What? Is bad weather keeping everyone away from their computers?

Everyone saw that world peace is going to break out and is doing a happy dance Frostbitten.

Hey frostbitten!! *waving*

________________________

Repost from last Boodle:

College Parkian, I apoogize for this very tardy reply...

For that person wondering about the iodized cat sleeping with the kids, the answer SHOULD be a) the vet should be able to calculate when the cat would no longer provide a dose to other creatures (if that was ever the case), and b) an extra day or two of separation wouldn't hurt either the cat or the kids, just to be safe. Don't get me started on whether the person could have actually done anything with the reading from a Geiger counter.

Morning all! *Grover waves*

BPH newbies on the 21st??? Excellent! *Snoopy dances*

:-)

ScottyNuke,
Thank you for using your knowledge as a force for good. The post was timed last night at about 7:20. Don't ya love someone who thinks that someone in their neighborhood MIGHT just have a Geiger counter in the shed?

SN, do YOU have a Geiger counter?

CP;

I've got a loverly bunch of REAL dosimeters! *L*

I love it when Joel uses technical economic lingo like "made that anticipated surplus go poof" when he writes about what's happening with the federal budget. When he says Kent Conrad is a senator from "one of the Dakotas" not so much. North Dakota!! (frostbitten, UND '81)

Back at ya, Scottynuke. I was wondering about that radioactive cat thing myself so of course I wasted some time on research. I discovered that 1. I hope they had pet health insurance, the treatment is expensive and 2. when a cat is discharged after such treatment it's typically a guy with a geiger counter, not the vet, who decides it's time. Even then they recommend "special handling" of litter and keeping the cat away from kids for two weeks.

Back to what I'm supposed to be doing.

Did you have to apply for a column length waiver for that? It can't possibly be in compliance with the Washington Post's new mandate.

dmd-apparently world peace is going to break out sometime in FY 2009, since the budget doesn't anticipate any war costs for 2010 and beyond.

Joel, great piece. I think the only way out of the deficit issue right now is to convince the Chinese that M & M's are worth a dollar each. Something... we have to come up with something.

jw, I cut it from 80 to 60. Inches, that is.

Though you never know, some of the deleted 20 might make its way into the blog.

FB and SN,

I'll find a way to post that to the neighborhood list. I lurk there.

SN, that sounds like the chorus to a folkie song:

"I've got a loverly bunch of coconuts...."

---
TMI alert. I had that iodine treatment in 1994. I spent five days away from family. Ahem: Enforced weaning of child. Not a fun time. He will be in therapy for years, I expect. Bad mommy to leave like that without a word.

For the record: I did not need a Geiger counter to enhance the experience.

I don't know if others of you may agree or feel the same way, but I am encountering many Republicans now who feel really bad about what happened by way of the deficit.

If you want to get a true and scary reading on how this will affect our lives down the road, just look at what is happening at a place like NIH.

Look how the grant process has change. Look who is getting money from NIH and for what. Science and medical research grad students around the country are getting into real estate at just the wrong time.

Just a joke, but not really...

May I buy a D?

This is from the last boodle regarding dieting.

It is 1000 calories! I am very, very sorry about the mistake. Truly sorry and embarrassed. When I realized I made a mistake, I checked to see if my comment was posted. It wasn't. I thought my comment got 'eaten' again. I should have went ahead and made the correction. I promise you, it won't happen again.

On topic comment: As the tail end of the baby boom, I am gravely concerned about whatever leavings (SS and Medicare) will be there for me, after the other boomers suck up the resources.

AARP is someone ugly in their determination to protect the money and entitlements of the children of what Brokaw called the "greatest generation."

Anyone sick in response to those hideous boomer retirement commercials, that show the range of dreams for the golden entitled ones?

Napa Winery
Flying shotgun in a sky glider
Beach houses

I am scared, really, but also sanguine. What can I do, anyway.

AARP is SOMEWHAT ugly.

I apologize at offending some here. But truly, what about the children and grandchilden here?

What will be left?

Mornin' all...

Joel... this piece is definitely "speaking truth to power" (or however that phrase goes... not too lucid this morning).

Excellent write.

I am getting much better at spotting Joel on the front page of the Style section when they let him out of his Magazine cage. I only went one paragraph before checking the byline. "Gazillions" gave it away. My favorite line is we have "a government that makes the Roman Empire look like a bowling league." I think Joel is gunning for the Pulitzer in Economic Reporting since Robin Givhen has the fashion beat all locked up.

I deal with federal budget issues in ways that make sense to me. Since there are 300 million people in the US and I have a family of three, if I lop eight zeroes off the end of everything, it comes down to my family's personal share. The military budget comes to $5,320, but tanks and body armor aren't cheap. My family's share of the federal deficit is $88,210. That's a lot of money, but it's less than my mortgage and I have a lot longer to pay it off.

Some things are real bargains. My family's share of the National Park Service is just $25. I would easily double that if I could talk the other 100 million families to pitch in their share.

Repost:

Following up a thread from yesterday, I play a game with Scientific American articles. I count the paragraphs until it becomes complete gibberish. The over/under is five paragraphs.

Here's a thought...

Just as in our own private lives, the amount we spend per year as a country isn't the main story, it's what we spend it on. Do we get true value? We could be spending the same amount of money now, but spend it on taking care of everyone's health care. We could be bringing higher education to those who can't afford it.

Our problem is that we are not investing for the future in any way. We are borrowing from it.

Here is something to think about while you drink your second cup of coffee: What would happen in America if the Govt said to Ford or GM, you have 2 plants in Michigan that you can't operate profitably and have closed, we will use those and build hybrids and hire back some of your old employees?

Our economy appears to be broken. Or is it the manner in which we chose to run our country? Are we that stupid that it is wise to have a plant, a staff, a need for cars and we can't make them, but we can pay people while they don't work?

Put it all into a big hat and shake it around and come up with a plan...

Joel, if you want to really dig into an area of concern, try looking at the true unempolyment rate in the USA.

Trying to concentrate on budget issues as our situation here is not that much better, but then I saw news that Genesis is starting its North American tour in Toronto.

Well, Genesis has to begin somewhere, no?

:)

I am not sure what it says about TO that so many tours begin here, perhaps Torontonians aren't fussy and don't mind that the shows still need some tweaks!

Emailed the noticed to the husband, guys is that to subtle for a man to pick up on?

An excellent column. Illustrates the extent of the problem without talking down, or up, to the reader. Unfortunately, Joel can't help himself, and dumps all the blame for the mess on the Republicans.

The budget surplus Clinton turned over in 2000 was built on the efforts of his predecessor Bush #1 (a republican)and through long and difficult negotiations with a republican controlled house. Getting the budget back into reasonable shape is going to take compromise and the concerted efforts of both parties. It's also going to take a fair amount of luck (specifically, that the countries holding much of our debt don't suddenly want their money back - think of the largest bank run ever, with no Federal Reserve to step in). The only way I see that compromise happening is if no single party again gains control of both the legislative and executive branch. We have been governed best when we give both parties a piece of the power. The resulting necessity for compromise pushes everyone to a more reasonable center.

Joel's otherwise excellent piece is diminished by his unfortunate lapse into fingerpointing and blame.

As a retired boomer who has eight years till I'm old enough to collect Social Security, I've been pondering whether or not to start my benefits, or to decline to accept all that I'm entitled to. I know, that won't make one tiny bit of difference, but it would make me feel better. If the economy stays pretty healthy, I shouldn't need it all. Yeah, how liberal. I hope there will be many like me, who don't have to depend on SS for everything and can give at least some up so that those who do need it can have it.

