:: Transitive Cognition ::

You Betcha This is Funny!

2008-10-04T10:34:00.003-04:00

Playtime in Ponyville: A Deviant Artist Interpretation

2008-09-28T09:24:00.021-04:00

Meet Princess Leia. She is no ordinary sci-fi princess, but one of the My Little Pony variety.

Just when I though I was crazy, (which is probably mostly true, but that's irrelevant) I saw this. One artist at DeviantArt.com has shamelessly transformed the"My Little Pony" sensation we all took seriously as little girls into a cinematicly adventurous pursuit. Clearly, this appreciation can only be understood by adults with time-tested experience in the My Little Pony generation.

C'mon girls, admit yourselves. (okay yes, my mom still has all of mine in a box somewhere in her basement).

But, don't look twice, Leia is only the beginning. The original six -- Blossom, Minty, Butterscotch, Cotton Candy, Blue Belle and Snuzzle have evolved into new characterizations.

For die-hard Star Wars enthusiasts, we now have Darth Vader Pony, exhibited to your right. Look closely, you will not be dissapointed.

For the yet-to-be satisfied, there is also Batman Pony, of course.

"My Little Cthulhu." I won't lie, I had to look this one up.

Finally, folks, a personal favorite, the My Little Edward Scissorhands. Truely a great deal of thought went into this pony's production.

Now to all the first generation My Little Pony enthusiasts - given the original association we all have with My Little Ponies, in your honest opinion, is this artist at Deviant Art simply taking it too far? Is the "essence" of the original MLP still present in these modifications? If not, has corruption infiltrated our childhood fantasy? Should such a possible corruption be tolerated?

Personally, I think these modifications are generally fantastic, and fairly amusing. However, I welcome dissenters.

Bottom Line Folks: Sarah Palin is a Man...

2008-09-26T22:26:00.004-04:00

Stephen Colbert sets us straight on the official Palin position with the National Organization For Women (read: huge feminist organization). In classic manner, Colbert quickly punches NOW's argument out: All feminists are interested in equal rights for women. Discrimination against Palin is acceptable since she supports positions against women's rights. However, NOW clearly supports equal rights for ALL women (not just SOME women). But Palin's not interested in women's rights, she's not a feminist, and not interested in women. Thus, NOW is not interested in Palin. She is a woman though, but obviously she can't be interested in her own rights.

Colbert then brings his point to the fore, "Is Palin actually a woman then?"

Huh. Probably not.

NOW is probably just an organization for SOME women anyway. Okay... so it's not a clearly defined position for NOW, but hey, it's humorous. Sorry gals. Roll with it.

Wendy McElroy on "Financial Frugality"

2008-09-21T19:14:00.005-04:00

Any time is a good time to learn to live more efficiently. Right now, in fact, is a perfect time. In a recent post by Wendy McElroy, she outlines the personal significance added to her through engaging in daily yoga practice. On the one hand, the time it takes to practice yoga is negligible considering the outweighing increase in health. It also provides an enjoyable way to occupy time, leaving less time for doing other things that take time and money, like purchases or other activities.

Bottom line then...follow Wendy's point: find something inexpensively and enjoyably healthy to do while learning to spend less!

I cite her article partially below:

"Perhaps I should return to the theme of frugality. For me frugality is a choice and a tool through which to gain control of my time and life. Simply stated: if I do not waste time making money to purchase things/activities I don't value as much as the time they represent, then I am better able to pursue what I do value -- e.g. writing, the people for whom I care, my health. I think frugality is fun; I find cooking from scratch to be relaxing; I'm proud of owning a car that's old enough to have its own driver's license; and, home-grown tomatoes just taste better. (One reason I embrace frugality, however, is that it is a choice for me and not a driving necessity. )

One of the most frugal things I do is yoga because it helps to preserve a key aspect of my life -- one that makes all other aspects possible: health. It is not merely that medical care is ruinously high. Putting my life in the hands of a "medical system" that is notorious for getting even simple things wrong -- like the proper dose of a drug -- does not appeal one whit to me. Moreover, yoga (or any health regime) has the same goal as other forms of frugality...it deepens the quality of my life. If it extends my life, as I believe it will, then it also gives me more time."

Read the full article here.

The Merits of Failure - Sarcastic Comics

2008-09-21T19:07:00.003-04:00

It's a shame the parallel one can see in today's Wall Street events with this comic, illustrated and written by Pat Oliphant. On thing is clear, reckless handouts of tax payer money only amount to a short term patch on a much bigger problem.

Death by Academia: The Brutally Honest Job Posting

2008-09-17T23:05:00.006-04:00

I stumbled across a web site claiming access to a plethora of "urban legends," one of which, and I recite below, is said to have been written by a cynical SEMO philosophy department chair in the 1990's.

In any case, regardless of the element of "truth" found in this "job posting," it provides a good laugh at minimum, and just perhaps, a break sorely needed from all the non-stop banter on the horrific happenings on Wall-Street.

-------

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

Enclosed is an announcement of a tenure-track position in philosophy at the rank of assistant professor. We hope to fill this position rapidly; the target date for our final decision is June 13. We are more interested in looking at candidates with real teaching experience than in newly minted Ph.D's, who might have unrealistic expectations about the possibilities for academic growth at an institution such as ours. Southeast Missouri State University is a regional university which serves students in the southeast portion of the state including St. Louis. Our students tend to be poorly prepared for college level work, intellectually passive, interested primarily in partying, and culturally provincial in the extreme. We offer a major in philosophy. but do not usually have more than two students officially declared as majors at any given time.

There are a few good students, however, and we are proud to say that our current graduating major, William Knorpp, won the 1985 Analysis competition and will be undertaking graduate study in philosophy at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill next year. Mr. Knorpp's upper level work was mainly accomplished through independent tutorials; and prospective candidate must understand that there will be virtually no opportunity to teach upper-division seminars in philosophy. We also offer a religious studies minor; most of the students who declare this minor are shocked to learn that Moses might not have written the Pentateuch and regard higher criticism as secular humanist propaganda. The 12 hrs/semester teaching load is devoted mainly to general education courses at the freshman/sophomore level. In another five years, if the general education curriculum is revised as promised, there may be seminars which are to "capstone" the G.E. program.

The academic environment at SEMO is distinctly non-intellectual — somewhat like a Norman Rockwell painting — and the candidate cannot expect to attract students by offering courses that assume innate curiosity about ideas and books, or intellectual playfulness, or independence of moral and political thought. Nevertheless. in order to earn promotion and tenure it is necessary to be involved in curriculum development and to sustain an interest in research and publication. It has occurred to me that the best candidate would be someone who has held the Ph.D. for more than two years, has taught at a community college or a rural state institution, and who would like to continue in somewhat the same vein but at a slightly higher level.I will be interviewing at the Central Division Meetings in St. Louis. If you have any questions, you may call me at my office.

McCain's Miracle!

2008-09-16T19:17:00.003-04:00

Recently an adviser of McCain's declared him as "having helped" create what we all know today as the Blackberry (or, as my husband has resentfully at times called my little device, and rightly so, a Crackberry). But c'mon folks. Clearly McCain has done no such "miracle" creation. Rather, the adviser was making a reference to McCain's prior voting stances on the telecom industry. In the article cited below, when confronted, the adviser ambiguously qualifies the Blackberry remark as true since McCain both facilitated in "regulating" and "deregulating" the tele-com industry. Real shocker here! Of course this makes complete sense!

Ah, politics is great, isn't it?

Check the full article out here.

First Time Homebuyer Credit – Will It Really Work?

2008-09-14T17:15:00.002-04:00

Here is an interesting article from AccountantsWorld.com by Michael E. Mares, CPA/ABV, JD, on the new "first-time home buyer credit" that Congress recently passed. It is not your typical "credit," albeit first glance lends that impression. It is, in fact, an interest free loan that must be re-paid to the IRS ratably over a period of fifteen years.

If you know of anyone or perhaps fall under the eligibility requirements for this credit, please keep in mind this new so-called "credit" implemented to "jump-start" the economy will essentially prove complicated for good faith attempts at compliance later on with said law.

"Leave it to Congress to take a good idea and complicate it beyond all hope of salvation. That's pretty much what happened with the mis-named first-time homebuyer credit passed as part of the Housing Assistance Act of 2008.

The credit was supposedly designed to help jump start the housing market again, but whether it will be effective remains to be seen. While the credit applies to acquisitions of principal residences, some acquisitions are excluded – those acquired by gift, inheritance or a purchase from a related party.

Let's start with the basics. The credit is the lesser of $7,500 or 10% of the purchase price of the home ($3,750 for married taxpayers filing separately) and applies to home purchases after 4-8-08 and before 7-1-09.

For joint filers, each is deemed to receive 50% of the credit for recapture purposes. The credit is phased-out for taxpayers with modified AGI between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 and $170,000 for joint filers). For unmarried taxpayers buying a house together, the maximum credit is $7,500. A bit of good news is that the credit is refundable and applicable against both the regular tax and alternative minimum tax.

That doesn't sound so complicated does it? Unfortunately, the credit is recaptured over a 15 year period. That's right, this "credit" is really just an interest free loan from the government to help middle-income taxpayers purchase a home. The "credit" must be repaid ratably over 15 years, and no interest is charged on the unpaid balance.

The recapture period begins in the second year following the purchase. Thus, the credit recipient's tax for each of the following 15 years is increased by $500, or 1/15th of the maximum credit claimed). If the home is sold before the end of the 15 year recapture period, the remainder of the credit is recaptured in the year of sale. However, any recapture is limited to the amount of gain on the sale. Thus, for example, a seller who has claimed the credit and subsequently sells at a loss, won't have any recapture in the year of sale, but will still have the credit recapture in years before the sale.

Recapture is also accelerated if the home ceases to be the principal residence of the taxpayer or spouse. Fortunately, the new law provides some exceptions to the accelerated recapture rules. For example:

1. There is no acceleration of recapture on death or because of an involuntary conversion.

2. There's no acceleration of recapture where the transfer is incidental to divorce. However, the transferee will be liable for any further recapture. The transferor will have no recapture liability.

The new law also contains an interesting twist. If a taxpayer purchases a residence after 12-31-08 and before 7-1-09, the taxpayer can elect to treat the purchase as if it were made on 12-31-08, thus claiming the credit in 2008. If the 2008 return has been filed, an amended return can be filed to claim the credit. It appears that if the other requirements are met, but the 2009 income exceeds the threshold, an election to treat the property as acquired in 2008 (assuming that modified AGI is less than the threshold in 2008) will permit use of the credit.

Since the new rules apply to a first-time homebuyer, defining that term is important. A first-time homebuyer is one who has not had an ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period ending on the date of the purchase of the residence for which the credit is to be claimed. If married, neither spouse can have had an ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period, which will create some problems in divorce-remarriage situations.

How is all of this ever going to be tracked? The law gives the IRS the authority to require increased reporting of home sales (there's currently an exception for principal residence sales of $250,000 or less ($500,000 where the seller is married) to make sure the recapture is made.

Is it worthwhile to claim the credit? It depends on the client's circumstances. However, the client should clearly understand that this "credit" is really just a loan that must be repaid to the government over 15 years. This credit is no free lunch."

SNL Short: Palin & Clinton Address "Sexism"

2008-09-14T11:06:00.000-04:00

Hilarious! How to Ride a Horse

2008-09-06T23:13:00.003-04:00

If my husband were as into horses as I, surely he'd say watch this, because it's simply epic.

And now, Disney's "Goofy" shows us ALL how it's done.

Welsh Singer Jem....Libertarian?

2008-04-21T22:54:00.003-04:00

Before writing this off as mere “pop vocal” music, check the lyrics out along with the implications going on in the video. Personally, I dig her music, even though the melody in this song isn’t my favorite. Beware anti-popists, it might astound you that this talented gal may be culpable for a striking statement with that stunning voice. See lyrics below:

Who made up all the rules?
We follow them like fools.
Believe them to be true;
Don’t care to think them through/

I’m sorry, so sorry.
I’m sorry it’s like this.
I’m sorry, so sorry.
I’m sorry we do this.

And it’s ironic too…
‘Cos what we tend to do
Is act on what they say,
And then it is that way.

I’m sorry, so sorry
I’m sorry it’s like this,
I’m sorry, so sorry
I’m sorry we do this,

Who are they?
Where are they?
How can they possibly
Know all this?
Who are they?
Where are they?
How can they possibly
Know all this?

Do you see what I see?
Why do we live like this?
Is it because it’s true:
That ignorance is bliss.

Who are they?
Where are they?
How do they
Know all this?
I’m sorry, so sorry.
I’m sorry it’s like this.

Do you see what I see?
Why do we live like this?
Is it because it’s true:
That ignorance is bliss.

Who are they?
Where are they?
How can they
Know all this?
And I’m sorry, so sorry.
I’m sorry we do this.

Why I'm Not Here, But Over There

2008-03-31T22:13:00.001-04:00

So, apparently one of the perks of being married to an IT guy is that I’ll eventually get some bad-ass websites in my name. This site was not exactly built, but set up by my dear hubby wubby (sorry for the pet names… I know.) It’s fairly similar to Blogger, but I’m still in the “test phase” so we’ll see if it works out for good. I have to admit, I don’t like changing blog sites, but I do like change when it amounts to something better, so here goes, I’ll give this a shot.

Yay WordPress!

Merry Christmas From Achmed (The Terrorist)

2007-12-23T02:09:00.000-05:00

Ah, nothing beats a warm greeting from Jeff Dunham's Achmed, especially as he sings "Jingle Bombs."

Third Time's A Charm

2007-12-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

Lately, I've been reading quite a bit on individualist anarchism and feminism, specifically focusing on the works of Wendy McElroy.

These readings have led me into the historical events behind third-wave feminism, which is essentially a cumulative critique of all the events and circumstances arising after 1848, or when the Seneca Falls Convention (SFC) took place. If you have some time, please amuse yourself with the "declaration of sentiments" pertaining to the SFC or wade casually through Eleanor Roosevelt's Presidential Commission on The Status of Women. They are both well worth the read - and created for the sole purpose of igniting thought. I'm delving into this stuff rigorously as I concurrently prepare to attend a week-long Austrian economics conference next summer. Yes, I said economics. Before giving me a weird look, know that I can tie the two topics together --and actually quite harmoniously.

This evening, however, I was more in the mood for prose. So after reading some McElroy, I decided to springboard off a few of her provocations. So here it is, I landed on this lovely little piece by early political activist and feminist Olive Schreiner (a favorite of Sara Elizabeth Holmes, also a notable feminist writer). Wow. Quite a discovery, I might add. It's quite lengthy for a blog post, however anything worthwhile I've ever read has been lengthy, so I won't apologize for that. Simply put, investments take time. In any case, I have posted it in its entirety since it is available freely online and without copyright restriction.

