Ethan放寒假

Ethan放寒假
爸爸媽媽也請了數日尚未放完的vacation假
趁著Nate上學時
帶著Ethan好好地靜心逛街
(不用像平常帶著Nate時要像打仗一樣的趕)

星期一去了 Potomac Mill
Ethan玩了兩次的 IKEA 遊樂屋 (每次限時30分鐘)
為了怕Ethan抱怨走的腿酸
索性讓他坐Nate的 stroller
將近70磅的體重
連爸爸推起來都覺吃力
但至少他不用走路
還可以坐著讀他的 A to Z Mysteries
果然沒再抱怨連連
(進去前媽咪已進行基礎心理建設
告訴他媽咪總是很 patient地幫他做事
一年到頭媽咪只拉他逛這一次街
希望他也要patient以待
Ethan很爽快地答應
只是不忘最後喃喃一句: “You only shop once a year?”
媽咪假裝沒聽到 快步走開…..)

星期二去吃了久違的 Cheesecake Factory
這餐廳在我們還沒生小孩前時常常光臨的
已達點菜不用看菜單的境界
但自從兩兄弟來報到後
媽咪得了餐廳恐懼症
寧可點外帶也打死不上餐館
現在Ethan大了
如果不用帶Nate的話
總算是可以好好享受美食
今天點的是以前很愛的 Cajun Jambalaya Pasta

Ethan點的是 Salisbury Steak
甜點是餐廳30週年紀念特製黑白相間cheese蛋糕
食量早已大於媽咪的Ethan吃的高興極了!

下午去Walmart採買日常用品
想不到竟招致一樁寵物喋血事件
爸爸好心提意幫烏龜Bubble買三隻玩伴小金魚
（黑的叫Blackie, 金魚叫Goldie, & 花色的叫Mixie)
Ethan好高興
提著袋子不停地和他們說話
“Blackie, Goldie & Mixie, we’re bringing you home!”

回家倒下水後
兩兄弟盯著水族箱看
Ethan一開始說 : “Mom, I think Bubble is playing tack with them!”
然後是“Mom, I think Bubble is chasing them!”
後來媽咪聽到Ethan慘叫 “Mom, Bubble’s got Mixie!!”
媽媽趕至現場
猛槌水族箱希望Bubble張嘴放開 Mixie
但為時已晚
這才發現Goldie早已不見
只剩Blackie遠遠的躲在角落
媽咪趕忙將Blackie撈起隔離
發現Blackie尾巴也被咬了一大半去
但狀況還好…

此時Ethan已是哭得泣不成聲
生氣地對Bubble吼著: “That’s not nice! They are your playmates, not your foods!”
哭著對媽咪說: “We should take Bubble to see a vet, why is she eating fish?”
媽咪趕快解釋烏龜是會吃小魚的
下次要買大一點的魚
不然他會以為那是他的食物

臨睡前的 Ethan
想起Goldie和Mixie不禁又悲從中來
哭的個全身顫抖
媽咪安慰他說Goldie和Mixie正在heaven裡快樂的游泳著
Ethan問 : “How high is heaven?”
“I wish I can see a shooting star now, then I’ll wish to see Goldie & Mixie swimming in the heaven…”
然後走到窗邊看著天空說:“From now on, whenever I see a star in the sky, I’ll remember Goldie and Mixie!”
這個好心腸的乖小孩
說的連媽咪聽了都快哭出來了….

媽咪告訴Ethan 說Bubble做錯事
媽咪給他的懲罰是兩天不餵食
(吃了兩條小魚應該很飽了吧!)
天真的Ethan說他給Bubble的懲罰是兩天不去看他不和他說話
(真是超級好心的讓人心疼)

還不懂事的Nate
第一次看見哥哥哭的這麼傷心
站在旁邊又遞果汁又遞面紙
還喊著“Bubble eats fish, Bubble is not nice!”

於是為了讓Ethan高興起來
於是我們答應明天再帶他去IKEA遊樂屋玩
(今天白天已央求數次都被打了回票
因為媽咪已逛過 Potomac Mill
明天想逛另一個 mall
但為了撫平他受傷的幼小心靈
這就不算什麼了)

我的戰利品之一: 紫色馬靴


Larry的戰利品之一: Cashmere 長大衣

社會安全 (Social Security) 是龐式騙局 (Ponzi Scheme)?

