How Important Are Cousins?

Luckily, I had lots of cousins I got to know when I was growing up. Looking back now I realize what a positive evnergy that is. Mom and dad had many siblings each, all within reasonable proximity in age, and boy oh boy did they breed.

My sister and I were the only ones of either clan that lived in Santa Barbara, all the cousins were in Sacramento (my dads side) and Modesto / Santa Cruz (my moms side). We had several get togethers a year, both sides--a couple of times combined even.

I believe the strength of our relationships (primarily male and female) are based off of these rudimentery experiences within our own families. Like chords in a wire rope, we are connected but not technically bonded to eachother.

Then there is the ease in seeing our parents together. In my family, the laughter from the grown ups could have had something to do with their "homemade cigarettes" with twisted ends and weird odors.

Whatever it was we had pure, simple, old fashioned fun. Jumping into the river together, going to the summer fairs together, playing in the neighborhoods, eating great homemade foods, playing every game imaginable--(hide and go seek I think was my all time favorite.)

I believe one of the saddest things to grow up without, is cousins. We bond to them so easily---talk about each others parents, clearly we practice relationships with them, we trust them, want to conquer the world with them. Even though I am grown up and disconnected presently -- we will always be comfortable together no matter how long the separation.

I wish my children had what I had. Not one of my two brothers, or my sister have or will ever have any children. Monica's brothers are still years away from becoming fathers. seems like my three children will be old and gray damn near before they get any cousins. For us what helps substitute this is the third cousin thing ---not nearly as fun, but its working thanks only to Monica's large pool of cousins. Problem is -- her side does not party the way my family did when I was growing up. They are what I consider---"dry toast." The contrast in style urks me because it is oh so fucking boring when they have their family reunions and I'm dragged along. Yes some beer and wine -- but no spirit, no laughing from the bottom of the stomach---all theirs is from the neck ( weak!) But the kids ---they have a lot of fun.......so that is really what its all about.

A nice story backing up this claim can be found here from an Oprah Magazine article. it's a cache link --FYI.

2 Weeks later:

I am still almost in disbelief that Barrack Hussein Obama will be the 44th Presdient of the United States. The guy I have been pushing for since the day he announced his candidacy, won, and won handily.

I love this Country because this proves the system really works. Smart people are back in charge, and already proving the intrinsic abilities WE all knew he, and his team had.

And if you haven't seen the two most recent 60 minutes interview's - then you have to. You can see it here and here

These guys just pulled off one of the greatest campaigns in United States history. This punctuates and proves that this country is Progressive - the epitomy of liberal I might add, but also Conservative ---because Obama and his supporters are both, we have to be for the balance of order. I could never dream to define one person with just one word being either Liberal, or Conservative - for we all are both. The right temperment, thought structure, truthfullness, and realness of who he is, and their abilty to get that out to the public and that they will actually get it. If you think Joe the plumber was ordinary, then you're an idiot. Barrack Obama is the most ordinary of all, loving family man, sports enthusiast, and as brave as any American there ever was. What a real American Role Model for millions of kids growing up in America today.

I just really hope he does not pick Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State.--But from what I've been reading, I think he is going to. BUT - I've trusted him this far---I have to believe he knows what he's doing. But to have Bubba back near the White House??? Thats an accident waiting to happen--I predict it to become a fact.

The Best Bond Ever:

I haven't been so excited to see a movie since, well the Dark Knight ironically because I see the same sway towards adult realism in both films--and it's about time. The franchises were getting cheesy---with Pierce Brosnan, debonaire -Yes, but not the lethal killer that Ian Flemming envisioned. That is not a problem with the Daniel Craig - buffed out, killing machine that really fell in love, got hurt, and is now on a rampage that I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

So tonight I am going to see Quantum of Solace and say "be damned" with the L.A. Times review - which sucked, and I will as I normally do, find out for myself.

I'll post the review later.