Be forewarned, those sensitive to the analysis of gender issues and embittered by the ill-too-often confused and highly unwarranted connotation associated with feminism should stop treading here immediately.

Um, can you handle it?

V.  THREE DREAMS IN A DESERT.

Under a Mimosa-Tree.

As I travelled across an African plain the sun shone down hotly.  Then I
drew my horse up under a mimosa-tree, and I took the saddle from him and
left him to feed among the parched bushes.  And all to right and to left
stretched the brown earth.  And I sat down under the tree, because the heat
beat fiercely, and all along the horizon the air throbbed.  And after a
while a heavy drowsiness came over me, and I laid my head down against my
saddle, and I fell asleep there.  And, in my sleep, I had a curious dream.

I thought I stood on the border of a great desert, and the sand blew about
everywhere.  And I thought I saw two great figures like beasts of burden of
the desert, and one lay upon the sand with its neck stretched out, and one
stood by it.  And I looked curiously at the one that lay upon the ground,
for it had a great burden on its back, and the sand was thick about it, so
that it seemed to have piled over it for centuries.

And I looked very curiously at it.  And there stood one beside me watching.
And I said to him, "What is this huge creature who lies here on the sand?"

And he said, "This is woman; she that bears men in her body."

And I said, "Why does she lie here motionless with the sand piled round
her?"

And he answered, "Listen, I will tell you!  Ages and ages long she has lain
here, and the wind has blown over her.  The oldest, oldest, oldest man
living has never seen her move:  the oldest, oldest book records that she
lay here then, as she lies here now, with the sand about her.  But listen!
Older than the oldest book, older than the oldest recorded memory of man,
on the Rocks of Language, on the hard-baked clay of Ancient Customs, now
crumbling to decay, are found the marks of her footsteps!  Side by side
with his who stands beside her you may trace them; and you know that she
who now lies there once wandered free over the rocks with him."

And I said, "Why does she lie there now?"

And he said, "I take it, ages ago the Age-of-dominion-of-muscular-force
found her, and when she stooped low to give suck to her young, and her back
was broad, he put his burden of subjection on to it, and tied it on with
the broad band of Inevitable Necessity.  Then she looked at the earth and
the sky, and knew there was no hope for her; and she lay down on the sand
with the burden she could not loosen.  Ever since she has lain here.  And
the ages have come, and the ages have gone, but the band of Inevitable
Necessity has not been cut."

And I looked and saw in her eyes the terrible patience of the centuries;
the ground was wet with her tears, and her nostrils blew up the sand.

And I said, "Has she ever tried to move?"

And he said, "Sometimes a limb has quivered.  But she is wise; she knows
she cannot rise with the burden on her."

And I said, "Why does not he who stands by her leave her and go on?"

And he said, "He cannot.  Look--"

And I saw a broad band passing along the ground from one to the other, and
it bound them together.

He said, "While she lies there he must stand and look across the desert."

And I said, "Does he know why he cannot move?"

And he said, "No."

And I heard a sound of something cracking, and I looked, and I saw the band
that bound the burden on to her back broken asunder; and the burden rolled
on to the ground.

And I said, "What is this?"

And he said, "The Age-of-muscular-force is dead.  The Age-of-nervous-force
has killed him with the knife he holds in his hand; and silently and
invisibly he has crept up to the woman, and with that knife of Mechanical
Invention he has cut the band that bound the burden to her back.  The
Inevitable Necessity it broken.  She might rise now."

And I saw that she still lay motionless on the sand, with her eyes open and
her neck stretched out.  And she seemed to look for something on the far-
off border of the desert that never came.  And I wondered if she were awake
or asleep.  And as I looked her body quivered, and a light came into her
eyes, like when a sunbeam breaks into a dark room.

I said, "What is it?"

He whispered "Hush! the thought has come to her, 'Might I not rise?'"

And I looked.  And she raised her head from the sand, and I saw the dent
where her neck had lain so long.  And she looked at the earth, and she
looked at the sky, and she looked at him who stood by her:  but he looked
out across the desert.

And I saw her body quiver; and she pressed her front knees to the earth,
and veins stood out; and I cried; "She is going to rise!"

But only her sides heaved, and she lay still where she was.

But her head she held up; she did not lay it down again.  And he beside me
said, "She is very weak.  See, her legs have been crushed under her so
long."

And I saw the creature struggle:  and the drops stood out on her.

And I said, "Surely he who stands beside her will help her?"

And he beside me answered, "He cannot help her:  she must help herself.
Let her struggle till she is strong."

And I cried, "At least he will not hinder her!  See, he moves farther from
her, and tightens the cord between them, and he drags her down."

And he answered, "He does not understand.  When she moves she draws the
band that binds them, and hurts him, and he moves farther from her.  The
day will come when he will understand, and will know what she is doing.
Let her once stagger on to her knees.  In that day he will stand close to
her, and look into her eyes with sympathy."

And she stretched her neck, and the drops fell from her.  And the creature
rose an inch from the earth and sank back.

And I cried, "Oh, she is too weak! she cannot walk!  The long years have
taken all her strength from her.  Can she never move?"

And he answered me, "See the light in her eyes!"

And slowly the creature staggered on to its knees.

And I awoke:  and all to the east and to the west stretched the barren
earth, with the dry bushes on it.  The ants ran up and down in the red
sand, and the heat beat fiercely.  I looked up through the thin branches of
the tree at the blue sky overhead.  I stretched myself, and I mused over
the dream I had had.  And I fell asleep again, with my head on my saddle.
And in the fierce heat I had another dream.

I saw a desert and I saw a woman coming out of it.  And she came to the
bank of a dark river; and the bank was steep and high.  (The banks of an
African river are sometimes a hundred feet high, and consist of deep
shifting sands, through which in the course of ages the river has worn its
gigantic bed.)  And on it an old man met her, who had a long white beard;
and a stick that curled was in his hand, and on it was written Reason.  And
he asked her what she wanted; and she said "I am woman; and I am seeking
for the land of Freedom."

And he said, "It is before you."

And she said, "I see nothing before me but a dark flowing river, and a bank
steep and high, and cuttings here and there with heavy sand in them."

And he said, "And beyond that?"

She said, "I see nothing, but sometimes, when I shade my eyes with my hand,
I think I see on the further bank trees and hills, and the sun shining on
them!"

He said, "That is the Land of Freedom."

She said, "How am I to get there?"

He said, "There is one way, and one only.  Down the banks of Labour,
through the water of Suffering.  There is no other."

She said, "Is there no bridge?"

He answered.  "None."

She said, "Is the water deep?"

He said, "Deep."

She said, "Is the floor worn?"

He said, "It is.  Your foot may slip at any time, and you may be lost."

She said, "Have any crossed already?"

He said, "Some have tried!"

She said, "Is there a track to show where the best fording is?"

He said, "It has to be made."

She shaded her eyes with her hand; and she said, "I will go."

And he said, "You must take off the clothes you wore in the desert:  they
are dragged down by them who go into the water so clothed."

And she threw from her gladly the mantle of Ancient-received-opinions she
wore, for it was worn full of holes.  And she took the girdle from her
waist that she had treasured so long, and the moths flew out of it in a
cloud.  And he said, "Take the shoes of dependence off your feet."

And she stood there naked, but for one white garment that clung close to
her.

And he said, "That you may keep.  So they wear clothes in the Land of
Freedom.  In the water it buoys; it always swims."

And I saw on its breast was written Truth; and it was white; the sun had
not often shone on it; the other clothes had covered it up.  And he said,
"Take this stick; hold it fast.  In that day when it slips from your hand
you are lost.  Put it down before you; feel your way:  where it cannot find
a bottom do not set your foot."

And she said, "I am ready; let me go."

And he said, "No--but stay; what is that--in your breast?"

She was silent.

He said, "Open it, and let me see."

And she opened it.  And against her breast was a tiny thing, who drank from
it, and the yellow curls above his forehead pressed against it; and his
knees were drawn up to her, and he held her breast fast with his hands.

And Reason said, "Who is he, and what is he doing here?"

And she said, "See his little wings--"

And Reason said, "Put him down."

And she said, "He is asleep, and he is drinking!  I will carry him to the
Land of Freedom.  He has been a child so long, so long, I have carried him.
In the Land of Freedom he will be a man.  We will walk together there, and
his great white wings will overshadow me.  He has lisped one word only to
me in the desert--'Passion!'  I have dreamed he might learn to say
'Friendship' in that land."

And Reason said, "Put him down!"

And she said, "I will carry him so--with one arm, and with the other I will
fight the water."

He said, "Lay him down on the ground.  When you are in the water you will
forget to fight, you will think only of him.  Lay him down."  He said, "He
will not die.  When he finds you have left him alone he will open his wings
and fly.  He will be in the Land of Freedom before you.  Those who reach
the Land of Freedom, the first hand they see stretching down the bank to
help them shall be Love's.  He will be a man then, not a child.  In your
breast he cannot thrive; put him down that he may grow."

And she took her bosom from his mouth, and he bit her, so that the blood
ran down on to the ground.  And she laid him down on the earth; and she
covered her wound.  And she bent and stroked his wings.  And I saw the hair
on her forehead turned white as snow, and she had changed from youth to
age.

And she stood far off on the bank of the river.  And she said, "For what do
I go to this far land which no one has ever reached?  Oh, I am alone!  I am
utterly alone!"

And Reason, that old man, said to her, "Silence!  What do you hear?"

And she listened intently, and she said, "I hear a sound of feet, a
thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, and they beat this
way!"

He said, "They are the feet of those that shall follow you.  Lead on! make
a track to the water's edge!  Where you stand now, the ground will be
beaten flat by ten thousand times ten thousand feet."  And he said, "Have
you seen the locusts how they cross a stream?  First one comes down to the
water-edge, and it is swept away, and then another comes and then another,
and then another, and at last with their bodies piled up a bridge is built
and the rest pass over."

She said, "And, of those that come first, some are swept away, and are
heard of no more; their bodies do not even build the bridge?"

"And are swept away, and are heard of no more--and what of that?" he said.

"And what of that--" she said.

"They make a track to the water's edge."

"They make a track to the water's edge--."  And she said, "Over that bridge
which shall be built with our bodies, who will pass?"

He said, "The entire human race."

And the woman grasped her staff.

And I saw her turn down that dark path to the river.

And I awoke; and all about me was the yellow afternoon light:  the sinking
sun lit up the fingers of the milk bushes; and my horse stood by me quietly
feeding.  And I turned on my side, and I watched the ants run by thousands
in the red sand.  I thought I would go on my way now--the afternoon was
cooler.  Then a drowsiness crept over me again, and I laid back my head and
fell asleep.

And I dreamed a dream.

I dreamed I saw a land.  And on the hills walked brave women and brave men,
hand in hand.  And they looked into each other's eyes, and they were not
afraid.

And I saw the women also hold each other's hands.

And I said to him beside me, "What place is this?"

And he said, "This is heaven."

And I said, "Where is it?"

And he answered, "On earth."

And I said, "When shall these things be?"

And he answered, "IN THE FUTURE."

And I awoke, and all about me was the sunset light; and on the low hills
the sun lay, and a delicious coolness had crept over everything; and the
ants were going slowly home.  And I walked towards my horse, who stood
quietly feeding.  Then the sun passed down behind the hills; but I knew
that the next day he would arise again.

Ah, what an enjoyable piece of prose!!!

Hold On To That Thought

2007-12-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

Goin' South For The Winter

I have my first solo out of town assignment this Thurs and Fri. I'll be going to the well-known bustling cities of Fancy Farm, KY and Union City, TN. I'm helping the auditors with their year-end inventory counts. So yes, this is the part of my job that fits the stereotype of counting beans. Even though I am not sure precisely what I will be counting, the mystery element fascinates me. On another note, I do know I'll be counting donuts near Chicago as well at the end of Jan. It'll be nice to get out of the office before the International busy season throttles into full swing.

Ginger is More Than A Spice

My husband's childhood dog is staying with us until Christmas (they say mixed breeds outlive pure ones, but wow, she must be ancient). It was not difficult to persuade me once I found out she needed a place to stay. In my opinion, there cannot be enough animals in the house, or outside the house. In fact, we really should invest in a farm.

Thievery Comes In Garages

To my dismay, along with most everyone else in my office, I discovered that my registration tags have been stolen off of my car in the adjacent garage at work. Apparently, I have to go through the trouble of getting a form notarized in order to have them replaced. I pay over a hundred dollars a month to park downtown, you'd think tighter security would be imperative.

Babies Come In All Sizes

My husband has been under the weather lately. He will mutter things like "Can I have some soupie" etc. Then, he will do the pout. The "I know I can have anything I want" pout. His lower lip poofs way out and then quivers a little. It's adorable. Almost makes me want babies. I said almost....

The Shattered Glass

2007-12-09T01:12:00.000-05:00

A rush of steadiness fades hastily into the background. Christmas lights dangle like icicles overhead. Palm trees and sassafras finally come into focus. With every movement, the city lights penetrate through the massive windows, longing, wandering as to find festivity. High rise buildings tower like companions among the horizon. An outline for the scene rises undeniably into view: success and glamour reverberate through everything visible.

"Would you like champagne, my dear?"

"Why, of course," she says, as she savours the fineness given to her with subtle graciousness, knowing fully what uncertainty the object in her hand may represent.

She takes a long, deep breath, conscientiously inventorying the status of her composure. Lifting her drink, she toasts the air, saying satisfactorily, "Yes, I am here."

Without reserve, moments fly from next to next. Effortless, all things fall serenely into place. What once had been apprehension diffuses entirely into euphoric numbness. Whispers surround her by the hundreds saying candidly, it's meant to happen-- here is perfection--here is fulfillment-- and it's high time that you knew.

Then, a moment of dread, like a draft of death, quickly surges into the room. But she unabashedly waits-- as it is for what she had been waiting. She sees the shuddering stillness reflecting against what appears at the end of a mirrored gauntlet. The early anticipation of which she had made herself aware astounds everyone yet leaves her entirely unmoved. Sweeping across the room, the mirrored reflection emerges with the most horrid presence glaring into view. The presence… yes, the inevitable presence -- it is what silences those who crave to thrive; it is the source of hollow existence. To sacrifice first passions--this is a specialty. To find pleasure in static helplessness--this is given gladly if brave enough to cling forever in bored security. One gaze, one seduction is all that is necessary. The beauty of the presence: flawless. Everything that sways to lean for a touch fails to revive. Yet, the sparkling sequins of hypocrisy spread in tandem through the wind of her gown. The aesthetical aura she creates toxifies until stupor all who venture close enough.

Unmistakably, she proceeds to introduce herself.