前陣子美國發生一件史上最大的龐式騙局
Madoff詐騙投資人五百億美金

龐式騙局 - 就是把新加入會員的投資發給舊投資人
也就是我們俗稱的老鼠會

Business Week提出了討論
他的疑問是 - 社會安全 (Social Security) 是龐式騙局?
有興趣的人就去連結看原文吧

我認為呢?
社會安全某種程度是龐式騙局
但是是個不會倒的
由政府做莊的龐式騙局

現在已能領取Social Security的人
除了自己付的社安稅外
大多是來自其他人(像我)現在所付的社安稅
等到我將來能領取Social Security時
除了我自己付的社安稅外
大多是來自其他較年輕的人(像Ethan)所付的社安稅
所以呢?
這是龐式騙局嗎?
很像對不對?

但它(Social Security)會不會倒呢?
前陣子政府做的研究
現今的Social Security可能會在2030倒閉
加1%稅的話
也許能撐到2040

但是政府有一樣終極武器
就是印鈔票
反正只要沒錢就印鈔票
Social Security還是能撐過去
只是呢?
只怕到時本來有1/6所得替代率的Social Security
在物價膨脹的影響下
也許只剩下1/8 或1/10的所得替代率
不然的話
政府能做的只剩下 - 加稅

還是自己來比較保險,對吧?

2008年的10大離譜預測

商業周刊(Business Week)2008年的10大離譜預測
蠻有趣的
剛好世界日報翻譯成中文
有興趣就看看摟

原文連結

The Worst Predictions About 2008
Just about everybody got wrong-footed by 2008, but some people's mistakes were truly spectacular
By Peter Coy

Editor's Note: This new version of the "ten worst predictions about 2008" changes three of the ten based on feedback from online readers and BusinessWeek editors. CNBC's Jim Cramer and President Bush are still on the list, but with different predictions. Author Shelby Steele is off the list, replaced by a pair of BusinessWeek writers.

Here are some of the worst predictions that were made about 2008. Savor them—a crop like this doesn't come along every year.

1. "A very powerful and durable rally is in the works. But it may need another couple of days to lift off. Hold the fort and keep the faith!" —Richard Band, editor, Profitable Investing Letter, Mar. 27, 2008

At the time of the prediction, the Dow Jones industrial average was at 12,300. By late December it was at 8,500.

2. AIG (AIG) "could have huge gains in the second quarter." —Bijan Moazami, analyst, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, May 9, 2008

AIG wound up losing $5 billion in that quarter and $25 billion in the next. It was taken over in September by the U.S. government, which will spend or lend $150 billion to keep it afloat.

3. "I think this is a case where Freddie Mac (FRE) and Fannie Mae (FNM) are fundamentally sound. They're not in danger of going under…I think they are in good shape going forward." —Barney Frank (D-Mass.), House Financial Services Committee chairman, July 14, 2008
Two months later, the government forced the mortgage giants into conservatorships and pledged to invest up to $100 billion in each.

4. "I'm not an economist but I do believe that we're growing." —President George W. Bush, in a July 15, 2008 press conference

Nope. Gross domestic product shrank at a 0.5% annual rate in the July-September quarter. On Dec. 1, the National Bureau of Economic Research declared that a recession had begun in December 2007.

5. "I think Bob Steel's the one guy I trust to turn this bank around, which is why I've told you on weakness to buy Wachovia." —Jim Cramer, CNBC commentator, Mar. 11, 2008

Two weeks later, Wachovia came within hours of failure as depositors fled. Steel eventually agreed to a takeover by Wells Fargo. Wachovia shares lost half their value from Sept. 15 to Dec. 29.

6. "Existing-Home Sales to Trend Up in 2008" —Headline of a National Association of Realtors press release, Dec. 9, 2007

On Dec. 23, 2008, the group said November sales were running at an annual rate of 4.5 million—down 11% from a year earlier—in the worst housing slump since the Depression.

7. "I think you'll see [oil prices at] $150 a barrel by the end of the year" —T. Boone Pickens, June 20, 2008

Oil was then around $135 a barrel. By late December it was below $40.

8. "I expect there will be some failures. … I don't anticipate any serious problems of that sort among the large internationally active banks that make up a very substantial part of our banking system." —Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, Feb. 28, 2008

In September, Washington Mutual became the largest financial institution in U.S. history to fail. Citigroup (C) needed an even bigger rescue in November.

9. "In today's regulatory environment, it's virtually impossible to violate rules." —Bernard Madoff, money manager, Oct. 20, 2007

About a year later, Madoff—who once headed the Nasdaq Stock Market—told investigators he had cost his investors $50 billion in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

10. "There's growing evidence that parts of the debt markets…are coming back to life." —Peter Coy and Mara Der Hovanesian, BusinessWeek, Oct. 1, 2007.

Oops.


