Texsox

I use a Garmin eTrex Legend but a much different application. I use it for various outdoor sports like GeoCaching, backpacking, fishing, etc. I've been happy with Garmin in that arena. My parents, who do a lot of road trips, love their Garmin in car unit. I'm not certain what model it is. From what I have observed teaching people to use portables, the menu system is everything. If possible, walk up to various models and see which ones are the most intuitive for you. For example my Legend menus are very similar to Windows. So it made "sense" to me right away.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 6, 2008 -> 08:09 AM) Good plan. The rest of the suggestions would be fine ideas if it was OK if he lost money. That is the number one rule of investing. Only invest what you can afford to lose. I was very encourtaged that as we were discussing investing ideas, I mentioned his team won the Stock Market game two years in a row. He replied, we won by picking one stock and taking a huge risk. All or nothing. Far different then this, dad. (implied: you moron, how could you even compare). One year he picked Timberland because he couldn't think of anything else and was wearing Timberland hicking boots. I am considering setting this up like an investment club with him controlling the investments. That way I can toss in some also, but later pull mine out if necessary. Grandma and grandpa might also wish to join in. He is so far ahead of where I was at that age. I would have travel brochures spread out, my golf clubs and running shoes packed, and blow through that money in a heart beat.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ May 6, 2008 -> 08:07 AM) I have played video games since pong, and have just about every single system since. I am a firm believer in that video games helps abstract thinking, spatial recognition, hand eye coordination, problem solve, and the ability to multitask. Specifically, I believe it has helped prepared me for my job as I have 7 to 8 windows open with different pieces of data, and the ability to absorb that data and find the needle in the haystack. The ability to multitask, the ability to process complex data sets, the ability to problem solve are all keys of my job. Now dont get me wrong, processing a good book for knowledge is great as well. I am an avvid reader as far as technical books to keep the skillset growing. But I believe that both video games and reading help me in my job. I have my young son who is under 4 playing skill games like Sonic the Hedgehog as well as Tetris to help him with shapes and spatial recognition. He of course is not playing GTAIV and all, but age appropriate games can assist a person in their learning path. I agree 100% and used video games extensively as my kids were growing up as learning tools. What gets frustrating is the attitude that we can have all these taboo items easily available, then blame parents if there kids are exposed to them. The same children on the board that argue against any censorship and parental control would go nuts if their parents excercised the proper controls. "You don't TRUST me!" Society has to place limits. There are certain attributes of a civilized society. There are certain restrictions that are for the majorities benefit.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 6, 2008 -> 07:52 AM) If it is something that he HAS to have that $3500 at the end of that time period, DO NOT invest in ANYTHING to do with stocks. No mutual funds, no commodities, no ETFs, nothing like that. There is the very large chance that you can lose money in those investments. Right, which is why I suggested just parking it in a CD. I am leaning towards suggesting to him $3000 in a CD to pay off the loan in 3-5 years $1000 in a 401K/IRA $500 Savings account $500 invest with an estimated horizon of 6-8 year. About the time he gets out of college and needs a car/house/start a business/etc. He would be adding to this with income. $1000 current spending needs. Single speed bike, new desk, chair, etc.

QUOTE (lostfan @ May 6, 2008 -> 07:51 AM) How about Yahoo puts a link to 2 Girls 1 Cup on their front page? edit: If anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about, nevermind. Probably somethng that should be looked at. But we would be mixing medias here. So, I ask again, porn on Channel 5 after school, or censorship?

QUOTE (CWSGuy406 @ May 6, 2008 -> 01:00 AM) This probably means we should also star going through libraries and ban any *fiction* books that contain any of the above. Yep, it's the video games that makes us young whippersnappers violent. Gosh damn, can David Cross please chime in right about now? You do not see a difference in an interactive video game and reading a book? There are many studies that show humans have markedly different reactions to animated or acted material versus static written words or even pictures. It seems each form of entertainment should be treated as a separate form with appropriate laws.

QUOTE (farmteam @ May 6, 2008 -> 12:37 AM) Honestly, no. I've always felt that it's up to the people viewing it to make the decision (or the parents, if that's the case). I just really don't like the sort of path censorship can start a country on. Simply put, if you don't want to see it, don't. Pornography on CBS after school? No problem, just don't watch?

The best path to a solution I've heard in a long time.

QUOTE (The Critic @ May 5, 2008 -> 08:49 AM) http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-r...p&type=lgns The article doesn't say why Bale punched the hotel room door. Maybe room service was late? The ice machine was broken? The pool was closed? Dumbass. QUOTE (shipps @ May 5, 2008 -> 08:59 AM) Drunken injuries are always so confusing the next day. OMG, how many people saw themselves in that post? me neither

I think businesses all over Chicago should mimic it. Bring a sex doll to work day.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 3, 2008 -> 07:50 AM) This reminds me... having had many similar experiences, I always thought that if I had the capital to invest, I had a great idea for a theater experience. You build a more or less normal theatre, but the entrance has a very small bar. You can only enter if you are 21, period. You only have a very narrow selection of beers, and few seats, and you don't allow the booze into the theatre. You then also have an usher who actually stays IN the theatre for each movie, and actually tells people to be quiet if necessary (and asks them to leave, also, if necessary). You also make the warnings much more pronounced that if you start talking or annoying people or using your damn phone, you will be asked to leave (and then actually follow through). The overage you make on the booze sales could help with the extra usher costs, or you even add a dollar or two to the movie price. What do you get? A theater with adults in it, no kids, and a respectful audience. All for a dollar or two more per person. I would gladly pay that difference for the experience. You could also do this as only part of the theatre - these X number of screens are on the other side of the bar, the rest can be normal screens for families, teenagers, etc. Actually we already have that in Texas, but they bring the beer to your movie seat, and burgers. And the ushers/waitresses are there to shut up noisy patrons. One is opening about 5 minutes from my house.