I don't mind having paid SS taxes, but I care mightily that the federal budget be solvent. IIRC, that means that we can make the payments on the interest, NOT that the national debt goes away completely. (Now that's a good idea - pay as you go for everything!)

My second biggest beef with the president (after starting an unnecessary war) is what he has done to the budget. Beyond stupid, all the way to crash-the-society-and-the-world crazy dumb. Regardless of what some Republicans think, government services are not optional. Dammit, I want my meat inspected and my borders kept secure and my national parks fit to visit and my bank fiscally sound by playing by the rules. Oh, and I definitely want my emergency responders to have the resources they need to respond to NATURAL disasters effectively.

So here's my voice: get your act together, Mr. President and members of Congress.

Back in 1882, the patronage-dispensing Chief Magistrate didn't have OMB to keep tabs on government spending. Back then, the President presumably had to rely on Cabinet members to keep tabs on spending. The Constitution gives the President the right to require the written opinions of heads of government departments, if I remember correctly. Seems quaint. I guess the Founders just didn't see the need for an OMB.

Now to return to genuinely important issues, like rounding up and destroying those George Washington dollar coins that don't say "In God We Trust." Congress should demand that henceforth, those coins should have the motto in large letters on the face of the coin, not hiding on the side like those strange Welsh inscriptions on British pound coins.

"THE FEDERAL BUDGET IS FUNDAMENTALLY A DULL AND TEDIOUS SUBJECT"

Au contraire--the budget is the most dynamic part of the federal government, where policy is translated in action (you put your money where your mouth is). Under that wonkish exterior, budget analysts are true adrenaline junkies, battling constant changes and deadline pressure that even a reporter would find daunting.

Tiger Woods for president.]

I vote for Emperor Woods

Or King Woody

How about Heap Big Um Chief who chases little white ball around many grasses.

Slyness, you are my hero. Thank you for seeing my meaning, behind the poke at AARP's motto of "All MINE. I deserve it."

I like DM's practical idea. Our time frame on the future is about 3-5 years. The Japanese think in terms of 15-30 years. GM is now looking at hydrogen, but they should have started that thinking about 20 years ago.

A side note is that Bill Gates is pushing math and science in high school for 21st century job skills. He is right. Keep pushing that, Bill.

Now about that Vista and MS Word 7, you have GOT TO BE KIDDING.

"where policy is translated in action"

This is exactly right. In my practice group we don't talk about budgets anymore; we call them operating plans.

Greenwithenvy, I think your last post belonged in the apology boodle; certainly fake Indian speech is offensive to many.

Oh I did not want to be offensive to anyone Yoki,

I offer My apology to anyone that I offended for any of my comments ever on here.

I've already bought tickets for the Philly stop of the Police Reunion tour. I have to see if the budget can stretch to fit in one more tour by a band that made all their biggest hits in the 80s but had their true creative peak in the 70s.

Slyness, I think your idea of refusing SS is admirable. However, you should check with your attorney - often, even if you have designated a caretaker should you become incapacitated, and even if you have specified in your will that you don't want SS, it is required of a caretaker or executor that they file for retroactive benefits. You might do better to accept the SS and then donate it back to the government through the appropriate channels. Weird, isn't it?

Gotta run now.

A fine article. I'm something of a deficit and debt hawk myself -- find it mesmerizing to keep up with these numbers. Of course, my personal favorite is the oft-overlooked trade deficit. I think the confusion between "debt" and "deficit" arises because they both begin with "d" and signal bad financial things.

I am particularly amused by the thought of government as a vast criminal enterprise. However, I worry about the comparison to Enron: who is making off with the money? What? You say our government is in fact secretly run for the benefit of the Chinese?

Good morning, all.

Please ignore "dutues" in 3rd para of Today's Kit, the proper authorities have been notified.

I will try to catch up to the Boodle at some point today.

bc

yellojkt, speaking of bands that peaked in the 70s, I may still try to get Police tickets but I'm totally jonesing to catch Iggy and the Stooges' reunion tour's DC stop at the 9:30 club on April 5th.

bc

Thanks for the kind words, CP, but I'm not being noble, just trying to be practical. I'm not necessarily against AARP; I realize that we have to balance competing priorities. The program last night at church was on how we can support our elders to age in place, and the point was made that what's good for the elderly is also generally good for the rest of us. For example, an older person needs longer to cross a street, but so does a young mother with a baby in a stroller and a toddler by the hand.

Health insurance is the ultimate example. Fix it for all of us, and we'll all benefit - regardless of age. I'm not looking forward to dealing the Medicare but what choice do I have?

Wheezy, your idea of returning benefits is the best yet. I just like the thought of officially telling SS I don't want it all.

I was a U.S. Senate floor page during the federal government shutdown in '95 over the balanced budget amendment (anyone remember that?) Not sure why 16-year-old pages were considered "essential" personnel. So I've always had a soft spot in my heart for a good budget debate. Plus, I was an econ major. Joel, you did an excellent job. I am actually going to forward this to one of my former econ professors.

But Steve-2, I think some fingerpointing is in order. It seems to me that Democrats have been beaten over the head for years as the tax and spend party, it's still a Republican mantra. I'm no economist, but basically, on the other hand, the Republicans since Reagan (altho we have to give Bush the Elder some credit for dealing with the issue) have essentially said, "We're going to cut your taxes and you can still have every entitlement you're entitled to, because of course when it's yours it's an entitlement and when it's someone else's, it's welfare." I just think that that kind of dissonance deserves some finger pointing and blame. Particularly, when the Republicans have controlled every lever in gov't for the last 6 yrs. Whew, glad I got that off my chest.

average inflation for the year 2006: 3.24%.
merit increase for 2007: 3.5%.
effective increase in living standard: 0.26%.

i love my job but I could really use some extra cash. any ideas.

sorry, wrong blog

But a good point, nonetheless, oops.

And a masterfully terse apology, oops.

I'm the exact same boat oops. But sorry, I got no ideas here.

See what that apology boodle started, everyones apologizin all the time now.

in the exact SCC

so sorry (sorry I can't help myself).

C. Parkian! Hey, what I like the best from the Republican noise machine is the call that the success of the economy proves the value of "supply sided" economics. I don't suggest Conservatives, as Republican Noisies aren't conservative, though many support what tend to be conservative social agendas.

The budget deficit is a testimony to the clear failure of trickle down economics.

CP, curiously, on a completely different topic, I tend to agree with many that the Scooter conviction and possible penalty will be too strong for the crime. We easily throw everyone in jail. Certainly, as Richard Prior used to say, thank God for jails. BUT, we tend to spend thousands to lock people up.

We have Gingrich saying that the 20,000 people caught in Katrina were bad citizens because they were incapable of "getting out of the way of a hurricane."

This scatter shot mention of thoughts here is just to say that we, as a nation, are not ready to work on a plan where people can totally agree on anything but still work on a plan. At the same time, we can be so cock sure that we are right that we can ruin lives and mock people who are less fortunate. All to the cheer of the masses.

My suggestion would never happen because it smacks of socialism. We can't just take a property for the good of the city of Detroit and fund a project like that!!! No way!!!! Even if it might work and even be reasonable.

Clearly, we can look at our stock market and see where people make some pretty loathsome decisions based on profit that, in reality make no sense for the community, on the whole. Our pathetic little set of "for the common good of the community" choices that we will make may include upgrading the Verizon Center or giving a few take breaks to a business considering a corporate headquarters move, but NEVER NEVER NEVER would we make the actual investment choice ourself. But why?

When you look at the rust belt, which is getting rustier every day, one has to wonder if there is a solution to the industrial decay of this country. Our we the last to get it that sometimes the government (meaning the people) should step up and actually put people to work rather than choosing to fund the safety net devices and the community's charity for those in need of work?