The Folgers Investment Theory:

I have a friend that does not put a large majority of his money into banks. The reason is not because he fears they will fail, its because he doesn't want the paper trail---get it? His side business is cash only and even though I would consider this enterprise completely non-dangerous, I empathize his desire not to let Uncle Sam get a piece of it. Through this low key but moderatly lucrative venture the past ten years or so, his investment strategy with all of his cash has been as follows (Year To Date Figures--Calendar Year 2008):

Buy a can of Folgers coffee, consume that coffee, place hard earned tax free cash into empty can and bury strategically throughout rented property.

Costs: One can of Folgers per month @ $12.89 per = $141.79
One Spade Point Shovel @ $34.00
Total Costs Year To Date = $ 175.79

Savings: Not needing coffee at Starbucks
(2 Venti per day X 5days per week @ $2.15 per)
Coffee Consumption savings year To Date = $946

Percent Difference (Folgers Costs and Savings) = 438%

So by not investing into the DOW Industrial (-37% YTD) he has created, a conservatively estimated by the way, positive 475% Rate of return Year To Date.

This of course is a minimum rate of return this year because it does not include added brokerage fees, vigs, hidden fees, front loads, back loads, and the mere fact that more folks than not lost a higher percentage than that of the DOW year to date (Such as my veteranarian friend who has lost 48% of his portfolio YTD, the one which he has steadily been building since 1988.) And by renting the property he lives in -he has not lost %30 percent of his home value this year either.

Guess which friend is ready to put $100k down on a house right now? Guess which friend is college educated? The smart one is the welder---realistically ahead over 500% YTD. And I think he's ready to write a book called : Folgers is cheaper than a brand new mattress-- how to be a super cheapskate tax evader and come out on top!

Missing him already!

My Veterans Day Off

So I had the day off thanks to the Holliday we call Veterans Day. How did I use it? I slept in, played video games with my kids, went golfing, ate at McDonalds, and watched a movie at home with my wife, then went to bed.

Do we ever pause to think why we are calling a day of the year "Veterans Day?" I think I did, and I can honestly say that in the back of my mind, subconsciously, the knowledge of the greatest of sacrafices peruses through my awareness but reality of the REAl Deal that goes on in war, that Real Veterans faced, lived and died -- that can never be fully appreciated unless you were in yourself.

So maybe this is the day that the veterans whom each personally withhold this kind of Real Knowledge of what the hoopla is all about from the rest of us, can kick back, go down to the Bar and have a few laughs, or go the Golf Course, or the Memorials and look each other in the eyes and accept this Holliday as their own--and be forever proud, because if not for them - I would never be able to sleep in, play video games with my kids, go golfing, eat at McDonalds, and watch a movie with my wife every 2nd Tuesday of November.

Thank You Veterans.

I think Trey Parker and Matt Stone are cool. Thats not gay is it?

Similarities: See the argument he was up against?

When Joe Pesci looks at Danny Glover and says "You Are...He is" I about pissed myself laughing.

Thats what makes it so sadly funny, but for us, the ones that get the joke, this victory makes me feel as happy as they were in the car laughing at that asshole from South Africa.

For the first time in my life....

I am really, really, super-duper, Proud Of My Country.

Now do you understand the context of what Michelle Obama was conveying when after the victory in Iowa, she saw that this country could actually be as open minded truly as Dr. King envisioned, and that this particular year -maybe Iowans are truly reflective of the country's desire with this candidacy?

This is the most patriotic moment in my adult life that I have yet, or possibly will ever experience. The kind that we now know, a majority of us have been waiting for.

But it could only come from the perfect confluence of the Right Stuff. These kind of people--the ones willing to sacrafice everything selflissly for the betterment of mankind takes (A.) a ton of hubris, but (B.) Perfect personal awarenesss. That he actaully convinced himself that he is the only person right now best fit for this job. You know, the easy job of being President of the United States of America.
Obviously convincing the rest of the country was much more difficult a task to be decided.