A Giving Earth

I read an article today that spoke of the Earth’s inability to sustain a prospering/thriving economy in both India and China, at least one that rivals one such as ours. I couldn’t help but think how short sighted this thinking was. Granted, if you only consider today’s technology along with today’s means of supporting such grandiose economies (natural resources: water, gasoline, wood, etc, then perhaps, yes, the earth would come up short. But that’s a short sighted, grim, and hopeless outlook. Five hundred years ago I am certain that Europeans felt certain that with the future expansion of their own European economy, let alone the expanded footprint towards the west, that earth's resources would surely be in trouble. But as sure as we’re here and thriving today, need gives rise to opportunity which in turn drives technological advances. Fact is, the earth always delivers in unison with needs. Granted, we don’t always manage them well or even fairly, but still the earth always provides. "Earth lacks the water, energy and agricultural land to allow China and India to attain Western living standards, a US think-tank has warned." Just over one hundred year ago we had no gasoline powered engines, we had no cars, and we certainly had no flight. In the mid-eighteenth century the industrial revolution was born out of need, not out of convenience, and the same can be said of the service based economy. My point is that whenever man has a need, the resources have been found in abundance. Why would the future be any different? Could it instead be fear of a Chinese or Indian super power? Here In America we are raised to believe that we are The free country, the self appointed rulers of the world and keepers of right and wrong. To think that another country could rise up and be as or more dominant is a threat. But weren’t we the threat two or three hundred plus years ago? As I write, perhaps these articles and naysayers serve a very valid purpose - just like the gas gauge in a car. Most people don't run out of gas. Instead, the gas gauge lets them know that they are in danger of such and event and then they take necessary measures to resolved the potential disaster. It's a Barley's Friday. I was up around 550am brushing my teeth, peeing, and peering out the window. I was peering out he window to learn what the weatherman had in store for us again today. It was 50 degrees before 6AM even rolled around. It just doesn't get too much better than that in mid-winter. I went about my morning routine as I normally would. I knocked out my sit-ups, push-ups, and a quick round of curls in 10 short minutes. Ykraps and I were out the door by 605AM. And while the air was warm, the sky threatened rain just as predicted. It was windy too. No complaints from me. It will be hard ,however, if we happen to dip back into the throws of winter anytime soon. Being a runner and outside in the elements each day, I have become quite the expert. One's body begins to adjust to the conditions - hmmm, much like the rant about world economies and resources mentioned above. Then, psychologically, we settle into to it, too. We human beings like things to remain static. I saw a fella today cutting his grass and tilling his garden. Another woman was putting in her tomato plants. Probably little too aggressive! As I left for work the sky looked very cool! We had dark rolling clouds moving in from the southwest and lightning cracking in the sky all around. Meanwhile, the eastern horizon was clear giving the sun a brief and beautiful appearance against the coming storm. It was a photographic moment to be sure. Too bad I didn't have my camera in tow. The wind was gusty as I parked my car and made my way into the building. Once inside my thoughts turned to work and the day ahead. Although, the view from the fifth floor assured me that we were gonna get some heavy rain. The sky took on an almost purple hue. Work went well for a Friday. In the back of my mind I couldn't wait for the weekend. I was ready. Due to, among other things, a customer visit I didn't go for my run until almost 3PM. When I did it was very windy. There were gusts approaching 50mph, but the temperature was still hovering around 55 degrees. There were reports that we hit 60 degrees during a few afternoon sun breaks. My run went well. On my run I encountered a car that I will look into perhaps buying for daughter Lindsey. It's a 1987 Honda Accord. The price is reasonable but the mileage is extra high. I know from experience however that these cars can go and go given a little TLC. We'll see. I made a mental note of the phone number and went on with my run. The work day ended in short order. Things were quiet so I left promptly at 500PM. Before heading home I stopped at Tuttle mall to look at comforter sets for my master bedroom. After painting my bed I feel like changing the color scheme. I must say, however, I don't think I'm gonna keep my bed and nightstand the color I painted it. I'm a little frustrated with the color now that I see it in full bloom. Too much hint of green. And the only green I really like in home decor is natural green coming from plants. I looked at Macy's and Kaufman's. Neither had anything that jumped out and said, "pick me". I left for home. On my way, I called and talked with Mindy until I pulled into my garage. She would be staying home tonight entertaining a friend, playing with her kids, and taking down her own Xmas tree. I, on the other hand, would be trying to catch up on many small household tasks, which are too numerous to mention, that I have allowed to amass over the last three or four months. Bad Jimmy! I must be a little ADD because I kept wanting to stray from the task at hand and do something more fun and more exciting. I fought it off as I generally do. Come 745PM, I had made enough notable progress that I felt good about things. I tinkered around the house for a few more minutes before readying myself for a night at Barley's. At 830PM, I left the house for Barley's. In what has become the norm, the bar was packed, hence there were no stools available for me sit. Instead, I gathered with my friends (Bob & M.A) who were already there enjoying dinner and beers. The regular cast of characters were there. Rick, Jeremy, Courtney, Thad, Monica, as well as Lee and Janet. Lee I could tell was braced for any Bengals comments about to be delivered from the peanut gallery. But in the end, what right do we have to give him any measure of shit? Our teams didn't even make the playoffs. Still, we did! I had a nice time. I had a Pale off the Firkin, a Scottish Ale, and then closed my evening with a Jack Frost. I left and was home by 1030pm. I called and woke Mindy up. We talked for about half an hour. I went to bed before 1130pm.