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If you want to save money with your energy bills, install a programmable thermostat.  You can set your temp accordingly when you are going to be home and when at work.

It works.  I have seen a modest improvement in energy costs when I installed one in our house.  They are inexpensive and easy to install.

Chelsea Clinton or Dave Mustain? It's confusing.  The Mid 90's were a tough time for style.

Hale Groves is a great way to send a gift to a far away relative for the holidays.  I have used them and their baskets are very nice.  My grandmother, who isn't often forthcoming with compliments, received one of these in 2007.  She was impressed enough to comment on the pears that were part of the basket.

This was my first introduction to the asian pear.  An outstanding peice of fruit.

McPhee is a brunette.  That's it.  Quit messing with a good thing.

The blonde look is not her.  That's just one dudes opinion.  You decide.

Thanksgiving came early.

I saw something today that was heartwarming but odd.  Odd in the sense that it was impulsive.  Here is what I saw.

At the exit from 35N onto Admiral Blvd, there are often homeless folks with their hands out.  Not a threatening sight.  See them often, but not everyday.  Today, there was a black Toyota Echo stopped at the red light, the homeless guy moves over to the car and out of the window comes a brown cord jacket that the driver of the car obviously offered up.  The homeless guy appeared thankful and placed the coat over his shoulders.  He was grateful.  It was nice.  Good feelings all around.

I had questions... did the driver of the car premeditate this tranaction or was he simply trapped in the moment of guilt seeing this weathered old homeless guy and at that very moment decide to give up his coat?  Either way, it was a nice thing to do.  Everyone can agree.

Here is where it gets strange for me.  I was slightly jealous.  Is that ok?  I liked the jacket.  The Jacket look liked something I have been looking to buy (or beg my wife to get me).  I have been looking for a new coat/jacket for some time and looking for something a bit more blue collar (no trenchcoat, no leather, nothing Don Draper-y etc).  I could have used that jacket.  I want that jacket.  As I drove past, I envied his good fortune (homelessness aside).  That lucky bastard!

I digress.  I got over it.  It was a good moment on a friday.  Just sharing. 

If you drive 35N and hit the Admiral exit in the mornings, look for the homeless guy wearing the brown jacket I want.  Honey, if you are looking for a gift idea, check him out.

Has anyone ever used these "illegal" golf balls by Condor?  I am curious if they actually hit longer.

Allow me to preface this by saying I have not fully thought this through and my theory is pretty high level.

Question:  Why is the Taliban resurging now starting about a year ago (mid 2008 to now november 2009)?

Context: The Taliban is made up of basically Afghan Taliban that once "governed" the country and also people from the Pakistan mountain region.  There are also former Taliban that melded back into Afghan society after the 2001 military action who escaped attacks etc.

If thinking like a leader/strategy person within the Taliban, what is my strategy?  I might be thinking to begin to fight the NATO (Western) forces led by American commanders now that there is a new president who is "soft on defense".  I could score some military victories and win back my people.  The Western forces will be reluctant and under allocated with the new President.

Is this a valid theory?