The 23% Psalm of Credit

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The 23% Psalm of Credit~

"This CARD is my treasure; I shall not want.

I take it with me to lie down for green

dollars:

It leadeth me into the spa waters.

It restoreth my lap pool:

It leadeth me on the path of spending more

than I can ever make.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of debt

I will hear no evil: for thou art with me; my iPod and my iPhone comfort me.

Thou purchased this screen before me, all 72 inches of plasma:

thou filled my breasts with silicone; my D cup runneth over.

Surely, the principles of buy now and pay later shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the CARDS until they collapse."

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The collapse has come. Like Icarus, excited by the thrill of flying, we were overcome by the thrill of buying. Yearning to possess all the world has to offer, with little regard to repayment, we flew too close to the sun. Our wings, instead of wax, were crafted of plastic—overused, we are now undone. We are a nation drowning in the Sea of Debt. We must now learn to soar again without the use of our laminated wings.

Entrepreneurial Offer of a Lifetime!

It doesn't matter how many times you fail. It doesn’t matter how many times
you almost get it right. No one is going to know or care about your
failures, and neither should you. All you have to do is learn from them and
those around you because... All that matters in business is that you get it
right once. Then everyone can tell you how lucky you are. MarkCuban

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Taking matters in to his own hands and money out of his own pocket, Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team, is offering the opportunity of a lifetime. This week he unveiled his own economic stimulus idea, the "Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan - Open Source Funding." He opened up his blog, Blog Maverick (blogmaverick.com), to accept ideas for business plans from existing and start-up companies. Cuban, an entrepreneur himself, is controversial and, often, adversarial.

In 1983, Cuban co-founded Micro Solutions, a top National Systems Integrator. He later sold it to CompuServe. Next, the dot com guru was chanting Yahoo! when that company purchased Broadcast.com, which he also co-founded, for 5.7 billion dollars in stock. In 2000, he purchased the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. He slam dunked the basketball world in 2001 when he built his Mavs a new arena, the American Airlines Center. Combining hi-tech electronics with great architecture, the center has gained the notoriety of being one of the leading entertainment and sport venues in the country. That same year, he co-founded HDNet, an all high-definition television on DIRECTV. He is a master of start-up companies, benevolent and powerful.

Many people see Mark as not only financially successful, but also, successful as a role model for his team and his fans. He sits on the sidelines in the same seats he sat in before he was an owner. He has fostered a sense of pride, passion and loyalty among many of his team's fans. He is the first owner in the domain of team sports to use his personal computer to solicit fan communication via e-mail. He employs personal touches, like responding to his own e-mails and, not only listening to, but acting on, suggestions from fans. He allows the fans to view his lusty pursuit of life and dedication to the Mavericks. Cuban's take-it-to-the-limit style has everyone watching.

However, his style isn't the only thing they are watching. In the fall of 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged him with insider trading for selling the stock of an Internet search engine company. He was also charged a $25,000 fine in January 2009 for walking on to the court during a basketball game and interacting with a player. The fine also included a penalty for, allegedly, unleashing a barrage of obscenities upon an official, which Cuban denies. Over the course of his time in the league, he has been assessed 14 penalties and three suspensions. Over 1.5 million dollars in cumulative fines have been assessed against him.

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Some think him the devil, some think him a saint. Some think him a role model, some think him a shame. Some think him a comb-over, piece wearing D..... Bag. Some think him a dynamic wonder. But no matter what you think of him, you cannot deny that he is a king in the realm of business. Cuban believes that entrepreneurship is one of the ways we will get out of our financial crisis. He believes that it is easier to talk about what the government should do with our money than to come up with a plan that would make a difference. A plan that one could, possibly come up with and, implement on their own. And in his own unique and unbranded way, he has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging others to post their business ideas and plans on his blog site. Maybe he has decided that it is a waste of resources to throw precious money after fines that will never give him a return on his investment. Maybe he has decided to slow his tirade train and put money into something other than his million dollar cuss fund. Maybe.

Mark is creating an environment for what he calls "open source funding." He has stipulated a number of rules, including that the proposition must be "cash flow break even within 60 days" and turning a profit in 90 days. By posting your plans, others will see and comment on them and, possibly, even steal them to use elsewhere. That is a chunk of his concept, to stimulate ideas, activity, and great gooey gobs of money. Mark Cuban unapologetically acknowledges that it may lead to something great or nothing at all. But, he is ready to invest HIS money, no minimum-no maximum, in the ideas he believes have the best chance at succeeding. Now, before you start thinking he is a complete philanthropist, read rule number 12. Your plan must include how he will receive a return on his investment. Which, in my opinion, is as it should be since he is taking the risk.

