I read the Drudge Report on a daily basis to get a view of what goes on In this crazy world of ours ritualistically . And I have always been a news junkie particularly once I got Into my 30s and started to somewhat conduct myself as an adult . And like anybody else I am held captive by the hysteria of some of the reports that come out . As we all know this past week we were all under attack by an outbreak of a virus of biblical proportions ,this was the big one ,this was the mutha of all viruses ,the swine flu ! [ Err check that In the Interest of being PC I meant the HN151 virus or whatever ! ] I forgot Janet Napalitano did not want us to call It the swine flu anymore .

                  And It got me to reflect on all these tragedies that were supposed to beset us In years past . I remember that we were under attack by africanized killer bees that were trained In Al Queda camps  from the mountains of Pakistan a few years back . And up to this point as far as I can tell things are the same as they ever were which means they are In the usual disarray . Then everybody and their uncle was sending powdered sugar In the mail to their bosses at work shortly after 9-11 which I found to be In completely poor taste . And of course we cannot forget about that killer bird flu from a year and a half ago . Seems to me all the local news affiliates had us on the edge of our seats with that one too .! Basically my point being  Is It seems to me  that we should be thankin our lucky stars right now because we should have been dead about 15 times In the last 3 to 4 years  .

                  I took down all the plywood that I had boarded up the room with a few days ago . One because I wanted to join the rest of society again . Two because I had to go to work and I need the cheddah . Three because I want to see that new Star Trek movie comin out soon !

        What I am trying to say Is that today on the Drudge Report the lead headline was Margeret Chan  the lead Dr from the World Health Orginization was trumpeting as loud as she could that this  Virus was really gonna kick our ass sometime later this year ! I guess because she and the media kind of owe us an apology for the fearmongering they always try to sell to us at every oppurtunity . I believe In prudence and caution as good tools to utilize In life . What I do not believe In Is that people should not use fear to sell papers and keep a society In the constant grip of fear . It seems to me that we are all pretty much exhausted from trying to hold on to our jobs , keep our houses and stay afloat with the mundane and regular chores of life.

    This last calender year has been no picnic for all of us. So all I really want Is when we have a legitimate threat let us In on It  ! When there Is a asteroid 3.7 Billion lightyears away that could potentially hit earth let the Astronomers keep track and dont scream It out like It Is comin tomorrow. Now If a spaceship comes down In the Arizona desert and Darth Vader wants to kick our ass then I want to be Informed what my options are . I do not like doing a striptease at the airport just to board a flight thats gonna be late anyway . Look guys I know we are tired here not just In the states but globally . These have not been banner times . At least most of us hubbers here seem to be able to keep our heads about us  .  Of course now we are gonna be hearing much more about 2012 and how we are all gonna have our collective asses handed to us again .

                         But for today I am not gonna worry about the flu , killer bees , asteroids , or whether Elvis Is really a space alien waiting to eat my brain when I fall asleep . I have been on the planet nearly 49 years now , and I have had the good fortune to have a few good mentors . And they taught me a couple of trivial but meaningful things .

            1 If you do not take a chance you do not have one !

            2 Living In fear Is not living at all !

                      So tonight I am gonna choose not to live In fear and keep living my routine and predictable life and be thankful for It.