A couple of days ago I was on the phone with my mother and she said something to me that I hadn't heard her say in a while. She said "there are three things you shouldn't do if you want to keep friends, talk about politics, talk about religion, and borrow money." I guess I do listen to her more than I'd like to believe, because I have really embraced that even before hearing her say that again. I don't take it literally of course, because obviously politics and religion tend to come up in conversations, but I do think those three things should apply to professional relationships. If you have a working relationship with people, whether its an office, a classroom, or a boardroom I think you'd be surprised when you find out where certain peoples political affliation stands. Most of the time its just better not to know, because it could end up hurting the business relationship. A few weeks ago at work a girl suggested that we send cards to the troops overseas to say thank you for all that they do. Personally as soon as she mentioned that I cringed, and the reason is I didn't think it had anything to do with the job we get paid to do. When the idea was accepted and became something that we were stone cold going to do, I obviously said I would do it, because it looks bad not particiating in something that all the other employees are doing. However looking back on it after having sat in the room and wrote several cards today, I feel I shouldn't have participated. I have nothing against the soldiers that choose to fight for there country, I do have a problem with people forcing there patriotism on everyone else. It's the same as if I mentioned in a meeting at work that I think we should all join together and say prayers in the morning. The idea would most likely be shot down instantly, because they would say its forcing relgion on people. Why is practicing something peaceful such as relgion wrong, but something that is nationalistic right? The answer to that question is so complexed and complicated I could write varying degrees of it for hours. These topics, all of them should be left outside of the workplace.

I feel that in America we place such a high importance on military and the job they are doing, and we overlook all of the atrocities that come from that same military. We have such a short term memory, when it comes to events. If the troops that were overseas fighting were drafted and forced to fight for something they don't believe in. They would have all of my sympathy and I would feel obligated then to support those same troops, but as it stands they choose to enter knowing the politics that the United States deals in, so I have no sympathy. You make your bed in the morning, you are going to lay in it in the evening.

Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of my blog. One that kind of makes me feel old, and two I had no idea I would still have a blog 8 years after starting it. I hope to keep writing however and as my writing continues to evolve I can look back on this all in a few years just to see the differences.

There are only about 7 weeks left of work, and then I get to spend time enjoying beautiful San Diego. I have a feeling that after having a month off here I might start to like the place. One of the things I wanted to do during my month off was go to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, today my job offered free tickets to the park is that a sign or what? Everyday that passes it gets harder and harder to go into work, knowing that the end is near :)

So, the situation with the US debt seems to be getting worse by the day. It appears to be effecting the US dollar in the world market and I decided it was time to start investing in some Euros. I'm going to need them in a few months anyway and I'd rather not have a repeat of Heathrow Airport 2010 when I changed $1300 into pounds and got only 790 pounds. The lady explained that something to do with traveling on September 11th the dollar was down that day. Currency is so volatile, so I'll have to watch it closely over the next few months and if the Euro reaches a certain point I'll buy dollars and reinvest when its lower.

A co-worker of mine who has never watched soccer asked me the other day if Manchester United is "kind of like the Yankees". I've heard that comparison over the years and while I personally don't like it, I decided to write a post comparing the two stories franchises in there respective sports.

New York Yankees: This Major League Baseball team began playing in 1901 in the American League and in the beginning they were near the bottom of the league every season, until there luck changed in the early 1920's. They turned into the sports powerhouse, they have won 27 Championships to date and produced a legendary player every decade. The Yankees have also formed bitter rivalries with other baseball teams over the years, and typically out play them when championships are on the line. Since the turn of the century they have been the biggest spenders in the league every season, and the money spent on big name players has only won them one championship in 2009.

Manchester United: This team was founded in 1878 in the English soccer league and similarly to the Yankees they had humble beginnings. It took them much longer to become the powerhouse they are today. The first 50 years of existence saw them bounce back and forth between the First and Second division. Then during the 1940's they rose to prominence as the best English team and dominated the sport for 20 years winning several cups and championships. Then they gave way to there biggest rivals Liverpool who won everything under the sun in the 70's and 80's. In 1993 English soccer became known as the Premier League and Manchester United started its current period of dominance. Over the course of 19 years in the Premier League they have never finished lower than 3rd place, and have a 18 championships overall 11 FA Cup wins and 3 Champions League victories.

Legendary Players: The Yankees list is endless Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Joe Dimaggio, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez.

Manchester United doesn't look so bad in comparison; Denis Law, George Best, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, and Christiano Ronaldo.

Main Rivals: Yankees: Boston Redsox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and recently Tampa Bay Rays

Manchester United: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and more recently Chelsea

The comparisons are close and get even closer when you look at the fanbases of each team. The teams are supported by fans nationally and internationally more than any other teams in there leagues.