I have been watching the debate throughout the years.  I have read many articles about both sides of the argument.  Some say that temperatures rising 1 degree Celsius on average over the last 100 years is proof that the earth is warming.  They mention that there seems to be less ice in the polar caps and that the glacial ice seems to be melting worldwide.

On the other hand, I have heard hundreds of scientists argue that the earth is going through one of its many cycles of warming and cooling.  They prove it through the drilling of ice in the pole that historically, layer by layer, show the cyclic nature of our earth.  They also note old trees and their rings marking the historical shifts.

So who do I believe.  Those who say that we are warming are those who also say that we are in for the worst kind of global catastrophes should this warming, which may be accelerated by our industry, continue full march.  These same scientists and groups are also those who are leading the markets in developing alternative energies through solar, wind, and geothermic technologies.  They stand to lose a lot of money that has been invested into these options on a global scale.  And this in addition to causing, through their media contacts, a global pandemic of fear and paranoia.  There are many nations, in fear and paranoia, that would be severely disrupted, economically depressed and prone to more fighting and wars than all the international governments could control.

Those who say that there is no global warming crisis, may also be those who are supported by the current technologies, namely oil and natural gas products.  However, they are also those who are supporting more sane and civil efforts globally.  They are supporting the maintaining of global markets and economies.  They support a sane effort to keep our world on an even keel and out of the deep end of irrationality.

As you can probably see by now, after all the chips are down, whom I support.  The purported evidence of our global average temperature increasing by 1 degree Celsius over the last 100 years is absolutely no reason to take our aim off maintaining the stability and rationality of an entire world.

The fact that after all we humans can produce in CO2 and other emissions has had a global effect of a fraction of a percent is another reason not to panic and call this a “global crisis” amongst other things.

Here are a few articles to help you in your decision.  I will add more as I come across them:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,334682,00.html

http://mysite.verizon.net/mhieb/WVFossils/ice_ages.html

Well, it has happened – I got a new job!  But not exactly that way I expected.  I had applied for internal positions at my last job and I was been applying for external jobs.  I heard from the internal on the former and took an Engineer position.  The very next day, I received an even better offer from one of my external endeavors.  So I took the second one too.  This happened during the weekend.  So, come Monday, about an hour into the first day as an Engineer, I gave the current employer my two weeks.

So I am here now in Seattle at my new job as an Analyst.  I flew up from Cheyenne, WY to Seattle, WA on Sunday and started on Monday.  And not to worry, we’ll get the family moved up in time.  Once we find and place and get the old home sold, we’ll have them up here.  I like being the greener place that Washington is.  I don’t miss the snow or the high plains dry and especially NOT the wind of Wyoming.  I do miss the family and friends and wished they could all follow.  But I suppose just the family will have to do.

They tell me that it will be quite wet here.  I’ve seen several roofs and lawns with a lichen collection growing.  I suppose I’ll get used to it.  I’ve always loved the smell during and after a fresh rain.  And I’ve always liked the green being right up the roads edge, just like it was in New Zealand.  It’s also nice being near to the ocean. 

I get to stay with my brother- and sister-in-law.  They have been kind enough to help me get an interview with the company I work for now and share room and board with their family.  I cannot thank them enough!  It is a brand new start for my family and I, thanks to their generosity. 

Pictures to follow as soon as I have a chance!

I was recently reminded of how different types of music and lyrics can be inspiring, whether I like it or not.  For instance, I don’t normally like opera music.  First, it is too many times in a foreign language that I don’t understand.  Second, the performers, more often than not, are dressed in such a way and performing on stage in such a manner that it is unclear as to the plot and left entirely to the personal interpretation of each observer (this is exacerbated by the foreign language issue).  And third, when the language and the performing leave the viewer without a plot, the costumes and makeup often don’t help the audience members deduce exactly what it is that they’ve paid for.

Regardless, I recently discovered what the name of one of my favorite opera songs is.  I’ve even found the interpretation of the lyrics on-line (unusual for me to progress this far with an operatic piece) and they are quite beautiful.  Look up “Vide Cor Meum” sometime and you’ll see what I mean.  I first heard it on the movie Hannibal.  It was composed specifically for the movie.  Mainly due to the Dante subject matter used in the movie and in the lyrics and not for the cannibalism theme of the film.  It is also, apparently, on the movie Kingdom of Heaven during the king’s burial. 

Wonderful music, which is what impressed me first.  Romantic and moving.  The type you could close your eyes to and feel soothed by, letting every other item in your mind go, only leaving more room to focus on the soft blending of the notes and words.  I need to find more like this one.  And, of course, the lyrics were the second impression.  Although in Italian, you can sense in the way they are delivered that they are given with love and tenderness.