Daily Entry

Gah! It feels like summer has arrived early today. I hopped into the car around 1pm earlier and my car thermometer showed the temperature at 89 degrees F. Just the last couple weeks it was freezing and raining. The weather just seems to get more wacky every year!

jp

Daily Entry

Boy its been tough! In the last 5 months I've submitted my resume to dozens of companies and have had 3 interviews but no job. The economists say the job outlook is getting better but I can't tell. I'm hoping to get something before summer starts. Today I'm going thru another round of sending out my resume. sigh.

jp

Daily Entry

My friend Brenda, the author of "Hope The New Financial System Emerging After The American Economic Crisis" has come out with a Youtube interview describing some of the recent patterns of abuse in our financial/socio-economic system. If your concerned about whats going on AND want some insight on how fix the problem for your personal financial situation, check out her video and read her book.

Addendum: Here's some recent news articles that underscore the problems that Brenda reports.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42260137/ns/business-us_business/

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/20/a-looming-disaster-europe.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42258668/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/

http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/03/where-to-turn-if-shutdown-happens/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40795080/ns/business/

-jp

Daily Entry

I saw this interesting afticle in MSNBC, How G.E. made $5.1 billion in the U.S. tax-free.

"General Electric, the nation’s largest corporation, had a very good year in 2010. The company reported worldwide profits of $14.2 billion, and said $5.1 billion of the total came from its operations in the United States. Its American tax bill? None. In fact, G.E. claimed a tax benefit of $3.2 billion.

....Such strategies, as well as changes in tax laws that encouraged some businesses and professionals to file as individuals, have pushed down the corporate share of the nation’s tax receipts — from 30 percent of all federal revenue in the mid-1950s to 6.6 percent in 2009.

....A review of company filings and Congressional records shows that one of the most striking advantages of General Electric is its ability to lobby for, win and take advantage of tax breaks.

....Since 2002, the company has eliminated a fifth of its work force in the United States while increasing overseas employment. In that time, G.E.’s accumulated offshore profits have risen to $92 billion from $15 billion."

And you wonder why all the tax revenue for the gov't is drying up. The middle class whom a significant percentage are out of jobs can't pay as much taxes as in the good years. And, of course, you have all the people who foreclosed on their houses. You can't collect taxes on that either. With the upper 1% getting tax cuts and the corporations getting tax breaks, no one should be surprised that we're in a financial crunch now. When everyone pays their fair share of taxes, the system works. When they don't, its like the Titanic. Anyone see an iceberg?

jp

Daily Entry

My friend IM'd me this link. My first reaction to him was that scientist have not been able to accurately predict earthquakes. But when i watched the video in the link, I think this guy may be on this something. Doesn't hurt to be prepared!

http://thegentleawakening.ning.com/forum/topics/geologist-jim-berkland

jp

Daily Entry

It feels like its been raining forty days and forty nights here. Well actually its been raining over a week but geez! this is California not Seattle. 8)

Since I have a new HD video recorder I decided to test it by recording it raining today.

jp

TGIF

Thank God Its Friday! On my other blog, I've been following the UCLA Alexandra Wallace Asians in the Library drama. Out of the many, many responses I found these 2 the best. In fact, I was amused so much that I've added them to my youtube favorites. 8)

http://www.youtube.com/user/DavidSoComedy#p/p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zulEMWj3sVA&feature=player_profilepage

jp

Daily Entry

Apologies for the lack of updates but I've been down and out with a cold the last several days.

jp

Daily Entry

Wow! I just got the XBox 360 add-on Kinetic which lets you play games, dance, etc by detecting the motion of your body movements. I'm having so much fun playing the rallyball game all the while getting a good workout. I'm looking to pick up some sports and dance games. Its amazing how far games have come. I remember growing up as a kid playing the original pong. Who would have imagine they would have games that can mimic body movements. Pretty soon it'll probably some holographic game environment just like in the Star Trek Generations TV series.

jp

Being Prepared in an Emergency

With all thats been going on in Japan, it reminds how we in California could face the same situation should a catastrophic similar to Japan hit our region. As a witness to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake I remember the damage we survived in the Bay Area. Ever since that event, I've planned and prepared in case it happens again. Just like in parts of Japan, parts of the Bay Area after the '89 earthquake were isolated by the damage. Social and Emergency services like Police and Fire were overwhelmed by the amount of calls. I distinctly remember the power being down for a time. I recall on the first day traffic lights not working. Fortunately for us in San Jose, power and civil service was back within a few days. There were places like Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Oakland that were out for much longer. Even now, the major news networks are reporting a shortage of food and water in Japan. Japan's emergency crews are having difficulty reaching some areas hit by the quake and tsunami due to water damage.

