I have already been touched by the "economic crisis". My hours at work have been cut 8 hours a week. While this won't put me under because I have a diversification of income, it is certainly an indication that our futures are looking darker. As an employee of the state, my position did not look good but since the fall of the stock market it looks much bleaker. I *believe* that I will have a job and health insurance for at least a year.
One good thing is that my private student loan's rate will go down even further as result of knee jerk rate cuts. I have been paying more than my minimum payment and will do my best to continue as I am afraid of the rate going back up. I'm wishing that somehow the government might come and bail me out but I'm not holding my breath. I think that the "bailout" is really not going to help me at all. The news blames all of this on irresponsible lenders and irresponsible borrowers but I blame the entire system. I blame our war spending and allowing capitalism to rage out of control. I also blame our country for this crisis. This whole problem is that we never think of the future only of the moment and what will make us most comfortable in that moment. I guess I do it too, I am just as much a part of the problem.
Well here we go. The fall in services to our country is almost certainly going to snowball this into a full-blown depression. We seriously need drastic change to help pull us out of this. The change we needed was not to give those greedy bastards a bailout. It is not going to work! We needed that money they gave to bail them out to apply to services to put people to work. Recession my ass.
Libertad's Journal
My Podcast Link
10/09/2008 20:53 #46031
Here we go10/03/2008 09:36 #45914
58 Degrees58 Degrees is the temperature in my house right now and I am freezing. I have known this was coming all summer and have been thinking about how to make my home more efficient.
I want to have my furnace serviced. Does anyone know of a good service person to do this? Is this something I should ask the landlord to pay for? If not I would rather just pay it myself because I'm sure it hasn't been done in years and I want it to be safe and efficient. I did have a carbon monoxide issue in my last house!
I also want to have vent-less gas fireplace logs installed in the fireplace. There is a gas hook up already. Do you think this is something that the service person could also connect or should I just do it myself? The gas key is kind of old and when I put my nose down to it you can sometimes smell a tint of gas coming from the key.
I have three large windows I want to cover with plastic. The window sills are wood so I don't want to ruin them. I'm thinking of making wood frames and covering those with plastic and inserting them into the window frame. I don't have a saw and am not so handy but am usually willing to try new things so I might give it a shot. I'm just wondering if this will be much more of a task than I can handle. I don't know what would be the best wood for making such a frame. I'm also wondering if making these inserts would be cost effective. Of course a saw would be an investment. I don't need a power saw of anything.
I'm also looking to buy at least one other electric space heater. I saw one at Lowes that uses radiant heat.
Not sure how I feel about that. They also have electric fireplaces. I saw one for about $80.
So hopefully it will be warmer in here soon. For now I refuse to turn on the heat!
I want to have my furnace serviced. Does anyone know of a good service person to do this? Is this something I should ask the landlord to pay for? If not I would rather just pay it myself because I'm sure it hasn't been done in years and I want it to be safe and efficient. I did have a carbon monoxide issue in my last house!
I also want to have vent-less gas fireplace logs installed in the fireplace. There is a gas hook up already. Do you think this is something that the service person could also connect or should I just do it myself? The gas key is kind of old and when I put my nose down to it you can sometimes smell a tint of gas coming from the key.
I have three large windows I want to cover with plastic. The window sills are wood so I don't want to ruin them. I'm thinking of making wood frames and covering those with plastic and inserting them into the window frame. I don't have a saw and am not so handy but am usually willing to try new things so I might give it a shot. I'm just wondering if this will be much more of a task than I can handle. I don't know what would be the best wood for making such a frame. I'm also wondering if making these inserts would be cost effective. Of course a saw would be an investment. I don't need a power saw of anything.
I'm also looking to buy at least one other electric space heater. I saw one at Lowes that uses radiant heat.
Not sure how I feel about that. They also have electric fireplaces. I saw one for about $80.
So hopefully it will be warmer in here soon. For now I refuse to turn on the heat!
metalpeter - 10/03/08 19:44
The only thing I can say is I wouldn't do the gas thing your self, some stuff is fine but you don't want to make a tiny mistake with gas that could be deadly or if there is even just a small leak get you sick.
