The New Economics

Damn...almost three months since my last post...I've been spending too much time on Facebook, I guess. Anyway, I couldn't resist posting this.




Badabing Badaboom...



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My First 100 #$#%^&^ Days

Actually...my first 126 days...but who gives a smelly poop...close enough. Just a few of the 'publishable' highlights of my year so far:

• All clients but one put their budgets on hold...indefinitely!
  
• Biggest client filed for bankruptcy...did I mention they're into me for five figures?
  
• An engagement I was counting on for May was postponed for two months
  
• Submitted a proposal I was a shoe-in for...twenty minutes later I heard on the radio that an organization-wide spending freeze was announced
  
• As a result of the above, I haven't traveled much...so I have little in the way of "Badabing's Travel" stories to post here
  
• Dog died
  
• Deer hit my car...no insurance coverage...I have to get in & out via the passenger door and climb over the stick shift
  
• Two rental properties are vacant
  
• House needs a new roof
  
• Driveway (1/2 mile long) needs resurfacing
  
• Need a new AC unit for upper floor...probably a new furnace too
  
• Spent inauguration day in the ER
  
• Had two gout attacks in two weeks...#$#%# ouch!!
  
• Reneged on my New Year's resolution to post here at least once a week
  
• Got a flat tire this morning, so I won't be able to meet with prospective tenant this afternoon. To make things worse, the tire doesn't fit into the trunk so I have to drive around with it partially opened. Did I mention that the tire has to be specially ordered & I need to buy two of them?
  

Other than that, I'm having a great year so far!!

Actually, on the bright side, I have been spending a lot of time on Facebook connecting with high school pals.

Gotta' go now...Geithner's calling me on my cell phone...gonna' share some advice to help me with my tax problems.


Badaboom Badabing...

Just Call Me Foxtrot Freddy...

Here's a clip of me doing a foxtrot routine back in November. The music is kind of slow, but the judges gave me a great score because it is very difficult to dance to slow music like that...tends to bring out your flaws or showcase your technique, depending on whether you're a pessimist or an optimist.



Here's a direct link in case you have difficulty playing the embedded one above.


Badaboom Badabing...



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Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!

I was trying to think about which of several humorous stories I should use as my first post of the year.

Then...someone sent me this.

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin. It was a cold December morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that a thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tugged him along, but the child stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.

When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth over 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience couldbe: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Mabye this year would be a good time to stop and smell the roses...and and hear the music.

May your new year bring unexpected beauty from everyday life!


Badaboom Badabing...



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NaNoWriMo Opening Scene...

Some people have asked if I was going to post my NaNoWriMo novel. Probably not...it's way too long and unedited at this point. But...here's a piece of the unedited opening scene. I'm planning to go back and read the whole thing later this week to see if it makes any sense.

THE BOCA WIVES CLUB

Manny’s Lounge was half full and the three women were getting their share of gawks and stares from the male patrons. The third round of drinks flushed away any inhibitions the women might have arrived with.

The men didn’t mind one bit. In addition to catching glimpses of cleavage and tanned skin, they enjoyed eavesdropping on the game of truth or dare the thirty-somethings were playing.

“Okay, this one is for Kim,” said Robyn, the curvatious brunette with an obvious boob job. “Truth or dare?”

Kim looked up at the ceiling, her dark almond-shaped eyes accenting her Asian heritage. “Hmm...truth.”

“Okay. How often do you have sex?”

“Ooh, getting personal, huh?”

“Come on, we agreed. Anything goes.”

Kim took a sip of her chardonnay. “Three times. Maybe four times a week.”

Several cheers of approval chimed in from the eavesdroppers.

“You’re kidding,” Robyn said. Her eyes widened in awe. “God bless you.”

“My turn,” said Kim. “Melanie, truth or dare?”

Melanie brushed a wisp of long blond hair behind her ear. “Truth.”

“Same question for you. How many times a week?”

“Three.”

“Three? My God, I so really hate you two,” Robyn said.

The cheers were louder this time.

“Okay, now me,” Melanie said. “Robyn, truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

Melanie cocked her head in thought.

“Okay. See that hunky bartender over there? I dare you to go over and grab his ass.”

....


Badabing Badaboom...



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Those Two Little Words...

I did it!!

At precisely 2:32pm today I typed those two wonderful writer words...THE END...and finished my NaNoWriMo challenge. Here's my official badge to prove it:

Yeah, the colors are a tad pukey, but who gives a flying you know what. I ended up with 50782 words. A few days ago I thought I would have closer to 55,000 words, but as I got closer and closer to the goal I guess I became more concise.

I will probably post some thoughts on my NaNoWriMo experience in the days ahead, and will restart making my blog rounds, but for now...

Excuse me while I do my laundry. I'm tired of triple double dipping into my tighty whities.


Badaboom Badabing...



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NaNoWriMo Update

Yee Ha!!! I'm in the homestretch. As of 6:15 tonight I have written 41,211 words. About 9,000 words to go to make the target...and I have until midnight Sunday to do it, so I'm going to make it. Yeah, yeah...I already thought about that...but just 20 minutes ago. I did back up my work.

It's going to be interesting to see how this style of writing works for me. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. We shall see.

But now, how about I start the week off with a little humor.

Hung Chow calls into work and says, "Hey, I no come work today, I really sick . Got headache, stomach ache and legs hurt. I no come work."

The boss says, "You know something, Hung Chow, I really need you today. When I feel sick like you do, I go to my wife and ask her to give me sex. That makes everything better and I go to work. You try that, okay?"

Hung Chow says, "Okay, boss, I try."

Two hours later Hung Chow calls again.

"I do what you say and I feel great. I be at work soon."

"Very good, Hung Chow," the boss says.

"By the way," Hung Chow says, "You got very nice house."


So much for the humor...I'm not feeling too well. I have a headache, stomach ache, and my legs hurt. I can't write anymore today. Maybe I need to do a Hung Chow. :-)

Actually, I need to get to dance class.


Badaboom Badabing...


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