There used to be this concept that there were businesses that were "too large to fail." We, as a nation couldn't let an industry get so "toasted" by the economy that the cost of losing the business seemed to outway the bailout. To me, the concept is a valid one. When a business fails, so many other businesses and individuals get taken down with it. BUT, did we go about the fix in the wrong way?

I look at the Government's response in the past 6 years to support those small businesses manufacturing alternative fuels. While Brazil has hit a point where they are no longer petroleum importers, we are facing shortages and rising gas prices AGAIN. The only thing that seems to stop price increases is an election.

As a near rhetorical question, "why can't our government do the right thing that is good for as many people as possible?"

Similarly, why can't we Americans realize that the best thing for America to do is put the most money in the hands of those of us with the least resources. Even the President knows that we have to have the masses SPEND MONEY with his GO SHOP solution to our problems, but why does Mr. Bush then think that the way to get more money spent is to give more and more money to Corporations and the wealthiest Americans and, at the same time, support policies that for one reason or another result in millions of more Americans in poverty.

The best way to get out of poverty and, if you are lucky, on welfare, is to get a job. It is better to pay a project to hire people in poverty to construct goods than to pay them to be home. Possibly, we create useful businesses. We prime the pump. We try new solutions.

Sorry for the diatribe. I guess I have read too many mentions of why we need to spend 100's of billions in Iraq. Joel's point is so well taken, we lose track of just how big a billion or a trillion is.

We have to suggest to ourselves that these 100 million dollar cuts in spending within the budget is all fat. Hey, all the fat was cut out decades ago. Sure we can run programs better, but really, most money spent by the government of social programs serves some good. It gets money in the hands of those who need it. The real question, is the money reaching those people in a way that spawns some sort of national productivity game.

Clearly, spending money on a war, especially a long war has no real multiplier effect on the business cycle. It is all spent money. Plus it has a costly tail to it. We will be paying the price for Iraq for decades. Not only has the current administration taken its eye off the ball as far as what this country truly needs, it can't find the city that the stadium is in.

>a nerdy type from one of those sensible flyover states where everyone has plenty of tubers stored in the root cellar<

How did he know?

I demand an apology.

This post really belongs with the last kit, but apparently it wasn't enough for these high school girls to apologise for saying the 'v'word during a set of monologues by the same name. I guess it doesn't pay to call a spade a spade.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/nyregion/08vagina.html

Dolphin Mike, you say you've run into some remorseful Republicans? Isn't that, like, an oxymoron or something, or a mythical creature like a unicorn?

(Clearly, ol' Steve-2 sure ain't one of them.)

Assuming there really is such a thing as a remorseful Republican, what, pray tell, do they plan to do to assuage their (well-earned) guilt? Vote Democratic? Pay higher taxes.

We in the Curmudgeon Party believe that the solution to the budget problem is for Republicans to pay twice as much in taxes as Democrats. They are the ones who got all the graft and patronage from the Arbusto regime; it's time to cough it up. Also, stockholders and employees of Halliburton should have their tax rate increased to 98 percent. Anyone who owns a ranch in Texas should pay 130 percent, in perpetuity. Republicans from Wyoming need to pay 160 percent. Grover Norquist should be forced to marry Ann Coulter; Ted Haggard should preside at the wedding, and Ann should register her bridal pattern at Taco Bell.

Yes Kim, the choice seems to be Tax and Spend democrats, or Borrow and Spend republicans. I agree with you that the republicans have been in power for the past 6 years and have to take some responsibility for the deficit. But it seems to me there is a fair amount of pork going into democrat districts as well. Pointing fingers here is the pot calling the kettle black. I think we got the best, or at least the most fiscally sound government, when the parties were forced to work together. Took 'em a while to sort things out. But someday historians are going to look back on the Clinton/Gingrich duo as a pretty good thing for this country.

Ha! I voted for Kerry in the last election, as I recall. And O'Malley for governor. Though I must say the latter was difficult as Erlich did a pretty good job.
I'm not a republican, remorseful or otherwise. But then again, neither am I democrat. I pretty much vote for whoever makes the most sense at the time.
I woulda voted for Jesse Ventura for President, but I never got the chance. Oh well...

Yo quiero Taco Bell!

//But someday historians are going to look back on the Clinton/Gingrich duo as a pretty good thing for this country.//

Steve-2, isn't that exactly the point you're arguing with?

Hey Ann C.!!!! Thanks for putting up the list of what you eat every day on your web site. I try to read it when I eat my tuna fish sandwich for lunch. Yes, with mayo.

"I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, and was in no way fair comment, and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you, or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future."
- Archie Leach (John Cleese), "A Fish Called Wanda"

I really must try to remember to refresh the page before I post a half-witty response to a half-hour-old post.

For this, I apologize.

SCC: "half-witty."

Nice try, that.

TBG, if you go back to my 9:26 post one of the (two) points I made was: "The only way I see that compromise happening is if no single party again gains control of both the legislative and executive branch. We have been governed best when we give both parties a piece of the power. The resulting necessity for compromise pushes everyone to a more reasonable center." Which is pretty much in line with "But someday historians are going to look back on the Clinton/Gingrich duo as a pretty good thing for this country" So I don't think I'm arguing against myself.

I'm not sure why I keep getting lumped in with the republicans. It may be because I refuse to see just one side to the story here.

Mudge...

Yes, there are slews of Republicans who feel that they are part of a party run amok. They seem to believe that the party with the ideals that attracted them in the first place is no longer there.

I think we all believe that the problems have really come from partisanship out of control. It isn't about winning and losing at all costs.

What really gets people is when they figure out that the nation is getting ripped off by the super wealthy. Sooner or later, that comes home to roost, so to speak.

Most of us find ourselves in the economic middle. Give the money to the people below us, and they spend it right away, it is desposed of... fast. Give the money to those above us and occassionally, there is a new Picasso to see at the local museum.

Anyway, I think enough people, both Democrats and Republicans are realizing that the true unemployment rate in the USA is about 8.0% or higher based on an apples to apples comparison to the Clinton years. We are seeing our industrial basis eroded and torn down and shipped overseas.

Even if we do end up with more money to spend, increasingly our basket of goods comes from offshore. I not suggesting that Bush is Nero, but it is getting close.

I am stealing in here just to note, we are in construction mode, and I ma posting from someone else's computer on the sly. I have many things to say about but none of it really makes much sense. Bottom line, and I don't care what entity you are, if you spend more than you bring in some day there will be a reckoning. Sometimes its called bankruptcy, and sometimes institutions will forgive the debt, but in every case, there will be a reckoning. Been there lived through it, lost the farm. Strange as it may seem, sometimes losing the farm is not all bad.

I see that DM and Mudge may run on a Co-Presidente ticket.

Slyness, take all the SS you need, of course. And yes, many elder issues concern all of us.

I just wish that we all considered inter-generational justice in our private and collective decisionmaking.

That is an easy apology to make byoolin,especially when a mad man(Kevin Kline) is dangling you out of a 3rd story window.

That has to go up there with my all time favorite movies

Don't call me *Stupid*

That whole post needs an apology for missing words, poor sentence construction, so I apologize.

My central point and personal experience, stands.

More evidence of the end of civilization as we know it:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/03/08/france.violence.ap/index.html

CP, You know that I am totally frightened by what we all will face when we actually run headlong against the wall of failed Pension systems and lack of preparation due to the economic climate and business policies of the past 20 years.

We are both failing the youth and those about to hit retirement in the next 5 to 10 years. Worrying about underfunding of Social Security is amazing since we are about to face a huge welfare problem.

