The bottom line is this: Money is created out of debt. When you go take out a loan on your house from a bank, that bank basically gives you money it creates FROM the loan you just asked for.

It’s not like they have $200,000 in the bank, and when you ask to borrow it, they give it out and suddenly have $0. Nope. They basically create money out of thin air.

All our money today is created from debt. Without debt, there would be no money. The really sad thing about it is we have to pay back interest. Well, interest is above and beyond the debt that was created before, so there is no way all debt could ever be paid off.

I know, it sounds weird and strange, but the more I read and hear reactions to this video, it absolutely is true. The funny thing is, the fact that we have a nation debt is because it helps keep the economy every growing upwards, because without debt, there would be no money.

Now, I don’t know about their solution to the problem, but it is interesting. The video is 45 minutes long, so it’s not an easy thing to watch. But I promise you, it’s eye-opening and shocking. Maybe take a lunch break at your desk and check it out.

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When you’ve suffered through a record number of days over 110 degrees, there is truly a “fall” for Phoenix residents.

Monday morning I drove to work for the first time without air conditioning since who knows when. It was 62 degrees at 5:30 in the morning and absolutely beautiful out. Even my drive home was only 85 and I still didn’t turn on the A/C.

It was 60 this morning here and I’m working at home with the sliding door open and the outside temperature at 10am is just now matching the 75 I have it set to inside.

This is the beginning of what I think is the best time to be in Arizona. Most come for the heat and to get away from the snow, but being outside in the evenings with temps in the 70′s is just perfect.

Should really help me with one of my 101 Things To Do: #78 – Read an entire book outdoors this winter.

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This happened to me at 9/11. I had been trying to start a sports newspaper business with a friend, to go along with the website we created (and is essentially the same one I help run today). We had a business plan and ideas and even a couple of papers done and delivered.

Then the towers crashed down and suddenly what was important before wasn’t so much anymore. I realized I just wanted to get a job and support my family. All the time and effort that goes into running a business just seemed like a way to waste my life on something that wasn’t that important.

Where did I want my priorities? On work or life? And I choose my life, and I’ve never regretted that decision.

I think the same thing may have happened to me last night, but the event that triggered it wasn’t anything like 9/11. It was a simple (or not so simple) conversation with Jina that really got us both thinking, and me in particular, about my life. I get so caught up in “things”…like blogging, or starting new blogs, or playing games, or posting on forums, or whatever. There are many distractions to me that become habits that are hard to break.

These things I choose to do become obligations and I have a responsibility towards them. My thoughts wander to what I need to get done even when I’m supposed to be spending time with my wife or friends. Thus I waste my time in front of the laptop making sure they get done…and end up with my focus away from what is important.

Like friends. Family. My wife. Life in general.

God.

I’ve stretched myself too thin. I’m missing out on the things God has planned for me by doing what I want.

Time for a change.

I got into the truck, didn’t turn on the CD player and before I was out of the neighborhood I was already thinking about praying. God and I had a nice little chat for about 2-3 miles and by the end of it, I was just relaxed and at ease. I turned on one of my favorite, peaceful Snow Patrol songs and just drove down the freeway in a state of calm. Of course, to make it all better, there was an amazing sunrise over the Superstitions as I neared town. Just beautiful! I tossed in a Shins song to go along with the sunrise (I’m a cheese ball) and then turned everything off and enjoyed a quiet rest of the ride to work.

You know I’m calm when I don’t get mad at other drivers, or I’m content to drive near the speed limit. I’ve been working on those things a lot. At least, the getting mad part.

I’ll never NOT like to drive fast

I feel a bit more focused today, even if the decisions I need to make aren’t clear to me yet. Maybe I know that I am not the one with all the pressure to have to make them. I have help now.

Usually when I’m done, I flip that radio right back on. But today I reached for it and stopped. Something about turning on the CD player felt wrong.

