MyGallons.Com allows you to pre-pay for gas and essentially lock that rate in over a period of time. It's honored at several respected gas stations. There is an annual fee; however, if you are risk adverse like me, you like to know how much you are paying up front.
Just though you all should know as an option.
7.03.2008
Question - What do you know about the Laws of Attraction?
I had a friend describe it to me about a year ago. It sounded like crazy talk. But then she told me yesterday that sometimes I'm negative. For example, she asserted that at age 26 she'd like to own her home (wheter that be a condo / single family / townhouse ect). But, she's now 24 is back in school, living in LA and in her desired industry people start off making $30k-$40k. Instead of just saying, go for it; I challenged as to why she had this goal. It made sense when she was making $50k+ living in ATL and had the support of her peers who all owned property by age 26. I felt like she used as a standard. Which is great if her path was going to be similar to ours. I pointed all this out to her, and she felt like I was pushing negativity her way. IMO, as a risk adverse person, I was pushing reality on her.
Then she went into the Laws of Attraction concept. Instead of saying, "I'd like to own a house at age 26, despite the cost of living in LA and my piss poor salary," she'd say, "When I own my house at age 26."
So what I'm really chewing on right now is am I negative, or do I infuse my decision making with realities. She knows that if she wants practical advise, she comes to me. When she wants "just do it," advice, I might not be the one. I'll encourage and support her either way; however, I'm there to ask, "how will you eat if all your $ is invested in real estate?"
Question - do you prescribe to the Laws of Attraction? If so, how has this changed your beliefs, life, actions, mindset?
Then she went into the Laws of Attraction concept. Instead of saying, "I'd like to own a house at age 26, despite the cost of living in LA and my piss poor salary," she'd say, "When I own my house at age 26."
So what I'm really chewing on right now is am I negative, or do I infuse my decision making with realities. She knows that if she wants practical advise, she comes to me. When she wants "just do it," advice, I might not be the one. I'll encourage and support her either way; however, I'm there to ask, "how will you eat if all your $ is invested in real estate?"
Question - do you prescribe to the Laws of Attraction? If so, how has this changed your beliefs, life, actions, mindset?
Confession #2
Today is the first day that I contributed to the Obama Campaign, financially. What made me do it? A belief that he can really, really win. And I'm not going to lie, hearing Warren Buffett's remarks on Obama also inspired me.
For the longest time, I had this assumption that all upity older white folks were blind republicans. For instance, my friend made a joke that for all she knows, Warren Buffett could've been John McCain's older brother. So I was so shocked when I heard that he was a supporter of Obama. *Gasp* He truly believes that he should be taxed more than the janitor / teacher / nurse / accountant / lawyer / middle class American.
Let's be real, republicans are in practice are just as "big government," as democrats. So given institutionalized dependency on the government, the real quesiton, as Buffett so eloquently put it, is who funds the government.
Rich republicans are screaming bloody murder somebody is going to raise taxes! If you are making a bunch of money, what is that extra $1 going to do for you? Essentially nothing but feed your greed for more money. Like does the capital gains tax really make sense to be so low? I understand there is an incentive to invest; however, REALLY you get taxed less for doing absolutely NO work than you do on your regular salary, for which you have to put in hours to earn. In having a discussion with my unlikely democrat friend (he's a white, upper class male from Alabama); he pointed out that the motivation for republicans when it comes to taxes is surrounded by the carnal sin of greed.
Nevermind that I'm anti-gun. This new ruling on the second Amendment is asinine. Gun crazy people are now beating their chest asserting that they should have the right to carry concealed weapons into airports. Umm - sorry Mr. NRA, because this is America, the terrorists that has been a law abiding citizen thus far can take a Gun into the airport too.
Nevermind that I'm pro choice. And let's be real, republican men are too. Given that cheating is a common occurrence - imagine the # of illegitimate children of congressmen that would be roaming the earth if Roe vs. Wade is overturned. On a serious note, it's a woman's choice. I don't think it should be birth control; however, there are times when you are dealt a hand of cards that you don't know how to play.
For the longest time, I had this assumption that all upity older white folks were blind republicans. For instance, my friend made a joke that for all she knows, Warren Buffett could've been John McCain's older brother. So I was so shocked when I heard that he was a supporter of Obama. *Gasp* He truly believes that he should be taxed more than the janitor / teacher / nurse / accountant / lawyer / middle class American.
Let's be real, republicans are in practice are just as "big government," as democrats. So given institutionalized dependency on the government, the real quesiton, as Buffett so eloquently put it, is who funds the government.
