75 CENTS -A MountainWIngs Moment

75 cents
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Seventy-five cents was the most significant amount of money in my life.

I worked as a youth for my father. He operated a successful business and he believed in giving his children an allowance. We were "allowed" to work for whatever money we got.

I earned 25 cents an hour. The minimum wage at the time was $1.65 but I was my father's son and he didn't have to pay me minimum wage. I was underage and was not supposed to be legally working said the government. My father had other ideas.

If I could spend money, I could work. I was perhaps 12 or 13. The company had an accountant who handled payroll. His name was Mr. Bill David.

I was smart enough to know that my wages were below everyone else's but I often worked harder. One day I went to the accounting office and asked Mr. Bill David about a raise.

"How much do you want?" Mr. Bill David asked.

I was hoping to move from 25 cents an hour to perhaps 35 or maybe even 40 cents. I was smart enough to know to ask for more than I thought I would actually get so I threw out this ridiculous figure.

"I would like one dollar an hour," I boldly stated to Mr. Bill David. I was expecting riotous laughter at such a ridiculous increase.

Mr. Bill David's answer shocked me. He said, "OK."

Thus, in the span of a few seconds, I had the largest percentage monetary increase of my life. A whopping 300% increase.

I was elated beyond measure and no amount of money since has excited me as much as that 75 cents.

It taught me seven lessons.

1. Don't let another person spend your money without accountability. It wasn't Mr. Bill David's money so what was it to him if he gave me a 300% instant raise.

2. Aim for the moon. You just might hit it.

3. Increases in material stuff has a decreasing effect in its ability to bring joy. Never again was I so elated over money.
I have literally not been nearly as excited over 75 thousand as I was that 75 cents.

4. Somehow, even with big increases, we still shortly thereafter seem to feel underpaid.

5. Expenses rise to meet income.

6. Income does not necessarily rise to meet new expenses.

7. Mr. Bill Davids are rare.

ARTICLE - 30 FASTEST GROWING JOBS

30 Fastest-Growing Jobs

Military.com

If you're in school or in the service waiting for the abysmal job market to rebound, there's good news on the employment front. A burgeoning job market awaits you when you're ready to enter the workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released their employment projections for the next 10 years, and several of the occupations and industries expected to flourish are ideal for veterans and transitioning servicemembers.
A large majority of the job growth -- 96 percent, in fact -- will occur in service-producing industries: professional and business services, health care and social assistance, and state and local government, which will all add a total of more than 9 millions jobs. Additionally, the goods-producing sector will see a small boost in the construction industry, as this field is projected to add 1.3 million jobs.
 The bulk of the fastest growing jobs will be in the professional and related occupations, as well as service occupations, reports the BLS. Many of these positions, such as athletic trainers or physician's assistants, are a good for transitioning servicemembers or veterans who want to apply their military experience to a civilian job. Most of these vocations will require an associate or bachelor's degree.
Here are 30 of the fastest-growing jobs that you should keep your eye on in the next 10 years:

1. Bio-medical engineers -- bachelor's degree
2. Network Systems and data communications analysts -- bachelor's degree
3. Home health aides -- on-the-job training (OJT)
4. Personal and home care aides -- OJT
5. Financial examiners -- bachelor's
6. Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) -- doctoral degree
7. Physician Assistants -- master's degree
8. Skin Care Specialists -- postsecondary vocational award
9. Biochemists and biophysicists -- doctoral degree
10. Athletic Trainers -- bachelor's
11. Physical therapist aides -- OJT
12. Dental hygienists -- associate degree
13. Veterinary technologists and technicians -- associate degree
14. Dental assistants -- OJT
15. Computer software engineers, applications -- bachelor's
16. Medical Assistants -- OJT
17. Physical therapist assistants -- associate degree
18. Veterinarians -- first professional degree
19. Self-enrichment education teachers -- work experience in a related field
20. Compliance officers -- OJT
21. Occupational therapist aides -- OJT
22. Environmental engineers -- bachelor's
23. Pharmacy technicians -- OJT
24. Computer software engineers, systems software --bachelor's
25. Survey researchers -- bachelor's
26. Physical therapists -- master's
27. Personal Financial Advisors -- bachelor's
28. Environmental engineering technicians -- associate degree
29. Occupational therapist assistants -- associate degree
30. Fitness trainer and aerobics instructors -- post-secondary vocational award

NEWS - ELEPHANT ARRIVES AT OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO, BRINGING HERD TO A TOTAL OF 4

Elephant arrives at Oklahoma City Zoo, bringing herd total to four

The Oklahoma City Zoo received a male elephant Tuesday afternoon. An Asian elephant named Rex was transported from African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ontario. He will breed with both adult female elephants in Oklahoma City in the coming years.

