also think we are partly to blame. If we would have exercised prudence and some basic principles of spending, perhaps things would have been a little different than they are today.

These classes may sound simple, but they are important in setting the foundation for financial education. Basic topics like: "How to properly use a credit card (ie, a credit card is not a free loan)" and "The latte effect: don't buy that $5 coffee drink if you don't have $5" and "Let's talk about saving: some simple definitions" may be some of the most important classes high schoolers ever take. After all, when was the last time you used a cosine? But I bet you more recently needed a cosigner.

And while our banks may have good intentions to help us save, I think they are missing the boat in helping to change our attitudes. Take Wachovia's "Way to Save" or Bank of America's "Save the Change." These programs, in essence, help you save money every time you use your debit card. For each purchase you make, money from your checking account is automatically transferred to your savings account.

The issue here is that we are propogating the underlying problem in our personal economic culture. I thought you saved money by not spending it. Instead, these banks are saying that the best way to save money is to spend it. Not quite the right message in these economic times.

So we need a revolution. An economic revolution on the most microcosmic scale. And I think it starts when most of us start our first jobs and are beginning to become responsible for ourselves. Mandatory classes in high school might be a good idea. After all, how can our future leaders be responsible for our country's finances when they can't even handle their own?

Another new person in the world

Welcome to this world, Davis Mitchell! And congratulations to Alison and James on their new bundle of joy (who decided to come a week early!).

Either all babies are born adorable, or I just have friends with great genes. Can't wait to meet the newest member of the gang!

Operator Error

How is it that we live in the digital era and no one knows how to use an airline self-service kiosk?

It doesn't matter if the person is young or old, hip or old-fashioned, I have yet to watch a person use one of those kiosks without 1) needing assistance or 2) taking less than 5 minutes to print their boarding passes.

I'll be the first to admit: I'm not a patient person. In fact, I'm the opposite of a patient person. And nothing drives me crazier than to watch people try to navigate the self-service kiosks.

First, it begins with them not knowing when to walk up to a kiosk. Without fail, there will be seventeen kiosks open and I'll have to direct the poor soul at the front of the line to one of them.

Me: "Excuse me? Are you waiting for a kiosk?"
Them: "Yes."
Me: "There's an open kiosk over there. And there. And there. And there."

Then, invariably, they don't have their confirmation code. Or a credit card to swipe. Or a passport. Or their destination airport.

Once they have gotten past the intro screen, they feel the need to read every single word on the screen and carefully select the right button to push. Nevermind that the right button to push is always in a bright color, to help guide you through the process quickly. I watch as their fingers hover over the screen, anticipating their next move. But it's a slow process, as if they don't fully understand how the magical screen can capture their answers.

Finally, they print their boarding pass and just as I'm about to take their place in line, they stand there to talk to the kiosk attendant. They don't move out of the way so the next person can use the kiosk. No. They stand IN FRONT OF THE IDLE KIOSK, asking some asinine question (I'm sure.)

Now, I'm no computer whiz kid. But I do know how to read and how to push things. These extraordinary talents allow me to check in and print my boarding pass in a matter of mere seconds.

The airline kiosks should be reserved for those with these special talents. Everyone else can use the old fashioned way to check-in: the friendly airline ticket counter agent.

Fighting Five Year Olds

14

I was a bit surprised by this number. My moral compass says that I could never really fight a five-year old...unless I was being brutally attacked by one. But now I know I'm ready for motherhood, if only I could over the idea of actually birthing a child.