"Hello, my name is Power & Prestige."

Abruptly, laughter once again fills the room. The orchestral music lightens the mood, and dampens all tendencies for serious interaction. Suddenly everyone forgets about the encounter. Instead, everyone smiles, everyone loves, and everyone gives without discretion. Ah, the simple perfection.

Slowly, yet firmly he grabs her hand. Time has frozen. The city lights, like a vacuous portal, suddenly siphon everyone without worth out of the room. There is nothing more, only the hollow shells of bodies taking up space. Their souls have been obliterated. She is alone. He is with her. Her heels begin to smash carelessly as she begins to run against the shards of the broken:

--her glass has fallen.

"Slow down," he says.

And so she walks, gladly aware of certainty for the first time in her life.

"Let's go," he says. "There is nothing more to be found."

History of LOL cats....Oh Please Make It Stop.

2007-11-30T21:50:00.001-05:00

Wow. I'm speechless. Who has time to make ridiculous stuff like this?

Ron Paul Doesn't Need A Nanny

2007-11-30T21:23:00.000-05:00

In a recent interview with Ron Paul, he answers the question as to why his supporters show such fervor for his candidacy -- it's essentially because his ideas are based on a solid foundation in Austrian Economics. Here's what he says about these supporters (and rightly so) :

"I think they're sick and tired of what they're getting. They've lost all trust and faith in the government. They believe in the American Dream, and they're getting a nightmare. And they're rallying behind the program I've been working on for 30 years—defending the Constitution, limited government, free markets, sound money, and self-reliance; believing people can take care of themselves better than government can. The nanny state doesn't work, the police state doesn't work, and neither does the warfare. And they know it. "

Read the entire article from BusinessWeek here.

Thumbing Through Chaos

2007-11-18T18:07:00.001-05:00

Crunch Time

I take another section of the CPA exam (i.e., forced state manipulation on accountants for extra revenue) on the 30th of Nov. Hence, my engagement in various social frequencies will decrease rapidly during the next couple of weeks, but will resume in time for the PwC christmas party (oh yeah, and I already have a dress. Dress = chocolate halter worn at Megan's wedding. Reduction in "cost per wear" is my objective here. Less shopping makes me happy. Although shopping with other people's money and for shoes certainly makes me happy, thus the statement before that is not an absolute statement.) Oh damn the mindless banter! Anyway, the temporary plug is all encompassing except the social functions below, of course. Now that I think of it, I do think the months of Oct, Nov, and Dec, would be better off blurring into one ginormous month of holiday festivities and strange traditions that bring people together. Can we have an "Octovember" once a year or something? Gosh, it's hard to find time to study without saying "no" to various activities and friends a seeming thousand times and feeling like a jerk for saying so.

Hold Me, Texas

I will play in the annual PCS PwC Texas Hold 'em Tournament this Tuesday. Can I bring home the cash and prizes? It's almost an $800 dollar pot. Let's hope so. Shhh...I've been practicing my bluff in my room at night. I won't lie, this is my game of choice. However, I will have to watch the increased expressiveness that comes with beer though, as that could certainly mark the beginning of my demise. Keep all fingers crossed.

May You Give Me Cincinnati

It's winter, meaning excellent training time. I've got the hotel, time off work, and I'm already registered for the Flying Pig Half-Marathon in May. My hair diva and friend Kate pulled off the Full for this same race last year, while I was still recovering from running the Spirit of St. Louis Half two weeks earlier. What a role model for me, she is. I'm also ditching Club Fitness since it doesn't do a great job keeping its stuff up-to-date at its north county location. Instead I'm joining the huge Gold's Gym which just opened up next to our house last month, complete with extra cross-training must haves Club Fitness did not have, like a lap pool, yoga ambience room, and hot tub. Not to mention the membership includes access to a real-sized theater room with tons of workout machinery, and the theater room shows continuous new-releases throughout the day (and it's 24 hrs M-F). Enough said for Gold's.

I'm also getting accustomed to ripping through old town florissant again regularly with my fresh New Balances. Also, been trying out and enjoying my "Nike Plus" shoe microchip which syncs excellently with my Ipod Nano. I've gotta admit, running regularly again feels pretty good. I need to keep my rambunctious body in check, or I know it will control me. Summer busy season kinda killed that. Oh, but to start from ground zero once again. Gotta make it through the pain to the other side. Will not give up.

Going International

As a newbie at PwC, they place us in starting "classes" and we do rotations into different specialty departments. This is much like getting to try out a field of knowledge before choosing a major in college. Many of the "rotaters" get vitriolic in discussions over the pros and cons of this rotation program. Most are against it, and, like all big corporate programs, negative feedback might cause it to fade away rather quickly. However, I am an advocate of this program mainly on grounds that short term cuts to efficiency will pan out in the long-term through the increased adeptness of its employees. In any case, I find myself a part of this program for the time-being. Given that, I am currently in the process of transitioning into another department, specifically from Private Company Services (PCS) into International Tax Services (ITS). I'm very excited about this transition, as I know the assignment I have coming up will be challenging. It's with a fortune 500 company which includes dealing with very current research and reporting issues in international law and taxation, namely the Foreign Tax Credit, subpart f, controlled foreign corporations, and disregarded entities. I will post more on these subjects once I delve more in depth with them. In the meantime, my excitement hardly suffices to contain me.

Nicholas' Birthday

I can't believe my husband just turned 26. Yeah he's now got more Bastiat, Rand and Mises. For sure, good times went down at the Cloud house with our buddies this weekend. In fact, I think its been at least a good year since we've thrown a kick-ass party at our house. Go figure, I always said I was going to be cool when I grew up. How lame is that? Too much work and study I suppose. Which is not so bad, actually. It's weird too when you're laughing with beer in hand, just having a good time and you think "Wow, I'm tired, it must be getting late" and you look at your watch to realize it's only 10pm. That kind of goes along with how I randomly found myself cursing out loud at a Cosmo magazine recently. After saying to myself "gosh if only these girls would just put on some clothes" I immediately lashed out at myself for sounding like my grandma when I was nine years old. That line of thinking seriously freaks me out. I imagine that's why people get married. Yeah. Since it's not only me that's getting old, too. And fat with wrinkles. Yuck. We can do it together. Yay.

Disclaimer: I did not just say you were old and fat, honey. It's nothing on you.

Chuck Norris Takes Down Google

2007-11-13T00:22:00.000-05:00

I took it upon myself to do a search for Chuck Norris, and here's what I found.

Don't be fooled, this is entirely real.....

Philosophy of Accountancy

2007-11-12T13:15:00.000-05:00

Friend: "I spent all my Christmas money on my boyfriend's Christmas present, a Wii. "

Me: "I hope you saved some of your bonus to earn interest until you're ready for the downpayment on your house."

Friend: "Don't worry, I did. I also saved 10% by opening a target card and then I paid it off at customer service that day."

Me: "How magninimous of you for spending that much on your man."

Friend: "I don't know what "magninimous" means. Let me dictionary.com it."

Me: "That's because I made it up. You're forgetting I also have a philosophy degree - it gives me that right."

Friend: "Not necessarily, I have an accounting degree so I can make things up too."

Boo. Yah. Truth is revealed.

Cambridge Women's Pornography Cooperative

2007-11-11T16:33:00.001-05:00

AMT 101: Because Every Middle Class Citizen Should Know

2007-11-11T12:17:00.001-05:00

Here is a very nicely explained article on the Alternative Minimum Tax, a potential tax crisis that's affecting millions more each year. Congress is currently working to fix this potential nightmare with a "one year patch" which as of two days ago, still needs to make it through the Senate. The main discrepancy exists over where the offset in revenue will take place. The current bill proposes sharp increases in tax fees for management of private equity fund portfolios. In my opinion, a revenue "off-set" is not what we really need, but rather a revenue reduction across the board. The current plan is better than nothing, however...

GAO Gives "Eighth Annual Unqualified Opinion" for the IRS

2007-11-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

An "unqualified opinion" on financial statements, despite its seeming connotation, is actually a good thing for the IRS. In auditor terms, an unqualified opinion means that based on substantive tests and analytical procedures, the company's financial reports represent accurately, in all material respects, the financial position of the company. So, essentially it's a good thing for the IRS. With that in mind, here is some food for thought:

The IRS is spending more money to make up for inefficiencies that keep getting worse:

"The IRS has had to put processes in place to make up for its "serious internal control and financial management systems deficiencies," the GAO notes, which subsequently cuts into the IRS's already crunched resources. The agency has continually been unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or consistently comply with the laws and regulations that govern it to keep up-to-date financial systems, according to the GAO."

Not only is the IRS out of date, but also risking its citizen's information security:

"The GAO also reminded the IRS of its previous recommendations for improving the agency's internal controls. Of the 144 outstanding recommendations, nearly half of them relate to material weakness in information security one of the major quibbles GAO noted in last year's audit."

On top of that, the convenient inability to stay up to date, somehow generates more revenue for the IRS, sending those involved into a tizzy:

"The result has been frustration on the part of taxpayers, including businesses. For example, the IRS once gave a business a nearly $5 million penalty for not including a supporting schedule with its quarterly payroll tax return. Later, the IRS discovered that that information had actually been attached to the return."

Read the full article from CFO.com here

Bogus Argumentation, Fluffy Principles, and Fodder for Debate

2007-11-10T23:19:00.000-05:00

I attest that a good source of "comedic amusement" is to reflect on lawyer arguments, especially in Supreme Court debates. A recent article I read on a "subtle nuance" (hehe...is that redundant?) in tax law concerns a case currently up for debate and is one which illustrates my amusement quite well. It's also very relevant to individual taxation (corps, trusts, and partnership variations are also a fun-filled circus in themselves, but I won't get into that just yet).

Specifically I refer to this: Department of Revenue of Kentucky v. Davis, No. 06-666.

That sounds sexy already, doesn't it? If I also threw out the random fact we are dealing with a 2.5 trillion tax dollar market, and this revenue concerns 38 states in question, does that help the mental shift (read: kind of important) at all?

In tax law, there is a general rulestating that interest on municipal bonds (i.e., "bonds" just being long-term debt issued by a state, city or other local government) from a state will be exempt from income taxation within its own state of issuance. If an investor wishes to invest in bonds outside of one's residence state, the interest on these non-resident bonds will be taxable within that investor's resident state. Muni-bonds are also tax-free for Federal purposes, but that element is not the issue in question. Instead, the interstate impact of this rule is the focus.

Amid the captivating display given last week on Nov. 5th, I must sarcastically admit our resources were once again well spent to serve the greater good. That is, for the sole purpose of achieving justice, and setting straight the constitutional clarity of our times. In all seriousness, these reasons are precisely why the Supreme Court felt it necessary to saunter through a muck of nearly 50 years of "unclearly dictated conclusions" in precedent law only to find that the most relevant case rulings for the general bond rule above are a discussion over the essence of "garbage" versus "milk."

....huh?

Let me clarify how this kind of makes sense:

a) "Garbage," is an extensively pliable product (by-product?) to states in terms of its consideration for preferential tax treatment. States would like to say that non-resident bond interest can be taxed on the state level, since the commerce clause doesn't govern activities engaged in solely "on behalf of its people."

b) "Milk," however, is a commodity product of the dairy market, which in turn is a part of agriculture, an industry which has historically been protected by states through heavy Federal subsidization. Individual state treatment has been to exempt the dairy market from protectionism between states, also citing the commerce clause.

Here comes the fun part:

If munis are like "garbage," the rule should remain as it currently stands. Simply because the state has the ability to discriminate in favor of itself. This is the current position of 49 states, regardless of whether or not they actually have a state income tax. Why do states favor this decision on how to treat muni-bonds? It's not counter-intuitive. Discriminating in favor of oneself will most likely have the best outcome for oneself, at least in the short term. Here is where the annual $2.5 trillion comes into play. It's also useful to know that the current treatment of muni bonds is based on a particular garbage case where "rates charged by a state created monopoly in New York to dispose of trash were higher than those charged by private-sector competitors, but the state chose instead to use the public-monopoly." The states serve to gain from their actions by increased revenue, but will lose dearly as continual increases from inefficiencies decrease the useful value of this already enormous amount of income.

On the flip side (and the one to which I agree), if munis are like "milk," they shouldn't be given preferential treatment, since "preferential" means either they are taxed or exempted based on the outline to the general rule. According to state policy, munis cannot have protectionist barriers, similar to the treatment of agriculture. If bond interest is not protected by certain states through inter-state transactions then the only viable options under this assumption are to either tax all muni bond interest at the state level, including resident bonds, or exempt all muni interest altogether from any form of state-level taxation.

Is individual exploitation of labor a necessary wedge between determining the public good and the public's tax dollars? Obviously it shouldn't be, but the latter creates this exploitation. That is why I argue that all muni bonds should be exempted from taxation at the state level. It is, simply put, the only feasible way to eliminate the barriers existing between inter-state commerce. If state monopolies were not allowed to exist in the first place, they wouldn't have the option of choosing in favor of itself (whatever the elusive conglomerate of "state" is we speak of, anyway) even though it's not the best for all, as in the New York garbage case. There is way more to write here, but I'm sooooo sleepy.

Ugh, and this has easily turned into sounding like a written a paper or something. Why does that always happen when I least expect it?

For more on this, see here and here.

Ah, the sweet solace of sleep will shortly be upon me. I'm so there…….

Babies or Bust

2007-11-07T23:41:00.000-05:00

Right after the honeymoon I remember getting asked, and more than once, with a sort of gentle jab in the side and a wink, "So, when do you expect to start making babies?"

It was in my jarred response that suddenly I knew I had forgotten to make the connection of marriage with such, dare I say, multiplicative properties. (In fact, I think I challenge a kung-fu fight in my head with anyone when they make that sort of implication to me. If only they knew what I was thinking.) But after getting over my initial repulsion at what seemed an absurdly irrational idea at the moment, I thought maybe this lack of thought on my part was merely due to my frazzled state of mind from planning and executing a wedding in three weeks time, or that just maybe it was an idea I should get used to thinking about.

Well, to bring things up to speed currently, I can confidently state that everyone has and continues to tell me things like the following, "Oh honey, some day you will want them, when you're ready." I have no intention of dishonoring the mothers out there by candidly discussing this topic--especially for the sake of my own awesome mom, plus my first hand experience with one of my very best friends that is a mother of two. However, although I am consistently fascinated by the relationship a mother has to her children, I simply don't understand it. Although I naturally enjoy other people's children, I instinctually call down anyone that suggests these actions mean I am displaying some sort of "baby fever" behavior. I'm even down with the whole family unit idea in general, but holy crap, will I ever make babies? Right now, that's like asking can I shoot myself without committing suicide?

