Life is funny, and while this may come off as self-pity - and maybe it is a little - I try not to wallow in it.
We grow up, go to school, make friends, and other relationships. In my case we also moved a lot as a service family. I could complain about that, and as a kid I did, but I also saw some pretty cool things many only see in a photograph. So, it is what it is. We all take the good with the bad. But the past being what is our experience, and that which makes us who we will become - I never did a good job of developing long term friendships. I am often jealous of friends who talk of others who they have been friends with since gradeschool. It's one thing I hope my kids develop.
As I find myself after a divorce reconnecting with old friends, I am reminded that I really missed out on time with these people by not keeping in touch with them while I was married. It's one of those things you look back on with regret, not as an error of commission, but of omission. I did not try hard enough to stay in touch with these people. That's my loss I guess. At the same time I feel good knowing that I've arrived at this wisdom while a relatively young 42. There is still time to be friends with these guys I did stupid shit with. Friends to introduce my kids to, and to my kids.
In that respect it's a good thing. Old friends are always in our hearts, and as long as that heart beats in the both of us there is hope to reconnect, and isn't hope the one thing we all really need?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
What does the future hold????
I found this today.
It's not what someone wants to read in this economy, but then it's like when you're gonna sell your house, and the agent tells you the price you're thinking is too high, and shows you some professional reality. That's what I think this is. An educated persons view of what may or may not be an accurate prediction, but one that one should be ready for.
Like most historic bubbles, the financial bubble that burst last fall was severe. What the data presented in these graphs suggests is that financial bubble (unlike tech bubbles, or energy bubbles) lead to greater systemic damage. Not sure why. Perhaps it's because finance, as a linchpin of an economy is not a matter of making good stuff, or the next big thing. It's a function of getting capital into the hands of people so they can deliver the next big thing. When finance pops, all the money that was going to entrepreneurs disappears for awhile because the trust that allows market mechanisms to function is gone. Finance is based on trust. Trust that the bond, or note, or any other financial instrument being bought is worth at least what you're saying it is. Cleaning the toxic assets that inhibit that systemic trust from returning is really what will drive, or hold back the recovery.
It's not what someone wants to read in this economy, but then it's like when you're gonna sell your house, and the agent tells you the price you're thinking is too high, and shows you some professional reality. That's what I think this is. An educated persons view of what may or may not be an accurate prediction, but one that one should be ready for.
Like most historic bubbles, the financial bubble that burst last fall was severe. What the data presented in these graphs suggests is that financial bubble (unlike tech bubbles, or energy bubbles) lead to greater systemic damage. Not sure why. Perhaps it's because finance, as a linchpin of an economy is not a matter of making good stuff, or the next big thing. It's a function of getting capital into the hands of people so they can deliver the next big thing. When finance pops, all the money that was going to entrepreneurs disappears for awhile because the trust that allows market mechanisms to function is gone. Finance is based on trust. Trust that the bond, or note, or any other financial instrument being bought is worth at least what you're saying it is. Cleaning the toxic assets that inhibit that systemic trust from returning is really what will drive, or hold back the recovery.
Monday, October 12, 2009
What is happiness?
If there was ever a more amorphous thing than "happiness" that sociologists study I've not heard of it.
I read this, and am not surprised either.
What surprises me is that more men do not think this as well. I know that men and women are different, although different is not good or bad at all - it is only different. If there is one thing that came out of Feminism in the 1960s, and 70s that we should adhere to it is that, but for all of the hullabaloo that came out of the cultural revolution we never learned what happiness should be. What is peculiar is happiness in and of yourself was a big part of the hippie mentality.
Happiness for too many of us too often is tied to something that is outside of us - careers, spouses, homes, childrens' accomplishments. Who is happy in and of themselves?
Anecdotal observations say, it looks like one of Feminism's' failures is to adopt the masculine definition of happiness - accomplishment, and status. These things didn't make men happy, and they haven't made women any happier it seems. We are finding out that this is true of women, and we just don't ask the question of men. But then men, for much longer than women, are used to attaching notions of accomplishment to the value of self, and happiness. We've been programmed to be "happy" with the "castle."
I dunno.
I read this, and am not surprised either.
What surprises me is that more men do not think this as well. I know that men and women are different, although different is not good or bad at all - it is only different. If there is one thing that came out of Feminism in the 1960s, and 70s that we should adhere to it is that, but for all of the hullabaloo that came out of the cultural revolution we never learned what happiness should be. What is peculiar is happiness in and of yourself was a big part of the hippie mentality.
