Thank God for Jesus!

Credit Cards or Cash?

2009-03-30T03:24:24Z

Today, I visited my favorite coffee shop and saw the sign they posted stating that the Wi-Fi was out and that they couldn't accept credit cards. The guy in front of me in line tried to pay with his credit card, even though there were 3 signs around him that stated the shop could only accept cash today. That's a pet peeve for another post.

However, it made me wonder if the shop was performing an experiment. I asked the cashier if they were and he said that the WiFi and the credit cards were out. The only thing I could imagine is that they somehow forgot to pay their telephone bill.

The reason I thought they were running an experiment. WiFi and Credit Cards, though a requirement for doing business, seems to me to be a burden on the business. With WiFi, you have customers occupying tables for hours buying one 2 dollar drink. With Credit Cards, the transaction rates are pretty high (2% of the total price and possibly a flat rate if it's below a certain amount - this is why some places require a minimum).

The credit card thing really gets to me. Not only are people saddles with debt, but the business themselves are being squeezed. Maybe coffee margins are high, but for small businesses, every percentage point counts and having to pay a fee to earn $1.75 seems daunting.

Because of this, I like to pay cash at small businesses that I like. I figure that I'm doing a little bit more to help them stay in business. If you like that small shop, try to pay cash more often and encourage others to do the same. The shop will be around longer to provide that service you love.

Maintaining your perspective...

2008-12-11T18:50:00Z

Work has been a struggle the last few months. We've had setbacks and the amount of work that needs to get done keeps piling up. The company is growing, but along with growth comes some growing pains.

As a result, I've been having chronic anxiety over the last couple of months. Weekends are usually my only break; with breaks lasting only as long as I can keep my mind off work. The anxiety comes from worrying about the outcomes and also how bad I feel about each mistake.

I asked someone about perspectives, and while discussing the latest problem we found and how bad I felt about it, they said to me, "So you found this problem, and it made you forget all of your successes."

It's true. In the midst of all the problems we are facing, I can't remember the things we did well and everything we've accomplished this year. We have delivered over and over again. It's not always on time, but it gets there.

Try to remember your successes, your problems will seem more manageable. My philosophy is that for every problem, there is at least one elegant solution. It may not be the solution you wanted or intended, but it will be the best one available.

Perspective...

2008-12-04T20:22:07Z

What perspectives do you hold about life?

What's been the most useful perspective for you?

What do you do when you realize the things you use to cope are no longer effective?

gargamehl @ 2008-11-04T22:21:00

2008-11-05T06:20:52Z

Yes. We. Can.

$62 Trillion

2008-10-15T21:11:29Z

Credit Default Swaps

If you do not know what these are, you are unqualified and disqualified from any discussion regarding the economic crisis outside of commenting on how much it sucks and/or how much money you have lost.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_default_swap

Update:

If this seemed out of context, here is what prompted this post.
Matt Taibbi on Byron York

MT: Thanks. Note, folks, that the esteemed representative of the New Republic has no idea what the hell a credit default swap is. But he sure knows what a minority homeowner looks like.

Palin - Kouric interview on SNL

2008-09-28T19:25:46Z

gargamehl @ 2008-09-25T18:34:00

2008-09-26T02:07:52Z

At the end of this interview, Katie Couric asks Governor Palin in what ways McCain is for more regulation.

Then, at the White House summit today, McCain proposes a plan that involves more corporate tax breaks for businesses and fewer regulation.

Why I miss the 20's

2008-09-25T19:03:23Z

Back in the 1920's, when someone made a mistake which could possibly cause the failure of the entire economy, that person had the decency to jump out the window of a skyscraper.

the American People are to blame for the economic Crisis and the Shock Doctrine

2008-09-21T00:54:20Z

According to Andrew Sullivan, the American People are responsible for the current economic crisis because they borrowed a bunch of money they couldn't afford to pay back.

According to conservatives, the American People marched to their banks and said, "LEND ME MONEY!" The banks initially refused saying, "We can't lend you this money, you can't pay it back." The people then demanded the money, "Give me the money, I have this house that is ever increasing in value." The banks then complied. What choice did they have?

