Saying it Outloud

I've just gotten back from sunny 90 degree LA and 48 degree sunny/cloudy/sunny/cloudy Portland. LA was nice. Little J had the chance to bond with the grandparents, but it didn't really seem to be her thing. We'll need to work on that with her. We went to a wedding, which is always a fun thing to do when you don't have to be responsible for anything.

In Portland I actually did have responsibilities. I had a public speaking opportunity. I was part of a panel presenting talking about work stuff that hopefully helps other people do their work a little better. I'm not used to public speaking. I don't crave the attention, the opportunities, but if I'm comfortable with the material, I'm not someone who will shy away from it either. Someone has to do it. Lots of people do it all the time. But part of me still feels like I'm conning people. Why would anyone ever pay anything to hear me speak about anything? Why would anyone pay for me to fly anywhere or put me up in a hotel to hear me say anything? That's a weird concept.

I've heard good things about my presentation. I'm glad. I really do hope people got something out of it. But I do feel uncomfortable when people compliment me on the talk. The cynic in me is looking for the agenda. Are they saying it just to be polite? Are they saying it because they have nothing else to say? (I've been guilty of this.) Are they saying this so I'll feel confident enough to stick my neck out and do more of this public speaking. Hmm.

Last note. Portland is a great little town. Very walkable. Lots of little bubbling fountains everywhere. Less rain than reputed. Hometown of the Simpsons creator. Many of the characters on the show are named after streets in this town. This place is the real Springfield.

Failure in Democracy

If true democracy is about the mythical "will of the people", it's doomed for failure no matter who wins the democratic nomination. If Hillary wins it's because the elitist super delegates have chosen her as a better candidate than Barrack, not the people. If Barrack wins, Hillary can argue it's really "the will of the people" minus people from Michigan and Florida. In either case, the party has set itself up for legitimacy issues, not that legitimacy issues have ever stopped someone from becoming president before.

I honestly think the fact that these two are pushing each other is not all bad. It means they're still active and raising money, where McCain isn't getting that kind of notice. They're being forced to build operations everywhere. In November, I think this will be viewed as a good thing.

Note to Future Self

You are advised to remember that Admin appreciation day follows soon after Earth Day. Sooner or later Hallmark is going to run out of calandar days for holidays.

Future Oscar

Just in case anybody's been thinking of writing a screenplay, I've done some research into the basic formula. These are the elements you need. If you think about each one, you should be able to see, this is pretty accurate. Most good movies have all of these. Most bad movies miss at least one of these. My screenplay is very very early. I'm guessing I've got at least three years before I need to worry about my Michael Moore moment down in Hollywood.

1. The Hero (Rocky)
2. The Hero's Flaw (Low Self Esteem)
3. The Enabling Circumstance (Big Fight)
4. The Hero's Ally (Trainer, Adrian!))
5. Opponent (Appollo)
6. Life Changing Event (The montage)
7. Jeopardy (The fight)

Myth of Fiscal Responsibility

I don't talk about economics much. My understanding is limited. I know that there's a supply curve and a demand curve and where those two points meet should be your price. Beyond that, pretty dumb.

But I'm thinking the entire capitalist no tax wing of the republiskunk party may be even worse at math. No matter what's going on, they've got one answer. Cut taxes. The economy is robust. Cut Taxes. The economy is in danger of recession. Cut Taxes. We've got trillions tied up in a war overseas. Cut taxes. Maybe they really just want to take the whole system into bankruptcy, but what they gain from that, I'm not sure.

I'm like everyone else. I don't really love paying taxes. And I'm happy to be getting a couple bucks in stimulus from the government into my pocket even though it seems they're really just borrowing this money again. (I guess it wouldn't make sense to raise taxes to pay for the stimulus.) But I'm still not getting their math.

Here are my thoughts.
1. I don't really by the argument that high taxes stifle innovation. Capitalism means everyone wants to make money, even if the government gets its piece.

2. There has got to be some optimum level of that produces optimum revenue for the government. Maybe this number changes very rapidly all the time. Or maybe this number would be a lot higher than the current tax rate. Or optimum revenue isn't a goal. Republicans argue that taxes should be lower, but never on this point. Not sure, why I've never heard this argued.

3. Doesn't anyone really worry about these deficits? In a couple years most of our taxes will be going to financing debt. That means no government services. Doesn't that seems like a bad thing.

4. It's already happened in California. No one will take on the topic of raising taxes even though the state is billions in debt. The once proud UC system is being dismantled, along with healthcare, park services and every other program.

Yeah. Not an expert on this stuff, but just some thoughts on a Friday afternoon.

Day with Toddler.

It's a bright April Friday. My co-workers might be thinking that Rid is pulling a mental health day. He's just calling in sick to enjoy that nice spring day. Naw. The kid is really working the way through a fever. She's requiring constant supervision. She's sick and snotty, and not feeling well, but trying to be just as active as she always is. Really, I'd rather be at work than home with a sick kid. It's not like I can get any of my own things done.

Recently, the baby and I have been working on our football skills. She's going to be some defensive end.

Olympic Protests

I feel sorry for the athletes, at least the ones that aren't on performance enhancing drugs or whiney Americans who steal gymnastic medals from other participants because the judges don't know what they are doing. Imagine dedicating huge chucks of your life for a competition that lasts a couple weeks.

Now, in addition to having to deal with the usual coporate sponsorship crap (can I wear Nike?), they have somehow become embroiled in larger political issues? They get asked questions about whether the leaders of their nation should attend the opening ceremony. They get asked if they know where Tibet or Sudan are.
They get asked about air pollution.

I hope when the actual Olympics start, the attention goes to the athletes, and the spirit of friendly competition. Maybe what they do does contribute in some small measure to more peace.

But for the time being, protest away. Obviously the Tibet policy is in need of reform. China should be honored to be hosting the Olympics. And I expect them to do a good job, but it's fair that this pre-Olympic forum be used to bring political issues to the forefront. They are leaders in this world, so they should hear about this. Just like if New York were hosting, I'd expect the Germans and French to protest our moron president as the torch went by. Maybe, world leaders ignore all that, but these issues should be open for discussion and now is the right time for it.

Memphis Sky

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the shooting of Martin Luther King, one of America's true heroes. At times I've wondered how things would have been different if he had survived. At the time of the assassination he was in Memphis in support of a union strike. He seemed to have been shifting his emphasis from racial disparity to economic disparity. He had a vision of America where poverty would be eradicated and all could share in America's promise. But as his focus shifted, it seemed like America was paying a little less attention to him. He still carried plenty of clout, but not at the same level he did railing against racial injustice. Maybe he had already made his most important contribution to this country. Or maybe he had only just begun to make this country a better place. Sadly, we never got to find out.