foraker

No, based on the assumption of someone with a pricey education that they now have to repay, working at a job that apparently doesn't pay very much, living in one of the most expensive cities in the country apparently putting a lot of stuff on their credit card. That assumption. That too hard to understand?

Yeah. It's the credit card company's fault... not the toolshed with the Audi, fancy new rack, ArcTeryx gear and $30K in CC debt. That was kind of my point....

Sheee-it!

The funny thing is, I consistently vote for education funding (when it isn't some stupid bond trying to cover over the mistakes of some local school board's mismangement) as do most of the people I know from 'my generation' because we see education funding as an investment in the future of people and the country. Now, if you want to major in, say, art history and then try to live in downtown San Francisco and have a car and toys, etc, then you've made an economic decision that I have no control over. I'm not going to raise my taxes so you can have a cushy life style after you graduated. At the end of 1985, I had approximately $25,000 in student loan debt. I managed to pay that off during the years I was a grad student and a post doc, during which time I had very little spare cash but I didn't whine because I'd made a conscious choice about my career. Now, after all that hard work and sacrifice, it pays off. And yet, I still vote for education funding. If you screw up the opportunities that I vote for by making bad economic choices, that's not my problem.

What does your qualify you for? honorary baby boomer? The Cliff Clavin Logic Medal of Honor

Why? You don't seem to understand English.

Your ability to make faulty assumptions about people knows no ends. I suggest you seek therapy and avoid any job involving higher mental functions.

Yes, yes, that was all me. I did that. Everyone wanted to do something else but I said no. I got mine, too bad for you.

Jon, I have no doubt that younger people are finding it harder to get by. I'm not saying I have no lack of sympathy for those who are trying their best. I failed to make that point clear, I admit. However, I also know a fair number of these people who simply live beyond their means and don't understand why they are always in debt.

I won't even begin to address the number of false and unfair assumptions you've made let alone your sense of bitterness. I always strive to strike a balance between social responsibility, fiscal responsibility, and environmental protection when I vote and on the issues which I write to my Congressman about. Seems to me I don't fit your preconceptions of what my generation is all about. Maybe you should save your ire for twenty-somethings who opt out of being politically involved.

And I know people who can't afford things who put thousands of dollars of non-necessities on their credit cards because they like having 'stuff'. Which do you think is more prevalent in this country? a) those who live within their means and save for the future or b) those who don't? If living within my means within a major metro area makes me 'smug' and 'superior', well then I guess I am....to you.

That's how 40 became the new 30.... And, the old X-Large became the new Medium...

That's odd. The price was different the other day. Apropos price-matching, good idea but since Zappos says 'there will be no more inventory once this sells out', I think I'm SOL since they don't have my size (42.5). Others may have more luck.

It's harder to get ahead when you have a $19,000 worth of 'must have' goodies on your credit card....

Saw a pair of used 45.5 La Sportiva Nuptse's there today.

Whine, moan, complain.

Grivel Air Tech Ice Axe, 74 cm, never used, $100 obo. Grivel 3rd Tool, 43cm, never used, $60obo. Received as gifts but picked up other tools for myself. Grivel AT Grivel AT (adze closeup) 3rd Tool

Well, with that base at least there'll be lots of spring skiing...maybe.

Paintings I picked up while traveling/living in France, Australia, and New Zealand. My own b/w photographs (better and bigger prints coming now that I have a darkroom) ( PS. Looking for good beta on b/w landscape photo ops in the Cascades. No, I'm not a professional. Not looking for a specific point on a map, just worthy trails etc. )

Good price ($416.95) on La Sportiva Nuptse's in sizes: 38, 38.5, 39, 40.5, 41.5, 43.5 (missed my size at 42.5 ) Sale on through 1/20 http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3241512/c/419.html

Eh, better hope they lose. If not, they'll try to use it as leverage for another stadium....

They're only happier because they're probably getting more sex than most grad students. Of course the world's all puppies and flowers to them!

It's either going to rain all summer or be 105 F in the shade.

You might want to listen to genepires on this one. Denali isn't to be trifled with. It can go from nice to really effin' bad quite quickly.

Don't be fooled. Most of his posts are snaffle pagetops. I ask you, is that any foundation for a civilized society?