And the movie couldn't look any cooler. Sucker Punch is by Zack Snyder (you know, the dude that drenched us in blood and testosterone with 300). Seriously, how friggin' sweet does that look? Nazis, blimps, giant samurai with gatling guns? I'm in.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Question for Financial Folks: Infinite Banking
I won't go into everything, but if you know what "Infinite Banking" is, I have a question: Is it really worth it?
See, our financial advisor is pushing it pretty hard, even had Nelson Nash come to pimp it. I've done a ton of research, and frankly, I don't get it. I mean, I completely understand the theory and the practice, but I really don't understand why people would choose it over a decent savings account or a low or 0% loan (while having the cash to pay it off). For example:
So why would I pay all the fees and whatnot for front-loading an IB system when I could do the first two options much easier? I know that IB technically has some tax shelter properties, but I'm thinking the HYOOOOGE fees in the startup kinda kill any tax advantages offered. What am I missing?
See, our financial advisor is pushing it pretty hard, even had Nelson Nash come to pimp it. I've done a ton of research, and frankly, I don't get it. I mean, I completely understand the theory and the practice, but I really don't understand why people would choose it over a decent savings account or a low or 0% loan (while having the cash to pay it off). For example:
Example 1: Using CASH for purchase. $10000 account earning 5%.
I take out the $10000 and make purchase. It is no longer earning 5%. So, after 1 year, I have lost $500 in interest, correct? Well, lets say at the end of the year I put back the $10000 + $500 ($10500). So, it was as if I never took money out in the first place because I added $500 out of my pocket to make up for the lost interest. The opportunity cost of using the money was 5%, but I made it up by "charging myself" 5%. Following? Ok.
-This transaction cost $500 out-of-pocket and I have $10500.
Example 2: Commercial loan. $10000 at 5% interest.
I take a 5% loan from a bank and leave my $10000 in the bank, still earning 5% interest. At the end of the year, I pay off the loan in full for $10000 + an additional out pocket $500. My bank acoount earned $500, but the loan interest cost me $500. The opportunity cost of using this method was 0, but the interest cost of using this money was 5%.
-This transaction cost $500 out-of-pocket and I have $10500.
Example 3 (Infinite Banking): Policy loan for $10000, current loan rate 5%.
I take a 5% loan from my policy and make my $10000 of cash value collateral, still earning 5% interest + dividends. At the end of the year, I pay off the loan in full for $10000 plus an additional out of pocket $500 to free up my collateral. My cash value earned $500, but the loan interest cost me $500. The opportunity cost of using this money was 0, but the interest cost that I needed to pay free up my collateral was 5%.
-This transaction cost $500 out-of-pocket and I have $10500.
So why would I pay all the fees and whatnot for front-loading an IB system when I could do the first two options much easier? I know that IB technically has some tax shelter properties, but I'm thinking the HYOOOOGE fees in the startup kinda kill any tax advantages offered. What am I missing?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Subaru Forester On A TANK RANGE!
As some of you know, back in December I got a Subaru Forester to replace my well-used Mazda Protege. I've always wanted a Subaru, and I really missed the Jeep I had in high-school and college, so I was pretty pumped to get my Forester. I'll post some pics of it later. Anyway, came across this on the Subaru Forester owners forum. Apparently, there's a Fozzie club in the Ukraine that takes their vehicles out to a TANK test range and drives them around!
I want to go to there.
I want to go to there.
NEWSFLASH! Obama's "Having a great time on vacation"
Our long national nightmare is over! Obama is having a great time on vacation (number 8 this year, I think). And praise allah, he's also eating well!
Can muslims eat shellfish?
Ba-ZING!
Kenworth said she’d been asked not to talk about what the Obamas ordered, but “the whole table got lobster tempura with island corn succotash and lemon vinaigrette” in addition to their individual entrees.
Can muslims eat shellfish?
Ba-ZING!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
So, To Start Things Off (Again)...ZOMBIES!!!
So, you all know I'm a huge fan of all things zombie, and also a huge fan of all things Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption, The Mist), so I was so excited I almost peed when I found out the AMC had hired Mr. Darabont to do television adaptation of the absolutely brilliant "Walking Dead" comic book. This thing looks PERFECT, and if anybody can pull of the atmosphere of despair and hopelessness, it's Frank. Looking forward to this.
