Archive for March, 2011

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California Dreaming


23 Mar

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Home Ownership, Travel | Comments Off

I recently planned a vacation we will never take. Well, never may be a strong word, but the likelihood is probably 15% or less.

I like planning. I like dreaming. I know how much we can technically afford, and I love the idea of going places.

So why won’t we take the trip? Mostly because the money we have would be better spent preventing the basement from flooding, paying for college, or saving for a trip to Europe in a couple of years.

Still, I like my $1,000 dream, and will hold on to it for a day or two.

 

My Favorite Video Games: Sid Meier’s Railroads


22 Mar

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Posted in Games, Software | 1 Comment »

I remember enjoying playing with my brother’s toy trains as much as he did. As an adult, I still like trains. However, because I don’t have any children to give me the excuse of owning toy trains, I play Sid Meier’s Railroads.

Sometimes I play it as just a train table, trying to meet all the goals. Other times I play vs. computer generated opponents. (I don’t do the multi-player.) Either way, its usually a good way to spend an hour or two.

I tried some mods, but with the exception of the official Holiday scenario, they weren’t well programmed.

 

Next Great American Restaurant


21 Mar

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Posted in Food, Television | 2 Comments »

Watching the “Next Great American Restaurant” -the founder of Chipotle and Bobby Flay want to help you open your own chain.

The contestants didn’t do all their homework. They should have watched cooking competitions, even though they aren’t chefs. The first thing you learn is not to argue with the judges when they say your food isn’t good.

Additionally, they needed to do research on venture capital, because that’s what they’re getting here. They needed to learn that passion is good, but you have to make the people who are giving you money happy. Ignoring their concerns equals zero dollars.

Rat City Rollergirls, Season 7, Bout 3


20 Mar

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Posted in Rat City Rollergirls, Roller Derby | Comments Off

GD dominated DLF.

TR vs SW was fabulous. Throughout the first half, there was no lead larger than 11 points. SW led by 6 at the half, but TR pulled ahead in the second half, helped by a great power jam by Luna Negra. We got to see Luna and Eva Dead jam regularly. I am so excited about TR’s fresh meat.

On the down side, Anya Heels of SW is out injured, perhaps for the rest of the season. Nothing gets a crowd going like seeing Anya jam, so its sad for SW, the all-star team, and derby fans.

 

Just Finished Reading: A Good Hard Kick in the Ass: Basic Training for Entrepreneurs by Rob Adams


19 Mar

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Posted in A Good Hard Kick in the Ass, Authors & Books, Non-fiction, Rob Adams | Comments Off

It took me a year and a half or more to finish this book, not because it wasn’t good, but because I read it intermittently. If you’re interested in business, especially in entrepreneurship and venture capital, you should read this book.

Adams works in venture capital and walks the reader through the steps that investors are looking for before they hand you money.

My only complaint with this book is that it really focuses on the technology sector. I know the base rules should be the same, but I really would have loved to see examples from non-tech start ups.

Smart Spending Actions


18 Mar

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Posted in Finances | Comments Off

Taking us over to the Smart Spending board today and their thread “What I did today to save money and improve my life”. Its simple concept- celebrate the choices we make every day that help us financially and emotionally.

These things include paying a family member to do cleaning for you after surgery, or finding a way to take a 2 week vacation for minimal cost. Often they involve saying no- to eating out or a concession stand.

The little things add up, and its nice to have a place where people will celebrate those smart spending decisions with you.

Bonus Science Content: the Angolatitan adamastor


17 Mar

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Posted in Science | Comments Off

Have I mentioned that I was a history major in undergrad, and my brother was an archeology major? That might help in understanding the scientific discoveries I find most cool. Like the lost city of Atlantis earlier this week, and now, a new dinosaur- the Angolatitan adamastor.

I am extra excited by the fact that new dinosaur was discovered in country where they haven’t been able to do much digging before. Hopefully, this will interest and excite not only people in Angola, but also in the countries around them. As was said in the article, we all benefit from science.

I <3 Les Schwab


17 Mar

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Posted in Advertising, Car repair, Finances | Comments Off

A few years ago, a friend posted about a negative experience he had going to a local company for new tires. Over 20 people responded that he should have gone to Les Schwab. Seriously, they could have lifted the entire thread and made it an ad.

I love Les Schwab and prefer to go there for any car maintenance they can handle. This week, I had to go in for a flat tire. Turned out I needed to replace all my tires. They got me in and out in less than an hour, and I didn’t even have an appointment.

The Hidden Costs of Being Poor


16 Mar

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Posted in Finances | Comments Off

It costs more to be poor than it does to be middle class.

If the cheap version of something costs $10, but only lasts for 2 years, while the expensive version costs $20 but lasts for 5 years, in the long run, it’s obviously better to buy quality. But what if I don’t have $20 in my budget? What if I don’t really even have $10, but I need this item now? Which am I going to buy?

Sadly, I think this may be why Wal-Mart is so successful. If you buy it cheap, you have to buy it often.

Atlantis Discovered?


15 Mar

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Posted in International Politics, Politics, Science, Technology, Travel, Weather | Comments Off

It was thought Troy was just a legend until Heinrich Schliemann paid for a dig in the late 1860s. While we don’t know if the Trojan War actually happened, we do know that Troy was real.

Now, researchers believe they have found the fabled lost city of Atlantis- in Spain. As with Troy, the only mention of the city was in ancient Greek writings, but it may be time to remove “fabled” from the description. Buried under centuries of mud in the marshlands north of Cadiz, there’s a city that was wiped out by a tsunami. Have we found Atlantis?

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