The only thing I can say is I wouldn't do the gas thing your self, some stuff is fine but you don't want to make a tiny mistake with gas that could be deadly or if there is even just a small leak get you sick.
libertad - 10/03/08 18:52
Thanks for the recommendation guys. I checked out their website and they do seem to be a decent operation. They even have pictures of the workers. I'm going to contact them.
dcoffee, that thing that Paul has is a ventless gas stove which is more or less like the logs. These ventless systems have some device on it so they don't emit dangerous amounts of co2. They actually use up oxygen in your home and at the same time produce moisture. They say it is best to crack a window slightly while using them. Teh benefit of ventless systems is that they are very efficient. I'll have to check out that Am 1520, I usually listen to 970.
Thanks for the recommendation guys. I checked out their website and they do seem to be a decent operation. They even have pictures of the workers. I'm going to contact them.
dcoffee, that thing that Paul has is a ventless gas stove which is more or less like the logs. These ventless systems have some device on it so they don't emit dangerous amounts of co2. They actually use up oxygen in your home and at the same time produce moisture. They say it is best to crack a window slightly while using them. Teh benefit of ventless systems is that they are very efficient. I'll have to check out that Am 1520, I usually listen to 970.
joshua - 10/03/08 17:07
If it helps, since for a lot of people this means a lot - the guy that came up to the office to speak to my boss looked clean and seemed experienced and professional. They have nice, fully equipped trucks they ride around in as well so it is no cracker jack operation.
If it helps, since for a lot of people this means a lot - the guy that came up to the office to speak to my boss looked clean and seemed experienced and professional. They have nice, fully equipped trucks they ride around in as well so it is no cracker jack operation.
joshua - 10/03/08 17:00
My boss just had a Reimer guy in this week. I heard about a $79 furnace tune-up deal on the radio also - maybe that is up your alley?
My boss just had a Reimer guy in this week. I heard about a $79 furnace tune-up deal on the radio also - maybe that is up your alley?
dcoffee - 10/03/08 15:00
I always hear about this Wizard of comfort guy, Reimer Heating and Air Conditioning, not sure if that is spelled right. They always advertise on am1520. But I'm going on advertising, not personal knowledge, so I don't know. But they claim to be inexpensive and professional. Change the filter too, that improves the efficiency, apparently you should do it every year. We have one of those radiant electric heaters, it works well. You can turn it on high to warm it up, then lower it just to keep it hot. Not sure about the efficiency since electric is included in our current apartment. About plasticing the windows, sometimes there is a draft that comes from the outside of the window frame. Check it on a breezy day to see if you need to tape the plastic to the wall and cover the whole window frame. I wanna know what Paul has in that one fireplace. I was there last Halloween and that heater was nice and warm. Is that the zero emissions Natural gas heater? We may be buying a house soon, so I'm keenly interested in this topic too.
I always hear about this Wizard of comfort guy, Reimer Heating and Air Conditioning, not sure if that is spelled right. They always advertise on am1520. But I'm going on advertising, not personal knowledge, so I don't know. But they claim to be inexpensive and professional. Change the filter too, that improves the efficiency, apparently you should do it every year. We have one of those radiant electric heaters, it works well. You can turn it on high to warm it up, then lower it just to keep it hot. Not sure about the efficiency since electric is included in our current apartment. About plasticing the windows, sometimes there is a draft that comes from the outside of the window frame. Check it on a breezy day to see if you need to tape the plastic to the wall and cover the whole window frame. I wanna know what Paul has in that one fireplace. I was there last Halloween and that heater was nice and warm. Is that the zero emissions Natural gas heater? We may be buying a house soon, so I'm keenly interested in this topic too.
libertad - 10/03/08 14:19
I actually haven't ever turned on the furnace. I'm definitely changing the filter it is gross, but from what I have been reading you should have your furnace serviced every year. They clean out the parts and adjust the flames to make it more efficient. They say this alone can save you 10%.
I actually haven't ever turned on the furnace. I'm definitely changing the filter it is gross, but from what I have been reading you should have your furnace serviced every year. They clean out the parts and adjust the flames to make it more efficient. They say this alone can save you 10%.
paul - 10/03/08 10:03
Did you try changing the furnice filter. That usually makes a difference.
Did you try changing the furnice filter. That usually makes a difference.
10/01/2008 22:28 #45885
Grifis' Sculpture Park
metalpeter - 10/02/08 18:52
Nice Pictures thanks for sharing, for some odd reason I feel like dirty things should be done with those sculptures well or at the least the naked women ones.