Well, that was only some of the American People, the other American People went to the banks and said, "LEND ME MONEY, I WANT TO BUY A HOUSE!". The banks refused, "We can't lend you the money, you don't make enough to pay it back." The people responded, "IT DOESN'T MATTER. THE HOUSES ARE GOING UP IN PRICE. IT'LL BE WORTH MORE TOMORROW THAN IT IS TODAY." Again, the banks complied. What choice did they have?

Wait.... that's the most fucking retarded thing I've ever heard.

Let's assume that it's true that Americans knew that they could borrow money that they didn't intend to pay back. If I lent a junkie $30 bucks to buy food, and he used it to buy dope and was unable to pay it back, who would you blame for that situation? Me or the Junkie? Am I comparing Americans to Junkies? You'd like to make it an issue. Only it's irrelevant. Here is the relevant part. Banks are responsible for the consequences lending money. Publicly traded Financial institutions are responsible to the shareholders to not take on too much risk that may eventually sink the corporation.

The American People in no way have enough influence to broker a crisis of this magnitude. Even if they did (and some may argue that they do), ultimately the banks hold the keys. Proper business practice wouldn't allow borrowing to the point of pushing the economy to the brink of collapse but that's the point, isn't it? Proper business practice is thrown out the window when money is to be made. I'm sure the executives at Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG, Bear Sterns, etc, etc. cried all the way to the bank bemoaning the unstoppable crisis they are unable to prevent while they cashed their million dollar bonus checks.

At any rate, Naomi Klein makes a good point. If John McCain becomes President, he will use the debt incurred by the bailouts to enact policies they wouldn't otherwise be able to accomplish. They will use the excuses of the shortfall to make tax breaks permanent, to privatize health care, to slash medicare, to deregulate health care all the things that will eventually lead to another crisis, but for the short term line the pockets of the corporations and the rich. The real disaster is the debt the nation has to carry to bail these companies out.

Note to The Press: Do your fucking job!

2008-09-17T17:51:45Z

John McCain says that when he talked about the "fundamentals" of the US econom, he was talking about the American workers. The problem is that when he said the economy was in a crisis he also used the term "fundamentals". So either he doesn't know what he was talking about when he first said the fundamentals of the economy were strong, or he thinks the American workers are not strong but in a crisis.

I am absolutely amazed at the level of double-speak used by the McCain campaign.

Sarah Palin Pwned by John McCain

2008-09-13T22:29:02Z

[From Crooks and Liars...]

“I am prepared. I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn’t a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn’t a governor for a short period of time.”

Sarah Palin Pwnage of the Day

2008-09-11T01:23:37Z

McCain blames the August 2007 I-35 bridge collapse in Minnesota on the Bridge To Nowhere that Sarah Palin lobbied for in Congress.

gargamehl @ 2008-08-22T14:16:00

2008-08-22T21:25:48Z

If you ask, anyone who knows me well knows there are two things I can't stand. A bundle of cilantro on my food and Zombies.

But when I saw this article today, I knew I had to get this game.

co-op Zombie shooter game!

Maybe killing enough zombies in a game will result in some catharsis.

gargamehl @ 2008-08-20T13:48:00

2008-08-20T20:50:14Z

Stem cells can be used to create limitless blood supplies: report

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Scientists from a US firm claim to have created a large number of red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells, opening up the prospect of having a limitless supply of blood for transfusions.

"Limitations in the supply of blood can have potentially life-threatening consequences for patients with massive blood loss," said Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer at Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), a Worcester-based company.

[Read More...]

Isn't this kind of the thing in the start of every modern Zombie movie? I better practice my zombie survival skills.

Coffee Flavored Coffee!

2008-07-30T17:20:02Z

Dunkin' Donuts to offer healthier menu items

NEW YORK - Looking to entice those hungry for a healthier option, Dunkin' Donuts will begin offering a new slate of better-for-you offerings in August.

