The List

I've made lists of top songs, top vacation destinations, etc... and it's occured to me that I have never tried to make of list of my favorite beers. So... here goes (tell me if I'm missing any good ones):



5) Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat


4) Frambrozen


3) Vanilla Porter


2) Cherry Wheat


1) 1554

I'm sure there are others I'm not even thinking of, but I'm sure someone will remind me.

Cliche Man

I love poker, I could play it all day! Unfortunately most of the people I know "like" poker, but wouldn't play it all the time. Sad. It's like mind games with cards - awesome. Here's a quiz for you, what's the most over used phrase in poker? "One time" - I still laugh when I hear it. I tried to start a poker group that has a set time to meet, unfortunately our Europe trip and a failed email has about killed the idea. Apparently the only way I can guarantee myself an actual poker game is to drive to Nebraska (where I know Aaron will almost always have one).

I Got Your Bail Out Right Here

Ah, so the infamous "bail out" goes down in flames today. I had to laugh a bit. The news article kept saying the government insisted this was a "crisis", we have to act now or it'll be 100 times worse! Oh, like WMD's? Oh, no, sorry, you meant the Patriot Act? Sorry, I heard you wrong, that was firing U.S. Prosecutors for non-political reasons? Crap, I must not be paying attention, it wasn't any of those - it must have been an emergency to release the identity of CIA operatives? Yeah Federal Government, I'm paying attention - why the hell does it seem there are so many freaking "emergencies" in this Administration? Now, don't get me wrong, my issue is how it's fed to us - "it's critical, do it now or the sky will fall!!!" Didn't anyone in the Administration pass Kindergarten? I mean The Boy Who Cried Wolf is required reading, not because it's world class literature, but because it's a life lesson they should have learned decades ago!

I'm in a rush to leave, but my 10 second opinion (for what it's worth) - there is no "fix" to the current problem, well that's not actually true, there is a "fix" but it'll only be implemented by the market and the answer is bank "failure". You don't spend a decade of lending money to sub-prime borrowers and then act all surprised that they failed. No s**t, where did you get your finance degree out of a cereal box? As Tiffany put it, it's the age-old American get rich quick scheme. They lent tons of money to people that were high risk, they got their pay-offs up front and then when the inevitable happened, the financial institutions already made their millions. Short sighted planning for the quick buck always has and always will result in the market coming back to crush you. No amount of money in the world will "fix" it - they are bad debts regardless of whether the government owns them or private companies own them. As for the fear that the economy will slow even more because credit/loan resources will dry up for consumer/business needs - personally I don't believe it. The money is still in the system (it has just changed hands). However, now those banks that were smart and avoided the sub-prime mess have the greatest opportunity of all - they will continue to be the credit source and they will grow and crush the banks that were foolish and chased the sub-prime money. The market wins again. Oh, plus not only will those smart banks flourish, but NEW banks will emerge to fill the credit needs that the surviving banks can't satisfy. Ah, long live the free market - see no worries, credit won't die, it'll just be run by banks/companies that know what they are doing. (By the way, when I said "NEW banks will emerge", I threw up a little bit in my mouth)

Just for giggles how about a partial solution - lawsuits against managers who approved of continuous high-risk investment. They may not have all the money, but they still have a lot of it. I'd rather they be bankrupt...

CSU Band Day

Today is only half done and still lots of activities to go, but one of the things we've already been to is CSU Band Day where Micauley played in his first full performance and first competition. Awards aren't until tonight, so we won't know until later how they did, but here are some videos of the performance (yes, longer and further up than the first one). However, I did you my phone to take these videos, and the first one I'm still trying to figure out how to do it when taking a video of an enitre football field from the top rows of the stadium. The second video came out a bit better once I got used to it. It's still a video taken from a camera, so don't blame the audio quality on Micauley and don't blame the video quality on me!

Round II

Well clearly I haven't thought about the health care blog again since I posted it, but Aaron was nice enough to leave me some thoughts, so I went through them:

I don't hate it, but here's some grenades you'll be thrown for this plan. "What
about citizenship? Does this only apply to citizens?

Why yes, yes it does. But, the brillance of the plan is that everyone has to pay into it - including illegals, green cards, visas, you name it, you work in the U.S. the Health Care tax applies. You don't like it, become a citizen.