世界日報翻譯連結
不知為何第五和第十項牛頭不對馬嘴
第四項也不知所云
不過還是可以看看摟

10大預測成笑柄 股市最離譜

【世界日報╱編譯中心綜合29日電】 2008.12.30 08:33 pm
商業周刊(Business Week)最近舉出有關2008年的10大離譜預測，並強調，這麼離譜的預測並非年年可見。

1、獲利投資新聞信(Profitable Investing Letter)編輯班德(Richard Band)今年3月27日預測：「股市正醞釀非常強勁和持久的大漲。」當時的道瓊工業指數為1萬2300點，12月底則掉到8500點。

2、分析師莫薩密(Bijan Moazami)5月9日預測，美國國際集團(AIG)今年第2季可望有巨大獲益。結果是，AIG於該季虧損50億元，緊接一季再虧損250億元，9月即被政府接管。

3、國會眾院金融服務委員會主席佛朗克 (Barney Frank，民主黨、麻州)7月14日說：「我想，房地美(Freddie Mac)與房利美(Fannie Mae)營業狀況基本健全。它們沒有倒閉危險。」兩個月後，這兩家房貸巨擘就被政府接管。

4、布希總統3月14日在演說中表示：「此刻市場正在自我糾正。」結果，市場全年都在一直不斷的糾正。

5、CNBC評論員克雷莫(Jim Cramer)3月11日說：「不會！不會！貝爾斯登公司(BearStearns)不會陷入困境。」5天後，這家公司就在政府協助下由摩根大通銀行(JPMorganChase)接管。

6、全國房地產商協會(National Association of Realtors)2007年12月9日新聞稿的標題宣稱：「2008年成屋銷售趨勢將走高。」

7、石油界高級主管皮更斯(T. Boone Pickens)6月20日說：「我想，大家將看到今年底前石油價格將達到每桶150元。」

8、聯邦準備理事會主席柏南基2月28日說：「本人預期將有一些銀行倒閉。但我不預期大規模的國際活躍銀行將有嚴重問題。」9月間，華盛頓互惠公司(WashingtonMutual)成為美國史上規模最大的倒閉銀行。

9、投資公司金融經理馬多夫(Bernard Madoff)去年10月20日說：「在今日的法規管制環境下，幾乎無人能夠違反法規。」大約1年後，他告訴投資者，他大搞龐氏騙局(Ponzischeme)，讓投資者損失500億元。

10、保守派評論員史提爾(Shelby Steele)2007年12月4日出版「A Bound Man: Why WeAre Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win」一書，說明歐巴瑪為何不能當選總統。

A-Q Train Cake

姨買了個 train cake pan
於是我們做了這個連車頭在內共17節車廂的火車蛋糕



瞧Ethan樂的!
他忙進忙出的依序在每節車廂擺上英文字母
總共是A 到 Q
(因為他的A to Z Mysteries Book正讀到 “Q” book
所以堅持只做到Q就好
好險 不用做到Z!)



火車蛋糕特寫



Nate也看的目不轉睛
(Ethan等不及要去吃他的Engine了)



姨幫我們買了母子耶誕睡衣組
但不知為何Nate拗的不肯穿上衣



Ethan的禮物之一:
一直很想要的 Hot Wheel

************************************

Ethan真的是長大了
前幾天他問我真的有聖誕老人嗎
他說有同學說聖誕老人只是legend
我告訴他如果他心裡認為有就有
認為沒有就沒有

然後問他 : “What do you think?”
他很認真地想了想
然後點點頭
還是選擇相信有聖誕老人的存在

後來不巧媽咪包禮物時被他看見了
Nate拆禮物時媽咪跟Nate說這是Santa送的禮物
Ethan於是在一旁說: “No, that’s from Mommy & Baba!”

理想與現實對Ethan而言
是可以並存不悖的呢!

如果你有多餘的一百萬美金的話?

扣除生活上所需要的全部開支後

如果你有多餘的一百萬美金的話

你想要做什麼?

環遊世界?

無窮的shopping?

如果你喜歡車子的話

不彷考慮這台 - Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss

世上一共製造只有75台
新車報價是七十五萬歐元

約折合一百萬美金

如果你把前擋風玻璃收下的話

你就可以體會到時速271 mph (超過430公里)勁風撲臉的滋味

5.4L supercharged 的引擎約產生641匹馬力

時速0-100公里只要3.5秒

速度其實不是重點

因為限量製造的關係

排隊想購買的收藏家已經排隊到北極了

有錢也買不到呢

雖號稱只在歐洲本土販售

但是世界首映卻在即將來臨的底特律車展

真希望將來能在街上看到這台車啊

雅虎的遣散費

本周五Yahoo裁員
帶動了他股價上漲了約10%

雖然我沒買雅虎的股票
但是還是去查了一下他們的遣散費

- Employees are considered “on the payroll” through Feb. 13th (accrue vacation, get benefits, etc. during that time).
- On Feb 13th, if employee hasn’t found a new job, Y! pays out a 2 month severance in lump sum form
- All employees must remain “on call” to answer “reasonable” requests between now and Feb. 13th

