Guard Dog
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Posts posted by Guard Dog
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I have four, three of which I keep paid off. One has a moderate balance (just south of $4k) but that all went to pay for surgery for one of my dogs earlier this year. Once I finish restoring and sell some of the stuff I just bought at an auction I hope to pay that off.
After the car accident earlier this year I was close to $18k in credit card debt becuase I had lost my job, then had the accident and I was using them to pay bills and such. After the settlement I paid them all off.
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Take it to Las Vegas and play $100 hand Black Jack. Just go easy on the booze!
Seriously, $50k with a five year turn around I would split it up of course. Stock/Securities are a bad bet right now despite the recent uptick in world markets because of the weakness of the US dollar and the fact that the US is still just one bank failure away from disaster. So I would diversify by splitting the total three ways with the largest going into real estate somewhere with high growth potential and low tax (in the US I'd look at empty lots zoned for residental near Dallas/FT Worth, an area largely unaffected by the recession but prices are a bargain). The next largest I'd put into commodities but not gold I think because it is already very high and has to be nearing it's ceiling. Silver or some other real commodity would be a good bet with good growth potential and low risk. The last I'd use for bonds from a stable source with preditcable interest to hedge against any downturn in the real estate investments. That strategy will not make you rich but barring a disaster will give you a much better than 7% return on your 50k after 5-7 years. Of course over the 5-7 you will have to watch what you have and the market becuase un upturn in the market will lead to a downturn in commodities (usually) and you may need to make a move.
If you want to invest for 5-7 years and not worry or think about it, you really need to think bonds or low risk mutuals. But you will not get a very good return.
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The NFL doesn't do streaming online video because their contracts with the TV networks won't let them.
And I believe their deal with Siruis is why they have a delay on internet audio. At least I can't imagine any other reason.
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One thing is for sure, the season race between the four of us got tight pretty quick. Volo had a big lead and it vanished in one week.
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I'm totally going to order overseas. Except it looks like the iPhone is only sold with an AT&T plan in America. WTF?
It's because the iPhone uses WCDMA and the AT&T is the only WCDMA carrier in the US.
Until a few months ago anyway, T-Mobile just started rolling it out but they are years behind AT&T.
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Here is her blog for those that are interested: http://youngestround.blogspot.com/
After reading a few entries she sounds very... sixteen I guess.
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The Vendee Globe is the race I was talking about. Only they have it every four years, not every year. Real hardcore stuff:
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This weeks results:
Kelverin: 8-6
Enoch: 8-6
GD: 8-6
Volo: 3-11 (ouch)
Season Standings
GD: 60-30
Volo: 60-30
Kelverin: 57-33
Enoch: 54-36
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"I always thought it was low class by the NFL charging what the do for that. MLB too."
Low class is expecting everything to be free, and handed to you. These ar ebusiness. They are supposed to be making money. That's how they keep in business. NFL didn't get to be a big shot by giving freebies to selfish, greedy, arrogant customers who think they should get entertainment for free, and have NFL pay for it.
I don't expect it to be free but $50 for streaming audio via the internet especially when it's not live is a little unreasonable. It's even more for the MLB audio. It is not delayed at least.
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Now reading A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz and Where Men Win Glory by Jon Kraukauer
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I love how all of Guard Dog's links are from.. Fox News. It's so clich
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The one thing I've always wanted to do is run the Iditarod. God knows I have enough dogs to do it.
Indeed. That , or a Korean restaurant.
I was in Korea for Team Spirit in '90 and Valiant Blitz in '91. I actually tried fried dog. I can't say that I liked it but you never look at a dog the same way again. It was still better than kimchee though.
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I agree with all those. There is definitely room for development leagues in football, it seems like Canada and Europe have done well enough. I guess time will tell.
Actually after browsing their website it looks like the UFL is actually doing 3.5 of the five things I suggested. The best part is the free game video on the internet. I always thought it was low class by the NFL charging what the do for that. MLB too.
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The one thing I've always wanted to do is run the Iditarod. God knows I have enough dogs to do it.
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Does Sacramento have a Stadium? I'm guessing it comes down to costs and market research.
But it will still probably collapse. XFL part two!
Dunno about Sacramento, I just threw that out there as a city likely to support a team with no other pro sport.
As for the UFLs long term prospects, who knows. I think it can succeed if it does five things:
1. Do not antangonize the NFL. Do not go after NFL advertisers, compete with the NFL for broadcast time, aggesively pursue NFL free agents. They can not help but lose. The NFL casts off legions of players every year, those are the ones you build your teams with.
2. Do not exepect or plan on TV revenue in your business model, focus on attendance and local marketing (local indepedent broadcasts coupled with cable deals with a network like VS or Fox Sports. Offer games for free (with commercials) on the internet until the brand grows. Radio (including satellite/internet radio) is a must as well.
3. Keep control over your franchises and their business models. Let the league own the teams because an owners interests are not always the leagues interests. This will also keep salaries under control (that is what killed the Arena League).
4. Stay within your scope while you grow your brand. They should be locating in midsize cities that have no other pro sports like Memphis, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, etc. they should target cities with a fair standard of living and basic necessities are not too expensive. Not San Fransisco where everything is expensive and if you do have money for a game, you are going to see the 49ers or Raiders. Keep the tickets cheap and make deals for families and activities for kids and for Gods sake, outreach, outreach outreach. Get the team and players out in the community, sponsor little leagues, charity drives etc. Make the team part of the community. Minor League baseball does this very well.