So I sat there…with no sound but the A/C and my tires on the road. It was pretty amazing to just sit and listen to the noises around me. The engine roaring as I passed someone or the sounds of other cars. It was very peaceful and a nice moment. I think God spoke to me at that moment with my hand on the knob as if to say, “So you asked for patience…”

And that’s what it was. Patience. For some reason, listening to a great CD makes road trips seem faster. But with complete silence…you are left with your own thoughts…and need patience to make it to the end of the trip.

God…I thank you.

Okay, I’m kidding…sort of. But today I realized just how badly my dad messed me up. There was a Moody Blues high-def concert on Sunday night and I Tivo-ed it because my dad loved them and we listened to them growing up ALL THE TIME.

So I turned it on while working at home today and I knew most of the words to almost ALL THE SONGS. The Moody Blues! I was like singing the words out loud and swaying in my chair (swaying, because I sure as frak can’t dance). I can’t tell you who sang most songs…ever…but if you want to know about the band who did Nights in White Satin, just holler.

Pandora. Yeah, this post wasn’t just a rant on my dad. Check out Pandora.com. It’s a free, streaming internet radio station where you can put in a few band names and it finds others like it and basically creates a little radio station for you. It’s a great way to find new music throughout your day. Registration is free.

The thing is, I am lucky. She’s great. But a lot of how a person is depends on the other one involved. If I had married someone else, what kind of affect would I have had on them?

Jina is so amazing. But with someone else, maybe the choices she would make wouldn’t be as open, or as caring as the ones she does for me. So much of who she is, and who I am, was because of the influence and change we’ve had on each other.

I was lucky to marry her, but in a lot of ways, we’re two different people than nine years ago.

I don’t know if any of that makes sense, but welcome to my world.

But as smart as they are, the ones I know seem to be missing one essential component to living among the humans on this planet.

Common sense.

They have no use for people who can’t think at their level. The “genius” I know, let’s call him “The Captain”, has had an actual discussion with me in which he states he will interrupt anyone when he doesn’t think what they have to say will contribute anything to the conversation.

This same guy laughed at me during a meeting this week, and waved off a comment of mine before I was finished stating it.

The Captain may be all knowing with it comes to books and math and all that jazz, but when it comes to people, he’s a baffoon.

Sure, you’re a genius, but at what cost to the people around you?

Mike

Such a long weekend with a golf tournament, then yardwork for three hours on Saturday, more yardwork on Sunday and then a pool party where I was in the sun for another hour or so.

I think I’ve upgraded my tan about 5 notches all in one weekend.

Didn’t get out to any movies this weekend, which is unfortunate since Mr. and Mrs. Smith came out, and how can you go wrong with Adam Brody, Angelina Jolie and Vince Vaughn. I guess Brad Pitt is in it too I heard…though his last good movie was Fight Club so I don’t expect much.

Speaking of clubs, or parties, or gatherings…does anyone else hate going to a party and having to chit-chat, small talk and meet new people? I ‘d rather just go someplace where I already know everyone.

But even if I know everyone…I just tend to get tired of small talk. Is it just me? I’d rather be doing something…playing games, swimming, etc. Standing around talking just gets annoying.

A long week ahead, especially for someone waiting for his new High Definition TV to be delivered on Friday. I’ve done about a month worth of research into HD, LCD’s, Tivo, etc. It should all be done and installed by Saturday afternoon. I can’t wait to enjoy Lost and Grey’s Anatomy in HD next year.

And speaking of, since this is one of my first postings on my blog…how great is Tivo? If you don’t have it, you don’t know what you’re missing. If you do have it, you know what I’m talking about. Tivo has replaced the sliced bread as the greatest thing since. All you hear anymore from people is “I Tivo-ed this” or “I was watching my Tivo”, etc. I love it! The more Tivo, the better.

I should be a salesman for Tivo, I would probably win some kind of quota award as much as I try to push it on my friends.

Well that’s it for today, or maybe not….I’m Polish, so you never know when I could do something crazy…

Mike

I don’t know exactly what I’ll be using this for, but I plan on reviewing any movie I see, and rate it…plus discuss sports, life on the internet and life in general.

I hope you enjoy it, and maybe find something you’re looking for…

Mike