我覺得這應該還不錯了
畢竟在美國
公司是所謂的 hire/terminate employment at will
除非你是工會人員
要不然工作相對於東方國家是較無保障

希望這波不景氣趕快過去
這種新聞可以少一點

退休後的收入

退休後的收入有哪幾種呢?
基本上有下列四種
1.社會安全年金
2.401K
3.傳統退休金
4.其他 (自行購買的IRA\年金\保險\或其他投資等)

若你的薪水沒有大幅波動下
假設你的薪水在退休時達到了社會安全的上限(2009 是$106,800)
假設你工作了30年
你在社安退休年齡大約能領取社會安全年金相當於六分之一(薪水較低時比例會提高)約16%你退休前的薪水

至於你的401K呢?
今天我們以薪水年增率每年4%
投資報酬率以Moody 20年利率現約7.5%算
在你每年若投入1%的薪水在401K中的話
退休時若選年金大約有3%退休前的薪水的替代率
也就是說
今天假設你每年放10%薪水(包括你自己投資與公司match的部分)在401K中
以工作30年算
你退休時若選年金大約有30%退休前的薪水

接著是你的傳統退休金的部分
現在提供傳統退休金的雇主以越來越少
但是公家機關是一定會提供的
假設你公司傳統退休金的年資替代率是1%
以工作30年算
你退休時若選年金大約有30%退休前的薪水

再來就是你的其他投資了
如果你前三項拿的不多的話
若想要在退休後有衣食無慮的生活
那麼你只能在這方面加強了
基本上大部分的傳統產業或是老字號的科技公司
像是Ford Motor或IBM
他們都會提供不錯的401K match 和傳統退休金
但是大多數的新興公司像Google
在員工流動率高的情形下
也許較不注重這些老式福利
可能是以高薪或高獎金來吸引員工
在這種情形下
自己所做的投資大概反而是你退休後主要的收入

最後
要如何讓你退休後的收入超過你退休前的薪水呢?
找家公司提供你高額的401K match與優秀的傳統退休金
例如公司送你401K match 10%
或是傳統退休金的年資替代率是2%
那就可以當個自給自足的退休族了

401K 投資的策略

原文刊載在 fortune的網路版
我覺得還蠻淺顯易懂的
有興趣就看看吧


Age 2o's

Your conundrum:
Retirement isn't even on your radar. You're probably strategizing about retiring your debt instead. On average, 2007 graduates who took out student loans left college owing $20,000, according to the Project on Student Debt. Still, it's crucial to begin saving for retirement early. You should start funding your 401(k), then pay off your high-interest debt like credit card bills.

Shocking fact:
Nearly half of all twentysomethings with a 401(k) plan turn down free money by not contributing enough to receive the full company match.

Catch-up plan:
Start brown-bagging your lunch so that you can stop leaving cash on the table. For someone making $30,000 a year, setting aside $35 a week is all it takes to sock away 6% of your salary into a 401(k). That's the ceiling for a typical full employer match, which ranges from 50% to 100% of the amount you're saving.

Pitfalls:
Job-hopping. Many twentysomethings are tempted to pull out their 401(k) savings when switching gigs. "While $5,000 may not seem like a whole lot of money, if invested, that amount will be substantial by the time you retire," says Vanguard retirement research guru Ann Combs.

Bottom line:
Downturns are a boon for young investors. Anyone with a long investment horizon can afford to wait for recovery while scooping up stocks and mutual funds on the cheap. So get moving!


Age 30's

Your conundrum:
Enrolling in a plan isn't enough. Now is the time to start paying attention to how your money is being invested.

Shocking fact:
Some 40% of all 401(k) participants make investing mistakes that impede their portfolios' growth, according to a survey by investment advisor Financial Engines. Some skew too conservatively (for instance, relying heavily on bonds), while others court excessive risk by investing too narrowly in a single stock or asset class.

Catch-up plan:
Learn to love asset allocation. Gail Buckner, a retirement expert at Franklin Templeton, recommends mutual funds that combine stocks and bonds, giving you instant diversification and a cushion against big market drops; you'll have a manager rebalancing as needed.

Pitfalls:
Taxes. If you worry they'll be higher by the time you retire - or if you expect to be in a higher income-tax bracket by then - you can limit your exposure by taking advantage of a Roth feature in your 401(k) in which you pay taxes upfront and your investments grow tax-free.

Bottom line:
Fine-tuning your 401(k) portfolio to the appropriate mix of risk and growth takes hard work and diligence. Start managing your investments early - or pick the right people to do it for you - so you can reap rewards down the line.


