Shut Up and Deal

I had to work with the Albatross today. I basically got a smackdown talk and was told that I was lucky to get any work out of him at all. It makes my skin crawl.

I am so fucking angry about it. I just have two more weeks and this person is out of my life. I just imagine wrapping my fingers around his neck and squeezing the life out of him. Then I would stab him with my fountain pen or sharpie. I also thought about setting his office on fire using purrell. Don't worry, I just read Mr. Peanut and wanting to kill the Albatross just makes me feel a little bit better.

"And I had done an hellish thing,
And it would work 'em woe:
For all averred, I had killed the bird
That made the breeze to blow.
Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay
That made the breeze to blow!"


Thanks Coleridge!

OK now I feel better!

Random Hollywood shoutout

I have crush on Eli Roth! So joli laide! Goodbye Adrien Brody...I got a new Hollywood crush!

Hell is Other Economists

I am currently doing two jobs at work, my actual job and my co-worker's job. He has just mentally checked out because his retirement is two weeks away. Our acting branch chief actually asked one of us to volunteer to host his retirement party. I did not step up.

I really don't have time for party planning. I just wish we could just jetison him out of the building in a torpedo tube. Quick, cheap, and efficient.

Privatization Hangover

Nothing puts me in a right, Republican rage, than McDonnell's ABC privatization plans! Governor McDonnell is pushing for the ABC stores to be privatized so that the state of virginia can make beaucoup bucks for one fiscal year and fix the transportation crisis. Don't let him do it Virginia citizens! I am all about free markets, but privatizing the ABC stores is a bad idea during difficult economic times.

The ABC stores are cash cows. In 2009, they generated about 111 million in profits which were allocated to education and the Virginia General Fund. If the government Privatizes ABC stores, they estimate that they will get a ONE TIME 500 million dollar revenue bump from selling but it is unclear how much revenue will be generated over time. So basically, Government McDonnell looks great in 2011 and is out of office before the revenue hangover hits.

I haven't seen the state publish an analysis of this issue which makes it fishy as hell. Why would you mess around with something that actually works?! And in the most difficult economic climate since the 2001 recession?

Question authority! It needs to be decided by the citizens as a referendum, not this governor.

Fred Malek, Hater of Statistics and the chosen people

There has been alot of controversy lately over Fred Malek, VA state government honcho and chair of commissions to troubleshoot VA state issues. This man served in the Nixon administration and did a census of Jewish folk and Jewish sounding surnames in the BLS Nixon ordered it because of an unfavorable employment data release and the President thought it was a 'Jewish Conspiracy.'

This man is now in a position of power in the state government and it frightens me. How can we trust a man that put together a memo like that? Please find someone else Governor McDonnell. So we will probably hear some Mea Culpas, but I think find that disengenous. He actively involved himself in targeting people because his boss said to do it. Hmmm, I wonder where I heard that before?

Who cares, its just hockey!

I am currently underwhelmed with DC hockey. I just get annoyed with the extra people on Metro. I am still alive. I am not on the 10 most Economist wanted list or anything like that. No, the Obama Administration is much more subtle than that! I am just kidding about that! Free speech and all. It is free as long as you aren't on company time. They kind of remprimanded us via e-mail. Hey, if the white house blogs why can't we?

I am very annoyed with the IMF at the moment. Helooo, did anyone notice that Greek government is not the most ethical when it comes to statistics. Perhaps, IMF you should have done some due diligence.

The Greek Government blames the statistical agency but that is ridiculous. Don't they check the numbers?

This may not be a major issue for the US but I do feel kind of bad for the EU. I feel a little bit bad for them, well as much empathy for socialists as I can muster.

State of the Union

Well, I unofficially quit graduate school. It is a terrible yet freeing feeling. I can devote my time to crafting and making humanity a better place. Oh hell no. I think I am just going to read more than what I usually do. I'll figure out what else later on.

I am trying not to kill my co-worker, who I call the "Albatross." It would be a damn shame since he is so close to retirement. I am going to drink champagne and eat fancy cheese on his last day. I am doing both his job and my job right now. I have met crazier people than he, but he is honestly the most lazy and incompetant person I have ever met.

I love writing about consumers who panic and cause shortages. I dunno, maybe I am an evil economist. Oh no, wait that title goes to Larry Summers.

My take on the US Chamber of Commerce kerfluffle

Shame on the US Chamber of Commerce!

The Washington Post wrote an article about the US Chamber of Commerce's
recent actions regarding a possible economic analysis of the Health Bill. See
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/15/AR2009111503159.html

Apparently the US Chamber of Commerce wanted to get a really important Economist to study the health bill and write that health insurance reform is bad for the economy. Oh yeah, and get other important Economists to sign a letter that they agree.

Well, this makes me sick to my stomach. Anybody who signs onto this project is really whoring themselves to the highest bidder. The US Chamber of Commerce really shot themselves in the foot. Can anyone trust their analysis? Hell no. Don't trust any organization that manipulates or predetermines the outcome of a study.

I am a Republican, but I want an honest analysis of the health bill. Who can we trust to give a non-partisan analysis.

Passive Aggressive Behavior on Public Transport

I sat next to a somewhat normal looking person on the metro today. She immediately jacked up the volume on her ipod. It was a very annoying song from Beyonce. I took out my blackberry and googled "I hate people who play IPODS too loud on the Train." Then I typed "Why I hate DC." I'll be damned if the lady didn't turn down the volume. She was eavedropping on my blackberry! This made my day.