5. Respect the game and your brand. The XFL wanted to be NFL meets Pro Wrestling. The result was an utter abortion.
Basicly follow the AFL model from the 60's and 70's.
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SYDNEY - A 16-year-old Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbor on Sunday to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.
Jessica Watson's plan to make a 23,600-mile journey through some of the world's most treacherous waters sparked a debate in Australia about whether someone so young should be allowed to try such a potentially dangerous feat.
Watson and her family insist she is an experienced and capable sailor who has studied navigation, electronics and maritime safety procedures. Although she will sail solo and unassisted, she will be in constant contact with her support team via radio, e-mail and a blog.
After hugging her parents goodbye on shore, Watson sailed her pink, 34-foot yacht out of Sydney under gray skies and slightly choppy conditions. She smiled and waved to scores of well-wishers who lined parts of the shore, and boats that gathered on the harbor.
'Nervous'
"I think a lot of Australians are nervous for Jessica. I'm nervous for her," Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard told reporters. "But my words at this stage, given that she's determined to go, would be to wish her the best of luck and to urge her to keep safe."
Watson's plans suffered several setbacks before she finally left. Last month, her yacht collided with a cargo ship as she sailed toward Sydney to make final preparations
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Stinkin Bucs. I'm too frustrated to even rant. It just sucks.
Volo, I think you might be in trouble. I count eight wrong just as things stand now. So far Enoch is looking like the winner this week.
Wow, what a finish to the Vikes Ravens game. And I think it's safe to say the Saints are for real.
Can you believe I actually watched a UFL game from start to finish? Yep, I watched the delay broadcast of the Redwoods/Sentinels game at 2 this morning. Sloppy, sloppy game play and very ugly uniforms. But is was intersting and there were a lot of "so thats where that guy ended up" moments. I doesn't make sense though, this league was supposed to be in underserved markets like Orlando and Las Vegas. Why the heck did they put teams in San Fransisco and New York, two markets with four NFL teams each? Sacramento and Memphis would have made more sense.
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Wow, is anyone watching NLCS game 2? Go Dodgers.
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Heading down to Jackson MS tonight. I bid on a bunch of old stuff at a bankruptcy auction. A snooker table, 2 jukeboxes, karaoke machine, and a broken pinball machine. Should be worth a little bit once restored. Have a good weekend everyone.
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Grrr, stupid snowy conditions had some guy pull out of a parking lot in front of me without me having the ability to stop on icy roads, resulting in accident of doom. Car is drivable, but a fair bit of damage. Here's hoping I don't get any unnecessary insurance drama because I'm not at fault. Though there's no witnesses so it's he said-she said. THe guy didn't seem like a **** though.
On the plus side, the damage cracked my windshield wiper fluid container, so I can't have any windshield wiper fluid at all....
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu----
What a bummer. I know how you feel though, I got a little banged up in one of those myself back in January. Only my truck was totaled. I loved that truck. Hope this comes out ok for you.
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That should read
"You lot just catch more **** because of your superpower status, which by the way would have been the case for whoever happens to have that position."
Heh, true enough. Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest economic minds the USA has produced in my liffetime at least. He had a really interesting quote of what superpower status should really mean. And I wholeheartedly agree with him:
Before the Iraq war I was quite disturbed by some of the neoconservatives, who were saying things like, "What is the point of being a superpower if you can't do such-and-such, take on these responsibilities?" I thought the point of being a superpower is that people will leave you alone.
Thomas Sowell
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I love how all of Guard Dog's links are from.. Fox News. It's so clich
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Ditto. And everyone wonders why Americans don't give a damn if everyone else "likes" us or not. I won't lose a moments sleep knowing my continued existence or that of the country I love and have shed blood and sweat for causes consernation to the "internet intellectuals" in Europe, Australia, or where ever.
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Houston at Cincinnati: Texans are weak defending the run, Bengals are 3rd in rushing. Nuff said. Bengals win
Detroit at Green Bay: Packers ha O-line problems are are leading the league in sacks. But the Lions are dead last in sacks so it's ok. Packers win.
Baltimore at Minnesota: The two teams match up dead even in all stats. This one is hard to pick. Ravens win
NY Giants at New Orleans: Better defense carries the Giants. Giants win
Cleveland at Pittsburgh: Not going to be close. Steelers win.
Carolina at Tampa Bay: Bucs get that firs W. Buccaneers win.
KC Chiefs at Washington: Too close to get a feel. Chiefs win
St. Louis at Jacksonville: Jags are a little better off than the hapless Rams. Jaguars win.
Arizona at Seattle: Cardinals turn it areound starting this week. Cardinals win
Philadelphia at Oakland: Raiders misery continues. Eagles win
Tennessee at New England: Patriots should walk. Patriots win.
Buffalo at NY Jets: Jets are looking to rbound, Bills are just looking. Jets win.
Chicago at Atlanta: I don't know about this one, it depends on which bears team shows up. Falcons win
Denver at San Diego: Sorry Chargers but the ponies are for real. Broncos win.
Australian aims to become youngest to sail solo, unassisted around world
in Way Off-Topic
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Yeah, from her blog it sounded like she was eating everything in sight.