American FAIL

The price of everthing is going up each and everyday, except there seems to be one thing that ISN'T going up--America's wages. We are living in a place where our nation's debt is 12 trillion and rising (which equates to 40K per person in the US) and in which our economic future is uncertain. Gas prices are rising, taxes are increasing on everything you can think of that is taxable (liquor, tobacco, roads, property, etc). Yet, despite this, wages aren't increasing. In fact, people are working more for less because companies have to "cut costs". You have it worse if you live in you live somewhere with a high standard of living like San Francisco or Hawaii. In Hawaii, we have lower wages compared to the rest of the US, yet we have one of the most expensive housing here. (Honolulu ranks 6th in America's Most Overvalued Cities with the median home at 605K) How is the average American supposed to keep up with inflation? How are people supposed to save money, buy homes, sustain our families, and live the 'American Dream'? Actually, the 'American Dream' is probably very far-fetched for a lot of people right now because they're having trouble finding jobs, paying their debts, and keeping their homes out of foreclosures.


We're a total mess. While other countries' GDP is starting to pick back up, America's is slower compared to others. Our unemployment is still high. Small businesses aren't able to get loans, but are faced with paying increased unemployment benefits. In turn, it's the average American that lose out. We're over worked and underpaid, because business is "slow" and a lot of  benefits have been cut. In this and age in America, it's supposedly "lucky" to even have a job.


American Dream? Bullshit. More like American FAIL now.

The Tiger is roaring in...

Happy Chinese New Year everyone. So, the year of 'me' (ox) is gone, and the tiger is roaring in instead. Last year was supposedly a bad year for oxen (which it was for me), although it was the year of the ox. (Family changes, employment changes, struggles with relationships).

I find zodiacs and horoscopes interesting, and like to read it from time to time. I think some of the things zodiacs and horoscopes say about my personality are pretty accurate. However,  I just take forecasts and predictions as something fun to read. 

Overall, it says the year of the tiger could bring some luck to me, but at the same time it says be prepared to face challenges. Also, health is stressed this year for people born in the year of the ox. (I guess it's a good thing that I decided to work on being healthier this year).

Take a look at your 2010 zodiac forecast for the year of the tiger:

http://www.moonslipper.com/chinese.html

http://www.proastro.com/?o=&act=&forecastmonth=11&forecastdate=23&forecastyear=1985&x=6&y=6

Sanity

Ever had one of those days that you're feeling really down that you don't see that there will be light at the end of the tunnel soon? Or that you're so stressed at work, school, or just have a lot of things on your mind that you feel like pulling your hair out? We all want the days to be bright and go by smoothly. I know I want to be able to answer 'good' when someone asks me how it's going or  how my day was. Unfortunately, our days aren't always so bright. We have our ups and downs, and not everyone can always be (or pretend to be) happy go lucky. 

So, what's your source of sanity when it feels like your world has turned upside down and hell broke loose? Everyone has different things to relieve themselves of anger, stress, sadness, etc. Some people choose to do things like exercise, drink, smoke, vent to friends, eat, go shopping. 

For me, one of my sources of sanity is music/singing. It's not detrimental to my health nor wallet. I find it calms me down a lot, especially at work when it's too stressful too handle. When I'm angry, I like to blast the music in the room or car and sing to the music. (Works good if it's metal, rock, etc -- music where the singer yells). 

Besides talking to friends, I also like to write, but I don't do this that often enough. It's good to get the thoughts out, even if no one else will be reading the writing. 

The other thing I seem to like to do a lot before was go cruising, and driving aimlessly at night. Not sure why, but it just feels good. 

Here's one of the songs that has been playing often on the radio, which I've been listening to a lot during stressful times at work. It's just a really happy, upbeat song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT3zCj3F1d4

Hey, Soul Sister - Train

Heeey, heeeey, heeeeey

Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you
And so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moving
The smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided you're the one I have decided
Who's one of my kind

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight

Heeey, heeeey, heeeey

Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one track mind le me
You gave my life direction
A game show love connection, we can't deny
I'm so obsessed
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna
And I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight

Well you can cut a rug
Watching you is the only drug I need
So gangster, I'm so thug
You're the only one I'm dreaming of
You see I can be myself now finally
In fact there's nothing I cant be
I want the world to see you'll be with me

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Heeey heeeey heeeeey (tonight)
Heeey heeeey heeeeey (tonight)