Friday Random Musings

It's early. The stock market just opened a few minutes ago and it's down 500 points. This looks like some serious bad news.

I was listening to Sean Hannity on Nazi Radio 1600AM Redding the other day. I'm convinced he's the very worst hate-baiting echohead wingnut on the radio. He's so shameless in his punditry that, like my friend Aaron, I have a hard time believing that HE believes what he's actually saying. He is after all a paid entertainer.

Rush is still the best the right has. I disagree with him almost all the time, but he's witty, occasionally very funny, and actually stomps echoheads instead of Hannity, who seems to welcome them.

Newsvine.com is a cool centrist site. Tip to Jim who turned me on to it. I've stopped visiting Drudge because it's too depressing and DailyKos I only visit for the abbreviated pundit roundup.

Listening to: Bon Iver, MGMT, Radiohead.

Reading: Marc Hauser, Ian McEwen, Joseph Campbell

Watching: Prizefights, Bad Campaign Ads.

Work was a whirlwind this week. Barely came up for air. One thing I've learned is that not all of us are cut out for change. For some, it's a 430lb ogre. I used to be like that in some respects. I'm better now.

Today's is my first day off in 11 days. I get to hang with Elias. I think we'll paint something cool, eat ice cream, go buy mommy something nice, and cook. A full day.

Economic Confusion

There are many days when I wish I had taken Economics at say, 11am rather that 8am when I was in college. I might have retained more of it and wouldn't be at such a loss trying to understand why our country's financial markets seem to be in such a tailspin.

I've always considered speculation in the economy to essentially be a house of cards because the value tied to the objects on the market isn't real value, it's projected. So when the bubbles burst, investors that took the risks of such investments should learn to live with the losses. I'm not sure that's fair though, considering that an overwhelming majority of folks rely on financial "experts" to manage their portfolios.

I'm not sure how effective the bailout will be in stabilizing the market, I hope it does some good because that's a lot of corn to waste if it doesn't. This is like giving "the invisible hand" a very expensive manicure.

What I'm reminded of is the Bush plan to privatize Social Security. Can you imagine the disaster that might have developed had we collectively decided to take that road? Yikes.

I really dig my car

This is my 2000 M Coupe. I've had it now for about 6 weeks and it's a huge jump up from any car I've ever owned. I REALLY enjoy driving it. It has super-stiff steering and suspension that make cornering a whole new experience. The engine is 240HP, smooth and strong. The power to weight ratio make this thing a real rocket. My mechanic says he can flash the chipset on it to provide me with 50 more HP AND better gas mileage. I'm reluctant. Mostly because I like it just the way it is but also because it could easily become too much car for me and that might spell disaster. Maybe I'm getting old. Mortgage, wife, and child tend to move to the forefront when it comes to making decisions.

Speaking of which, let me be the first to admit that this is not a practical car for a father of a young child. But, my wife really likes driving it too and I got it at a cost that, barring a bad wreck, almost guarantees I won't lose money on it. Besides, Elias really likes it too. "Daddy car fast, vrooooom"


The presidential election is starting to get ugly and I'm probably going to tune out the rest of the way. My mind is pretty much made up. I can use the time to catch up on my voter packet so I can get informed on local issues and state political legislation.

A few quick opinions:
The GOP is desperate. They're starting to dig up dirt on Obama to get the focus off the economy. So much for the high-road McCain promised to take.

Palin is still a joke. Her early admission in the debate that she "didn't care" whether she answered the moderator's questions - coupled with the fact that she will likely not do another sit down interview (outside of Faux News) prior to the election, - means simply one thing; She cannot answer a cold question because without her talking points notecards, she is completely lost. Why? Because she doesn't know her ass from a hole in the ground. Still, her journalism background serves her well and she's effective when she has a prepared speech to give. You read it here first that Florida will go GOP.

Still, I'm convinced she cannot think on her feet. Call me a cynic, but I want someone smarter than I am to be in charge.

Her winking during the debate was the funniest subversive attempt to be appealling by a political candidate I think I've ever seen.

The 140 billion dollars added to the bailout plan makes me want to puke. Shameful.

Ok - enough of that....

I saw a boxing match last night. Sergio Martinez fought and stopped Alex Bunema. Martinez is someone to watch. He's very quick, has an excellent jab, and uses good movement. He's exciting. I look forward to watching him go again.

Random Thor's Day Musings

Good gravy, it's about time I got around to adding another post.

Top Ten Boxers P4P

1. Manny Pacquiao - Look at his resume and try to argue against it.
2. Joe Calzaghe - Until someone beats him or Pacquiao loses, this is his spot.
3. Juan Manuel Marquez - Came the closest to beating Pacquiao, most well rounded in the game.
4. Antonio Margarito - Welterweight Kingpin got here the hard way, he earned it.
5. Kelly Pavlik - Sure he's flawed, but he finds a way to win and he can crack.
6. Paul Williams - Went from welter to middle in last fight and dusted the guy with one punch.
7. Israel Vasquez - Heart and toughness.
8. Nonito Donaire - Filipino slickster is turning heads every time he fights.
9. Ivan Calderon - Puerto Rican is as good a pure poxer as you'll ever see.
10. Chris John - Debatable win over Marquez. Needs a rematch to prove exactly how good he is.

On the rise: Andre Berto, Jorge Linares, Chad Dawson, Arthur Abraham, Chris Arreola

Why isn't Hopkins on this list? Because he's old AND his last 8 fights have been foul-filled SNOOZEFESTS. That's why.

On to other things.....

May I opine on the presidential election? Sure.

I think McCain is a fine American and a decent man. I also think that his current incarnation is modestly different than the man who cultivated a reputation as a reformer/maverick. I wish he'd picked a different running mate. Sarah Palin's inclusion is a terrifying prospect for the country. Having said that, I think that the GOP has a good shot at winning, not because they have a particularly scintillating vision for America, it's because I have a low opinion of the political IQ of most Americans. Single subject voters (God, guns, and gays) can turn the tide in rural areas and keep the race close. Couple this with America's unhealthy desire to see "ordinary" people in position of great responsibility and power, and we just might have another GOP executive.

Obama, is inexperienced and I think he generally wants to use government to cure most of the big problems we have in this country. I'm a small government guy so I'm skeptical. He made , I think, a sound choice in selecting Biden as a running mate. The Delaware senator is a perfect counter-balance to Obama's lack of experience. I've heard folks mention that he can't control his mouth. Big deal. He knows statecraft and if he had to step in and become President, I wouldn't be screaming in the streets. Palin might make me do that.

I think Obama won the first debate on substance and McCain won on emotional appeal.

October is one damned fine month to be alive in Redding, California. It's gorgeous.

The Cubs are in the playoffs. For my grandpa's sake, I hope they go a good long way.

Almost a Year

Kenai and Elias had a pretty good time playing around during a week-long visit from my Bro and Sis. I'm finding that my son is a bit of a brute and Kenai is a sweet and very smart little boy.

I'm going to try to post to this more if time allows. I'm feeling the effects of life's acceleration these days as I try to balance work, fatherhood, marriage and friendships. We shall see.

Saw 'Atonement' the other day, finally. The movie was excellent but the novel is by far the greater masterpiece of the two.

Teaching World Religions to HS seniors this semester. I'm enjoying it. I think they are too. We're covering Hinduism now and they seem to have renewed interest in the class, my guess is that because it's so very different than what they have come to accept as true is a big reason why.

Redding is a damned fine place to be alive in March and April. I absolutely love living here.

Almost time to head out to a social gathering where my son can discover colored eggs to commemorate the resurrection and ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lovely.

-ck