The nearly collapsed (if it weren't for billions in taxpayer funds) insurance mega-firm AIG announced last week it was paying out >$400 million in bonus money, to the predictable outrage from the media and Obama administration officials.
In most normal circumstances, bonuses are paid to a) keep quality and high performing employees from jumping ship to other companies, and/or b) reward profitable performance.
In this case, one wonders where these executives would go, since a lot of the competition is out of business, or at least in no position to bid up new labor, and what performance they're being rewarded for.
The sense of shameless entitlement at financial institutions during these days when people are losing their jobs, homes and health insurance is breathtaking. Of course, shame is an emotion most acutely experienced when one looks in the mirror, and everyone knows vampires don't look in mirrors.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Interesting NDE tale
Michael Prescott describes a very interesting Near Death Experience on his outstanding afterlife blog.
This case seems to embody many of the standard elements to the common NDE experience, as well as a few twists that leave one perplexed.
h/t to Daily Grail.
This case seems to embody many of the standard elements to the common NDE experience, as well as a few twists that leave one perplexed.
h/t to Daily Grail.
Loveland Day 11
Outstanding day - one or two inches of fresh on a very even packed powder base, sun all day, no wind. 25 runs (17/8).
Went up to the ridge - there's two poling sections now for anyone who wants to take the cat track down, so it's a bit of a push.
Weather says warm and dry until next weekend, hopefully some moisture pushing through then. March has been a little disappointing in the high country this season.
Went up to the ridge - there's two poling sections now for anyone who wants to take the cat track down, so it's a bit of a push. Weather says warm and dry until next weekend, hopefully some moisture pushing through then. March has been a little disappointing in the high country this season.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Loveland Day 10
Another schizo-weather day at altitude - sunny in the morning, then heavy snow off and on from about noon onward. The very warm weather on the last week had created a somewhat anemic spring snow situation (even a little brownish snowtop bacteria growth), but the hurredly delivered freshies during the day made for increasingly good conditions. It ain't spring just yet.
Got in 22 (15/7). Now in the homestretch of the season - looking at 15 days total.
No post on Day 9, but good solid packed powder day, near perfect sunny weather, and 26 runs.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Erratic posting
The trip to NY and a nasty dose of upper respiratory grunge has left me far behind in my (likely unnoticed) blogging, but regular posts will resume as I regain my strength and muster the time.
RIP, Mom
My last post, noting the fifth anniversary of my marriage to Karin, was made unknowingly at very nearly the exact moment my Mom passed away in Bronx, NY, at age 89. As it turns out, February 14th is now the anniversary of my marriage to my late wife, and the anniversary of my Mom's passing.
Sharon and I flew to New York for Mom's funeral, and a somewhat tense and logistically complicated gathering of siblings, my father and a few cousins.
Mom had been enduring the burden of Alzheimer's for some years - what could be more criminal that having almost nine decades of memories and not being able to enjoy any of it?
Mom valued language, loved to laugh, had impeccable taste, a good sense of humor and a certain fearlessness about her that I have only come to appreciate lately. A strong, beautiful woman - far from perfect - but one of Boston's loyal and notable daughters. She gave us all great gifts, and I love her and will never forget her.
RIP, Mom.
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