Age 40's

Your conundrum:
Too many claims on your paycheck. Even though you're entering your peak earnings years, major expenses like college tuition loom. When the AARP recently asked workers why they didn't save more for retirement, 33% of 45- to 49-year-olds said they were saving for a child's education instead.

Shocking fact:
Only 10% of 401(k) participants in their 40s are saving the full amount allowed under the pretax IRS or plan ceiling. (Worse still: That paltry figure is actually the highest proportion among all age groups.)

Catch-up plan:
Max out your contribution: You're actually benefiting from the stock market's low prices. "Since the underlying investments that mutual funds own are on sale now, you can accumulate shares at a much more rapid pace," says Franklin Templeton's Buckner. Bonus: In 2009 the maximum allowable contribution is being raised to $16,500.

Pitfalls:
"You can get car loans, you can get college loans, but you can't get retirement loans," says Fidelity's Mike Doshier. So don't dip into your 401(k) for expenses.

Bottom line:
Save as much as you can. If your 401(k) is your main bet for retirement, your savings (including the company match) should equal at least 10% of your income, says Vanguard's Combs.


Age 50's

Your conundrum:
A badly battered nest egg. The market will probably rebound before you retire, but how do you make sure you're protected against another downturn?

Shocking fact:
Seemingly seasoned investors still make rookie mistakes. Given the option, 40% of 401(k) participants in their 50s keep more than 20% of their savings in unrestricted company stock. That's a dangerous snare for anyone, but even more so for people nearing retirement.

Catch-up plan:
Once you hit 50, you're allowed to make catchup contributions. Starting in 2009, you can put away an extra $5,500 into your 401(k) every year (raising the ceiling to a total of $22,000 per year). Fewer than 20% of eligible participants take advantage of that option, according to Vanguard, even though it can be a big boost to savings in the home stretch.

Pitfalls:
Getting caught in a bear market. Create a cash cushion within your 401(k) so you aren't forced to sell stocks if you retire into a downturn. Charles Schwab's Dean Kohmann recommends shifting 5% to 10% of your balance into short-term bonds or cash vehicles two years before you plan to retire.

Bottom line:
Most 401(k) investors tend to leave their portfolios on autopilot. But in the decade before retirement, it's more important than ever to make sure you're controlling for risk and positioning your portfolio to ride out any rough patches.


Age 60's

Your conundrum:
Retire later or retire on less? That is the dilemma facing 401(k) investors whose savings have shrunk so drastically so late in the game. Prepare to adjust your expectations and your game plan.

Shocking fact:
More than half (55%) of workers over the age of 60 say they will probably postpone retirement, according to a recent AARP survey. Even more shocking: 68% of fiftysomethings and 70% of fortysomethings said they were likely to work longer than they had planned.

Catch-up plan:
Stay on the job. Working a few extra years can vastly improve your prospects: You can cover expenses, add to savings, and give your portfolio time to rebound.

Pitfalls:
Sticking to your pre-2008 expectations. If you've already retired, rethink your budget. Also, look for ways to postpone withdrawals. One option: Start Social Security early (you're eligible at 62), even though it will mean a smaller monthly check.

Bottom line:
Plan for longevity - and for inflation. That means keeping a portion of your portfolio in equities even after retirement.


其實呢
畢竟401K是有相當的風險的
保守投資在債卷上可能無法打敗通膨
但是遇上股票崩盤也很傷腦筋
不過無論如何
提前考慮到退休後的生活總是有利無害
大家互相勉勵吧