So, if you have a business proposal that just needs some swell funding to slap it on the rear to get it running, post it up. This is probably the only chance most of us will ever have to do business with a world class player. It won't cost you a cent! This is an absolutely free opportunity to have the man take a look-see over your project! At very least, stop by his site and read some of the other propositions. Maybe some one's vision will light yours. Some lucky leprechauns are going to receive magically nutritious financial help. Queue up to see if YOU can win one of Cuban's lucky charms!

Here, echoing much of the public sentiment about Mark Cuban, in his own words, is his synopsis of his offer:

"So here it is. Some people will love it, some will hate it. It is what it is."

How Large is a Trillion

Sun and Moon

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• A trillion:
• 1,000,000,000,000.
• A trillion:
• One thousand billion, billion, billion.
• A trillion:
• $1 bills stacked = one hundred thousand kilometers high-1/3 of the way to the moon.
• A trillion:
• $1 bills placed end-to-end would be 97 million miles, almost the distance to the sun.
• A trillion:
• Spent at a rate of $1000 per minute would take 1,900 years to spend.

Our fiscal debt: Nearly $1 trillion

Our national debt: Nearly $10 trillion

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PER$PECTIVE: Pricele$$

Every Shoe Deserves a Mate

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Every Shoe Deserves a Mate

LOVE, the greatest joy of all, often feels just outside our reach. We spend countless hours looking for, and talking about, the qualities of our ideal mate, our soul mate. Our heart yearns for another with whom to share our lives, to make us feel whole. We use technology, the Internet and e-harmony, in its pursuit. We long for a healthy, nurturing relationship. All too frequently, we enter into a relationship and initially, like a comfortable pair of shoes, it feels so good! As we walk down Hookup Highway, the shine of new dulls with dust and the chaffing blisters of complicated begin. Often, over time, the shoe no longer fits.

Being human, we look outside of ourselves for confirmation of our worth. Many of us get tangled in unhealthy relationships. Even in good relationships, there can be unhealthy times. We don't know how to be with ourselves let alone with another. We never learned. There are very few instructors teaching self rapport.

Our confusion starts early, when we are young. During our pubescent, salad days, our hormones, becoming active, carry all kinds of erotic messages through out our body. Suddenly, our structure is different. We feel warm tingles in new places. Our brain gets strange signals and reason is, often, unreasonable. For years we've been comfortable in tennis shoes, but now, WOW, trading up to that pair of high tops or high heels sounds salacious. We are in love!

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At least, we believe we are in love. But there is a difference between attraction, desire and love. If we have not been taught the difference, life can be as precarious as a tiara on a skater's head. If we have never learned how to go inside ourselves to find our own richness, we may unwrap many Wonka bars looking for the Golden Ticket. And so, we go from relationship to relationship to relationship looking for fulfilment. We feel so blessed and extraordinary when we find that special someone. But if we are not whole and healed, we will fill our relationship with all of our old, composted beliefs. If we have not cleared the toxic relationships we've had with our mother and father, we may attract mates with those same qualities. An overbearing critic, a domineering dictator or a nagging shrew may be in our future.

Even if you are on spiritual path, the relationship may not be wonderful. Say you are quietly meditating. In the quiet purity of your mind, your soul, in expansion, comes to give you a fleeting tease of eternity. If your lover is with you, you are in conflict with this being and your soul. The moment dissolves. It doesn't work. Even if both are on the same path, there is still conflict. One aspires when the other doesn't.

So, become enlightened first and be in a relationship second. It is much easier! Being enlightened simply means operating from a place of high vibration, a state of lightness and positivity. When we are enlightened, we know that we are here to serve humanity. Otherwise, the tug-of-war can continue. Why are you looking at her and not at me? You say you love me, but why won't you tell me you love me? If you loved me, you wouldn't... (fill in the blank). If you loved me, you would...(fill in the blank). This is the contention of relationship most of the time.

Enjoy your time with you. Dare to be who you are! Establish a relationship with yourself whether you have a mate or not. Learn how YOU act and behave in certain circumstances. When a relationship problem arises, it will be much easier to sort out.

So, this Valentine's Day take time to, not only celebrate your lover, if you have one, celebrate yourself too. Buy yourself a rose. Treat yourself to a scrumptious chocolate truffle. Savor a fine glass of wine or a rare tea. Treat yourself to a massage. Enjoy the splendor of the sunset with your soul.

After all, every shoe deserves a mate.

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The Obama Mobile

The Obama Mobile

Thanks go to my husband, Randy, for this little nugget (or should I say, gold mine) of a blog. In his daily pursuit of EBay fodder for his parts business, he ran across this listing: Barack Obama's 2005 Chrysler 300C Obama Car. The 2005 Chrysler 300C, once owned by Barack Obama, sold on the day of his inauguration, January 20, 2009, for $271,300. The bidding started at $100,000. The car was driven by Barack Obama 2004 through 2007.