Fast forward again, specifically to today when I have concluded there is most definitely something in the water at work. Two of the ladies in my department, both good friends of mine, are pregnant. Two managers are on or shortly going on maternity leave. One male partner is on paternity leave. Another manager just got back from maternity leave and regularly makes use of our "mother's room" for breast-feeding. One of the female partners that actually has kids, asserts her ease of raising them with a live-in nanny. So, with the extent that I am surrounded by "oh the surprise!" people making babies, the question has again come directly at me. When are you going to make them? I get dumbfounded looks when I display the sheer honest fact that I have not given it much thought. Most women will do anything for their babies, but will also do anything to get ready to start making them. Still I answer emphatically negative to my friends, but my intrigue for the topic continues to grow furiously. Why are women prone to the "babies or bust" idea?

Overall, I just wonder, how can I be so dense on a topic that is expected as self-explanatory to a woman?

World of Warcraft, You Entertain Me

2007-11-07T22:46:00.000-05:00

Fairly often I am annoyed at the amount of time Nick spends playing computer games. Mainly because it comes off as a threat to the precious little time we could be spending together instead. However, lately my reservations have lifted, and quite abruptly to my own surprise, especially since most of the time our options are limited to either crashing in bed after late night work/study, which is most of the time, or having some down time once at home in the evenings. But, I figure it's probably time I let him enjoy *and free of guilt* this enigma to his heart's content, World of Warcraft. Strangely, this admonition came to me after walking in on him the other day in the midst of this game and saying to myself, "Wow, that actually looks pretty cool." I think I winced at the sound of my own thought. What can I say folks, the threat runs deep.

Apparently, it also sounds pretty cool. I literally spent ten minutes listening to Nick play WoW with his buddies last night, and what I heard wasn't short of entertaining:

1) Anyone know how to pick locks?

2) I think you just pulled one like "Peppy La Pew"

3) Shutup and take that!

4) There's a box over here, d'you want it? Ooh... and armor-lift-leggings.

5) Can anyone use scrolls?You know, scrolls of strength?

6) Where's my cape of intellect!?

7) I got to hit something! Yay!!!

8) Ha, I can use that when I get to level 37.

9) I just killed a bunny because you insulted me!

10) Oh this is that fun one where that lady comes out and stones us right?

Crap, I want some Scrolls of Strength. Maybe it's time I place my prejudices aside and learn to play as well. Hmm...did I actually say that?

Who Owns Your Tax Advice?

2007-11-07T12:48:00.000-05:00

The Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) passed recent legislation in Sept. 2007 allowing patents for "tax strategies." It's been argued by John R. Thomas, of CRS's Resources Science and Industry Division, that tax advice constitutes a creative product eligible for protection. His position is based mainly on grounds that because "biotechnologies, business methods and other innovations" have been allowed for several years and not caused harm to the "U.S. innovation environment" under patenting laws, the growth of intellectual property should naturally encompass the area of tax advice.

But!!!

….for "patents in general," is a temporary halt on competition really conducive to better competition (i.e., a better product) in the long run? For this case, does this even consider how much value are we really losing by the time the restriction to our innovative freedom is lifted? Seems like a risk too volatile to want to undertake.

On the idea of "Tax Strategy," if the tax code is complicated enough to need trained professionals to complete the work already, why create a monopoly on already regulated ways to complete that work? The issue seems like it's not whether a creative product exists, but whether it hurts the public's innovative freedom as a whole to protect something which shouldn't be protected. Seems like a clever way to reduce controversy over tax shelters to gain revenue for Big Four companies still agonizing over SEC probes, or to further promote Private Letter Rulings (which I personally don't have a problem with for other reasons), and lastly, and most problematic --another way to create government profit.

Next time you have an idea or need advice about taxes, maybe it's time to look up whether the PTO already has it on file.

And Now, Busting Out With Some Updates

2007-11-06T00:34:00.000-05:00

As I was trying to think of what I wanted to write, I realized my last "normal" post was on July 9th. Then I started thinking back that far and I realized (oh another realization!) how my sense of time has become so warped from the goings on between then and now. So here are some of those major things:

A Tribute To The Master/Slave Relationship:

Uhhh...seriously, it's not like that. I just really mean my full time job which I started in July at PricewaterhouseCoopers, or known to me better as "Price" or "PwC." Let's just say the term "cyclical" applies and becomes ever so clear (even if there was the foggiest bit of doubt in your mind) with tax accounting. I've noticed the trade off, however, between working insane hours (70-80 a week even) contrasted with the slower times where I can take off to do something normal 8-5 people would never be able to do, like go hiking with my dog or leave early to study for an afternoon without taking vacation. It's also interesting how the mentality shifts between "let's all work together as a collective team" to get work done during a busy season, to "it's my work, not yours so suck it up" during slow periods. The politics is outrageous, yet quite entertaining. Even though I worked odd accounting jobs through school giving me roughly two years accounting experience before I began at Price, I am quickly learning my place among the ranks. Like today for instance after I spent three hours doing a reconciliation (and very happy with myself nonetheless), I was told the number they really needed was staring me right in the face (a task which literally would have taken 2 minutes to complete). The nice thing about big companies (besides, pay and maternity leave of course) is that there's an overwhelming network of people and knowledge available for me to tap on a whim if I need anything at all. I still have much to learn, but overall I'm having a blast and the toss up of the new and uncertain only keeps things fun...

The Dust On Our Pontiac G6

Nicholas is realizing quickly that his new job in Houston involves much more responsibility than his previous ones. I commend him for the long hours and hard work he's invested already. Not to mention his stay in Houston for two, sometimes three weeks at a time with the CIO, his wife and three young children (with a zoo of animals to boot). He's already started re-vamping the IT department to his own liking and been in charge of interviewing several prospects which he will oversee. Need I say more? This man is a freaking genius. Oh, and I need more reasons to move to Houston.

Dane Cook: His Edges Were A Little Too Rough

I knew I had a break coming up between CPA studying and off-season at work so I ordered tickets to see my favorite comedian, Dane Cook. I went a little crazy - I got a steal on pre-sale tickets for $100 per seat (um..yeah I said it was crazy). I first got acquainted with him through my bro-in-law's Vicious Circle DVD, which is a masterpiece, hands down. However, I must say I was rather disappointed with his performance this past weekend, mainly because I thought his subject matter was out of balance with too many sexual references (not that I mind that stuff, but that's besides the point) and he didn't incorporate enough new material into his routine. Now I'm not hard to please when it involves comedy, but I felt like this guy could have done better. Perhaps he is over occupied in the aftershock of doing movies with Jessica Simpson and Jessica Alba (or maybe he just has a thing for pretty Jessica's). Or maybe it's time for me to move on...

Wow, I've only scratched the surface of busting out.

How Many Posts Are Between This One and My Last?

2007-11-06T00:29:00.000-05:00

One thing I can't stand about managing a blog is that if I decide to have a long interlude existing between my posts, suddenly I feel I am supposed to acknowledge that period of nothingness before I may resume regular posting. But for what purpose am I really doing that? I assure you, no one reads this thing - it is purely for my own sake that I write. That point aside, what I really want to know is how many lack of posts between posting warrants the need to acknowledge that I haven't posted in awhile? Surely, the amount of posting I could have done between my last was a finite possibility, if say, I posted more and more down to the minute, even second, and blah...beyond that. It also seems there are other reasons that might lead me away from posting regularly, but are better than posting in itself, like making a living, or working on a quality post rather than posting for its own sake. So then, I have no guilt for the nothingness I have created which leaves me again unsure as to what exactly I am supposed to acknowledge because I haven't posted in awhile. Since it is unclear to me how long an interlude is necessary to acknowledge I haven't posted in awhile, I think I will skip that awkward process and begin posting again normally.

Well, Screw That......

2007-07-09T22:37:00.000-04:00

glumbert.com - Women: Know your limits

Simplify SOX!!!

2007-07-01T23:32:00.000-04:00

http://www.pro2net.com/x58184.xml

Sometimes "the obvious" thing is best, since it's so commonly overlooked. In this case, Pozen states the obvious thing -- "we need clearer accounting standards." In my opinion, our standards should reflect more closely the dominating international ones which (although still evolving and heavily regulated abroad) the U.S. has so cleverly evaded in a plea opting for "substance" over "form." But, the U.S.'s main problem is first getting the government out of our financial statements, and away from our tax dollars.

Down with SOX!

Altruism vs. Self-Respect

2007-07-01T23:17:00.000-04:00

"Men are important only in relation to other men, in their usefulness, in the service they render. Unless you understand that completely, you can expect nothing but one form of misery or another. Why make such a cosmic tragedy out of the fact that you've found yourself feeling cruel toward people? So what? It's just growing pains. One can't jump from a state of animal brutality into a state of spiritual living without certain transitions. And some of them may seem evil. A beautiful woman is usually a gawky adolescent first. All growth demands destruction. You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. You must be willing to suffer, to be cruel, to be dishonest, to be unclean-anything, my dear, anything to kill the most stubborn of roots, the ego. And only when it is dead, when you care no longer, when you have lost your identity and forgotten the name of your soul—only then will you know the kind of happiness I spoke about, and the gates of spiritual grandeur will fall open before you." ~Ellsworth Toohey (The Fountainhead, 364)

It's A Boy!

2007-06-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

Now that Francesca's gone, this new beauty needs a name to live by. Does he look like a Hans? Ahh..maybe a Frederique?

In any case, check out my new baby. Isn't he cute?

A Wild Kingdom of Sorts...

2007-06-14T08:06:00.001-04:00

I can understand the bird overpopulation issue, but sheep!?

WTF?

Update Anyone?

2007-06-12T23:18:00.000-04:00

It's that internal benchmark for personal sanity which gives me a gnawing motivation to blog consistently rather than yield to temptation and risk losing the meaning of life. But perhaps I've got that turned around a bit (no?), but then again the issue is probably way out of hand since I haven't stopped writing and I won't (I WON'T I tell you)...

In any case, and in any manner but consistent, here's my recent course of "life events" in a nutshell:

Oh, For The Weddings. I am so happy that my bro-in-law is now happily married to an amazing woman and friend, and heck, a woah-sister. I never dreamed I could have so many sisters as I now do, let alone one like Jenn. Honestly, we had so many parties leading up to the J & C rock-stars to-be-united that I did not rightfully know what to do with myself once all was said and done. And I MUST see those tattoos, J & C. Now, I am looking forward not only to soon having all of my family happily married (and...thank the gods) but also getting used to the idea that there is another soon-to-be wedding which I have not received permission to formally announce as of yet. Guesses anyone? ;-)

The grad-school graduation. I violently refuse to say I'm finished with formal schooling, but I'm glad this part of my life is ending and another has yet to begin. One tid-bit of coolness is that I'll probably never forget the beeming pride in my parent's eyes when I walked out of the Scottish Rite Cathedral at SLU with my cap and gown on that crazy afternoon which is all but a blurr in my memory except for that. It simultaneously made me want to have a bunch of kids with Nick right away and put them through school ASAP just so I could give them the look my parents had given me, but then I started thinking (that's usually where problems arise) . I thought of the impossibility of this plan, since a bunch of kids would put a damper on saving for a relatively luxurious retirement Nick and I -- and idea which unsettled me. In essence, I realized I should stop thinking, and have kids, or risk turning into a kid-snob. But it's already too late (I'm a kid snob, not having kids right now). Although I now have finished something I for some time had longed to finish, there is still a long way to go in the ladder of events that must take place before I have fully reached my goal. This is where my accounting buddies step in and know exactly what I'm talking about (and we reminisce as to why we ever chose accounting in the first place), and I carefully explain myself to non-accounting folk as "working on my CPA," although I wince at the notion of what actually goes into that idea versus how simple it sounds.

The Job Situation. A month before I was supposed to start full-time at my job PwC as tax accountant, I found out rather abruptly that my start date had been moved to three months later, with the HR reps giving no reason as to why. I did some checking, and asked around as to why but to no avail in my start date. Frustrated, and knowing I could not stand to be in the house for months at a time with only my dog and cat (of course, that is not to be an insult for the priceless companionship they provide) I got a job in the admin dept at Nicholas' work, NAWS, a company with individuals I have quickly become accustomed to. Then shortly thereafter, I was informed once again that my start date at PwC had changed...having to sort of slight my manager at NAWS merely because of PwC's irresponsibility and tell NAWS I'd be leaving to start at PwC on my original start date. Needless to say, this situation has only escalated my sensitivity to demand respect in future instances for contractual obligations.

Last, but certainly not least:

*Warning: Husband Ego-inflation Risk*

I'm continually made aware that my husband is the driving force that sustains what is most important to me -- my mind, and gives life to what would be a mundane existence otherwise (don't read this sweety, because you already know it). He is pure genius, hands down. If ever I had asked to have a strong figure in my life, I got one. I got it in stereo. In fact, I married him. I'm thrilled about it. Strangely enough, I think he married me for similar reasons. Or maybe I just wanted to take a moment and brag about my best friend...and there it is.

Disclaimer: Other stuff has happened, but it's not as important (and besides, I'm growing tired of my long and wordy sentences).

Save The X Industry, Save The World.

2007-06-07T00:15:00.000-04:00

A recent issue of BusinessWeek raises interest in the classic debacle economist Henry Hazlitt outlined so clearly years ago in chapter XIV of his book, Economics in One Lesson.

These days, most telecom companies are moving away from traditional copper wiring, and instead looking to move to more efficient fiber networks. To complete the move is a multi-billion dollar jump, and giants like Comcast and Verizon (and customers alike) will benefit from the investment. The old copper lines are "obsolete and expensive" in terms of the efficiency of the fiber networks and smaller companies are protesting vitriolically to the FCC (which could take months...maybe years to get around to a decision), especially as more and more copper lines these small companies lease through the giants mentioned above are shut down.

Most individuals are familiar with the ideas of farm subsidies and steel tariffs -- things set in place to artificially "protect" some groups at the expense of others, but Hazlitt makes no exception and telecom industries are not excluded. The idea of "saving the X Industry" applies to all industries and products across the board, and for good reason.

Actually, he says it best here:

"Improved methods of production must constantly supplant obsolete methods, if both old needs and new wants are to be filled by better commodities and better means" (86).

Thus, as long as the fiber network transition is put on hold, heavy costs will only continue to burden companies, especially those refusing to do a simple net present value analysis of the long term benefits of investment now as the technology advancement arises for better quality lines, rather than a rocky, hindered, ugly and government-involved transition later --which is no doubtthe slowest most painful way to succeed in offering anything that's better for everyone including companies and customers alike.

The long term production horizon offers more in the way of knowing what's best all around, rather than sticking to what's familiar merely because it works now. Simply because the "familiar" works only until it falls apart, and no one ultimately wants to be left with their pants down.