Orioles' Prospect Report II

最近又有新的新秀評量
值得安慰的是Orioles還算不錯

首先是 John Sickels
這是他所排的Orioles 前20名

1) Matt Wieters, C, Grade A:
Best prospect in baseball. Mutant cross between Mauer and Piazza.
2) Chris Tillman, RHP, Grade B+:
Want to see sharper command, but I’m very impressed overall, especially given his age.
3) Brian Matusz, LHP, Grade B+:
Not David Price, but should advance quickly due to sharp command of solid stuff.
4) Jake Arrieta, RHP, Grade B+:
Very high ceiling, command still an issue at times, but can dominate.
5) Brandon Erbe, RHP, Grade B:
Made progress after difficult ’07 season. Double-A transition critical.
6) Nolan Reimold, OF, Grade B-:
A bit old for a prospect now, but power bat should carry forward.
7) Zach Britton, LHP, Grade B-:
Love the groundballs this guy gets, young, good stuff, a sleeper.
8) Brandon Snyder, 1B, Grade B-:
Horrible glove, but bat took a big step forward last year.
9) David Hernandez, RHP, Grade B-:
I still think people are underrating this guy. Needs to lower walks.
10) Troy Patton, LHP, Grade C+:
If health reports are accurate, he should rebound. Useful pitcher but not likely a star.
11) Kam "The Almighty" Mickolio, RHP, Grade C+:
I am Mickolio. I need control for my fastball. Waahhooo…arrruuddicacacaa
12) Bill Rowell, 3B, Grade C+:
I will cut him slack due to youth, but at some point he needs to hit. Bad reports about makeup are troublesome.
13) Ryan Adams, 2B, Grade C+:
Interesting bat, raw, needs better discipline.
14) Xavier Avery, OF, Grade C+:
Very fast, very young, raw, won’t move fast.
15) Oliver Drake, RHP, Grade C+:
For some reason, this guy stands out as a sleeper to me.
16) Brad Bergesen, RHP, Grade C+:
Polished strike-thrower type. For some reason I like him. Maybe a Grade C?
17) Pedro Beato, RHP, Grade C:
Velocity down, mechanics a mess, reportedly did well in instructional league.
18) Caleb Joseph, C, Grade C:
Good glove, power bat, but plate discipline a question.
19) Lou Montanez, OF, Grade C:
Too old for higher grade, could rank higher on this list if you want immediate impact.
20) L.J. Hoes, 2B, Grade C:
Fast, gets on base, athletic, a long way away.

其實只要把重點放在前四名就行了


還有就是MLB.com所選的年度前50名
這包含了所有30隊
Orioles佔了4名
而且都在蠻前面的
分別是

排第二的 Matt Wieters
排16的 Chris Tillman
排20的 Brian Matusz
和排36的 Jake Arrieta

Wieters - Joe Mauer的強化版 是具有防守能力的 Mike Piazza 毫無疑問是未來全隊領導者
Tillman 和 Matusz - 強力左投 將來很有可能像 Cole Hammels一上大聯盟就發出光芒
Arrieta - 擁有 high 90+ 的快速球 會是下個Justin Verlander嗎?

這些人大概都會在2010左右上來
到時的AL East大概會非常精采吧

Dollar Day Weekend in Baltimore

Baltimore National Aquarium門票只要一塊錢
真的還是假的?

沒錯
這個周末(12/6 和 12/7)是一年一度的 Dollar Day Weekend in Baltimore
許多景點的門票都只要一塊錢喲
像是聞名全國的巴爾地摩水族館
或者是貝比魯斯博物館
或像是世貿中心的觀景台
都只要一塊錢呢

還有還有
Inner Harbor的停車場也有折扣喲
有興趣去Baltimore做一日遊的朋友就看看摟

Happy Thanksgiving!

在這兒
感恩節就像過年
上個禮拜Ethan突然問我
"Are all our family coming for the thanksgiving dinner?"
"All family?"　"Our only family here is 姨 and Uncle Mike…”
我這樣告訴他
看他是一副似懂非懂的表情
點點頭便跑開了

雖然只有四大兩小
還是要端出豐富菜色
營造過節氣氛


由姨主理的傳統美式烤火雞
Ethan欽點的口味


我準備的配菜是: 潤餅捲 鮮蝦粉絲堡 關東煮


甜點之一是自製手工蛋塔 (由Ethan和姨以及我合製)

餡皮不怎麼起眼

但香甜滑嫩的內餡可不輸市面上賣的呢

Nate已經等不及要開動了

Nate愛的是關東煮

Ethan則愛吃火雞

瞧Nate吃的連頭都來不及抬

哥哥則是忙著餐廳客廳兩邊跑

邊吃邊看電視

12 Days of Christmas

"12 Days of Christmas"
這是一首大家都耳熟能詳的歌
我找了幾個版本
大家有興趣就看看吧

(1) 日本卡通版 - 這還蠻特別的 喜歡日本卡通的就看看摟



(2) 大亂唱版 - 這是在美國綜藝極目撥出的亂唱版 蠻好笑的



(3) 前幾年有人改編這首歌 改名叫 "12 Things at Christmas Are Such a Pain to Me" 也很好笑喲

高爾夫

從四五年前開始和朋友一起練習高爾夫

還特地買了套球桿(當然是便宜的)

