July 30, 2004
communist home buying plan
I've floated this idea around for a few years, and for a lot of reasons it doesn't work very well. But now that I'm actively shopping for my first home, the issue is once against in my thoughts. Consider:
Most people who live here can't afford to purchase a home, hence the vast amount of flight to the Inland Empire (a recently more rural area to the east of LA and OC, for those of you not around here). Even there, home prices are going up at amazing rates, much faster than incomes.
In shopping around, it's beginning to look like if I want a house, I should expect to pay around $2000/month (after mortgage, taxes, insurance and HOA fees). This would be for a very low-end home in the area - a 2-bedroom attached condo, no yard, and less than 1000 square feet. After reorganizing my debt (and including my girlfriend's wages), that's a difficult but doable figure.
I've believed for a long time that if I had twice as much money to spend, I could likely get more than twice as much house. The house described above would run in the neighborhood of $300,000 in moderate parts of OC, $350,000 - $400,000 in the more expensive parts. a $600,000 house in moderate OC, however, would likely push us up into a Single Family Home with 4 bedrooms, an average yard, twice or three times as much square footage, and all the other things that go along with a house (as opposed to a condo).
Of course, most people don't have access to twice their income to spend on the more expensive home. But because you get more than twice as much house, you will get more for your money if you live in a larger house by sharing the cost with other people. This in itself is unacceptable for many people - either by cultural influence or biological design (or both), we're taught that having our own space is important, especially as you begin to raise a family.
There are a fair number of both positive and negative points to my solution, and whether some aspects are positive or negative depend on the people involved. The following are some potential issues:
Of course, the benefits are also considerable:
So, is it worth it? I'm a very social person, but at the same time, I like my privacy. Assuming we move in with another couple in a four bedroom house, that's two rooms per couple (an office and an bedroom), meaning privacy is available. A living room and kitchen tend to be more social anyway.
The feasibility of the whole plan rests on finding trusted housemates. Most people have enough problems living with one other person, adding one or two more, along with their weirdness and their things, could spell disaster for most people. We've all heard stories of couples who break up after living together - would friendships end similarly? (We forget that most couples do just fine after initial adjustments).
So that's my plan. Would it work? For some people, sure. It's basically a commune, and those have been around as long as we've been somewhat civilized. But unless we were to find the right people, it's be a long and hard road.
July 29, 2004
1100 - garlic bread
Chris has inspired me to go on a culinary Adventure!™, to discover the greatest garlic bread in Orange County. I'm not exactly sure how I'll do this yet (since there are many hundreds of restaurants that serve it), but I feel it's my duty to do so. More infomation coming soon.
If you've got a suggestion for either a chain or independant restaurant with great garlic bread, let me know.
happy birthday wil
Happy birthday to TV's Wil Wheaton, who turns 32 today. I discovered him on Star Trek years ago, but have really grown to enjoy his website and books - he's very real.
Wil doesn't know it, but he's the reason I got to hang out with models this weekend - Joz and I met because I had an extra ticket to one of his shows, and Joz, who at the time was just some person on his message boards, wanted my extra. We met and got to know eachother, her blogs came along, and the rest is history. I went to Comic Con as a favor to Joz, all indirectly because of Wil. Thanks Wil, and have a great one!
July 27, 2004
weird baseball tix
Weird!
While digging through old paperwork for 2002's W-2 forms, I ran across an old flie with a hundred of so tickets and ticket stubs, mostly from my radio station winning days. In the middle of the pile, however, were these:
They're a set of four tickets to an Angels game at Anaheim Stadium, with parking pass included. My dad's company had a set of season tickets, 20 or so rows up on the field level, behind the visitor's dugout. This is only "Weird" when I noticed the date on these specific unused tickets:
July 27, 1994 - exactly 10 years ago today.
Why didn't I use the tickets? There could have been a lot of reasons. I'm pretty sure I was in summer school in 1994 for driver's education, and this was a day game. Maybe I was going to skip school, but didn't have a ride to the game anyway. Whatever the reason, it's weird that I'd find them exactly 10 years to the day after I didn't use them.
Update: I went through some other folders in those boxes, and turned up a bunch of pictures from that era - wallet-sized prints from the proms/formals, some yearbook prints I liberated after they came back from the printer, and some candids. Quite the trip back. Where were you in 1994, and what were you doing?
Another Update! The play-by-play guys just said that today, 10 years ago, was Garret Anderson's first major league game. And I had tickets!
July 26, 2004
Comic Con report - Day two
Comic Con report - Day two (day one is below).
Sunday's events were much more laid back. Genevieve and I knew where we needed to go, what we needed to do, and knew where everything was. Traffic on the way down was also perfect, unlike the day before (and the trip back). We were there a little earlier today (before the other booth girls got there), so we had a lot of attention, good for the models and good for the booth.
