无中生有

写写字总是有好处的。但是今天写点啥事呢？现在还没有一点想法。只要继续写下去，就会有想法的。写到这个时候，就想起了刚来美国的第一天。那天的事情现在还记得这么清楚。在那以后的那么多天里，就好像没有那一天的事，有第一天的事那么清楚。这是为啥呢？
让我来好好想一想。也许有以下的这些原因。

第一， 新到一个地方，心理上也在准备接受新的东西。所以那时的心理上是一片空白。对于一个未知的地方，如果抱着这样的态度，就会对所有过去没有经验的新鲜事物，有着浓厚的兴趣，有着随时可以完全接受的欲望。对于那一天的事，记得最清楚的是穿过BAY BRIDGE 的时候。当时还不知道这个桥的名字，只是觉得桥特别长。因为是晚上，见到的大部分是灯火，近处的灯火，远处的灯火，一片灯火。也许是桥长的缘故。这个缘故要是真的，那也是有基础的。因为我学的是工程，那么对于了不起的工程设施就会有特别的关注，所以对过桥这件事就记得很清楚。如果不是这个缘故，也许是人本身就对灯火有兴趣。因为在过桥的时候，心里已经知道四面都是水，然而却看不见水这个实在，眼睛里全是灯火。也许是这种内心与现实的强大的反差，造成了这种深刻记忆的。想像人类的祖先，过了几百万年的生活里，都是没有现代意义上的灯火的。然而自然界的水火本来就是有的。而且水火也许是人类早期的最大敌人。易经上最后两卦与水火有关，就是既济和未济两卦。易经以乾坤起始，以既济未济结尾，也可以说明水火对于人类祖先的重要。以乾坤为发展壮大，以既济未济为灭亡，这也使我更加明白了我们先祖的良苦用心。已经扯得太遥远了，还是回到刚才的思路上吧！

第二， 刚到一个新地方，身心也有了充足的蓄养。我记得出国前，就想到了我可能具备的各种不足。其中最重要的是语言上的不足。当时想到的是，对于一个有语言障碍的我，和一个土生土长的美国学生，坐在同一个课堂里，就有巨大的劣势。当时想做到的是如何才能克服这种劣势。想了很多方法，觉得唯一可行的办法就是准备少睡。只有少睡，才会有更多的时间。在中学就学会了的功的物理定义。功等于用力和用力过程的乘积。功就是功夫。中国有句俗话：功到自然成。用力就等于学习。用力过程等于学习的时间。我想要达到与美国学生同样的功夫程度，我唯一的有效措施是比他们多花时间。出国前就是这么担心来的，也是这么盘算着的。因为有了这种身心的蓄养，所以对于新鲜事物，就有了巨大的吸收能力。海绵吸收水分的能力与其内部空隙数量和质量有关。海绵内的孔不但要小，还要多。对于刚到美国的我，已经把自己掏空了，想到了自己的很多劣势，那就已经把自己塑造成了一个海绵类型的人了。也许是这种身心的蓄养，使得那时的记忆能力特别地加强了，才有了那深刻的记忆的。在那之后，这种身心的蓄养，渐渐的消失了，所以以后发生的事情就有越来越少的记忆的。思想到这里，才想到老子的为道日损的道理了。海绵吸满了水分，就不能再吸进更多的水分了。除非你把它挤干，否则就不是海绵了。人也一样，也要为道日损。老子讲：为道日损，损之又损，以至于无为，无为而无不为。写到这儿，觉得今天好像又加深了对老子的这句话的领会了。

第三， 刚到一个新地方，也许新地方有其固有的特殊性。因为这种特殊性，才造成了深刻的记忆的。再想像这个新字。本身就很有意思。何谓新，从木，从斤。木即树木。斤即斧头。所以新乃刚刚砍下的树木。这样刚刚砍下的树木一般解释为薪。然而我觉得还有另外一个意思，那就是立的部分。我以为，新者，立之斤木也。就是把刚刚砍下来的树栽在地上，就是栽了一棵新树。这样，新就有意思了。所以一个人到了一个新地方，就会用对老树的知识，来对新树加以认识。如果老树和新树区别不大，那记忆就可能不会深刻。如果老树和新树区别很大，就容易对新树产生新的认识，这样就有了深刻的记忆。所以新地方本身的特殊性也可能是造成记忆深刻的另一个缘故。

从无思到有思，其实也就这么回事儿。老子所说无中生有，可能说的就是这个意思。写到这里，对于今天的字数也应该满意了。啰里啰唆地写了这些，还是放在博客上吧。也许将来有一天觉得这是个好的回忆。

Are Blogs Part of Life?