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ May 5, 2008 -> 07:32 PM) You should bury it

A friend of mine who has become a Dave Ramsey devote, strongly is advocating paying off the loan, regardless of interest. His theory is in four years it will be too tempting to use the capital for other expenses or purchases and not pay off the loan. Plus if Murphy pays a visit (must be a Dave Ramsey catch phrase) you really not going to save that money towards the loan. His approach is a couple three thousand in a 401K and/or IRA after paying off the loan.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ May 5, 2008 -> 04:51 PM) A CD? That's the default. I am seeing some rates around 4%. I am also thinking he needs to toss some in the market. His team won the stock market game in middle school, we'll see what the "pucker factor" does when he's investing his own money His student loan is subsidized, so he will not be charged any interest until he quits school, so that is not a factor. I'm thinking he puts $3,000 in a CD to cover the loan and takes the $500 difference and buys some stocks, probably adding from the balance of the money and maybe dear old dad will make a gift so he has a decent starting point.

QUOTE (Chet Lemon @ May 5, 2008 -> 01:30 PM) Hawk was a great General Manager, therefore any subsequent managerial advice given by him must be correct. I give Hawk a lot of credit for realizing that the GM thing was not his bag and getting out.

QUOTE (letsgoarow @ May 5, 2008 -> 11:04 AM) This is true Dr.Cox reruns are cool.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ May 5, 2008 -> 04:21 PM) This was my youngest daughter's favorite joke when she was like 4 or 5. The problem was that she could never remember how it went. her: Knock knock? Me: Who's there? her: Banana. Me: Banana who? her: Arent you glad I didn't say orange! (falls over laughing) My daughter had one that she liked because it always made someone look stupid, but you have to start

A maid asked for a pay increase. The wife was very upset about this and asked: "Now Maria, why do you want a pay increase?" Maria: "Well Señora, there are three reasons why I want an increase. The first is that I iron better than you." Wife: "Who said you iron better than me?" Maria: "Your husband said so." Wife: "Oh." Maria: "The second reason is that I am a better cook than you." Wife: "Nonsense, who said you were a better cook than me?" Maria: "Your husband did." Wife: "Oh." Maria: "My third reason is that I am a better lover than you." Wife (really furious now): "Did my husband say that as well?" Maria: "No Señora, the gardener did." SHE GOT THE RAISE

QUOTE (Jim Spencer @ May 4, 2008 -> 09:41 PM) Mullet here also I had a flat top with the sides down to my shoulders. Look pretty cool in 1988 A guy with a mullet told you that

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 5, 2008 -> 03:59 PM) Is it worth noting that the government spent about $20 million on a prototype test of the "Virtual Fence" and it flat out didn't work? Any sort of physical barrier, fails when we allow students, tourism, etc. We need a sane workable immigrant worker program tied to jobs, that allows American businesses to hire the workers we need.

So #1 son has $3,500 in a subsidized college loan that will not come due for at least three years, possibly five or six. He also has $6,000 in very liquid assets and I don't mean beer. Minimum I'm suggesting to him he needs a low risk vehicle to park $3,500 until graduation. Ideas? College is basically paid for. He will have some living expenses that his benefactor (me) might not pay for, so he needs to budget for that. He is looking for part time work, but we'll see how that develops.

How much? Quality top soil, or deeper stuff? Clay? Any construction waste tossed in? Why not just build a hill?

The laws the US government are trampling on, not just environmental, is a disgrace to every American who values their rights. Combine that with large campaign contributors receiving special exemptions, makes this a travesty of the tallest order. On the plus side, they are wasting money in my local economy, and fixing an aging levee system that only comes into play during hurricanes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 5, 2008 -> 01:51 PM) Look up the difference in earning power for a student who finishes HS and one who finishes a 4 year degree. That is a direct result of a college education. Start multiplying those differences times what that person would pay in taxes over a lifetime on that additional income, and times that times the amount of students who would be hurt by a tax on education. I don't think it would even come close. Again, I said if it was shown there was a delta. And I think it should go both ways, there may be some Universities that deserve more of a tax break, or some public services to help them out. We agree there are benefits, I can't believe anyone would debate that point. We both know that future benefits do not pay current bills. If a town is going broke hiring extra cops, widening streets, bigger jails, whatever, ~~and~~ the University is phat in cash, then there needs to be some dialog. Certainly having the local tax base pay for the University doesn't seem totally fair. If they are not spending all the interest, a tax on the retained earnings would encourage them to spend it on education, perhaps more scholarships, etc. I don't think the principle should even be discussed. But the earnings maybe. BTW, I rejected the argument that because the student would be benefiting so much that slightly higher costs to the student would be worth it. Personally, especially attending a historically Hispanic University in a low income area, I know how much the slightest increase hurts. Currently at the University of Texas - Pan American a qualifying student living at home would have zero out of pocket expenses. Raise that even a little, and we'd have kids forced to drop out.

So the argument comes down to: I know the company has a posted policy against insuring these items, I shipped them anyways, and I want the companies policy reversed because it is unfair to me? Am I missing something? UPS and Federal Express seem to have the same policy for their standard shipments. It seems that no carrier actually insures these deliveries. Perhaps teams are able to buy special insurance. I know a number of eBay sellers use private insurance instead of the insurance that the post office provides. It arrives via the USPS, but it is insured through a thrid party. That is the same thing we did at one company I worked for. UPS only insured to $100, above that we bought private insurance for delivery, damage, theft, etc.