Read carefully

"Thursday, September 27, 2007

I've sort of been following the stock market lately. I have a 401K plan with enough money in it that I've been concerned about its value once I retire. Of course the housing bubble finally burst - anyone could see it coming. That wasn't really a set back, as I'd avoided investments that were obviously going to be affected. But that pop dragged down everything else during the period of confusion that followed.

At some point it all would have sorted itself out, with those who'd gone for the fast buck, high interest, stupid mortgage paper investments paying the price of their avarice. And those who borrowed money at stupid-low rates that were too good to be true would pay the price as well, just as Darwin says they should.

Unfortunately, the government stepped in by making money easier to borrow. Basically they printed more money which added to the number of dollars that were backed by a limited amount of faith. The amount of faith didn't go up, so the value of each dollar went down.

In effect, even people making good investments lost value because of the government's actions. So dollar values of the stocks are back up to almost where they were before the bubble burst. But the value of each dollar is down. And all because the government decided to protect the greedy stupid at the expense of the conservative smart.

What happened to the marketplace of Adam Smith? Maybe next time I should just go for the nut-schemes knowing that Uncle Sam will cover my losses.

This is Desiree, completely unconcerned for the moment about marketplaces and retirement.


posted by D. Brian Nelson at 10:22 AM"

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Hotel Room Nudes

Saga Continues

Why?

A few days ago, I went to see Jody Foster's new film "The Brave One" at the theater.
As usual, I situated myself comfortably on a seat then put my phone on vibrate mode. Staring at some pre-show ads, reminders(no talking & turn off your phones..), then the previews.. like I always do. Now, what I'm about to tell you happens frequently to me at the movies, so see if it happens to you as well.

First, right after the previews for upcoming attractions ends, your film starts.. At intro, synopsis are showing and you're trying to absorb the idea behind the whole story.. There's a cracking sounds of opening a fresh box of candy. Why are they waiting till the beginning of the movie to open their tasty treat?

Second, while you're trying to ignore the irritating sounds of cellophane wrappers of candies, slurping flavored drinks and chewing popcorn, you put yourself into the movie. Within fifteen minutes of an intro, there are two woman seating left of me gets up in a separate times, decides to go to a restroom.(they shouldn't ate and drank all of their tasty movie treats before the movie starts, that's just my opinion).

In a short moment, someone’s getting a text message. How do I know? because of that annoying sound of "ding ding ding.." Why that someone has to be one of that two woman went to the restroom? Even more so, now people around that woman are listening to the phone telling a reminder "ding ding ding" to its owner at exactly one minute later. Afterwards there were three more "ding ding ding"s.

Finally, the "eternal commentators" were present. Let me share something with you, to be an "eternal commentator," you must swore to be a not-so-great whisper. People could hear your 'not-so-great' whispers and they know exactly what you're telling your friend next to you. This gets really bad as the movie progresses, I could simply rest my eyes and listen to that one "eternal commentator" goes to work. She will inform you what's going on as you're a blind person. Some of the lucky ones possess the psychic abilities and they could even predict what will happen next. (at this point, I do not know the point of watching movie at the theater instead of watch it on my big screen at home).

All of the movie-goers are not as bad as some. People are human. Humans do have emotions, thoughts and freedom. However having your feelings, thoughts and freedom while annoying others isn't fair. In fact that's quiet rude. It's called manners and consideration. After all, you're not the only ones who chose to be in that room with others and watch the film of your choice. Respect the others by getting your candies out of that annoying cellophane wrappers then putting them into a cardboard box that came in with to reduce the noise, and follow the instructions of the facility by turning off the phones. Because if you had to be at certain places, you wouldn't be in the theater anyhow. Finally, for God's sake don't talk while movie is running. Just don't.

Now I can give it a rest.

Finally got a hold of Jeni.
She's doing fine and being herself.

The conversation was short,
and still she managed to throw few wits here and there.

I tired, and tired to get a hold of her since my trip to Atlanta.
She ignored, then ignore some more of my calls for past year & half.

There were times that I wish never happened. And times that I look back and smile. As well as few of those moments that I charish..

Today is going to be a good day.

Jeni, "Thank You" for answering my call.

Quote

"Living here day by day, you think it's the center of the world. You believe nothing will ever change. Then you leave: a year, two years. When you come back, everything's changed. The thread's broken. What you came to find isn't there. What was yours is gone. You have to go away for a long time... many years... before you can come back and find your people. The land where you were born. But now, no. It's not possible. Right now you're blinder than I am."

- Alfredo. Cinema Paradiso, 1988.