In the past few weeks, I have more time doing things I do not do regularly, such as chat online at BBS. This is an entirely new experience. The thoughts on the BBS are usually short and simple. It is very hard to see some excellent and well-thought-about ideas. But they are ideas on-the-fly. They are fresh and spontaneous. They are the brainwave sampling process. If all these brain powers are united, the entire traditional news business becoming less and less important. The discussions on the BBS are so diverse so that there is no definite trend. The small BBS of Wuxue has more than seven thousand registered users. There are more unregistered users come in and out of the site at regular intervals.

Most of the BBS users use pseudonyms. There are some use real names. Since the BBS of Wuxue is within a very small circle, they know each other by pseudonyms and real names as well. Online they are friends. In real life they might work together and are friends as well. This is a new duality in life. There is a physical side of communications. There is also a virtual side of communications. In face to face communications, these two respective sides are collapsed as one. With the advance of online technology and new ways of communications, the differences in these two aspects are becoming very clear and real.

From the beginning of the online communications, there were news readings and email messages. With the emergence of the web pages, people first create web pages like geocities. Then the BBS and blogs come. While Flicker just becomes warmed up, the Twitter comes. What’s the next? No matter what comes, it is clear that the virtual side of communications becomes more and more distant from the physical or face-to-face communications.

There is a definite need for human to communication with each virtually. When I think about it, the study of history or any other subject matters is communication in virtual forms. Since the communications between the authors of books and the readers are time-lagged, it seems that the interactive side of the communications becomes very unclear. The online communications totally changed that time-lagged aspect. In some cases, the communications is instantaneous. The time-lag is almost negligible. There is sometime an urge to obtain the response from the others just like what happens in physical communications.

With the blogs, I have a lot of more funs with time. I can do something first, then I blog about it. Then a trail of my life is left in somewhere. Before the blogs or BBS, this trail is lost in most cases. Maybe, this love of leaving a trail of life is the real drive of the fast development of online communications in real time and along multiple lines of thoughts.

With blogs, I have also a lot of dreams to write down my memories of the life before the blogs and BBS. I was wondering if I could recreate the lust of life happened before the blog came to life. Or in other words, if I am too busy with keeping a record of memorized experience, I may miss the opportunity to keep writing what’s going on in the current day. This is a dilemma and something to ponder when typing words on to the computer screen.

Price of Money

Today, I have not done much about anything. Mostly, I spend most of my time thinking about the interest rate, or the price of money. It is so hard to think about it. There is no beginning. There is no end. Interest rate is such a simple mathematics. But it has becoming the very fabric of life for everyone on the Earth. This fabric is so large and it can cover the entire Earth. This current financial meltdown is actually caused by the cloud of interest rate. It is so thick so that there is no sunshine can go through this cloudy fabric. Everything underneath this cloudy fabric cannot grow. Unless someone can poke holes into this cloudy fabric, everything underneath will wither.

In any economics books, paying interests for loans seems so natural. Except figuratively saying something like that the interest rate is the price of money. No textbook explain the origin of the interest rate or the potential danger of interest rate to the uneducated consumers. Everyone is connected to other via the interest rate. Everything in this current world is somehow related to interest rates.

First, the US federal government debt is about eleven trillion dollars. The average interest rate for all outstanding debt is about 4%. The annual interest payment is about 440 billion dollars, which is then paid by tax payers. The US government would not function at all if they stopping issuing more treasury bills, notes or bonds. It seems the biggest function of US government is to issue government debts and to pay interest to debt holders.

Second, state and local governments are also heavily depending on debts to survive. The municipal bond market is not as big as the US treasury securities. But it is big enough for more than 100 mutual funds which are specialized in municipal bonds.

Third, the corporations are totally depending on bonds and stocks to survive. In this world financial market meltdown, everyone has seen how the stock prices and bond values change every second. The stock price for Citigroup fell from more than 50 dollars per share to under one dollar per share over a very short period of time. The bond prices have also gyrated at similar level.

Forth, every consumer in the United States is similarly in debt. They borrow for almost everything from housing to household products. They use mortgage for housing. They use credit cards for everything else. It seems they could not survive if they do not borrow money.
The total outstanding debt in the United States is approximately 50 trillion dollars. If the average interest rate is 6%, which is a very moderate assumption, the total annual interest payments can amount to 3 trillion dollars. The total US GDP is about 12 trillion. So a quarter of US GDP is debt payments. In other words, the capitalists taken about ¼ of total wealth created each year, just by using the magic words of interest rate.

The consumers have evolved from goods consumers to money consumers. For most of US households, more than 50% of spendable household income is for interest payments. In other words, if the consumers do not borrow, they can live twice as good if they buy everything with cash.

This financial meltdown in the US and the world is actually the meltdown of debts. The interest payments are becoming too much a burden for many consumers.