"Also, what about pre-existing conditions? I have had 2 knee surgeries, and
when I'm not on group insurance, there's no one out there who's willing to
insure my knee anymore. Yet I still participate in several knee-threatening
sports. Is this considered "risky behavior" such that I would have to forfeit
coverage. Completely? Just for my knee? Or just higher premiums? What
if I stop playing some approved list of sports? What if I just say I did?
Who's policing me? What if I smoked for a while and then quit? And then fall
off the wagon and start again? Same question if I'm an alcoholic. All self-induced, right?

Nice job donkey - come up with a loophole. To answer your question, if you have a knee problem and you engage in a "knee-threatening sport", oh, let's say judo, then yes, your knee is not covered. Yup, just the knee. Now, depending on the activity it may fall into a lower risk category (oh, what could be a lower risk to knee injury than judo, lets say skiing or deep knee lunges or the slide move while dancing in Footloose), then yes it may just be a higher premium. If you stop playing the sport - hmmm, how about a graduated decline scale based on the amount of time you haven't played the sport. What if you just said you stopped - well now you're just an ass. Ok, I'll admit I don't have an answer for that. The best I can come up with is a sports registry. Your health care is run through your social security number (I mean hey, why not, we won't be using them for social security), and every time you participate in a sport, the coach enters you into the database. I already don't like it because of the "big brother" factor. The very issue of "monitoring" may be what brings this down. Off the top of my head I can't think of any "monitoring" technique that I like, but clearly there must be one. Or we stick with the private insurance system we have...

Two Unrelated Rule

So I'm logging in tonight and see a news story that Italian Police are concerned that the "Da Vinci Code" movie prompted a man who watched it to try and stab a priest, and when arrested the man said he was the anti-christ. Hmmm - yes, you're correct, clearly if it wasn't for the movie there wouldn't have been any concerns with this gentleman.

I'm not sure lots of people know that on Saturday or Sunday morning I try to make pancakes for the kids. Tiffany usually isn't up and they all seem to really like it. However, I don't eat any, I just have some coffee. Why? Simple, I hate the short stack. (you either get it or you don't)

Left, Left, Left, Right, Left

This weekend was Micauley's first performance with Marching Band. They only did a part of their show instead of the entire thing, so I'm interested to see how their competition in a week and a half goes when they haven't done the entire thing in front of an audience. I guess that'll be their practice as it doesn't actually count towards anything until their Regional Competition and I think they have a few "band days" between now and then. Anyway, I was down on the field helping with the Pit Crew and all I had was my phone camera, so you'll have to deal with the world's shortest band video (and one picture).

Fiber, Vitamins & Older Kids

Over the past few months a thought has occured to me - our kids are getting older, not much older, but just old enough that I may soon have to accept that we don't have any "small" children. While we have tried very diligently to not treat any of our children differently and have made sure that McKaiden has chores and responsibilities equal to what his older siblings had to do at that age, it is clear to me how or why people fall into the "baby of the family" trap.

As each child gets older there is a younger child that is still "small and cuddly". Well, eventually you hit the last one and there are no more "small and cuddly" kids... Now, don't get me wrong, I love seeing them go through all the stages and now that Micauley is in High School it is beyond exciting to see him in activities that I vividly remember and enjoyed. So kids getting older isn't "bad" in fact it's pretty damn fun, but lets face it, along with all the exciting and fun stuff older kids do, there comes an equal level of difficulties. I mean a melt down by a 4 year old, while frustrating, isn't even in the same ballpark as a melt down by a 14 year old.

Anyway, McKaiden is still small, but he is very close to crossing that line where there will no longer be a "little kid" in the house. It's a bit sad to think that day is coming so soon, but hopefully by realizing it is coming I can avoid the "baby of the family" syndrome, as that doesn't seem to be good for anybody.

So why the philosophical view all of a sudden? Who knows, my guess is that with all of our kids in school, I see that we aren't just "taking care of little" kids anymore but are training people to eventually go off on their own. Holy crap, I can barely comprehend taking care of us, now I've got to get "new" people to learn how to do it? Who's idea was that? Oh, yeah, mine and Tiffany's.

It has also put out the notion that eventually Tiffany and I will be by ourselves. A concept that unlike most couples we have never done. We have never lived or really been in the same city without having a child to raise (minus high school). So maybe we'll just focus on enjoying the kids while we have them here...

