How to be sweet when discussing taxes...

I was told that the title of this series of blogs (random bits of sweetness) implied in some way that I would either be blogging about desserts and candy or that my discussions would not be rants , tyriads, or complaining about things.
With that in mind I took some time off to contemplate desserts and candy, cause there is no way I am not going to voice my opinion... LOL.

Today, as I was driving back and forth to the store I came up with a compromise.

Members of the Baltimore City Council recently banded together to agree to not back the Mayor's proposed "bottle tax". 

First, these are a group of people who couldn't band together to order lunch.  Second, they are bowing to pressure orchestrated by soft drink companies and grocery stores.

4 cents.  4 cents on every 24 ounce soda or juice that you buy.

Money is tight in my house.  Not as tight as some, but tight none the less.  When I hear people in similar situations as me complaining about 4 cents, I get irritated.

4 cents is not a lot.

That is unless you start talking about a big city like Balitmore and how many bottles of soda and juice are purchased by the large number of people who either live in or work in the city.

What can you get for 4 cents?

How about some police officers and fireman.  Public Safety.  I am willing to pay an extra 4 cents for by Mountain Dew.
Those who aren't sould watch an episode or two of the Wire... and then turn on the news for the similarities.

What about keeping some recreation centers and libraries open?  Wonder what kids do when they don't have recreation centers and libraries to go to?  Again, turn on the Wire... then the news... then look at the four pennies you saved on your soda.

I am willing to look at the other side of things.  Asking me to pay more taxes is just plain mean of government.  Isn't this why we threw some perfectly good tea in the ocean????
So here is my alternative.  We should all pay for our own security services.  No police.  No fire department.  Every man for himself.  And watch your own kids.  Educate and watch your own kids.  Buy your own books.  If you are poor... don't read.  Find your own way to dispose of your trash.  And you need to pay to go into the park because it is now privately owned.

That way you can keep your 4 cents!

Resolutions... let's get them off the paper...

Most people make a list of resolutions right before New Years.  We resolve to do all kinds of things that we think will make our lives better.  The thing I notice from myself and most of the people that I know, the majority of the resolutions do not leave the paper we write them on (or the thought bubble in our mind that they are imprinted in).

In 2010 I think we should all resolve to get up and do something.  Don't resolve to lose weight.  Make plans to go to the gym, take up jogging, or taking dancing classes.  Don't resolve to finish the unfinished projects.  Make time to get things that matter to you done. 

It boils down to the whole "talk is cheap" philosophy.  We make great plans.  We have lofty goals.  Lets actually do lofty things.  Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, put in the work, and trust that GOD has your back. 

Just because you make a resolution, doesn't mean that the resolution fairy is going to come down and magically make it happen.  Be realistic with yourself.  Not only understand your limits, but understand that you are the one creating the limits. 


How about we surprise ourselves in the 2010.

The Reason for the Season...

For those of us who are Christian, we should all know that Jesus is the reason for the season.  If you are Jewish, you have the Festival of Lights.  Then there is Kwanza as well.
Even if you don't believe in the Santa Claus, if you look strictly to the religious aspect of the holidays, or are disgusted by the commercialism that has invaded this time of year... I propose another "reason for the season".
How about:  the smiles on the faces of children everywhere...
No matter if you spend a grip at the mall and stores to buy presents, if you hit the dollar store to get the best of what you can afford, you make something from scratch, or simply give you time to spend with a child to make them smile... I contend that the reason for the season is to see kids smile.  You can tell them the stories of Jesus, the Festival of Lights, or Kwanza.  You can spend time, not money.  Share some love.  Bring a smile to a childs face. 
No matter how jaded you may be, let's not make the kids jaded too.  Kids deserve to enjoy the world and we should allow them to do that.  I think that is a great present.  If you don't have kids, do something nice for kids in your family, neighborhood, or those less fortunate.  Every little bit helps.

Last chance at your legacy

What is your legacy so far?

Often times we think about our legacy in terms of what we are going to do in the future.  We make plans to do great things.

Here is an idea... stop making plans and just get out there and do great things.

If God pulled your card right now... what would your legacy be?  How have you spread the love God blessed you with?  No matter what religion you are (or aren't)... how have you shared blessings?

If we just look at everyday as our last opportunity to leave our legacy... wouldn't the world be a much sweeter place????

Soulmates??? Myth or Elusive Reality?????

One true love????

or

more than one???


Is that perfect person out there? 
Is there only one yen to your yang?

Do you believe in soulmates????

Is the perfect person for you out there?  Or is that perfect person created from a person with possibilities?  What I mean to say is does that perfect person come that way or are they created with time and love?  You know like getting cake mix but adding fudge, or strawberry syrup or chocolate chips to make it just right.


And... is it possible to have met more than one perfect person for you?  Could you have more than one soulmate?

Dinner and a movie????

Has dating gone out of style?  The only people I know who date are people who are already couple.

Ladies, when is the last time a guy asked you out to dinner?

Guys, when is the last time you asked a woman you were interested in out on a date?

DISCLAIMER: ASKING SOMEONE TO COME OVER YOUR HOUSE (OR BEING ASKED AND ACCEPTING) AT SOME LATE HOUR IS NOT A DATE!!!!!

Now that we have gotten that out of the way...

What is your ideal date?

Mine is a date that lasts awhile.  I would like to go someplace, like a park or museum, where we can actually talk without loud music making us go deaf.  Then off for something to eat.

If you don't like dates, why?

I think dating is absent in our culture.  We move too fast.  It's like getting a job without ever interviewing for it.

What do you think?

Healthcare...

Did you hear about the insurance company who denied the four month old baby because the baby was too fat?  (Now after the story aired, they changed the rules and the baby has insurance now.)

I'm not understanding why people make this health insurance thing out to be rocket science.  If you get it... please share.  Thanks!