I do not fully understand the overreaching complexity of interest rate. But the dangerous side of interest rate is becoming obvious to me. In this world, one should never be on the paying side of interest rate. If possible, one should go to the receiving side of interest until the day when all interest rates are becoming zeros.

Mow a lawn

This afternoon starting around 5 pm, I mowed my lawns in the front and back yard. This time is usually my golf practice time. Every two weeks, I have to mow my lawns. So I did it again this afternoon. Mowing lawns is a very hard job. First, it is very hot outside, usually around 95+ degrees. Besides mowing, I have to trim the edge. I feel trimming is the hardest part. After mowing, trimming, I have to use a blower to clean the loose grass cuts so the entire yard area looks neat and beautiful.

Many people in Plano do not mow their lawns. They hire some ones else for doing their lawns. I guess they are too busy to mow their lawns or they do like to mow lawns. There are four neighbors surrounding my house: One on the left, one on the right, and two cross the street. The two cross the street do their own lawns. My right neighbor, his name is Charlie, does the best job about his lawn. His lawn is always clean and green. The other three lawns are just normal. It is very hard to keep up with Charlie’s lawn. When I just moved in a few years ago, I had learned from him some basic skills about mowing and keeping the lawn green. Either I have forgotten about what I have learned or I just could not do a good job like him.

Mowing lawns is actually one of the requirements for living in this neighborhood. There is a CC&R which want every household to keep their lawns nice. Otherwise there will be a citation or the neighborhood association can give you a citation or hire someone else for doing your lawn and they will send you a bill plus some fines. When I just moved in, I had received several such citations. I usually complied with the required mowing or trimming. Usually I sent the association a nice letter to explain what I had done after receiving their citation letters. The association seemed ok with whatever I had done for my lawn. I guess the association has given up about my lawns since they know by now this household has done their best about the lawn. There is nothing more the association can do about it.

The neighborhood association is not the worst part about lawn. I do not like the noise when some neighbors are mowing or trimming their lawns, especially when I am sleeping late in the weekends. But I could not do anything about it since they are just doing what they are required to do.

When I think about mowing, I discover that mowing is actually an unnatural thing to do. Why don’t people just let the grass grows naturally without mowing. It would consume less water and it is better for the environment. This is another US tradition which is bad for everybody.

If I have a chance to buy another house, I would definitely move to a neighborhood which does not have a homeowners association or at least they just let the grass grow naturally without mowing.

Visit Hometown Online

Several days ago, around June 12, 2009, I started visiting bbs.wuxue.cc. This is a wonderful place where I can see my hometown right at my computer. I have not yet known anybody for real.

1. Met Reddy and Steve

This is my first diary on this UCenter, which I have no idea about its popularity. This is related to bbs.wuxue.cc which I just started visiting a few weeks ago. I put this up in case some of my friends visiting this place. They could find me online if they want to do that.

I got up early today. Then I went for golf practice at Castle Hill. I felt that I could swing the club much better. For the 7-Iron, I could hit about 160 yard now.

During the practice, two friendly guys said hello to me. They introduced themselves to me. One is Reddy. He is from India. He told me that a lot of people in Indian having the same last name as mine. I guessed that RAO is a popular name in India. I told him that RAO is not a popular name in China. This is might be one of the reasons that I often receive ads related to travel to India.

The other one is Steve. I guess he is from the local. After a few lines of exchanging information, they are starting telling me their plans about establishing a company for carbon-trading related consulting work. They are going to establish a model to estimate the carbon print for any existing companies.

They gave me their business cards and wished for further contacts.

2. Glover won 2009 US Open

I watched the 2009 US Open over the last several days. Due to rains, the games were delayed and finished today. Lucas Glover won this year. He is not well-known at all. Actually this is the first time I have ever heard his name. Tiger Woods did not perform well this time. Phil Mickelson is the 2nd. Actually this is his 5th time in the 2nd place in US Opens over his golf career.

This morning I went to Fidelity for a meeting with Anli. She was to sign some documents I have helped with her ex-husband. She was late for several minutes. So I had some time to watch the final round of the US Open. I was chatting with one of the clerks there. I said something like this: Tiger Woods is world best golfer by ranking. But Phil is the best player in golf. He said something like this: I have to disagree with you on this one. Tiger is much stronger up there.

Yes. Strong minds are so important in any games. Physical skills are just one aspect to golf. A strong and steady mind is more critical to winning. With regular practice and play, I am still struggling to break 80. Tomorrow I will play with Kan at Coyote Ridge. It is over in Carrollton. This might be my chance to do it. A strong mind is what it takes.

