Gee, I didn’t see that one coming
Jun 6, 2008 Current Events, Found Online
Sometimes you read a news story that makes you ask yourself “Well what did they expect?!”. This would be one of those stories:
DARTMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Authorities say a couple trying to beat the high cost of gasoline accidentally caused a fire that burned their apartment complex.
Fire Chief Richard Arruda says the couple had about 45 gallons of gasoline in nine plastic jugs stacked in a closet that also housed an air conditioning unit.
The gasoline fumes apparently set off Thursday’s fire, which was quickly put out by a sprinkler system.
No one was seriously hurt, but residents of eight units of the complex were displaced.
Investigators believe the couple was storing the gas because of rising prices. Officials say they might face civil penalties for violating the fire code.
At least we aren’t paying $8 for gas
Jun 3, 2008 Current Events
I absolutely loathe going to the gas pumps these days. At almost $4 a gallon, it’s becoming harder and harder to fill up. But, we actually have it pretty easy over here in America. Check this out:
As American drivers groan over prices nearing $4 a gallon, the French are paying $8.67 for a gallon of super, compared to $7.10 in January, 2007. A gallon of diesel in French gas stations averages $8.54, up from $5.35 just a year ago. And in the U.K. diesel costs $11.50 per gallon, compared to around $3.90 in the U.S. Across the European Union, the average cost of a gallon of gas runs to about $8.70 — more than twice what Americans are shelling out to fill up.
My gosh, I had no idea it was so high everywhere else!
If you love someone, let them know today
May 22, 2008 Current Events, Music
Last night, some tragic news came across my Titter feed. 5-year old daughter of singer Steven Curtis Chapman passed away after being struck by a vehicle in the family’s driveway. I won’t go into any more detail, but you can read about it here.
The thing to remember in this situation is that life is so fragile and unexpected. In a split second, someone that is very close to you can be taken from you so unexpectedly. My heart goes out to the Chapman family because they have lost their little girl. Sure, they’ll see her again one day, but until then, it’s going to be pretty hard for them.
So please, if you love someone, let them know today. In the event that there isn’t a tomorrow, you will be glad you did.
And please be in prayer for the Chapman family!
Tags: life, steven curtis chapman
What the heck happened to Carrot Top?
May 19, 2008 Current Events, Found Online
I think it rhymes with “schmeroids”.
Tags: carrot top, muscle, roids
An inspiring story… but read closer. WHAT?
May 15, 2008 Current Events, Found Online
There was a story yesterday on Yahoo news about the worlds most obese man. Basically, he was going to try and also hold the record for the most weight lost by a single person. He has already lost over 500 pounds in the last 2 years!
So his birthday is coming up, and he hopes to get out of the house for the first time in a whiol. Check this out:
Now weighing 717 pounds — the size of three hefty men — Uribe is still unable to move his swollen legs but hopes to get out of the house next month for only the third time in six years to celebrate his 43rd birthday.
He will still be in bed, hauled onto a tow truck for a trip to the mountainous countryside outside his home city of Monterrey in northern Mexico. It will be a rerun of a failed attempt in March that was thwarted when his bed hit an overpass.
Wait. What? His bed hit an overpass? Does that give anyone a funny visual in their head like it does mine? O well, at least he’s ok!
Atlanta is the No. 1 WORST city for commuters
May 2, 2008 Current Events
That’s right folks. Here in Atlanta, we have the worst traffic in the country according to Forbes Magazine. According to Forbes, 13% of us spend over an hour sitting in traffic on the way to work in the morning. Also, only 29% of us get to work in less than 20 minutes. Lucky me, I am in that demographic. It takes me about 15 minutes to get to work. But, as someone who has lived here my whole life, I have to agree with them.
Jump right to the Atlanta part
Tags: atlanta, automobiles, cars, rush hour, traffic
The homeless “problem” in Atlanta
Apr 19, 2008 Current Events
“The same guy asked me for money five times yesterday,” he said, noting the competition is fierce. “I’ve been to Detroit and Houston, but it’s nothing like here.”
I read an article in today’s AJC newspaper that got me thinking, and I want some more perspetive. The article talks about how in Atlanta, there are quite a few homeless people downtown, and how it is a problem in the city.
A study commissioned recently by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau confirms that panhandling is a major problem, and it’s getting worse.
A sampling of 164 out-of-towners interviewed from October 2007 to February of this year said panhandling ranked second —- behind traffic —- among the things they disliked most about Atlanta.
The article goes on to say that laws were passed that outlawed direct panhandling, but allowed a more passive approach (I guess that means someone holding a sign asking for money). People are mad though because those laws are not being enforced.
I agree, it is a little annoying when you go downtown in Atlanta and are bombarded by several homelss people asking for money. It’s always a little awkward.
But I keep thinking that maybe the solution is not outlawing it, but maybe taking a more proactive approach by maybe investing in some kind of outreach program that helps get people off of the streets and their life back in order. For some of these people, without a swift kick in the pants, they will never get out of the hole they are in. I guess my heart goes out to some people who maybe can’t see the big picture and don’t have the will power themselves to change. Homelessness has been around since Biblical times, so it is obviously a big issue.
What do you think?
Photo courtesy of SamPac
Tags: atlanta, ga, georgia, homelessness
