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Generic Confusion

When you leave, my blog just fades to grey
Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei


News? Check. Politics? Check. Music? Check. Random thoughts about life? Check. Readership? Ummm.... let me get back to you on that. Updated when I feel like I have something to say, and remember to post it.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Plane down! Canada to blame!

An incredible story. A USAirways flight out of LaGuardia crash-landed in the Hudson River shortly after takeoff. It looks as if all on board were able to flee, and were quickly rescued thanks to the actions of nearby ferries and water taxis.

As of right now, it appears the plane flew into a flock of geese, which ruined the plane's two jet engines.

Don't say you weren't warned. I posted about Canada's terrorist threat nearly four years ago. (Be sure to click where it says "Post continued here.")

Update: Andy Levy is demanding we look at the root causes. Why do the geese hate us?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Who's really to blame for the housing crisis

And continuing the trend of the previous post, Jim Sollisch has a piece in the Wall Street Journal laying the blame for the housing crisis where it truly belongs.

HGTV.

That's right. The cable network HGTV is the real villain of the economic meltdown. As the viewership reached a critical mass over the past decade -- HGTV is now broadcast into 91 million homes -- homeowners began experiencing deep angst. Suddenly no one but the most slovenly and unambitious were satisfied with their houses. It didn't matter if you lived in an apartment or a gated community, one episode of "House Hunters" or "What's My House Worth?" and you were convinced you needed more. More square feet. More granite. More stainless steel appliances. More landscaping. More media rooms. More style. You deserved it.

If you had any doubts about your ability to afford such luxuries, all you had to do was look at the 20-something couple in the latest episode choosing between three houses. Should they go for the fixer-upper, priced at $425,000? Or the one with the pool for $550,000? What about the one with room to grow for $675,000?


I don't watch this network, but I did see several of these shows when home for Christmas, as my parents are big fans. These shows really need to get out to Indiana. In my home town, which is a nice suburb with good schools, you can get a new, 3000 square foot house with finished basement for less than $250,000. Prices in California and New York are not normal, but those huge numbers are probably part of the attraction for viewers elsewhere.

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Dining on a shoestring

If your shoestring is gold thread with a diamond tip. CBS News thinks a $35 "recession-busting" budget is dining on a shoestring, and so they made Beet Salad with Crushed Pistachios & Soft Goat Cheese, Lamb Ragu with Rigatoni and Fresh Ricotta, and Greek Yogurt with Blood Oranges, Honey & Mint.

Here's a realistic meal for those needing to stretch their budgets:

Head of lettuce, two cucumbers, bottle of salad dressing
Box of dry spaghetti, jar of spaghetti sauce, onion, ground beef
Carton of plain yogurt and frozen strawberries

The New York-based news crews again show how ignorant they are of real life in this country.

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