也去過高爾夫訓練班上課

可是我的實力呢

還是只有在練習場 driving range中

只要能擊中球我就很高興了

相對於許多其他人

我們這個月才買了Wii

畢竟覺得Ethan好像已經夠大了

只是還是要瞞著弟弟偷偷玩

Ethan比較能自己玩的只有保齡球

其他還是有點難度

Louisa喜歡網球

至於我呢

反而喜歡高爾夫

相對於網上許多人動輒-10, -12桿

我當然不能相比

不過今天打出首次的負桿

就來留做紀念吧

Farewell Mussina

Mike Mussina宣布退休了

帶著生涯270勝153敗的紀錄

生涯ERA 3.68, 2813 strikes in 3562 2/3 innings, ERA+ 123

季後賽的紀錄是7-8 ERA 3.42

看到這些數字

直覺得讓我想到O's的一代巨投也是名人堂一員的 Jim Palmer

憑心而論

Moose的紀錄正好在名人堂邊緣

勝場數超越敗場數100場以上的還沒有不是名人堂得主的

三振數史上排19名也是他的強項

但可惜270勝與從未得過賽揚使得人們對他始終有點懷疑

但若無意外

就算他第一年沒被選入名人堂

我相信其後一兩年他還是會被選入的

畢竟今年的畢業班有300勝的 Maddux 和Glavine

Moose在投票時會稍微吃虧

Moose在我印象中最深刻的幾場比賽有:

1997 ALCS game 6

Mussina主投八局無失分

只被擊出一支安打和三振十次

這幾乎是我看過投手在季後賽最威的一場比賽了

只可惜O's在延長11局以0-1輸給Indians

同時也輸掉ALDS

1999的明星賽

在Coors Field的那場比賽

因為當年有 Big Mac 和 Sosa 在競爭破紀錄

格外受到注目

Mussina連續三振這兩位強打者

而且快速球都持續在96-97 mph搭配著low - mid 80's的彈指曲球

這大約是他最全盛的時期

2001 ALDS game 3

洋基當時連輸運動家兩場

面臨再輸一場就走路的危機

面對的是當時下半季連贏11場的Zito

Mussina主投八局無失分

挽救了當年洋基的季後賽

2003 ALCS game 7

就是那場有名的 "Should I stay or should I go?"

Roger Clemens一開始就讓Red Sox領先4-0

Mussina職業生涯中第一次（也是唯二次）以中繼上場

Grady Little 讓Pedro Martinez留在場上過久

最後洋基在十一局靠著Aaron Boone的再見全壘打逆轉勝

Mussina可說是目前Non-O's players中我最喜歡的球員

我可說是從他的全盛期開始看美國職棒的

他的退休也代表著一個era的結束

恭喜你

我心目中這位理所當然的名人堂球員

Nate's School portrait

Nate 今年的 school portait.

Teddy Bear Class合影

掉下去的刀, 接不接?

道瓊今天跌破前次的低點

盤中一度到了7500點

收盤在 7552.29

已逼近上次921與網路泡沫的低點

而慘烈的S&P500

則是來到了近十二年來的新低

S&P500 index fund

在我401K中佔有不低的比例

現在檢查股票帳戶與401K帳戶

許多人心理一定都不好過

我當然也不例外啦

只好罵罵歐巴馬

害的我股票黑麻麻（台語）

自他一選上

股票在三周內跌了四分之一

無論如何

日子還是得過下去

現在許多人（包括我）的問題是

底部到了沒

現在買股票

接到的是刀子還是黃金呢

希望有高手能來替我解惑

唉~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!

Acura RDX

Honda的四輪傳動技術是源起於Isuzu
Honda的第一台SUV Passport
其實就是Trooper的翻版
想當然耳
這並不是他們的強項

由於四輪傳動技術較不成熟

所以後來推出的SUV像是 CRV, Pilot, 與上一代的 Acura MDX

其實都只能算是加高的前驅SUV

越野的功能當然是不好

車速快時也沒有辦法反應路面的情況

直到2006 (late 2005 for 2006 model)時

Honda (Acura)推出了他們新一代的傳動系統 SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive)

這可說是現在市面上最優秀的全時四輪傳動技術之一了

唯一能抗衡的可能是Audi 的 Quattro系統了

而第一台搭配SH-AWD的正是 RDX

其後每年都有一款跟進

06 是 RDX, 07 是 MDX, 08 是 RL, 09 則是 TL

今天回Acura保養
拿到的loaner就是 2008 的 RDX

雖然之前就曾試開過

但今天則是第一次讓我玩整天

2.3L搭配渦輪

能產生240匹馬力

加速是非常快的

尤其是渦輪啟動時

i-VTEC配上渦輪

得到的貼背感是SUV中難得一見的呢

較其他SUV略低的底盤

配上SH-AWD

讓你在轉彎的時候完全感覺不出SUV

在今天下雨的狀況下

以60左右過彎也幾乎感覺不到打滑

能做到前驅的TL許多做不到的事

這真是一台好車

如果你要買一台小的SUV

我認為買CRV不如買RDX

多付25%但是你得到了較高的馬力, 先進的四輪傳動技術, 豪華的內裝 與高級的品牌

有興趣的人就參考摟

剛澤斌-你在他鄉

突然想起這首歌
應是我們大學時代的歌
就來懷舊一下吧

台灣上CNN了

今天台灣上CNN新聞了
是有關我們陳錢總統的洗錢案收押的消息
無論如何也算幫台灣打知名度
只不過是好是壞呢?

