Shimmeringstar's blog

This is not something I’ve talked much about with anyone, but here it goes!  Read More »

The other day Japan was rocked by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake about 100 miles off the coast of Tokyo. It shook things up a bit and injured two people. There were a few mid-sized aftershocks that were a bit scary for some people as well. Japan got off lucky this time, since the quake originated in the ocean rather than land, and didn't produce any big waves.  Read More »

Clinton sucks… blah blah blah… Obama’s not any better… yadda, yadda, yadda… but what choice do we have? McCain??

Democrats across the country are becoming increasingly frustrated with their choice as both democratic candidates are becoming meaner, more bloodied, and are both losing some of their altitude and glory. What are we to do?

Is it time to bring back Al Gore?  Read More »

Some of you may be heading to college in the fall. There is an endless numbers of decisions to be made and things to think and worry about. Will I like college? Will I do well? Will the food be good? Will the professors be nice? Will I get along with my roommate? Who will my roommate be?

What if you could choose a member of the opposite sex as a roommate?  Read More »

I was sitting in a Kagoshima, Japan, Starbucks yesterday enjoying my tall green tea frappuccino. Suddenly, a Japanese woman at the table next to me started talking to me in English (her English was quite good, by the way). This is not an unusual occurrence, as I’m often approached by Japanese people wanting to practice their English on a foreigner.  Read More »

You’re in an upscale shopping center in Japan and you have to use the restroom. You wander in, stand in line, then get your turn in the little stall. You’re relieved to see your stall choice does not feature a Japanese squat-style toilet. However, what you find is a throne full of buttons with little descriptions in illegible Japanese writing.

Okay… be brave…  Read More »

Poverty. Starvation. Oil dependency. AIDS. Inequality. Climate change. Energy crisis. The list of global problems can go on and on, with little hope of permanent solutions. What if we were able to take one giant step towards solving all these issues?  Read More »

There’s a growing trend in the United States, a trend that has been popular in the UK, but is only now starting to gain awareness and popularity in America. What is it?

Green funerals!

There are a growing number of companies and cemeteries, especially in California, Texas, New York, and Florida, offering biodegradable caskets and other environmentally friendly burial options.  Read More »