I never counted on getting social security retirement benefits for the simple fact that since about age 19 or so, I've been told I won't live to retirement age (but so far, I'm 4/5 there). I qualified as *almost* 100% disabled five years ago, but there was a snag - I either had to lose my mind, or the rest of my eyesight, before SSA would overlook the embarrassing riches of edjumacation I'd stacked up, and even my part-time income remains over the limits - and I don't (ever) want them to get down that far. This was somewhat irritating, given the reaction of most employers to the thought of hiring someone with "special needs". While I survive by patching together consultant work, writing, teaching, music, and other mostly-at-home employment, my 70+ parents have run through *their* retirement to help me. Recently they have been donating their social security checks to help me keep my home and pay for the constant stream of uninsured medical issues.

In the only pay-it-forward manner I know, I volunteer a lot - non-profits aren't picky about appearance and physical ability, and are happy to use my expertise and experience. But they won't hire me, either. My intellectual property royalties, assuming I can keep producing valuable material, is my best bet for survival. Kind of like American Idol, if the contestants that lost were blinded, hamstrung, and told to report to the Salvation Army shelter.

It's not fair. My parents have worked all their lives and they *want* to retire, but if they do, they'll be leaving me to the mercy of our current society's compassion and care for the disabled. I want them to rest, relax, and enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of hard work and frugality. Instead of being a productive, well-launched child that *they* can rely on if they become ill, I'm the leaden weight around their shoulders, a day-to-day burden and care. Not. Fair.

On the other hand, I am actually envious of their health and vigor at 70+ and their ongoing grace and acceptance of their life's intense pressures and changes. I want to be like them when/if I grow up!

Sevenswans -- and justice now, so I guess that is intragenerational, in addition to intergenerational. You and your parents have my respect and prayers. Courage. Thank you for sharing your gifts with others, and this digital neighborhood.

I understand something about the ill health and disability; the system is broke.

And the system can't or won't handle those who can work partially.

I would like to echo College Parkian, sevenswans. Just a partial comment away from your major point, but, in reality, I guess not... we really undervalue the participation of volunteers.

I do about 3 to 4 hours a week, myself and it is some of the hardest work that I have to do all week. For me, it provides the additional advantage that I believe it keeps my view of the world a bit more in perspective.

sevenswans, I don't think that you are alone in your challenge there. As we get older, we all run a risk of being underemployeed.

Thanks CP,DM. I'm not complaining, and I hope that essay didn't come off as "oh poor me". I am envied by many an acquaintance for my ability to work (in several different occupations, no less) from my home and in the company of my cats. For someone that was slated to die young, I'm holding on quite nicely ("got bettah..."). I just wish my parents didn't have to help me, especially with medical bills. I know from past boodles that many share the "where's the d*mned universal insurance already" frustration!

And on a more cheerful note, some of my volunteer casework recently got the chance to go before the State legislature and change the laws. I was requested to write a synopsis of the actual case histories to show the problem(s) and support the change in the law(s). That's the second time it's happened using my volunteer work (completely different types of work, too), and it makes my day every time. :-)

I've always liked John Popper of the group Blues Traveler, but that being said, I've also had some...ah...reservations about his general mental equilibrium. Yesterday troopers in Washington State stopped his car -- a big SUV with flashing lights, sirens and a PA system -- for doing 111 miles an hour (the chaeuffer was driving). A search of the SUV by police dogs turned up four rifles, nine handguns, and some glaucoma medicine in lots of hidden compartments.

Wow, catching back up.

I'm surprised Joel managed to talk about the Federal Budget and the National Debt without getting into Imaginary Numbers, the Cosmological Constant, Budgetary Singularities, or the value of the fine-structure constant over time.

bc

Sevenswans, I was so impressed by your post(s), very inspiring - good luck.

Yet another sad tale of domestic violence. Captain America was shot dead by his ex-girlfriend. No word yet on what seems to have caused the spat, nor who the former gal-pal's lawyer is going to be (my money's on Denny Crane, now that Johnnie Cochran's dead).

Don't worry Mudge. Jackie Chiles is already on the case.

I suppose I should have posted a link to the Captain America shooting, with a semi-obit by Neely Tucker, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030702503.html

Our man Joel has not one but two (click) two (click) two WaPo front-page links to his budget story, under "Nation" ("Achenbach Deficit Shock") and again under Arts and Living ("Crunched by the Numbers"). We're going to have to change the name of today to Double-Reefer Thursday.

Getting back on topic:

Ryan Secrest: ultra-dreamy or uber-dreamy?

Discuss, brothers and sisters.

SoC can I vote for uber-icky?

Mudge,

Captain America was arrested for not complying with the Super Hero Secret Identity Registration Act. A law that will be soon extended to bloggers and boodlers. Even those of us with no actual power, super or otherwise.

OK, I can't stand it any more. What's with the WaPo's Jean-Paul Sartre-like existential angst with this new "On Being" feature? I'm gonna have to whip out my old dog-earred (sorry, Wilbrodog) and yellow-highlighted (sorry, yellojkt) copy of Marty Heidegger's works and bone up on my phenomenology and hermaneutics to wade through that stuff. I quietly tolerated all that pandering "On Faith" stuff without a protest, but enough's enough. If Soren Kierkegaard takes over the Weingarten chat ("Fear and Trembling and Poop"), I'm gonna have to find a new newspaper for my lunchtime reading.

Actually, I'd probably read "Fear and Trembling and Poop," now that I think of it.

I saw that Cap had been capped yesterday, never got around to posting a link. Thanks for that, Mudge.

Seacrest: raking it in with both hands while he can. Uber-good for him.

bc - out!

You had to mention Kirkegaard. Now I've got the Python-cootie "bitin' the heads off whippets" stuck in my head all afternoon.

Seacrest? Annoying, smart-alecky, humuorless, talentless.

Mudge, I think we should *write* FTaP.

I'll start:

"Once upon a time there was a man who as a child had heard the beautiful story of..." [you can take it from here, Mudge]

I thought "On Being" was an experiment in modern Dadaism. Sorta like YouTube.

bc

Curmudgeon, I see no existential angst in OnBeing.

WHAT I DO SEE are a bunch of videos that create accessibility barriers to deaf (and perhaps blind) readers-- excuse me, viewers. Who the *** polled for this to be done without captioning or transcripts?

I can get this kind of cruddy fluff from TV or radio newsites.

What's next? That the WaPo will become the first newspaper to require no literacy whatsoever, just a pair of ears and eyes, just like TV does?

"In one century, we went from teaching Latin and Greek in high school to offering remedial English in college." - Joseph Sobran

sorry for being absent for weeks. can't always spend time on my computer.

sevenswans -- my heart goes out to you -- been there and done that -- but I did manage to get my SS disability after 3 years -- I got it in 1995.
Despite my edjumucation.

But luckily for me (as strange as that sounds) my disability was overhwelmingly physical. I couldn't do much of anything at all. (am better now)

I spent 10K and 3 years fighting to get both my SS disability and my private disability insurance from the company I worked for.

I eventually did have to declare bankruptcy -- it all caught up with me in 2000.

And yet I know I'm one of the blessed. Even if one counts the 10 years without prescription drug coverage -- I finally caught up with the debt from that in '06.

I'm so sorry you are caught in that awful netherworld of no benefits -- but not really being able to make enough money to survive. I met many people in your position when I was fighting for my own benefits.

second post on budget topic coming.

