Posted by gromit on March 23, 2005, at 0:29:31
In reply to Re: more on the oil biz (not too long) » gromit, posted by AuntieMel on March 21, 2005, at 13:48:16
> Maybe it's bad press - like the oil biz? We're always hearing of films grossing many times more than they cost to make - in the first week or two.
You said the key word, gross, IMO these guys just know how to manipulate the financials. Spiderman had the biggest opening weekend ever, maybe that has been beaten now I don't know, but Stan Lee had to sue to get paid.
> Just like I can't imagine living anywhere but here, right? Only we've learned not to toot our own horn too much - last time we did we ended up with a huge influx of people from out of state here to make money, complaining about how much better life is "back home." Right. Except for the jobs and cost of living, right?I forget the percentage of Californians that were actually born here, it's low. I don't think most people want any more but who could afford a house here anyway. There used to be a sticker that was popular that read "Welcome to California, now go home".
> The inlaws are in Orange County. Not exactly newly settled.
Hah, what a coinkydink. I've been living in "The OC" for 20 years or so. I won't mention exactly where but there are a lot of mice around here, the damn things are everywhere. ;) No it's not newly settled but they keep pushing farther out into the hills, what else can you expect when you invade these animal's territory.
I would have run away screaming a long time ago but my wife has her whole family nearby and she's not willing to move. Ten years or so ago I had an opportunity at a company in Scott's Valley. Now that's a beautiful place, if you haven't been already the Santa Cruz / Monterey area is worth visiting. You can't judge California by LA / Orange County. I haven't been to Texas since I was a kid, all I can remember is the being inside the Astrodome. It was awesome, it was the biggest thing I'd ever seen.
> I would add bow and arrow to your knife. And shut down those awful places that let the big game out of the cage so you can blow it away. What's the point there? I've even heard of one where you can do the shooting online by remote control. Ick.Arghhh, hadn't heard about the remote control thing. Forgive my ignorance, do people even eat these animals or just put their heads on a wall? I'm resisting a strong urge to go any farther on this issue because I won't be able to remain civil. I do eat meat but I wonder what percentage of people would go veg if they had to do the killing themselves.
Here's something off topic but funny. I was reading a fish magazine years ago and some guy had written in about his sick fish. He described the symptoms and wanted to know how to treat the fish but wondered if it did die was it ok to eat. Yuk.
> Don't forget the special mixture. I'd guess the refineries near you are all very old and probably not capable of making it. New ones have been near impossible to build there for at least 20 years.
I don't what their capabilities are, they were here when I got here so they are at least 20 years old. Let me make sure I understand what you're saying. We have refineries right here but can't actually burn the fuel they produce so we import it from somewhere else? It doesn't make any sense, our government in action, too much comedy. We should have to pay to see their act, oh wait, we do.
> And don't forget the exchange rate. Our current monetary policy is to let the dollar fall so exports will be cheaper and thus increase.
I didn't think it was intentional. I thought it was happening because the rest of the world can see what 51% of us apparently can't. It sounds right, big business makes a ton on exports and passes the increased cost of imports on to us. Maybe in another 4 years people will be tired of getting trickled on but I'm not holding my breath.
> I'm scared of flying - but that one was beyond scared. On the other hand it was so strange I wasn't sure I wasn't dreaming. Funny story if you can handle it.
Sure, strange is good, I'm only afraid of people. I love flying, especially the takeoff in a jet. Have you flown out of John Wayne though? That was the one time I got scared in a plane, apparently noise laws require them to kill the engines for a few seconds on takeoff. The first time my heart just stopped, I'm looking around and people are reading their magazines and I'm thinking what the heck is wrong with them, don't they know they're about to die?
> If you had babblemail turned on I'd send you a link to housing prices in my general area. But you'd need to prepare for a real culture shock. Brother in law came out when we just bought it and was shocked at how cheap it was.
Well the wife isn't going anywhere, I'll check how to turn it on anyway though. I'm guessing the average price is less than the around half a mil it is here.
Rick
poster:gromit
thread:465800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050122/msgs/474382.html