The Double A Lounge

I love it when someone comes up with something like this:

http://www.winexmagazine.com/index.php/wine/vieweat/dishwasher-salmon/

Only a guy could do something like this.  Rather than cook it proplerly, why not put it in the dishwasher?

It amazes me what some people will come up with when they have a lot of time on their hands and a knack for politically slanted humor:

Political NASCAR Page

The picture on the web page is of the two top candidates in their respective political parties.  They are dressed in uniforms similar to what you see in NASCAR racing where the uniforms have the logo from each one of their sponsors.  In this picture, it represents the logo from each one of the biggest contributors to that politician’s war chest.  I think all future politicians should be required to wear these outfits.  I bet there would be some big surprises as many politicians take big donations from companies that represent what they claim to be against.

Check out the totals for each person.  Hillary has the other guy smoked when it comes to $$$’s!

Here was an interesting article concerning how to combat dropped calls on cell phones.  Make sure to click on the photo gallery link associated with this article:

Pop-Sci Cell Article 

Check out those bargain basement prices on those devices…NOT!  I used to sell cellular phones and have done so since the early days before most people would have considered having one.  After all these years and an exponential increase in their customer base, you would think that cellular reception should be darn near perfect no matter where you go.  Such is not the case!  Even in Western NY there are still plenty of dead spots.  Trying to pick a good phone is darn near impossible too.  I have seen all sorts of reviews but how can you possibly compare the reception of one phone to another when dealing with something like a wireless signal?  I have never seen an independent technical review.  There are some nifty devices that can measure all sorts of things having to do with cellular phones but are usually relegated to test benches in repair shops.  I avoid using my cell phone whenever possible.  I refuse to talk on it while driving and half the time I can’t hear the person on the other end anyhow.

There are those that would contend that devices like cell phones, PDA’s, Blackberry’s, etc. have helped to advance communication.  I contend that just the opposite has occured.  Since there are so many people who constantly talk on these devices, they avoid all the skills and nuances involved in good quality face-to-face contact.  It’s not about quantity of conversation, it’s about quality.  Quite frankly the quality aspect is whithering away at an alarming rate.  Everyone has plenty to say, but most of the time there is no thought behind it.  Remember that the next time you are sitting in a restaurant listening to someone blab away mindlessly on their cell phone.

Here is something that will make you cringe:

http://hotspot.blogbugs.org/28169/Weird-Skin-Burning-Tattoos.html

I remember a few months ago I was sitting at my computer eating my dinner when I clicked on a link that brought me to site with pictures of all sorts of body modification stuff like that.  I lost my appetite very quickly.  The pictures you see in the link from above is something called scarring.  You essentialy paint on your body by scarring the skin.

I’d like to let anyone know who thinks this is the best way to express your artistic side a few things.  First off, you do realize that a scar never really goes away, right?  I don’t know about you, but I sure wouldn’t be giving a good job to anyone who scars a G music clef on the side of his arm.  Secondly, there are so many other ways to express your artistic side that involve no pain and no permanent scarring.  Some choose music, painting, writing, sculpting….I think you get the picture.

What’s really scary is that scarring is considered lightweight stuff in the body mod world.  I’m not even going to link to pictures that really go to the extreme.  Some of it involves outright mutilation and is sickening.

Here is a great story on how companies are going to start handling the termination of employees:

Radio Shack Story 

Considering the company mentioned, I am not surprised!

I was scouring through my usual web news pages when I ran across this article about bankruptcy:

Newsweek Article: Going For Broke

For those who may not know, my ex-wife and I filed for bankruptcy right before we got divorced.  We simply had too much debt and it would have complicated the divorce proceedings (so said my lawyer).  I remember the second session with my divorce lawyer as he was gathering up all my information.  When you file for divorce, you basically have to state all the assets and liabilities (debt) that you and your spouse have.  The debt is supposed to be split unless something was acquired before the marriage.  In our case, the lawyer said that the judge would probably block the divorce unless we agreed to settle the debt somehow or declare bankruptcy.

Looking back on things, I remember how horrified I was when the “B” word came up.  I felt very depressed to think that my life had dipped so low financially that this option even had to be considered.  After a lot of soul searching and asking a lot of questions, I decided to go full steam ahead with it.  I’m glad  I did since now I don’t lay awake at night wondering how I’m ever going to dig myself out of that hole.  Since I got my bankruptcy, the laws have changed dramatically.  My debt was totally discharged (student loans are exempt) which means I don’t have to pay a single penny of it back.  Today, you have to pay it back albeit at a very reduced rate.  It went from helping to get rid of the 100 pound gorilla on your back to putting him on a serious diet.

We, as the tax payers of this great country, invest unfathomable amounts of money into our education system.  They can teach us math, history, science, english, the list goes on.  They can’t teach us fiscal management, self control, financial planning, and so on - or can they?  Our culture doesn’t seem to grasp the reality that currency only comes in finite amounts and is not split evenly among us all.  That being said, the logical thing to do would be to find any way possible to conserve as much of it as we can.  We all know just how logical we all are, right? Yeah…right!

People, no matter how conservative and logical their spending may be, do get into trouble.  The article points out that many people drown in medical debt or lose a good job.  The medical part is a whole other discussion for another day.  As for losing your job, my guess would be that is where people get comfortable living their lives at a certain level and then suddenly can’t deal with the fallout.  I see people every day who drive very expensive cars, have the best clothes, a house a king would be proud of, etc.  Do we really need the best of everything?  Is the best really the best for us?  There are plenty of items you can buy at a premium price, but are they truly worth the extra money when there are comparable alternatives for a fraction of the cost?

We have a long way to go in our society with learning the fine art of judicious fiscal management.  I just hope we can learn enough from our mistakes so we have some kind of a future left for our children.