I’m optimistic about Obama’s chances of winning in November. I’ve publicly floated a bet at work (mostly Republicans there) at a dollar an electoral vote. I take Obama, they take McCain and whatever the electoral vote tally is, the difference is what you owe. I think it is quite telling that I got no takers on it even when I dropped it to 50 cent. It tells you something when people won’t bet on their own team.
My lovely wife and I are now officially not the owners of a house. Our house in North Augusta closed today. I have mixed emotions about the event. We made good money off the deal, but I loved that house. I sweated and cursed and figured out 99% of everything I know about home repair inside those walls. I’m proud of the work I did and I’m positive that visitors to the house will be impressed by my work for years to come.
Oh, and the dude that bought the house? Complete jerk. His checks cashed, though, and that’s what matters I suppose.
Not being ones to sit idly by, we have already made an offer on another house. It’s a 1960’s ranch house that needs a bit of updating. Sound familiar? I thought so. Let’s do it again!
I was pondering the bailout bill today and realized that I have an inherent conflict of interest in the matter and therefore won’t be commenting much.
I think handing Wall Street (or anybody for that matter) $700 billion is just plain stupid. Taking the risk out of financial markets removes the only downside to making stupid loans at historically low rates. And it doesn’t do a single thing to stop the foreclosures that are wreaking havoc on our country.
That having been said, I am now in the market for a house. The more foreclosures, the better for me and my family, as it increases the supply and lowers the price of the available houses. A giddy and cash-flush financial market will mean low rates on new mortgages. Win-win for me and mine.
For perhaps the first time in my life, what is good for America and middle-class Americans, at least in the short term, isn’t in my best interest.
So, to all the Congress critters out there, if you are gonna do something stupid, do something stupid for me.
Yesterday was Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, today is Jonny OneSock’s 3rd birthday.
Happy birthday, little man. I love you.
If you are wondering about the tax plans put forth by the presidential candidates, look no further, The Washington Post has an easy to read chart that lays it all out.
Two things tell me all I need to know. First, Obama’s plan raises some taxes and lowers others, effectively balancing it out, while McCain’s just lowers taxes and does nothing to replace the revenue (thereby exacerbating the deficit problem). Second, Obama’s plan raises taxes on his bracket while McCain’s plan saves the biggest cut for his income range.
Who is willing to sacrifice and who isn’t? That’s all I need to know.
I took Emily with me to Lowe’s the other morning to get some stuff. It was early and she announced that she wanted to go to McDonald’s for breakfast. Here is the subsequent conversation with Emily about it:
Emily: I want to go on the playground.
Me: No, baby. I have got to get this door installed and I want to do it before it gets too hot.
Emily: I want to go on the playground.
Me: No, baby.
Emily: Playground.
Me: No
(Repeat several times.)
Emily: Okay, fine, I give up.
Me: Thank God.
Emily: We will do it your way. Playground it is.
Me: Thank y… wait, what?!?!
She almost got me with the old Bugs Bunny ploy. I would have been ashamed to have played the part of Daffy in that bit.
My big girl is 6 years old today! Today is going to hold all kinds of 6 year old goodness for her including (but not limited to ) cake, ice cream, Chuck E. Cheese and (best of all) toys, toys, toys.
I love you, princess.
Emily and Jonathan have an array of letter shaped magnets on the fridge. They go to some Leap Frog thing that is designed to help kids learn the alphabet. I love to spell out messages with them, but there is a bit of a trick to it. There is only one of each letter. I’ve been doing my best to make as many different sayings as I can and to make them as long as possible. I have cheated a few times by turning a W upside down or a C sideways to make an extra M or U and, of course, I’ve used some poetic license in the words (ta for to, dem for them, etc).
Some samples of my work:
There have been others, but I forget them now. I don’t know why this little thing pleases me so. I’ve stood in front of the fridge for ten minutes looking at those letters and trying to write these sayings.
What have you got?
I made my first attempt at frying plantains today. I would have to rate it a complete failure. I got the grease too hot and it really crisped up the outside of the plantains really fast without cooking the inside enough. In the future I think I will go with thinner slices of plantain and cooler grease.
I’m eating the failed experiment anyways, cause I hate to waste food. It’s okay, but not the deliciousness I expected.
I will try again soon.
Now Tony Snow is dead. Tough week to be a neocon. They are dropping like flies.
Good. I want to show him the same respect he had for others.
“I mean, I love old fashioned eye-gouging, hair pulling, sucker-punching, full-contact politics.” -
— Tony Snow
Bye, jackass.
