Earth Hour

How did you celebrate Earth Hour?

What's "Earth Hour", you ask?

Well, gentle reader, according to Google Earth Hour is an effort to encourage people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour, 8 PM to 9 PM, on March 29th, 2008, and to think about ways to protect the environment, do something about global warming, conserve energy, remember how to light a candle, and save puppies. Or something like that. It began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. But this year, it's global.

It again began in Sydney, with some residents carrying black balloons. When the clock struck 9 PM there and residents again turned on their lights and could again see where they were walking, the city celebrated by setting off fireworks. Lots of fireworks. Good thing that fireworks don't release any pollutants into the atmosphere, or residue on the ground.

In all seriousness, here at Spike the Wave we do believe that conserving energy is a good thing to do. Always have. We just don't like feeling coerced into doing something just because all the sheep are doing it. Especially when the "conservation" activity seems rather pointless. Kind of like protesting high gasoline prices by not buying any fuel. For one day.

We celebrated Earth Hour by turning on every light in the house, including the flood lamps out back. Our power meter spun so fast it nearly came out of its casing.

Later on the evening news, there was a report about the International Space Station seeing a really bright light near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan around 8 PM EDT. I'm sure it was just a coincident.

By the way, Google itself celebrated Earth Hour by turning its main search web page black (from it's usual white). Though, ironically, doing so may actually cause some people's computer monitors to use more power. Ah, sweet irony. Click the image to see the larger version, and watch your power usage soar. Yee hah!

Avoid Fifth Third Bank

Are you thinking of opening an account at Fifth Third Bank? If so, I'd recommend you go elsewhere for your banking needs. If you open an account with Fifth Third Bank, you will regret it. There are many other banks and credit unions out there. Give one of them your business. Do not give your business to Fifth Third Bank.

Just some friendly advice based on lessons learned the hard way.

65 Year Old Crybaby

One of the most difficult situations for any person to deal with is a baby crying, shrieking, screaming, hitting, thrashing, kicking and stomping, all because life didn't go the way he wanted.

Sure, that situation is, at best, annoying when it happens. But it is understandable that a baby would throw a temper tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants because, well, he's a baby after all.

But what about when that baby is 65 years old?

What follows is a true story.

Last Saturday my wife and I were at a local Wendy's restaurant, waiting for our just-ordered meals. I got the baconator. Mmmm... bacony...

Anyway, a "gentleman" (who most certainly was not gentle) standing at the other cash register, well... below is a dialog reconstructed with the help of eyewitnesses (my wife and I):

cash register lady: I'm sorry, sir, but we're all out of potatoes. (he'd ordered a salad and a baked potato)

65 year-old baby: What?!?!?! This is the second Wendy's restaurant I've been to this evening, because the other one was out of potatoes, too! What kind of idiots run this place!!!

cash register lady: I'm sorry, sir. We won't have more potatoes until tomorrow. Would you like to order something else?

65 year-old baby: NO!

The man then stomped, literally, away from the cash register toward the doors to leave the building. He soon returned, still stomping.

65 year-old baby: Give me back my money! Rowr!

cash register lady: Of course, sir. I was already getting it from the cash register when you left. (she really was)

65 year-old baby: Give it to me now!!! Rowr! Rowr! (at this point, a burst of flame shot from his mouth, and foam was drooling down his face)

cash register lady: Here's your money, sir.

65 year-old baby: Something incomprehensible as he left again. I think his voice was partially blocked by all the foam.

I always enjoy dinner with a show. Don't you?

For ideas on how to deal with a child throwing a temper tantrum, check out Tantrums! Screams! And Crying! Oh My! at familes.com. For help dealing with a "grown up" crybaby, try a boot to the head, anime style.