I Hate Penguins Blog

Upcoming Vacations

2012-02-02T06:37:00.007-05:00

Late February: Dog Sledding and Camping: Algonquin, Canada (3 days/2 nights).

Mush a team of Alaskan sled dogs through the pristine winter Algonquin wilderness. Enjoy the crisp days on the trail with your trusty canine friends.

Sleep in wood heated prospector tents amongst the howls of the dogs and the dancing of the stars, and perhaps the northern lights, in the winter sky.

This is a trip designed for the beginner or intermediate winter camper who wants to enjoy the winter in a whole new way. Best of all ... no mosquitoes!

10 Great Places to go Dog Sledding

Late March, early April - Palau: Scuba Diving: Underwater Wonder of the World (two weeks). Republic of Palau is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles (3,200 km) south of Tokyo.

Palau is home of drift diving with reef hooks and the extraordinary hold-on-to-your mask Blue Corner. An exotic former U.S. Trust Territory rich in Micronesian culture and WWII history, Palau offers electric diving with magnificent walls and drop offs, huge sea fans, and lots of underwater action.

Modern Life

2012-01-08T11:12:00.001-05:00

Shit White Girls Say...to Black Girls

2012-01-04T20:26:00.000-05:00

Very Funny. Albeit true!

The Garden of the Queen

2011-12-20T06:20:00.003-05:00

Anderson Cooper aired an special on the coral reef south of Cuba, Sunday evening. Great update on the coral reef eco system. And great video.

Belize Scuba Diving - Great Trip!

2011-12-17T15:37:00.015-05:00

Dive Boat - Sun Dancer II
Spiny Lobster
Sea Turtle
Frigate Bird
Puffer Fish
Lion Fish
Pelican
Scuba Time
Little Fish
Little Fish
Sanity
Conch Shell House
Half-Moon Caye
Fool and a Barracuda
More Barracuda
Still Barracuda
Red-footed Booby (hiding red feet)
Fishies
Belize Sunset
Beach Bum
Half-moon Caye
Little Orange Fish
Angel Fish

Belize Almost

2011-12-10T19:11:00.003-05:00

Packed and ready to depart. Called cab the night before, cab driver called at 3:45AM to confirm my 4:30AM pickup, for a 5:30AM flight. I knew, I was cutting it close, but the last few times I few, I'd be waiting around, plus it was early and I didn't expect it to be that crowded. Taxi arrives at my place on time, takes me to the airport, I get there at 4:45AM, I check in my luggage, clear security, arrive at gate, only a few people are waiting. I think "oh I'm early".

Being groggy, I didn't look at my watch, I ventured to DnD for a coffee and muffin, then purchased a pen, which I forgot to bring, and headed back to the gate. I sit for a while organizing my carry-on, and then look up at the flight board - DEPARTED. What?

Thinking back on it, when I saw very few people waiting, I'd guessed it was because the plane boarded, not that people haven't arrived, which I assumed.

Oh well, I have the same exact flight booked for tomorrow. If all goes well I should be in Belize by 12 noon. They scheduled a water taxi (which isn't cheap) to shuttle me to the boat. Loss: 1 day of diving and cost of the water taxi.

Powerful

2011-12-03T23:33:00.000-05:00

It's time.

2011-11-25T21:06:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh, the elderly.

2011-10-30T12:06:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween

Da Man

2011-10-29T19:27:00.001-04:00

It gonna be an interesting campaign next year. All the economic models say no way can Obama win. No president has been re-elected in a down economy.

Life's Been Slaying Me

2011-10-16T18:57:00.004-04:00

Correct, I haven't been on here in a while. I had a bunch of changes in place right when I returned from Iceland Scuba diving in July, but many of them fell through due to forces out of my control. Plus, I've been spending a significant amount of time tearing over the equity markets and following the economic news. It seems like the U.S. economy is chugging along w/ very slow projected growth rates. And it could be in for another E.U. shock, if the E.U. doesn't get it's act together.

A few tentative trips on the horizon:

Belize: Scuba Diving on the Dancer Fleet in early December. I'm waiting for them to confirm space. For about 4 years now, I've been wanting to dive in Belize, where the world's second largest reef is located.

Canada; Dog Sledding . I'm not sure about this one, but researching a camping/dogsledding trip for mid-January to break up the scuba adventures.

Palau: Scuba Diving Underwater Wonder of the World. Republic of Palau is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles (3,200 km) south of Tokyo. This trip is booked and paid for!

Nighline On Lawrence King Murder

2011-10-05T22:16:00.000-04:00

Rocky Road

2011-10-05T07:09:00.000-04:00

Reagan--No Loopholes For Millionaires

2011-10-03T23:01:00.000-04:00

Dom Mazzetti vs. Bad Hook Ups

2011-09-26T20:04:00.000-04:00

Global Bear Market - It's Official!

2011-09-23T05:51:00.001-04:00

While the S&P 500 would still need to drop another 4% to 1,090.89 in order to officially enter bear market territory, global equities led by weakness in Europe and Asia now find themselves in an official bear market. The Bloomberg World Index, which is a capitalization weighted index of all equities tracked by Bloomberg, is down nearly 4% today, and it is down 21% from its closing high on May 2nd. The threshold we're using here for a bear market is a 20% decline that was preceded by at least a 20% rally.