BY CARRIE COPPERNOLL

Published: December 14, 2011

The Oklahoma City Zoo received a fourth elephant for its herd Tuesday afternoon.
A male Asian elephant named Rex arrived about noon Tuesday after a 20-hour, 1,300-mile trip from Cambridge, Ontario.
It was a proud moment for the zoo and the community, Oklahoma City Zoo Executive Director Dwight Scott said.
“We've made a real commitment to elephant conservation and breeding,” he said. “These are magnificent, beautiful and intelligent animals. They need to be preserved.”
Rex will spend 30 days in quarantine and out of the public eye, Scott said.
He won't interact with the other elephants, and any time he spends outside will likely be during the early morning hours before zoo guests arrive.
The addition of Rex to the Asian elephant herd is the second new elephant this year. A calf, Malee, was born April 15.
Rex was brought to the Oklahoma City Zoo to breed with the two female elephants, Asha and Chandra. Chandra could mate with Rex as soon as this spring.
Asha, however, will not breed until Malee is weaned, which will be about another year.
The process of adding a male elephant has been a long time coming, Scott said.
“This is a critical step in our breeding program,” Scott said. “We've been working for years to pull all of this together.”
Oklahoma City Zoo officials visited the Canadian zoo last fall and then requested Rex come to Oklahoma. The move was approved by a consortium of elephant experts, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted a permit for the elephant's move in August. The final permits for the border crossing were approved this month.
Calm, comfortable
Only essential zoo staff members were on hand to help unload Rex, Mammal Curator Laura Bottaro said. The animal was calm and comfortable when he got off the trailer and walked into the elephant barn, she said.
“It all happened in about 10 minutes,” Bottaro said.
Asha and Chandra spent most of the day in the far side of their habitat, away from the barn and moving trailer, Bottaro said.
Malee was curious and spent her time trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening.
After the quarantine is over, the elephants will be allowed to touch trunks and meet one another.
Eventually, they could spend time in the same yard.
“We're looking forward to letting him mix with the girls,” Bottaro said.

NEWS -SMALL EARTHQUAKE RECORDED NEAR LUTHER

Small earthquake recorded near Luther

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that a 2.2 magnitude quake hit near Luther about 1 a.m. Sunday.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Published: December 4, 2011

A small earthquake was recorded near Luther Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake was a 2.2 magnitude earthquake and hit about 1 a.m. Sunday. Its epicenter was 5 miles southeast of Luther and 7 miles southwest of Wellston.
The earthquake was 23 miles from Oklahoma City.

NEWS - TWO SMALL QUAKES RECORDED IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA

Two small quakes recorded in eastern Oklahoma

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that two small earthquakes registered Sunday in eastern Oklahoma. The quakes' epicenters were near Wellston and Gerty.

 

FROM STAFF REPORTS    

Published: November 27, 2011

Two small earthquakes were recorded in eastern Oklahoma Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A 3.2 magnitude quake hit about 3 miles away from Wellston shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday. It hit 4 miles from Luther and 27 miles away from Oklahoma City.
Before that quake, a 2.1 magnitude earthquake hit 2 miles southeast of Gerty about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Its epicenter was 10 miles away from Allen and 86 miles from Oklahoma City.
Three small earthquakes were reported Friday near Shawnee.
The first two quakes, which measured 3.3 and 2.7 magnitudes, were reported just after 2 p.m. about three miles north of Johnson, which is about 10 miles east of Shawnee, the Oklahoma Geological Survey said.
The third, a 3.1-magnitude earthquake, was reported about three miles northwest of Prague, survey officials reported.
The area has been the center of recent seismic activity lately including the largest recorded earthquake in the state's history, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake on Nov. 5.

NEWS - MEXIXO CITY 'ZOMBIES' GATHER TO CHALLENGE RECORD

Mexico City 'zombies' gather to challenge record

 

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Thousands of self-proclaimed "undead" have gathered in the historic center of Mexico's capital for a "Zombie Walk" that organizers hope sets a world record.

The announced 9,860 registered participants are dressed in rags and ghoulish makeup to look bloody and decaying.

Organizer Pablo Guisa says the fifth annual Mexico City event is meant to celebrate diversity and human rights. The participants also collected donations for a local food bank.

Cities around the world hold zombie walks, and Guinness World Records currently recognizes Asbury Park, New Jersey, as the record holder, with 4,093 participants on Oct. 30, 2010.

A group in Brisbane, Australia, has applied for the record, claiming it massed 8,000 "zombies" last month.

