So if you’ve been following the news lately, or just overhearing office chatter, you know that Bush is trying to push through his economic “stimulus plan.” I like how he calls it a “stimulus” plan. What is it supposed to stimulate? I hope he isn’t talking about your gonads!

We can immediately deduce 2 things from this plan:

1) Bush plans on giving us (taxpayers and maybe people receiving social security) money that was already ours to begin with.

2) Bush does not want you to save this “free” money. In fact, he wants you to use it ASAP. According to economic theory, the increased consumer spending will help pump new money into a slow moving economy with little new money being put in.

Okay, so I’m all good with a hefty tax rebate. The government is aiming to give tax payers rebates of between $600-$1200. Now, I don’t know about you, but when someone cuts me a check for $600, no matter what the money is for, the first thing that goes through my mind is how I would spend it. I don’t get $600 from someone and then look forward to putting it in the bank. In a sense, what the government wants to see is Americans spending more; MUCH more. If you think about it, if 10 million tax paying Americans receive a check for $600 from the Fed, and all 10 million people spend their $600, that’s $6 billion being pumped back into the economy almost at once. Now obviously that’s probably not the actual figure, but that’s the basic idea. We, the people of the United States, must save our country… by spending money.

I’m not complaining about the tax rebate (if it actually goes through, which it should). I just think it sucks that the only reason why we’re getting some of our hard earned money back is because we’re expected to throw it back in the pile. It’s like playing Monopoly and you keep passing GO and getting your $200 but you keep landing on someone’s house and that $200 is instantly negated. I can’t even begin to explain how many times i wanted to flip the board over in frustration whenever that happens.

The idea is that the rebates will encourage consumer spending, which will give the economy the jump start it needs to speed up and take us out of a possible recession. A healthy economy is good for everyone right? Well, a healthy economy is good, but it’s especially desirable for a politician looking for re-election. Don’t want to lose your job? Make sure your company is making money and you won’t. Same thing goes for government.

I’m actually looking forward to a rebate (if I get one at all). $600 that the Fed is giving me to spend is better than $0 the Fed is giving me to spend. So if and when this economic stimulus plan goes through, let me know how you’re gonna spend your new found wealth because, u know, you have a responsibility to save the economy.

I know I might not be accurate on some things I said. I don’t claim to be an expert, these are just my thoughts and opinions. If you disagree, good for you. Next time I’ll give you a cookie. =D

it’s a common question. what do you do after you graduate? Get a job? Go to graduate school? Bum it?

No matter what you do, here are some tips on surviving the after college blues. Unless you’re some rich bastard who has his entire life set for him, you probably already unconsciously use these methods of surviving.

- work as much as you can. If you have an hourly job, sneak in overtime if you can. Every hour u spend at work counts even if u don’t have any work to do.

- DON’T eat out. If you can limit yourself to going out to eat to once or twice a week (we’re talking just one meal here), you can save yourself about 100$ per week.

- DON’T go clubbing often. The average person spends about $100 per night at a club. If you go clubbing once every weekend for a month, that’s $400 dollars down the hole. Don’t forget about parking either. If you’re in LA, expect $20 to go towards parking.

- DON’T frequent the bar scene. Going to a bar maybe once a week is fine, if you want to just unwind with some friends. However, most post undergrads i talk to will go to a bar 2 or 3 times a week. Even if it is just for that one drink, one drink will cost you $5 to $7. The solution? Buy yourself a 6 pack of quality beer for $10.

- DO get a Costco/Sam’s Club membership. Costco/Sam’s Club is GOLD. A lot of people are skeptical about paying $50 – $100 for a costco membership, but trust me. There’s a reason why so many people shop there. Buying in bulk will save you on average of $5 per item. Even if you are just shopping for yourself, buy items that you don’t have to use right away there. If you’re buying meat, freeze the portions you’re not going to use right away and make sure you let them defrost on their own in the sink before you go to work/school.