Global Bear Market

Back From Arctic

2011-09-18T12:51:00.004-04:00

There wasn't internet access on the about, I wasn't able to post while traveling. Once I organize my pics, I'll post some. The two main animal sightings on the trip was a polar bear and musk-ox. Neither pics above weren't taken with my camera, the animals were at a great distance. Opposite the Antarctica, the animals in the Arctic are hunted, scarce and afraid of humans.

Kayaking as always a blast, again not a much animals as the Antarctic, but got us of the boat and closer with nature.

Successful New Adventure Start

2011-09-02T15:27:00.003-04:00

My SAS plane departed 7 pm yesterday evening. After 7 hours, I arrived in Oslo, Norway, sleeping the entire time. Sleep induced by two huge New Castle Ales and a Beef Brisket sandwich at the airport bar/lounge.

From Oslo to Longyearbyen , Norway, it took another four hours, again sleeping most of the way. The people here in Nowary are extremely pleasant and helpful.

I spent the most time ever chatting with the immigrations officer in Olso, much to the chagrin of my fellow travelers waiting in line behind me. She offered me some very helpful advice about my luggage; advice that contradicted the instructions provided by the checkin lady at Newark. Ultimately the Oslo Lady was correct! She saved me from luggage hell.

Not much on the agenda tomorrow. The guesthouse where I'm staying offers a kayaking trip and glacier hike. But I decide to pass, I'll be kayaking for at least 7 day trips on the trip I'm about to embark on. And I did glacier climbing/hiking in South America. BTGTGTTH.

Instead, tomorrow will be a day of rest. Licking my wounds from another day of stock market declines, reading "Too Big to Fail" and walking around this tiny town that I'm now staying. It's extremely expensive here, looks a little bit like Iceland, but much more remote and primitive. I'm guesting the walk around town will take an hour.

Relative Unemployment

2011-08-31T06:43:00.002-04:00

This chart always grounds me. Many people are oblivious to how significant the current economic turn down, especially how it relates to unemployment and in comparison to all other recessions since WWII. This turn down is major. It's the GREAT RECESSION.

Cute

2011-08-30T19:51:00.001-04:00

Norway, Greenland, Iceland

2011-08-28T17:02:00.008-04:00

Gonna be nice to get away. Leaving Thursday!! And I can't wait. I'll probably not post most while on vacation. I'll be on a ship with limited internet access. But afterwards, I'll certainly post.

Trip Highlights: polar bears, arctic wildlife, kayaking along the coast of Greenland, lot of wilderness, interesting people, nature lectures.

Trip Details Here .

Not sure if the Aconcagua trip is gonna occur later this year. Work's sucking the life out of my adventurous nature and not sure if work will allow me three weeks off without internet connection. "Emotive Sadness Face".

Guaranteed Racism

2011-08-28T11:52:00.003-04:00

It's starting already, 2012 Presidential election will be the racist national election EVAH! Get ready!!

My Life Is Officially Boring!

2011-08-16T21:48:00.002-04:00

When I'm officially bored, I look through the pictures on this blog, and recall my life was interesting and fun once upon a time. Now I'm making lots more money and I'm bored and miserable. Hey but at least I have money!

Update:

1) Purchase a new Toyota Prius. New wheels! Nice after driving my 1996 Altima for hundreds of years.

2) Drinking more hard liquor. Don't have to get up in the middle of the night and pee as much.

3) Stuck in a corporate employ transfer contract. It's making my life miserable.

4) Awesome housemates in CT, couldn't ask for better; totally cool, friendly, polite, interesting.

5) My Arctic trip to Norway, Greenland, and Iceland (again) is approaching in early September. 2 wk vaca!!

6) I have A LOT to say about the economy, stock market and 2012 presidential election, but I'm alway too tired to post.

Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse

2011-08-14T18:26:00.000-04:00

Absolutely scary.

Obama: We Have A Deal On the Table

2011-08-01T06:18:00.001-04:00

Basically, Obama has shifted to the center with this deal. Basically, where he needs to be for the next election. Independent are glad he compromised. Democratic voter are furious that he didn't push for a tax increase for the wealthy. Establishment Republicans are ecstatic they got almost exactly what they wanted. Tea Party Republicans portrayed themselves as kooks, willing to let the country default, if they had it their way.

Not sure what the voting out come will be today and tomorrow, but I'm sure it will be dramatic. The House needs some of Nancy Pelosi Democratic members to pass the bill I sure, just how many nobody knows yet, I'm guessing. Boehner has shot himself in the foot. The tea party has him in their back pocket. This should be interesting now, since he'll now need the Democrats to pass his bill. Very interesting drama in Washington these last two weeks. But no one will know who really won until the next election.

Obama Rates Higher Than Boehner on Debt Situation

2011-07-28T21:17:00.002-04:00

Americans are more likely to approve of the way President Obama is handling the negotiations to raise the federal debt ceiling than they are to approve of the handling of the situation by Speaker of the House John Boehner or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, although opinions about all three are more negative than positive.

More Here

Okay, I haven't posted in a while, because my life sucks! I've been on a corporate legal roller coaster. I was offered a very senior quantitative modeling at another bank only to have my current employer intervene and squash the offer. Stuff like this gets me down for a bit, but in the end, I'll prevail. I always do. Plus I have another vacation scheduled to Norway, Greenland and Iceland in early September.

As for now, this debt ceiling drama has kept me occupied. I'm loving it. And while everybody's blaming Obama for the economy, he's been fairing fairly well, given this shitty economy.