Rich republicans are screaming bloody murder somebody is going to raise taxes! If you are making a bunch of money, what is that extra $1 going to do for you? Essentially nothing but feed your greed for more money. Like does the capital gains tax really make sense to be so low? I understand there is an incentive to invest; however, REALLY you get taxed less for doing absolutely NO work than you do on your regular salary, for which you have to put in hours to earn. In having a discussion with my unlikely democrat friend (he's a white, upper class male from Alabama); he pointed out that the motivation for republicans when it comes to taxes is surrounded by the carnal sin of greed.
Nevermind that I'm anti-gun. This new ruling on the second Amendment is asinine. Gun crazy people are now beating their chest asserting that they should have the right to carry concealed weapons into airports. Umm - sorry Mr. NRA, because this is America, the terrorists that has been a law abiding citizen thus far can take a Gun into the airport too.
Nevermind that I'm pro choice. And let's be real, republican men are too. Given that cheating is a common occurrence - imagine the # of illegitimate children of congressmen that would be roaming the earth if Roe vs. Wade is overturned. On a serious note, it's a woman's choice. I don't think it should be birth control; however, there are times when you are dealt a hand of cards that you don't know how to play.
7.02.2008
Confession
I'll expound upon this later. But quite frankly, I'm pretty anti-feminist. Not that I think that women shouldn't vote, but I do think that as we move into the work-world, we become less dependent on men, and less nurturing to children.
You can't possibly be *that* mother attending every recital, game ect if you are Ms. Executive who has an important deadline to meet every other week. You can't be the wife who is attentive when you come home after your husband and are already aggrivated from dealing with stingy ass men all day long.
Not that it can't be done. But it'd take an extra-ordinary Company and an extra-ordinary woman with extra-ordinary circumstances. For the common folks, it really is a continuum. And quite frankly, if we are to continue raising good people...somebody has to be nurturing our youth.
Edit #1: When I say Ms. Executive; I'm referring to a C-level person and/or a real mover/shaker in a Company. My background is primarily financial; so I'm not sure if other industries within large Company's work crazy hours (for example, I don't know what the hours are for VP-HR, General Counsel, VP-Marketing). I'm not talking to the Ms. Worker who works a 9-5 (give or take a few hours and crazy hours once in a blue moon). I'd expect that before you met dude you had to hold down a job so that you could shelter/feed/entertain yourself. But say I got married right now and had to take about 2 years off between having two kids. I would be okay with my status / income not growing over that 2 year period and being able to have flexible hours to attend to my childrens' needs first and my job/career's needs second. I've seen one too many women in high power positions put work first and then family. They are very successful women in terms of their career. However, that's not how I define success for me, as a woman. I can honestly say that I don't hold men to that same standard because I saw what my mom and dad did to support their family. He worked longer hours and because of it, got more recognition at work and excelled. He was successful in his role as my father because he brought home the extra $ that allowed me to participate in leagues ect, which my mother drove me to. Make sense? It's late. lol
You can't possibly be *that* mother attending every recital, game ect if you are Ms. Executive who has an important deadline to meet every other week. You can't be the wife who is attentive when you come home after your husband and are already aggrivated from dealing with stingy ass men all day long.
Not that it can't be done. But it'd take an extra-ordinary Company and an extra-ordinary woman with extra-ordinary circumstances. For the common folks, it really is a continuum. And quite frankly, if we are to continue raising good people...somebody has to be nurturing our youth.
Edit #1: When I say Ms. Executive; I'm referring to a C-level person and/or a real mover/shaker in a Company. My background is primarily financial; so I'm not sure if other industries within large Company's work crazy hours (for example, I don't know what the hours are for VP-HR, General Counsel, VP-Marketing). I'm not talking to the Ms. Worker who works a 9-5 (give or take a few hours and crazy hours once in a blue moon). I'd expect that before you met dude you had to hold down a job so that you could shelter/feed/entertain yourself. But say I got married right now and had to take about 2 years off between having two kids. I would be okay with my status / income not growing over that 2 year period and being able to have flexible hours to attend to my childrens' needs first and my job/career's needs second. I've seen one too many women in high power positions put work first and then family. They are very successful women in terms of their career. However, that's not how I define success for me, as a woman. I can honestly say that I don't hold men to that same standard because I saw what my mom and dad did to support their family. He worked longer hours and because of it, got more recognition at work and excelled. He was successful in his role as my father because he brought home the extra $ that allowed me to participate in leagues ect, which my mother drove me to. Make sense? It's late. lol
I heard Warren Buffett speak live today!!!!!