Lake Needwood

這應該是入冬前最後一個適合出遊的好天氣了吧
Lake Needwood 的遊艇已經沒開了
小朋友們於是便玩起舖了滿滿一地上的落葉

兩百年沒照全家福了
(要兩個小朋友同時處於合作的狀態 機率可說微乎其微)
拜爸爸新買的相機多連拍的功能
總算照出還可以的全家福


之後再到旁邊的 playground
小朋友們玩得盡興
今晚應該很好睡吧!

(左至右) 兩對兄弟: 林奕宗 唐習之 林奕安與唐懷之

From Left: Travis(2.5-y), Ethan (6-y), Ryan (4-y), & Nate (2.5-y).

玩落葉

爸爸新買的相機總算可以捕捉到兩兄弟嘻鬧的鏡頭
而不再是糊糊的一片

門前的大樹

落葉無數

Ethan喜歡抓著樹枝抖下一地的落葉

Nate穿著爺爺多年前到哈佛大學買的運動服

不知為何始終不肯把外套穿好...

第一次的美國投票

說真的
還蠻驚訝的

一下子就投好票
完全不檢查身份
進入投票所
到報到處和選務人員說我的名字
不需要ID, 也不要投票通知
選務人員把選票領據找出來
叫我確認姓名生日與住址
給了我像是一張飯店的門卡一般的卡片
帶領我到電腦前投票
我從停好車到投完票
好像還不到兩分鐘呢

投完票後
給我的感覺就像是考試卻沒有監考老師一般
反正我相信你不會作弊
請你也自己尊重自己
和台灣投票的感覺大不相同

最後呢
就是我們有了有史以來的第一位非裔總統
還有所有去投票的人都可以去星巴克換杯免費咖啡

兩年前
Ethan與Capital Kids曾參加NBC的活動
當時NBC漂亮的女主播(名字忘記了)還抱著Ethan訪問上電視
由於Ethan可愛又活潑
當時她還開玩笑的說Ethan會是以後將來的美國總統呢
現在看來還真有點譜了
Go ! Ethan for President! 哈哈!

Halloween!

2:00pm Flower Valley Elementary School

Ethan抱怨龜殼太重
媽咪和姨不斷地幫他用手撐著 減輕重量


吃點心和做萬聖節勞作 等候遊行開始


繞學校走一圈的萬聖節遊行


Mrs. Martinez與全班合影
(Mrs. Martinez扮的是bunny)

學校規定不能做scary裝扮
但班上還是有三個人扮鬼
其中有一種鬼面具
還有像血一樣的液體會噴出來
十分逼真
小朋友們都嘖嘖稱奇

****************************************
4:00pm RDCA, Wintergreen

看到媽咪姨和Uncle Mike都來參觀
Nate先是愣了一下
等到反應過來
才開心地笑了出來



拿掉笨重龜殼的哥哥也加入遊行
（哥哥不忘牽著弟弟的手）



Yeah!
（哥哥還是緊牽著弟弟的手　怕他人多走丟）


Nate班上的Adam也是扮小超人
不知為何 今年小超人超多的
想當年Ethan扮小超人時 全校只有他一人呢


遊行結束回到教室
Nate開心吃草莓


兩兄弟在Nate的Teddy Bear classroom有吃有喝又有玩

*****************************************

趕完兩場parades 和parties的姨和媽咪已經累壞了
本來計畫去White Flint Mall 玩tricke-or-treating
兩個小朋友看來也是興趣缺缺
於是打道回府休息

Getting Ready for Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

這種萬聖節應景的衣著

每年萬聖節過後都是賤價出售

這幾件都是去年撿便宜買的

不過買來後

也只有在萬聖節前幾天才能穿

頂多穿個三四次

橘黑相閒 是很亮眼的配色呢

**************************************

今年Ethan要求要扮烏龜

(受寵物Bubble的啟發)

市面上哪有賣這麼大小孩的烏龜裝呢?

(都是給baby穿的)

有是有啦 忍者龜裝 (可是Ethan不要)

於是媽咪和姨在兩三週前就趕忙手工製作

配上連帽的綠色sweatshirt和綠色長褲

看來還不賴呦

*************************************

至於Nate就沿用哥哥以前穿過的超人裝

為了怕他到時不肯穿

媽咪特意在前一天拿超人裝給Nate看看

熟悉一下

想不到他高興的不得了

(因為是他最愛的藍色)

不斷地喊著: "I'm a superboy!"

明天Ethan學校的遊行是兩點開始

Nate的則是四點開始

(好在時間錯開了)

媽咪和姨都特地請了假

要去幫小烏龜和小超人照相!