unculturedswine

Early this morning, in a very righteously cool ceremony, my mother, father and I went to release Jack Sparrow. In case you’re not caught up on current events, Jack Sparrow is a baby bird that I found one Saturday while at work. My mother has been the primary caregiver, and he’s grown up to be quite healthy and very ready for the real world. At least we hope so. We’re confident in everything but his ability to feed himself.

So this morning we took his little box outside and opened the lid and in a very anti-climatic way he flew up and away far and fast. We were hoping he’d just land on a tree close by but he didn’t. And, there’s no way to follow up on him so we just wish him the best.

In other news, there was something that I wanted to talk about but I forgot what it was already so I’m not going to worry about it right now.

In life, they say, only Death and Taxes are certain. This is pretty true. But as you grow up and live life you realize there are other constants that fit within the bounds and realm of reality. Sadly, it seems like those bounds have burst recently and everything is really starting to get unorganized… getting out of control and it doesn’t seem like there is much anyone will, or can, do about it.

Gas prices are really starting to get way past acceptable. We’ve really reached the point where if it’s not a necessary trip, you just don’t take it. Two months ago I was appalled when I saw Diesel hit $4.05… today it’s up to $4.70. And it’s all driven by greed in it’s purest form. They with the money and power to shape economies invest their fortunes in those things that magnify their wealth… and in turn dig deeper into the pockets of the majority. Sadly, I really don’t see much of a solution coming from anyone, anywhere. And anything I would consider a good solution is just politically and democratically wrong.

Families are being broken left and right, the ones I grew up around and never thought would fall victim to divorce. It just makes me sick. The goodness I once saw in so many people has become tired and worn, and hope doesn’t seem to glow as bright. However, others have a glow brighter than I’ve seen, and it’s they who I should turn to for inspiration and happiness. If I continually focus on the downward trend of hope, then I inevitably fall victim myself.

I’m realizing today the importance of the anchors in life that never shift and never change. Morals degrade, what once was despicable is now publicly acceptable and preached from the screen, things held most sacred to still a majority of people is mocked and scorned at every turn. Yet, the importance of holding on to those truths is never more needed than today.

I guess I’ll make this another resolution for this year, Resolution #3: Hold fast to my anchors that never shift. My beliefs, my faith, my covenants. As life spins more and more out of control, the need to rely on a steady source of truth and balance becomes more and more important. No more straying. No more glimpses. No more varying. Stick to the straight and narrow path and don’t look away.

Would someone please answer this question for me? What’s the point of a Savings Account? I cannot figure out the logic in having one with any worthwhile amount of money in it. At best, everyone I know uses it to just transfer money from when their checking account balance gets too low. My bank is having a ‘super’ online account deal where you can get up to a whopping 3.30% return every year. That’s fantastic! But wait, what’s the fine print? You have to have at least $250,000 in the account to get that percentage rate. Here’s the breakdown, taken from the website

The best rate I or my friends could realistically expect from this is from 1-2%. What on earth is the point. You get better returns from Credit Card Cash Back programs. What the banks don’t out front tell you is while they hold on to your money, they can list that balance as an asset of sorts to lend against, so they lend your money out at 5-15% or more, and give you a whole 2% back of that. The bank makes so much more off your account than you do.

So someone please, tell me what the point and purpose of a Savings Account would be. PS – If you have that $250,000 in your account to get that 3.30%, you’re only insured up to $100,000 of it. Lame.