Damn!

if this doesnt scare you..im not sure what will..

worth a watch.

Click Here to Watch Frontline's "Inside The Meltdown"

The Kids Got it.

I admire Forrest in many ways but his work ethic really shines the brightest. Unlike many people his age (or mine) he works consistently not only to keep his head above the rising financial waterline but to prepare himself for a completely debt free, well financed future. Not only does he have a 9-to-5 career level job, he also works 30+ hours a week slinging flora and fauna at Lowes outdoor, something he has a real passion for. The most amazing part, I rarely (if ever) hear him complain about his jobs. In fact, he loves them both, even on the 16+ hour days, and he continues to rack up “gold stars” from all of his employers for jobs (more than) well done.

I don’t know many 25 year olds who were “anxious” to start contributing to their 401K’s at the highest level or who have less than a small car’s worth of debt to their name, but Forrest remains a shining example of responsibility in both those areas. I have told him many times that he is a rare breed and his exercising such responsibility will position him well for whatever life throws at him.

I’m embarrassed to say that I did not start contributing to my 401K until I was 30 and even then it was in menial doses, and god knows my debt load was much higher. I am proud to say that I am now 100% debt free, a homeowner and feel much better about my position on the dollar trail to retirement. I must say that witnessing Forrest’s hard work and determination makes me appreciate the financial freedoms I enjoy that much more. The best part is, I get to share them with someone who appreciates them just the same, but who would be just as happy eating beans from can on the wrong side of the tracks.

random jamz

Wordsmithing 101

I found this lead story writeup on CNN a bit odd.... "tasted the flesh"? How about "attacked", bitten, scratched, tickled, anything else...

"Giant panda mauls third victim at Beijing Zoo
Gu Gu, a panda at the Beijing Zoo, has tasted the flesh of an unwitting intruder to his pen for the third time. Zhang Jiao, 28, told CNN he fell into the panda pen Wednesday while trying to catch a small toy thrown by his young son...."

So i've rewritten the story....

Giant Panda bites deserving idiot at Beijing Zoo.
Gu Gu, a panda at the Beijing Zoo attacked an idiot tourist who felt it necessary to sacrifice his life over a small Chinese toy (full of lead) that was thrown into the cage by his unruly child. Zhang Jiao, 28, told CNN he refuses to teach his child a lesson about losing toys and would rather risk his life and limb by leaping into the cage himself to retrieve it. He's optimistic that the 5000 videos taken of the incident by the other Chinese tourist in attendance will make their way onto YouTube and make him an Internet sensation. He hopes to soon join the ranks of other idiot Chinese Internet sensations such as "William Hung" and all time favorite "Tina Chen" .

DC (Dismal City)

I decided to turn on the 11 o'clock news before winding down the evening here in Washington and was SHOCKED at the top story. 7 shootings, 4 stabbings and 3 new body discoveries all today. Holy shit..who actually wants to live here? Ok, Don't answer that.

In other news...be glad you're not coming to the Inauguration. They have shut down the city, making it near impossible to get in or out on that day. Not sure how the 4+ million folks are planning on attending. My boss is talking about WALKING to the capital from his house in Alexandria, others are actually spending the night in our offices on the hill. Ok, so HOPE shines Eternal but not bright enough for me to sleep on a corporate hard floor and brave negative temperatures to catch a glimpse of the president elect a jumbo tron 1/4 mile from the Capitol Steps while dodging bullets.

In fact, ill probably just tivo the whole thing and watch it in between Oprah and The City episodes. That sounds stomachable.

One bright moment of my trip was sitting 1 row behind Mrs Barbara Bush on my flight from Houston to DC on Wednesday. Loaded to the gills with secret service and her personal staff, I eavesdropped into her conversations for the entire 2.5 hour flight. Yeah shes a complete bitch, but probably the last true "first lady" to hang her fabulous hat in the White House. Despite her dapper appearance my sick mind couldn't help but to think about one of my favorite MAD TV moments:

Praha ha ha

Many Euros call New Years Eve "Sylvester". It has something to do with Saint Sylvester...whoever that is. despite the funny name, we had a great time. In Prague, new years starts off with a big meal at local restaurants or hotels. Odd food items like salted cod sashimi and bacon dumplings (disappointing) and goulash accompanied more traditional fare like Ham and roast beef. You can expect 3 to 4 hours of food and random entertainment before you venture out into the streets for a fireworks display that will put your personal safety in jeopardy.. Everyone heads out on the town after the fireworks and we followed suit. We stumbled home around 5am. Drinks and conversations with Russians, Englishmen, Germans, Canadians and surprisingly kept us busy and time got away from us. Despite the freezing cold and choke-worthy smoke filled bars, a good time was had by all

Munich Math

This......


Plus This.......


Equals this:

Table for 2

Maple/Ginger glazed pork crown roast
Spinach Souffle
Steamed Green, White, Purple Asparagus with balsamic and garlic reduction
Roasted root vegetables with sea salt
Rosemary Bread

Neckin it

I'm sure this is going to make me unpopular with the "fashionistas" but I'm going to go out on a limb here and declare the cleverly-tied-wintry-scarf an annoying fashion item. My only caveat is for those of you living in (or visiting) frigid winter temperatures, where this woven piece of fabric does actually have purpose, namely keeping your neck from freezing solid. To all the austinites (epically the ones I saw today donning scarves at the post office in 70 degree weather) who have been anxiously tooling their wardrobes for the 5 below freezing days a year we get in this town, you look ridiculous. 360 days to plot a wardrobe results in an overly-styled walking GAP billboard that looks like it's tried too hard.