How To Get Ready For A Date

2011-07-20T17:58:00.002-04:00

Gotta love kids today. Free to enjoy themselves as humans. Unlike prior generations that were focused on being polite, judgmental and prudish.

So College isn't Worth it!

2011-07-17T12:05:00.002-04:00

From Economic Pic Data

Wheeeee!

2011-07-17T12:04:00.001-04:00

A Kids Reaction To Gay Couple

2011-07-11T20:17:00.001-04:00

If only everyone had such a reasonable reaction to gay marriage. This kid meets his first gay couple, deconstructs what marriage means, is surprised but cool with it, then invites the guys to play ping pong with him.

Foreign diplomats could learn a thing or two from this boy.

Also, the idea that being married means you love someone is probably one of the more wholesome messages a child can receive. So thumbs up to the kid, his parents and his new ping pong friends.

Per Huffington Post

Day 7- Reykjavik: Erro - Klippimyndir Collages

2011-07-07T20:42:00.000-04:00

Day 7- Reykjavik: Hallgrimskirkja Church & Symphony Hall

2011-07-07T20:39:00.000-04:00

Day 7- Reykjavik: Art Museum

2011-07-07T20:35:00.000-04:00

Day 7- Reykjavik: View From Above

2011-07-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

Day 6 - Golden Circle Tour & Silfra (again)

2011-07-06T12:59:00.002-04:00

Gulffoss Falls
Geysir - Strokkur

Midnight in Iceland

2011-07-05T03:47:00.001-04:00

I'm so glad I brought a sleeping mask. That's my hotel window with the shade drawn at midnight, only a few miles from the arctic circle. Today: a one hour flight south, some sightseeing and then one final dive. Tomorrow: a bunch of museums, hanging out relaxing, Icelandic food before flying back on Friday.

Day 5 - Strýtan

2011-07-05T03:20:00.005-04:00

The giant submarine smectite cones that rise from the 70 meters deep seafloor at Eyjafjörður. Strýtan is a one of a kind, and one that has recently been discovered and the only one we know of in the world. It was in 1997, Erlendur Bogason and his friend Árni Halldósson captain on the whale watching boat Níels Jónsson found this 55 meters high cone we called Strýtan. The top of the cone is 15 meter under the surface and we estimate it is around 100 litres of 75°C hot water per second coming out of the cone. Strýtan started developing at the end of last ice age 10.000 years ago and they are made from magnesium-silicate from the sea. Cones like these are usually found at 2000-6000 meters deep.

Day 4 - Ásbyrgi, Iceland

2011-07-05T02:54:00.006-04:00

Excellent day today. I flew to Ásbyrgi, Iceland, where I was picked up at the airport by Erlendur Bogason, the owner of Strytan Divecenter. We drove through some amazing countryside with snowcapped mountains in the background to a newly discoverd Crack Nesgjá and Lake Lón. Our first dive was through the crack and into the lake. It was not only incredibly clear, visibility was 100 meters or as far as the eye can see, but it was also incredibly colorful - greens, blues, yellow, browns. Crack Nesgjá

Lake Lón.

The next stop was about ten minutes away at 17°c hot river Litla Á where I snorkel. The river is known for its big touts and warm springs. Air was bubbling from the bottom of the river. And most spectacular was hovering at the opening of the stream watch the small fish and sun reflect off the bubbles underwater.

(Hot) River Litla

Silfran, Iceland

2011-07-03T23:18:00.002-04:00

Okay this isn't my video, but it's exactly what I saw today. After two days of mediocre dives, today was awesome.

Day 3 - Silfran, Iceland

2011-07-03T16:28:00.008-04:00

Prepping for the dive.

Dive entrance. The North America tectonic plate is on the right and the Euro-Asian plate is on the left. Underwater with outstretched arms, one can touch both plates at the same time.

These were my buddies for the past two days, Hans and Greta. Hans is 71 years old and has scuba dived over 3000 times in 90 countries.

Scenery. It's been raining everyday. Not great, but kinda cool to look up from underwater, watch the rain dance on the surface.

My tiny messy room!

Day 2 - Ocean and Small Crevice Dive

2011-07-02T16:43:00.003-04:00

Not much to say about the first dive. It was in the Atlantic Ocean and we were supposed to see marine life amongst the kelp and sand, but the plankton was blocking visibility. Visibility no more than one to two meters, so basically we saw nothing. The second dive in a very small freshwater crevice was a lot clearer. The best part of the day was being able to practice with the dry suit. Tomorrow, I'll have my practical test. The second best part is being on vacation away from work. The past two months have been stressful.

Kleifarvatn in Iceland

2011-07-01T17:14:00.005-04:00

This video shows what we were supposed to see today. The geothermal underwater hot springs of Lake Kleifarvatn. However, due to depleting water levels the hot springs are no longer underwater. The water level receded significantly. Not a great dive day, with very poor visibility. Not much to see, but from what I'm told Iceland has two incredible dive sites, both of which I'll dive over the next couple of days. But it also has a bunch of less than stellar dives, this was one of them.

Day 1 - Reykjavík, Iceland

2011-07-01T17:01:00.007-04:00

Made it to Iceland safely. Check out some sulfur springs and a fish drying farm today, and completed one dive today. Nothing very thrilling. When I checked into the hotel last night at midnight it was still light out.

