Christmas Trees!

Yesterday I bought my first real Christmas Tree ever. When we moved, we dumped our artificial tree since it was in such bad shape. Decided to get a real one this time. Seems to be a better deal at $34 (at Home Depot) vs a fake tree for $150 or more for a decent one. And even the "decent" ones last for a couple years.

Regarding environmental impact, it is actually less for a natural tree. They are mostly carbon neutral, since they absorb a lot of carbon during their lives. They are also recycle after. On the other side, artificial trees are made from PVC and other plastics, which can be traced back to oil. While neither is especially green, given transport, a real tree seems the way to go.

What I'm Thankful For

Today is now Thanksgiving.

I am especially thankful for two things this year.
I am thankful for my new beautiful wife (I got married in October).
I am also thankful for our new president, Barack Obama.

Is she really this stupid?

Gov. Palin pardons a turkey, and then gives an interview while another one is killed behind her.

Memorial Day

"On this Memorial Day, our nation honors the generations of patriots who were willing to give their lives to defend this country. While we may come from different places, cherish different traditions, and have different political beliefs, all Americans hold in reverence those who’ve given this country the full measure of their devotion. They are a shining example of what’s best about America.

Today is also a reminder of our obligation as Americans to serve our fallen heroes as well as they served us; as well as the wounded warriors I’ve had the honor of meeting at Walter Reed have served us; as well as the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world are serving us. That means giving the same priority to building a 21st century VA as to building a 21st century military. It means having zero tolerance for veterans sleeping on our streets. It means bringing home our POWs and MIAs. And it means treating the graves of veterans like the hallowed ground it is and banning protests near funerals.

So on this day, of all days, let’s memorialize our fallen heroes by honoring all who wear our country’s uniform; and by completing their work to make America more secure and our world more free."

--Barack Obama

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is truly an American holiday.  Before you go all Lou Dobb's on me, let me state my case.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration is largely an American invention.  It is only celebrated in one small state of Mexico, to mark the defeat of Spanish troops in battle.  It is not celebrated much anywhere else in the country.

Us gringos, however, have made it our own.  Everything from Corona's to churros to tequila flows today.  We dress up in stupid Mexican hats, use Spanish words, etc.  We have made that culture our own.  Which we probably should, since a sizable minority of Americans have Mexican heritage.