All comes crashing down..

Things have kicked into high-gear at my new house. Walls coming down, new foundations being poured, roofs being raised...just in time for the holidays. Panic attack anyone? Anyone?

Eurotrash Schizophrenia!

Which is it? I must know.

Holidaze

Forrest and I decorated my Christmas tree last night and then sat by the fire. We were talking about how lovely it would be if it were snowing outside...and low and behold... it was. It snowed in Austin last night. Granted not a flake stuck to the ground, but I saw it with my own eyes.

It made the inside feel that much cozier....

The mantle aglow

I insisted.

Tracktastic

Want to know what that catchy tune is running in the background of an online commercial or video.

Try TRACKIT

I love technology... really.

Tour De France

Pardon me!

Slate.com is reporting the most likely candidates for Pardon by George bush in anticipation of his exit from power this winter. The usual suspects are all there. The Enron guys, Michael Milken, some sleazy republican ex-congressmen, and other shamed non-notables. Even Marion Jones and Michael Vick could grab themselves a get-out-of-jail-free card, although unlikely.

There is, however, one person on the short list who I fully support even though I know she was guilty as hell. A momentary lapse in greed for an otherwise fine purveyor of household taste.

PARDON MARTHA!

When last names attack

Theres one in every crowd.

The big three Auto makers have been in Washington these past few days fighting for their lives. Of course this comes in the form of a 25 Billion dollar bail out loan they expect the US (ie taxpayers) to pony up. My feelings remain, they shouldn't get a dime. They've spent the last 15 years ignoring rising fuel costs, continuing to pump out lack-luster gas guzzlers and watching foreign automakers loop them in sales and concepts; all the while continuing to pay their top executives Millions in salaries and "performance" bonuses, company-supplied lavish business lifestyles and other massive corporate financial wastes. I found it sadly ironic that the Auto CEO's touted of recent severe cost cutting measures within their industries when they all three travelled to these hearing in Washington aboard private jets ($20,000 per round trip).

Despite all this ridiculousness, BY FAR my favorite thing to come out of these meetings was Rep. Maxine Waters insistence to insert racism into the already convoluted mix. She felt it appropriate to bypass all the obvious financial conversations and go straight for the race jugular. Her ONLY contribution to the hearings were her comments about the automakers "lack of support" for minority-owned dealerships. Im sure that'll score her a 5 ham hock rating among her constituency in east Atlanta. Way to play to the home crowd Maxine!

Are we human or dancer?

Great song by The Killers.

Collard Stalk gets 3 to 5

Oh My F%$#(*%) god! News from my country fried hometown. God I miss that place.


Mayor in collard costume accused of assaulting entertainer at annual Maxton Collard Festival.

Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008 8:43 PM EST
The Laurinburg Exchange

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Maxton Mayor Gladys Dean on a charge that she assaulted an entertainer at the town's Collard Festival on Saturday. Dean, mayor since January 2008, is charged with simple assault. She is accused of grabbing Rene Ward, the director and owner of Step 2 It Dance Studio, during the dance troupe's performance. Dean has denied assaulting Ward. The warrant was issued in Lumberton late Tuesday afternoon after a Maxton magistrate recused herself from the case. As of Thursday, the warrant had not been served on the mayor.

The incident allegedly began when Dean — who was dressed as a collard stalk — approached Ward and asked her to cut the performance short so that another group could perform.“We don’t perform a concert at a festival,” Dean said. “I didn’t ask her to stop. I just asked her to suspend her performance and then come back after the other group performed.”Dean said when she asked Ward to stop, the director reacted violently.“She started screaming and yelling. She went crazy,” the mayor said. “I lightly touched her arm and lowered my voice in an effort to calm her down. I never grabbed her.”The mayor added that she told Ward she was sorry if she offended her by touching her arm.

A Robeson County District Court hearing is set for Dec. 12

you get a bailout..you get a bailout..you all get bailouts

The Bush "administration" released yet another bailout plan for mortgage holders today. And of course my hyde is continuing to be chapped by these "emergency measures". Theres been nothing but finger pointing and bank blame since the consumers widespread, inexcusable ignorance finally caught up with them. Personally I say let them all fail and learn first hand what happens when you lie to yourself and buy things you know you cant afford. If Joe the plumber has the faculties to fill out a mortgage loan application, he has enough sense to KNOW that he cant afford a $750,00 home on a $50,00 salary. Let him lose his house and live on the street. It's called survival of the fittest.

I cant wait to see what the Obama camp does to continue the sympathy parade in this country. It's no secret that the Dems have always supported that notion. Welfare, free health care, free money, free food, basically free living for the bottom half of the country. Well when the bottom half stops buying $400 sneakers, $50,000 cars and homes WAAAY out of their league, maybe then I'll sympathize.

Until then....