I was aware that Phoenix had died a time or two. She is, after all Phoenix. However, Marvel managed to kill Captain Marvel about 25 or so years ago, and I believe that he has stayed nicely dead. Cancer, I believe it was. I note that the Marvel muckety-muck who gets quoted in Neely Tucker's article says forthrightly that Steve Rogers is dead, but not necessarily Captain America. Presumably, that means that a new person would put on the skintight chain mail (Skiintight chain mail? Now, *there's* a bad idea -- as is the concept of wearing any chain mail as protection in an era of widespread firearms).

Meanwhile, the ScienceKids have dug out my old copy of the graphic novel Watchmen. ScienceKid #2, while eating breakfast this morning, read the chapter in which the imprisoned Rorschach tells the prison psychiatrist what caused him to change from being a man in a mask who dressed like Rorschach, and becoming the character of Rorschach. A chilling story. A much better hypothetical argument for torture and/or the death penalty than the ludicrous Ticking Bomb Scenarioâ„¢ (TBSâ„¢). If you don't already know the story, you probably don't need to be in a rush to go find out what I'm talking about.

Speaking of fear, trembling and poop, as well as existential angst, I just got an e-mail from our daughter-in-law via my wife that says our oldest son is the fireman at the very top of the ladder i=shown in slide 3 of this link from some place in Texas: http://www.nbc5i.com/slideshow/news/11192008/detail.html?qs=;s=2;dm=ss;w=400&taf=ny

Thought slyness might appreciate it. My wife says it was more than she needed to know.

Very good kit, JA, although I don't understand all of it, I did get some of it.

sevenswans, your comment was enlightening, and you're lucky to have such great parents.

I am a person that depends entirely on SSD with no added income. My mother is dead, and my eighty-year old father is sick and does not help me. I don't expect him to. If my benefits were to be cut, I would be homeless. I would have to sleep in my car. I am not alone on this island, I have much company.
In my community there are so many young men walking the street everyday. I live in a county that is one of the poorest in the state. These numbers are increasing everyday, those with nothing to do but walk the street. They too, are probably homeless, which puts them at risk for surviving by criminal means. Yet we live in one of the richest countries in the world, and the richest individuals in the world get to keep all their riches, and this is sanction by our President. We have two war going on, and those with the most assests get to keep their money while our future is spent.
We will see the repercussions of this, and I may not be here to say I told you so, but dollars to donuts we will not like it. The prison are already full, and we keep adding more, which means that we are not really addressing the problem.

I am not against people being wealthy because God blesses who He will, but there is a reason why we always have the poor with us. Those with means can help those without. And in return we all share in the blessings that God has for us.

In the book of Proverbs, the prophet asked God for two things. He did not want to have too much, to many riches, because he felt that riches would make him deny God, and rest in those riches. He did not want to suffer extreme poverty because he felt that poverty would cause him to steal, and in doing that he would also deny God as his God. He asked God to give him food convenient for him, in other words, balance.

And JA, I hope I won't need that new hip.

It is good to talk to you my friends. I am running late today, had that dance with the wash room this morning. Have a good day folks. God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

...or OnNotBeing: that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or sit in the conversation pit with a bloke named Kierkegaard.

okay -- scrap the budhet post. it takes me so long to write a post and submit it that by the time it shows up no one even remembers the topic!

I was going to say something about the American lack of long-term planning:

Hybrid cars -- tax credit for buying one has already expired -- and sales of them tanked when gas prices went down again -- temporarily, of course.

It seems we may be a country of people who view long term planning in six month increments! :- 0

Joel, you might have saved some column inches and made it easier for me to read by using scientific notation. It's about bloody time the newspapers started tutoring people on scientific notation anyhoo and counting zeros. Is a billion 10^9 or 10^12?

The federal government will spend nearly $3*10^12 this year, which is about a 10^12 dollars more than when George W. Bush took office.

I like.

So Bush has overseen roughly a 6% annual growth in government spending over 7 years. Anybody out there been getting 6% raises every year since Dubya took office? If so, how do I train for your job?

These numbers only go to 2004, but they show Dubya to be the most prolifigate presidential spender since....wait for it....Nixon. Way to go.

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/news_detail.asp?newsID=31

Steve-2... you're right and I'm sorry. I didn't read your first post again before I countered you.

Not to take away from my apology (which is heartfelt), I think Joel is dumping all the blame on THESE Republicans.

But you're most definitely right: it takes compromise from both sides.

Kind of off-topic, but I've found that doesn't really matter here...

I can't attest to the veracity of this story, but it is interesting:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article1480090.ece

What I wonder is how such an educated woman could have allowed herself to be duped so badly.

hey, Happy International Women's Day.

Liked the Sobran quote, but if this Wiki article is accurate (a big if) I don't think I like the man.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Sobran

I only skimmed his wiki entry (the entries neutrality is disputed) and agree with you bill everything. What I did read makes me think he's a bit nuts.

Closer to our homes, in Guatamala life is not much better for women,

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2007/03/08/guatemala-women.html

I also want say this about the quote: that I like/hate it. Like because it is good, hate it because of how true.

Omni, checked his web site. Loonhood is well within reach.

Gomer, most young women don't really comprehend how a man can be so different to the outside world and at home, nor do they grasp the charming, intense, pressurized seduction pattern of the abuser.

However it appears in this case it appears that the man simply could not override his cultural upbringing once back in Afghanistan.

Even if he wanted to, it would be too dangerous for her, him, and all they were affilated with.

In a society where law and order is weak and corrupt, there is simply no safety for anybody who would go against the flow-- and being "un-islam" is a crime that can force families to forsake their kin, even in fact be required by honor to kill them, especially in the land of the Taliban.

People simply don't really grasp in their guts yet that lack of legal rights for women (or any group) also curtails all human rights-- including of men, children, etc.

I think when one reads Joel's very pithy and helpful analysis of the federal budget, Imaginary Numbers are never far away.

I agree with Cassandra -- the less the Haves share with the Have Nots, the worse our outlook as a nation and a society. We still say "He'll be first against the wall when the revolution comes", we just have a different type of person in mind now. Though come to think of it, the civil rights and Vietnam war divide also tended to split roughly along the lines of Haves and Have Nots.

Who is Ryan Secrest and is he the reason dander5000 called us a "secrest frat"?

I'll go one further and say a stable society with law and order is not possible without giving women freedom to testify and accuse people of crimes on their own behalf, at the very least.

IvansMom, it's Ryan Seacrest, and he's the host of American Idol among other things. What dander meant to type was 'secret frat'. Unless he was trying to be funny, which judging by the rest of his post I would say not.

For those of you with money on the Pulitzers, E&P has leaked the three finalists in most categories. A couple of WaPo contributions on the list including Ruth Marcus, but no mention of Joel. Of course they haven't predicted the editorial cartooning category yet.

The winners of these awards tend to be long detailed Sunday A1 articles nobody reads. I think Carl Hiaasen once called them 'megaturds'.

Speaking of Hiaasens, brother Rob at the BaltoSun used the phrase Man Cave today:

"Man caves - Modern-day garages for men often featuring flat-screen TVs, classic cars and pristine Marilyn Monroe (or Anna Nicole Smith) posters."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/lifestyle/bal-to.cavemen08mar08,0,384359.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Does Rob owe Joel royalties or is there prior art on this phrase?

I think I was the one who made fun of dander's "secrest frat" typo yesterday, as I couldn't figure out what he/she was mad at. I wouldn't start a frat around him, but I do like Seacrest's style. I often have to rewind the DVR to see if he really said what I think he just said.

Wilbrod-
I think what really got me about that woman in that Afghan article was that she seemed to know what sort of treatment the Afghani women received, but I got the impression that she didn't think it could possibly happen to her, an American. But you are right, it is difficult for any man to empathize with a battered or abused woman, unless he himself is battered or abused.

