Bar Stool Economics

I've been way too busy to even blog lately (never a good thing), but as soon as I can get my head back on straight, I'll be back to it.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share some wisdom I received in email today.


Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everyone's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings). The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a dollar out of the $20 declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

Please wait while Windows continues f***ing up your computer...

Please wait while Windows continues f***ing up your computer..., originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

That pretty much sums it up.

I want a Mac and I want it NOW!!

You Couldn't Pay Me Enough!

You Are What You Drink, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I saw this at the mall yesterday. Someone dressed up as an inflatable cup of coffee.

You couldn't pay me enough to don one of those stupid costumes! I prefer to drink my coffee, not wear it.

At least Victoria's Secret didn't do anything similar. They're only giving away a pair of pink panties with every $30 purchase - so says the signage anyway. I won't step foot in that place; it's waaay too pink for my liking - my eyes...they burn....

Imagine someone dressed as a pair of inflatable pink panties. On second thought - don't. Ewwwww....

"Idol"-ing Away This Evening

Tonight was the first night of "American Idol". I rather much like the audition episodes, they are in many ways more entertaining than the show proper. And so far, this season hasn't disappointed any in the cheap entertainment department.

And now, my list of what I consider to be the highlights of the low-lights:

• Alaa: Mr. "Love 'Em from the Hair to the Nipple". WTF?
• The "Go Down Moses" guy: Enunciation? Just say "no"!
• Nick Stano: Please leave "Unchained Melody" to the pros. Don't try this at home.
• ZhengZhong: Zzzzzzzzzzz
• Udgeet: Another WTF?
• Alexis: Pillar of maturity that you are... not! Oh, grow up!
• Milo: Looks like Peter Yarrow, sounds like Billy Crystal. 'Nuff said...
• Ben: What the Flaming Hell was that? Ewwww! And what's with the waxing - dude, that is just plain not right, not to mention against the laws of nature. No self-respecting guy does that. Then again, Ben, you're clearly no self-respecting guy...
• Paul the Stalker: Ahhh... Security?
• Cristina: Princess Leia in hot pants, fishnet stockings, and leather boots. Mommy, I'm scared!

I daresay that's enough "entertainment" for one night. I used to like "I Love Rock and Roll"...

(Patti suggested that I should at least make mention of some of the more touching moments. Oh puh-leeze! Save it for Oprah...)

Until Chewbacca yodels again...

Snow Day Dinner

Stew and Biscuit, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Today was a snow day. Not just for the kids, but for myself as well.

Our street is not exactly on the priority list of streets in Fitchburg that get attention when the time comes to plow and salt the roads. Sure, the Blazer has 4-wheel drive, but is not being used until some necessary repairs are made to prevent things from bottoming out (one of a number of much-needed repairs that all have to wait until after tax-refund time). Suffice to say, I wasn't about to attempt the 25-mile commute to work today. Fortunately I was able to work from home today.

The kids spent much of the day outside (either playing or shoveling - since my back does not allow me to man the shovel for very long), Patti spent the day resting (having come down with the same headcold-from-hell that the rest of us are just about recovered from), and I spent the day in front of the computer, (mostly) working.

Evening came, and this kind of day cried out for something simple, yet warm and filling for dinner. A quick forage in the pantry revealed a few cans of beef stew and a can of peas, and the fridge provided a couple of canisters of pre-made biscuit dough.

The biscuits were brushed with butter, and topped with Parmesan cheese and a garlic-herb blend, and placed in the oven. The stew and peas came together in a large pot, along with a little bit of allspice and some dried parsley (the fresh would have to wait until the next payday). This made for a totally awesome meal, if I do say so myself! If we had some in the house, I could see having a nice glass (or two) of Merlot with this.

It goes to show that sometimes the best things are the simple ones.

Getting "Mugged"

01.04.08 Mugshot, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Yes, I've been known to get a little surly sometimes, so what of it? I'm damn proud of it!

Seriously though, this photo was taken for the latest Utata project, "Mugshots". It was a hell of a lotta fun. I have a couple of 'em posted to the project already, and I might even do one more before I'm finished.

Plus it helps that they can double as shots for the 365days project on Flickr as well...

Another One Done

Purple Afghan, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Last night I finished that afghan I started in early December. I was hoping to have not only this one done by the end of December, but another one as well. That's how crazy busy it's been.

At least the next one is started - a nice light blue one for Patti this time.

Good Morning and Happy New Year

1.1.08 Good Morning, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Happy New Year, everyone!

It's been too long since I blogged last (yet again!), but nonetheless here I am, making another go of it.

I'm enjoying a nice quiet morning, while everyone else is still asleep upstairs (except for Bethanie whose internal clock also woke her up despite none of us having gone to sleep until 2am). And the cat, of course. MJ was planning on staying up the entire night and then going to bed at 6am - I wonder how he fared with that.

I'm certainly in no rush to wake anyone up - the house is really quiet and peaceful for a change.

Armed and Dangerous

Armed and Dangerous, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I have a hook and know how to use it!

Picked up some nice one-pound skeins of yarn this evening, and will be getting started on a couple of afghan projects. Will keep ya informed of the progress.

Help! My System's Been "Longhorned", and Now It's Walking Funny!

Help! My System's Been "Longhorned", and Now It's Walking Funny!, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

What a phenomenal piece of crap is Windows Server 2008 (a.k.a. "Longhorn")!

Apparently, it's the end-user that is on the receiving end of the long horn.

Could someone please pass the K.Y. and the Preparation-H?

I hope the next version of the Windows (Non-)Operating System is codenamed "Apology"...