Pulp Fiction avec Muppet? C'est quoi?

2007-05-04T03:34:00.000-04:00

No comment. Just watch.

He's Finally Getting It

2007-05-04T02:49:00.000-04:00

I thought it was just me. Turns out, I'm not alone. That is, in my irrationality.

It all became so clear the other day when my husband stated emphatically that my lip gloss tasted like the smell of cigars.

......huh?

That's what I said. Yeah, and I think spring makes me think of polka dot blog templates. Yes, I pride myself in being irrational. Sometimes. I like to think of those as my special, creative times. But I love pinning my husband on his unwary boffles. Oh how exciting since generally this category is reserved for...I'm not going to say it. Ah, what a womanly feeling. Or maybe I should say womyn with a "y." That also makes me feel better, and it's so....rational as well. Why don't you tone up that estrogen, and give it some giggles. Join the club, sweety.

A Moment of Disdain for The Income Tax

2007-04-17T08:46:00.000-04:00

Seriously, I hope I never get clients as whiny as this. And I have mean things to say about the backstreet boys. But go ahead, watch it. You might laugh a little.

A different kind of love language...

2007-04-16T14:34:00.000-04:00

My husband sent this to me:

WOMEN'S ENGLISH

1. Yes = No
2. No = Yes
3. Maybe = No
4. We need = I want..
5. I am sorry = you'll be sorry
6. We need to talk = I need to complain
7. Sure, go ahead = I don't want you to
8. Do what you want = You will pay for this later
9. I am not upset = Of course I am upset, you moron!
10. Are you listening to me? = Too late, you're dead
11. You have to learn to communicate = Just agree with me
12. Be romantic, turn out the lights = I have flabby thighs
13. You're so manly = You need a shave and you sweat a lot
14. Do you love me? = I am going to ask for something expensive
15. It's your decision = The correct decision should be obvious by now
16. You're certainly attentive tonight = Is sex all you ever think about?
17. I'll be ready in a minute = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV
18. How much do you love me? = I did something today that you're really not going to like

MEN'S ENGLISH

1. I am hungry = I am hungry
2. I am sleepy = am sleepy
3. I am tired = I am tired
4. Nice dress = Nice cleavage!
5. I love you = Let's have sex now
6. I am bored = Do you want to have sex?
7. What's wrong? = I guess sex is out of the question
8. May I have this dance? = I'd like to have sex with you
9. Can I call you sometime? = I'd like to have sex with you
10. Do you want to go to a movie? = I'd like to have sex with you
11. Can I take you out to dinner? = I'd like to have sex with you
12. Will you marry me? = I want to make it illegal for other men to have sex with you
13. You look tense, let me give you a massage = I want to have sex with you within the next 3 mins.
14. Let's talk = I am trying to impress you by showing that I am a deep person and then I'd like to have sex with you.
15. I don't think those shoes go with that outfit = I'm gay

And When Persians Would Become Lions

2007-04-07T23:18:00.000-04:00

Chaos would begin. But it was only a matter of moments before I realized what had happened.

I woke up dazed, like usual, and mildly amused at the idea that yet those first few moments of waking up would probably be uncomfortable, but I found encouragement in knowing the transition to full consciousness would happen quickly. But, never did I suspect the subsequent, should I dare say SHOCKING events which would later come into play.

Won't you let me illustrate?

On a normal day, I can surely depend on waking from my dreams rather abrubtly. Waking from rather bizarre ideas such as this:

And this:

Anyway.

Those things are quickly replaced by the sensation of this lovely person below kissing me goodbye in the morning. At this point I'm still not sure precisely what is going on.

But you know, it's all good.

Then at some point I also see this:

And this:

But on this day, instead, I would see something entirely different from that last photo. Amidst the sounds of profuse husband-giggles, on this day I was determined to find out what had happened.

(Now, briefly recall the very last picture above.)

To my astonishment, I saw THIS:

Oh, and after a long silence and a double-take,

I saw this:

And after a discussion with my husband on the practical nature of this hair-style, and after much time regaining my self-composure, I saw this again:

What a Fetching Idea!

2007-04-01T23:54:00.000-04:00

Mark Your Calendars: Tax Freedom Day Is Coming Up!

2007-03-28T16:11:00.000-04:00

Check this out:

April 30 is the day that Americans can stop working to pay the taxman and start working for themselves, according to the Tax Foundation's annual estimate dubbed "Tax freedom day."

Tax freedom day is theoretical because it assumes we've been working 7 days a week since the start of the year, and that we don't spend anything we make. The 120 days from Jan. 1 through April 30 represents the time it will take the nation as a whole to earn enough to pay off all of the taxes that will be levied against us this year.

Breaking that 120 days down, the Tax Foundation estimates it will take:

43 days of work to pay off federal, state and local income taxes
30 days to pay off payroll taxes (for Social Security and Medicare)
16 days to pay off sales and excise taxes
14 days to pay off corporate income taxes (This assumes that a tax on a business is passed on to its customers, employees and shareholders in terms of higher prices, lower paychecks and less shareholder value.)
12 days to pay off property taxes
4 days to pay off other taxes (e.g., customs duties)
1 day to pay off estate and gift taxes

Based on an 8-hour workday, the research group estimates that Americans as a whole work:

1 hour 43 minutes to pay all federal taxes (income, sales, etc.)
1 hour 22 minutes to pay for housing and household operations
1 hour 8 minutes to pay for health and medical care
52 minutes to pay all state and local taxes (income, sales, etc.)
51 minutes to pay "other" taxes
40 minutes to pay for food
39 minutes to pay for transportation
28 minutes to pay for recreation
17 minutes to pay for clothing

Way to go Tax Foundation, filling our heads with POSITIVE info for our work ethic. Get the whole article here (although I pretty much just quoted it all, word-for-word ;-)

Gayle Trice: A Strong Woman Worth Knowing

2007-03-25T05:52:00.000-04:00

The Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said in his Meditations that when we die we lose only the present moment, for the past has ceased to be and the future has not yet to come; so to comfort ourselves we have only to look around and ask whether the present moment is really worth keeping. To this idea I would contest, as the notion of “death” itself can be shown to invoke a much more complex mosaic of responses for an individual than merely reflecting on the present moment in which we experience death, whether it is our own death, or the death of another.

What his words do provoke however is the idea that it is necessary to gain an understanding for precisely how we as humans, consistently bombarded by the idea of death, should react. We can think of circumstances in which many individuals die but are individuals which we don’t have a formal acquaintance with, such as in war. But a situation in which we are continually affected, and affected to the greatest extent personally, is when a friend, a loved one or a family member close to us passes away. It is these things which I intend to address here, as my grandmother certainly represented all of those things to me — friend, loved one, and family member.

Growing up, my grandmother became a strong female figure in my mind. Having never met my grandfather, I chose to look up to her early on in my life. I spent long days with her as a child, and her impression quickly grew in me, although I don’t think she was aware of it. As I grew older and she moved away, time and distance didn’t allow us to know each other as well as I think we both would have liked, but there were certain qualities she had that always reverberated within me about her. So much in fact that I think they have shaped a part of who I am; they shape who I strive to be to this day. Thus in reflecting on her death, I choose to make this a moment in which I must give my sincere appreciation for those qualities in her which have had the most impact on me:

I admire the steadfast persistence she conveyed in all things she deemed important in life. For instance, she placed extraordinary value in expressing clearly to others what for her had deepest meaning—she was a public woman— articulate and confident in all matters. Everything she held dear: her love for her husband, her children, her music, for God, was known by all that knew her. When she met with resistance to her values, her strong-will allowed her the persistence to carry on no matter the consequences; she always pressed forward whether one agreed with her or not, and all because she believed in herself and for standing consistently behind what she knew was right.

I admire the confidence with which she carried herself when putting into practice her enormous talent for music. This served as not only encouragement for my own personal musical development early on in life, but also for discovering those different areas which I would choose to follow in place of music later in life. In putting her talents into practice, she thus not only edified herself, but gave an example to those around her that she valued knowing herself, her potential, and once discovered, these things should never go un-pursued. Once she mastered her skill, it gave her something she could freely share with others. Her rigorous pursuance of her talents set a standard that wasn’t easy for others to emulate, but in turn her example challenged others to do the same for themselves.

I admire the compassion she relentlessly showed to others by her actions. Some might say she didn’t have much to give, since her material wealth was not substantial. But she never hesitated to give what she did have; and it is not unobvious that material wealth should be no arbiter of one’s degree of compassion. She showed zero hesitation for giving what was possible for her in circumstances which she thought necessary to ameliorate. Simply put, her heart bled for sustaining the well-being of others. In this way, she was selfless. In this way, she also had to know herself. By understanding and knowing her own experiences, this led her to care enough to take great strides in helping others in all ways within her means.

I want to finish with a final quote which I do agree with, and to which I think my grandmother would also agree. It is the place where Aurelius says, “It is not death itself one should fear, but one should fear never beginning to live. Thus, when you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” Surely that is a mentality my grandmother would have wanted us to have, and a state of living in which we should remember her by. She cherished the life she had very much, and she wasn’t afraid to live.

I also don’t think she would be happy for us to perpetually grieve in sadness, but would instead be comforted to know that we choose from this moment on to recognize and hold with us the qualities about her that affected us the most; as with her influence instilled in us, there is virtually no limit to the presence she can have in our lives. In our hearts, she is immortal. In this way I choose continue to remember her, to love her, and to know her.

Some "Big Sister" Ideas...

2007-03-21T13:31:00.000-04:00

Celebrate Today's Day, Time, and Government Regulation!

2007-03-12T10:11:00.000-04:00

Don't let it bother you that Arizona, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others, are left out of the fuss. It's only good we are prodded to awake an hour earlier-- required to change our schedules accordingly OR ELSE-- all for the sake of light shifting!

A bright concept really, because we enjoy light.

Don't be confused, our leaders know what's best. Obviously, Bush's Energy Policy Act of 2005 knows what we want SO WELL that it requires us to enjoy this "loss of hour" phenomenon in 2007 almost a WHOLE MONTH earlier than previous years. But it's OKAY this change will be open to being CHANGED again at whim once the policy's studies are complete.

Don't blink twice, the government isn't rubbing their eyes. After all, their snooze button isn't funded with OUR money. In fact, they know we're not really saving anything...it's modifying and they will gladly tell us how to do it. In case you didn't know, precisely, last night time didn't fleet away on the strike of Monday morning. No, no, it was only at 2am that time really became what it is NOW in all its brightness. Oh, and don't forget each of the five time zones must change their time at different times because that's "practical and minimizes disruption." The 2am rule also means we know our day will never suddenly become yesterday since that would be SO CLEAR in our minds. Nevermind the European Union thinks it's cool in contrast to change all time at THE SAME TIME.

Lastly, get your terminology straight. When it comes to "Daylight Saving Time" don't be caught on the streets saying "savings" with an 'S'. It's widely known that Daylight Saving's Time with an 'S' is politically inferior even though it kind of flows better than what we should be calling it.

Finally, remember this: there is nothing less exciting than knowing it's all up to the government anyway.

Getting Into The Spirit...

2007-03-11T22:06:00.000-04:00

Of St. Louis and its glorious half-marathon...

23 pounds lighter. Four sizes smaller. Many weights stronger. 16 weeks of training down. Five weeks to go. With a competitive eye for Chicago, New York, and my dear friends, it’s no secret I lust for Boston. Last week I successfully made a continuous mile seven. Let's push it up to thirteen miles before training is up. But that’s not to say that I haven’t endured immense loads of pain and obstacles getting to this point of physical satisfaction…

There’s something to be said for taking a thing one knows and likes out of curiosity, something which could be enjoyed, and initiating oneself to the point of enjoying it.

I do not by any means have a natural skill for running endurance, but I have set myself on the goals my interests have in mind. I would think there is nothing more mind-blowing, nor more edifying than to achieve what one might naturally think to be impossible in spite of one’s current situation. In my early weeks of training I had hefty bouts of shin splints, even to the point where I thought I may have minor stress fractures. Having had chronic bronchitis and pneumonia as an infant thus left me with asthma now which has surely been a consistent obstacle through this winter’s annoyingly cold weather. Additionally, extensive over-pronation of my right foot leading to subsequent hip problems (which may actually have been a mild case of iliotibial band syndrome) has been an issue I have had to keep in mind. Nonetheless, I would argue for running’s merits – despite all the pain, since it is immensely satisfying as a physical discipline— or more generally for me as a method of carrying out an interest for what seemed to me at first impossible. But really, this principle could apply to many things besides running.

There’s nothing comparable to challenging oneself despite known or unknown obstacles until the uncertainty of success is penetrated so intensely and with a motivation such that the existence of any inital uncertainties are obliterated in the face of victory. Let's just hope the last few weeks of training go as well as my first!

Oh, and many thanks to the help of my ipod, Dane Cook's Retaliation CD, and my dog too. ;-)

What Really Went Down In The Matrix...

2007-03-09T16:25:00.000-05:00

subtle, yet explicit enough for my tastes ;-)

2007-03-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

Make sure to check out those tiny faces of Iraqi soldiers in the pic!

On Liberalism & Tolerance

2007-03-06T20:35:00.000-05:00

In asserting a pluralism of existing viewpoints, it seems that unavoidable conflicting possibilities may arise without some sort of check and balance.

Consider this idea: Should the tolerant tolerate the intolerant? Better yet, if the idea of freedom is threatened for all on the basis of someone or some group’s “hard principles” (i.e., individuals that represent those who are intolerant or unwilling to compromise on some issue, whether it be politics, religion, morality, etc..etc..) shouldn’t those committed to freedom step in and defend this notion (to maintain liberty for all)? But wouldn’t this make the “freedom-fighters” intolerant in a sort of round-about way as well (i.e., that nothing less should be accepted than their notion of liberty)?

I am tending to lean on a pragmatist humanist response that the only way to prevent such atrocities would be through a type of persuasive “coercion” – that is, my viewpoint is that only through successful reasoning and argumentation will the most plausible conclusion be arrived at. One can rest assured, if this method is in place, a solid conclusion will be arrived at. Any other method inevitably leaves the possibility of authoritarianism, or otherwise unverifiable claims which are, I believe, grounded in nothing less than fear and insecurity.

“So step up, and argue” – nothing less should be tolerated. Getting everyone to this point, however, calls for an argument in its own right.

The Miniature World

2007-03-05T23:37:00.000-05:00

This video utilizes economic and demographic data reproduced to simulate a community of 100 people as if it represented the entire world. The video is actually a production from The Miniature Earth Project. Enjoy!

And Now, A Note of Clarification...

