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26.9.08

My Economic Solution...


$700 billion is enough money to buy gas for a year for every adult living in America. It is also enough money to buy 438 pounds of rice for every person in Africa. It could also send 5.4 million students to college. But what will it be spent on? Well just what the name says I guess. To bail-out big businesses... which to me seems like a get out of jail free card.

Surfing the web, I haven't come across too many bloggers that are in favor of this proposal, but they're running the same course Washington is. They're just talking. They're picking out the flaws of a flawed proposal to flawed system, but not having the common decency to offer their own views on how to solve the situation. This leads to a massive following of individuals that are creating unnecessary panic and frenzy and often times over inaccurate information. (No disclaimer necessary on that note; flame me if you must.)

I hope to not fall into that same realm, but given that my knowledge of economics, statistics, and the overall stability of our nation is lacking, the solutions I can offer will be very simple at best. But that was alway's Einstein's approach, even though only the blissfully ignorant quote Einstein to justify their arguments, that's where I'll start.

Do you remember getting a stimulus check to boost the economy earlier this year? Yes, that was just a few months ago. Well that was part of Bush’s solution. People saying that he put this off until the last fleeting moments of his term, must be overlooking that $600 check they received to help stimulate the economy.

Assuming that 50% of the nation’s population over 18 received a stimulus check, which is a very crude and “worse-case scenario” estimate, it equals to just under 10% of the proposed bail-out plan now. I can’t tell you what I spent my stimulus check on, because I didn’t receive one. But it would be interesting to know what everyone else spent theirs on. I’m hoping they made wise, informed decisions with their stimulus check and spent it on purchases that kept the money in the U.S. However, there is a chance that the U.S. population missed the point of the stimulus checks.


So I guess we’ve found the root of this whole mess of affairs. The origin of where it all started and how we got ourselves into this mess rests solely on us. Well you knew that, but stay with me here.


I can tell you exactly what I learned in economics class in high school. I learned all I needed to know about the economies of every other country but our own. I learned of communism and socialism, Marxism and feudalism. I learned of the governing systems of nations that don’t exist anymore. I learned of trading routes in the “fareast” and the taxing system of our country when we were still considered English.

What I didn’t learn is about interest rates and credit scores. I didn’t learn how to manage my own money or what yields and percentages meant. I was clueless as to Freddie and Fannie as well as stocks, bonds and IRAs. I didn’t learn about investments or saving for retirement, how to buy a car, pay for school or file my taxes. I was sent into the real world without knowing any of this. Why? Not only was it not taught in school, but it wasn’t taught to my parents while they were in school.


We were set up to fail. Trial and Error were to be our teachers when making decisions about our financial future. And we couldn’t have been alone. The graduating class of suckers was born. Suckers that were talked into buying homes under Clinton, even though we couldn’t afford them. Suckers that were encouraged to get out and spend under Bush post-September 11th, even though he now says that led to the problem.


So there’s the problem as I see it. Our education system is at fault, but go figure. The government is willing to spend nine times the amount spent on education in 2007 on the bail-out. While I’m not the pastor’s wife from the Simpson’s screaming, “Won’t somebody think of the children,” it does make me cringe that we’re raising our future generations to be the next graduating classes of suckers.
We’re not challenging the curriculum and forcing students to sit through classes that will ultimately leave them with a handful of more information than they had before. That’s something we need on our political agendas boys *ahem*obama*ahem*mccain*ahem. Even though this won’t change anything now, this isn’t a problem that instant gratification can fix.


As for the $700 billion bail-out, I say give it to the big business. Allow them to continue doing their jobs so the whole world can continue to do theirs. In the meantime take into consideration that this just put a bandaid over the whole affair. It’s not going to go away and this isn’t a quick fix. It’s going to buy us more time to change. And Change is coming because this is change we can believe in.

23.9.08

Autumn Among Us...

For the past few weeks the air conditioner has been running rampant in our office. It not only felt like autumn was here halfway through the summer, but it felt like winter was also making an appearance in a blaze of blizzard glory.

Luckily, the outside temperature is beginning to match the arctic inside temperature and I feel like autumn might truly make its debut. It is hands down my favorite time of year. The colors are beautiful, the
holidays are warm and inviting, and the clothing ensembles are what my dreams are made of. Scarves, hats and sweaters, oh my!

In the spirit of festivities, I have decorated the office space a little. Mind you I have a non-existent budget, so I had to improvise a lot of times. I tossed some fall leaves on the tree in the corner, through some maple leaf garland around my monstrous reception's desk, maneuvered in a three foot tall scarecrow, complete with bale of straw and had
the kids of the office help decorate pumpkins of which I then strung up on foiled confetti wire. Add a few cling on stickers to the glass windows, a vase of fall flowers and an essential bowl for candy treats and you have the coziest this office has been in a while.

