FINANCE!!!

I'm working on a simple and easy to understand financial post, but I've gotta get a graphic done before I post it. (It will make things a lot easier.)

Political Philosophy

I had a cool experience listening to a rant from a weird guy from Canadia the other day. It helped me define some of my own political views. It was funny listening to him talk, but at the same time it was refreshing to hear some rationale behind his, in some cases VERY, different views on how to deal with the system and fixing it.

It seems to me like there are a few fundamental things that each society needs from some form of government. It is in the way that you would approach those needs and build solutions and applications for your society that really define your political views.
From my view, the fundamentals are as follows...
Freedoms that are decided by the citizens as they believe that they deserve.
Some sort of protection from outside invaders, e.g. pirates, dictators, other countries that think they need to own your country (UK, France, China come to mind).
A currency that is common for the country as a whole and not 50 bazillion different currencies.
And last but not least is a way to support the economy and tax it within reason, e.g. health care, education, grants, etc.

The way that you look at implementing those things (and I probably missed something) into a culture are what make up political philosophies.

Inspired

Once again, I've been given much. Two of the people I respect most in this town in his own regard have given me a huge compliment. It is really inspiring to me. My wonderful girlfriend just concurred with them.
The next couple of weeks to a month will be a lot of work for me. But I can do it. I'm planning a trip out in July. It's on like Donkey Kong!

victory

yesterday was a big day in several ways. I would say the highlight happened last night. My bro came climbing with my girlfriend. I had a private lesson to teach. It was an intro to lead climbing. So we went over clipping, rope management, blah blah blah. They were fine and knew most of it already. After I finished, Heather asked if I wanted to climb. I was still a bit sore from Tuesday bouldering, but I wanted to do something. I figured I'd take a lap out the roof and call it good. The lead ropes were all out and most of them in use. Grrr. Whatever, I'll make a lap on my project and call that good. Well, no more 1-fall. Orange project [x]. Needless to say, I went home and had some IPA. Tasted so good.

turmoil

4-8-08
It seems to me like there is a lot of tough times going on around me. Friends with relationship problems are struggling. Fears over brothers going into the military are heavy. Of course finances are part of the heartache as well. I feel a lot of attacks happening to those around me and to myself as well.
I went bouldering last night. I know I know, call Guinness right? It was hard, but it was also a bit relieving. All I had to do to complete a task was to figure it out. Each problem was easy to see. Even if I didn't take the time to fully understand everything, things were straight-forward. I'm tired today. I'm tired from staying up to listen to a friend rant for an hour over a brew. I find it a bit sad when you can find solace only in a bar when people you know are there. He could not find peace in his own place. I love people and I really enjoy beer, but that is not my only shelter.
One of my good friends just lost what would have been his first grandson. That was yesterday. Now he CAN find shelter in his house, but the attacks don't seem to be stopping. I wonder why.

I've learned a lot in the past couple of months. I feel like God is making me more of a man through this. Not only am I struggling, but my friends are being destroyed as well. Two people know of the attack on me. It will remain two for a while. I don't know why, but I feel that I have more character if I don't share it. I know there is a balance to be struck. I can't live life doing everything on my own. No one can.