2007-02-28T22:24:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I'm not even half way through what I had written down and I realized these are not my notes, but the questions to my notes. Gahh!!! If I am determined to make sense of this stuff the least I can do is have the decency to be organized. I will have to add my actual notes later to the corresponding questions. But right now, I am tired. And I still have a lot of other work to do. You know, bright and cheery stuff like tax law and more...well... business law. Yes, and coffee is my friend right now.

Oh well, organization must come out of confusion at some point - much like order can come from anarchy, right? Wouldn't you like this to be the case? I certainly would. On a side note, how the hell did things get as screwed up as they are today? Somewhere we must have lost our principles. Let's back the truck up and examine this. Wait, you don't agree on anarchism. That's what I thought. Apparently this Randian doesn't think so either. Hmm... I need to work through this. It's going to be so much fun. But, sadly, mid-terms must come first.

Methodological Individualism

2007-02-28T22:24:00.001-05:00

Assert individualism as correct. That society is a mere label applied in social situations to account for an entity that has no rights in itself. Rather, the individuals carry the rights and responsibilities in their actions. They alone are the arbiters of their productive and worthwhile futures based on the choices they make. How then are members of the family unit treated? Are children treated as property until a certain age? Or are they immediately treated as individuals capable of their own decisions? Or does this only happen at a certain period (varying from individual from individual) when that person learns to think for him or herself?

If children are viewed as property until a certain age before they become rationally acting beings, wouldn’t abortion be permissible up until that point? How would libertarian justify this either way? If a pro-life advocate wanted to defend abortion, wouldn’t they merely say that they had self-ownership of her own body and that any violation of this would be aggression against her freedoms of self, assuming that the fetus within her is merely property until becoming a rational being in itself with the rights of self-ownership. If that is not the case and both beings are entities with self-ownership abilities how would one even attempt to make a case for or against abortion?

Public Space

2007-02-28T22:23:00.001-05:00

Assume that one has the right to ownership of him or herself—that one’s thoughts, beliefs, and actions belong to oneself. Then, if one has ownership of his or her thoughts actions and beliefs, and the application of these things also consist in the labor of one’s thoughts and actions into a product that can be economically exchanged in the market. Further, that this created product is also owned by the person that acted to create it. If all things are construed in this way in the market, and products may be applied also to intangible things (i.e., as described in property law) such as land, how is it that there may be public space at all if we needed one? When would we ever venture outside of our property—wouldn’t we get bored if there weren’t things to enjoy publicly? Wouldn’t there be the possibility that we’d be confined to our own space and that there wouldn’t be any thing at all such as a public space (i.e., parks, unclaimed oceans, resources). But if we decided there were such things we needed as the maintenance of public space, who would take care of it?

On Non-Coercion

2007-02-28T22:22:00.000-05:00

If anything within the scope of non-coercion is permissible, under what circumstances are social relations established and maintained? That is, what would motivate one to engage in a social contract? Or is it merely assumed (i.e., through competitive advantage) that one would benefit more through engaging in forms of exchange? Also, when a contract is broken wouldn’t this be considered a violation to the violated party’s liberty? How would the justice be served in a libertarian society (i.e., would it be confined to methods such as arbitration, or would there be other options available)?

State of Nature

2007-02-28T22:21:00.001-05:00

Assume humans in a “state of nature” naturally commit bad acts because this would be the worst case scenario (i.e., violence runs rampant, forceful action, sexual violence, and theft are common). We then emerge from this “state of nature” with the knowledge that we have a right to self-ownership, and ownership of our labor or property (assume this is as we are today, although these values have become somewhat convoluted). And the “state” was eventually created in order to keep us from anarchy. However, in a “perfect libertarian” society, the state does not exist at all.

If the government or the “state” is problematic (even in the limited sense), how are we to prevent another state of anarchy? Shouldn’t we assume the worst case scenario that it’s possible this could happen? And, wouldn’t this also be awful if it happened? That is, how do we “know” that in a “perfect libertarian society” that human nature will assume a rational/cooperative stance (i.e., adhere to the axiom implied with non-aggression, and a rational belief in natural rights)?

Oh My, Here Come The Notes!

2007-02-28T22:01:00.000-05:00

I am going to throw some unedited notes from my libertarian/government studies up here - feel free to comment or ignore as you wish. Please note, they are entirely unedited and completely off the top of my head. I'll probably be coming back to these again. I need to hash my questions out with the experts, along with argue them out with everyone else. Yes, I most definitely will. So from now on I'll be re-posting, re-writing, clarifying, etc.... I'll also be moving on to different topics like a mad-woman. I'll also mix it up with my normal stuff. In any case, the notes I have now will be here, in all their coolness, living on my blog.

Welcome to my blog, notes!

Ambient Chaos

2007-02-27T07:39:00.000-05:00

Where are all of my bats (i.e., chiropterans) when I need them?

Echolocation capabilities would be nice right about now.

Edit: This clearly has to do with how much I'd rather be contending with Rothbard's "For a New Liberty" than studying for mid-terms right now. Fleghhh.... oppression of the ivory tower consumes me!!! Let freedom be had!

Sentience is Progressive!

2007-02-26T23:42:00.000-05:00

A Brief Note on “Book Cannibalism”

2007-02-21T06:58:00.000-05:00

Yes, I’m a believer. It is one thing to have something that needs to be read (i.e., something one desires to read for some end) but quite another to read it and do it well. By doing it “well” I mean taking the topic at hand and breaking it down into smaller, more easily analyzable pieces. Then, after those pieces are thoroughly considered, they may be put back together to form a whole which can be seen more precisely. It is only in this way that I think reading is done “well” since only thorough analysis to the greatest extent possible allows for both immediate understanding, but also better long-term retention of the material.

In a sense, one must get “down and dirty” with the text if any value is to be derived from it. For me, this means having a tangible text which I can annotate in the margins (and a good book is one with large margins and adequate spacing between lines!) with general comments, underline, cross-reference within the book itself, cross-reference to books by the same author, cross-reference to books of different but similar or conflicting authors, cross-reference to secondary sources, and sometimes even highlight or sticky-tab as a start. It is a place where I begin to argue on specific points, raise questions, and break down the author’s assumptions to find out where I agree and disagree on important areas. I’m also a visual learner, and thus for anything over say, 50 or so pages, I think it’s important to have this “tangible” ability to really get “down and dirty” with the text. I can’t even begin to describe the fears I placed in many student’s eyes in college after I gave a philosophy presentation in which they awkwardly confronted me afterwards saying that they “actually” began to understand the material because I had helped them to visualize the arguments and navigate around conceptual inconsistencies. If only they would take the time to do this for themselves, they would know.

Ahh…a curious state of affairs this is….. perhaps I need to go digest a recommendable book on the subject. That is, on the topic of reading about reading, or “Book Cannibalism.” Or maybe I’ll just continue reading the “prime” stuff. Whatever the case, I just wanted to make that point. And I'm glad I did...

Fairness is Seasonal

2007-02-21T06:54:00.000-05:00

Starbuck’s and Christmas Blend. Why can’t they make this year round?

That is all.

On Class Struggle & Literature

2007-02-20T10:26:00.000-05:00

I'm going to quote a bit of Hazlitt from a passage I particularly like - read the full article here.

I want to be careful I don't take anything out of context - so I'm just going to keep this in mind and comment more on it later. In the mean time I must say (especially to myself) : read and think about it.

~
It may be well at this point to ask just how much a culture is invalidated or suspect because it is a "class" culture. We are led to suppose, under extreme interpretations of the doctrine of economic determinism, that our economic status inevitably determines our opinions, that those opinions are mere rationalizations of our class status. Let us admit the element of truth in this; let us admit that our economic status influences the opinions of each of us, in various unconscious and subtle — and sometimes not so subtle — ways.
"Those who seek to dismiss practically all existing culture by the mere process of labeling it 'bourgeois' are not necessarily Marxists. They are simply new barbarians, celebrants of crudity and ignorance."

Is it impossible for the individual to surmount these limitations? Is it impossible for him, once he has recognized this prejudice, to guard against it as he guards against other prejudices? Is the limitation of class necessarily any more compelling than the limitation of country, of race, of age, of sex? Because Proust was a Frenchman, his writing is naturally colored by his French environment; it is different from what it would have been had he lived all his life in England. But does Proust's Frenchness diminish, to any extent worth talking of, his value to American readers?

Shakespeare, as a seventeenth-century writer, was naturally limited by the lack of knowledge and many of the prejudices of his age; his age colors his work. Does that mean that he is of little value to the twentieth-century reader? Because Dreiser is a man, does he lose his value for women readers? Does Willa Cather lose hers for men readers? The answers to these questions are so obvious that it seems almost childish to ask them. The great writer with great imaginative gifts may universalize himself. If not in a literal sense, then certainly in a functional sense, he can transcend the barriers of nationality, age, and sex. And certainly he can, in the same functional sense and to the same degree, transcend the barrier of class.

A Quest.......

2007-02-19T07:46:00.000-05:00

Benjamin Franklin once said - if one loves life, then do not squander time since that is what life is made of.

On that note...why can't we stretch life so that there's about 50 hours in a day? It's impossible.

If I can defy the odds - here's my ever-evolving "ideal" list of personal stuff to read this year (hopefully less?!?):

"What Has the Government Done to Our Money?," M. Rothbard
"Nichomachean Ethics," Aristotle (J. Barnes Translation)
"Ethics for Secular Humanism," A.C. Grayling
"For a New Liberty," Murray Rothbard
"The Making of America - The Substance and Meaning of The Constitution," W. Skousen
"The Road to Serfdom" - F.A. Hayek
"Economics in One Lesson" - Henry Hazlitt
"Fahrenheit 451," Ray Bradbury
"Lord of The Flies," William Golding
"The Law," Frederic Bastiat
"The Fountainhead," Ayn Rand
"Letter to a Christian Nation" Sam Harris
"The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins
"The Good and Evil- The Impact of Taxes On Our Civilization" Charles Adams
"The Ethics of Liberty" Murray Rothbard
"The Philosophical Foundations of Austrian Economics" David Gordon
"The Real Lincoln" Thomas DiLorenzo

That doesn't even count reference to other books in my library/articles/other research or school/work/accounting related studies that will need to be done. And also anything I can get my hands on in regard to history based on Tom Wood's PI Guide would be awesome. Not to mention the Federalist/Anti-Federalist papers and a couple other Libertarian reference books my husband brought home from Borders the other day. I'm glad what's his is mine, and what's mine is mine (*) cause it sure does cut down on book costs. :) Now if I can wrap my head around that time dilemma...

Edit: In the grand scheme of things, I just realized how much more I want to add to this list. Although I surely won’t be taking anything off, I may be adding more books and/or specific essays as they come to mind.

Edit #2: As I look at the ever increasing stack of books and my propensity to ADD more to this list without hesitation, I believe it's time I make a disclaimer: Should some books fail to be read in 2007 (and ohh this would be a tragedy now wouldn't it? Yes indeed.) they will be subject to my very own "roll over" policy which I bind to myself. This policy applies indefinitely into the future until all books are read. I give myself no release of this binding contract.

Behold: Comedy

2007-02-17T23:35:00.000-05:00

Demetri Martin - Person
Uploaded by merugo

Poetry for The Masses

2007-02-15T03:04:00.000-05:00

In case you're trying to "woo" that special someone with poetry but are having difficulty -- there is good news! Try the Links -2- Love poem generator. Unequivocally proven to help sustain love for those difficult, awkward moments in which romantic words leave you drawing a blank! In case you didn't know that yesterday (on Valentine's Day) and think it's too late--pick yourself up and resolve to make poetry! Because folks, it can't be any harder than that. As a matter of fact, post poetry on your blog and get an inordinate amount of results!!

For proof, see my fantastically written, thoroughly descriptive example below!

My Love

Your skin glows like the guava, blossoms voluptuous as the poison ivy in the purest hope of spring.

My heart follows your cello voice and leaps like a spotted emu at the whisper of your name.

The evening floats in on a great goffin cockatoo wing.

I am comforted by your linux hat that I carry into the twilight of Kenya beams and hold next to my toe.

I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of gatorade.

As my hand falls from my sock, it reminds me of your American Crew hair gel.

In the quiet, I listen for the last bonging of the day.

My heated elbow leaps to my plaid pajama pants.

I wait in the moonlight for your secret USB missle launcher so that we may jog as one, elbow to elbow, in search of the magnificient black and chrome and mystical pontiac G6 of love.

Pretty good, eh? *sarcasm*

Aiming For Consistency?

2007-02-08T01:24:00.000-05:00

Probably not.

That's why Pelosi thinks global warming prevention has something to do with requesting a larger VIP aircraft.

I'm confused.

A Lesson in Fun Facts (FF's)

2007-02-04T13:12:00.000-05:00

Ouch. The Migraine with a big "M" chastises me. I'm not gonna lie, last night's mohito, budweiser, two amber bocks, and two vodka martinis were just SOOOO good, along with the memory of so many aesthetically pleasing, should I say oratory masterpieces that were articulated, but of course none of the discussion was at the expense of reason. The latter could not be so.

Some "FF's" I remember:

I discovered my social inacceptance is due in part to my need for seeing "The Karate Kid"

My husband is CAPABLE of crying. Profusely. And now I know how this happens. (MwahHAHAhaha)

Patriarchy sucks. Feminists need to assimilate.

In my dreams I wanna be a gangstah....see this. Oh, and this.

Gaming is actually worthy of attention. Girls need to get it together on this. Correction: I need to get it together.

Philosophy rocks. Something about giving you tools for life.

Contrary to popular belief, carbonation in water does not deplete calcium. Just ask me. There's scientific evidence, baby. Look up hyperbaric chambers first, cause that's interesting. A bit off topic, but interesting.

Our knowledge of history is pretty damn frakked up.

Oh yeah, and I have a crush on Battlestar's Starbuck. And that's okay with Nicholas. I like to keep things fiesty.

Our DOG rules the house with his stuffies. Hands down. He makes all our important decisions for us. Our cat makes-out with him. Hey, but at least they get along, right? Embrace diversity. Look beyond the differences.

What does a ball and tights have to do with football? How else could this be intruiging? Oh, I forgot there's going to be a K-Fed commercial this time around. That makes all the difference.

Get some liberty. Abhor government. Believe in the market. Have a sense of humor. Watch this.

I'm getting a gun for my next birthday. Gonna do certification classes. Crazy jabongies. I will not live in fear. Annie Oakley, eat your heart out.

Oh, and Nicholas' teeth itch sometimes. Yeah. Not sure how to explain that one. But that's what he said.

I am POSITIVE there was so much more, but that's all I can remember. I will add later if it comes to me.

Gonna go get some ibuprofen now. Yikes.

Shaken, Not Stirred...

