Matt & Jen Simerson

This last weekend, Grandpa and Grandma treated us to time away from our children. Eventually, grandma needed to relieve herself. Because Kayla has recently completed potty-training, and Lucas is beginning, we have an open door policy in effect. When Grandma headed into the bathroom, Kayla followed. After a bit of negotiating, Kayla was ushered back out of the bathroom and waited just outside the door. As soon as the tell-tale sounds of success emanated, Kayla let loose a proud cheer, “Yay Grandma!”

I can’t imagine many folks can tell a story about running a mile with a rabid fox’s jaws clamped around their arm.

Have you noticed that people who are quick to make accusations tend to be guilty of what they accuse?  This phenomenon is manifest in colloquial expressions such as, “when you point at me, four fingers are pointing at you.” In psychology, this is known as projection. 

Has anyone heard the term “socialism” being used lately? Read on »

I have a one word recommendation for pumpkin carving: rotozip.

Tonight I watched Barack Obama’s infomercial. The majority of the time is spent on anecdotes where American citizens explain their “distress.” Am I the only one that noticed that each of stories featured very well-fed people in comfortably appointed homes with late model automobiles? I can only conclude that I wasn’t the target audience for those stories. But the last 40 seconds caught me:

I’m reminded every single day that I am not a perfect man. I will not be a perfect President. But I can promise you this. I will always tell you what I think and where I stand. I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you when we disagree…

In reading through his position statements, I suspect that I disagree with him on more policy than we agree on. But his campaign has demonstrated what so many have praised him for; he listens to people and brings them together. If current voting trends continue, we’ll have record turnouts and a black President. If Barack manages our government as well as he has managed his campaign, America will be rewarded for having chosen him. I couldn’t wish for a better outcome.

In the most eloquent of ways, Porsche thanks short sellers for driving down the cost of VW shares, whom they have been slowly acquiring.

Schadenfreude was not the driver of that car, basic economics was. When the value of an asset drops below fair market value, someone will step up to the plate and buy. I feel as much pity for those short sellers as they felt for me when the value of my shares declined. Which is to say, none at all.