Running and Burning

Went for my usual run today, 5 miles. I love to run. Running is a time for me to think about stuff. I've rehearsed many a meeting, conversation, or presentation while running. I plan things out and give myself pep talks or browbeatings. I also run for my waistline. I figure a 5 mile run is worth about 600 calories and this helps to lessen the many gastronomical sins I commit during the week. Years ago I set a goal of running the circumference of the earth and I figure I'm pretty much there. Took me 30+ years to make it. Burned the pine cones today, big, hot, quick blaze! Steinbeck would have been proud. Saw where they want to bill parents for the school days their children miss when they go on vacation outside of the regular school vacation dates. The article said that nothing will come of it even though a few parents have actually paid. Public schools will not improve until the funding for them comes from something other than property taxes. Reimbursing schools based on student attendance seems like a good idea but it is not. It changes the focus of what education should be. Oops, I've slipped again, I'll stop. Heading for the beach house tomorrow, weather is warming so maybe some yardwork. See ya

Yardwork and Lotteries

It is cold but dry today so I went out to pick up the million or so pine cones in our yard. I now have a big pile that I intend to light up tomorrow. It will be "Tortilla Flats" time. Maybe the squirrels will take a few before then. In these early retirement days I still have the notion of "getting a jump on things", like yard work. What's going to happen after several years of this? Things will be so "caught up" I won't need to do any of this "jumping." Guess I'll figure that out later. How come there are only two winners of the $370 million lottery drawing? Why not 370 million dollar winners? Isn't a million dollars still a lot of money? This type of stuff is a bad sign for our society. Wore my gun concealed while driving home from the range yesterday. It was empty but it does give you a particular feeling being "armed." In the words of Dr. Leo Marvin, "I don't think I could shoot anyone" so wearing it is not too smart. Had Brett's birthday dinner last night. Four of us, two glasses of the house wine, one entree, no dessert, $134.00 including tip! No wonder people, who eat out a lot, can have money problems. Powerball tonight, should I buy?

Stocks

I joined CNBC's stock picking contest. They give you a million dollars and you buy and sell stocks and whoever makes the most profit wins! Nothing new here but it does seem to me that most people, me included, don't really have a chance "picking" in the stock market. We rode the rising tide in the 80's and made a few bucks from Mickey Mouse, Bill Gates, and Intel. the truth is though that many people made money in those stocks. I tried to follow Peter Lynch's advice and invest in "what you know" and hold on for the long term. It worked well then but we lost a ton while "holding for the long term" in 2000. The average guy doesn't have the time to get the knowledge needed to invest as an individual so mutual funds are the answer. I no longer have confidence in the integrity of the system since so many have been "gaming it." Will invest in good old boring government bonds and that's it. Saw an article in today's local paper how they want to keep kids in school until they are 18 in an attempt to increase the graduation rate. Yet another social problem that public schools are suppose to fix. People drop out of school for many reasons and what happens in school is only part of the picture. What happened to apprenticeships for kids? Just college kids can have them? Where's the community in the "education" process? Oh well, enough of that. Was real cold here last night, warmer weather on the way. Off to the range to propel some 9mm projectiles towards a piece of paper that looks like a person. See ya

Work

Jan and I went to help at a book signing event in one of the elementary schools. All went well. It got me to thinking though. The authors left with about $2400 for the day.I'm sure there was plenty of work behind the scenes but once it's done you get to reap the gains and they are quite nice. I'm thinking about posting lesson plan videos. YouTube is the prototype, could make some nice "bank" (from Good Will Hunting). Still waiting on the house deal and Jan's truck is in for some repairs from when I was hit the other week. Blew through $50 worth of ammo yesterday with my friends. It was fun but expensive. Worked on the heli a bit but not ready for a flight yet. I've spent a lot of money making rookie mistakes so I'm trying to use all the parts I have purchased on this machine. I'll feel good if I can get it to fly. I'll just "putz" around today. Brett's birthday is Wednesday. We'll celebrate by going out to eat and giving him a check. Next week it's off to Foxwoods to make a fortune!