Peace and two strings

After college, a lot of people I knew went off to work in the financial world. Many were making a ton of money. I spent a number of months envying the money they made, even if I knew I couldn't bring myself to dedicate that many hours to an uncreative, uber-competitive work world that treated employees like cogs in a wheel rather than living, breathing human beings. Still, there were pangs of envy at my friends who could afford to live on their own, purchase designer bags and clothes, take sweet vacations. The way Wall St. and the other financial institutions have been nosediving in the last few weeks, I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief. I'm glad that isn't the picture of a perfect future, as sorry as I am for those that are within it. I had spent so much time gauging myself against those who worked for those companies, wondering if I might have turned out differently if I transferred out of Gallatin to Stern instead. It's not the be all end all, and the ugly side to America's financial prowess rears its ugly head. I'm just surprised people aren't taking to the streets. Well, I guess we're not France.

I've got mixed feelings on Wall St., as I'm sure everyone does. This administration and Congress haven't done enough to watch over us, and now they want us to give our money to cover their asses. Well, it just doesn't seem right. What's in it for the taxpayers who have suffered financially for too long? What's in it for me, who has all these student loans to pay off? I live in a culture that insists on taking out loans to do what might seem a basic right to others - pursue higher education. And now I would be punished? I have a feeling a "bailout" similar to the one voted on isn't the way to go about this, though I know they'll go for attempt number 2. But until there's something clearly in it for the "little people," the bill won't go anywhere.

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I spent the Sunday evening w/ Rob's family on a cruise up and down the Hudson. It was a bit long, but was pretty fun. Rob's sister, brother-in-law, father and grandmother were all there and there was a lot of food and booze to go around. I wish we'd left earlier, as it had gotten dark fast, but it was refreshing no less.

Saturday I finally had a day with no obligations. What a relief. I played some music, wrote a song and then hung out with Joyce. We went out for sushi, hit the mall, grabbed a drink and then watched "Lars and the Real Girl." Such a great movie. It was endearing the way his small midwestern town rallied to support him, even if it meant pretending to believe a toy sex doll was real.

Friday I spent at Rob's eating Thai food and watching the debate. It was interesting... to say the least.

I don't know about Scotland now.

Maybe it'd be better to hold off, given the current economic climate.