Absolutely Exhausting Weekend

2011-06-26T21:51:00.004-04:00

Took the day off on Friday to see Barnes Foundation. $25 billion dollars of art in a suburb of Philly, then had dinner in Philly. Strange city. Returned to Newark, waited for the internet man to arrive on Saturday morning. What an obnoxious guy, but he didn't charge me. Run five miles at the gym. Head back to West Jersey for dinner at the Milford Oyster House. Spent the night there, Sunday morning cycled forty miles, then headed to an extended family gathering at Harvest Moon Inn . On the way back to Newark, my car died, completely died. Got a rental car, furiously making last minute plans for Iceland, packing. Work M-W, return rental, then vacation. When I get back, I'll have to deal with the car thingy. Looks like it's time for a new one!

More pics and updates of Iceland later this week. Hopefully, even some under water pics. I hope. I hope.

BEST PRANK EVER: Bubba Gracie

2011-06-21T19:50:00.000-04:00

Who Dat?

2011-06-17T05:57:00.003-04:00

President Barack Obama greets children at a day care facility adjacent to daughter Sasha's school in Bethesda, Md., following her 4th grade closing ceremony, June 9, 2011.

Go to Sleep - Read By Samuel L. Jackson!

2011-06-15T19:53:00.001-04:00

"Pulp Fiction" Samuel L. Jackson puts you to sleep. Thank you Samuel.

CONE-ING IS THE NEW PLANKING!!!!!

2011-06-08T20:58:00.001-04:00

I know what I'm doing this weekend. Looks like fun!

6-Day Diving the Highlights of Iceland

2011-06-05T06:27:00.007-04:00

Looking forward to this vacation. Not only a well needed break from work, but also looking forward to being out in nature, underwater diving, out of my safety zone, trying something new, the thrill, the adventure. And in a great place to do it. Iceland is covered with spectacular geo-volcanic formations, both on land and underwater.

Itinerary:

1. Day – Hotel pick up in Reykjavik – Ocean Diver Tour

2. Day – Hotel pick up in Reykjavik – Geothermal Hot Spring Dive Tour.

3. Day – Hotel pick up in Reykjavik - Silfra Golden Circle Tour

4. Day – Hotel pick up - Drive to Silfra where we will do 2 dives.

After the dives we will drive up North to our accommodation in Eyjafjorður Accommodation in Guesthouse/Summerhouses in Eyjafjörður

5. Day – We will drive to the recently discovered fresh water fissures near Ásbyrgi, after that we will snorkel in the geothermaly heated river Litlaá. We will visit Europes most powerful waterfall Dettifoss and the area around lake Mývatn.

6. Day - 2 Boat dives in Eyjafjorður – Strýtan the geothermal chimney.

After the dives we will drive back south to Reykjavik

Irony-pops!

2011-06-04T19:29:00.006-04:00

What's an Irony-pop?

The Next Generation. The conservative 50's, legalization of the birth control pill in 1960, Vietnam War, black civil rights, along with the assassination of a young president created the decade of the sixties and radical hippy movement.

The potential impeachment of a lying president, a decade of a horrendous economy (high gas prices, low growth and inflation) and a wimpy president during the late 70's created the 80's and ultra conservatism movement.

Reagan, the fall of Communism, the rise of Wall Street against the backdrop of Madonna, big hair and leg warmers epitomized the 80's. AIDS and bad corporately owned music assisted.

The 90's were basically none existent except for technology, the PC, Microsoft, the www and a Blow Job. The economy boomed. Albeit, the decade reversed in one day. The day created hundreds of thousand of TSA jobs.

W. Bush was gifted the crisis of a generation. All great presidents are defined by a major crisis, but he blew it. He unwittingly turned 9/11 into a very unpopular war and tried scaring the country with daily threats of terrorist attacks, while the bankers created the biggest housing bubble due to lack of regulation.

Lady Gaga, with the assistance of Obama, introduced the 2nd decade in the new millennium. Together they crushed racism, ignorance and conservatism. Multiculturalism is in. Religion is out. Education is in. Working hard is out. Owning things is out. Irony and making fun of old people are in.

There's isn't a need to create, recycling is enough. Hence the Irony-pops! Scions of Popular Irony.

Been A While

2011-06-04T13:08:00.004-04:00

Computer was in the shop. Diving home from Weston MA on Memorial Day, after a weekend filled with fun, food, laughing and lots of draaannkks, I knew my car was on the fritz (speculating transmission issues) but my computer also died when I got home. I washed it with windex and the keyboard stopped functioning. Lucky I have AppleCare and the Apple store is located a short 15 minute walk away. And I back up my hard drive weekly. On Wednesday, AppleCare called said they replaced the keyboard, logic board, USB drives and hard drive. I had no clue why but I basically have a new computer. It took only 20 minutes to reverse my backup and I was good to go!

As for my car, I took it to the garage on Tuesday, in the AM. At noon the mechanic confirmed that it was the transmission and confessed he doesn't repair transmissions. He's old and semi-retired. Like me previously. Anyway, we transferred the car to his friend's garage, where as of Friday afternoon, his friend told me three people (mechanics I assume) have driven the car and they all agree it's NOT the transmission. It's something else, but they don't know what. Some good news in exchange for no news. Entire weekend in CT, but such a beautiful weekend it is.

