Rant break. Here is a list of–kinda–random ideas for your consideration…

Adopt a SWAT Team.
Sacramento Police department is seeking volunteers in the Natomas area to lend them a house or three for urban training On July 23 between 2-5pm. I’d do it but my wife would demand they take their boots off before they enter the house so I’m thinking that eliminates us ;). Call (916) 566-6401 to volunteer. Real estate agents with access to foreclosed homes needed!

Improve the City.
If you have Sprint, Nextel, AT&T, Metro PCS (apparently they are still negotiating with other carriers, no ETA), you can call 311 from your cell phone to contact the city of Sacramento about whatever is on your mind. Operators are now standing by and will direct your inquiry to the correct department between the hours of 8-5pm Monday through Friday. Call them about code violations in your neighborhoods!

Donate.
Stanfordsettlement.org is a great place to start. This Sacramento-based non profit organization provides services for at-risk youth and elderly folks in the Gardenland area of Sacramento. Their senior program is in jeopardy and needs the community’s monetary assistance to stay afloat. You can submit a 100% secure payment within a minute or two via the PayPal form on their site. Will $100 really break you? Remember, good karma holds you will get back 10x what you give.

Patronize area businesses.
Shopping online is cool and all, but every time you do, you’re denying Sacramento county and city VALUABLE TAX DOLLARS. Do NOT send our tax dollars to other states, even if that means paying a little more for that camera at Best Buy instead of buying it on eBay. Speaking of area stores, go to the new RELAX THE BACK store next to See’s Candy in Natomas in the Target Shopping Center. They have all kinds of AWESOME products to rid yourself of neck and back pain and improve your overall health. Check out the “Gripmaster” product if you play piano, guitar, or even have carpal tunnel problems. I am hooked on mine. Squeeeze…

Stop smoking.
If you smoke, STOP. You don’t need aids to help you. All you need is will power. If you don’t have the will power to quit, ask yourself WHY you don’t have the will power, and you will probably find out why you smoke in the process. Understanding WHY you smoke is the first step to recovery.

Exercise!
I know it’s hard to get started, but once you do, you’ll be so happy you did. My new thing is swimming laps. Talk about invigorating! First couple times was a pain, now it’s second nature and I’m addicted. No impact on the old joints, too. Gotta love it. Swim daily if you can. If not, just walk around your block until you get tired. Also, lose some weight. Eating six small meals instead of three big ones is a great step in the right direction. Also, don’t eat anything fattening after 8pm. Ok, maybe once a week

Meditate.
It works miracles. Even ten minutes alone just sitting and listening to your own breathing in silence is incredibly healthy to do for mind, spirit and body. Try it. Also, if you haven’t had a massage in a while, you might want to check into one. In Natomas there is Massage Envy and they do a terrific job.

Read a book you wouldn’t normally read.
Speaking of meditation…Get outside your box and read something new. My latest is Pensees by Blaise Pascal. His was one of the greatest mathematical minds ever, but his philosophy and spiritual writings on Christianity ended up being his legacy. He made the full revolution from scientist to theologian. A quote I saw attributed to him led me down this path. It goes: “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.” Meditation anyone?  Also, be sure to check out books.google.com. Did you know Google is scanning every book in the world? Books before 1929 are all free to read online!

Tell your family you love them.
They count on you. Those words mean everything to them. I love you God, R, Mom/Dad, M, L, J, D and E!