- LEARN how to cook. Let’s face it, restaurants make so much damn money because of people who can’t/won’t/don’t cook for themselves. Maybe you don’t know how, maybe you’re just lazy. I love to go to restaurants too, but when ur supporting yourself you have to learn to cut costs. The average person will spend $20 at a restaurant for dinner (excluding tip/tax). You can usually fix your own dinner for about $5-10 and you don’t even have to pay tip. Guys: cooking is also a great way to impress a girl. My advice: learn to cook from mom. If mom is a lousy cook, buy some cook books or watch the Food Network and practice.

I gotta go for now, but more on the way. Check back soon.

it’s about 7pm, coming home from work. Feeling like crap because work is draining, and the entire world is a reminder that I am on my own. I stop by the grocery store to pick up some kettle chips. I walk in, looking like someone who had just got off work and can’t wait to eat and pass out. I scan the aisles for my chips, after a minute of looking, success; I grab the chips and go on my way.

On my way to the register, I catch out of the corner of my eye, a cute, tall, thinly built woman about the same age as me. She looks familiar. she intrigues my curiosity and I walk closer to get a better look. As I advance closer to her, she notices me, and we make eye contact. Suddenly, she exclaims, “aaron?!” I give her my half-assed look because I don’t know where she would know me from. It takes me a while, but I remember that we went to elementary school together, and our mothers were friends way back when. I give her my usual, “wtf?! YOU?!” I know, i’m so smooth it kills me. Of course, I don’t remember much because I didn’t stay in one school for long.

It’s at this point that I remember, we all grow up eventually. We make small talk, about what we’ve been up to all these years and such. I tell her about everything; I mean everything. I told her about UCR, the fraternity, friends, china, work, etc. She tells me about the same. I find out that this girl that befriended me when we were little boys and girls, went to a great school, made many friends, and grew up to be amazing. Plus, she’s quite the cutie.

An awkward silence falls between us after 15 minutes of endless chatter. it’s late, but I don’t want this to end. I secretly hope she feels the same. Nervously, I suggest that we keep in touch. She laughs; it’s a nervous laugh, and I’m relieved to hear it. I ask her for her phone number so we could talk more sometime. she gives me her number, but tells me that we better talk again soon, “or else!” She shoots a sly look over and we head towards the cashier, still chatting.

I’m somewhat in disbelief. I tell her, “Of course, I’ll call you tomorrow ok?” We finish our conversation and say our goodbyes. As I leave the store, I smile and laugh at this incredibly random turn of events. I realized who I should have been looking for all along.

ever wake up and think, “I feel great, let’s go to work!”?

yeah. me neither.

have a nice night/day!

“strive to be amazing, and nothing less”

this put a smile on my face today.

I never thought I’d actually say this, but I finally feel like this is the only way to express how I feel right now.

T.G.I.F.

I’ve never appreciated my Friday nights more. And so ends my second week of work @ Wal-mart.com.  So far, it’s been pretty good, although getting used to the logistics life is a bitch. My brain is working overtime, even if my body isn’t. I’m constantly thinking about new terminology and what was wrong with this and how to complete that and blah, blah, blah.

Although it is Friday, the most wonderful day of the week (in my opinion), I find myself in front of my computer. Typing this entry. Just about every one I know is out with their other friends. Everyone is doin’ their own thing, and me… well, my favorite day of the week officially bites; and it bites hard.

I feel like I’m reverting back to who I was back in high school. I always wanted to go somewhere or do something but there was never anyone to go with. No matter how fun something is, it’s not much fun when you’re by yourself. I remember, back in December when I was about to leave for China, so many people wanted to see me or hang out before I left. It was awesome, because I had this feeling of acceptance by many different people.  I was amazed that I had so many friends.

Now, it’s exactly the opposite. I’m not around that many friends anymore. The friends I do have near me I don’t talk to often, and they have (in their own way) moved on. I guess that’s what happens when you get older. Even the many friends that I thought I had when I was near them, the calls and messages have stopped almost entirely. I’m not too surprised, however, that I now don’t have many friends.

So, for this particular Friday night, I will be at home, relaxing by myself. This probably will become a habit, and after that, going out on the weekends won’t be that tempting anymore.