Weekend plans: 1) Find a local doctor to schedule a physical. My shoulder has been aching for no reason. Possibly just old age, or to much Chinese food, 2) Prepare for Iceland scuba trip. I've been reading a lot about Iceland online and purchased a few additional books, 3) See the Woody Allen "Midnight in Paris" movie. It received some decent reviews. 4) Study some statistics for a work project. 5) Visit the new bike shop around the corner from my house. 6) Research Toyota Priuses online. Perhaps new car time.

Not Tall, Not Grande, but Venti Recession

2011-06-04T06:44:00.004-04:00

Most understand we experienced a major recession, but I don't believe most believe how big and how severe it was, and how sever it's trailing aftermath is. Check out more on Calculated Risk. If you're into following the economy and housing market, it's the site to follow.

Fight For Your Right - Revisited Trailer

2011-06-03T21:35:00.000-04:00

Iceland Volcano

2011-05-22T16:37:00.006-04:00

Been watching the volcano action in Iceland. So far the reports are mild. Nothing like last year's action.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – An Icelandic volcano was flinging ash, smoke and steam miles (kilometers) into the air Sunday, dropping a thick layer of gray soot in an eruption far more forceful — but likely far less impactful — than the one that grounded planes across Europe last year.

And starting prepare for trip - really miss being underwater - plus, I really feel like I can use a vacation.

The SILFRA Rift is an absolute world class dive site due to two main reasons.

First of all you will be diving in a crack between the American and Eurasian continents.

It's the place where the continental plates meet and drift apart about 2cm per year. Secondly the visibility that you will experience will rarely be surpassed, if ever. 100m+! The reasons for this clarity are twofold: the water is cold ( 2°C - 4°C all year ) since it's the melting water from a glacier about 50km away and has traveled through the lava fields for many years before coming out at the north end of Thingvellir lake through underground wells.

Housing Market Has A Long Way Before Clearing

2011-05-16T06:26:00.002-04:00

There are still to many housing on the market, and more to come as banks place their foreclosures on the market.

More on housing prices.

The Humor of Ronald Reagan

2011-05-14T20:03:00.002-04:00

Bush W. has destroyed most all Reagan's principles, causing the general public to loose it's faith in the Republican Party. Currently, there's much of a campaign platform for the Republican Party to campaign on. Huckabee understands this and dropped out of the Presidential race.

Bush W. weakened the U.S. DEFENSE. He failed to protect the country on 9/11 and catch bin Laden. He tarnished American's image aboard which Obama has started to restore.

Bush W cut TAXES, but increased government spending on homeland security and Iraq war. He talked about SMALL GOVERNMENT, but supported large government spending. He added a billion dollars to national debt to fund the war. Facebook/Twitter could have started a similar uprising in Iraq today for FREE.

Bush W. promoted DEREGULATION, which allowed financial institutions to create the mortgage crisis and the worst recession post-WW2.

The only platform the G.O.P has to campaign on is on lowering the national debt. Obama and his "stimulus package", and lower tax revenue due to the recession added significantly to the debt. The G.O.P. will not let him forget it.

But as the economy gains momentum over the next year, we'll see higher tax revenues and lower unemployment, many will even start forgetting about the debt, too.

Survey Shows

2011-05-11T20:15:00.000-04:00

The survey offered a boost for the president after the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Now, 45 percent of Americans believe he will win re-election, a 1O-point rise from a poll taken before November's congressional elections.

The survey is an indication of how difficult it will be for Republicans to dislodge an incumbent president in the November 2012 election.

Reuters/Ipsos poll found on Wednesday

Good News

2011-05-08T08:01:00.002-04:00

Gas prices expected to drop 50 cents by summer.

NEW YORK – Some relief from suffocating gas prices will likely arrive just in time for summer vacation. Expect a drop of nearly 50 cents as early as June, analysts say.

After rocketing up 91 cents since January, including 44 straight days of increases, the national average this past week stopped just shy of $4 a gallon and has retreated to under $3.98. A steady decline is expected to follow.

Good new for the economy for sure. When people spend more for gas, they spend less on other consumer goods. Purchasing more consumer goods, helps the economy and creates jobs, purchasing gas doesn't.

Worst Recession Post WWII

2011-05-08T07:16:00.005-04:00

From Calculated Risk

The current employment recession is by far the worst recession since WWII in percentage terms, and 2nd worst in terms of the unemployment rate (only the early '80s recession with a peak of 10.8 percent was worse).

Not only the worst recession since WWII, but unique to this recession is that people with the longest duration of unemployment are having the most difficult time finding jobs. The labor market is weeding out the unemployable. The last significant recession was in '92 (not counting the tech boom/crash in '00, there wasn't significant unemployment outside the tech area). And since '92, the work place has changed significantly, plus people haven't kept up their skills.

We recently hired someone at work. Two people interviewed for the position. One a fresh masters degree graduate in a very quantitative field from a top ivy league university. And the other, someone with more work experience, more folksy, more a people person, with a family. We hire the first. He's more energetic, more ambitious, more focused.

My Motivation

2011-05-06T20:00:00.005-04:00

At home. Finished one bottle of wine. Considering a second. First thought: No, I shouldn't. Second thought: Dude! You drink more than that one bottle of wine on Memorial Day with your friends. Justification!

FCKH8.com: The "Teachers Can't Talk About Homos" Law

2011-05-06T05:27:00.000-04:00

A law to make it ILLEGAL for teachers to talk about gays?! This snarky F-bomb-filled video takes on the forces of Homo H8 in Tennessee. FCKH8.com is giving 25¢ for every Facebook "Like" or Twitter tweet of this video up to $25,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project. A portion of every T-shirt sold benefits the cause. T-shirts start at $13. Get yours at FCKH8.com!