Well, um...I'm back?...Yeah, I'm back.
It seems that when you have a child, life kind of gets in the way of "lesser" things. Ergo, blogging "went away for a while". But REJOICE! For The GreatMoose has in fact returned. I don't have much planned at the moment, but I think we'll be OK. So, stay tuned, I've had a thought or two that I may share with you. Hope everybody is well!
Friday, March 26, 2010
On The Woodshed Beating Tonight
Just one thing to say:
We've secretly replaced St. Mary's with a high school girls basketball team. Let's see if anyone notices...
SIC' EM BEARS!!!! Elite Eight, biatches!!!
We've secretly replaced St. Mary's with a high school girls basketball team. Let's see if anyone notices...
SIC' EM BEARS!!!! Elite Eight, biatches!!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Health Care Bill: What It Means
The farking bill passed.
I'm going to attempt to cut through all the BS and TRY to assemble what I think the bill's passage will mean. This will be a work in progress, so check back.
Takes effect January 1st, 2014.
1. You may be able to find a cheaper policy from an out of state insurance company that is currently barred from encroaching on your state's monopolized health insurance system.
2. Depending on your income, your policy may also be partially subsidized.
3. If you make a lot of money (not sure where the balance point will be), you may see your costs rise - particularly for an unlimited plan (not sure what that actually is). Had there been a public option in the bill - or even the right to buy into Medicare - a solid basic option would have likely been available to you at lower cost.
4. It supposedly will cost $940,000,000,000.
5. Your taxes will rise.
Yoinked from Consumerist:
-Insurance for families of four making up to $88,000 (or 400% of the federal poverty level) will be subsidized.
-Medicaid is being expanded to cover those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that would be approx. $29,000.
-Families earning over $250,000 will see an increase in the amount of money the pay to Medicare from their paychecks.
-Insurance companies that provide high-end health plans (those valued at over $8,500 for an individual or $23,000 for families) will see a significant tax increase.
-You will be required to have health insurance or be fined either $750 or 2% of your income. A compromise package, passed at the same time as the Senate bill, would change those numbers to $695 or 2.5% of your income.
-Companies with more than 50 employees will be required to provide coverage or pay $750 per employee that relies on government subsidies for their insurance. The compromise package ups this to $2,000 per employee.
-Any woman wishing to use federally subsidized coverage for an abortion -- except in the case of rape, incest or danger to the mother's life -- will have to pay out of pocket or seek private insurance.
-Parents will be permitted to keep their children on their health care plans until age 26.
UPDATE: Reuters has a good list of everything in the bill.
I'm going to attempt to cut through all the BS and TRY to assemble what I think the bill's passage will mean. This will be a work in progress, so check back.
Takes effect January 1st, 2014.
1. You may be able to find a cheaper policy from an out of state insurance company that is currently barred from encroaching on your state's monopolized health insurance system.
2. Depending on your income, your policy may also be partially subsidized.
3. If you make a lot of money (not sure where the balance point will be), you may see your costs rise - particularly for an unlimited plan (not sure what that actually is). Had there been a public option in the bill - or even the right to buy into Medicare - a solid basic option would have likely been available to you at lower cost.
4. It supposedly will cost $940,000,000,000.
5. Your taxes will rise.
Yoinked from Consumerist:
-Insurance for families of four making up to $88,000 (or 400% of the federal poverty level) will be subsidized.
-Medicaid is being expanded to cover those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that would be approx. $29,000.
-Families earning over $250,000 will see an increase in the amount of money the pay to Medicare from their paychecks.
-Insurance companies that provide high-end health plans (those valued at over $8,500 for an individual or $23,000 for families) will see a significant tax increase.
-You will be required to have health insurance or be fined either $750 or 2% of your income. A compromise package, passed at the same time as the Senate bill, would change those numbers to $695 or 2.5% of your income.
-Companies with more than 50 employees will be required to provide coverage or pay $750 per employee that relies on government subsidies for their insurance. The compromise package ups this to $2,000 per employee.
-Any woman wishing to use federally subsidized coverage for an abortion -- except in the case of rape, incest or danger to the mother's life -- will have to pay out of pocket or seek private insurance.
