January 2015

298 Miles

298 Miles

That how far I drove this week between filling my car with gasoline Monday morning and dropping my son at school Wednesday morning. Why is that significant? For many reasons: cost, time, and luxury to name a few.

First, the cost. My car achieves approximately 16 miles per gallon and gasoline is currently selling at $1.99/gallon. For arguments sake we can agree I used about 20 gallons of gasoline or spent just $40 to go 298 miles. In that 298 miles I took kids to school in the morning, picked up kids in the afternoon and drove myself to Orlando two nights. Looking at a map, 298 miles would take me south to Key Largo or North to Macon Georgia. By comparison, Greyhound would charge $65 for the trip to Key Largo and the scheduled time is 11 hours 50 minutes. With passengers in my car there is no way another alternative competes with my personal vehicle regarding cost.

Right now we are enjoying cheap oil again, prices are less than $50/barrel and gasoline has fallen to its lowest price in since President Obama took office in 2009. However, there is no way this low oil price can continue. Most people do not understand Peak Oil, or laugh it off as a doom and gloom theory. However, the “Peak” in the U.S. occurred in 1972. Peak oil theory is not about there being no oil as there will always be oil Instead, Peak is about the marginal cost to extract each subsequent barrel of oil costing more than the prior barrel. Think of this like working out and having to do pull ups. The first one is easy and takes no effort, the second is harder, followed by the third, fourth, etc. Some people can do ten or twelve pull-ups but the amount of effort to do so is immense. Getting oil out of the ground is the same.

The movie, “There Will be Blood” illustrates this well. Over 130 years ago oil pooled upon the top soil in Pennsylvania. It was easy to retrieve, take a bucket and scoop it up. By the 1920s it was necessary to dig a well, more expensive (harder like the 2nd and 3rd pullups) than the first barrel. In the 1980s discoveries of oil on the North Sea helped the U.K. recover economically but at great expense. Whereas in the late 19th century a farmer with no materials could fill a barrel of oil in a day with a shovel and a bucket by the end of the 20th century it took nearly a billion dollars to successfully drill a hole in the ground under thousands of feet of water.

My 298 miles was traveled quickly, far faster than in other locales or in days gone by. I estimate I spent about nine hours traveling 298 miles this week. If I lived in Manhattan the same 298 miles could have taken nearly 30 hours. Sixty years ago to travel 298 miles would have taken twelve to fifteen hours. Of course, by car just 100 years ago such a journey as unheard of. Currently I am reading James Howard Kunstler, “A History of the Future,” an excellent prose depicting a post economic collapse in the future. Twentieth century Americans find themselves living again like frontiersmen without electricity or automobiles. Thus, all channels of trade have collapsed and the horse and mule have again become the key method of transportation. In some instances river boats are used to transport goods on the Great Lakes.

We are spoiled to know we can jump in a car and be 298 miles down range in just six hours. The same trip, Daytona Beach to Key Largo or Macon, Georgia in the late 19th century would have taken two or three days, if not longer. I often contemplate a trip to my cabin, in North Georgia, via bicycle. I figure four to five days to travel the 500 miles, weather permitting of course. In my car, even the weather does not slow me down.

And of course, luxury comes into play. I drive a nice, air conditioned car with power windows, leather seats and connected to the world via an incredible stereo. Why would I choose to use public transportation and subject myself to uncomfortable influences from others? Of course, this personal luxury only works when fuel is inexpensive. But again, even as a child, our 1969 Ford Galaxy had vinyl seats, no air conditioning and a leaf-spring system unchanged from the days of the wagon that took men west in the 19th century. One hundred years ago my car would have been more luxurious than any coach manufacturer built at the time, and yet it is mass made.

Next week I may drive farther. 298 miles was nothing unique other than an observation and a moment to gain perspective that our lives are amazing in 2015 I thought I would have a flying car by now, but there is nothing wrong with cost effectively quickly, and luxuriously traveling 298 miles.

January 17, 2015 by Capitalism Depression Great Recession

It’s Dave’s World

It’s Dave’s World

What world do you live in? I have a colleague who I respect much and continues to impress me with his wit. Early on he made the comment, “it is Dave’s world and everyone else lives in it.” A bold and brash statement, but the more I reflect the more I realize how true that comment is to each of us.