Why do Christians Need to Judge Others

2011-05-05T06:53:00.004-04:00

Why do Atheists ridicule Christianity? Without a doubt more and more youth today are turning away from religion in droves and it's antiquated believes. They've realized most of the priests and minsters are some of the stupidest people on earth. And really, who cares to listen to what they have to say? Plus their antiquated beliefs on relationships, sex, and family life are from the stone ages.

Atheism, or “antitheism,” which was once considered taboo in America, has gone somewhat mainstream in today’s society. Books like Christopher Hitchens’s God Is Not Great, Richard Dawkins’s The God Delusion, and Sam Harris’s The End of Faith were New York Times bestsellers. Faith-bashing films like Bill Maher’s documentary Religulous and Ricky Gervais’s The Invention of Lying have done reasonably well at the box office. The left never seems to miss an opportunity to point out the latest goofy statements or antics by groups purporting to speak or act in the name of Christianity, while being quick to (often angrily) point out that Islamic Extremists don’t represent Islam as a whole.

Think about it? Would you rather spend eternity in "Heaven" with a bunch of boring, humorousness, religious people or in "Hell" with the cool movie and rock stars, and people who actually have a sense of humor and some intelligence?

2012 Elections

2011-05-02T07:02:00.002-04:00

How can Obama NOT get re-elected in 2012? Birth certificate and Osama bin Laden within a week? Come on. Really now?

Obama reformed health care, returned the economy from worst recession since the depression, killed Osama, restored America's honor internationally, repelled DADT, stopped war Iraq, etc. Plus the GOP has no worthy opponents!

All the GOP has is W. Bush's legacy: allowing the 9-11 attacks to happen, allowing a mortgage bubble to form by not regulating banks, crashing the economy, waging war on Iraq because of false WMD, etc.

If W. was smart, he would have waited on Iraq. Social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, would have caused social up risings in Iraq today, like in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain. If Saddam Hussein were a live and ruling today, his people would probably have ousted him from office. Billions of U.S. taxpayers dollars could have been saved and thousands of U.S. military lives spared.

Yes, Obama still has to deal with high gas prices and the deficit/debt is huge, but there's still a year and a half.

The G.O.P. isn't helping themselves by telling their old, white, religious constituency that Medicare and Medicate needs to be cut to reduce the deficit/debt. Even Obama is starting to look better.

On the Right Soon!

2011-04-30T21:33:00.003-04:00

ANOTHER DISCLAIMER: I don't mean to offend anybody. But like any OLD person, I find articles and videos that CONFIRM my life choices and post them on this BLOG. If your life choices differ from mine, well that's cool, but I don't have to defend them. I only have to defend mine.

And agreed, my life choices aren't right, however, they ARE "right" for me. But regardless, I respect your life choices - I respect DIVERSITY.

Klansman Trump

2011-04-29T17:09:00.000-04:00

Da Birth Certificate

2011-04-28T21:12:00.003-04:00

How crazy was that? What was it 20 to 30% of the population and 50 to 60% of Republican that didn't believe Obama was born in the U.S.? Just because Obama didn't show his birth certificate that means he doesn't have one.

What is truth anymore? Does truth mean if other people believe it, then it must BE TRUE! It doesn't have to be true factually, just as long as "IT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO BELIEVE" and other people believe it's, then it's true.

What a world we live in today! Politco has a great article on this phenomenon "A new era of innuendo"

Fast Food Lasagna - Epic Meal Time

2011-04-28T21:07:00.000-04:00

So Cute, So Hard on a Marriage

2011-04-28T19:24:00.004-04:00

Even the WSJ joins the craze.

About two-thirds of couples see the quality of their relationship drop within three years of the birth of a child, according to data from the Relationship Research Institute in Seattle, a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening families. Conflict increases and, with little time for adult conversation and sex, emotional distance can develop.

Men and women experience the deterioration differently: Mothers' satisfaction in their marriages plummets immediately; for men, the slide is delayed a few months. Hormonal changes, the physical demands of childbirth and nursing, and an abrupt shift from the working world to being at home with an infant may explain that, says Renay Bradley, the director of research and programming at the Relationship Research Institute.

Study after study concludes that people with kids are less happy than people without kids. Then why have kids? My guess is that it gives people something to do. Or as Woody Allen explains it: many people define their lives by their kids. Which is probably true, especially for the lower class and marginally educated. I'm also guessing people have kids for the sake of having kids or because that's what expected of them. Then again I often hear people complaining about their kids or that's it a tough job raising them. Then why have kids?

Move Over Palin, Here Comes Trump

2011-04-23T08:20:00.002-04:00

The media darling looses steam after blood-libel comment, but the news hungry media machine found a replacement.

Here Comes Another Bubble v1.1 - The Richter Scales

2011-04-22T18:06:00.000-04:00

Hysterical bubbles!

2011-04-20T20:24:00.000-04:00

The cutest thing you'll see all day.

Arctic Cruise

2011-04-17T21:02:00.004-04:00

Starts in Spitzbergen, sails to Greenland, with lot of kayaking options, and then back to Iceland.

"Nothing Resembling Mail..."

2011-04-15T19:26:00.002-04:00

"What he left behind was nothing resembling mail..." "Wholly in appropriate..." As for the postman: imagine explaining to your kids why you're on leave from work. As for "News"....says a lot about the average American.

