But Will The World Get Squeaky?
I just filled the gas tank ... ouch! World oil usage projections vary, but predictions are we have enough oil around the world to last 50 years, give or take. The faster we can pump it out, the lower the price will stay (basic supply and demand). So guess what the consumer nations are focused on? Find it, pump it, keep it affordable, we'll worry about the rest later. Somehow I think my ouch at the pump is minor compared to what we face...

Bridezilla
This past weekend my family and I went to a bridal BBQ. A long-time friend of my wife is getting married in about a year. She was a Bridesmaid in our wedding. My wife has agreed to be a Bridesmaid for hers. The bride-to-be is a sweetheart, but bit of a character. Yes, she has her quirks and is fondly called Bridezilla by all involved... She decided on a rather expensive fashion name wedding gown. This means the bridesmaids also get to pay for that name for their gowns. I know this rankles my wife a bit, since she didn't let herself get caught up in the fashion extravagance for our wedding and kept costs reasonable. I am dumbfounded by the idea of a 5 figure wedding gown... My wife looked beautiful in a gown costing much less. And I have the pictures to prove it!

The Efficient Workout
I recently got a junk mail from The Blitz. The "20 Minute Total Fitness For Men" place that combines resistance machines and heavy punching/kicking bags. I'm still skeptical, it takes me at least 20 minutes to get properly warmed up and ready for a workout... I just see this as a rushed workout with high potential for strains and pains in the name of expedience. While I can see how their marketing appeals to the efficiency minded I am also reminded that it takes time to do things right. Thank you very much, but I'll take effective over efficient any day.

Also recently, I was at my gym and struck up a conversation with a woman next to me while doing warmup stretches. I mentioned how I was trying to entice my wife to try out this gym. She responded that she really didn't come there to work out very often. She prefers Yoga. Her husband is a chiropractor and deals with people with joint and back pains all the time. He's told her that if everyone did Yoga, he'd be out of a job. It wasn't exactly the testimonial I was looking for. But it got me thinking ... instead of enticing my wife, I should be revisiting Yoga myself. I did Yoga many years ago and still remember it was good.

My gym has started its spring promotions and the place is packed. I overheard a member I recognize ask one of the trainers about the crowd. The response "just wait 2 weeks and it'll be back to normal" is telling. Too many newcomers are looking for quick, easy results or are unwilling to make the time and give up. I have to admire the regulars who persist. Those who persist know that it takes time and effort. And there is never enough time unless you make the time...