For the last two weeks, I have been going to Castle Hills Golf Club to play and practice. A few weeks ago, I cancelled my club membership with Plantation Golf and moved my membership to Castle Hills. I had played there over a year before this new move. Before Plantation, I was with Ridgeview Ranch Golf. So far I like the Castle Hills the best. Today was the first day the club professionals were chatting with me. Two club professionals have introduced themselves to me. Andrew moved here from Plantation. So now I know three club professionals here at Castle Hills. They have seen me coming to the club every day for the last two weeks. I guess that two weeks of time is what it takes for someone to recognize a new member.

3. Phone Calls from DFW Airport

Larry called from the DFW airport yesterday. He was on his way to Argentina. He said that this is his first trip to South America. He is to sell the first telecommunications equipment for his company. Larry works for a telecom company in the Silicon Valley.

The other day Ed called from the DFW airport. He was on his way to Chile. He was to present a paper about climatic changes. At the same time, he was to see one of his friends. They had research projects together. Ed teaches at the Santa Clara University.

It seems that South America is a hot place for development and research. So besides Brazil, several other countries are becoming emerging economies. Several days ago, there was a BRIC meeting. BRICs are the largest emerging economy. Besides BRICS, other smaller countries are developing as well.

It seems that the world is working well together. Before the 1970s, only the Western Europe, the United States, and Japan were developing. In the 1980s and 1990s, smaller countries like Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan were developing. Since the late 20th century, BRICs are developing fast. Now everywhere in the world is developing.

In the next 25 to 50 years, the world economies can be equalized if no new technologies are developed soon in the developed countries. Biotech was bubbling several times in the late 20th century. Biotech has not yet to replace the traditional pharmaceutical companies. Nanotech has been talked about for many years. There is no definite hope for any industrialization potentials. Now Obama is talking about new energy technology. It seems no one is following his call to put any real capital in action. It is possible that the industrialization ended with the information technology. If this is the case, the world economies can be equalized within 50 years.

4. Coyote Ridge Golf

Kan and I went to play golf at the Coyote Ridge Golf Club, which is at Carrollton, about 20+ miles from my home. This was the first time we played there. We played the black tee, which is 7003 yards. Kan played well today. He made quite a few putts. I missed three very short birdie putts. This is a relatively difficult course with a lot of waters and sand bunkers. The fairway is very nice. The sand is very soft. But the green is a little bit sandy. Compared with Castle Hills (assuming that it is 10), the green at Coyote Ridge is 6 at the most .

With recent improvement on my mid-to-long irons, I could get on to the green within 200 yards. This made the long Par-4s much easier for me to play. Since my iron shots are at least 10 yards longer than before, I still have to improve on my GIR, with most my green-shots on the far side. My putts are still at the average of 2 putts (35 in total). This is about 10 putts more than the golf professionals. Putting is still the weakest part of my game. If I can improve about 3 putts, it is likely for me to break 80.

It is obvious to observers that there are fewer golf players on the golf courses. Today we started on Tee time around 12 noon. I did not see any other players until we were at the 3rd hole. Since there were only two in our group and we played at regular speeds, no one is following us until we were playing the 17th hole. When we were playing at the 18th hole, we sew a few groups of 4 near the beginning tees.

So the bad US economy is affecting golfers and golf-makers as well. The largest independent golf equipment player Callaway Golf is trading at its 52-week lows for the last several days around $5/share. It was closed at $5.09/share today at NYSE. This price is not seen since 1993. If it trades below $5, which is very likely in this market environment, it might be taken over by a larger and more diversified player like Nike Golf or TalorMade Golf. It might go straight to bankruptcy.

http://www.coyoteridgegolf.com/

5. Fire ants bites in Texas

I was bitten by fire ants when I was working on my yard late in the afternoon yesterday. The fire ants made two stings in the area between the index and middle fingers of the right hand. By now, my entire right hand is swollen up. It is very itchy. When I touch the swollen area, it is tight and even a little bit hard. The itchiness is gone after I put on some anti-itchiness medicine, but the swollenness stays.

The fire ants are so durable. I have applied so many times pesticides. But the fire ants live on like weeds. The fire ants mounts are popping up once a while. I was got bitten by a fire ant yesterday while spraying pesticides on one new fire ants mount.

Fire ants are everywhere in Texas. This is the worst thing in Texas. If there are no fire ants, I would have to say that Texas would be perfect. A lot of people complain about the Texas heat. I feel the heat does not bother me at all. I am from Wuxue, one of the hottest places in China during summer. I had also endured 4 years of heat in Wuhan. It is the fire ants, which I dislike the most about Texas.

Most of my friends here had bitten by fire ants once or many times. Some have very little impacts if bitten by fire ants. Some have very acute effects. Some even had to be hospitalized for a complete cure. I have moderate reaction to the stings of fire ants. The itchiness and swollenness will be gone after about a week to 10 days.