It's the Water, Stupid!

Last week in my Watershed Management course we were asked to share our ideas concerning the future of fresh water supply and the potential for 'water wars'. I consider it quite obvious that, with supplies dwindling and populations increasing, these wars are inevitable.

The continued, and increasing, need for energy supplies, and the United States' need for 'stuff' only adds to this crisis. The generation of power requires water, as does the production of all the 'stuff' that we aimlessly buy. On top of that, we waste incredible amounts of both water and energy resources daily.

At what point will we really have to 'fight' over how these sources are divvied out?

Two articles graced the pages of a local paper today, both regarding water and my best friends at Tenasty.

They have finally admitted, publicly and without argument (from one of 'us'), that they need [a minimum of] ten million gallons of water daily to allow for wet cooling at their plant. Although they continue to stress the point that dry cooling practices would require only two million gallons daily, we all know that it is impossible to consistently employ this method of cooling in this hot and dry an area.

So what made them breakdown?

Conspiracy theorists suggest that throwing out a number so large as TEN million makes TWO million look like a pittance, thus garnering more public support.

Conspiracy theorist though I may be, I have to disagree.

Those of us opposed to this monster have been stressing this point from day one. Since we are not 'Tenasty Officials' our voices are oftentimes ignored. 'Officials' (and I use that term loosely), treated us as though we were completely wacky, as though our attempts to release such falsified information culminated in our padded rooms in the psych ward.

The admittance from such a corporation that water demands far exceed supply in a desired area of fruition tells me a lot. I see it as desperation. They have finally gotten to a point where the truth must be told. Crucial decisions will be made from here on out, and water is at the center of those decisions.

Despite their attempts to keep such discussions as low-key as possible, there is no denying that we are in the midst of a water war. It is them against us. Those who want to preserve and protect the limited sources we have here in west Texas, and those who feel they can barge in and risk the lives of thousands.

The 'winner' of said war will likely not be decided for several months to come... Or maybe Tenasty will just silently back out and disappear forever.

It's the water, stupid. It always has been. A new chapter in our fight has begun. I hope.

Dollars and Sense

If there is one thing I can do really well, it's save money. I cannot explain why I felt that discussing this topic would be of interest, but I find my saving capabilities to be quite crafty. If there is a deal out there, I will find it. But if there is a sensible way to simply just save dollars and cents, I will partake. Why not?

Have you ever wondered what Victoria's Secret really is?

I think I figured it out.

A few years back I signed up for the Angel credit card. Knowing me, there was some incentive for me to do so...otherwise I never would have bothered.

Since signing up to become an 'Angel' I have received more freebies than ever imagined. In the past 3 years I have landed over 25 free pairs of underwear (a bit too much info? sorry). Yes, free. Prices range from $7.50 up to $16.00 apiece. How can I go wrong?

On occasion I will actually buy a nice lotion or blouse (when it's on sale), thus racking up points towards more rewards. Spend so much and they'll mail me a $10.00 gift card. Go into the store on a certain date and I'll get a free lotion.

I will never buy underwear again, and have enough lotion at the moment to last for several years....

Do you like free things?

I do.

I found a website, www.shop4freebies.com, that displays the best freebies of the day and/or moment. Each evening I get an e-mail boasting the day's finds. Some days the list is great, full of potentials. Other days not so much. Either way, it is almost daily that I get something free in the mail. It's like Christmas, year-round! I'm talking everything from granola bars to perfume samples to doggie pee-pads.

Are you much of a critic?

I never used to be. There was a time when I just shut my mouth and dealt with life.

Not anymore. My fight with 'big business' has left me angry and unwilling to shut up any longer.

So...

When I don't like something I complain.

I don't mean that I am one of those annoying people who is rude and obnoxious. No way.

But I feel that, as a consumer, I have the right to voice my opinion on the products and services that I receive, don't receive, or pay for.

I know this sounds awful, but I get freebies by doing this.

It's not some ploy to go through life without paying for things, and it isn't something that happens very often....but if you feel you haven't gotten the value for your money or that someone treated you unprofessionally, well, let the company know.

-I recently got a 25% off coupon for use at a retail store when I complained that the associate was amazingly rude to me.
-When the register-girl at a fast food chain was nasty to me I complained to the manager. I got a free salad.
-Some wheatgrass seeds I bought never lived up to their potential. I called the company and they are sending me all new ones.

Are you into crafts?

Cutting can save you lots of money! Cutting out squares and rectangles, particularly.

We have cut coupons since I can remember. Handing over the goods at the check-out register embarrasses some people, but not me. I wouldn't throw $.50, $.75 or $1.00 on the ground, so why not cut the coupon?

This past year my mother and I decided to calculate our savings over a year's time.