My daughter has struggled with some issues during her first semester at college. It is hard, an 18 year old turned loose on the world with all of the authority and responsibilities of an adult, but yet still a child on some levels. We have expectations for our kids when they leave the nest: did we prepare them to care for themselves, will they make good decisions, what if something happens, will they my child focus on school? Each of us matured by passing through tests of right versus wrong and facing “struggles” that life may bring. Our struggles tend to pale in comparison to the true struggles of many: poverty, disease, famine, and war. Our middle class struggles are more akin to a broken phone, a bad grade or possibly a car accident. However, no matter how trivial one man’s struggle is it can be traumatic for another.

So, back to Dave. I recently gave my daughter some advice, advice worthy of all of us considering no matter where we are in life.

First, each of us is the creator of our own world. No one else can be blamed for what happens in our world. We choose our friends, consciously make decisions regarding situations. We choose how hard to apply ourselves. Rules are either followed or disregarded, but through conscious choice. Our diet, fitness, spirituality, relationships and success are all part of our world and determined through our decisions. An 18 year old graduating from high school and foregoing using talents may come to regret the decision a decade later when struggling economically, but he made a conscious choice. I do not subscribe to the theory of “they” – “they made me do it,” “they did this.” You get the idea, there is no “they” in my life.

Second, and more importantly, knowing we are the creators of our own world means we can mold our world to be what we want it to be. For example, I have a friend who has had relationship struggles. There is much drama, much indecision, and a series of repeated challenges. As an outsider it is easy to armchair quarterback his life and give him direction. But, I cannot mold his world, only he can. As the center of his universe he is the common theme to his problems and the only one that can make changes. Similarly, alcoholics know this well and understand a few key methods to success: admit the problem, make amends with those we hurt, and do not drink. In other words, don’t do the things that cause trouble in your life. Thus, is an alcoholic best served by friends that party, drink, and drag him to bars? No, the obvious answer is to avoid those friends and situations. He can mold his world to avoid alcoholism.

My buddy Dave is a wise man. For Dave, it is his world and we all live in it. We each can learn from this wisdom and can mold our world.

January 15, 2015 by Self Improvemet

Three things I did this Weekend (1/12/2015)

Three things I did this Weekend (1/12)

This weekend kicked off the start to a new semester of law school. So, unfortunately, the bulk of my weekend was spent studying.

Studying

Not a lot of fun, but necessary! I have five classes for the first six weeks of the semester: Civil Procedure 2, Property 2, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and an environmental law seminar. I calculated approximately 200 pages of reading for this first week of school to start of the new semester. Unlike ungrad, we do not spend the first class getting to know each other, talking about a syllabus, or otherwise wasting time we jump right in and attack what lies ahead. I spent my weekend reading, throughout most of the weekend.

Car Washing

As crazy as it sounds I washed cars this weekend on Saturday afternoon. Every weekend I have chores and obligations in addition to the fun family things we set out to do. Many years ago when I was first divorced I struggled with the dichotomy between being a “Disneyland Dad” and a real father. I was counseled to do the things with my kids we would if Mom and Dad were still married. The reason being is my kids still have to learn how to survive and mature and they will learn from those things families do: cooking, cleaning, laundry, and even eating together. Washing three out of four cars was accomplished by my son Jack and me. We spent time together. Sure, we were working, but we were spending time together. I had left my books on the table and he left video games behind in his room. Ty came outside and rode his little car all over the driveway. Fun and laughter ensued, combined with hard work and a sense of accomplishment.  Watch a great video of us here.

View on YouTube

Grades

Finally, I got my grades for the Fall semester 2014. Why is this part of what I did this weekend? Because I was stunned and it set the tone for my outlook on the whole weekend. I had received a Constitution Law Grade on December 30. Realize, we took finals the first week of December so four weeks had passed. Still unknown were Property and Civil Procedure. I felt I had done well in those two classes and predicted a B+ or better. For Con Law I was convinced it was the worst essay I had written in law school and would not have been surprised if I received a C+ or B-.