Before winter rolls in and my favorite season is packed away for snowflakes, stockings a nd the christmas tree, I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts. This is the only sign of autumn I get down here in El Paso. I'm going to squeeze every last drop out of it!


19.9.08

Crafty Elections...

Its about that time. 45 days away! Can you stand it? I know I can't! Although I'm still undecided.

Regardless of what my political agenda may be, I'm going to give you a few links to help you display your candidate, with a little bit of style.

First and foremost, I must show the awesomeness of paperart that was delivered to me from the candidate fairies this morning. Cut it out, fold it, glue it (or if you don't want to wait for the glue to dry like I did, tape is ok) and display on your desk, antenna, pencil, or fingers. Check it out at Fold U.S. Candidate

So that got me to stumbling and googling trying to come up with some other election themed crafts. I did come across some Shrinky Dink earrings and other plastics at a terrific Etsy shop DIY or DIE. How awesome are those?

Just in time for Halloween, Brandi Jasmine's has some fantastic Candidate themed pumpkin carving stencils. A few extras are thrown in at the bottom too. Palin looks rather vicious though, :(

As I find more, I'll make sure to post the links here and of course pictures of anything I create. :)

But while you wait, please check out this hilarious video by JibJab. SFW mild cussing: Time for Some Campaignin'.
15.9.08

Let it Begin!!!!


So I've expanded on a new hobby/obsession I have acquired. I love Good Will. I mean I've always loved thrift shopping, but this has really taken off. I bought a leather jacket for $6! Its beautiful, nothing like you'd expect at Good Will. Plus I bought Warren a leather motorcycle jacket that he will be able to wear at 12m. :) Plus the 3 pairs of NEW shoes I got that are all Target brands NEW for $3 a pair NEW, I think clothing wise I've found my golden chalise of opportunity.
Craft wise, I've bought 3 patterns for a quarter each, a knitting kit, yarn, material (one of which is vintage! and it looks like something from The Sunshine Family), ribbon and some table cloths that I am going to turn into this dress.
All in all, I might be finding myself spending the allotted amount of my budget building up my craft supplies at all the local Good Wills in town. After which I will move onto Thrift-stores and resale.... Oh I can't wait!
11.9.08

September 11th, 2001

To all those that lost family, friends, neighbors.. Please remember that we all remember. And we will never forget.

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Psalm 116:1-6

We should always remember those that are less fortunate than ourselves and offer a helping hand to those who dearly need it most. So many acts of heroism took place on September 11th, 2001 that it was hard to tell strangers from friends. When you are called to action, to assist those in times of crisis, the bonds you will create with those you help will last a lifetime. They will strengthen you just as 9/11 has strengthen our nation.

Oh, that my head were a spring of water
and my eyes a fountain of tears!
I would weep day and night
for the slain of my people. Jeremiah 9:1
10.9.08

Me according to Flickr...

Thought this was pretty interesting.

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name? Krystal
2. What is your favorite food? yellow curry
3. What high school did you go to? Andress High
4. What is your favorite color? pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Sean Connery
6. Favorite drink? Coffee
7. Dream vacation? Scotland
8. Favorite dessert? chocolate
9. What you want to be when you grow up? awesome
10. What do you love most in life? framily (friends + family)
11. One word to describe you. humorous
12. Your flickr name. Thai-fly

xoxo
9.9.08

September Road

I'm very fortunate that I can still rely on this blog to vent and scramble. :) Since my last update I have finished Spring Semester and Summer Semester and started Fall Semester. Did the math only have 3 semesters left and I will have my associates in Electrical Engineering and be on my way to a higher university to pursue a career in a field that is both intriguing and daunting. I can't wait!

In the mean time I've been bit by the craft bug. I have looms and yarn, string and twine, findings and eye-hooks, needles and knitting, crocheting and jewelry making, quilting and sewing, paper making and weaving. All within the teeny tiny bedroom that I've called my abode for over the last year.

And it has been a year. A year even. It's insane to think that its only been a year since I was in Thailand. It all seems so far away and while I hated a few of the experiences I had there, I feel the longing to still go back. For a visit.

And in that time I have watched my sister develop into a beautiful pregnant woman and then welcomed the birth of my nephew Warren Forrest Green. He has double letters in all three of his names!:)

But I hope to post pictures of any crazy creations that I make here in the near future. So if you're into that kind of thing stay tuned. No seriously.. Stay tuned.