Nice Pictures thanks for sharing, for some odd reason I feel like dirty things should be done with those sculptures well or at the least the naked women ones.
theecarey - 10/02/08 16:55
Awh, I love this park! And yes, there is the obligatory statue crotch grab. (e:ladycroft) and I went there a couple of years ago, (e:theecarey,35945) and I haven't been back since, but have been pining to go. Your post reminds me of this! Fun pics :)
Awh, I love this park! And yes, there is the obligatory statue crotch grab. (e:ladycroft) and I went there a couple of years ago, (e:theecarey,35945) and I haven't been back since, but have been pining to go. Your post reminds me of this! Fun pics :)
james - 10/02/08 09:31
I ask, who among us has not grabbed that statue's wang?
Let he who is without crotch grab cast the first schlong!
I ask, who among us has not grabbed that statue's wang?
Let he who is without crotch grab cast the first schlong!
fellyconnelly - 10/02/08 09:12
nice photos! Looks like they may have added a few things since I was there!
nice photos! Looks like they may have added a few things since I was there!
paul - 10/02/08 08:50
Those pictures are great. Looks like it was lots of fun. I wish I had someone who would take pictures of me. One in 3 hundred of matts pics of are people, he mostly does nature, and terry doesn't take pics.
Those pictures are great. Looks like it was lots of fun. I wish I had someone who would take pictures of me. One in 3 hundred of matts pics of are people, he mostly does nature, and terry doesn't take pics.
heidi - 10/02/08 00:41
Wow! I want to go there!!!
Wow! I want to go there!!!
mike - 10/02/08 00:29
i tihnk i requested NO STATUE CROTCH SHOT! anywho, that place was awesome, and these are great pictures. I recommend eveyrone go there, it was super cool. I especially liked th castle one you could climb on!
i tihnk i requested NO STATUE CROTCH SHOT! anywho, that place was awesome, and these are great pictures. I recommend eveyrone go there, it was super cool. I especially liked th castle one you could climb on!
tinypliny - 10/01/08 23:09
How far is this park from Buffalo? Very cool! :)
PS: Mike = King of hilarity. :)
How far is this park from Buffalo? Very cool! :)
PS: Mike = King of hilarity. :)
09/27/2008 20:49 #45811
The free handToday we learned a new strategy of interviewing at the smoker's quitline. It gives us a lot more control of what we ask and therefore more of a challenge to both the quit specialist and the caller. I think that it will be good if I am good.
So more work equals more money which I am would be thankful for. As it is, I need a lot of things. When I say "need" I definitely mean that I can't go without them. The only answer is to work more, so getting the extra hours in this week is a good deal.
I am very worried about our economy. It really is serious as you all know. The fall of our economy I would say is not totally surprising but nonetheless still shocking. I knew that it was coming but I didn't really think it would be me even though it was happening all along. I'm glad that the start of the fall happened while Bush was still in office, otherwise I don't think many would have correlated it with him and his giveaways, deregulation and irresponsibility. I think that everyone that regularly has posted on this site gets it, but I don't think that most of the population in this country would have been able to make the connection if the downward spiral happened in the next administration. Look at what our education system has done. No Child Left Behind is the biggest freaking fraud besides the patriot act!
The proposed bailout seems to me like a huge freaking gauze pad to stop the bleeding. Not sure if this gauze pad will be sufficient to prevent a further collapse. I haven't quite figured out the answer but I think that our predicament proves that the free hand won't cop an inappropriate feel when given the right conditions. The right conditions would be when no one else is looking.
tinypliny - 10/01/08 21:06
Can you blog about the new method? I am so interested! :) Maybe you could tell me over lunch someday...
Can you blog about the new method? I am so interested! :) Maybe you could tell me over lunch someday...
gardenmama - 09/28/08 10:50
Do a lot of people call the smokers quitline? I was a smoker for many years and quite (1 yr. 7 months - one of the hardest things I ever did). It never occurred to me to call.
Do a lot of people call the smokers quitline? I was a smoker for many years and quite (1 yr. 7 months - one of the hardest things I ever did). It never occurred to me to call.
