Here's a fluff piece, interesting nonetheless, from China Radio International regarding a young American who studied finance in the UC system, but ultimately left to open a bakery in Beijing. It's interesting seeing the Chinese exposed to American culture that has nothing to do with companies, but with real people. His customers love him. WTF - I'm blonde and I studied Finance and Economics. Maybe I should forego it all and open an American bakery in a foreign land as well?

You'll appreciate this - check it out.

UPDATE: I thought I'd show you all the progress being made on my "roll up the rim to win" collection thus far, and a piece of candy with a name I couldn't believe... I bet Ralph Lauren's daughter keeps this in stock at her store in Manhattan.

On February 17, the President signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Economic Stimulus Act). This law lowers the amount of federal income tax withholding from your paycheck through he "Making Work Pay" provision. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released updated withholding tax tables and Advanced Earned Income Tax Credits and has recommended that these changes take place no later than April 1, 2009. XXXXXX, our payroll service provider, has already implemented these changes effective with the paycheck you have received today.

The reduced withholding amounts will be in effect for the remainder of 2009 and 2010. You will not be required to complete new Forms W-4 to take advantage of the reduced federal withholding percentage.

You will likely notice, based on your marital status and number of dependents claimed for bi-weekly payroll, anywhere from $20.00 to $40.00 MORE in your net pay this week (and it will continue for 2009 and 2010). If you wish to NOT have this extra amount as "take home" pay and wish to resume having more taxes paid in to get a larger refund at next year's tax filing (2010), then be sure to let me know and I can provide you with the proper form to complete.

There will be no change to New York State tax withholding, as far as we know now.

I think my boss may be incorrect on that last point - sadly state withholdings will be going up, not down.

Anyway, here is your "tax cut," which is actually a "tax credit."

After me it's your turn (thanks for the inspiration (e:gardenmama))

jasmine green tea bag
stern winds test icy window
it's only noontime

For those of you who do not follow the NFL, you may not know who Terrell Owens is, but even in our celebuculture I can't help but feel this should be impossible. If you don't know who he is, wiki is your BFF - - the "Controversy" section is probably the most interesting portion of the page.

He's the classic "me" player - egotistical, mouthy, greedy, self-centered, with little regard for his teammates or the well-being of the team.

As a Bills fan, I expect that even T.O. isn't capable of destroying a franchise in one year. From a purely football perspective I think he's going to be a huge addition to our offense, but at what expense? T.O. has to know that his antics won't be tolerated here... if he doesn't he'll soon find out. The thing about T.O. is that he came from small town Alabama and an undistinguished athletics program (Tennessee - Chattanooga). He must have been really eager to shed his humility.

1. El Salvador's Barack Obama - Communist and Former CNN Employee



A most interesting development. It is good to see the Red March continues across Latin America, comrades! Possibly the only capitalist nation left south of our border (or, as some say, anywhere in the Western Hemisphere) is now Brazil - they just recently began expanding their offshore drilling, and this is the country with the highest application of biofuel in the world? In any case, this is no bullpoop - yes, Maruicio Funes, former CNN International correspondent and candidate for President of El Salvador is the current leader of the same Communist regime that the Reagan Administration fought back in the '80s, and he considers himself to be "El Salvador's Barack Obama." As the piece points out, he's even co-opted "si se puede." If you're curious, you can check out "Chairman" Funes on Facebook.


2. Barack Obama - Worst Gift Giving President In History?

This ain't political - let's lay out the facts and you can judge for yourself. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is a peculiar man to be sure, but he displayed deep consideration and thought in his array of gifts to the 44th President of the United States upon their first diplomatic meeting.

Please consider the following. The first gift - an ornamental desk-pen holder crafted from the timbers of a 19th century British anti-slaving ship, the HMS Gannet, which was subsequently renamed the HMS President. (That is such an amazing and meaningful gift not just to Barack Obama but to our nation, that I can barely stand it). The second gift - the framed commission for the HMS Resolute, a ship that our own U.S. Navy towed from the Arctic to London for the British. The same boat whose timbers were fashioned into the desk of President Rutherford B. Hayes, a gift from Queen Victoria, which is the desk that currently sits in the Oval Office. The third gift - a first edition of Sir Martin Gilbert's 7-volume biography of Sir Winston Churchill.

President Obama's gift in return? A 25-DVD collection of America's greatest films.

C'mon. Prime Minister Brown could have picked that up from Wal-Mart on the way to Andrews AFB. Barack Obama, what the hell is wrong with you? The British press is aflame with insult, and how could you blame them? This has nothing to do with politics - I have to say, I'm ashamed at that one. God bless the British and their sense of history... I can't think of another nation whose people could conceive of such thoughtful things to present to our President, much of which has to do with our long history together. We're close to the British and as far as diplomacy goes, in their eyes this was the diplomatic version of a glove-slap. So I'll diss the President in British fashion - in my view, Obama "bottled it!"

If we're going to rig our blog views by using provocative journal titles, I'd rather it be down and dirty. For example, I think (e:carey) has held back quite a bit. (e:hodown) on the other hand, now that's what I'm talking about. You have to take advantage of the fact that horny guys only think in syllables of two or three at the same time. In the heat of the moment guys pretty much think like ogres with throbbing loins. If any man could screw while doing a crossword puzzle, I'd want to cut him to see if there was a robot underneath that flesh. So remember ladies - keep it simple, just like always, and don't be shy with the vulgarity. Your journal will be top in no time!

Here -

I've been listening while I work. I don't know why I can recognize Gloria Allred solely from her hairstyle. What controversial legal case in California is this lady NOT a part of?

There is a place for Norman Gentle in this guy's heart - and there has GOT to be a place for Norman Gentle in America.







I love the mad ones, gotta say.

Extraordinary Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal, that I think all of you should read.

The general premise is that it will be impossible to tax the rich high enough in order to pay for Obama's spending concerns. I've been telling you guys this for a while - if taxes are going up for the rich, trust me, your tax hike will soon be following. Not to mention 45-55% of small business revenue. The article also mentions how the cap and trade idea will yield yet another steep de facto tax increase for all energy users.

I'm not giving up squat - in fact I probably need more vices. My friend KC described this period as "the acetic pleasure-lack of lent." Poetic but unconvincing.