Happiness for too many of us too often is tied to something that is outside of us - careers, spouses, homes, childrens' accomplishments. Who is happy in and of themselves?
Anecdotal observations say, it looks like one of Feminism's' failures is to adopt the masculine definition of happiness - accomplishment, and status. These things didn't make men happy, and they haven't made women any happier it seems. We are finding out that this is true of women, and we just don't ask the question of men. But then men, for much longer than women, are used to attaching notions of accomplishment to the value of self, and happiness. We've been programmed to be "happy" with the "castle."
I dunno.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Why we need a public option
I think lost in much of the hullabaloo surrounding the debate over reform is this, and someone must have said it and I missed it.
Insurance profits have increased 1000% over the past 5 years. That's not hyperbole - it's what a business is supposed to do. But add this: premiums on middle class have gone up over 300%. Add in this accepted economic data: labors' productivity has improved markedly, and corporate profits have also gone up. Now - profits have gone up more than the rate of wages.
Corporations are ripping of their workers?? No - far from it. As health insurance premiums have gone up at a much higher rate, that means the part that employers are mandated to contribute have gone up too. So much so that when it comes time for the ol' annual raise your boss is giving you less than you think you deserve. Sucks don't it?
Well think of this; if employers didn't have to kick in more for insurance each year, they'd logically have more to give to you all in the form of a cash wage wouldn't they? They likely would too, because business people know that labor as the most expensive cost of production, is also the most important, and the cost of hiring someone is higher that the cost of retaining quality. That's the fact of the marketplace. Keep your talent.
Point of interest. Toyota opted to build a new plant in Canada recently. Canada was chosen over Alabama. (non-union state BTW) The reason. The labor cost was higher in a non-union state in the USA because of how much Toyota would have to pay in health insurance as opposed to no health insurance costs in Canada.
This is the reality. It's not "death panels" These are the facts we need to concern ourselves with in this debate.
Insurance profits have increased 1000% over the past 5 years. That's not hyperbole - it's what a business is supposed to do. But add this: premiums on middle class have gone up over 300%. Add in this accepted economic data: labors' productivity has improved markedly, and corporate profits have also gone up. Now - profits have gone up more than the rate of wages.
Corporations are ripping of their workers?? No - far from it. As health insurance premiums have gone up at a much higher rate, that means the part that employers are mandated to contribute have gone up too. So much so that when it comes time for the ol' annual raise your boss is giving you less than you think you deserve. Sucks don't it?
Well think of this; if employers didn't have to kick in more for insurance each year, they'd logically have more to give to you all in the form of a cash wage wouldn't they? They likely would too, because business people know that labor as the most expensive cost of production, is also the most important, and the cost of hiring someone is higher that the cost of retaining quality. That's the fact of the marketplace. Keep your talent.
Point of interest. Toyota opted to build a new plant in Canada recently. Canada was chosen over Alabama. (non-union state BTW) The reason. The labor cost was higher in a non-union state in the USA because of how much Toyota would have to pay in health insurance as opposed to no health insurance costs in Canada.
This is the reality. It's not "death panels" These are the facts we need to concern ourselves with in this debate.
Good to be back
Well - the notebook was in the shop for a week and a half for a defective optical drive (DVD for the non-geek), and it's good to be back. Been pressuring myself to post every day - which I have not been doing - but I think I'll go easy on myself as long as I can make a good post every week or so. I'll get this.
Monday, July 20, 2009
This is also a good read
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/07/why-did-economics-fail-us.html#more
The real danger in economics is that much of it's application - in my eye - appears to be treated as if it's in a bubble. Free-marketeers took the ideas of free-markets in black and white ignoring the caveats, and conditions that affect a markets ability to function pefectly. Fact is - as economics is taught - academics don't believe, and don't teach, market infalibility, and that some degree of regulation is needed. Markets, it seems, are run by people. People as we all know are not perfect, and will seek, and have sought, to manipulate and control markets.
I can't paraphrase it to do it justice. The entire article is here:
http://www.economist.com/printedition/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=14031376
The real danger in economics is that much of it's application - in my eye - appears to be treated as if it's in a bubble. Free-marketeers took the ideas of free-markets in black and white ignoring the caveats, and conditions that affect a markets ability to function pefectly. Fact is - as economics is taught - academics don't believe, and don't teach, market infalibility, and that some degree of regulation is needed. Markets, it seems, are run by people. People as we all know are not perfect, and will seek, and have sought, to manipulate and control markets.