-Parents will be permitted to keep their children on their health care plans until age 26.
UPDATE: Reuters has a good list of everything in the bill.
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Most Farking Amazing Farking Hockey Game I've Ever Farking Seen!
Last night. USA v. Canada. 5-3! Some are already calling the most awesome pile of awesome since the Miracle on Ice. It was non-stop butt-kicking, Ryan Miller is Teh Winnar (with 42 saves on 45 shots. HOLY FARK!!!). Canadian tears nourish my soul!
And on the 30 year anniversary of the Miracle On Ice, no less.
And on the 30 year anniversary of the Miracle On Ice, no less.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Well. Didn't See THAT Coming...
So Baylor has a new President. I'll give you three guesses who it is.
Go on. GUESS.
Nope, that's not right.
Not that either.
Still wrong.
Duh, it's Ken Starr. Yes, THAT Ken Starr.
Go on. GUESS.
Nope, that's not right.
Not that either.
Still wrong.
Duh, it's Ken Starr. Yes, THAT Ken Starr.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Some Movies To Get Excited About This Year!
Last year brought the awesome in the form of District 9, Avatar, Where The Wild Things Are and a host of others. Next year looks to be pretty astounding as well, but once again, WAAAAAY too many remakes/reboots. Oh well. Enjoy!
Probably the most anticipated of the bunch:
Probably MY most anticipated:
Kind of a surprise:
Never have I seen so much ass-kickery in one trailer before:
And the most wacked out (nut probably to COOLEST):
More to come!
I have no idea what's going on in this trailer, but it looks like deep-fried win:
ooooh, freaky...
Bourne-ish, but cool:
Probably the most anticipated of the bunch:
Probably MY most anticipated:
Kind of a surprise:
Never have I seen so much ass-kickery in one trailer before:
And the most wacked out (nut probably to COOLEST):
More to come!
I have no idea what's going on in this trailer, but it looks like deep-fried win:
ooooh, freaky...
Bourne-ish, but cool:
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
...Or Central Texas
You see, The GreatMoose's sister-in-law Jodie, has just released a new album, and it's pretty dang good. She's been working on it for over a year, and it shows. It's quality stuff. You can order a physical CD here (or if you're local, get one from me), or you can buy it on iTunes or Amazon.
Give it a listen, catch a concert (she's on a regional tour thing), and/or grab a copy. It's good stuff. My personal favorites are "Let's Go Back" and "In The Waiting". We're so very proud of her!
Give it a listen, catch a concert (she's on a regional tour thing), and/or grab a copy. It's good stuff. My personal favorites are "Let's Go Back" and "In The Waiting". We're so very proud of her!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Apparently, You Have To Go To Iceland For Good Music
That's right, Iceland. See, there's this band called Sigur Ros, and they create these incredibly beautiful, very haunting songs. Some of thier songs are sung in Icelandic, and just because, the rest are sung in a language that the band completely made up. I can't tell the difference between the two, and it's really not important. The important part is the music. The style is unlike pretty much anything else, and not usually something I would enjoy. But thier stuff is incredible. The lead singer's high falsetto, the band's use of background noise, and thier musical integration is fascinating. Thier music is designed to provoke intense emotional reactions in listeners, and it works. It's not "easy" music by any means, it takes some work to listen to, but it's 100% worth it. Here's a video for one of my favorite songs of thiers, Glosoli:
And another version with Scripture added, that really adds something, I think.
That's the other thing: thier videos are works of art. there's another, called Hoppipolla, which is frickin' sweet. Love the old people going all childlike mayhem. For some reason, youtube can't embed it, so here's a link and then a crappy MTV embed:
They also hold the title of most depressing song ever (even though you can't understand it).
Actually, maybe save Hoppipolla for last, since it's pretty happy.
And another version with Scripture added, that really adds something, I think.
That's the other thing: thier videos are works of art. there's another, called Hoppipolla, which is frickin' sweet. Love the old people going all childlike mayhem. For some reason, youtube can't embed it, so here's a link and then a crappy MTV embed:
They also hold the title of most depressing song ever (even though you can't understand it).
Actually, maybe save Hoppipolla for last, since it's pretty happy.
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