Leap Day Musings

I use 2 gallons of gas/week driving my commute 5 days. The price of gas crossing $4/gallon convinced me to take the bus 3 times since my fill up lat week. Despite m company supplied bus pass I doubt I am saving money since I have to wake up earlier and find myself getting a $2.70 latte to wake me up upon arrival.

Since I will soon be AARP eligible like lightbulb, I had to figure out if I want to make 'catch-up' contributions to 401k. I decided to make them but do it by increasing my bonus contributions rather than regular payroll. It is a solid idea until you get awarded a bonus and are looking at:

6.2% FICA

75% 401k

10% ESPP

~1.5% California Withholding

~6% IRS withholding

~ .5% CASDI

< 1% Net cash

Watching the Voice tryout shows is a guilt pleasure. The Judges fighting to get 'their team' cracks me up.

If Tiger Woods really wanted to quit golf to be a SEAL mad props but doubt he could make it through training post age 30.

Bobby V should STFU until he gets a ring, it would be okay (but not his style) for Francona to tweak Yankees.

Spanish Inquisition

Grange is right no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Woops

Apologies to Madam Josie. This weekend I loaded Black Chip Poker and used Rakeback.com bonus code for 1st deposit.

Yesterday was my 1st day as a "single Dad" since wife is out of town.

I did feel the need to take the day off work as I had to take wife to airport, kid to school, find Western Union Office to send 1st deposit, get some groceries and pick kid up.

Did end up doing some work as it is trivial to VPN to company and work easily. If company would let me play poker online I could have probably created a address and bank account in Hong Kong and VPN to Pokerstars. I miss my old jobs :)

The Western Union location I chose is across the border in San Jose. On my way to the Payday loan/check cashing establishment I did pass Baby Land Furniture which is right next door to the Pink Poodle. If this is a plan to give Dad's a place to relax while the expectant Mom's shop for furniture it is brilliant, what I wonder about is how much furniture do they sell with the big signs advertising "All Dude Dancers" in sight. I did bring it up with colleagues at lunch today and learned in nearby Fremont there is a church and strip club that share a parking lot. They apparently feel that their crowded hours are mutually exclusive and land costs are high enough that providing adequate parking is challenge.

I have played a little on BCP to get a feel for the User Interface. I like the 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and Pot selections available in PLO. Play is bad enough that it may prove profitable.

Will wait a while to see how smoothly withdrawals go.