Surprisingly, Con Law (a four credit class) came in as an A-. Not just an A-, but there were two A’s, three A-s and grades among the 77 students in the class went down from there. In addition, I scored an A in both Civ Pro and Property bringing my GPA for the semester to a 3.88 and my over all GPA up from a 3.64 to a 3.73.

A subsequent blog will discuss how we make our own world and with law school I have truly managed to make success. Last semester I did not study nearly as much and worked to make sure family came first on the weekends. To do well at the same time was a huge and it getting my grades was part of what I did this weekend.

January 13, 2015 by Weekends

Books – What Influenced Me?

I bet if you walked down the street and randomly asked strangers what books influenced their lives you would here lofty answers like “The Bible”, Lincoln’s biography or other epic responses.  Most are probably B.S. meant to impress and given without much reflection.  Give it some thought.  What books did you read growing up that made you who you are?  It might be as simple as the Hardy Boys or a random novel from the library.

We were there novel

I grew up without handheld electronics, the web, or anything on television during the day other than soap operas.  Thus, reading was my escape.  I did read all of the Hardy Boys novels, I used to read juvenile history through the “we were there” novels and I quickly advanced to raiding my parent’s bookshelves to find new fodder for learning.  Maybe reading “Papillon” as sixth-grader was not the healthiest indulgement but I knew I did not want to go to prison!

In the late 1970’s I lived in California. We had moved from Minneapolis to San Jose. It was culture shock for a kid from the midwest but I survived. Among changes that occurred in my life was the coincidental fitness craze across America and the new found love of jogging many had started.

I remember walking into department stores and seeing the book “Running” by Jim Fixx on tables. It was a bold color, red, with just a pair of legs and red running shows and the title in bold white letters. That book and the attention given to the jogging craze inspired me to run. I can remember running around our block. We moved to San Diego and I continued to jog, although I was never consistent. In 1980 I tried to run my first half marathon at the age of 12. At just past six miles my Dad drove by to check on me, I climbed in the car and never finished. However, the book “Running” impacted me and I went on to run track in high school and some in college. To this day I still exercise and it due to that book.

Around the same time I would read books on my parent’s shelves. One of the books I read was “Lucifer’s Hammer.” The first apocalyptic novel I read. In the book a meteor crashes to earth and leaves behind the survivors to rebuild a new world. The main character in the book is an engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and uses logic and skill to survive. In 7th grade I found myself identifying with that engineer, wanting to be the engineer that was savvy enough to plan for disaster and solve problems. The book “Lucifer’s Hammer” forever changed my life and influenced me to become an engineer. Not only did it inspire me to be an engineer but more a person desirous of self-reliance and wanting to learn. I realized we only have a finite amount of time in our lives and we must learn all we can.

The third major book to influence my life came from the television commercials in the early 1980’s featuring Victor Kiam. Kiam was an entreprenuer an advertised the Remington microshaver, his tag line was something like, “I liked the shaver so much I bought the company.” He also advertised a book, “Going for It” about being an entreprenuer. I bought and read that book. That single book helped me realize I could achieve success on my own.

Throughout college I read books even though I was in school. I theorized that we have only a finite amount of time on earth and it is essentially impossible to learn everything that could be known to man. In other words, why reinvent the wheel? Thus, if I could read biographies and learn from others I should do so. Thus, I read Lincoln, Trump, Schwartzkopf, Hughes, and many others. I soaked up learning from great men, leaders, and entreprenuers. I learned the consistent theme was drive. You must be driven to succeed.

A friend of mine summed this up as something he shares with his kids and I now repeat it often. “It is easy to be average.”

Pick up a book, turn off the television and electronics.  Read.

January 7, 2015 by Self Improvemet

Bathroom Renovation in a Weekend

OK – it was supposed to bathroom renovation in a day.  However, nothing ever goes as planned.

Our cabin in N. GA.  is about 14 years old and the original builder did not spend an extra dime on anything.  When we bought the house even the interior doors had not been painted or stained.  Since 2007 we have done numerous projects and upgrades, but the two bathrooms had been neglected.