2007-02-04T03:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, y'all know my interest in Bond keeps a tight hold on me (it's uh.. magical, I dare say, yes indeed, magical) . This hold pertains most obviously to the magninimous attractiveness of his (whoops! almost a typo there) character and his cinematic-adventures in general. :)

Well, one of my professors and an incredible mentor (can I even say that for lack of a better word?) from college has co-written an excellent article in the popular philosophy series book James Bond and Philosophy entitled: "That Fatal Kiss: Bond, Ethics, and the Objectification of Women."

So check it out.

Needless to say, I can't describe my elation for consideration from a male viewpoint on this subject.

Bond, I knew you'd never fail me. *sigh*

On objectification, that is.

And guys, women need more stuff like this. It helps us think you are more than just banal, insensible brutes. ;-)

Defend your honor.

Thanks Bond. You made us think, even when we didn't want t.... (oops again!) ;-)

"Being-In-The-World"

2007-01-31T01:11:00.000-05:00

"Everything we talk about, everything we have in view, everything towards which we comport ourselves in any way, is being; what we are is being, and so is how we are."

Heidegger's -- Being and Time

Boys & Games II: Fair Enough

2007-01-29T00:44:00.000-05:00

I have encountered a certain blog post which remedies my situation quite satisfatorily per part I of Boys & Games.

Now, I think I'll go sniff out Eve to evaluate its merit.

Peace out, Dorks.

Undecided About College?

2007-01-28T00:59:00.000-05:00

Then you must see Employee of The Month with Dane Cook.

Wow, I am so glad I don't have to work at Wal-Mart anymore.

Boys & Games

2007-01-27T19:11:00.000-05:00

When I was a young girl I was that annoying little sister that always wanted to play/emulate/follow along with what my brother was up to. I didn’t have a big sister to play dress-up with, or put on makeup or talk about boys to (although, mind you, this did come later under influence with my girlfriends. I don’t even want to think of what my parents went through on this, especially my dad). I know my brother probably had no idea at the time and neither did I, but – playing with my brother – all of those things are some of the best memories I carry with me about being a little girl. Remember those things like Nintendo, Ninja Turtles, Transformers, to name a few? Well we also did crazy stuff like make Superman videos and brown bag puppet shows. I didn’t even care when he used our home-built Ninja Turtle catapult to launch my Barbies across the room. After all, it was for the sake of Baby Ninja Shamoo's command which was my brother through proxy.

Need I say more?

Now that I’m a big girl (heaven forbid too big – I do work out). These memories have driven me to a state of befuddlement on another issue I must contend with. So folks, here it is:

My darling husband.

I must admit it is different being married. It’s a challenge standing on its head, with great rewards. The best times of the day that I consciously savor are when my husband and I come home from our work/or studies and actually get to spend some time together bantering on about current events, philosophy, business, programming, politics, art, and other topics of interest to us. But it stops somewhere. And precisely, that is when the games begin.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a self-inflicting martyr or presenting a “woe is me” argument by any means, (if you think that, you’re forgetting I’m a reasonably big girl and I lift weights) but I’ve definitely got something to say. And here’s what I’m talking about: Boys & Games. When they are together, I don’t like’em.

So what gives?

My perspective is this: You can assume once you’re married that in most cases people will expect you to go to work, in some shape, form or fellowship (that last one is for the über-smart or in the case of affirmative action, lucky). But, you also assume that you have in a sense created a new household separate from your parents. This household is a unit in itself that should take great pains to be properly nurtured, maintained, and stimulated. It’s a community of partners that creates a sense of well-being for each party. With that, comes the proper balance of work and play – we must not only sustain ourselves, but we must constantly take up things that will keep us happy. It’s also a partnership that demands encouragement and belief in the other partner’s capacities, even when the other partner refuses to grapple with their shortcomings or disbelief in those things.

But, what is the proper balance for work and play?

The more one plays the less time they have to take care of other things that must be done. In the case of a household that means one partner either leaving things impartially undone or taking up a disproportionate amount of things like care of the house itself (assuming you have one), routine domestic duties that simply must be done whether one partner helps out or not, or making sure the house is in a pleasant condition when visitors are present, or even perhaps making sure to meet financial budgetary obligations that simply have no fudge room.

Once again as for play, too much of a good thing can have adverse consequences for all of the above, especially for the continuance of the well-being for both parties. It is in affect a long-term mode of displacement. Too much play (i.e., too much time wasted on games, boys, ahem) will be pleasant temporarily, but only until other things get out of whack.

Whenever boys come into contact with computer games or any games of that sort it always causes a severe disruption in other things and I thus contemptuously remain unabated on this topic until compelling ideas to the contrary are presented.

Edit: Ekhehh... have I been reading too much Violent Acres or what? ;-)

2007-01-26T02:33:00.000-05:00

My husband is such a dork. There. I said it. I feel much better now.

Meet The Flori-Nazis

2007-01-09T23:16:00.000-05:00

So, I just wanted some Subway recently. You know, after finishing my review studies for the day. I was looking forward to it. I guess I work well in baiting myself with a carrot, or something like that. Seems like an innocent enough request, right? The girl just wants a Sub. But coupled with the particular Flori-Nazi I encountered right after getting that Sub, the idea all seemed suddenly like a bigger issue flashing before my eyes. You see, the Flori-Nazi almost killed me as I was coming out of a strip mall in Florissant onto Lindbergh. It wasn't only that, but she saw me almost 100 feet away and refused to slow down until she was right on my ass and incessantly laid on her horn like I had broken a law in trying to cut through the break in the madness of what is Lindbergh at 5:30pm. I must say, it's people like this that truly piss me off. As I at first braked at her sounds coming from behind me since I did not realize "I" was the source of her anguish, little did I know this would ignite her rage even more. In my confusion over what had happened, my Camaro suddenly seemed rather wimpy with her big SUV riding me all the way back to Charbonier with the lovely gestures in the rear window she made and the sounds of her horn haunting me while she rode a seemingly 6 inches away from my bumper. In my astonishment at her display of senseless rage I suddenly realized I was helpless. As I felt she might never get off my bumper I eventually found a safe way to let her pass me, but then she decided to do that "ride right beside me and make more gestures" thing like it would help me understand the situation, and then get in front of me and brake a whole lot so that she could make herself feel better. As she slowly passed me in what seemed like a glimpse of forever, I purposefully gave her this look hoping it would suffice for words filled half marked with confusion for what exactly had just happened mixed with disdain over her unforgiveably ridiculous display. So, let's just say I'm celebrating "life" now and not only the food that sustains me. What must a girl do to get a damn Sub these days?

The New Year Res List

2007-01-03T21:48:00.000-05:00

In absolutely no particular order:

1) Pass the CPA exam
2) Do a half-marathon and lose 10 more lbs before Jenn & Chris' wedding
3) Solidify my political views
4) Get up to date on science stuff
5) Read more philosophy books or anything that's non-technical accounting material
6) Get to know my family better and appreciate them more
7) Quit sweating the small stuff and stay focused on long-term goals
8) Drink less/establish more healthy food habits
9) Work on my three volume collection of James Bond (maybe get the fourth?)
10) Passionately fight my melancholic tendencies (yeah, go look up the greek, baby) and take better care of myself with above said stuff
11) Re-connect with my chosen discipline, accounting. Zero-in on specialty areas that interest me (tax, individual and small-business financial planning, etc)

Edit: Some of these are already bunk. That's the last time I list out my Res's. They are doomed to be jinxed.

Move over ladies, there's a new blonde in the house...

2006-12-26T16:08:00.000-05:00

Compliments of hair heroine, Kate Huitt:

Meet Sleepy Spudgy

2006-12-20T01:11:00.001-05:00

Okay, there's something wrong with any person that doesn't find this puppy irresistably cute. If only I I could reach right through YouTube and give this little guy a *squeeze.*

CPA ..er.. pains

2006-12-18T14:59:00.000-05:00

I seriously NEED this book right now. Or any book rather that emphasizes hard-core motivation for the skeptic at heart. Becker CPA review is just not enough. From the book's intro it says (and most accurately) :

"Each year, over 120,000 CPA exam candidates continue to attempt to pass the CPA exam. It is a stressful event in the life of an accountant, and the stress goes beyond just the knowledge and the exam itself because of the high percentage (85%), of first time students who fail. "

I currently feel similar to this person's review of the book:

"The first six weeks of studying for the CPA I felt burned out and unmotivated. When I logged on to Amazon I was hoping for a miracle. I was hoping to find something the will help me overcome the fatigue. I wanted to get the CPA out of the way on the first try, and to never have to look at the CPA books again. Between this book and the CD, I regained my motivation."

Before I was married and egh.. extremely happy and fulfilled I was a militant test-taking Nazi without any other pressing responsibilities to care about. Now, I could drone on and on about my theory of the odds-are-against-me-attitude because the-state-wants-my-money kind-of-thing & my skepticism of institutional education. Hell, I just want to master the subject; not play mind games to appease merely for a piece of paper. But I know that would be absolutely counter-productive in a system which I've committed to playing against (or with?). So how should I deal with these daunting statistics for a profession I've thrown myself into willingly? I guess I need more optimism in my head if I want to pass on the first try instead of constantly feeding on my growing dissaproval over standardized exams. I wish Dane Cook could give me an analogy to pinpoint exactly what I'm feeling right now. I guess either way it's a good thing I'm incredibly stubborn about achieving life's goals. Either that or I'm simply delusional. Let's just hope I can get to the end-point in mind sooner rather than later. ;-) Mleh. It's just one of those days.

My Cloud Bro & Sis :)

2006-12-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

V for Vendetta: Revisited

2006-12-14T23:21:00.000-05:00

"Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V."

*Sigh.* Oh the Verbiage!!!

2006-12-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

Peter Brookes

Soy Makes You Gay

2006-12-12T17:32:00.000-05:00

What? This article is not for the easily offended. You should read it though, really, at least for a good laugh. I guess it's not a good time to say I actually adore White-Wave's "Silk" chocolate soy milk very much. Yum. I guess I'm gay. hehe.

Considering One Frustrated Media Student's Biblical Interpretation

2006-12-11T22:24:00.000-05:00

In response to Jon & Nick:

I think the video made by this media student guy was intended to trump the argument that if Biblical writings are considered infallible truth from God, and all statements the Bible makes must be true, then it follows that nothing in reality can or should disagree/conflict with this truth. But it doesn’t make sense then that the meaning of a couple of very basic Biblical statements, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, and there is no one who does good,” would require intense contextualization or hermeneutical approaches to defend its own truth value. The burden of proof is not on the Atheists here but on the Christians for maintaining the authority of the Bible when claims such as this can easily be proven untrue. It’s a common misperception by Christians that “good” Atheists/Agnostics don’t exist, and by “good” I mean that they have a keen sense of moral agency while also having quite intensely defined political values and concerns as citizens. But this non-existence can be cited to the contrary – even to the affect that they are also quite happy in their position for living out their own personal and economically productive lives, and do not constantly view themselves in a perpetual state of “angst” or even "despair."

In my opinion and experience, the video does offer strengths in pointing out the existence of a serious minority of Atheists/Agnostics. In quantifying how many precisely and the percentage of Atheists as compared to Christians, I would simply hesitate when accepting any statistic as accurate or valid, although I think this guy has the general idea correct that there are more Christians than known Atheists. I’ve heard the idea over and over that many Atheists are very likely afraid to “come out” for fear of retaliation and thus the statistic may be inevitably skewed by not including those people. There are other reasons/criticisms on this as well that Nick and Jon addressed for which I agree, but I have intended to keep this post as brief and to the point as possible.

I do also agree with Jon & Nick in that I don’t see how he makes his conclusion any more compelling by equating good Atheist people as Atheist movie stars. It makes the video's conclusion on a whole, weak. Unless he meant to show that if things we enjoy (e.g., like movies) are good actions, then obviously we must know these are good Atheists and so good Atheists exist and the above Biblical statement cannot be true. But if “good” means being a moral person (which I think it should mean & the Christian God would have meant it to mean), then citing celebrities as good Atheists can’t be convincing since the sole fact that they were in a movie says nothing about their moral character as a person. But just because the video is unconvincing in this way doesn't mean there aren't any good Atheists out there, which is obviously not the case.

As Nick said, the video seems to portray both Atheists and Christians in worse-case extremist scenarios. Although the video was made by a disgusted Atheist and meant to address Christians, exceptions to the general rule of what defines Christian people and Atheist people must be taken into account. If in some circles the possibility exists that a person would be considered “such-and-such” then for this guy’s purpose he says let’s lump them together into this category (hence, the video interprets the Atheist designation as including Agnostics which is an entirely different position on many grounds & illustrates only the extreme right-wing Christian designation and further implies that these people are all un-intelligent idiots without a coherent response to such a Biblical claim). If it’s not considered that it’s possible “All Atheists are not bad” and “All Christians are not bad,” then I could see where conflict could easily erupt among people in both camps attempting to interpret the video. Strict dichotomies eliminate diversity in realistic thought, and in theory it’s easy to make this mistake when trying to gain traction with such a pluralistically complex issue. Ultimately, however, the video lacks the weight I think it was intended to have based on these limitations/omissions.

Some Good Ole' Psychology

2006-12-08T16:57:00.000-05:00

Because of power outages this past weekend (Florissant is always the first/worst hit it seems! ugh!) I had the chance to get to know my family's dispositions in a more quantitative way. With nothing else constructive to do, we all decided to take this little test to see how we'd measure up:

Jung-Myers-Briggs-Typology Test

I am INTJ, what are you?

It's a doggie world

2006-12-08T12:51:00.000-05:00

Stemming from a discovery I've had from a newly found dog savvy friend of mine, I now proudly present:

Preston's Website

2006-12-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Basking In The Adventures of Ian Flemming

2006-11-19T03:01:00.000-05:00

If there's something rewarding about a martini - it's how James Bond likes it. The new bond film "Casino Royale" got mixed reviews, but I appreciated the new flair the film brought from the newly casted Bond-- Daniel Craig. The film had an aura of the first novel's original seriousness which allowed Craig to be clever but without so much of the entirely unrealistic plots and technologically advanced gadgets (gadgets which I did partially miss). Overall I think he did a good job illustrating a young, sometimes naive, but ultimately intuitive Bond figure. That's not to say there weren't pretty girls, fast cars and overall action. He actually fell in love. But in my mind everything about the Bond movies will always be sexy, even if the movie didn't portray his mature personality to the fullest in this one- this time at least there were more explicit fight scenes, and for that and all the other reasons mentioned above is why I give it a thumbs up.

Naturalism Vs. Supernaturalism

2006-11-19T00:41:00.000-05:00

The article presented in Wired’s current issue gives an interesting summary account by Gary Wolf, on the movement known as “New Atheism” surrounding most notably Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Daniel Dennett.