Caffeinated Idea

Here's a little medical tip from me to you (I can say I'm a "doctor" right? Just not a medical doctor). Ok, that's just funny. Anyway, my tip is that if you get a runny nose because you've had so much caffeine, that's probably too much caffeine. Well, this morning that would be me. However, it did prompt an idea I want to sort out. Every election cycle there seems to be some giant idea about health care for the entire United States. Now on some level I feel a little bad about saying, too bad, go figure it out for yourself, but a bigger part of me says I'm certainly not paying for the portion of the population that simply doesn't want to work or simply wants whatever the government will give them for free. So I'm toying with the idea of trying to figure out a plan that might offer coverage for most of the United States, but has two major requirements. First, you must be employed or documenting significant efforts to be employed. Second, your coverage is dependent upon your conduct that affects medical issues (i.e. if you ride a motorcycle, smoke, convicted of violent crimes, etc... your coverage goes down or is limited). In short, I could consider a plan that everyone has to pay into and doesn't insure people for doing stupid things. I know, lots of holes so far, but I'll get there or come to the conclusion national health care won't work (not that it matters if I come up with a plan since absolutely nothing will happen with it). Oh, one final thought - no this doesn't "legislate morality" or behavior, etc... First, it would not change due to "medical conditions", just stuff you keep doing to make it worse. If you want all the taxpayers to contribute to health coverage, then you have to be respectful of their money. If you are buying twinkies when you weigh 600 pounds then no, you don't get coverage, you can go purchase your own private health insurance (but you'll still be paying for everyone else on the "national system"). It doesn't legislate behavior, it simply offers an alternative.

Buying the World

So the United States is "loaning" $85,000,000,000 to AIG. Hmmm, I'll admit that a couple of days ago I was not amused (and I remain absolutely disgusted on McCain and Obama's proposed debt-increasing spending sprees). So, I looked for some information on what looked like a taxpayer ass-whipping with AIG. Turns out it may not be horrible. More details to the plan (which obviously haven't been finalized) are emerging. One of those details is that the U.S. would be moved to the top of the list of creditors. At the tune of $85,000,000,000 what difference will that make? Simple, AIG apparently has $1,000,000,000,000 (yes, 1 trillion) in assets. So absolute worst case, fire sale of all assets, not great for the world, but clearly enough to cover $85,000,000,000. Best case - AIG sells itself apart, remaining viable and profitable businesses, but the sale itself is estimated at $150,000,000,000 - again easily covering the $85,000,000,000 loan. The cherry on top - 11.5% interest (the U.S. borrows money from taxpayers at 3.75%), so the government makes a profit.

I still have a nasty taste in my mouth over the concept to bailing out companies that fail for making poor decisions, but given the fall-out to the world (including the U.S.) if AIG went under - I guess making a profit isn't too bad.

Hey, we need to keep the world a float because we'll need them to bail the U.S. out once McCain/Obama are through screwing us over with their moronic plans to defecit spend at historical highs!!! I'm still to pissed to even comment more, maybe later...

Bighorn Dental

A friend of ours is opening his own dental practice (Bighorn Dental)and we went to his open house tonight. I'll admit I was unaware you could have that much fun in a dental office.

Taxing Economy

So I saw yet another email outlining quotes and comparisons between Obama and McCain. It really wasn't much different, just lots of opinions and unsupported claims all put forward as "fact". This was a bit different in that it tried to appear legitimate by putting footnotes to sources. Only problem is those "sources" were other articles and blogs of other people's opinions. I don't know if it truly has sunk in to them that citing someone else's opinion does not make your opinion a fact. What really irritated me was one of the quotes "cited" the Tax Policy Center, a non-partisan organization that simply analyzes tax policies (I know, I'm thinking of crashing their next Christmas party too!!!) Well, turns out the quote was crap, just a cite to someone else's article giving their "take" on what the Tax Policy Center said. So, screw them all, I went and read the report myself - well I tried, it's really boring. Fortunately there is an Executive Summary that was prepared and issued September 15, 2008. Great, up to date summaries of the impact of McCain and Obama's tax policies. If you want the actual numbers, go read it (ok, I really did read it), but if you want the USA Today/ADD version, here are the direct quotes from the Abstract and Intro:

Both John McCain and Barack Obama have proposed tax plans that would substantially increase the national debt over the next ten years, according to a newly updated analysis by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center. Compared to current law, TPC estimates the Obama plan would cut taxes by $2.9 trillion from 2009-2018. McCain would reduce taxes by nearly $4.2 trillion. Obama would give larger tax cuts to low- and moderate-income households and pay some of the cost by raising taxes on high-income taxpayers. In contrast, McCain would cut taxes across the board and give the biggest cuts to the highest-income households.