However, I had replaced the faucets in each and made repairs to the toilets.  On my last trip in November the drawer in the downstairs half bath came apart in my hand and the cabinet itself was rotted.  Thus, an obsession to renovate the bathroom came upon me.  I had this weekend because I have to be in Atlanta tomorrow and it made sense.

The goal – minimal cost, rustic, but not over the top cabin decor.  It will probably last 10-15 years so something that is not trendy was required.

Concerns – removing the cabinet base: what would I find underneath.  Second, what about the walls where the cabinet was?

The plan:

  • Obtain a pedestal sink (scored a brand new sink on Craigslist for $40).
  • Repaint the bathroom (using the red paint from James’ room at the Florida house)
  • Keep the toilet
  • Keep the faucet
  • Use a pallet to get the reclaimed wood for the wall where the mirror is
  • A new light fixture with mason jar glass housings

I started Saturday morning at 9:45am. We finished Sunday evening at 5:15p.  Saturday we (my Dad and I) wrapped up at 5:15p. Sunday was about the same – total time roughly 12-13 hours with two hours break each day for hardware store and lunch.

We used metal roofing tin for the side and back splash below the sink.

The toughest problem?  Hanging the sink as we had no brackets or instructions.  We used 2″ metal conduit to create a holder in the back of the sink and wall anchors reversed as toggle clamps against the underside of the sink.

It was a great project and I got to spend the weekend with my Dad!Before and After

January 4, 2015 by Self Improvemet

Eliminate Time Wasters

Do you waste time?  Start here and read these quotes.

I do not, or try not to, have time wasters in my life. Do you?

For instance, our family does not have cable television (remember cable is dead, that is why it is buried!). Our television is on only to watch the news in the morning and is generally off except for Friday and Saturday evenings when we gather as a family to watch a movie. I do not waste my weekends, Monday nights, or Thursday nights watching millionaires play games. I can’t tell you whose “Voice” was a “Survivor” on “Jersey Shore.” Most notably, I have heard Kim Kardashian’s name but I may be the only person in the world that couldn’t pick her out of a criminal lineup. Panem et Circenses.  Click the link and learn, are you a victim of the 24-hour entertainment cycle?

Regardless of personal wealth we all have the same amount of time. Each day the clock strikes midnight and rich or poor we all have 24-hours, 1440 minutes per day. The question is how do you use your time? Do you watch Oprah, Ellen, American Idol, NFL football? Why? What if you learned a new skill during the same time?

Have you heard of Coursera? Did you know you can take classes from some of the most renowned institutes in the world for FREE? What if you gave up just three hours per week to take a class and learn something new. That new knowledge could be applied to starting a business, writing a book, or even relaxing through a new found hobby.

Imagine watching football.  Just pick one team for the season.  16 games per team (NFL Games played during the season).    Each game lasts a minimum of three hours, closer to four when commercials and overtime is factored in.  For sake of argument, we will use three.  Thus, 48 hours are spent watching football for just one team. But, who watches just one team or game per week?  Keeping our math easy we will use 50 hours.  The equivalent of a single college class!  Or, assume you make $20/hour.  Time and a half would be $30/hour – a cost of $1500 for not working overtime!  What about health?

During the same time the following fitness benefits could be realized:

  • 1 hour walking 300 – That is 15,000 calories!
  • 1 hour jogging 700 – That is 35,000 calories!
  • 1 hour bicycling 700 – That is 35,000 calories!

Keep reading…Because 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So if you cut 500 calories from your diet each day, you’d lose about 1 pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories).  (from the above article).

PLUS – you are not sitting on your ass consuming calories.

In the early 1990s a good friend of mine gave me a hard time.  He was stunned, he couldn’t believe I did not watch the superbowl on a particular Sunday in January.  Why?  I was writing a piece of code.  That piece of code became part of a software program that I sold approximately 10 months later for $10,000 – my first commercial application.  In my entire life I can remember less than a handful of times ever being at a Superbowl party and I even then I do not remember watching the game.

 

Be cautious concerning time wasters.  2015 is a new year.  What are you doing this weekend?  Spending time with your kids and family?  Working around the house?  Exercising? Or, wasting your day?

Time is infinite but our lives are not. Don’t waste time.

January 3, 2015 by Self Improvemet