GPS tracking for kids

I am sure everybody remembers a few years ago the huge outbreak in child abductions that was on CNN every single night. And then how shortly there after there was all the talks about RF chipping the kids to find them. Well, its gone one step further now. Well, its been going on for a while, but its pretty easy to get this stuff now. GPS Tracking. Now you can always know where the kids are.

It doesn't stop there though, spouses can track spouses, bosses can track employees( they already do if you didn't suspect, those company dinners? Yeah). Some benefits are of course if your kid or dad get lost, you can find them. Somebody is injured, you can find them. Kid not where she is supposed to be on a date, GPS them to their hiding hole.

But what about the privacy concerns. What about knowing the somebody is GPS tracking you everywhere you go, logging your movements, your locations. Of course somebody will say if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Well genius, if that was true, stuff like the FISA bill wouldn't be passed. And say hypothetically you go to a friends house one night, you have been tagged by work, spouse, etc. 2 weeks later, the MIB show up at your house with proof you where in an apartment complex at the exact time a terrorist cell was meeting. Under the Patriot act that's all that is needed to haul your butt off to jail. All due to GPS tracking.

Like everything it has its pro's and con's.

Gas prices up again

Gas prices went up in Knoxville to $3.95 on average. Considering since the 4th we held around 3.85 its not too suprising, but still painful. Gas is painful anyway you look at it. Hopefully nearing the end of travel season we can get back below $3 but it is doubtful.

A few tips for conserving gas. Plan your trips accordingly. Try to get everything you need to get in one day, in a logical progression so there is no backtracking or multi-trips to the store. Don't make 6 or 7 trips to the grocery store in one week. Not only do you waste gas, but you will end up buying more then you need. And don't grocery shop on an empty stomach, it will cause you to buy more then you need. Have a snack or something before hand.

Try to pay bills online. Avoid phone payments because a lot of companies charge a convenience charge of $10 or more to do this. Try to avoid electronic draft. With things tight sometimes you need a day extra to keep from bouncing, if they pull it, you get the banks fee, and the creditors fee for bouncing, which can be upwards of $40 total.

Lean Pockets Recalled

Video gamers run to the store, check your freezer, your favorite rocking chair food is being recalled!!!

Oh wait, nothing serious, its one of the healthy ones Spinach Artichoke Chicken. No gamers eat that, just the pizza/ham and cheese ones. And yes, I can make fun of gamers seeing how I am one.

I would suggest however holding off on consuming any lean pockets with either Spinach, Artichokes, or Chicken in it. If past recalls are any indication, when a food is recalled it usually branches out to other products from either the same line, same factory, etc etc.

So don't worry WoW gamers, your hotpockets should be good for tonight's raid/arena match.

End of July

Well, July is almost half over now, and the stifling humidity and heat tennessee usually gets has been a bit absent. Along with all those nice thunderstorms I remember from a child. I haven't seen "heat lightning" in years. The rest of the country has been punished, even parts of west and middle tennesse have, and we have had a couple severe ones in the valley, but nothing like I remember.

Of I am not complaining, being a fall type guy, and with utility prices the way they are, its nice not to be running the AC 24/7. I guess the little paranoid guy in my head keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop. Last years record drought is of course still in my mind.

So much for global warming I guess.

Cherokee Heritage day

Following the pow wow last weekend there is a Cherokee Heritage day coming up August 2nd at James White Fort in Knoxville Tennessee. This year will feature dancing, lineage lookup and impersonations of famous Cherokee.

In addition there will be vendors and food as always. These are always fun and interesting to go to. The storytelling, music and costumes are always vivid and a gentle reminder of times gone past. Personally I wish it was more in the fall(which is where all good festivals belong) but any time is good.

James White Fort is located in downtown Knoxville, which of course is hard to get to, but not impossible with the road construction that is ongoing.

Spirits of Nations Pow Wow

July 12th, 2008 is the Nations of Spirits Pow wow in Knoxville TN. It will be held at Market Square in downtown knoxville. Admission is free, but parking probably isn't. There will be dancing, storytelling, arts crafts, food and a parade of flags. According to the interview on WIVK yesterday, noon and 6 pm are when the two big entrances are held.

With the economy the way it is, free is always good.

Knoxville Zoo, Smart fixed

For those who may or may not know by now, Knoxville is under going road construction cleverly called Smart Fix 40. By giving it a name, they hope to encourage us to think it is going good and all is well. To be honest, its just plain stupid. They shut down I-40 through downtown Knoxville. Yes, that’s right, shut down, a major interstate.

For those who are not familiar with the area, I-640 or I-275 are the detours to avoid this atrocity. Unfortunately for the Knoxville Zoo, neither of these help it out. Conveniently located off I-40 the Zoo has a prime location for catching tourist, and being easy to access from most of Knoxville. With the major pathway through Knoxville shut down, the zoo will be experiencing a downturn in attendance.

I personally can’t say enough about the Knoxville zoo. It is one of the better ones I have been too, and is always adding something new. The animals are all relatively easy to see, more so then most zoos.

If you can get time, go visit and keep them going, it would be a shame to see something happen to our Zoo.