Fantastic Machine

Will technology save the world, or will we face the dangers of smart machines that will take over the world?

New Addiction

In addition to the many addictions already affecting me, I have a new addiction: walking at twelve to fifteen degree elevation on a treadmill. One might argue that it’s a subset of my addiction to exercise, and that may be true.

One of the best aspects of treadmill incline: it burns calories at a rate of more than 600 calories per hour. That means three hours of incline treadmill walking/running can take off one-half of a pound weekly. This doesn’t consider the impact it has on the legs. It makes them strong without the bulky buildup that weights can bring that can make one oh…so slow.

If you’re looking for a great workout—give it a try.

The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World

THE ROLLING STONES

I had the pleasure of seeing this performance at an IMAX theater with the expanded system and the cameras that filmed from every available angle. Hats off to Scorsese

There’s little question the Rolling Stones perform at a level unequaled by most groups—even at their advanced years. The Stones perform with what appears to be wild abandon. Yet, closer inspection reveals they are acutely aware of everything that happens on stage while performing the various numbers: the eye contact, the subtle signals and nods of the head. Maybe because they have played together for so many years.

It’s this playing together for so long that’s intriguing. Was it Mick Jagger’s leadership, the groups love of performing, marketing ability, or just pure luck?

The video of “She Was Hot” exemplifies Rock and Roll—Enjoy. It demonstrates why the Rolling Stones are a success.




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No Pain Relief Here

How True!

Old Friends

It was a most unusual experience, losing one friend—or someone to whom I tried to be a friend—and finding another. The friend I lost didn’t understand that friendship is a two way street, and the entire burden of the friendship was placed on me. Everyone understands the stress of that situation.

A short time after the non-friend, friendship was over, I noticed a phone ID on my business phone, one of those easy to remember numbers that ends in 00. The name indicated was someone I knew a long time ago who had moved. We lost contact.
So I called the number yesterday, and it was the same person. He had dialed a number incorrectly, and got mine. Bizarre, huh?

What more bizarre than that? This old friend comes to Florida for business consulting at a location that is a few miles from where I currently live. We’ll have lunch on his next trip. That’s something to look forward to.

Life is interesting.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The year 2008 ended with a roar. I became so busy there was little time to take a break. So I took an extended vacation for—the first in about ten years. It felt so good I decided to take a few vacations every year, and leave my old habits behind.

Frequent vacations help people recharge their batteries—so to speak. Human beings need a break from the daily grind to reduce the stress that builds up. Stress can impose chronic and acute illness on individuals.

Stress in the body produces an increase in the hormones adrenaline, noradrenalin and corticosteroids. These hormones generate tense muscles, queasiness as well as an increase in breathing and heart rates. Long-term stress may cause the following complications: allergies, digestive problems, heart disease (including hypertension), and panic attacks.

Fortunately, none of these became an issue for me. That’s because I exercise vigorously several times a week.

So, as you might have guessed, my New Year’s resolution includes frequent vacations—at least three per year.