Wasting Time . . . ???

I read an online news story today about how the police department in a major metropolitan area in Arizona (MMAIA) raided the home of a blogger who is critical of the department and its top management. Curious about the blog, I visited the site and read some of the posts of the blogger, in which he pronounced the heads of the MMAIA police department to be idiots, morons, and inept fools. Not his exact words, rather, my translation of his name-calling and comments. The blogger seemed to have very valid points about corruption, mismanagement, racism, and other isses in the MMAIA police department, yet I found the way in which he expressed them not productive in the great scheme of life, the Universe, and Everything . I wanted to write a post about what I was thinking, something that would be thoughtful, insightful, and objective, but I realize that is impossible and not a very good use of time. Whatever I may think or say in support of or against the bloggers points of view and the manner in which he writes them, nothing changes. My energy is better spent on something – anything – within my circle of influence, which at the time being, involves work, parenting, etc. So, is this post an exercise in futility, and energy wasted? I don’t know. Perhaps it is just a reminder to myself to focus on my own circle and add positive energy to the Universe in my own way and to not worry so much, or attempt to write, about how others choose to expend their energy. All of this in eleven (counting this one) sentences.

Freeways and Other Ramblings

Interstate 10 extends across the southern United States from the San Bernardino Valley in California all the way to Jacksonville, Florida. The ninety miles between Phoenix and Tucson are probably the least scenic and the most monotonous.

Things have changed alot along this stretch I-10 in the past five or six years. There are more outlet malls along its edges as one passes through Casa Grande, the halfway point between Tucson and Phoenix. This is where I usually have to pull over for a quick catnap when I make the drive to Our Urban Neighbor in the North (aka Phoenix and environs). More housing developments have sprouted and taken root. And, in Tucson, I-10 is being expanded with more lanes, new bridges, and really smooth asphalt.

I'll have a chance to test out the new surface in July when I drive my daughter to the Phoenix airport. She's going on a 3-week California Adventure (Northern CA, none of that LA stuff!) with my sister. She's looking forward to the adventure and I'm looking forward to the break.