It was over $2000.00.


Rewards Programs....

I need an incentive to participate in these programs or sign up for credit cards that I don't need. Additionally, if 'they' are going to charge me a yearly fee, forget it.

One great program with no strings attached is the Choice Privileges Rewards Program, in which one racks up points towards free hotel nights. By using their credit card, dollars charged are added in as well.

I never pay for hotel rooms anymore.

I recently signed up with both American Airlines and USAirways. They each have a free mileage program. Since American is the only airline out of Abilene, I figured it couldn't hurt (even though I do not like the airline). As far as USAirways, they caught me one day at the Denver airport. It has worked out well since all of my international flights are within their 'alliance'. I got their credit card that also adds miles to my account and keeps them from expiring. I think I currently have enough miles to fly one round-trip within the United States.

Of course, using a credit card to garner miles or points is of no use if the balance isn't paid off on a monthly basis (in my opinion). But if you are traveling anyway, why not take advantage of the program and put your money (ie. hotel room or airline ticket) towards getting something for free in the future?


Is exploration in your blood?

It's in mine, but I don't have lots of money to spend.

So, I signed up with www.travelzoo.com. This website is amazing. The deals are very hard to pass up at times because they are so cheap.

Through e-mails from this particular site, I ended up going to Thailand, Turkey and Egypt. I landed my trip to Egypt (cruise, airfare, all food and lodging) for less than an airline ticket would have cost to get there. Thailand was a similar situation...well, okay, Turkey was too.

I feel that just because someone doesn't have unlimited funds (ie. me), that person shouldn't be devoid of fulfilling their dream to see the world. The deals are definitely out there.

Rack it up...

Finally, I find lots of cheap clothes by simply taking the time to sort through the sale racks. It is tedious and annoying most of the time, but can be very rewarding. Just the other day I got two shirts for $3.97 apeice and a third sweater for $8.00. Each item was marked down by 80% from the suggested retail price.

I couldn't make them for that cheap.

I refuse to pay full price for any clothing. Okay, once in a while I'll break and get that cute something that I can't live without. It's rare though.

Some will call me cheap, but I see it as smart. Money is hard to come by and easy to spend. One might as well make every penny count and get the most out of each dollar.

Egypt

Never did I expect to end up in Egypt, of all places, this past January. But thanks to my keen eye for travel deals, I was granted the opportunity to 'walk like an Egyptian' into the Land of the Pharoahs and experience for myself the mystery that surrounds this ancient land.

I cannot rave enough about this trip. Other than the 'Pharoah's Curse' that struck me on the trip home, cruising down the Nile with stops in Aswan, Edfu and Luxor was absolutely amazing. Despite the average American's fear of travel to the Middle East, I have yet to feel any danger in the region.

Following are a few pictures representing highlights of the trip. I encourage anyone with the opportunity and the desire to go wherever you can, whenever you can. You won't regret it.




The scenery along the Nile was amazingly relaxing and beautiful. Our cruise mixed the perfect blend of rest and exploration. Here, a faluka sails near sunset.

The Temple of Edfu. I was awestruck by this attraction, but they seemed to get more and more extravagant and unimaginable as the trip went on.

The Statues of Memnon. We took a small boat to the West Bank of the Nile one morning to explore several sights. The size and work involved is flabergasting.

The West Bank of the Nile also presented us with the Temple of Hatsheput. Built into the side of a mountain, the temple overlooks the Nile River Valley. Much of the artwork within the confines of the site was still colored with original paints. Gorgeous.

The Temple of Luxor by night. Perhaps my favorite temple of all. Walking through the columns and pillars makes one feel...royal. The second obelisk is in Paris.

The Temple of Luxor by day. A fellow traveler and I decided to return the following morning. I had to walk like an Egyptian within the presence of the mini-sphinxes.

Horse-drawn carriages are a great way of travel through Luxor. For roughly $2 you can go about anywhere.

The Temple of Karnak. About 1.8 miles from Luxor, the two temples are 'connected' by the road of sphinxes pictured earlier (with me walking). These rams really struck me.

The Temple of Kom Ombo. We hit this temple just before sunset, resulting in some beautiful colors and shadows.

Early one morning I took a flight out to Abu Simbel to see the site shown above. Before the Nile was dammed and Lake Nasr formed, sites such as this were literally cut into pieces and moved to higher ground by the government. Quite a feat in itself.

Riding my camel at the pyramids. I had to do it.

The three pyramids of Giza. I waited 30 years to see these in person. Honestly, now that I am home....it still hasn't sunk in that I actually saw them in person.

One cannot walk up to and touch the Sphinx. Perhaps because it is being rebuilt...?

The only unfortunate reality about the pyramid visit was the development.....it is a commercial hotspot.