18th
November
2008
Among my wishlist items for today is the tweak needed to make eBay show me the cost of stuff in real terms. I’m not bad at mental math, but given that payments for all the stuff I want to buy must pass via Paypal (which is the hind quarter of the auction world), why can’t the display show me the different values in “converted” terms? I want to know the vig. Don’t pretend it isn’t possible, this is a computer.
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posted in economy |
17th
November
2008
Now we have proof that (some) movies are teaching (some) young people to do the wrong thing. Those pesky pirates from Somalia have managed to comandeer a supertanker using small boats and people waving the modern equivalent of a broadsword. All this because someone allowed a pirated illegally downloaded DVD of Jack Swallow into the local market, I guess.
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posted in economy |
13th
November
2008
My kids laugh at me, because I’ve got the music in me. Put on headphones, some tunes, and the groove oozes from between my joints. Maybe it’s time for a visit to one of their places, where people slam or skank or whatever it is that they do; I can laugh louder and longer. For now, I’m just going to listen to Bob Sinclar and let the rhythm take me.
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posted in computing, economy, education |
1st
November
2008
Another ordinary day for the average Joe, off from work wherever, appreciating the respite from routine that the weekend offers. At least, if your weekends haven’t become routine. How sad a thought. I started off early, busily figuring out how to place an object with multiple bolts to fasten at the top of a pole. Did you know that small metal pieces which fall into long grass tend to stay attached to the ground instead of their intended mechanical destination? Even small magnets are insufficient in the search and recover phase; off to the parts box to find a compromise.
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posted in economy |
30th
October
2008
During the last few months I’ve been expanding my horizons, so to speak. The stores locally don’t carry the things I want, so I’ve gone online for pretty much everything that I want, and recognize that it’s simply a return to the model of my childhood. After all, Eaton’s not only had a store; they had a mail order catalogue which was a lifeline for anyone with an urge to buy something more than what the local general store had on the top shelf.
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posted in economy |
23rd
October
2008
Time to apply a little imagery to the current economic conditions. First of all, for those of us who have had our incomes fixed by decree, the average day is grey, with hints of rain. There’s little change in view, so we take our delight in the details. Consider the trend in the price of gas.
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posted in computing, economy |
12th
October
2008
There’s an appeal to a well-run small business. The owner who understands the clientele, chooses the inventory carefully and is able to offer a reasonable price point for the things I need will get my return business. This morning, faced with the annual “close the pool” checklist, I decided to invest in one of those foam thingies that keep the skimmer from collapsing in the arms of an iceberg.
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posted in economy, environment |
11th
October
2008
Those who take care of their pennies have already cared for their dollars. Or something like that; bits of trivial text from the dusty books of an old library. The kind of text that reminds me I am not among the wealthiest 2% of the nation, because my pennies still matter.
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posted in economy |
7th
October
2008
There isn’t much that is as good as gold. Right now, the big casino to the south of us has had a run of bad dice, and all of a sudden there’s a big problem looming for the rest of us. I go to work, I receive my “proof of deposit” and due to the unscrupulous actions of a few, my effort is suddenly worth less to the world around me. Enough to bring on a bout of depression, I tell you.
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posted in economy, politics |
30th
September
2008
And the decision is in; the American government has declined to bankroll the gambling professionals, and the sky is falling (if you listen and believe the gang that feels they deserve everyone else’s money). Maybe I’m not rich enough, but the idea of taking money you can’t afford to lose and then gambling it (away) has always seemed like a loser’s lot.
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posted in economy |