I got my picture taken with Aria Giovanni (link NSFW), which was fun, though I didn't knowingly see anyone else of note (I'm sure there were other models, actors, writers and illustrators there I knew/liked, but I didn't recognize any). The day was much more low-key - I don't have figures, but there were considerably fewer people at the con on Sunday. Still, many thousands were there, making for a great event.
I had a great time with Genevieve Gallen, she's great to work with, and was a lot of fun for everyone there. I also want to thank the fine folks at The Sword and Stone booth for their hospitality and friendliness. If you ever find yourself in need of some high-end battle armor, give them a call. I hope to return to Comic Con next year; I wouldn't mind working, but I'd also like to take a day just to see everything. I love a good gathering of geeks.
July 24, 2004
comic con day one
Comic Con report.
Today I attended my first Comic Con. I wasn't planning on going, but a good friend model friend needed a bodyguard, and I have a dark suit, so I got the job. She's modeling for a metal arts shop that makes real-life fantasy art-style outfits, so my job was mainly to help her carry things, watch her back, and look somewhat intimidating should anyout get out of line.
After a late start and some traffic, we made our way to the San Diego Convention Center. I hadn't been to this part of town in quite a while, and with the new ballpark, the constant trains, and the cleaned-up streets, it's very very nice, and a great place to see a ballgame, have dinner, or attend a huge comic book convention. While I'm not the biggest comic fan, there's a huge geek/sci-fi element involved, so that was nice. Because of my work requirements, I didn't get to see much of the exhibits. However, there were some highlights:
I also ran into Adam, Eric and Ari right after I got there, I didn't think with as many people as were there that I'd see them at all. I had a really good time, and am looking forward to going back tomorrow. I just hope traffic isn't as bad. - it took us almost three hours to go the 95 miles there, and 2 hours to go the 95 miles back.
July 23, 2004
comic con weekend
Happy Friday!
Work weeks are always quicker when you take a day off in the middle, like I did on Tuesday to watch the Angels lose and see Weird Al put on another great show at the Orange County Fair.
So all of a sudden it's Friday, and there's another busy weekend upon me. I'll be working at the Comicon in San Diego on Saturday (and possibly Sunday). Though I won't be able to wander the whole show, I'm looking forward to being there.
Next weekend is my trip to Santa Cruz, which should be another good time. I haven't been up there since last May, so it's been too long. It's always nice to see the campus, and eat at the great restuarants I miss living 420 miles away.
The weekend after that is another large party at my place, then the following weekend, upon Gary's return, Strato starts up again. It's good to be busy.
July 22, 2004
delgado story
Great story on MSNBC today - Delgado should be cheered, not jeered.
Blue Jays star Carlos Delgado has been repeatedly booed at gamed because of his anti-war stance and because he leaves the field during the playing of "God Bless America". Just more of the same "you're with us or you're against us" mentality from the right.
Of course, it could be, as Eric said, that "New Yorkers just like to boo".
July 19, 2004
weird al change of plans
Change of plans! I won't be able to make it to this month's Atheist Meetup (I always seem to miss every other one...weird), because we're going to see Weird Al at the Orange County Fair on Tuesday, July 20 instead. I've seen Al 4 or 5 times live, and he always puts on a great show.
Also, I'm going to be at Comicon in San Diego on Saturday. I've never been to one, and I'm working at this one. Should be a good time.
Next weekend (July 31-August 2) I'll be in Santa Cruz. Up and down the state I go!
July 16, 2004
time is fast
Holy crap, where did the week go?
I firmly believe that we perceive time as moving much more quickly the older we get. While a work day can always drag, it seems events I look forward to come up very fast. I also recently observed that 1994 doesn't seem that long ago to me, but 1984 seems many times longer ago (much more than twice). Next thing I know, I'm going to be 36 with two kids.
Yikes.
Some good times slotted for this weekend - celebrating Adam's birth, and seeing a friend I haven't done more than email with in 9 years. Then I'm going to my nephew's birthday party. This weekend's gonna be a quick one...
That leads us to next weekend, where I just found out I'll be attending Comic-con in San Diego, working there for a friend. Good times.
July 12, 2004
weekend and political parties
Wow, another quick weekend gone. Did some poker playing at Pechanga, celebrated the birth of our good friend April, cleaned my house, and ate some great meals. Next weekend should be just as busy with parties celebrating the birth of our good friend Adam, and my nephew. A good time should be had by all.
I've been musing on the two party system of American politics lately. I don't particularly care for it, I'd much rather see major parties based on a wider range of ideological beliefs. The problem comes when a third party candidate does gain a large number of votes: the major party closer in belief to the third party loses many of its voters. Nader drew thousands of votes from Gore in 2000, and Perot helped defeat Bush in 1992 by splitting his base.
So what do we do? Thousands of people like me who might feel much closer to Nader's politics than Kerry's will vote for the democratic nominee nonetheless, knowing a vote for a third party is just a vote for the other guy in our two party system. But elections are so expensive that you need a major organization (like the Democrats or Republicans) backing you to have a chance.