ARTICLE -2011 HAS BEEN A YEAR OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN OKLAHOMA

2011 has been year of natural disasters in Oklahoma

 

Compiled by Bryan Painter    

Published: November 25, 2011

Even though there is more than a month left in 2011, it has been quite the year for disasters including weather-related events, earthquakes and wildfires. Following is a list of some of those compiled with the help of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, National Weather Service, Norman and state Emergency Management Department, The Oklahoman archives. Although there were certainly others, this gives an idea of the wide-range of what Oklahomans have faced in 2011.
January:The month was the 33rd coolest and 6th driest since 1895.
February:In January/February, there were 4 fatalities related to the snowstorm that began on January 31, according to the State Medical Examiner's office.
Up to 21 inches of snow fell in northeast Oklahoma and widespread reports of 6-12 inches over much of the state.
A new all-time 24-hour record of 27 inches of snow fell in Spavinaw between February 8-9. The temperature plummeted to a never before seen low of -31 degrees at the Nowata Mesonet site. Mother Nature brought a swift and steady warm up through the next seven days, culminating in a 110-degree temperature swing at Nowata in a week's time.
Destruction of a significant portion of the state's wheat crop was well underway at this time as the drought continued to intensify.
March:The month ended as the 31st warmest and 8th driest since 1895. Drought continued to intensify.
Wildfires included on March 11 there were reports 15 people were injured in fires, according to The Oklahoma State Department of Health. On March 11 more than 42 fires were reported statewide, according to reports from Oklahoma Forestry.
Preliminary damage assessments received from the American Red Cross and local emergency managers, included 30 homes destroyed in Oklahoma County alone.
April:The month brought the most tornadoes,50,in April since accurate records began in 1950.The previous record was 40 back in 1957.
Two people were killed by an EF3 tornado that struck Tushka in Atoka County on April 14.
Ponca City reported a 94 mph wind gust on April 8 to go along with more than a half dozen instances of softball size hail during the month. There was flooding in the eastern half of the state.
The drought continued to intensify.
By the evening of April 3, the state Emergency Operations Center was aware of more than 100 fires burning across the state.
On April 6, the state Emergency Operations Center was working with the Oklahoma National Guard to provide aerial fire suppression via Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters equipped with buckets. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is assisting with traffic control. Oklahoma Forestry Services is providing ground firefighting equipment.
May:Tornadoes, including an EF5 tornado, ravaged the state during May. And yes, the drought continued to intensify. The 46 twisters during May killed 11, including nine by the EF5 that traveled from near Hinton to Guthrie on May 24.
Two EF3s, two EF4s and the EF5 all struck on May 24th.
On May 23, a storm near Gotebo dropped a 6-inch diameter hailstone, a new statewide record in that category,
The drought raged on in the west.
June, July and August:This was the hottest summer in terms of statewide average for any state since records began in 1895 with a statewide average of 86.8 degrees. Early reports showed Texas with the hottest summer, but the National Climatic Data Center continued to study information. Not only did Oklahoma beat its own record for the previous hottest summer of 85.2 degrees from 1934, it destroyed it by 1.6 degrees. In fact, Oklahoma now owns five of the 10 (11 with a tie) hottest summers across the U.S. since records in 1895.
The statewide record was broken for the most triple digit days. The previous record for most days at or above 100 degrees for a single location in the state was 86, set at Hollis back in 1956. Grandfield had 101 days.
July's statewide average temperature for Oklahoma was 89.3 degrees. The previous hottest July in state history was 88.1 degrees back in 1954. The 88.1 degrees in 1954 had also been the hottest month in any state back to 1895, until this July in Oklahoma.
In this span there were numerous wildfires with 15 resulting in Fire Management Assistance Grants, according to state Emergency Management Department.
September:The drought was at its zenith and then quickly received some relief from the heat. Nearly 70 percent of the state was covered by the exceptional drought category by early September, and 85 percent was extreme/exceptional. The sun, heat and lack of precipitation had taken its toll for three very long months.
The statewide average temperature for September was 1.4 degrees below normal and the 32nd coolest since 1895. Ft. Supply reached a low of 37 degrees on Sept. 6. The month was also the 20th driest on record at 2.15 inches below normal.
October:Some drought relief came for central and northeastern Oklahoma. The Panhandle even saw a bit of snow late in the month.
November:There was a 4.7-magnitude earthquake at 2:12 a.m. Nov. 5 northwest of Prague,
Then later on Nov. 5, there was a 5.6-magnitude quake. The epicenter was northwest of Prague. The 5.6 earthquake broke the state's previous record for strongest recorded earthquake – 5.5 magnitude in El Reno in 1952, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Another earthquake, registered at 4.7 magnitude, was centered in Lincoln County on Nov. 7. The epicenter was about five miles northwest of Prague.
Welcome to November 2011, the May of Autumn. There was flooding, and some tornadoes, including an EF4 grinder on Nov. 7 that tore through the Tipton area. It was the first violent tornado, EF4/EF5 in November on officials records for tornadoes in Oklahoma, dating back to 1950.
There are now 10 tornadoes confirmed for November, bringing the annual total to date, to 114 for 2011, topping the 107 in 1957 for second place. The most was 145 in 1999.