Mudge, your son is a firefighter? Way cool. He was directing the water stream at the top of the ladder? If they were operating correctly - i.e. safely - he was fine.

The fire service saying is that when a ladder goes up, the building comes down. That's 'cause elevated streams are defensive operations. From the pictures, big house and big fire.

This just in, which will make many of us sad:

Are You Being Served? star dies

March 9, 2007

John Inman, star of the 1970s TV sitcom Are You Being Served?, died today in a London hospital at the age of 71.

The actor, died in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 4am after being ill for some time, his manager Phil Dale said.

"John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served? was known and loved throughout the world," Dale said.

"He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain.

"John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed from London's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada and the USA."

Inman's longtime partner, Ron Lynch, is said to be "devastated" at his death.

The actor had been with Lynch for 35 years. The couple "married'' in a civil partnership ceremony at London's Westminster Register office on December 23, 2005.

If you don't watch, he was this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Inman

Wikipedia already has his date of death in there. Those people don't fool around. I updated Joel's entry recently to put in the citation for his Duchovney-dropping. We will have to update it again when he gets his Pulitzer for Excellence in Blogging and Linkiness.

yellojkt, I defer to the guys in the Geico commericals.

I'd add that the Monroe & Smith posters are fine for some guys but you can't beat custom chiaroscuros of bison hunts, horses or hand outlines done in charcoal, ochre, or hematite.

Personally, I refer to those kinds of garages as Garage Mahals; a man cave can simply be an office with a computer, a high-speed internet connection and a locking door.

bc

>John Inman

What a shame. I happened to see an episode of "Are You Being Served?" just the other day.

The funny thing is he played such an over-the-top gay I didn't actually think he was in real life.

//a man cave can simply be an office with a computer, a high-speed internet connection and a locking door.//

bc.. isn't that also called a bathroom?

Good point TBG, except that in the man cave no one's going to knock on the locked door saying they have to get in there RIGHT NOW or there's going to be an accident on the floor [Wrote something funny and terribly crude here, thought better of posting it. Use your imagination if you must.].

"Clean up on isle 7!"

Wireless internet *is* a wonderful thing.

bc

bc >> "you can't beat custom chiaroscuros of bison hunts, horses or hand outlines done in charcoal, ochre, or hematite."

bc, how did you know that's exactly what I would like as decor one day? I was thinking large fabric hangings with large stone fireplace, parquet floor with fur rugs (alive), and 12 feet-high ceilings with charred wood beams. And no windows.

I haven't decided if I want a flap over the entrance or an actual door, though.

Who knew interior decorating would kill the boodle?

Wilbrod-
Go for the firepit in the center of the room, complete with teepee-like smokehole in the ceiling.

I don't think you killed it, just wounded it badly.

Dang, and a good hunter never lets wounded prey get away to die a painful death, too. I'll have to track it down on foot.

When you mentioned killing the boodle, I got this vision of the Achenmonster at the top of the page limping, bleeding, to its Achencave, and I wondered what the blood would look like.

Would it eat through metal, like the alien from _Alien_?

Would it glow, like the Predator's blood?

Then I started to wonder, what evolutionary advantage would glowing green blood have? Why would a creature develop chemiluminescent blood?

"Who knew interior decorating would kill the boodle?"

How can I put this diplomatically, Wilbrod? Most of us?

I thought I had killed it with my "bathroom humor." Who knew the boodle had become so hoity toity.

And I apologize profusely for it, too.

Here's another headscratcher, for those who like'em:

I often ask this question at parties, as a conversation starter, because I figure everyone has a position on it, and usually some reasons to back it up, plus their answers (as well as the looks they give me) often provide some insight into a stranger. Here goes:

If humans had evolved with tails, what would our tails actually look like, and how would they function?

Talk amongst yourselves, I gotta commute back to the lily pad...

Two additional ways that socially conscientious Boomers can help ensure our fiscal security:

1) They can refuse to retire.

2) They can hope for an early death.

Suddenly, higher taxes don't seem so bad.

Gomer.. that's a good one!

Another part of that might be: would we tuck our tail inside our clothes or have a hole for it to stick through?

It would depend on the pre-existing anatomy as well, but generally bipeds with tails tend to have a horiontal body and abbreviated forelimbs (or wings), long necks, and significant portion of the skull weight aft the spinal cord-- (think occiputal bun in neanderthals).

But let's say we descended from monkeys with tails. Transitioning to an upright posture to free our limbs and retaining a tail would create a lot of constraints on 1) childbirth 2)ability to develop the butts we have.
The tail would have to serve a function of sorts in balance, cornering, and communication as it does in 4 legged creatures, and that's easiest when it can serve as a rudder, rather than a butt pigtail.

So my suspicion is that a tail would predispose against our upright posture unless it was reduced to a stump. On the other hand, going to the other type of bipedality, it could be made longer or thicker at the base to help balance and free up hands and arms for manipulation.

So it could be possible that humans wouldn't evolve significantly beyond a monkey anatomy, other than developing stronger, more flexible hindlegs and more ground-capable feet.

We could in fact wind up jumping as much as walking. I think we'd look something like sifakas, adapted for heavier anatomy, bigger brains, and more ground-dwelling habits.

http://lemur.duke.edu/animals/coquerel/
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031785389118&path=!localnews!article&s=1037645509099

Ahem, TBG, you'd never tuck a tail inside clothes.

I might add, clothes for dogs have room for the tail AND the crotch for key tree activities. Check this out:

http://www.k9topcoat.com/group.asp?grp=60

I would go for a more kangeroo-like anatomy, if I had my druthers. Including giving birth to teeny-tiny embryos that finish developing outside the body. I saw a documentary once on a kangaroo giving birth, and immediately thought to myself, "Much better system."

Since we're off-topic anyway, is anyone planning to compete in the Pi Day games? I will block off some time over the weekend to post entries, if yes. If no, I'm working on a little something of my own.

Gomer, if humans evolved with tails, they would be prehensile. Women's tails would be short and near-useless from both selective breeding for fluffy, useless tails as an attractant and plastic surgery - probably on newborns - to make non-conforming tails meet the standard. Men would insist that theirs were longer, stronger and more flexible than (a) women's (b) each other's and (c) every other mammal known to have some version thereof. Humans would have developed many obscene tail-related gestures so men in business suits could signal each other behind the desk in meetings. And so on.

When you say "tail" do you mean "prehensile" or "white and fuzzy"? They each carry quite distinct connotations.

I dunno--I think it'd be just one more place for ladies to hang their bling, one more place for bikers to tattoo and Goths to pierce, and one more thing for ladies to tell us guys to keep them to ourselves and stop being so (a) fresh, (b)disgusting, or (c) "faster, faster" or "slower, slower" (as the case may be). And I just hate the notion of what Moses' wife might have done with the damned things.

Running for the bus, peeps. Stay warm. (Grey's Anatomy tonight. Have I mentioned that I want to bear Katherine Heigl's love child? And she digs guys with heart conditions, too, so maybe I've got a shot!)

Ahh Mudge - men wear bling too! Perhaps not our age bracket but the younguns!

I would like to modify my last statement a little as I just had a flashback to some of the men I would see in the bars in the late 70's with the gold chains.

If the eighties big hair ever comes back would we gel our tails?

Yoki-I hope to have an entry for you tomorrow. The great chocolate haupia pie perfection experiment begins at dawn, or thereabouts.

Great answers, all! I would go with the idea of a sparsely-haired prehensile tail, not unlike the opossum. I could hold my beer, my nuts, and a sandwich all at once!

