How You Ought to Respond to that Daunting Office Project VS. How You Actually Respond to that Daunting Office Project

How You Ought to Respond to that Daunting Office Project

How You Actually Respond to that Daunting Office Project

How Your Peers at the Office Ought to Refer to You Vs. How Your Peers at The Office Actually Refer to You

How your peers at the office ought to refer to you.

How your peers at the office actually refer to you.

A Very Special Christmas Edition of Trailer Trad Tory Tales (reshown)

I have a heart warming Christmas tale that I'd like to share with you. It's all about Santa and his Elves and their love of cookies. But not just any cookies. They loved warm, soft homemade cookies filled with North Pole care and love. They loved them so much that they developed a distaste for ordinary cookies.

By ordinary, I mean cookies that were not made exclusively by Santa's elves in Mrs. Claus' kitchen and with locally grown ingredients. Because of this, some very vocal elves persuaded Santa and Blitzen to enact a strict quota on the amount of imported cookies allowed into the North Pole. They also added a stiff tariff onto the price of the few cookies that were allowed in.

Elf cookie bakers enjoyed this arrangement because this allowed them to stay in business despite the fact that sugar cane and cocoa beans grow very poorly in the Arctic Circle. But, after a while, the price of these cookies got so expensive that many elves started baking their own at home to save money. "HO HO HOOLLLD on a minute! All this baking at home is cutting into the bakery sales," said Santa. So Blitzen made it so tough to bake at home with all of the EPA, DoA, EEOC (Elvish Equality Occupational Codes) etc. regulations that everyone threw away their baking supplies and equipment. But the North Pole elves didn't mind because they still were able to eat all of the gooey, homemade goodness that they wanted.

But, one day, that all came to a halt. Rudolf had hired Hermey (he dropped dentistry for law) to represent him in an EEOC complaint against Blitzen and the rest of the company for lost wages when they let him go because he was differently abled (or was that firing on the basis of 'lookism?'). On top of that, the Teamsters (the reindeer are in the freight hauling business, after all) organized a strike. So, to stay in business, Santa had to drop the baking arm and focus on his manufacturing and distribution core businesses. Since there were very few cookies anymore, Santa's elves began to pay more and more for them until what was once a $5 box of cookies skyrocketed up to $500 dollars a box! Santa noticed that the elves were looking kind of thin and their toy production was dropping precipitously. "Mr. Santa, Sir" said the littlest, frailest elf with tears welling in his big, weepy eyes "We are too weak to make toys any longer. We must cancel Christmas!" "Cancel Christmas! What will I tell all of the little girls and boys all over the world!" said Santa.

Amazing, Surprise Ending!

On Christmas Eve, the elves walked into their workshops and were overjoyed to find plates and plates of yummy cookies. Mrs. Claus had come to the rescue and had insisted that Santa lift the embargo on Keebler elf cookies and to slash cookie baking regulations. The elves were soon back hard at work and Christmas was saved!

Yes, this sounds like just a heartwarming holiday tale filled with whimsy, wonderment and make-believe characters but what is most remarkable is that that it IS BASED ON A TRUE STORY THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN NORWAY! Just replace elves with Norwegians (elves and Norwegians aren't the same, are they?) and replace cookies with butter. Also, replace Santa with the Norwegian government (but considering the Socialist policies in Scandinavia, maybe you don't have to). Alas, there appears to be no Mrs. Claus in Norwegian politics because that country's policies have remained largely unchanged and the price of butter remains exorbitantly expensive (reportedly $500 a pound in some cases).

I guess a gusher of off-shore North Sea oil revenues can enable some ridiculous policies to continue in a country like Norway. -But would other societies be so lucky?

There is an excellent article in Forbes that gives the full account of how butter became so expensive in Norway.  See The Great Norwegian Butter Famine

If John Lennon Were Alive Today, Would He Be OWS or Tea Party? Decide For Yourself.

A lot of people think of the Beatles and automatically associate them with the far left wing of politics. But if you really pay attention to their lyrics, it's not so clear. John Lennon wrote most of their songs and it would really irk Lefties to see these lyrics. Enjoy.

The Beatles 'Tax Man'

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.

A Very Special Christmas Edition of Trailer Trad Tory Tales

I have a heart warming Christmas tale that I'd like to share with you. It's all about Santa and his Elves and their love of cookies. But not just any cookies. They loved warm, soft homemade cookies filled with North Pole care and love. They loved them so much that they developed a distaste for ordinary cookies.

By ordinary, I mean cookies that were not made exclusively by Santa's elves in Mrs. Claus' kitchen and with locally grown ingredients. Because of this, some very vocal elves persuaded Santa and Blitzen to enact a strict quota on the amount of imported cookies allowed into the North Pole. They also added a stiff tariff onto the price of the few cookies that were allowed in.

Elf cookie bakers enjoyed this arrangement because this allowed them to stay in business despite the fact that sugar cane and cocoa beans grow very poorly in the Arctic Circle. But, after a while, the price of these cookies got so expensive that many elves started baking their own at home to save money. "HO HO HOOLLLD on a minute! All this baking at home is cutting into the bakery sales," said Santa. So Blitzen made it so tough to bake at home with all of the EPA, DoA, EEOC (Elvish Equality Occupational Codes) etc. regulations that everyone threw away their baking supplies and equipment. But the North Pole elves didn't mind because they still were able to eat all of the gooey, homemade goodness that they wanted.

