Now most of the time when I'm filing my report I am in my home, in my office, lost somewhere on the Internet. But today I am giving you folks the “Outside the box�?view, because I am outside of my box, my office. Why you ask, well recently I saw a report that said that people were not getting outside their box, or getting outside in general. They are stuck in a virtual world, you know the computer, the Ipods, Xbox, Cell phones, Blackberry’s. The study said that folks visiting state parks are down by 20% since 1988. It is called N.D.D. , Nature Deficit Disorder, although I think it should be called O.D.D. , Outdoor Deficit Disorder since it is Odd that people are not getting outdoors. So since most you are all indoors reading this, I am going to ask you all to let your mind do the walking, not online, off line and outdoors.  Your imagination is the only visual you get to use, we are going old school, so here we go. I am posting my report from the Will Rogers State Historical Park in Santa Monica, California. This is the home of the famous humorist and cowboy from back in the 20’s -30’s. In the 40’s Will Rogers' wife donated the ranch to the state. Now it has become a very popular spot for folks to come to walk their dogs, ride a horse, watch a polo match, and get a tour of this ranch that the Rogers' left.  California and all over the states across the US have many of these parks for folks to get out to visit and get in touch with Mother Nature.  But folks are not taking advantage of this great breath of fresh air.  In California, parks are not only becoming endangered, but they stand the chance of ending up on the chopping block because of a 28 billion dollar defect. Seems odd to me that the place (outdoors) that has the cheapest ticket for admission and gets families in touch with the land they live in, would not be marketed more to the American people. Look at it this way, you can get some exercise and get a little history lesson ta boot in most of the parks around the USA. Plus the cost in gas is cheap and it would boost tourism right here in the US.    The electronic world has robbed us of our imaginations, the very beauty we dream of getting away to is now something we seldom hang out in, and it is in our own backyards. Screen savers don’t count as getting out, they are like plastic Xmas tress, just not the real thing. I know that it is easier to have these virtual items over the real thing, however, it is sad to think that in 50 years we would have saved the planet from global warming, but no one comes outside to enjoy it. It will not be considered “In�?to be "out". We will slap our virtual glasses on and grab our imaginary bikes and ride around our Second life ( http://secondlife.com/whatis/ ). Now if we could only get our politicians and criminals to hang out and commit their crimes in a second world I would be all for it. But we are quickly replacing all things real, with MySpace, facebook and texting. We are not getting the things we want in life and our people are at war, we have no communication left. REAL communication, not texting, but talking. It is sad when you see young people sitting right next to each other and they are typing instead of talking. Have you ever tried to convey a message to someone on a instant messenger when it is a complicated message. Then thinking, boy this sure would be easier if I just would have called them on the phone. But folks have slipped into a gadget world and it is hard for mother nature to compete with a younger, hipper, virtual world.   Every state has a park system and they have information on what you can do in these parks. To help you folks out to find these parks I will give out some web addresses so that you can get a list of these great national treasures in your area. I am tempted to just give you a phone number so you can just talk to someone, of course you would probably get a recorded message. I am not sure I want to send folks to another website so you can get stuck in virtual tours and pictures. I might lose you folks to the virtual version of the parks and I would not want that.   People need to get out, breathe, walk, use your senses, literally. You would be amazed how much it can relieve stress, shed weight, and broaden your perspective of the world by getting in touch with nature. I saw a study that said that folks that have A.D.D. can benefit from a walk in the park. I guess that would probably be because there is so much to see that your brain is forced to focus on one thing at a time. Which helps people like me that can change a thought six times in a sentence. If you don’t believe me you have not read enough of my writing.   I spend a lot of time outside and I still think I am short changing myself. A few years back I spent a full week at a dude ranch in New Mexico. No phones, no computers, just open air, open minds and cattle that we had to drive . The first 2 days you just feel guilty and think you should be answering a phone or and email from work. But after that, you let go and enjoy the beauty of the land and the freedom it gives you. At the end you don't want to go back to the city.  It is kinda like camp and the sadness you feel when you leave.  My biggest fear is that some day when the kids of today are the parents of tomorrow, Well, they won't have the memories of taking trips with their families in the station wagon and going camping or picnics in the park. Just when we might need their help the most, as conservationists or preservationists. Kids won't have a connection to the outdoors, because they have never opened that door. It is OK to like the city, but the country is where our roots are planted.  Get out and check the scenery, maybe that would get Mother Nature more fans on this fight over Global Warming.  Your friend,  Will --  Will Roberts  "The Good Will Tour" www.WillRogersUSA.com  1-866-381-Will (9455) Direct# 310-228-7105 Fax# 800-844-4259 "All I Know Is What Little I Read On The Internet!"

Authors Website: www.WillRogersUSA.com

Authors Bio: Will Roberts is the country's preeminent Will Rogers Tribute Artist, and now adds 100+ news websites that he produces an audio podcast and written story on days events, everyday. "All I ever knew I read in the newspaper" was not only a famous Rogers quote but also the honest truth. Rogers scoured any and all newsprint he could get his hands on...which made for some incredible viewpoints. Roberts has updated that quote, "All I ever knew I read on the Internet". With millions of news events being sent to the web, Roberts is sure to never run out of things to say. Currently, Roberts is in syndication on the Student Operated Press (http://www.thesop.org/html/writers.php?writer=willRogersUSA) reaching 10,000 readers a day. His success here has garnered him the honor of being one of the top 5 stories viewed weekly. Roberts is also syndicated through News Blaze (http://www.NewsBlaze.com) reaching over 50,000 new readers each day! Not only has he fashioned a fantastic touring show and public speaking tour much like that of his predecessor but he has also taken up the reigns of Rogers' daily/weekly radio broadcasts and news articles. Roberts spent 7 years as a feature reporter an on air host with FOX and CBS and now brings his natural style to his writing and daily audio's In this age of instant gratification the internet has made it possible for Will Roberts to reach maximum exposure and capture new and old audiences alike. Weaving his blend of Political Humor and insightful observations of the human nature he has brought back to life the the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers.