Happy Leap Year

Well since februrary 29th only comes around every four years I thought now would be a good time to recognize it.

To the idea that war creates economic stimulus, I have an alternative view as did the "great" queen elizabeth. Wars drain the resources/treasury of the govenment in order to replenish those resources the people must be taxed for the goods used. Therefore causing a greater financial burden on the economy and its people.

In the days of Queen Elizabeth (aka before the federal reserve) governments were not so able or willing to go into debt because it would eventually bankrupt the governement. The queen however was a famous figure in british history for her ability to realize it was of far greater advantage to her people to use diplomacy and trade to break barriers rather than using swords and muskets. Even though in some cases war is unpreventable Britain moved to the front as a world power because of the queens application of economic principles.

For those who might speculate that this no longer applies and that war acts as a stimulus in todays economy (aka federal reserve exists) Look what happened after WWI and WWII for comparison. After WWI countries were so beaten up that as they tried to rebuild there economy's they placed trade tariffs to increase revenues and encourage domestic production. Starting with the US-congress's Smoot-Hartley Act which back fired. As one country placed a tariff the other countries got even with a tariff of there own. The GDP of the world shrank month after month after 1931. While the Tariff's did not cause the depression alone they are a significant catalist.

But what about WWII? Did they save the world from the depression? Sure it put people back to work, and governments were spending again but wait what happened to the tariff issue? Congress realized what a horrible mistake they've made and reversed the tariff tightening. The trend that has continued through the 1980s. So was it the waste of resources and the destruction of people that boost economy's? Or was it a release on trade barriers and a humbled Federal Reserve that got things moving?

My last point is if war brought prosperity to waring nations then places like kenya, somolia, afganistan, iraq, etc would be the most prosperous country's in the world. Lets not be fooled to think wars bring something good to an economy. Trade, dipolomacy would bring better results for all parties involved.

While I recognize a need for war, I don't believe any country who goes looking for it can really be in favor with god. God bless those who serve with honor in our military for us, protect them and help there family's. God help those who lead us that they might do so in righteousness and faith.

A long blog I know but really you can't say this stuff isn't at least a little interesting.

A New Calling

I don't know if I've passed this a long but I was given a new calling last sunday as then 2nd Counseler in the Elders Quorum. I was released today from my calling as Ward Missionary which I have held continuously since 2002 while accepting other callings/assignments during the same time. Anyway so I'm back into the Elders Quorum and Home teaching district stuff. My main job though is the "proclaim the Gospel" portion of the EQ so I guess it won't be all that different for now. If our EQ president starts talking about leaving I'm going to start packing my things though :) I don't know if I'm ready for that stress again.

Yen and Yang

Now that I've had time to chill out about school I don't nessesarily feel better about it just not as mad. So I'll move on...

My current "mind" question is how to make water move up hill? Supposed you had two bodies of water, one which is slightly higher than the other which drains (Gravity) into the lower pool. Can you create a device or method that could transport water from the lower pool to the higher pool without electricity or human intervention once initiated? Space and resources are unlimited as long as it is possible. Any ideas?

It's one of those questions smart people spend there lives trying to figure out. I think I just like it as something to play with for a while. I'll tell you what I come up with in a few days.

Frustration

Well I found out that on 2 of my midterms I a got a 'C-' ... I am really unhappy about this. Two reasons REALLY bug me, first economics is my subject, I like it a lot, I feel like I understand it and it makes sense. So that's first of all very frustrating.

Secondly I'm paying almost three times what I was at the community college for these classes and yet these grades aren't worth a dime because of the letter... Everybody keeps telling me to just play the game but seriously do you tell a gambler to keep playing the slots? Sure he may win someday but only after he's wasted most of his time and money.

Yesterday a teacher spent seriously 15 minutes talking about how we could recover from a terrible grade on our midterm (Because more than half the class bombed it) Seriously? Is this class just a game to him? Why is a strategy needed to pass his class? This isn't a game, your ruining lives! And in my case a C is a death sentence to law school. But at this point I'm not sure I want to go play in that game. I'll make my money doing something else like playing Bingo, my odds are just as good.

A new day!

Yesterday was my first day on the phones working in the PC banking department for Compass Bank. It was pretty good, the pay is better and my co-workers friendly. I get to dress casual everyday and I don't have to do my hair. I think it will be a nice change. The best part is I don't have to sell anything!

PS. I find out today how my mid-terms went... It probably won't be very pretty.

Last Day

Today (Sat) is my last day at my branch. Its pretty sad I like my co-workers and clients its tuff leaving them. I got a pizza party with root beer floats and cup cakes (All I like) and everybody kinda said goodbye.

I am nervous about my new job I think I'll like both of my managers, they both seem outgoing and friendly. I guess its like anything unknown I hope I can enjoy it.

Stress and V-day

I have three midterms today! So I should be a little more talkative once thats over, wish me luck!

Happy Valentines day!

Food for Thought

How is your Food Storage? I recieved this not so subtle question from a professor of mine as we were sitting in the stake choir on sunday. Then followed the usual response... Well we're college students, we don't have a lot of space, money etc... We have water for two weeks and food for a couple months maybe. "Thats not enough" was the blunt response from my professor seeing that my excuses were just that... excuses.

After further reflection, I realized we have the room both in our budget and in our home to prepare better. I then thought about this "emergency" fiscal package the government plans on sending most americans early May. The government wants us to spend it, if your like christy and I that shouldn't be a problem :) However Christy and I talked and agree that we want to use a good portion if not all to get our house in order.

What if things get worse in the economy not better? Are we going to be eating our furniture? What if we have money but you can't buy anything with it? So I guess I ask the few who might be reading this, How is your Food Storage?

10 years from now...

An article was quoted in a testimony last sunday that said it is impossible to predict where you will be 10 years from now. Inevitably what you think your life will be is incorrect. So I put this thought to test... 10 years ago I thought I was going to be the next microsoft... I thought girls were not interested in me and that my chance of marriage by 24 was slim although not impossible :) I wasn't even thinking about kids or a dog or living in Arizona, or riding a motorcycle, or eating cajan food, you get the idea.

The point of the testimony was that of all the things we try to predict in life, we are bound to have corrections, usually a change in interests or priority's. However if you look at your patriarical blessing how many things that it said have come true. It's been around 10 years since I got mine and well it just goes to show it is impossible to predict how those blessings turn out but God knows and he's good for his word.

Midterms

My first set of ASU Midterms is next week. Accounting test Monday, Three Econ midterms Thursday (V-Day). It will be a long weekend of studying.

I start my new job inside of compass bank doing PC Banking Tech support. For those who don't haven't heard why I'm switching, its not because I don't like my current job or co-workers. ASU just requires me to go to school all day on Tue and Thu and that schedule just didn't work with my branch.

P.S. This is what my motorcycle looks like. I took off the saddle bags, same color and just black tires.

A New Palette

Well it's been a while I know... I'm not sure what to say really. I guess I can sum it all up with one story.

Christy and I were just laying in bed the other night and I usually put my hand on her tummy to see if I can feel baby Parker kicking. Nothing. So I pushed as a provoking gesture like "hey get moving kid, dad's watching." I only got a light kick back. I then put my cheek down to where he was swimming around and he let me know he was still coming :) It is pretty great to be a dad. If only everything in life felt so simple.