Almost A Year

2011-04-13T05:49:00.003-04:00

Can't believe it's almost a year ( well really a year less 1.5 months) that I've lived in Stamford, CT. Time lasered by, compared to the last five years that sort of meandered a long. Not sure how much longer I want to be living this laser work life style. Working only half days on Fridays helps. I have more of a weekend and more time for myself. Not that I really need time.

"Coffee, Smiles, Fear & Terror"

2011-04-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

Iceland's Dive Sites

2011-04-09T14:46:00.001-04:00

The six day dive tour starts in the lower left (southwest) then proceeds north, with plenty of opportunities to see the country, not only sub-H2O.

Government Shutdown

2011-04-07T05:42:00.005-04:00

The House Republicans don't get it do they? They run one-half of one-third of the government, and they want the other two branches to do as they say. The U.S. political system doesn't work that way. The Republicans don't run the Senate or the Executive Branch.

They are like a kid telling his parent he wants Porsche to drive to school and the parents say no. If the kid keeps insisting on the Porsche, he will get nothing. His parents have a say in the decision. The decision on the federal budget isn't the House Republican's decision alone.

Yes, they won a historical landslide victory in the House, but that doesn't mean they get everything they want. It's a political process. If they want to increase military spending and cut social security/medicare, they need to win the majority in the House and Executive Branch. Stop acting like elitist children.

Vacation Plans 2010 Revised

2011-04-06T01:36:00.005-04:00

1) Scuba diving in Iceland in early July. Airfare and down payment paid. Non-refundable. No backing out now!

2) In early September, it's an Arctic Cruise from Norway to Greenland to Iceland (Yes, Iceland twice in one year). Polar bears in Norway and kayaking along the Greenland coast are the expected highlights. The coast of Greenland supposedly has some of the most still pristine forests in the world. Kayaking in the Antarctic rocked, can't wait to do it again.

3) And to end the year, I've booked a trek up Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina.

Aconcagua (6,962 meters) is situated in the High Andes of South America, in the country of Argentina. It is the highest mountain outside of Asia. The mountain is located very close to the border of Chile and Argentina, but most climbers approach from the Argentinean side as the required permits are only available from the Argentine city of Mendoza, 4 hours drive to the east.

Scuba diving and mountain climbing will test my physical limits of old age. I'm very aware that some day soon I'll wake-up and realize that I'm too old for these physical activities.

JAPAN pushed into 2012 and beyond.

Shaken Manchild Syndrome

2011-04-05T20:35:00.001-04:00

Cases Of Shaken Manchild Syndrome On The Rise

Cathartic Laughing

2011-04-04T19:47:00.002-04:00

I wish I laughed once a day like this lady.

Newark Museum

2011-04-03T08:56:00.002-04:00

I've been living Newark for five year now and never visited the Museum. Last weekend, I decided it was about time. And dang, I was disappointed. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't even close. Having visited some so many major museums and actual sites of significance around the world, I probably should not have had such high expectations. I'm sure to people who never leave NJ or the Northeast the museum might find the museum worth a visit. Yes, I'm being a bit of a highbrow on this one. Additionally, the museum was crowded. They had a live music show and Cory Booker the mayor was there, promoting something, but I'm not sure what. Maybe I need to return on a day that it's less crowded. Who knows

Da Economy

2011-04-03T07:19:00.006-04:00

It seems like all the recovery's leading indicators are all gaining momentum, except housing and employment.

Manufacturing, Architectural, and Restaurant Indexes all increased in March, as did Personal Consumption Expenditures. U.S. Light Vehicle Sales also increased. Shadow Inventory declines. Consumer Sentiment is up. Small Businesses are feel better about the future, etc. All indicators are showing the recovery is on it's way, EXCEPT HOUSING and EMPLOYMENT.

But not all housing and employment. Housing in the hardest hit areas, like Florida, California, Arizona, Nevada, etc is having the most trouble recovering Other areas like the Northeast, real estate is starting to pick up. I've noticed houses in my neighborhood that were on the market for over a year are starting to sell. And as for employment, it's the longterm unemployed, the "typewriter" generation that remains unemployed. It's a unique feature that many economist have pointed out about this recession. People who are one or two months unemployed are finding jobs quickly, as are the young. It who have been 26 plus weeks unemployed, who aren't finding employment. It the IPad vs. Typewriter phenomena.

On the bright side, U.S. housing is expected to trough, even in the hardest hit areas, in the fourth quarter of 2011, and that's when employment should start gaining some momentum. Until then expect unemployment to remain elevated, above 8%.

Also on the bright side, the stock market is cranking following consumer confidence. It appears that the 91% of the population that is employed is feeling better and spending. Consumer confidence and the market's performance are linked given the consumer's importance to economic growth.

"She's In On It"

2011-03-31T05:53:00.002-04:00

I need to start watching more SNL.

Big Bang Theory

2011-03-27T13:29:00.005-04:00

My new weekend addiction. Last weekend, I watched Season 1 and Season 2 this weekend. Yes, my life is officially boring. And my one complaint about this show is the laugh track. "Modern Family" doesn't have a laugh track which makes it far superior. As for "BBT", I'll put up with the laugh track, but it's a bit monotonous.

Yes, I should be studying for the Financial Risk Managers exam or SAS certification, but instead I choose to watch back to back serial sitcoms. Buzzinga! I did, however, get a 40 mile bike ride in last weekend and a couple of 5 mile runs during the week to counter balance my sitcom zombie weekend mode, flush the winter road salt from my joints and devolve my winter hibernation layer.