The menu, which will debut in stores Aug. 6, will feature two new flatbread sandwiches made with egg whites. Customers will be able to choose either a turkey sausage egg-white sandwich or a vegetable one. Both will be under 300 calories with 9 grams of fat or less, the company said.

"We just felt it was important to provide some choice in our menu," said Will Kussell, president and chief brand officer.

[Read More...]

Putting healthy food items in a donut shop is ridiculous and is another example of why the Food Industry shouldn't be corporatized. Just make a delicious donut and keep the coffee going. People want to eat Donuts and Drink coffee. Hence the name!

Struggling to get to work...

2008-07-23T18:56:59Z

The thing I struggle with most in the morning is getting to work at a reasonable hour. Standard working hours are from 9am-6pm, but I can't seem to wrap my head around getting out of the houes before 945am.

In my profession, how hard a worker you are is measured by how late you stay not how early you come in. I have two reasons for getting in by 9am. First, I want to have a normal after work life. Second, I'm a leader and I'm supposed to set an example.

I guess I have to admit I hate being at a job (literally at the work site). When I was in NYC, I worked every morning right after rolling out of bed, did a few hours of work and then got cleaned up. It was a great feeling to have a lot done by the time I got cleaned up and ran out for a bite. I enjoyed that a lot, but maybe it was just the change of pace.

It's funny how they don't care how late you stay, but if you come in later, everyone has something to say about it. We love to focus on people's failures and not their successes.

Universe 1: Me 0

2008-07-10T18:01:31Z

Hypermiling.

I'm committed to squeezing every mile out of my gas tank these days. I saw a report on CNN on people who "hypermile" and are able to get ridiculous amounts of MPG out of their cars. Well, since I drive a slightly larger sized vehicle (whose sole purchase decision was based on snowboarding) I'm just happy to get a 10-20% increase out of the tank.

The result? I now drive like a douchebag*. Yes, that's me doing 55mph in the slow lane on the Freeway. Go around me mother fucker!

I take my foot off the gas pedal halfway between stop lights even if it's green, so that if it turns red, I don't have to come to a sudden stop. I don't accelerate very quickly coming off the line. I don't even use the Turbo. mangosteens told me to drive faster on the freeway!

Unfortunately I drive purely local to get to work every day. I'm not even sure of the extra mileage yet. But, screw you gas companies!

* If you feel compelled to give me the finger, go for it. I mentally give myself the finger the entire time I'm driving now.

Starbucks cutting jobs

2008-07-01T23:48:56Z

Starbucks to cut up to 12,000 jobs, close 600 stores

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp said on Tuesday it plans to close 600 underperforming stores and eliminate as many as 12,000 full- and part-time positions, lifting shares nearly 6 percent.

[Read More...]

Don't worry coffee lovers, the 600 stores across the street from those closed stores will remain open.

Hands free day!

2008-07-01T16:27:28Z

Today in California, your hands are free from the tyranny of cellphone oppression.

The law is that you can't hold a cellphone to your ear while you are driving. While the intent of the law seems sound, it's really kind of stupid. The dangerous parts about using a cellphone is while you are dialing and while you are talking. Neither of which can be fixed by using a hands-free set. And that is all while ignoring the issue of texting.

It's the damn headset lobby. They have infiltrated Sacramento. Next up, requiring you to use a cellphone strap!

Stimulate this...

2008-06-27T23:03:22Z

Since most of us are still waiting for our stimulus checks to arrive.

http://www.howispentmystimulus.com/

Religious Extremism

2008-06-20T17:30:01Z

Religious Extremists are Taking over our Country!

Teenager from faith-healing family dies in Oregon

GLADSTONE, Ore. - Authorities say a teenager from a faith-healing family died from an illness that could have been easily treated, just a few months after a toddler cousin of his died in a case that has led to criminal charges.

Tuesday's death of 16-year-old Neil Beagley, however, may not be a crime because Oregon law allows minors 14 and older to decide for themselves whether to accept medical treatment.

[Read More...]

Next person who generalizes Islam siting extremist behavior gets this article and a punch in the wiener or the general vicinity thereof.

kaffiyeh is not Arabic for bomb...

