The Fed

Hi guys, it's been awhile.

I guess the only thing I have to say today after all this bullshit in the financial industry is kill the Fed. The dollar is going to die a firey death if we don't.

RTG (random thought generator)

With all the political polarization bullshit that's going on right now, I dream of someone that can pull us all together. Like we were for the 3 months following the World Trade Center attacks. That was the crucible that burned away all the irrelevance. We were all Americans. Yet, I don't want it to be someone outside our country this time. I know it's crazy, but it's just a thought.

I long for that feeling again.

A girl and her puppy.

Ok, so we're getting a dog. I have to say that I haven't had a dog for over 25 years and I never thought we would be getting one since I remember how much work they are and my wife never had one growing up. My kids have been deathly afraid of them ever since that freakin' untrained, trailer trash, fence charging, spit slinging, German Shepherd next door in our old house that "never would hurt a fly" nearly got into our car as we were unloading groceries with the kids in their car seats. Only a contortionist movement through the hatchback and into the backseat closing the door and almost taking the dog's head with it saved my kids from the life-long impression of being prey animals. "Oh, she's ok. She just wants to say hello to the kids." Yeah, the way she says hello when my kids go into the backyard by charging the fence and growling and barking and slinging spit? Did I mention the slinging spit? "Please come and get your dog or I'm going to fire up my barbecue"... We moved shortly after this episode.

Fast forward 4 years and many experiences with their friend's dogs later. The kids come to me in a united front that would be the envy of any UN Security Council; "Dad, we have talked it over and we want a dog." Huh? What about the fear of all those four legged beasts? "We spend time with our friend's dogs, and they are so cute and lovable." I have to keep remembering that kids minds can change faster than gas prices. "Well, let me think about it."
Now would be a great time in introduce you to my oldest daughter. She is 10... or 35 depending on the time of day and subject at hand. This is the person whom had me intellectually bested at 3 years of age... I'll pause for friends to have a go at that one... Ok, back now. So here is this rather high functioning 10 year old girl who wants a dog more than oxygen, she sets me in her sights and unleashes her onslaught of shock and awe. No, no, no. Remember this is a girl, she goes about this in the most sublime and cunning manner. She attacks with logic and reason. It is relentless and valid. The final assault on my crumbling defenses was a school paper she wrote during a writing unit on persuasive argument. After reading this well written piece all I could come up with was a weak "no". No substance, no reasoning, no higher stand on what ever lame excuse I couldn't even come up with. Knowing I was beaten, she accepted my sword with grace and compassion, simply saying through happy tears, "I know you are going to love it!!" This girl could run for president next week, and I would vote for her. She's that good.
Then it all came to me, the world is a harsh, mean and unforgiving place. There are global problems that seem unsolvable, and political situations that seem hell-bent on ruining us all. I have seen some of the bad that this world can dish out, so it may merely be the moment, but I have to tell you that our last best hope just might be a girl and her puppy.

I'm Back

Ok, so we finished the build-out of the new office, we're moved in and working, it is fantastic! Lots of hard work, stress and the obligatory lack of good health associated with that kind of craziness. Thank you to those who's help, hard work and dedication is continually a wonder to behold. To those who impeded and through your total lack of neurons managed to make this take longer, cost more, and make me want to nuke the project at pointed intervals, I can only say that revenge is a dish best served cold.

Oh yes, I'm a rather good cook...

I'll be back into movies and the political quagmire soon.

Still here...

Ok, so I'm trying to buy a farmhouse and convert it into an office...

If I have to talk to another bank, mortgage broker, finance company, civil engineer, architect, town board member, loan officer, contractor, state official, equipment supplier, payroll service, merchant account rep, owner of current business I'm purchasing, that person's handler, that person's accountant, insurance agent, or anyone else that wants a freakin' piece of my hide, I do believe I'm going to have to do something rash.


I'll be back when I can.

Just one more voice...

Ok, so I'll just be another voice in the sea of screaming, teaming masses that are crying out over what is happening in the Gulf Coast... no, the U.S. Gulf Coast.

I guess being in the military and seeing much of the world has given me a unique opportunity to see human nature in all it's glory. Both the good and the bad. I have seen this whisper thin veil of civility stripped off of humans in the blink of an eye. Yet I have also seen the selfless noble side of us as well. We are much closer to the trees and caves than we are the stars.

It is the nature of the beast that people will use this and other events both good and bad to further their political positions and agendas. It doesn't make them right or wrong, it just makes them carrion feeders. Like the type of person who would go knocking on doors to get a class action going after a disaster.

Let's get help to the people who need it, rebuild what we can, make it better, and learn as much as we can from what has happened. We'll get to the stars one day. But that day will not be today.

Wanna Laugh?

Ok, so I go to the movies with my blushing bride last weekend. We called the babysitter and had her come over to watch the kids for the evening. Did I even look and see what movie I wanted to take in? No. Last minute internet check of what is playing... hey here's that one "The Wedding Crashers" got panned real bad by the critics. Just the reason to go. Critics are smart enough to know what they are talking about, but stupid enough to think that it matters. If you want to go to a movie without any bearing on global politics, a message, or any other crap that would make it "worth seeing", please go see this movie. We just sat there for a couple of hours and laughed our asses off. It was stupid slapstick humor with a good dose of political incorrectness. Don't expect to be enlightened. Just go and have fun. Remember movies are supposed to do that sometimes.

Later.