Many people like to read and spend time learning, researching and following current events. There are many sources of information and opportunities for learning from all over the world. It can be an interesting exercise to try to keep up on world affairs. Anyone who follows the news can testify to the fact that it can be depressing. Issues such as fewer manufacturing jobs, inflation, corporate greed, political double-dealing, war and environmental disaster are often in the headlines. It may be tempting to tune it out sometimes and deal with life on a more personal level. But keeping informed and maintaining a broader view of the world is important to many of us as we continue to seek education and understanding of the people, places and activities that make the lives of humans so interesting.

To break things up a bit, I tend to seek out an odd story or a uniquely good story. I look for topics that are interesting, funny and sometimes uplifting. In my search for article oddities, I came across a few stories that I would like to share with you.

• A 1999 VW Golf that once belonged to Pope Benedict XVI was sold on eBay for $244,800.00. It only had 47,000 miles on it so the buyer got a great deal. (This could be called a "heavenly" ride.)
• A chicken was given a ticket for crossing the road in Ridgecrest, Calif. Seems he was impeding traffic and so his owners are going to have to pay a fine for his jaywalking activities. The owners plead not guilty to the chicken's alleged transgression. (So, just why did the chicken cross the road?)
• Some doctors in New York have been furnishing large amounts of Viagra and other prescription drugs to members of the Gambino crime family in exchange for servicing their cars and doing construction projects. Lawyers for the mobsters say they are being unfairly targeted in what is a common practice: doctors offering samples to patients. The doctors say they did not hand out these drugs at all. What is the truth?
• A brilliant young student in Bow, N.H., will not graduate with her class because she chose to take an AP Biology course instead of a required P.E. class. No problem in one sense because she has already been accepted at the college of her choice. Consider the irony though when you read about student athletes who scrape by in academic classes but get diplomas and scholarships because they can run faster than most people.

What do these stories have to do with coatings or our magazine? Specifically, not too much. But it does say something about priorities. How do we spend our time and money? What is important and what is trivial? Does what we read have real meaning or help us to be more productive? At Industrial Paint & Powder, we believe that staying informed and learning about important events and technology is critical to success. We strive to provide information that will help our readers. It is our hope that you enjoy reading IPP as much as we enjoy preparing it. We are here to keep you informed. So, to read or not to read? There is no question!