I can't paraphrase it to do it justice. The entire article is here:
http://www.economist.com/printedition/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=14031376
You gotta be kidding me!??!?!?!?!?!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/business/20modify.html?_r=1&ref=business
So the subprime lenders that engaged in predatory practices - now that the subprime, and alt-a field has been picked clean (and then some) - are now selling themselves as the ones who can get you out of the mess, except they don't even intend to.
I know all my conservative and libertarian friends will say something to the effect of "Hey, they shouldn't have gotten themselves mess." or "The market will wash out all the bad players." And sure, on a macro scale, in enough time, the odds are most, of this will be cleaned up. What's funny is the whole world acted as if real estate would go up forever, and that these loans were sold on the premise that by the time the low intro/teaser rates re-set buyers would be able to re-fi with the new found equity. Of course many will also say - "investments always have the risk." How many of these were sold that risk in mind aside from the caveat "even real estate 'can' go down."
In the meantime - doesn't this sound like the guy who sold the elephant parade to the town, and then after the fact, the same person sells themselves as the best elephant poop cleaners ever.
So the subprime lenders that engaged in predatory practices - now that the subprime, and alt-a field has been picked clean (and then some) - are now selling themselves as the ones who can get you out of the mess, except they don't even intend to.
I know all my conservative and libertarian friends will say something to the effect of "Hey, they shouldn't have gotten themselves mess." or "The market will wash out all the bad players." And sure, on a macro scale, in enough time, the odds are most, of this will be cleaned up. What's funny is the whole world acted as if real estate would go up forever, and that these loans were sold on the premise that by the time the low intro/teaser rates re-set buyers would be able to re-fi with the new found equity. Of course many will also say - "investments always have the risk." How many of these were sold that risk in mind aside from the caveat "even real estate 'can' go down."
In the meantime - doesn't this sound like the guy who sold the elephant parade to the town, and then after the fact, the same person sells themselves as the best elephant poop cleaners ever.
Banned - for good reason - but I can't help but watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nquccBCNYpg&feature=player_embedded
Again and again and again and again........
Again and again and again and again........
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I got nothing
Enough said - I got nothing today. Planning to go up north for the weekend, so I guess the excuse is I am pre-occupied. Truth is - nothing to write about.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Jackson and Palin - Forgot all about Farrah & Ed
Fans of Farrah Fawcet, and Ed McMahon gotta be pissed. I know all these things happen in 3s. Too bad for Ed that the other 2 were the biggest sex symbol - ever, and (say what you will of his bizarre personal life) the greatest musician - arguably - ever.
That's really too bad for Ed, who of the 3 was probably the one who led the most selfless life. A Marine pilot in WWII, and Korea. That alone deserves undying respect. Add to that his career as the best straight man ever, and the 3 that we lost 2 weeks ago were tops in thier field.
As much as "being a sex symbol" is a field, Farrah was the best. Any super-model/pin-up type after her was compared to her - and that poster! A flip of the hair, and toothy grin with those blue eyes - to say nothing of the full-on nips in the swim suit. Forget it.
And Micheal - forget it. This is like Elvis passing. I never was a Micheal "fan" per se, but became one - like most of us - when Thriller came out. When I read the liner notes on the album, and saw that Eddie Van Halen played the lick, and solo on Beat It, forget it. Micheal fused hard rock, and R&B with Eddies lick, and that back beat.
Here's hoping it doesn't take 20+ years for Micheal's memory to live down the freak show persona, the way it took that long for Elvis' memory to live down the fat, jump suit Las Vegas shell of "The King"
On to Palin - who really cares? Can we please ignore the publicity whore she has become? She's retiring from Gov so the business of the state of Alaska is not otherwise distracted by the "unfair" media coverage of her. B00-fucking-hoo! Really. Maybe she should not have lied about "saying to to that Bridge to Nowhere." Or bitched about how the media payed too much attention to her family - then trotting out those kids on every whistle stop.
So while we're inundated with coverage of Micheal Jackson's passing, and Sarah avoids the unfair media by inviting them to go salmon fishing with her (huh?) - let's remember Ed.
