Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day 08 and this year's topic is poverty. Poverty is a difficult problem this world faces, especially to those who experiance it. Even if you don't experience poverty, poverty is all around us and is visible in its various forms. I myself don't suffer from poverty, however I still witness it in various places I have been to, some being quite near my home. In fact, just recently my church went on a trip to Hilda's Place which is a center for homeless people. It houses the people for the night, and feeds them. I personally, as well as many others, have helped creating many sandwiches to help support these people. Poverty is all around us, and there is much that anybody can do to help those who suffer from poverty. Maybe next time you see someone in need of help, you can hand them a giftcard of some sort. Perhaps you can help support a service that is attempting the assist the poor. There are many little things that can be done to help those that suffer from poverty.

Manners

Apparently, over the years manners have been being ignored more and more often with the introduction of technology. A few simple manners to remember and to keep in practice include...

1. Hold doors for people
It shows that you care about whats happening around you, and that you care about others.

2. Give up seats
Give up your seat for someone else that may need it. This does not only include the elderly, pregnant, and disabled, but perhaps for those who are carrying heavy boxes and etc.

3. Let those out the elevator before you get in
It makes it easier for those to get out, it really does.

4. Cell phone manners
Just use your cell phone wisely, don't have inappropriate conversations in public and etc. It's probably best to excuse yourself to somewhere private.

5. Introduce people
When in a group, introduce yourself. Also put in some details, makes it easier to remember.

6. Please, thank you, your welcome
Three good phrases to use to show appreciation and sincerity.

7. Respect elders
Show them at least common courtesy and civility, as they have been living longer than you.

8. Handwrite thank you notes
Shows time taken and thus appreciation and gratitude.

What do you think about these supposedly forgotten manners? I personally never handwrite my thank you notes.

Rubber Ducks

At first, NASA released a complicated science probe to see if glacial ice was appearing in the ocean. In the end, this scientific probe failed to accomplish anything. The NASA researchers then turned to a different approach to the problem, and decided to use many rubber ducks. Not only are the rubber ducks awesome, but they are cheap and possibly able to accomplish more than the probe did. The goal of the rubber duckies is to track where they end up in the water. This is to see the changes in the Earth's seas, which may possibly be tied to global warming problems.

The rubber duckies are planned to be found by fisherman, who could then contact NASA by the tags on the backs of the duckies. The bodies of water freeze over the winter, and thus results may be found in the summertime.

Rising Gold Prices

My parents are gold wholesalers, who basically buy and then sell gold. Since of that, knowing what is happening with gold prices is important to the family. As the economy of the country gets worse, and the worth of the dollar decreases due to inflation, gold prices increase. The price of gold increases because as the dollar loses its value, people turn to gold for safety since gold is a valuable metal. People want a safe type of money that will work when they no longer trust the dollar, which is then seen as weaker.

However, as more people turn to using gold, the demand for it goes up. When the demand for something rises, the price rises with it. Thus, problems of inflation occur. The gold prices start to rise, and become troubling for people who use it. The problems that rising gold prices cause become very problematic for many.