Is It Just Me Or Are We In Trouble

Is It Just Me Or Are We In Trouble

Have I been watching too much of the evening news, or are we really in trouble? Where do I begin with what I’m talking about? Well…
For starters, who ever thought gas prices would get up to $3.00 a gallon? I know that’s old news right about now, but in a way it really isn’t if you have to commute every day. And this is only the beginnings of troubles. Why is that bird flu hanging over our heads like a biblical plague waiting to unfold? Enough already! Can’t they quarantine all those birds and people who have it and be done with it, I say? Leave us out of it, I don’t want any parts of any bird flu, I’m not a bird.
Why is the entire world, save a few pockets here and there starting to resemble a third world country? You know what I mean. I love fish but I am scared to eat it because I don’t want mercury poisoning. Beef and chicken are all pumped up with steroids which means I could go crazy, grow hair where it doesn’t belong and get real, real big from eating it. I’m waiting for them to say there’s a hybrid virus developing that is a cross between bird flu and mad cow disease. As soon as I hear it announced – Mad Bird Flu Cow Virus – I’m packing up and moving to a remote village in Africa. But you say wait? Why? Oh, they are having problems over there too, with famines, and holocausts, and viruses? I wonder how soon they are planning to colonize Mars.
All this apocalyptic talk is giving me all kinds of pains, a friend of mine recommended Vioxx so I’m just going to take one. Why are you shaking your head? Vioxx can do what????? I guess I’ll be joining the rest of the vioxx lawsuits.
I can honestly see why some people just go nuts, but there is an upside to all of this. I can turn off the news shows, stop worrying and live my life. I’m sure the generation before us, and the generations before them had some of the same questions and concerns when faced with life-threatening plague-ish diseases and questionable environmental and economic situations. But we are still here, still thriving.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.adrolitepress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com
www.northbaymediareview.com

Truck Fetish

I have always wanted to own a truck. I don’t know exactly why, but it always seemed like something that would come in handy.
Many have discouraged me over the years, and I succumbed every time, particularly when it came time to purchase a new automobile a few years back. My first choice became a Honda – I was influenced by a relative and it has actually been one of my best decisions, considering the fact that I have faced some pretty heavy commutes. Great on gas, I can get from here (Vallejo) to Los Angeles on one tank of gas or about 10 gallons providing traffic is light to moderate. I can fit in small parking spaces, and generally my Civic is generally a fairly feminine car. I don’t mean that men who drive one are pansies or anything like that at all. But as far as macho cars go, I’d say the Civic lands somewhere in the bottom of the pile.
Trucks have always held some level intrigue for me. Once I learned that most of them have a lot of power, I really wanted one. Ever see those fools on the highway, rain, shine, blizzard, tornado, hurricane flying by you in their pickup trucks? If I had eight cylinders, there’s no telling what I’d do in it, truth be told. I would probably have a truck tool box full of speeding tickets, parking tickets, you name it.
The other great thing about trucks is that they have gone luxury on us. Ever been in the cab of one of those larger trucks? Comfortable, great sound systems, you name it and you can have it. Plus you get to haul your trash, buy big pieces of furniture from garage sales or furniture stores and never have to worry how you’re going to get your treasure home. Yes. Me in a truck. I’m getting even more attached to the idea except…
You’re probably wondering what’s wrong. Those ‘what’s a little lady like you doing in that big old truck, you can’t handle that’ comments just popped up in my head. I remember renting a truck and a companion was amazed that I could handle it. Either he’s an idiot or I really do come off like the damsel in distress. Whatever the case, I have a confession to make. Although my heart yearns to own a big, curb-hogging eight-cylinder truck, I really just want to keep my Civic until I can afford a Mercedes or an Infinity. If I ever have some extra cash lying around, then I’ll spring for one. My first priority is a much faster car than the one that I have, but not necessarily more bulky. It’s a tough decision, isn’t it? And trucks seem to cover a broad range of automobile types according to Car and Driver Magazine: Ford F-150, Honda Pilot, Cadillac SRX, Subaru Forester, Honda Odyssey. Who knew? I certainly did not. Well, I’m finished now, I’m going to do some more research on these trucks.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.AdrolitePress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com
www.NorthBayMediaReview.com

Home Office Blues

Like a lot of folks who work at home, I use a spare bedroom for my office. Truthfully, I’m ready to expand into the garage, but I’m a little unsure of which direction to turn in. A small list of items to furnish the garage-office is appropriate right now, but before you know it that list can turn outrageous. I already have desks and chairs, but as visions of a boardroom, waiting area (you’d think I have a ten-car garage) complete with Office Room Reception Chairs continue to expand, I realize that if I don’t develop a budget for it I could be headed for trouble.
For starters, I need to insulate, paint, run phone and DSL lines. Of course I have to make sure it’s alright with the city, county, state, and perhaps even the country and their offices before I make that move. Since the garage isn’t attached to the house, I have to make sure my path is well lit and the boundaries secure for those late night work sessions. More and more my spare bedroom appears to be the place to stay.
As business expands and grows, operations will as well. I suppose I’ll know the right time to lay those bigger office plans. In the meantime, I’ll continue to wake up and walk those twenty-five steps to the office.