Over cocktails, Sam Harris shows no reserve in promoting his “Religion of Reason,” Wolf writes. Even more, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins’s statements are ones which should be characterized as belligerent, and more generally with a predilection for pissing folks off with a “style of debate as maddening as it is reasonable.”

Even though my personal convictions lie parallel with many facets of “Atheism,” (more closely would probably be Agnosticism) I must say I respond with a growing disdain over many of the ideas Wolf brings to light.

Central to my disagreement, especially as Wolf has painted Dawkins, is the thread of intolerance for ideas contrary to his own – not merely disagreement, but intolerance. Dawkins (according to Wolf) advances the idea that it is not acceptable for those without religious belief to merely get on with life, as they see the religious endeavor mostly, if not altogether pointless. Instead, one should ceaselessly proselytize his or her beliefs with conversion as an end-goal, much as how the Christian canon mandates. According to Wolf, “evangelism is a moral imperative” for individuals like Dawkins.

I agree that the Dawkins as Wolf paints raises some valid points, especially as he discusses that children should be raised with a tone of instruction which encourages independence and free-thought—and not as property.

However, the “New Atheist” exhortation that the non-religious are morally inept without a tone of evangelism in their beliefs seems nothing more to me than an oxymoron stemming from a passion out of whack, or perhaps a desire to gain social momentum for an idea out of a fit of loneliness. In other words, to state that respectability of a system of beliefs is attained and justified only through militant means or with an “end-goal” in mind is absurd. I like to think instead that sensible discussion on civil grounds, that is, discussion “in and for itself” and not coercion – is well served, if not for any motivation other than to achieve a continuously greater understanding of that individual in particular, or the universe's possibilities in general. But belief through a forced "faith" can only disintegrate into nothingness unless reinforced through consistent manifest or otherwise tangible experiences.

I begin to think that Wolf may have exaggerated Dawkins’ views to a certain extent as he quotes Dawkins in a debate. In that debate, he says that,

“there's an infinite number of things that we can't disprove. You might say that because science can explain just about everything but not quite, it's wrong to say therefore we don't need God. It is also, I suppose, wrong to say we don't need the Flying Spaghetti Monster, unicorns, Thor, Wotan, Jupiter, or fairies at the bottom of the garden. There's an infinite number of things that some people at one time or another have believed in, and an infinite number of things that nobody has believed in. If there's not the slightest reason to believe in any of those things, why bother? The onus is on somebody who says, I want to believe in God, Flying Spaghetti Monster, fairies, or whatever it is. It is not up to us to disprove it."

My question to Wolf would be, “If the onus is on those with ‘bogus’ beliefs – then why has Wolf portrayed Dawkins with a penchant for establishing that his own onus exists on grounds that his own belief in Atheism is not also possibly bogus?”

Regardless of my skepticism in Wolf, he concludes well with the following:

“If we reject their polemics, if we continue to have respectful conversations even about things we find ridiculous, this doesn't necessarily mean we've lost our convictions or our sanity. It simply reflects our deepest, democratic values. Or, you might say, our bedrock faith: the faith that no matter how confident we are in our beliefs, there's always a chance we could turn out to be wrong.”

Feelin' The Burn...Soon At Least

2006-11-19T00:20:00.000-05:00

Six months exactly from yesterday. No time to lose. That is, for the Spirit of St. Louis Half-Marathon. It’s 13.1 miles, begins at 7:00am April 15th, and my stamina for running is currently laughable. At first, I thought a 5k would be sufficient for my newly found desires for running, but why not go for the gusto? I've been thinking about this for some time, but I kept telling myself I’d never be able to seriously contemplate this task. So, in tackling some lingering inner demons of mine, I’m planning to do a half marathon in April. Wish me luck, or.. um happy training. Geesh. I’ve got work to do.

Away for the moment

2006-10-11T02:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, as you may not know - let it be said. I am taking a hiatus from this here blogger world until my skills can set forth the great magniminity in which they were meant--that is, in much needed html developing. So, find me back on my old site for now - I promise, it's only temporary. Find me here. No here. Over there, really. Gotcha all mad and confused now don't I?

I have to admit, changing places online is like moving around in space. I could get used to this. It could get annoying. Anyway, here's the link:

www.xanga.com/shantarimango

"The Feline Condition"

2006-10-11T01:04:00.000-04:00

Maxwell - Pensive, strikingly beautiful, my persian gazes outside our front room window.
It all began the day we met, the day he chose me to take him home.
Nicholas and I were seeking a companion for our other restless cat in the apartment.
"Do you like this striped one with the Egyptian Eyes?"
"What about that orange one over there?"
Then suddenly averting my gaze were these enormous
paws of fluff reaching outside the bars.
It was not just the fluff. It was then, I knew.

As soon as I looked over a bit closer, a gentle roar full of affection filled the room.
Could he be purring at me?
How could anything purr in this wretched place?
Beautiful golden eyes peered through the shadows as I was taken by his beauty.
"But he's a persian -- don't they have squishy noses?" “No, his isn't so bad.”
In fact, none of that matters anymore. He crawls in my lap every afternoon and night. Sometimes in the bedroom.
*Don't tell Nicholas!*
I am sure, affirmed every day that this cat simply
could not seek out enough love nor get enough love from humans.
Every time he comes to me he is happy, and in dire need of affection.

Indeed though, it was only a few nights ago that we had that "talk."

My eyes welled up at the thought of that night, a few nights ago.
It all began when I heard voices during the night. Guys night voices, to be precise.
"He's gone" "He got out" "That door dasher Maxwell!"

My beautiful Maxi has one fatal flaw.
His penchant for breaking the rules, and to explore his stronger inclinations.
Yes, it may only be a second when a neighbor is at the door,
A package is being delivered, or Guys Night comers are leaving.

Maxwell has his own prerogative. He has endless persistence
in spite of all dangerous odds.
A proven Ninja kitty at its finest.
So, he was gone. And it was October. Oh dear, and he is black.

A few minutes after the guys night members had left,
Nicholas and I sorted our thoughts and sought him out again.
I knew this time Maxwell needed to know – it was not safe for him to be outside.
Then a dash of black fluff across the way appeared.
Running furiously from both of us.

I stopped and fell to the ground.
“Maxwell please come back” “Please, you must!!”
His stride slowed. He stopped at a bush and gazed back with glittering eyes.
"Freedom tonight mum?"

Slowly he came toward me. His bottle-brush tail swishing against the bush.
I knew his change of heart when I heard that familiar roar.
It was then I told him of the uniqueness of his condition-- the feline condition.
He is safe now. That's all that matters.
I told myself "Hopefully I made a difference-- until next time that is."

Oh, and when you come over - please watch the door

2006-10-07T13:17:00.000-04:00

Feeling Sluggish? Think Again...

Flarghh... that break was unwarranted. Back to work. Down with mid-terms! Or higher education or something.

Chili Break

2006-10-03T17:04:00.000-04:00

The coolest show ever is back, starting tomorrow. ABC's Lost premiere's season three tomorrow night for some seven uninterrupted weeks. Then the agonizing wait is on again for 13 weeks.

Maybe during those 13 weeks ample time can be spent sharpening cuteness recognition skills at these sites: PuppyWar.com, & KittenWar.com

Or on brushing up on Beer-Ed 101 while contemplating the recipe structure of these magnificents.

Re: “A lot of economic theory and a bit of common sense”

2006-10-03T01:57:00.000-04:00

So there’s a convention…and then more conventions… and oh wait – more conventions. Let’s blindly keep following them because, well, they are conventional. Forget about intellectual freedom. Equality. You know, those basic rights. Not to mention the rational foundation on which we make choices. Nah.. it’s just how it always has been and so it should remain so. But wait, there was this thing recently called the Civil Rights Movement. What did that have to do with anything?

He doesn’t get into that. Instead, he wants to talk about “Career Women” with a capital “C.” Michael Noer is his name and he's the executive news editor for Forbes magazine.

In his much debated article originally published August 22^nd 2006 (a revised version and with co-response is linked under "Career Women" above), he gives a word of marriage advice to today’s modern man: “Marry pretty women or ugly ones. Short ones or tall ones. Blondes or brunettes. Just, whatever you do, don't marry a woman with a career.”

What exactly does that mean? Well, he goes on to define his terms. “To be clear, we're not talking about a high school dropout minding a cash register. For our purposes, a ‘career girl’ has a university-level (or higher) education, works more than 35 hours a week outside the home and makes more than $30,000 a year.”

According to Noer, marriage is a “stressful” situation and [based solely on that idea] “professional” career women are more likely to suffer a greater chance of divorce, be more likely to cheat on their husbands, and have less kids. Marriage is merely an “exercise in economic labor specialization.” Even more to the point, he says “Women's work hours consistently increase divorce, whereas increases in men's work hours often have no statistical effect.”

Tell me Noer, why should women be stripped of making their own choices for what role they choose in a marriage? Better yet, why should they alone carry the burden for what makes a happy marriage? I suppose these notions struck the core of me when reading this, as when I was a child, frankly, I didn’t dream of sitting at home having a bunch of kids and playing house like that was my destiny in life. Instead, I saw having a happy family and a career. I guess it meant kind of like having an identity, or something to define me outside the home. To me that fundamental idea was, and still is important to me. Just how to carry that out from a female perspective [and that’s a complex subject for another day] is not at all what he gets into. In fact, the way I see it he’s got the whole situation backwards.

Conceptually the fundamental assumption he holds is that the status quo should be maintained since there simply is no way around the “traditional” fact that women typically have stayed home to raise a family and men have gone out to work. In other words, there is no alternative, since “statistically” working outside the home does not affect men in the same way as it does women. But much of his purported argument doesn’t even get off the ground because of the high flying assumptions he attempts to make rational.

In my opinion, any one of these ideas could be replaced with “either spouse” and the logic would work the same. Simply because a marriage [ahem… it’s intuitive here] involves two people and not one. So in sorting out the few specifics he actually gives for not marrying career women (i.e., don’t marry..b/c of increased cheating, divorce, less kids) he doesn’t even acknowledge or anticipate the potential weaknesses to his reasons or even recognize the exclusivity of his claims. I agree with his idea that marriage is indeed something you have to “work” at, and it’s hard work. But he must know this… every marriage is not the same in regard to "cookie-cutter" roles, but any marriage can be a happy one. And the rewards for that work are not only satisfying, but ten fold. Or, you know, even more than that. There simply is no limit. I'd like to know how many times he's been divorced. But let’s be realistic about his claims. Marriage is for a long time. So inevitably there are going to be an abundance of temptations to “cheat” on a spouse. But what he doesn’t even come close to saying is that in any role, traditional or not, either spouse is prone to these risks. But we all know that’s where the importance of love and commitment come into play; maintaining and meeting each other’s needs and desires. So in a stable marriage the issue of whatever either spouse is doing career-wise or not doesn’t make a bit of difference, as long as each spouse consistently makes a concerted effort to maintain the relationship. Likewise, then there will also be no need for divorce if these things are upheld, so his second reason is also thrown to the wind. Finally, the issue of being faced with having fewer kids brings up several points I’d like to contend with. In my experience with young newly married working women, I don’t know any of these working “career” women that don’t wish to have children of their own one day. While I agree it may be more difficult while the children are young to raise them while working, it doesn’t seem impossible, or even illogical to not be able to have both kids and a career. There are many ways to work around this, and companies are making it [albeit slowly] easier to happen. And to use this situation to the best advantage - if both spouses are working, why can’t that extra income be used to pay for private school for the kids, save for their kids college education, or chuck a hefty bit of money away for both spouses to have a comfortable retirement. I mean, if you have the extra income why not spoil your kids to the N-th degree? In my mind, this should be just as much an option as either spouse choosing to stay home with the kids. And realistically, all of these financial things would be more difficult to achieve with only one spouse working. And of course there are the reasons for the traditional role, mainly more time spent between parent and child, greater ease with breastfeeding, less daycare costs, housekeeping costs, etc. etc. In short, (and this has turned to be everything but that, hehe.) I think every couple should be afforded the option to have choices, and weighing the pros and cons are important in any marriage. The structure of each marriage is a function of the individuals themselves, including all the unique characteristics and factors that go along with that. And these are the reasons marriage is so exciting [Remember Noer?] Thus the answer to the equation simply cannot be churned out by a simple formula for all, and my comments have been aimed to show that this is precisely what Noer has intended to suggest.

I Need Physics!

2006-09-13T14:36:00.000-04:00

So, I'm in my first night of Fixed Income/Equity Securities and Markets class and the Prof says if you want to make the big bucks on Wall Street you really need to get a PhD in either mathematics or physics. I had been thinking that an MBA, MACC, or MFA were degrees missing a certain element for a while, but it didn't reverberate quite as effectively in my head until I heard it coming from my prof. So yeah, way to go Bro (who's getting a PhD in physics)! We need to talk. You chose the correct path to enlightenment. In the meantime, I'll be getting by with the missing elements. Why couldn't someone just pay me to study everything pertaining to an understanding of business?

Just a hopeful thought for any capital contributors out there.

2006-09-03T13:48:00.000-04:00

The Word Cloud. Get one here.

What's all the Wiki-Fuss !?

2006-08-29T23:40:00.000-04:00

Apparently, Wikipedia - the online encyclopedia which allows open editing by anyone, has been recently in the spotlight by the U.S. Patent & Trademark office as a knowledge source equivalent to "toilet paper" in legal discourse.

Proponents of this argument state that Wikipedia had been used (within a database of other information sources) to validate patents (which confer exclusive rights to a product for their creators for up to twenty years). However, the ability for these "patent validity examiners" to use Wikipedia in searches has been revoked, on grounds that since the information is constantly changing - the information is not fit for determining a patent's validity.

Since discovering Wikipedia - I have developed a certain regard for its ability to evolve and update with new information, and especially its ability to be driven by a conglomerate of pre-critiqued ideas, while the final product is continually open to revision. Although I certainly don't think it wise to use Wikipedia as a fundamental basis for a patent proposal, or any other legal document (that's why we have primary law sources), I have no reservations as to its general guidance for basic contextual direction for a subject. It seems however, that this "ousting" to Wikipedia and subsequent "blow" to its credibility draws to mind whether something such as this could ever be considered a "valid" source of knowledge. But knowledge shouldn't be something static, and it is ineviteably open to change. So why the fuss about Wikipedia, the one purporting ultimate "up-to-dateness" as not serving the test of validity? Sounds like the debate should be more around "accuracy" and "reputation" rather than it's discredit for "changing with new information," which in itself is a highly respectable quality.

Guess What?

2006-08-19T01:36:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day of your life so far.

~unknown author

It's.....

2006-08-18T23:58:00.000-04:00

LUFFLY!!!!!!!

That is my new word from now on... props to the sis-in-law for expanding my vocabulary to new levels.