Pappa Hardy's Musings on Life.

With the radical change that has occurred in the price of non-renewable energy sources such as oil (over $4 a gallon at the pump) this last summer, other sources of energy are becoming more and more important to the people of this country.

The best example of this is the wind machine. It used to be when we first lived in Cheyenne that there were some of these giant wind mills located around on the way to Salt Lake and Payson. Over the years, there have come to be a ton of these things located on the way. There are now hundreds and hundreds of them, and as the coast of fuel increases, it will become increasingly important to have them.

On the open sea, if you somehow had a way to transmit the energy and float the darn things, we probably would be able to provide all the energy needs of this country. Well, at least you can dream and think of the possibilities can’t you?

As a mathematician, I always thought that the law of averages would indicate somehow (silly me) that things would happen randomly of course (chaos theory) but that on average, every x number of minutes something would probably happen. Of course, life is full of surprises. For instance, if you are lucky enough to subscribe to cable TV movie channels, the Law of Real Life (my life anyway) states that if you turn on that movie channel, no matter what day, or time, you are not only going to turn it on to the same movie, but that movie is always going to be at about the same place you turned it on to last time.

Likewise, if you go on a cruise, you are going to see the same people, at the same places, over and over again. Of course, that is probably due to the fact that people have routines they get themselves into, but still, nothing seems to be random anymore. I call that the Law of Real Life.

Earlier this week I filed as a candidate for the Payson City Council. I must be crazy. That is in direct contradiction of my desires to grow old and retire to a nice quiet place in the suburbs. However, I feel passionately about some things, and my desire for public service seems to have been awaken later in my life rather than when I was more vibrant and younger. Despite my geriatric leanings, I do have a desire to make a difference and to serve my community. We will see how this campaign goes.

As I get older, some things have become clearer, and clearer, at least when I can remember. When I was young, I wanted to experience new things. I listened to new music, I read new books, I learned new things.

Now, I look back on what new music I have had interest in during the last 10 to 20 years and I can’t think of a whole lot of new music that I care for. The same goes for a number of other things. When I do try some new music, it is rare and then only after I have thoroughly checked it out.

I call that the Law of Diminishing Returns. I am narrowing my focus. I am shying away from new things and new experiences. Yes, I do love to travel. That is probably the luxury that I have now, is learning about new places and seeing new things. I recently had been to the Caribbean, some place that I never had ever thought I would get to. I think as you get more stuffed with things and thoughts, and memories, you tend to try and make the focus and scope of the new things you do become smaller so you don’t suffer overload.

I sometimes think that the best thing that could happen on an ongoing basis is to stay at home every night, watch a little TV, and try to stay out of trouble. That sure is the reflection of someone growing old. It must be proof positive of the law of diminishing returns.

Walking down a hallway on a cruise ship can be an illuminating experience. We were recently on Deck 14 on a ship, and for the length of the boat, approximately 3 football fields worth, the hallway ran straight and true. Not only do you not see that much in a building or vehicle on land, but also, the fact that they can build it straight and true for such a long distance is a demonstration of just how incredible the engineering and construction of one of these boats is. It is incredible that they can build ships that well, that carry so many people upon the face of the oceans, lakes, and rivers of the earth.