KariLake's Blog

The first time I heard the suggestion I ignored it, thought it was stupid. Someone just trying to get some attention by suggesting legalizing marajuana and prostitution to raise tax money to help our state deal with the huge budget deficit.

But after hearing it once, I've been hearing and reading that suggestion over and over since then. Prostitution is legal in parts of Nevada. They say it reduces STD's.

What are your thoughts...should Arizona legalized Prostitution and Marajuana?

I know this posting is late, but I wanted to put my Big Unit prediciton out there. I think he will stay with the D'backs. He's become a free agent, hoping for a miracle offer from another club. He won't get one.

While I still believe he's a great pitcher, his unsuccessful stint with the Yankees didn't help him.

SO here it is.....my prediction:

He'll stay with the D'backs for whatever they offer him...and eventually be a closer here where they will retire his number "51."

The Dow drops another 400+ points today. The bottom is falling out of the economy. People are worried about their jobs and don't know what the plan is. We have a Lame Duck leader and Lame Duck Congress. The only way out is to start working now, toward the future.

I know I'm not the only one thinking this, but maybe George W. Bush can take early retirement...as well as all the defeated/retiring members of Congress. We'll move the inauguration up and swear everyone in so we can start moving toward some solutions.  We'll even make therm work through the holidays to earn their pay.

I'm sure President Bush is ready to get out of DC. His presence there is not doing any good. I think everyone is ready for a new plan and I'm not sure waiting until January 20th is in the best interest of anyone in the country or world.

Okay....so far so good...no photo radar photos in the mail yet and I now pass 4 Photo Radar cameras on my way to work. I'm goign slow (probably saving gas along the way) and so is everyone else.

YOu know what else I'm noticing? When people go slow, they are less nasty. I'm not seeing as many speeding drivers cutting people off. It's hard to get testy with someone  who's driving too slow ahead fo you if you are all going on or around the speed limit.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think so far, photo radar has been a good thing. Hopefully no one reading this has been ticketed. If so, you have my sympathy.

These record temperatures seem to be sticking around. Not a lot of people complain about record heat at this time of year, because, let's face it, temperatures in the 80's, even if it is a record, are livable and even comfortable.

But I have to admit when Thanksgiving rolls around and I start to see snow around I start to miss the lousy weather that everyone seem to flee to come to Arizona.  Just last week I made a personal vow that I would turn the air conditioner off for the rest of the year. ( I have a little one with asthma so keeping the windows open at this time of year is not an option) Then today I caved in when the house got so hot my dog was lying around panting for no reason.

I'm not going to start officially complaining right now, but come next Thursday, if it doesn't feel a little more like autumn I may start complaining.

The bulbs are not flashing yet on some of the permanent Photo Radar Cameras, but they soon will be. Traffic is slowing down on valley freeways just at the sight of these ominous creatures watching over us.

But the concern I have is accidents caused by them. Today drivers were hitting their brakes...causing bottlenecks near the cameras. Is this a concern for DPS? I don't travel on the 101 very often. When they had the cameras there....did anyone notice more fender benders as people hit their brakes?

Nothing is going to anger Americans more than big banks being bailed out by hard working people and future generations who won't return the favor by loosening the belt and making loans!  You bail out the banks, inject hundreds of billions of dollars and then they sit on it?!

Incredulous. And that is un-American!

If you help a friend out in a time of need and they turn around and ice you, that's not good form. Someone in charge needs to put the pressure on banks to ease up...oh wait, there's no on IN CHARGE right now.

Just passed a lawn today that looked so lusciously green and soft I wanted to lie down and take a nap right then and there. There is something about the look of the winter grass that grows here in Arizona that makes me wish I knew how to plant it and make it grow.

Maybe this year I will attempt it, but I'm told my time is running out.

Anyone out there want to give me a Reader's Digest version of how to do this??

I do have some outdoor/gardening skills so don't laugh at this request.

I have to say I don't love photo radar. The gotcha approach is not cool in my mind, but I will admit since they have added radar vans to valley freeways things have slowed down. I mean S-L-O-W-E-D  D-O-W-N big time.

My drive to work (and I drive to work during non-rush hour traffic) used to be a road race at speeds from 75-90 mph is now a 60mph leisurely drive. So much less stressful too.

Anyone else notice drivers changing their ways out on the freeways?

THe word is John McCain will get agressive tonight...sling some mud and maybe pick a fight or two during the debate. I personally don't think he will after recent polls show that the personal attacks he and Sarah Palin are making toward Barack Obama have backfired. McCain's favorability ratings have plummetted in the past week and a half. When he goes negative he comes off as a mean curmudgeon.

The nastiness does nothing for Senator McCain and I think it hurts our reputation in Arizona (some people already consider the state to be bigotted). He and his running mate need to start talking about the issues that matter to people. He's way behind in the polls and so that may not help him win, but it can not hurt him.  And it would be good for us in Arizona to see our senator in a more positive light.

I had the past few days off...good timing weather wise for me. This cool down has been awesome. I really enjoyed the change, but have I been here too long, or am I just cynical now when I say I can't possibly last? I'm bracing for 105 again, even though my common sense is telling me that's not likely. I just can't believe we're out of the woods.

Would someone out there who's been here forever calm my fears on this one. Please tell me the cool weather is here to stay.

We all know the economy is issue numero uno, but I'm wondering what worries voters most abou the economy. Is it: staying in your home, keeping your job, saving your retirement from disappearing, paying the bills, affording healthcare..?

I'm very interested in specifically what concerns you about this economy.

I have to say I'm not surprised that the Cubs have melted down in the post-season once again.  You can blame the 100-year dry spell on the Billy Goat Curse or Bartman, but I blame the fans.

Yes, the loveable Cubs fans! They are to blame. They start off the post-season every year filled with fear. Wondering what is going to go wrong. Their doomsday attitude and constant worry, sends a lot of bad energy to the team they want to win.

Proof of this: How well the Cubs played in the regular season...and the total collapse of skill in both Game 1 and Game 2. Maybe if the fans can just imagine their team winning it all, they could bring some good, positive vibes to the team and eventually bring home the trophy.

Any thoughts?

Wherever you stand on politics and the candidates you have to admit the upcoming debate has to be excruciatingly nervewracking! 

Knowing that tomorrow the entire world will be watching. Waiting for missteps. Keeping score. Making judgements.

It got me reminising about the more stressful moments in my life. Anytime I ever spoke in front of classmates in school was scary for me as I was growing up. Also, every first show at a new tv station has caused nerves.

What are your most nervous memories?

Is it a good idea for John McCain to skip the debate Friday night?

Some are calling his move to go to Washington a political stunt. Do you agree? Or do you think he and Barack Obama need to be there?