09/14/2008 08:22 #45673
Yay for Tina Fey!Sorry guys they took the video down because of copy right infringement. Oh well. At least I got to see it this AM!! I replaced the video with a pic.
In case anyone missed this Saturday Night Live skit like I did. She did a great job with the Sarah Palin's voice. Clearly she already had the looks! How awesome.
In case anyone missed this Saturday Night Live skit like I did. She did a great job with the Sarah Palin's voice. Clearly she already had the looks! How awesome.
theecarey - 09/15/08 12:40
hilarious. I missed this, so glad that you posted about it (thanks (e:mike) for providing another viable link!). Fey and Poehler are always cracking me up.
hilarious. I missed this, so glad that you posted about it (thanks (e:mike) for providing another viable link!). Fey and Poehler are always cracking me up.
mike - 09/14/08 14:10
i'm so mad i missed it!
i'm so mad i missed it!
tinypliny - 09/14/08 13:10
Hahah.. Hilarious.
Hahah.. Hilarious.
metalpeter - 09/14/08 11:26
That was pretty awesome last night, to bad I only made it through the next skit.
That was pretty awesome last night, to bad I only made it through the next skit.
I'm not saying Bill Maher says everything I agree with, but two points he does bring up is that if we weren't in this war we would have money to spend on other things. Yes that is true but we wouldn't have as much as people think. We are spending more on the war then would get spent on other things that are not a war, and some of that money goes into the military anyways that is counted. His other point (this is kinda true and kinda not true) is that America Doesn't make anything anymore. I think there is a lot of truth to that. The reason for this is the same reason for the crash...............................
Greed. What Happens is companies out source, or have parts of what they made produced in other countries where it is cheaper. Yes profit is the goal but in the words of Steven Segal "how much is enough" (if you know the movie then you know what I mean). In other words Profit should be balanced what is good for the company, the workers and the country. Maybe the United States should close itself off like China Did in the past. The problem with the global economy is if a slave in a South African Jail can make 1,000 for the price it costs to make one some place else the prison label will get used by the greedy. So what happens is some country with low standards brings everyone else down them, I know it isn't that simple but I think it is very true.
I'm sorry to hear about you losing a good amount of hours. The problem is that this state is a one trick pony economically speaking, living and dying with what Wall St makes or loses. It was fine when things were flying, but in lean times we're scrambling.
Sorry to hear about your work - unfortunately, they almost always go after the part-timers first. I think sometimes that's a union issue - not sure though. I'm a city (Board of Ed) employee and they operate the same way. I imagine with the way things are going in the financial and political arenas, once the budget cutting starts to trickle down further, the District will likely start to have some fall-out from this too.
Job uncertainty sucks, at best. Good luck.
tiny, no it wasn't just me. They cut all part-timers who were working more than 20 hours a week down to 20 (minimum number of hours). I'm pretty sure they are cutting down some team lead hours too, but I'm not really sure as they all are full-time.
wow, i should have gone out there and been even more irresponsible than i am right now. i could have gotten a nice house that i couldnt really afford paid for by the government. what a way to teach greedy, glutonous, wannabe's that they shouldn't behave that way.
(i know, i know, they're not paying for people's homes, but you know what i mean)
:( Did they cut hours from everyone's shift?
PS - The "are you shitting me" was just a general outburst, and not aimed at you personally. Ehehe. You know how internet context goes sometimes...
First off, I'm really sorry to hear about your hours cut at work. I hope you can replace that income with something else in the meantime. With our state having such a deficit I'm sure this isn't the first time people are going to feel the pain, and on top of that, like a sledgehammer we have this crisis to deal with.
I don't know if the bailout is going to help us or not. Certainly I think the system has failed, no doubt, after all what is the point of regulation if it isn't enforced? I totally agree, the system has failed us, and to make matters worse the people in charge are the most self centered generation in American history.
So you and I are going to have to, and I'm sorry I have to use this phrase again, wipe their asses. We have to clean up this mess in the long run. You're damned right I'm angry. And you are a million percent on point with your observation about how we don't plan for the future. Our parents are flipping us the bird, and I hope we don't make the same mistake with our kids.
I know one thing, my confidence isn't high right now. I don't think the war spending is to blame, although we should be pissed we have to shoulder that burden as well, but how can we trust the government when they are in cahoots with the crooks?!? Are you shitting me??!