I like my own curly tail, thanks. But I wouldn't say no to making it more prewhatisle-- you know what I want?

I really want one of those snaky nose-tails elephants have, only on my butt. And with handsome fur on it.

That would totally rock, I could filch food under tables while sitting and looking innocent. And I could scratch myself while walking, too.

Yoki, I typed in my recipe for the quiche, and I even made the stoopid thing and took a picture. Now, however, the software to retrieve the pictures from the camera (3 year old Korean thingie with odd software) isn't working. It flashes up on the screen and dies, repeatedly. It used to do this and I figured out how to make it work, but that old fix is no longer working. So I'm stumped. We have another digital camera, but I think the spawn would protest about having the same dinner twice in four days.

I'll keep you posted.

Whaddya mean, IF we had a tail?

Yoki, I'm very jealous that you get to be the first international BPHer.

This, of course, is one of the prime functions of Canadians - when we attend one of your events you get to call it "international" even though its kind of like taking your sister to the prom.

Probably wouldn't be too many sporting a brazilian waxed tail -- chances are it would look too much like a rat.

Remember, Yoki to the outside world we are Canada one big lump. I was laughing the other day at the headlines for the ice on the CN Tower, there was one from eastern Europe announing "Roads closed in Canada" due to the ice on the tower.

As an update they managed to chip off the lose ice, two men rappelled from the pod (447 m) and slowly chipped away at the lose ice. This was done at 11:00 pm, the temps were -12c, there is a job there just cannot be adequate financial payback.

SoC still laughing at the reference to taking you sister to the prom. Glad to see you are having more time to post.

Wilbrodog, you mean all I have to do to stop the shedding around this house is to buy the dogz a lycra body suit? Somehow it sounds like the snowsuit in *A Christmas Story* to me.

Wilbrodog, you mean all I have to do to stop the shedding around this house is to buy each of the dogz a lycra body suit? Somehow it sounds like the snowsuit in *A Christmas Story* to me.

That's OK Wheezy. Send in your title, description, recipe, attribution, and then a description of the picture that you would have sent, had you not experienced technical difficulties. A word picture. It will compete with all the other pictures for best pic, of course.

No, you have to make the dog WANT to wear it.
Mine is too tight around my legs and I just stand in this kind of cringe, looking like a scuba diver that's forgotten my mask and flippers, and try and look as dyspeptic as Hamlet until I get it off.

At least there is no need to unzip for necessities, though.

I am so sorry for the double posting that I am going to make an Act of Contrition.

SoC, I'm literally laughing out loud at your comment.

I have to say, I feel very honoured to be invited to a BPH, but also a little guilty. I still think we should get dmd out here and hold the Canadian version, soon.

I shall be toasting my fellow-Canadians, for sure, and plan to be extra polite and say 'eh' a lot, so as to be a proper ambassador.

DON'T FORGET THE TOQUE!

During my three years in England, the occasional (I was gonna say "odd", but thought better of it!) Canadian or two would wander through town long enough for me to run across them at the pub. Bear in mind that I was the only American (other than those who I brought in) who was a regular at my particular watering hole when I say that: I fairly quickly decided that the Canadians came in two flavors - Those who were defensive about being mistook for Americans, and those who handled it with amused resignation. It probably won't amaze you to find that I generally got along much better with the latter.

I mean, of course, that the Canadians in that particular town, at that particular time, with whom I happened to speak, came in two flavors. Even then, I was grotesquely mischaracterizing the rich and varied personalities present amongst all Canadians, at all times and places, and deeply apologize for this remark. I am mortified to the point of inconsolability.

Bob S, among those Canadians you met that felt umbrage at being mistaken as Amerians there wasn't perhaps a gentleman called Conrad Black? :-)

Wonderful apology by the way, and on behalf of Canadians who would not feel any resentment at being mistaken for an American I apologize.

In 1986, while visiting California, I was asked by two young women if I came from Canada. They said I had Canadian hair. I still have no idea what that means.

>I still have no idea what that means.

Um, you were coiffed like Bob McKenzie?

Not like Doug either.

We went to Jamaica in about 1990 and just about everyone we met thought we were Canadian. We couldn't figure out why, except possibly because my husband had a beard, and he was very very pale?

LiT, I think the term "Brazilian Wax" should be reserved for...er...the front facet, and we'd need a new term for a wax on the flip side, for which I would propose "Chilean wax."

I hate to spoil the idea and the honor for Yoki, but does SF's attendence at a BPH already qualify as the first "international" BPH? (Somebody please say "No!")

Naahhh, he's local.

By the way, other than some bullying moments (of which others have been guilty, quite possibly even myself), I LIKE sf.

SF only traveled from somewhere in suburban Maryland. Yoki is crossing a continent to get here.

:)

If SF qualified, it would be a relief (less pressure as ambassador from foreign lands).

Nonetheless, I do think SF is resident in the US (Maryland?) and so did not have to fly (on the airlines! And go through Security! To Washington!) internationally to attend, and so I will until corrected consider myself, if not the first international, at least the first cross-border BPHer.

Of course with Wilbrodog's presence, we've had a cross-species BPH or two.

Don't touch my bags, if you please,
Mr. Customs Man ...

Mudge, standard usage of the term "Brazilian Wax" already encompasses both sides.

TBG - are you certain that we needed Wilbrodog to accomplish that?

: )

I greatly appreciate your holding the next BPH on the 15th anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Everything. Sorry we cannot attend. Sounds like Wilbrodog is the kind of party animal (sorry, again) who knows how to break the ice with strangers.

Enjoy!

dbG - Why does the term, "Look THAT up in your Funk and Wagnalls!" come to mind?

dmd, I've packed the toque, the maktaaq, the Siwash harness, the dried moose-intestines, the hard cider, the cradle-board, the syrup tarts, the photo of my cipaille, the cloud-berry liqueur and the Saskatoon berry jam. Have I forgotten anything?

Coming in from London from over the pole
Flying in a big airliner

Chickens flyin' everywhere around the plane
Could we ever feel much finer?

bill e. - Well, we will surely hoist one or two to "everything, forever!"

I wonder if that show would seem as funny if it were on now! :-)

In Joel's column he mentions the perception that the money spent by the government doesn't seem real. I have never felt that the funds I work with are not real, but I do sometimes feel a little woozy at the slop built into the budgeting process.

Because most of the contracts I work with have a lot of risk, the cost estimates have significant uncertainty. I wish it were different, but clouds aren't the only thing difficult to predict.

This unavoidable fuzziness results in a bizarre dichotomy in my perceptions of monetary scale. In my private life $10K is an enormous chunk of change over which I would lose sleep. At work, I fear, it's rounding error.

>slop built into the budgeting process.

The thing is if what you're doing is basically research you can't just say well, it's a report like the other one, that took x time, etc.

You have to Plan For Error.

Oh and Wilbrod, if you check in this evening, I thought you would be interested to learn that one of the folks at my COTR class trains dogs for various "K9" services. He brought one in with him today. It was something called a 'Belgian Malinois.' Anyway, a beautiful animal who has spent some time working overseas. Put my little yapper to shame.

I hear you RD. At work, we deal with M&As, infrastructure deals, etc. worth billions. I once, many years ago, was handed a certified cheque (or whatever is similar in the big-money world) for $10 Million (US$!) and sent across the street to deposit it in our client's bank account.

At home, I feel thrilled when I find a folded-up five-dollar bill I had forgotten in the previous season's outerwear pocket.

It really is all relative.

Yes EF, that's exactly it. Whenever I attempt to slip the phrase "at start of contract plus 4 weeks a brilliant breakthrough shall occur" into the Statement Of Work they get all cranky.

