Fall in the East, surface of the sun here in LA. Even after so many years here I still have some confusion with fall in California.

This year I saw my kid off to her first year of college. It seems like I was just there… It’s exciting and sad to see her starting her life.  I was just going through an old photo album and came across photos when she was a baby. Never as a wild college guy did I ever see this coming…I am an older guy!!!

I feel I just went through a crash course in college of sorts too. Directing, starring in, and producing a film were a whirlwind of learning. Being on set as an actor is a whole different experience. We are now in the final stages of post-production. I am on schedule for a release date in the spring. Spring is yet another odd one here in LA, not much different than fall.

Speaking of next spring… I’ll more than likely be done with doing voice work as Buzz Lightyear for Toy Story 3 (which is scheduled to come out sometime in 2010) and I will start work on Wild Hogs 2.  The same guys only a big change…you’ll see.

As you’ve probably already seen on my website, the editing contest we had came to an end and we picked a grand prize and 4 second places. I was impressed with everyone who gave it a shot. There were so many unique and creative ones. Check out the winners here

Once things settle down around here I’ll actually start focusing on the holidays already. I’ve got 6 brothers and 2 sisters, a bunch of nieces & nephews, my mom & dad, my wife, my child and friends. I really do turn into Santa Clause! When I go on trips or on location filming I usually pick up gifts there. Love to turn this one around- meaning extend my family’s gift giving to being of service in our local areas. I am sure the kids will be really excited about carving hams in soup kitchens.

Money mess in the country has us all nervous and a bit pissed at the childish impasse I feel is happening in our government. As a small business owner I see and feel the direct hit of this colossal miss-handling of all our saving accounts. I am angry and confused why I must spend no more than I make and somehow the government does not feel that is something they must do.
Maybe if we punish the men and women responsible by either prison terms or living a year with out a shirt (since so many have lost their shirts) we might at least feel the pain is spread out a bit.  The devil is in the details.

I have been very active in researching the details of this mess. It’s hard to see a way through if no one can explain what the frick is going on. I distrust folks who say to me “its very complicated” as if that’s an excuse for hiding truths that are evident.

Since it all seems like gambling perhaps a pit boss should be hired at every Wall Street Firm to look at the dealing going on and stop the side bets and doubling down on what is going on. At least there is a system in place in the gaming world that prohibits the system from eating itself.  Vegas has a strict set of rules and has a set of fundamentals.

It all seems to stem from a basic problem with fundamentals’ of finance. And it is simple. You can’t spend more than you have. Ask yourself why we are asked to do this and penalized if we don’t but our Government is not required to balance its budget? I will agree that certain life changing purchases like a house or a business needs to be financed but many of us might consider self-restraint on the more personal decisions. If you can’t afford it (translation if you don’t have the savings set aside) you can’t afford it. Big things do surprise us so the credit cards are set in reserve for major home system failure (appliances, car and health problems).

My parents bought a car after saving for it. Can you imagine paying cash! They did the same with a washer and dryer.

Search this magical Internet library for information to fortify a perspective, keep footnotes and index sources. It’s a way to get a foundation to be involved.

Questions of late I am so interested in:

Is it possible someone has not spoken publicly in layman’s terms why we sell US Treasury Bills and do the Chinese actual hold 2 TRILLION DOLLARS of our debt?  Why do we sell and trade in debt? Sounds like a risky idea to me.

Why do the Iranian ruling party (and to a certain degree all the ruling elite) have so much resentment towards us?  Look to alternate sources to find out why. You will be very disturbed and the foreign policy steps that have brought this about.
 
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