I just bought a pair of shoes from Zappos. I've never bought anything from them before, but I have heard some very nice things about the company, along the lines of the nice things I hear about Amazon. So we'll see. I like their quirky sense of humor. The 'customer registration' email says that I should save it, because it might save my life some day. Probably not, it goes on to say, but it might. Nice. I like that.
I was looking around at some of the other things they sell, and found myself gazing at the men's underwear. I wonder sometimes why men's underwear tends to be bland (except for the stuff that's aimed at the fabulously fit mid-twenties range). It's just dull. I never quite understand guys who wear women's clothing -- there are times that I wonder why we're so hung up on that distinction, but I know we are, and, truthfully, so am I -- but there are times when I look at how stylish and visually interesting women's clothing can be, and I can almost understand it. For most people who sell guys clothes, underwear is either white or emblazoned with something like Home of the Whopper. Or occasionally the Batman logo, to show that you're still wild and crazy even though, of course, you're not. I think it should be better than that. I've heard it said that women feel better when they're wearing something sleek and sexy, even if no one can see it, and I wonder: could that be true for guys, too?
But for now, I'll just get the shoes from Zappos. Actually, sandals. I think it's the second pair I've had in 60 years. Don't want to rush into this!
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Financial Planning
We're nowhere near the nitty-gritty yet, but in looking at the spreadsheet that I've kept for about 10 yers of long-range planning assumptions, we've made an interesting discovery.
Apparently, the last time that I updating the value of our 401k's in that spreadsheet was when the stock market was in a slump. The market's somewhat stronger now. As a result, the current value is about 15% higher than the spreadsheet thought it was.
Now, this does not address the important question of short-term liquidity -- after all, that's where we live, day to day -- but it's definitely pleasant news.
Apparently, the last time that I updating the value of our 401k's in that spreadsheet was when the stock market was in a slump. The market's somewhat stronger now. As a result, the current value is about 15% higher than the spreadsheet thought it was.
Now, this does not address the important question of short-term liquidity -- after all, that's where we live, day to day -- but it's definitely pleasant news.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Changes
Nothing dramatic, and yet -
We're buying a new dish washer. We're replacing the shades in the den, and adding valances. We're getting an additional bed for guests. We're changing my mother's living room back into a bedroom. We're getting four new chairs for the kitchen table.
In a week, barring disaster, my daughter will be a high school graduate. In two, she'll be on her way to Ohio for the summer with Glassmen. And in three months, she'll be a college freshman. Around the same time, my wife will, probably, have taken early retirement and be contemplating whether she even wants to go back to work. And some time in there, with luck, our French guests will be here.
Some things won't change. We're not tossing pictures and such that my mother accumulated. That tangible history - can't do that. We're keeping her sofa, too. And my daughter's room won't be touched -- though my wife vows to clean it thoroughly.
Changes. Some big, some small.
We're buying a new dish washer. We're replacing the shades in the den, and adding valances. We're getting an additional bed for guests. We're changing my mother's living room back into a bedroom. We're getting four new chairs for the kitchen table.
In a week, barring disaster, my daughter will be a high school graduate. In two, she'll be on her way to Ohio for the summer with Glassmen. And in three months, she'll be a college freshman. Around the same time, my wife will, probably, have taken early retirement and be contemplating whether she even wants to go back to work. And some time in there, with luck, our French guests will be here.
Some things won't change. We're not tossing pictures and such that my mother accumulated. That tangible history - can't do that. We're keeping her sofa, too. And my daughter's room won't be touched -- though my wife vows to clean it thoroughly.
Changes. Some big, some small.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Just Playing
I don't tend to spend a lot of time thinking about sex toys. Those that are aimed at women, I find moderately funny. Those that are aimed at men, I find more than a little creepy. That these things help perfectly normal people achieve pleasure in a way that doesn't harm anyone else - this doesn't affect my impression of them. They're just strange. Even the all-American capitalist win for the guy who developed the Fleshlight -- yes, there is such a thing, and no, I'm not going to describe it - and as a result is now very rich doesn't make it more acceptable to me. It's just - strange.