That's really too bad for Ed, who of the 3 was probably the one who led the most selfless life. A Marine pilot in WWII, and Korea. That alone deserves undying respect. Add to that his career as the best straight man ever, and the 3 that we lost 2 weeks ago were tops in thier field.
As much as "being a sex symbol" is a field, Farrah was the best. Any super-model/pin-up type after her was compared to her - and that poster! A flip of the hair, and toothy grin with those blue eyes - to say nothing of the full-on nips in the swim suit. Forget it.
And Micheal - forget it. This is like Elvis passing. I never was a Micheal "fan" per se, but became one - like most of us - when Thriller came out. When I read the liner notes on the album, and saw that Eddie Van Halen played the lick, and solo on Beat It, forget it. Micheal fused hard rock, and R&B with Eddies lick, and that back beat.
Here's hoping it doesn't take 20+ years for Micheal's memory to live down the freak show persona, the way it took that long for Elvis' memory to live down the fat, jump suit Las Vegas shell of "The King"
On to Palin - who really cares? Can we please ignore the publicity whore she has become? She's retiring from Gov so the business of the state of Alaska is not otherwise distracted by the "unfair" media coverage of her. B00-fucking-hoo! Really. Maybe she should not have lied about "saying to to that Bridge to Nowhere." Or bitched about how the media payed too much attention to her family - then trotting out those kids on every whistle stop.
So while we're inundated with coverage of Micheal Jackson's passing, and Sarah avoids the unfair media by inviting them to go salmon fishing with her (huh?) - let's remember Ed.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Day 1 - post 1. Nobody will read this.
It is July 5th. I have chicken in the oven, and iTunes is being a little bitch.
One of the things you do when you go through a divorce is reflect on things you didn't do - either in the context of the marriage, or in your own personal context. In other words personal things you put to the side because they were only for you, and not for the other person. Some may say that putting yourself to the side is on way to fail - you lose yourself. That's true to a degree, but on the other hand - aren't you supposed to be one of a pair, and your own personal wants and needs must be secondary? Who knows. All that really mattered from the second we decided to split, was becoming the person you want to be. Both as a newly single person, and as a former partner in context of your relations with marital friends, and in-laws, and especially (in my case) as a father.
I always wanted to be a writer. I guess it's ironic to a degree that I never pursued that either as a college student (majored in Psych, and minored in Marketing, and History). I spent 5 years after college trying to break into a career as a stand up. The best part was not the performing, although that got a pretty good high. The best part was coming up with a new bit - the writing. Sometimes it flowed like you were channeling. Other times you kicked against a wall, until you broke through to something good. I can't say which was a better feeling.
So here I am - starting a blog.
I stumbled upon bloggins in 2002. Being politically curious, and active - the web was a pretty cool, new thing at that time. Blogs at the time that I followed - Daily Kos, CalPundit, Atrios showed the power of instantly updating information, and the power of the link. Not only the story was in front of you, but the supporting material as well. Awesome! I don't know what my goal with this is. It'd be pretty cool to get something well read, and respected.
Here goes......
One of the things you do when you go through a divorce is reflect on things you didn't do - either in the context of the marriage, or in your own personal context. In other words personal things you put to the side because they were only for you, and not for the other person. Some may say that putting yourself to the side is on way to fail - you lose yourself. That's true to a degree, but on the other hand - aren't you supposed to be one of a pair, and your own personal wants and needs must be secondary? Who knows. All that really mattered from the second we decided to split, was becoming the person you want to be. Both as a newly single person, and as a former partner in context of your relations with marital friends, and in-laws, and especially (in my case) as a father.
I always wanted to be a writer. I guess it's ironic to a degree that I never pursued that either as a college student (majored in Psych, and minored in Marketing, and History). I spent 5 years after college trying to break into a career as a stand up. The best part was not the performing, although that got a pretty good high. The best part was coming up with a new bit - the writing. Sometimes it flowed like you were channeling. Other times you kicked against a wall, until you broke through to something good. I can't say which was a better feeling.
So here I am - starting a blog.
I stumbled upon bloggins in 2002. Being politically curious, and active - the web was a pretty cool, new thing at that time. Blogs at the time that I followed - Daily Kos, CalPundit, Atrios showed the power of instantly updating information, and the power of the link. Not only the story was in front of you, but the supporting material as well. Awesome! I don't know what my goal with this is. It'd be pretty cool to get something well read, and respected.
Here goes......
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