oh, that sweet Missoula air.

The other night was chilly here in Fargo, ND. It was a nice chill, cool and fresh. The weather has been reminding me of when I was going to school in Missoula, MT. Even in the cold, we just bundled up and biked places. I guess I've been missing that attitude here. Without being surrounded by a community that enables my adventurous side it can be difficult to breakout. But, damnit, I will try. I am sure some night I will be lucky enough to run into a biker gang i can join.

Maybe I'm hanging around the wrong parts of town?
Where do mt. bikers hangout in Fargo?

I miss Missoula.

I found a special lady friend

There is a lot to think about when looking for a engagement ring. The sales people will tell you about the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Carat weight, Color. Of course, the missing 5th C is Cost. I've heard the average ring should cost from 2-3 months salary. That's nutso! I can hardly imagine spending that much. But then I think, "Wait, if I make more that will ease the burden." But no! Because it's still a percent.

I say anyone will be able to find a nice looking ring for about $2000. Try switching sets, changing cuts, bands and shopping online (there are some very reputable sites).

Opportunity cost is the biggest hurdle for me. What else can i buy with this money?

In light of these environmentally conscious times, I advocate the engagement scooter.

NA

I cannot lie. O'Douls non-alcoholic beer is not that bad. In fact, compared to cheaper domestic it's superior. Here's the thing: Good beer tastes good. But when it tastes really good, I could drink it all day long. Which, unfortunately, leads to me becoming intoxicated. However, with NA beer I can have a few while doing homework and feel just fine.

Why haven't more companies experimented with delicious non-alcoholic beer. I truly think there is a niche out there. People who want to drink beer at a party and drive home, safely.

OK, I'm getting thirsty.

And the winner is...

Palin performed well. Biden forced some answers. But who won?

As I have been in debate for a couple years, I know a thing or two about how one should answer questions. On strictly debate, Biden answered the questions, provided the most sources and properly refuted. Palin regularly went of subject to address issues she knew most about: not good debate.

Technically, Biden won the debate. But who won the audience? I truly must credit Palin with doing an impressive job with connecting to voters. She regularly made important points while looking at the camera, she related to lower middle class (the american ideal) and I believe all of her "Washington outsider" talk was baked up by outsider language -- she didn't speak as formally as Biden.

Ultimately, the question remains: Who would you rather have to lead? Palin is happy to be the outsider with minimal experience. Biden is comfortable basking in 30+ years of D.C. professionalism.

Speak.

I enjoy public speaking. To capture an audience is truly amazing. I would really enjoy being a lobbyist. For something worthwhile, of course. The experience of selling discourse to the public is especially interesting to me. Though, it makes me doubt the perceptions of the common folks, serfs some would suggest. Just because people are easily manipulated does that mean they deserve to be? Certainly no! Unless they are specifically benefited from said manipulation. It's like giving an unwilling dog heart worm pills. It will eat it's "special" food and be worm free. Yeah, that makes sense. That's my post for today. Sometimes you have to hide the helpful pill.

These Financial Times

If you are wondering what exactly Congress is going to do with this "bailout plan" for mortgages, Reuters has a easily readable factbox that was very helpful.

A few months ago when I was reading news of the government helping mortgage firms, I thought, "ok, no big deal." But as the issues and facts surfaced I realized how crazily complex it was. It seems media assumes the public knows how the gears of financial buyouts work. The more I read, I concluded that taxpayers have no obligation to save these firms. We're getting a rough deal here. Why am I responsible for the bad decisions of a few greedy wall street execs? Why?

Consequences

Dear, Government
Why do you treat me so? I feel this relationship is no longer working. Our communication is gone. You no longer listen to me. Do you no longer care? Please, talk to me, tell me why you do these things?
I would love to go back to good times, but I'm afraid over the past 6 years you have been unfaithful to my heart. I cannot look at you the same way. You have lost my respect and my love.
Goodbye old friend.