The Government and AIG

What the hell is going on with AIG and the Government? We, the taxpayers, already bailed them out once and the government authorizes even more billions of dollars to keep it afloat? What the hell? I have a theory that this was all the makings of Hank Paulson and his personal feelings getting in the way of professionalism. Yes...human feelings can create so much trouble. Granted, investors, banks, flippers, some home buyers got greedy and created this mess. However, in my opinion, when it came time for the government to step in and do something about it, failure came in the form of emotion...human emotion. I truly believe had Paulson authorized a bailout for Lehman Brothers, we would not be seeing this systemic mess today. Dick Fuld's refusal to listen to warning and act swiftly was another problem. Combine all this with two men who want to pee all over their territory and be right and well....look where we are now. My IRA portfolio is half of what it use to be because of all of the tumultuous activity on Wall Street. However, with that said, I'm still going to dollar cost average. In theory, I still have time...30 years to be exact, to build up some type of decent retirement package. Who's going to bail us out if all of these corporations keep being greedy and want help after they've done wrong? There's only so much that Obama and future presidents can do to reverse the mess that has built up for decades. I'm still going to be optimistic.

I went outside today and took a nice walk around the neighborhood. I made sure to walk into every single snowdrift I could find and leave footprints all over. I also found a great spot in the park and made a snow angela. It turned out so perfectly I had to stop for a few moments to admire my work (smile). Lori says she doesn't think she's ever made a snow angel in her life. I highly recommend that everyone do so just once in life. There's nothing like the feeling of falling into a bank of snow, looking up at the winter sky, spreading your manmade wings, and feeling the snow falling on your face as you leave your own artistic print on a small part of the Earth. Some guy across the street in a moving truck was looking at me like what the hell is this adult doing. I think secretly deep down he probably wanted to make a snow angel too. I hope he did when he got back to wherever he was going. I'm a hard worker but I like to play too. I think too many people never really find that balance between work and play.

It was so cold outside but I didn't feel it since I was dressed warmly and have a great winter jacket and boots. Made me thankful to have these necessities also. I made a loop over to the market after the park and picked up some bananas before heading inside. Cooked a huge pot of chicken soup with rice. Nice and warm. Going to work on some tasks for a few minutes and then read a little. I was invited to join in on a running group training for half marathon but need to ask some more questions before I decide to join the group or remain solo. I am but a mere novice so I don't want to be the slow one of the bunch. Looks promising though. Still have work related issues to wrap up including sending back my form to the company. Going to send that return receipt requested since Sean and Erika are evil and lie too much. Taking no chances with them messing up even more paperwork. Also filed for unemployment today too. Let's pray they not do the wrong thing. O.K. better go. Don't feel like talking about data rot and migration tonight but will pick up with it in the week. More tomorrow maybe.