The situation brings up a moral dilemma for me - do I vote for someone who is closer to what I'd like to see representing me among the major parties, or for someone in a third party, who has no chance of winning? For president, it's not tough: there isn't enough support nationwide for most non-centrist candidates, so even if everyone who really wanted a Green or Libertarian candidate voted for them, they wouldn't win. For local offices, I'm tempted to vote my conscious, but worry still that I'm just throwing my vote for the guy I don't want. If everyone though this way, though, we might be able to get some better representation than the two third-party members in the entirety of the 535 congress.
July 08, 2004
thursday already
Which of the following CNN stories from this morning is scarier: "Tom Ridge says Al Qaeda planning 'large-scale attack'" or "Another 'Police Academy' in works". Easy one for me...
Mad propz to the Angels, winning their last 2 games (and doing well so far today). Also mad propz to both Souplantation and my cafeteria upstairs for their wide selection of vegetarian soups.
I love short weeks, it doesn't feel like it should be Thursday already. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.
I haven't asked in a while, but I'm curious. Who's out there reading? I have a feeling that "real" readership (as opposed to people just happening upon the page) is up. Leave a comment, let me know you're reading, tel me what you like/wish for/don't like about Insignifica. Thanks!
July 06, 2004
wedding weekend wrapup
Hope everyone out there in internet-land had a great weekend. Congratulations to Gary and Emily, who were married this weekend. Thanks also to both sets of parents, all the events, up to and including the wedding and reception, were awesome. A grand time was had by all.
With Monday holidays come short weeks, which is always nice. The last few weeks have been busy, and July looks to be at least a bit less hectic. I'm hoping to catch a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture show at some point (there's a great cast in Long Beach), and I'll be enjoying the celebration of Adam's birth in a few weeks. We're also traveling to Santa Cruz during the last weekend of the month, which should be a good time.
July 04, 2004
I am an American - repost
This is one of my favorite pieces, and today's the right day to repost it. Enjoy, and happy 4th of July.
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My name is Michael Doss, and I am an American.
I didn't do anything to deserve this title and position; I don't believe in reincarnation, or in a god that would put me here for a purpose. I was born to American parents, in America, and therefore I am what I am.
As we celebrate the symbolic day of independence, I'm reminded how lucky I am to have the rights I do, and I realize the responsibilities that go along with being an American in 2004.
I have the right to free speech. I can say how much I love Michael Moore, how much I hate Pat Robertson, or how bad I think the president's actions are for the government and for the people. I have the responsibility to both listen to you and defend your right to free speech, no matter what you say.
I have the right to burn a flag, just as you have a right to fly it. The symbolism of the flag equally represents both of these rights. You have every right to believe the flag means everything as I do to believe the flag is a piece of cloth.
I have the right to freedom from religion, not just freedom of religion. I have the right to believe whatever I want, and not face undue pressure, persecution or representation from or of your religion.
I have the right to love anyone I want, however I want, as long as they agree. It is neither the government's responsibility or in their best interest to monitor or register personal relationships.
I have a responsibility to question my government and its actions, regardless if I believe in or don't believe in what my government is doing. To be told by a representative of that government that we should not question is both insulting and suspect.
I have a responsibility to involve myself in government, though voting, learning, and discussing, and otherwise participating. No other right or responsibility is greater, because through this one the rest are born.
I have a responsibility to know my place in the world, and be aware of my position. As a middle class American, I have more wealth, rights and power than most everyone else on the planet. With this knowledge, I can choose how I represent myself, and how I choose to help.
I have a responsibility to leave my city, county, state, country and planet in a better way than when I got here. This goes back to my position of power as a middle class American, as well as my position as a human being. This means helping out people who need my help, regardless of how they got into that position, but with consideration of how it will affect me.
These, and many others, are my rights and my responsibilities. It's not the clothes I wear, the car I drive, the flags I wave, or the allegiance I pay that makes me an American, it's my rights, my responsibilities, and my actions.
My name is Michael Doss, and I am an American.
July 02, 2004
wedding weekend, counting crows
Great Counting Crows concert last night - The band sounded great, they had a good mix of old and new songs, and we had pretty good seats. I also found someone to buy my extra ticket (Thanks to Chris), so no losses were had. The show seemed short to me, probably because I like the band so much (I've gone to a few shows in the last few months than have dragged on). Could also be because the opening act went on before the show's start time; the Counting Crows did have a 90 minute set.
Busiest...weekend...ever (for Gary's wedding) starts early tomorrow. First the tuxedo pickup and haircut, followed by a pre-rehursal party, then a rehursal and dinner, then early breakfast on Sunday, then pictures, then the wedding, then the reception, then a short recovery before a 5th of July party at my place on Monday. I'll need to come back to work to rest up.
