Is it just me?

Or is there something wrong with this picture. One of the kids came home today and said that they didn't have a spelling test last week because "the teacher had a couple of art projects she wanted to do but hadn't had time for before." Of course, today they had time to play computer games... still no spelling test.

Bird

Perhaps someone can help me out here. I've got a pair of birds hanging-out in the backyard, and I'm not sure what they are. I've included a couple of pictures, although they aren't great. I think it's some kind of hawk, but I'm no expert. Any ideas?

Trivia

In what town was Otis Campbell the town drunk?

I Passed!

Earlier this summer, I explained a prolonged absence from posting with something like “I’ve been busy.” Now I can say that I was spending my time studying for the Level I CFA exam in June, which, I’m happy to say, I passed!

Trivia

Which of the dwarfs in Snow White was mute?

Trivia

What group did Stephen Stills leave to form Crosby, Stills & Nash?

Trivia Question

What song features the immortal lyrics “bomp ba-ba bomp, ba bomp ba bomp bomp, ba-ba bomp ba-ba bomp, da dang da-dang dang, da ding-a-dong ding?”

Stupidity

When a finger points at the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.

Chinese Proverb

Trivia Question

Which of the Cartwright boys had gone to college?

Vacation

By now, anyone reading this must think I’m the King of Breaks. While I like taking time off, I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself the King. It’s just the time of year, and the fact that raising two ten-year-olds doesn’t leave a lot of options as to when we’re going to take our vacation.

With that out of the way, we spent most of the last two weeks camping – or perhaps I should say “kamping” – in Colorado. We mostly stay at KOAs, and I know a lot of people wouldn’t call that camping. When I was a kid, my parents wouldn’t even consider staying at a KOA for just that reason. The fact is, until a few years ago, I wouldn’t either. But things change, and these days I think I prefer not to rough it so much.

This year we spent a couple of nights in Vernal, Utah, and visited Dinosaur National Monument. It was interesting, but we were disappointed that the Dinosaur Quarry was closed.

Next we went on to Cotopaxi, Colorado. The KOA there isn’t bad, if you can get over the ants and gophers. It’s right on the Arkansas River, and I got to do a little fishing and caught a couple of nice rainbow trout. We also did some touristy things, like visiting Royal Gorge, Cripple Creek, Bishop’s Castle, and Cave of the Wind. I’ll try to post more about those later, but for now, suffice it to say that most of the time I was struggling with my fear of heights, and slight claustrophobia.

The last few days of our vacation were spent in and around Cortez, Colorado, where we got to see the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, Four Corners National Monument, and Monument Valley. Again, I’ll post more when I get the chance.

Most of the time the weather was hot, and I kept thinking that perhaps late June and early July were not the best time to vacation in those places, but as it turned out, the hottest part of our vacation was getting home, where the temperature was 106 degrees. The yard is dried-out, and I’ve got a lot of work to do, so that’s all for now.

Addict

Winter’s raw fury.
Cardboard walls. Newsprint blanket.
Warmth of the needle.

QuasiSane

Office Assistant

Friendly and helpful,
animated paper clip,
with the huge eyeballs.
QuasiSane

Trivia Question

The last one was such a big hit I had to do it again. Who won the 1972 Nobel Peace Prize?

Doctor

Big D little r,
Ph.D., M.D., J.D.,
D.A., smarty pants.
QuasiSane

Trivia Question

What television show’s theme song included these immortal words: “While Cathy adores a minuet, the Ballet Russe and crepes suzette…”?

A Healthy Diet

Lately, I’ve been thinking about my diet. It’s not very healthy. So, I thought that perhaps I would have one vegetarian dinner a week and see how that went. Then, I ran across this quote, and am having second thoughts:

“Most vigitaryans I iver see looked enough like their food to be classed as cannybals.

Finley Peter Dunne, “Casual Observations,” Mr. Dooley’s Philosophy (1900)

I’m Back

So shoot me, I took a break. I know, I know… I just got started and one of the first things I do is take a break. Well, I’m back.

Whilst I was on break, we went to Flaming Gorge. Here’s a picture. Other than that, I don’t want to comment on what’s been keeping me so busy. Perhaps later…

New Home for My Financial Blog

It took a while, but you can see my new and improved financial blog here. There's nothing there yet, though.

Graduation

I finally graduated! It’s depressing, in a way. Everyone keeps asking what I’m going to do now, and the real answer is, “I don’t know.” But of course, as a new graduate, I’m not supposed to answer that. Actually, I’m going to be taking the first CFA exam in June, so I guess that’s what I’m going to do now.
In case anyone noticed, I used to have a financial blog here, but I’m moving it elsewhere. I haven’t decided where yet. I haven’t quite decided what to put here. I guess we’ll just have to see what evolves. In the meantime, buy some soap.