The lesson to be learned about these type of events is to be prepared to deal with the aftermath. You should have at least a weeks worth of water, perishable food, battery powered radio/flashlights and/or portable generator to run electrical appliances like microwave, oven, etc. Obviously if there is a medical emergency, you should try to contact 911 asap. If emergency services are unable to respond, common sense dictates using your own transportation to get to the hospital. Being prepared for a major emergency can save a life including yours or a loved one. Don't wait until something happens. Be smart, be prepared.

Interested in books on preparing for an emergency? Check out this this book or this one.

Also including a link to the Red Cross to help the victim of Japan's earthquake here.

jp

Daily Entry

So my buddy, Elemenohpee, is okay. He and his family had to evacuate from their house near the beach in Hawaii. They ended up staying with his brother on higher ground until the all clear was signaled. He mentioned that it was pretty unreal what with the sirens every hour and the evacuation. Thank God! Hawaii was not affected by the tsunami.

jp

Daily Entry

Good Lord! The video footage on CNN really shows the devastation of the Japanese earthquake. As a witness of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, I am in total sympathy to the people of Japan. My prayers go out to them in their time of need.

jp

Daily Entry

So I'm doing my daily news junkie routine. I can't help but see all this news about Charlie Sheen over and over again. This does pique my curiosity though. I click on the link to Sheen's Korner Ep 3: Torpedoes of Truth Part 2. And Good Lord! but watching his diatribe is sad. Sad because prior to his recent breakdown, I've always admired Charlie Sheen for his acting ability. From Red Dawn to Two and a Half Men. But they only thing I can say about his recent video is it seems to be just a drug addict spewing random thoughts on the camera. Either that or its his best acting performance in his career. Honestly, though, I think the guy really needs some psychiatric help. And Fast! I think if he was anyone but Charlie Sheen, he would have been locked up in a mental ward for evaluation. I would hope that his closest friends and family would be trying to get him some medical help. Unfortunately it looks more like the people around him (not to mention the Media) are just trying to cash in on his famous/infamous behavior. Sad, very sad. It's even more deplorable in that this is at the top of the news. 8(

jp

Daily Entry

Today is Ash Wednesday. For Catholics, today is the start of Lent season. As part of Lent season, Catholics are asked to sacrifice or give up something during Lenten season. For me, I've decided to give up soda and sweets (not that I do much but I do like them occasionally), From now until Easter Sunday, I will abstain as well as no meat on Friday's.

jp

Daily Entry

Good Lord! When I went to pick up my niece from Santa Clara Univ, I went to fill up my tank at a gas station near the school. I think it was a Shell. I haven't been paying attention to the last time i filled up but $4.12/gallon for mid grade?! I ended up putting just enough to get me around but I plan on going to the local Arco which is about 20 cents cheaper. If prices keep going up, things will get worse. It really makes you think about doing what you can to save at the pump. Even it means driving less or spending less on other non-essential purchases. I wonder if prices (not too mention the good times from the 90's/pre-2007 era will ever come back)?

jp

Daily Entry

I found this quote from one a novel of one of my favorite authors. I sincerely believe if we, the American people, upheld these ideas we would have a more effective government versus our current inept, corrupt system in place today.

"The deadliest enemies of nations are not their foreign foes; they always dwell within their borders. And from these internal enemies civilization is always in need of being saved. The nation blessed above all nations is she in whom the civic genius of the people does the saving day by day, by acts without external picturesqueness; by speaking, writing, voting reasonably; by smiting corruption swiftly, by good temper between parties; by the people knowing true men when they see them,, and preferring them as leaders to rabid partisans or empty quacks. -William James"

jp

Daily Entry

Well today's interview went very well. I felt confident and on top of my game during the entire interview. As well as the position I applied for, the recruiting company also submitted my resume for two other marketing positions. Here's hoping I land one of them. In fact, I hope I get the first one I applied for because it sounds like a good environment for a person of my background and experience.

jp

Daily Entry

The credit union that I belong to is having a contest to win a scholarship. If you also belong to TechCU, I recommend you enter the contest just like I did today.

Click on this link:

You have the opportunity to win a full scholarship to Singularity University's Spring Executive Program!

jp

Daily Entry

So this past's weekend anticipated snow in the bay area was a bit of a dud. While San Francisco, Daly City and a few of the north bay's cities experienced flurries on Friday evening most of the South Bay did not. I checked outside at 11am Friday but witnessed a clear star filled night sky. When I woke up at 8am the next morning, it was also a clear, no-cloud-in-the-sky and no snow on the hills disappointment. Oh well, maybe Mother Nature will give us another chance before the Winter's grip turns into Spring showers.

P.S. Oh and beware the Ides of March!!

jp