This blue Hemi, with gray leather interior and only 20,000 certified miles, was sold by private owner, Tim O'Boyle. Obama relinquished his gas guzzler in the spring of 2007 in favor of an efficient, 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. He switched shortly after receiving flack for owning this type of vehicle while criticizing the Detroit Economic Club. He had been speaking to them about U. S. auto makers having poor availability of environmentally friendly and efficient cars. Tim purchased the Chrysler 300 in February of 2008 from the original dealership, Park Plaza Dodge, in Forest Park, Illinois.

Mr. Boyle put the car up for sale on January 11, 2009. Believing he could cash in on his collectible car, he hoped to sell it for $100,000 to $1 million. The auction was going well until some crazy bidding boosted the price up to nearly a $1 BILLION. Realizing that the bidding war was a sham, Ebay cancelled the contest. The auction was then restarted from zero. Due to the previous erratic bidding, this new auction was created with pre-approved bidders.

Proof of authentication of ownership was provided along with the VIN (vehicle identification number). The car, without the provenance of Barack Obama, would likely sell from $8,000 to $17,000, based on the Kelly Blue Book value and depending on condition and regional market. Needless to say, we were not among the bidders. Just in case you are worried about the new owner maintaining the car after purchase, the Manufacturer's Extended Warranty is still in effect and will be transferred with the sale.

Addendum:

The Obama Chrysler 300C car is back on the auction block...AGAIN! The winner of the second auction retracted his bid making it a no sale. The "Buy it Now" price is $1,000,000 or best offer. Currently, there are 120 best offer bids, all of which have been declined. If you would like to place some action on this car, you have until February 24, 2009. For the full story, go to: http://www.obamas300c.com/.

After the Music Stops

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After the Music Stops!

Is it just me or is there anyone else out there that thinks that there is something amiss with the saga of Rod Blagojevich? Last Thursday, January 29, 2009, the Illinois senate voted unanimously to remove the impeached Governor from office. Arrested on federal corruption charges in December, he was allegedly, among other things, charged with trying to sell or trade the Senate seat that became vacant after Barack Obama was elected president.

"I'm obviously sad and disappointed, but not at all surprised, by what the state
senate did today," Blagojevich said during a free-for-all news conference
outside his Chicago home. "The fix was in from the very beginning." (CNN)

There is something in this entire episode that just doesn't sniff right. This gentleman from Illinois is no Stephen Hawking. My gut tells me that he is a copycat type of an individual, not an innovator. When I look at his picture and listen to his story, the letters S-U-C-K-E-R psychically appear in my brain. He wants his piece of the pie but has no idea of how to bake one. My sense of this is that he is trying to do what he has seen other politicians do, capitalize on a fortuitous situation. From whom did he get this idea? Is this something that occurs on a regular basis? What trade offs and payoffs are dealt on a daily basis at political poker tables throughout our nation? Is he just the one that got caught, like the slow, fat kid? That scares the H-E-(double hockey sticks) out of me. My gut tells me that he got caught without a chair after the music stopped. I trust my gut implicitly, it has never betrayed me!

I Love My Little Pigger's

Today, February 2, is Candlemas, or the festival of the Goddess Brigid, patroness of metalsmithing, healing and poetry. Today, bloggers are shaking off the cool sleepiness of winter by posting poetry heralding the coming warm activity of spring. This is one of eight power-times of the year, V-8, if you will. Step up to this day. Look where you are now, in present time, look back to where you were six weeks ago and make a wish for what you want to manifest in your life six weeks from now. The seeds of intent you sowed in the darkness of Yule, now germinated, split their hull and explode into life! You move from hibernation into the gestation and movement of new life. Set your intentions and light a candle to commemorate this festival of coming light. Grab a spoke and gleefully spin the wheel from the sun to the moon, from birth to death to rebirth; the cycle of life. Hakuna Matata!!


I Love My Little Pigger’s!

Today I am getting a pedicure
To chase away the hapless winter days.
My feet, bathing in the warm water,
Happily, in the bubbles play.

Oh, my feet are soaked and scrub-a-dub-dubbed
With calluses honed and filed to none.
My fresh, clean skin is as smooth as silk,
And as pink, as a baby’s bum.

The twins are then rubbed and soothed with
A buttery, whipped, moisture-rich cream.
My cuticles are pushed and the nails are clipped.
And then polished with “Ruby Red Dream.”

I’ll spend the rest of the day with my sandals on,
Reveling in the fact, that closed-toe shoes are gone.
And I smile as I see my pigger’s play,
Affirming that spring is merely six weeks away.