The Book of Mormon On Broadway

2011-03-27T08:01:00.001-04:00

Generally, I hate Broadway Shows, but I want to see this one.

Bully Victim Who fought Back

2011-03-20T20:58:00.001-04:00

The father comes off as a bit of a douche bag. If you're kid is getting bullied, do something about it!

What Happen to the Telephone?

2011-03-19T09:47:00.002-04:00

In the last five years, full-fledged adults have seemingly given up the telephone — land line, mobile, voice mail and all. According to Nielsen Media, even on cellphones, voice spending has been trending downward, with text spending expected to surpass it within three years.

I think....“Isn’t it weird to just call like that? Out of the blue? With no e-mailed warning?”

Don't Call Me, I Won't Call You

Crisis Fatigue

2011-03-17T04:20:00.004-04:00

Middle East unrest. It started in Tunisia, moved to Egypt and Libya, now Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Thank you, social networks, Twitter and Facebook, for promoting democracy and higher oil prices.

Japan Earthquake. Nuclear meltdown. 10,000s dead. Slowing of Japan's economy. GE stock, a producer of nuclear power plant, down significantly. Health concerns continue.

European Debt Crisis. Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain about to default on their debt. Dramatic cuts in social and fiscal programs cut. High unemployment. More cuts to come. More social unrest.

On going U.S. Financial Crisis. Housing market still has another year or so of declining prices before housing market can clear. Consumers with jobs are spending, putting the U.S. recovery on firm footing, but unemployment continues at high levels.

Higher world commodity prices, Local and state government budget shortfalls, Poor network TV programing..... Another Crisis? Who Cares...

The "New" Al Sharpton, Alaska Style

2011-03-14T20:03:00.008-04:00

'She's becoming Al Sharpton, Alaska edition'

Sarah Palin has played the sexism card, accusing critics of chauvinism against a strong woman.

She has played the class card, dismissing the Bush family as “blue bloods” and complaining that she is the target of snobbery by people who dislike her simply because she is “not so hoity-toity.”

Most famously, she has played the victim card — never more vividly than when she invoked the loaded phrase “blood libel” against liberals and media commentators in the wake of the Gabrielle Giffords shooting.

SP seems the epitome of an educated Mom that gave up on educating herself to make breakfast for her kids. But does making breakfast for her kids, make her qualification to be President? This lady is an idiot, but her followers can relate and view her as a hero! Just as Al Sharpton's followers view him as a hero.

New Vacation Plans

2011-03-14T05:57:00.005-04:00

Based on the news reports Japan won't be such a hot vacation spot this year. I'm starting to rethink my vacation. Originally, I was planning on spending two weeks in Japan in early September. I narrowed it down to two tour groups, corresponding with each of them about details. Now I'm thinking maybe I should wait a year, or two. How long does radiation hang around? Months? Years?

The Iceland scuba diving plans are still on, but what if that volcano erupts in Iceland again? Should I wait to finalize my plans? Perhaps I should be more like the majority of U.S. citizens, those who view the world outside the U.S. as dangerous and evil; who don't have a passport; who are afraid to travel. Maybe I should sit in my house, in front of the scary News reports, especially Fox, and be afraid? I think not.

Party!!!

2011-03-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

So TRUE

2011-03-10T20:09:00.001-05:00

A Message from President & Mrs. Obama رسالة من الرئيس والسيدة أوباما‏

2011-03-09T22:07:00.000-05:00

Living Without Religion

2011-03-06T19:28:00.002-05:00

Feelin' Lousy- Financially Groovy In Song

2011-03-04T06:23:00.000-05:00

In the mid-2000's, Bush and Cheney had the country obsessed with "terrorism" and the Iraq War. Their goal was to make America fearful. And they succeeded. It got them reelected. You wonder, if they focused their efforts on the true issue, the growing housing bubble, would the country be in the situation it is in now. Failed objectives. Missed opportunities.

Kimmel Kartoon

2011-03-03T20:30:00.001-05:00

My interest in Charlie Sheen went from 0 to 60 in 5 days.

Times are Changing

2011-03-03T20:09:00.007-05:00

"Gay Marriage Support Is Like One of Those Stocks You Should Have Bought Twenty Years Ago" per the NYmag.

The above chart shows public support for legalizing gay marriage in America over the past 22 years, as measured by the General Social Survey. Marveling at the progress, Andrew Sullivan calls the push for marriage equality "one of the most successful political, social and cultural movements in history."

It's fairly clear the times are changing. It takes time for people to change, especially conservative bigots.

Dangerous Lives of News Reports

2011-02-26T12:50:00.015-05:00

YuM mY favRorItE

2011-02-25T18:09:00.004-05:00

Calamari fra Diavolo. A regular Thursday night.

Housing Prices STILL Heading South

2011-02-25T06:22:00.007-05:00

“As we begin 2011, the housing recovery remains vulnerable to high levels of unemployment, delinquencies and foreclosures,” [Freddie Mac Chief Executive Officer Charles E. Haldeman, Jr.] said. “Nevertheless, certain economic indicators showed improvement in late 2010. While this trend offers some encouragement, we expect national home prices to decline this year as housing will continue to take some time to recover."

Most economist would agree, there are STILL too many houses on the market. Prices will continue to decline.