2008-05-30T00:07:30Z

Dunkin' Donuts pulls Rachael Ray ad after complaints

Dunkin' Donuts has pulled an online advertisement featuring Rachael Ray after complaints that a fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism.

The coffee and baked goods chain said the ad that began appearing online May 7 was pulled over the past weekend because "the possibility of misperception detracted from its original intention to promote our iced coffee."

[Read More at SFGate...]

The media seems to over-emphasize conservative protests and under-emphasize liberal protests. They made it seem like so many people protested that Dunkin Donuts had no choice but to pull the ads. And since nobody even saw the ad, it's really non-news.

The story was news to me and interesting because while I was living in Germany as an exhange student I bought and wore a kaffiyeh. People wore them out solidarity with the Turks who at the time were targeted by anti-immigration and racist attacks by the neo-nazis. Germany has a political asylum program and they had public housing for asylum seekers. On more than one occasion they burned down a housing unit that resulted in the death of an elderly lady and a child.

Of course, I was young and stupid as any neo-nazi or group of them would loved to have kicked my ass over it. Something that happened to my friend's younger brother. They roughed him up a bit and forced him to burn it with his lighter.

Germany isn't the United States, but it's ironic to see a symbol of anti-racism be a target of racism. A scarf reminds people of terrorists because terrorists wear them. They should just say that anything Arab reminds them of terrorists. That's what they are trying to invoke.

It's funny when the conservatives are always complain that people are too sensitive and are too obsessed with political correctness. I'll just be glad of the day where someone like Michelle Malkin can no longer play off the irrational fears of Americans for air time and will just fade into obscurity.

gargamehl @ 2008-05-21T09:21:00

2008-05-21T16:34:58Z

I always hate how notebooks get trashed in your backpack. I recently tried the Moleskine notebooks and though it's more money, they seem much more durable. Mine has lasted forever being chucked around in my bag. Now you can get them with artwork laser-etched on the cover at Modofly.net This one is definitely going on my birthday list.

Elections, elections

2008-05-08T14:53:26Z

I saw Mitt Romney on CNN talking about how Senator Obama has too little experience to be president. Among experience he lacks includes holding political office, policy accomplishments, or running a company successfully.

Apparently, lack of experience has been fine for the Republicans for the last 8 years. When George W. Bush ran for President, he had experience in all these things. Let me rephrase that, he had experience at failing at all these things. President Bush ran every company he ever took charge of into the ground. The governorship in Texas requires the least amount of responsibility with the Lieutenant Governor wielding more power.

At least the political pundits brought up that "experience" in Washington means doing the same thing wrong over and over again.

As for the Democratic primary, it's pretty hard to ask Senator Clinton to give up the process even though she got the win every state significantly to take the lead in pledged delegates and popular votes. Unfortunately, there isn't a mathematical certainty that Senator Obama will be chosen, but even a 51-49 majority is enough. Without the super delegates, Senator Clinton cannot get the nomination.

Senator Clinton and the Democrats have to realize that the purpose of primaries is to choose a nominee. Although we're used to a contest where there is an obvious winner, it doesn't mean that the race shouldn't play out as all races can play out. Senator Clinton can choose to withdraw from the contest, but nobody can expert her to do that at this point.

I'm supporting Senator Obama because he inspires me when he speaks. It's odd because I've never felt particularly inspired by any mainstream political candidate (still love Nader). I never understood what John F. Kennedy meant to people at the time, but I think I have a clearer picture now. Senator Obama doesn't inspire me to do what he wants, but to rise up and be my best. That's the feeling I get when I listen to him speak.

Another smaller reason I'm supporting Senator Obama is that we don't need the country to be run by 2 families for 20+ years. If Senator Clinton were a 2 term president, we'd be under Clinton/Bush rule for 28 years. That's a whole generation. I say smaller reason because honestly, if she were a candidate like Senator Obama, I wouldn't care. But her campaign and her votes in the Senate show that she's proposing more of the same.

gargamehl @ 2008-03-28T15:46:00

2008-03-28T22:47:48Z