I've had to explain several times, in utterly different contexts, that just because a theoretically similar job was accomplished once for $X, doesn't mean that it can be done in THIS situation for that amount. Estimates is estimates, ain't they now?

One of the great lines from my real estate appraiser boss was from HIS first boss in that line of business. -- When asked by an overanxious client about the final value (after he'd just seen the property, but before all of the research & calculation was finished), he'd look at them a bit squinty-eyed, and drawl, "Well, how much do it weigh?"

Brazilian waxed tail?

Oh, my.

bc

Yoki, might want to just quietly smuggle the food - they are a little fussy these days!

Yoki - What, we don't rate fresh moose intestines?

It turns out that Samuel Pepys' wife, Elizabeth, used fresh dog urine as part of her makeup routine. This just seemed like a good time to point that out.

I've seen one or two Malinois. They are built for action.

They're very popular as police and service dogs in Belgium and are catching on in the USA to sub for GSDs since the general GSD stock has gone wayyyy downhill in soundness thanks to inbreeding, and the "flying trot" and demanding that GSDs basically be built like they're doing half-push-ups at a stand, which is of course guaranteed to cause hip problems.

The thing is, Malinois are very high prey drive dogs with lots of energy and atheleticism. They do well in SAR, Schutzhund, police work, but not necessarily as suburban pets with cats and such walking around to chase, or owners who think they can be fenced in anything 5 feet or less, or without a lot of time on obedience training and exercise with owners.

I know of one or two working as hearing ear dogs, with experienced owner-trainers who chose carefully to get the less high-prey drive, more stable dogs, but they still have lots of work to do on the prey drive training.

I can tell you that Wilbrodog only tested moderate on a prey drive test, but that's still more than most service dog users would want.

Yes, but is their urine good as a face frehener?

as a "face-freshener"?

Can someone from the Seacrest frat tell me who was eliminated from Idol tonight? Daughter at work, husband "Idol who?", me at a community meeting do good work. I can't believe I care.

So sorry. A thousand pardons I am so revolting. (But please tell me if you know.)

Wilbrod - This dog was trained to detect explosives, and is supposed to be one of the best in the world. (Don't ask how much his training cost.) He is also getting a bit old for this work (7) but has a nice retirement to look forward to. The trainer looks like a marine on steroids, but gosh darn it you should see the way he melts when he talks about this dog.

parma jean - I'll let it go now, but since Mrs. Pepys thought puppy pee-pee was perfect for her parfumerie, I could do no less than puzzle Wilbrod about the possibilities.

Is this a good time to post this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/science/08louse.html?ref=science

Maggie - Yup, I think so! Although it may need even wider dissemination (as it were) if JA drops a new Kit off in the morning.

dmd, I figure if I declare maktaaq and Saskatoon (without actually explain'in), they'll let me through.

Bob, believe me you don't want fresh! I've had 'em, and I will never again eat 'em. Being a good guest goes only so far.

Frostbitten, Sundance, Antonella (sp), Sabrina? that is all I know.

"Samples of gorilla lice were obtained by members of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, which provides free health care to gorillas in the wild."

Well, thank goodness! Because trying to make a living off of the gorillas who pay for health care seems like a very hard way to save up for retirement!

Just remembered the other Derek?

Thank you dmd. Still can't believe I care.

Don't forget than one of the very highly-regarded Victorian cosmetic treatments was to ingest just a wee bit of arsenic every day; made the face very white and wrinkle-free.

And then they wondered why so many young-ish women dropped dead under any sort of stress.

Ah, me! *putting hand to cheek and batting eyelashes*

Frosty, dmd - Actually, I'm almost envious (ALMOST, I said) of your ability to stay connected to it. I get that it's theoretically interesting, I just haven't found the ability to be interested enough to keep up. This costs me points in trivia games sometimes.

Yoki, I think you should unpack your toque so you can wear it when you cross the border. And if you bring with you a couple of wedges of Silani cheese at the border crossing, when the INS folksd ask what you have to declare you could sing:

"One toque over the line, sweet cheeses, one toque over the line..."

dbG, I know a Brazilian wax covers both sides, but that is true only for present human anatomy. I suggest that the addition of a tail is significantly different and supplemental, to the point of requiring its own separate wax job terminology.

Not just in Belgium, but in all of original-Europe, Wilbrod. Once Alsatians became physically ruined by breeding for the show-ring (I hate that angulation, and down-on-the-hocks we see in GSDs), the Malinois (and my, aren't they lovely dogs, to look at) became the only fit herder-guarders to do police work.

The two I know have a lovely temperament, and the most beautiful golden halos of fur around their faces. I expect they will be the next breed to be badly-bred for aggression, instead of guarding/obedience (responsive) that the old Malinois lines were for.

Perfect job for the dog, I'm sure he has a great life :).

Bob S., urine (human, I think) was routinely used to dryclean white wool back in Roman times.

But I have never heard of urine being used for makeup other than by dogs rolling in sumptin nasty. I found this site that claims they DRANK it, not put it on as a kind of "youth remedy." In hindsight, this probably wasn't much sillier than the 19th century vogue for sewing monkey gonads onto elderly men to revitalize them, but... eesh.

Nowadays, there's an natural progesterone- supplement which is collected from the urine of pregnant mares (and purified, so no whinny whiskey flavor remains). This is FDA-approved.

The Onion had a breaking article on this very subject of dog urine: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/29429

Technically, urokinase can be derived from uirne, and it IS used to help stop heart attacks by acting as a declotting agent, but nowadays it is manufactured directly from kidney cell cultures and then purified, not by labs peeing in buckets.

For pity's sake, 'Mudge. That made me (and this not hyperbole) spit hot tea all over my screen, keyboard, lap and BMD.

Bob S.-ability, failing, tomato, tomahto

I didn't watch a single episode until last season when the daughter and I bonded over it while the husband was deployed somewhere. Now she's outgrown it and I just can't stop.

Bob S.,I have two things going for me an eleven year old daughter, and the knack for walking in the room at the right time.

Yoki, that's why they call it lap song tea.

Admit it folks, you'll be trying to work "sweet cheeses" into all kinds of conversations.

Mudge, I am *so* sorry to have misunderstood! Can you forgive me?

Wilbrod, I do this with fear and trembling, because I know you are more educated than I am, but...

It is true that dog-urine was used for face-conditioning (whitening) before chemistry became more than natural philosophy. Look up recipes for skin conditioners from 'round about 900 to 1700 AD.

I won't even begin to post medieval recipes for cold-cream!.

dbG, I am entirely to blame, for which I abase myself with ashes and sackcloth. OK, not exactly sackcloth; it's my flannel jammies. But it's the thought that counts, right?

Why isn't anyone boodling about the budget?

mumble-mumble-ricka-fricka-lousyofftopic-mumble...

Maggie, that is definitely TOO MUCH INFORMATION!

Nice they figured it out, but ewwwww.

Maggie, I saw another article on that item the other day, on LiveScience.com I think - only instead of calling them "pubic lice" they went with the classic "crabs".

Yeesh.

Mudge, you're on a roll tonite.

bc

Don't you mean lap-sang soo-long?

Pleez, Miz Yoki, whad is dis BMD of wheech you speek?

*Ewwwwwe!*

hahahaha! I love you with an unrequited passion, so that will remain a mystery.

Wait a minute. Got it. The whatchamacallit mountain dog. Burmese. Burnoose. Bernaise. One of them.

Sorry, doggie. Didn't mean to get you scalded.

Gomer, come back! You can talk about the budget. I'd like to hear it. And I'd especially like to hear it if you can 'splain it as you would for your classroom kids.

Excellent! They are kind of saucy dogs.