California..OUCH, The average is 3.88..Diesel is just insane over 5 bucks

Filling up at the pump has become such a pain in the pocketbook that for the first time ever, gasoline consumption in the U.S. has stopped increasing. But even though America's consumption has been virtually flat for the past five years, prices in that same period have nearly doubled, with crude oil recently hitting record highs.

While commodity prices typically decline along with demand, gas has defied these market fundamentals. But the forces behind ever-escalating prices at the pump aren't a mystery once you look at the big picture - and the good news is relief may be just down the road.

Filling up at the pump has become such a pain in the pocketbook that for the first time ever, gasoline consumption in the U.S. has stopped increasing. But even though America's consumption has been virtually flat for the past five years, prices in that same period have nearly doubled, with crude oil recently hitting record highs.

While commodity prices typically decline along with demand, gas has defied these market fundamentals. But the forces behind ever-escalating prices at the pump aren't a mystery once you look at the big picture - and the good news is relief may be just down the road.

On the supply side, the Organization of Petroleum Export Countries (OPEC), which controls around 40 percent of worldwide crude oil production, exerts significant influence on supply by setting strict production limits for its members.

This brings me to the point of this. Why are we still driving in combustible automobiles. We should be in flying cars...lol...We need to advance, and I do not mean hybrids or electric cars

Sorry there will be no CPL (Cyber Athlete Professional League) It was to be in Dallas again this year. But that is not the case

However, the current fragmentation of the sport, a crowded field of competing leagues, and the current economic climate have prompted the CPL to suspend its pro-tournament operations. The CPL regrets that this news will disappoint those that were planning on attending the summer and winter events this year.

Well I at-least still have my CPL 2207 event memorabilia

Just for info purposes...Just remember it is cancelled

CPL Winter 2008 Extreme Championships
Wednesday, December 17 to Sunday, December 21, 2008

Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Boulevard
Dallas, Texas, USA 75207
Tel: (214) 651-1234
Hotel Room Rate: $75 per person

Effective immediately, the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) will cease operations. Therefore, all CPL events currently scheduled for 2008 are hereby canceled.

The CPL was launched in June 1997 with the pioneering mission of promoting and sanctioning video game competitions as a professional sport. For ten years the CPL events experienced increased growth commencing with a small LAN event in Dallas, Texas, and culminating in competitions across five continents.

Many thanks to all of the sponsors and partners that helped CPL establish the groundwork for professional video game competitions. Their vision and pioneering spirit should always be remembered.

THE CAT:
One day, a cat dies of natural causes and goes to heaven, where he meets the Lord Himself.
The Lord says to the cat, "You lived a good life, and if there is any way I can make your stay in heaven more comfortable, please let me know."
The cat thinks for a moment and says, "Lord, all my life I have lived with a poor family and had to sleep on a hard wooden floor."
The Lord stops the cat and says, "Say no more," and a wonderful, fluffy pillow appears.
A few days later, six mice are killed in a tragic farming accident, and all of them go to heaven.
Again, the Lord is there to greet them with the same offer.
The mice answer, "All our lives we have been chased.
We have had to run from cats, dogs, and even women with brooms.
Running, running, running; we're tired of running.
Do you think we could have roller skates so that we don't have to run anymore?"
The Lord says, "Say no more" and fits each mouse with beautiful new roller skates.
Week later, the Lord stops by to see the cat and finds him snoozing on the pillow.
The Lord gently wakes the cat and asks him, "How are things since you got here?"
The cat stretches and yawns, then replies, "It is wonderful here.
Better than I could have ever expected. And those 'Meals On Wheels' you've been sending by are the best!"

Americans spent $16B on bottled water last year that's more than was spent on movie tickets or iPods! 24% of the bottled water purchased in America is 're-purified' tap water (water clean enough to drink in the first place) from Coke (Dasani) and Pepsi (Aquafina)!

While getting a checkup, a man tells his doctor that he thinks his wife is losing her hearing. The doctor says, "You should do a simple test. Stand about 15 feet behind your wife and say 'honey?' Move 3 feet closer and do it again. Keep moving 3 feet closer until she finally responds." Remember how close you were when she gives you an answer. That will help me know how bad her hearing loss is.

About a month later the same guy is at the doctor again and the doctor asks, "Well, did you do that experiment with your wife's hearing?" The man says "yes". "How close did you get before she answered?" "Well, by the time I got about 3 feet away she just turned around and said "For the FIFTH time... WHAT???"

Richest country in the World??????????

Just to qualify you have to be at or near a so called poverty level.....Sad numbers (From CNN of course)

Four people are in an airplane, the pilot, the smartest man in the world, the richest man in the world, and a punk teenager. The airplane experiences some difficulties, and the pilot informs the three passengers that the plane is going to crash, and there are only three parachutes on the plane. The richest man in the world takes one, because he says that his lawyers will sue everyone else on the plane if he doesn't survive. The smartest man in the world takes a parachute, because he thinks that the world would be a worse place without him. The pilot says to the punk "There's only one parachute left, I'll fight you for it." "That won't be necessary," said the punk, "The smartest man in the world took my backpack."

Any big plans or are you guys going to just stay safe and take it easy. The end of the year marks the end of old relationships, begining of new ones, or just a new look on life.

Merry Christmas to all