Buddhism Sounds Cool

As I struggle with the drudgery of daily work life, I contemplate the principles of Buddhism. That's right, Buddhism. No, I don't plan on living with Buddhist monks in Tibet for a year, but wouldn't that be a blast? If only I could take my cats with me. My pathetically amateur interpretation of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism is that to live is to suffer, that longing, greed, lust, and clinging to an impermanent life cause suffering, and that those desires can be overcome through meditation and acceptance of mortality. Combine that with the Buddhist principles of kindness and avoidance of hurting living things, and I'm ready to sign up. As for the monastic life of celibacy and avoidance of alcohol, I'm not ready for that commitment.

BP Tax Credit For Oil Spill Costs

A Wall Street Journal article by Michael Corkery reported today that BP planned to claim a 9.9 billion dollar tax credit to partially offset its 32 billion dollar bill (so far) for the Gulf oil spill cleanup. According to BP CEO Tony Hayward, BP is following IRS regulations. Read the article, if you like.

My bicycle ride from Hartford, Il, to Hotshots in downtown St. Louis

Did Oil Money Play a Role in a Murderer's Release?

I don't know. Maybe. Frankie the cat says, "probably." What do you think? Read this.

tom

Finally, it's over. Let my bar life get back to normal.

I haven't been able to get into my favorite bar or even my backup bars on several occasions during the past month, because of over-capacity crowds watching World Cup soccer matches that they could have just as easily been watching on their home TV's. I am as happy as these Spaniards that were videotaped celebrating Spain's championship-winning goal. Bar stool, here I come.