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The Rabbit is Here!!!

And it has a TV comercial. http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=4F8ED07B46CD8ECA

This ad is the classiest I've seen from the new agency, and may be the wittiest. It's a sight gag, and I respond to those. I also like the subtle nods to the harlequin golf.

So, go and buy a rabbit. VW's already planning to decontent and cheapify the mark VI golf/rabbit.
posted by Ben at (2) comments 8:12 PM

 
It's another day, and I've been inspired by another scheme. One thing I wrestle with is how to maintain a desirable lifestyle as a single income family. Since Kate and I are both interested in a traditional and proper family with a middle/upper middle class lifestyle.

Unfortunately, two income families are redefining "middle class" and encouraging inflation in the cost of homes, durable goods, and consumables. I don't have unreasonable wants - VWs not Audis or Volvos(thank god), decent internet, fair food, maybe a meal or two out a week and weekend road trips to ME or the Mountains.

Unfortunately, a engineer's salary is not optimized to provide the relative standard of living it did 25-30 years ago. The expectation of two income homes has lessened the pressure on industry to provide salaries with constant or improving real-value.

Unfortunately, my scheme is not a radical plot to reverse the damage caused by witless liberals who deemed parenting an unfulfilling and outsourceable task. I may have the motivation, but no plan to reshape our society. Instead I have to come up with non-conventional business ventures that may provide the income, or improve standard of living.

Honestly, my lack of concern for the opinions of others will not ease my climb up the corporate ladder. i'm also unwilling to work 80s a week and be rewarded with an inflationary raise. That's frustrating enough putting in 40-50.

This morning I saw an article online which had my thoughts racing - self-managed vacation rentals. http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/20050110a1.asp I like vacation properties. I love my family's camp, and would never rent it. It's loaded with family history, charm, and is really an unrentable design. However, I could purchase a property suitable for weekends when the lake is occupied by other relatives, or seasonally undesirable.

My first intuition is to rent a coastal property with excellent access to sea kayaking. There's something compelling about the rugged Maine coast. Also, ocean folks are much more tolerant of having a view of but not adjacent access to the water. Unfortunately, the rental season is short. Most likely it would cover costs but not profit except through appreciation of property value. My second choice, and better business model would be a cabin/house in the mountains suitable for skiing, foliage, and summer activities. Woodstock? Conway? Ossipee? Bartlett?
posted by Ben at (1) comments 3:38 PM

 
I finally stopped finding lame excuses to miss Glen's parties, and took Kate, Johnny Cool and the Tall Man over to his BBQ yesterday. Glen has a nice place and an awesome roof deck that gave Mark a different appreciation for our city. The food was good, the company nice, and the view top notch. I would have liked to see more former co-workers, but it didn't work out that way.

Post military Mark seems better organized, more driven, and just as much fun as the college version. All is well.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 9:00 AM