Nevertheless, this New York times article about the Tupperware-type mainstreaming of sex toys, intrigued me.
Nevertheless, this New York times article about the Tupperware-type mainstreaming of sex toys, intrigued me.
Observation
The other day, I was told by someone who should know that I care too much about other people. People who you wouldn't think I would. People not part of my family. Told rather strongly, in fact. And it's true, I do. Not everybody, not most, but some people, yeah. No idea why. Something about them slips through my defenses.
Like this girl, who wrote a note which appeared on the Post Secret site:
Dear Frank,
Last night, I attended your PostSecret Event at the University of Oregon. Not only was I blown away by you and everything you do and the secrets that others have shared with you, but I was blown away by the community I am lucky to be a part of.
For months, I have felt so alone here. Last night, I decided to share my secret at the microphone. Right after, I received a hug from the stranger behind me. Not a pity hug, I could feel that she really meant it. After the show, I was approached again a few times and received encouraging words from people I knew and also total strangers. When I returned to my dorm room, I was Facebook messaged by an acquaintance, and emailed by a girl whom I didn't know, but recognized me from a mutual class. It was all so touching, honestly.
Here I have been, in my dorm room for months thinking I'm the loneliest girl in the world, while I'm surrounded by this wonderful community of caring people. What I'm really trying to say is, thank you, Frank, for bringing me closer to my community. And GO DUCKS!
I'd just like to give her a hug. Which, no doubt, would creep her right out.
Like this girl, who wrote a note which appeared on the Post Secret site:
Dear Frank,
Last night, I attended your PostSecret Event at the University of Oregon. Not only was I blown away by you and everything you do and the secrets that others have shared with you, but I was blown away by the community I am lucky to be a part of.
For months, I have felt so alone here. Last night, I decided to share my secret at the microphone. Right after, I received a hug from the stranger behind me. Not a pity hug, I could feel that she really meant it. After the show, I was approached again a few times and received encouraging words from people I knew and also total strangers. When I returned to my dorm room, I was Facebook messaged by an acquaintance, and emailed by a girl whom I didn't know, but recognized me from a mutual class. It was all so touching, honestly.
Here I have been, in my dorm room for months thinking I'm the loneliest girl in the world, while I'm surrounded by this wonderful community of caring people. What I'm really trying to say is, thank you, Frank, for bringing me closer to my community. And GO DUCKS!
I'd just like to give her a hug. Which, no doubt, would creep her right out.
Last Week
This week coming up is my daughter's last full week in high school. It's not really a full week -- she's off tomorrow for Memorial Day, and she only has to go to the school for three days; two for about an hour each day to take a final exam, and one for graduation practice. And that's it. My daughter will be done with high school, and ready for college.
Us, I'm not so sure about.
Us, I'm not so sure about.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Where We Are
My daughter now has three great and two good grades. She's still got exams, but I'm delighted.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Well, Well, Well
My wife didn't lose her job....but she may choose to go.
There is a possibility that HP will offer her a retirement starting in August, coupled with a very generous up-front payment of several months salary. It's not definite. If she takes it, she tells me that she will look for another job, though not one in the high-tech field. Working in a candy store might do nicely.
The only downside, other than loss of income after that payment runs out, is that she's working on a massive project, and she hates the idea of abandoning them. Having seen the effect of losing people, both on the project and on the team, she doesn't want to do that to them. But when balanced against the likelihood of being summarily laid off - well, that's a tough choice.
So things are improving, slightly.
There is a possibility that HP will offer her a retirement starting in August, coupled with a very generous up-front payment of several months salary. It's not definite. If she takes it, she tells me that she will look for another job, though not one in the high-tech field. Working in a candy store might do nicely.
The only downside, other than loss of income after that payment runs out, is that she's working on a massive project, and she hates the idea of abandoning them. Having seen the effect of losing people, both on the project and on the team, she doesn't want to do that to them. But when balanced against the likelihood of being summarily laid off - well, that's a tough choice.
So things are improving, slightly.
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