The plantation is pretty awesome at times. Today Warren Buffett came in to address random questions. I didn't bring paper, but I brought pen and ended up taking notes on my hand. He was *that* on point. So here are some take aways:
A woman asked, "I'm 27, you're 77. What advice could you give to me as I enter my 27th year?" Essentially Warren Buffett said that in your early stages of life you can improve upon yourself by being a better communicator. Essentially he indicated that's what seperates a regular person from an extradinary person. We all have the potential to be awesome; however, we must know how to communicate these personal qualities to the world.
Surprisingly, he also indicated that a MAJOR decision of his in life was marriage and who he selected as a spouse. Okay, take a step back. THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD could've answered anything and he said one of his most important / valued decisions was who he married. He marreid at age 20 or 21 and his wife was 19. Another woman put herself on blast and asked as a wife how to best be supportive if you are married to a risk taker. He said that his wife never questioned how much money he would bring home. The only thing she was concerned about is that he was happy doing what he does. That is amazing, and even I fall short of being *that* woman. But at the same time, I think as a woman, we must only have comfort if our man has a passion for what he does and is good at it.
He also indicated that his Heros (what we trivialize by calling them mentors) were his father and a professor Ben Hamliton? He stressed the importance of having the right Heros that encourage you to do the right actions.
Warren Buffett is an Obama supporter. He indicated that 20% of GDP is spent on government items (war, welfare, ect). So given the constant that 20% of GDP, whether it be under democratic or republican rule, the question is who pays for that 20%. He said that he had his employees calculate taxes as a percentage of their pay. He instructed them to include payroll taxes, as we never see them; however, they are paid on our behalf. To his NO suprise, he only paid approximately 17% of taxes while average salary earning employees paid approximately 32% of their earnings back to the government. Essentially, he is a proponent for the redistribution of wealth. That is a humble, honest man speaking. Basically he's saying that all the rich people need to get over themselves and realize that it's not all about *ME or the I.* It's about the US (get it United States).
Next, he indicated that what sets true leaders apart from each other is Passion. Intelligence, Hardwork and Integrity. If one doesn't have Integrity, he hopes that they are dumb and lazy.
Secondly, after listening to the leaders speak on how markets must react to the environment. I think it'd be a good time to make a short-term investment in the warehousing industry. Essentially, gas is too expensive. Warehouses cut the route to market costs.
I'm so going to read a few of his books. He's got me so hype.
Oh and he made at least 4 dirty jokes. I'll attempt to retell the funniest:
A rich wall-street man falls upon hard times. He comes home to his wife and says, "Dear, I'm afriad that I won't be getting a bonus this year or next year. As a result, we're going to have to cut-back. I'm hoping that you could learn how to cook so that we could fire our chef."
Her response, "Okay, If you learn how to make love, we can fire the gardener!"
A woman asked, "I'm 27, you're 77. What advice could you give to me as I enter my 27th year?" Essentially Warren Buffett said that in your early stages of life you can improve upon yourself by being a better communicator. Essentially he indicated that's what seperates a regular person from an extradinary person. We all have the potential to be awesome; however, we must know how to communicate these personal qualities to the world.
Surprisingly, he also indicated that a MAJOR decision of his in life was marriage and who he selected as a spouse. Okay, take a step back. THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD could've answered anything and he said one of his most important / valued decisions was who he married. He marreid at age 20 or 21 and his wife was 19. Another woman put herself on blast and asked as a wife how to best be supportive if you are married to a risk taker. He said that his wife never questioned how much money he would bring home. The only thing she was concerned about is that he was happy doing what he does. That is amazing, and even I fall short of being *that* woman. But at the same time, I think as a woman, we must only have comfort if our man has a passion for what he does and is good at it.
He also indicated that his Heros (what we trivialize by calling them mentors) were his father and a professor Ben Hamliton? He stressed the importance of having the right Heros that encourage you to do the right actions.
Warren Buffett is an Obama supporter. He indicated that 20% of GDP is spent on government items (war, welfare, ect). So given the constant that 20% of GDP, whether it be under democratic or republican rule, the question is who pays for that 20%. He said that he had his employees calculate taxes as a percentage of their pay. He instructed them to include payroll taxes, as we never see them; however, they are paid on our behalf. To his NO suprise, he only paid approximately 17% of taxes while average salary earning employees paid approximately 32% of their earnings back to the government. Essentially, he is a proponent for the redistribution of wealth. That is a humble, honest man speaking. Basically he's saying that all the rich people need to get over themselves and realize that it's not all about *ME or the I.* It's about the US (get it United States).
Next, he indicated that what sets true leaders apart from each other is Passion. Intelligence, Hardwork and Integrity. If one doesn't have Integrity, he hopes that they are dumb and lazy.