Both John McCain and Barack Obama have proposed tax plans that would substantially increase the national debt over the next ten years, according to a newly updated analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
Neither candidate's plan would significantly increase economic growth unless offset by spending cuts or tax increases that the campaigns have not specified.

CRAP! I don't want MORE debt, who the hell thinks that's a good idea? How about we cut back on the freakin' crab mating studies or consolidate federal agencies (do we really need 20+ intelligence agencies, I'm guessing they would work better with fewer too). There are just way too many ineffeciencies and ridiculous expenditures so that we are looking at increasing debt. People all around the United States are cutting back on "luxury" expenses (i.e. coffee, extra trips in the vehicle), some have lost food, shelter, etc... I'm all for cutting taxes, but maybe we should do it by cutting back on unnecessary expenses in the federal government or even reducing parts of the government. Or MAYBE we can not spend billions of dollars bailing out companies that had poor business models. They are called SUB-PRIME for a reason idiots!!!!

SNL - Palin & Clinton

Giddy Up!

I haven't tasted it. I haven't seen it. I haven't talked to anyone who's tasted it or seen it. All I know is New Belgium released a new beer yesterday made with espresso beans. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! It's like Christmas in September! It can't even be purchased in stores yet - just restaurants. Bottles come out at the end of Fall. See, CHRISTMAS!!!! Oh well, click on the label to read about if you want.

007

I'll admit it, I like the new James Bond better than, well, all the others.

Pictures????

So the "slideshow" is still coming - at least all the pictures are together and transitions done. I still need to edit it down to size, add captions and music. We'll see how close I come to the actual deadline. However, now that the pictures are uploaded and organized, I was able to upload some "highlights" for everyone to see. So, click on the picture on the left and it'll link to a set.

September 11, 2008

7 years later. Are be better off? Safer? We have rules that prohibit tiny snow globes from being on an airplane, but an article this week says we are vulnerable to dirty and chemical bombs. The complaining about our federal government's hyper attention to ridiculous rules aside, it does nothing to change September 11, 2001.

Not looking at the pictures is just a way to forget. Not ready to do that yet.

Why?

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama hasn't asked for any earmarks this year. The Illinois senator sought $311 million in such funding last year. McCain, an Arizona senator, doesn't seek earmarks for his state.

This was the paragraph after a description of how Sarah Palin has "decreased" her earmark requests this year from last year. Could I be more irritated? I don't know what to think of Sarah Palin, which actually makes it harder for me to vote for McCain. This irritates me because without that "unknown" factor I would have no question - Obama who changes what he does to win an election, McCain who keeps doing what he's always done...

Down For The Count

Like the black plague it swept in from nowhere, resulting in a world dominated by disease. Or I got a cold/flu this last week and was just whining a lot. It may well have been a cold, but I refuse to just say "cold" anymore because whomever came up with that name is an idiot. It totally minimizes how crappy you can feel. How about just saying, "I got a virus"? Or maybe, "I'm infected". Oh, or - oh nevermind, I had a cold.

Now, I will say that within the past week, with my "virus", I also ran the healthy kids race with McKaiden (Tiffany ran with Madison), taught class, went to Parent Night at Micauley's school, did a termination hearing and played golf (don't get on my case - it was for an actual function). So I'm hoping that if someone else gets sick from me it'll be quicker and less draining, as even I don't normally have all these activities going on outside of work. This has also delayed me in putting the Italy/Paris video by about a week - that and the fact that Microsoft continues to suck and the movie program I have is about as slow as a teenager getting up before 6:00 a.m. in order to mow the lawn...

OH - after what seemed like the longest "practice season" ever, Madison had her first intermediate game today. It was awesome. Beyond awesome. All the girls did fantastic, from goalies making jump shots to clip the ball and force it over the goal, to forwards making goals where the ball sails just over the goalie's reach, to defenders being physical enough to muscle in between the other players and the ball (while the other players are still dribbling with it). Anyway, it was great.