Sarcasm applied to nasty individuals

I am turning into a misanthrope. I seem to expect the worst from humanity and am never dissapointed. I am dealing with this by being sarcastic.

I was going for a walk and someone asked the spouse for directions. They immediately continue on their journey without acknowleding the help they received. I responded by saying very loudly "You are welcome!" I think I need to quell this urge to be Ms. Manners. I don't expect Yuppies to deal with my outburst via gunshots but you never know in Virginia.

Did I mention that my neighboors lack manners. Or perhaps they hate me? I said Good morning to one and they ignored me. This happened twice. Also their sniveling beasts barked at me quite feriouciously. Yuck, reader I hate them and their little dogs.

My neighboors across the street have lived their for 9 years and have never said hello to me once. They park their fleet of Mercedes in visitor parking and I never report them! Gosh, they have the audacity to put political signs in their front yard too. When they peep out their window to see who is on the sidewalk, I acknowledge them with a jaunty wave. They don't wave back.

So much for the concrete pineapples of hospitality that each neighboor places near their doorstep.

Yuppie smackdown in Hooville

Dog + dropped leash + moving car = dead dog

Crisis was averted. The dog lunged at me and narrowly missed getting hit by its owners car. Yeah, she didn't apologize for her dog's misbehavior. Nice.

I don't think I am getting invited to their Christmas party.

Drop out advice for Type A Personalities

I am at a crossroads. I am currently toying with the idea of dropping out of school. It just seems to be too much to work and go to school.

Here is my pro and con list:

Pro
1. no HW
2. I get my life back
3. time to origami

Con
1. HW
2. no 4 hour classes
3. Career SCUD missile

I just don't feel the love for this program. I feel like I am slogging through and not enjoying it. And I seem obsessed with the HW issue.

Dealing with "Sam"

I am currently dealing with one of the most difficult coworkers ever. He can't seem to breathe without asking me if the formula for oxygen, carbon dioxide, and miscellanous atmospheric gases are appropriate.

Is Sam dense or difficult? I am not sure. I just know that he is an asshole. Don't expect me to contribute to his retirement gift/party. Oh hell no, I am going to use the money to buy a small bottle of Moet and Chadon. I am going to sip it in my office bedamned the government regulations about alcohol in the office.

Payback IS a Bitch

I am currently working on a project with a coworker who I will call "Sam." I hate Sam. About 3 years ago, I needed Sam's help with a different project. He was really mean and obnoxious to me and didn't answer my question. Fast forward three years later and "Sam" needs my help now.

I am not helping Sam. Revenge is sweet.

Note to self, always be kind to junior staffers.

Dark Side of the Moon

I need a vodka shot and some Tylenol. Not necessarily in that order.

Why DC sucks

I can't seem to gather my thoughts in paragraphs so I guess I will itemize it. This is why I think DC sucks. Sing to

1. DC government is being run like a banana republic
2. Marion Barry is an elected DC Council Member
3. Metrorail kills
4. There are too many Ls: lawyers, lobbyists, and liars
5. The Real World is filming in Dupont Circle
6. Larry Summers is an actual economic advisor following Harvard fiasco
7. Fannie Mae is still not federalized
8. Where being a bum is a valid career path
9. DDOTs clueless 14th st bridge project
10. Tourists who walk in clumps

I only like the Costcos, Reagan Airport, and Mary Matalin.

I hate DC in the summertime

On metrorail, there is a is a stink to seat ratio in the summer. The empty seats are usually next to stinky and/or crazy people. I typically use a five point scale.

1 Point Moderate stinky/no craziness
2 Points Slightly stinky/no craziness
3 Points Odorific
4 Points Visible Dirt, cloud of dust and fumes
5 Points Oscar the Grouch would be proud!/Randome muttering or cursing

If they are 1-2 points I can handle. After 3, hasta la vista baby. Unfortunately, today I sat next to a #4. It was a stealthy stinky person. It was too crowded to move! Oh the horror!

I should have used some vicks vapo rub under my nostrils! The man smelled like death!

A sad day in DC

I found today quite sad. The Holocaust museum security officer passed away. I am shocked and saddened by the violence that one terrible person can wreck. I don't understand why these things happen.

I am glad that the gunman has been charged and justice will be served.

I personally hope the gunman bastard SOB rots in jail for the rest of his life.

Contractor of the year Award

Dear Dryer Vent Contractor:

Thank you for coming to my home and putting the cover over the dryer vents. I really appreciate your care and due diligence regarding the 2 birds you trapped in there. When we called, you said you would "Fix it." Somehow you managed to reset the covers and trap another bird. I just set all the bastards free and ruined your $350 dollar fix.

BTW, I am not going to add you on the Home Owners Association Fav Home Contractors.
Anger one Yuppie, you anger them all!

Sincerely,

The Aggravated Economist

More Magical Thinking by Malcom Gladwell

Here is a short synapsis of The Tipping Point. Events are like viruses. That's it, you don't have to read it now. I have just saved about 4 hours for everyone in the universe to do something more productive. I must be a "Maven."

Thank you Malcom for coming up with crazy assed theories that really have no basis in reality. Dude, you give the social sciences a bad name. I am quite annoyed that you have written another book. Oh the horror! Has this man ever heard of linear regression?