Secondly, after listening to the leaders speak on how markets must react to the environment. I think it'd be a good time to make a short-term investment in the warehousing industry. Essentially, gas is too expensive. Warehouses cut the route to market costs.
I'm so going to read a few of his books. He's got me so hype.
Oh and he made at least 4 dirty jokes. I'll attempt to retell the funniest:
A rich wall-street man falls upon hard times. He comes home to his wife and says, "Dear, I'm afriad that I won't be getting a bonus this year or next year. As a result, we're going to have to cut-back. I'm hoping that you could learn how to cook so that we could fire our chef."
Her response, "Okay, If you learn how to make love, we can fire the gardener!"
7.01.2008
When mirrors aren't available, ask somebody
So this what somebody had to say about me: Well as far as that goes you have MILF written all over you. haha you will always be that fine ass mom everybody wants to know a little better. but for real, I think you are very smart and that you have your career on lock and now you want to focus more on obtaining the same amount of success in the relationship field. You know who you are as a person and you know what you bring to the table and wont settle for anything less than a real man who knows how to keep up with a woman like you.
Pretty accurate assessment.
Pretty accurate assessment.
You ever have a day where you KNOW God used you as the comedy
channel.
Because somebody has got to be laughing at you to make this day worth it.
My co-worker buddy is admiring my blackberry. He's got one, but it's not the curve and he's amazed at how much smaller mine is. Then he proceeds to add himself to my black berry messenger contact list. Dude is real cool, is probably my best guy friend at work...we have a really candid relationship. In the middle of him trying to add himself to my contact list, I get the following message:
You must have used BOB last night and the O was so intense it knocked you out.
MORTIFIED, EMBARRASSED - all the while, it was kind of funny, so I couldn't help but to laugh.
My coworker laughs, and continues to tell him all about this wonderful guy Bob that I've been dating. Snark snark snark.
Because somebody has got to be laughing at you to make this day worth it.
My co-worker buddy is admiring my blackberry. He's got one, but it's not the curve and he's amazed at how much smaller mine is. Then he proceeds to add himself to my black berry messenger contact list. Dude is real cool, is probably my best guy friend at work...we have a really candid relationship. In the middle of him trying to add himself to my contact list, I get the following message:
You must have used BOB last night and the O was so intense it knocked you out.
MORTIFIED, EMBARRASSED - all the while, it was kind of funny, so I couldn't help but to laugh.
My coworker laughs, and continues to tell him all about this wonderful guy Bob that I've been dating. Snark snark snark.
6.29.2008
Race Observations
So this whole Kickball thing has me thinking. Again, I was "the only one." That was the scenario all through elementary school, one of 5 in middle school and still the minority in high school. Back to one of a handful in college, the work world. So it's not a foreign feeling; however, it's still uncomfortable at times...for me; perhaps not for those around me.
But then I got to thinking...black people don't DO things...at least not in ATL. You have a handful of those that are active in the community; however, the general population don't do much other than go to the club and get drunk. *sigh* - been there done that.
There are kickball, softball, soccer, ect leagues all over the city that I was blind to until recently. There is a separate black alumni group; however, they don't participate in any leagues. The Atlanta Urban League for young professionals has a health conscious committee that can barely get together 2 people to do a walk around piedmont park on Saturday mornings.
Then I got to thinking, white folks talk about going "to the lake," on the weekends, playing sports etc. All this stuff, I truly enjoy and miss from my youth. Not that I want to divorce my 'blackness' but I truly don't get it. I hate that I feel like in order to enjoy certain things, I need to be "the only one."
In other words. All I want in this life is to be cared for the way I want to care for another person. Eek - I'm feeling sappy and personal. Is it *that time of month?*
But then I got to thinking...black people don't DO things...at least not in ATL. You have a handful of those that are active in the community; however, the general population don't do much other than go to the club and get drunk. *sigh* - been there done that.
There are kickball, softball, soccer, ect leagues all over the city that I was blind to until recently. There is a separate black alumni group; however, they don't participate in any leagues. The Atlanta Urban League for young professionals has a health conscious committee that can barely get together 2 people to do a walk around piedmont park on Saturday mornings.
Then I got to thinking, white folks talk about going "to the lake," on the weekends, playing sports etc. All this stuff, I truly enjoy and miss from my youth. Not that I want to divorce my 'blackness' but I truly don't get it. I hate that I feel like in order to enjoy certain things, I need to be "the only one."
In other words. All I want in this life is to be cared for the way I want to care for another person. Eek - I'm feeling sappy and personal. Is it *that time of month?*
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