But, one day, that all came to a halt. Rudolf had hired Hermey (he dropped dentistry for law) to represent him in an EEOC complaint against Blitzen and the rest of the company for lost wages when they let him go because he was differently abled (or was that firing on the basis of 'lookism?'). On top of that, the Teamsters (the reindeer are in the freight hauling business, after all) organized a strike. So, to stay in business, Santa had to drop the baking arm and focus on his manufacturing and distribution core businesses. Since there were very few cookies anymore, Santa's elves began to pay more and more for them until what was once a $5 box of cookies skyrocketed up to $500 dollars a box! Santa noticed that the elves were looking kind of thin and their toy production was dropping precipitously. "Mr. Santa, Sir" said the littlest, frailest elf with tears welling in his big, weepy eyes "We are too weak to make toys any longer. We must cancel Christmas!" "Cancel Christmas! What will I tell all of the little girls and boys all over the world!" said Santa.

Amazing, Surprise Ending!

On Christmas Eve, the elves walked into their workshops and were overjoyed to find plates and plates of yummy cookies. Mrs. Claus had come to the rescue and had insisted that Santa lift the embargo on Keebler elf cookies and to slash cookie baking regulations. The elves were soon back hard at work and Christmas was saved!

Yes, this sounds like just a heartwarming holiday tale filled with whimsy, wonderment and make-believe characters but what is most remarkable is that that it IS BASED ON A TRUE STORY THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN NORWAY! Just replace elves with Norwegians (elves and Norwegians aren't the same, are they?) and replace cookies with butter. Also, replace Santa with the Norwegian government (but considering the Socialist policies in Scandinavia, maybe you don't have to). Alas, there appears to be no Mrs. Claus in Norwegian politics because that country's policies have remained largely unchanged and the price of butter remains exorbitantly expensive (reportedly $500 a pound in some cases).

I guess a gusher of off-shore North Sea oil revenues can enable some ridiculous policies to continue in a country like Norway. -But would other societies be so lucky?

There is an excellent article in Forbes that gives the full account of how butter became so expensive in Norway.  See The Great Norwegian Butter Famine

Tuesday Victory Haiku

In honor of the Big Day Tuesday, I am reposting the special economics haiku I posted a while back. It gets to the reality of budget constraints and the unsustainability of Keynsian pump priming. If you are conservative, vote. If you are progressive, vote often. We're going to win anyway.

In a moment of quiet contemplation, I composed the following Hiaku as a rebuttal to Keynsian economics as it pertains to government taxation and fiscal stimulus spending-

Hungry lazy dog
ate his leg, then couldn’t hunt.
He’s since starved to death.

-Trailer Trad

Trailer Trad Job & Money: Lose The McMansion

The increasing popularity of smaller homes (or ‘cottages’) is very trailer trad. They’re obviously TT because smaller is cheaper and cheaper is good. But it’s more than that. Less money spent on the structure CAN mean more money available for the building lot. This might mean a lot that is ‘closer in’, resulting in a shorter commute to work. It might mean a lot that is a block closer to the water or a lot in a more charming, historic neighborhood. And less square-footage can mean more money available for better materials, upgraded HVAC/appliances or special craftsman-made details.

Raise your hand if you think that owning a huge house is cool. Now, raise your hand if YOU CURRENTLY OWN a big house and think owning it is cool. Probably not as many hands. Moving forward, there are too few reasons that the market for big houses will grow and a number of reasons why the market for smaller, perhaps VERY small, houses will be the place to live and have your money.

So many McMansions were built, in part, because builders and developers made money per square foot and therefore the larger the structure, the more money per building lot. Likewise, when the bubble was expanding, homeowner’s could increase the return on their downpayment investment by leveraging it on larger, more expensive homes. Since the bubble burst, the hangover from all of this leveraging has been severe. Like a real hangover, the hangover from the McMansion boom may seemingly last forever. But after that, what are the options those seeking a trad lifestyle? -Consider smaller, perhaps very small, homes.

"But what will People SAY?" you ask. They'll say that you were smart. Location. Location. Location. Everyone knows the importance of this old real estate axiom. For nearly thirty years, location in planned communities with large yards in good school districts has been a sure bet for those looking for a home. But times have changed. Baby Boomers are nearing retirement and are long through with their child raising years. Being in a good school district is no longer as relevant. A large yard to accommodate playing children is no longer necessary. All of those bedrooms and bathrooms that seemed so handy then now just seem like a lot of wasted space and upkeep now.

Back in the 1990s, McMansions sold like hotcakes and were considered very fashionable. But, why were they so popular in the first place? Why did they seem so attractive to us? Why did they seem so necessary back then?

Now, I’ll be first to point to a shingle style ‘cottage’ in Newport RI and recognize its beauty and think “Wow, I’d love to live in that.” And I can readily point to newly constructed large homes that have individuality and charm and admire them.

We lived in a beautiful community in the Washington, DC suburbs that integrated large homes wonderfully into the landscape of the community. It's called the Kentlands and was developed by the New Urbanism visionaries DPZ.

This is perhaps the premier example of New Urban development called the Kentlands in the Washington, DC suburbs. We bought and sold a couple of homes here. My family used to live in a small cottage near the lake. We sold it the day we that we put it on the market.

But there so many huge houses that have been constructed since the 1990s that are cookie cutter models with surface differences applied to the façade and piled onto tiny lots totally out of scale with the lot and street. Look at the historic cottages below and tell me that you wouldn't prefer them to some 4,000 sq. ft. monstrosity on a golf course?

These Key West cottages won't sleep twenty and don't have fifteen foot ceilings. But no one can argue about their desirability or style.

At the end of a long day, it doesn't take a huge house to make you feel comfortable and at home. Entertaining can be done outside if necessary. Regarding guests, they can always stay at a hotel.

Trailer Trad Economics Hiaku

In a moment of quiet contemplation, I composed the following Hiaku as a rebuttal to Keynsian economics as it pertains to government taxation and fiscal stimulus spending-

Hungry lazy dog
ate his leg, then couldn’t hunt.
He’s since starved to death.

-Monsieur Legume