BarefootBlog

I have changed my blog host. What does that mean to you? Well, my web address is different, and the new site has a little different look to it (which isn't that much of a shock because I always seem to be changing the layout anyway). So mostly, I just want you all to update your bookmarks ("favorites") and upadte any links to my site on you have on your sites. I have been able to transfer all my old posts from here (including all your wonderful comments) over to the new site. Within a few days I will have it set up to automatically re-direct you over to the new site, but for now, click here to check it out, and let me know what you think...and don't forget to update those bookmarks. Thanks.
barefootblog.wordpress.com

Today Dr. Alan Greenspan steps down as chairman of the United States Federal Reserve. It is the end of an era. During his more than 18 years as Fed chairman, US growth averaged 3.1 per cent, inflation 3.1 per cent and unemployment 5.5 per cent. America enjoyed the longest expansion in its history, with only five quarters of negative growth in two brief and shallow recessions.Mr Greenspan's great strength as Fed chairman was his open, inquiring mind. As a policymaker he was sceptical about models and forecasts, preferring to glean insight from a wide range of raw data that captures the shifting patterns of a fast-changing economy. This approach led him in the 1990s to spot very early on the "missing variable" of rising US productivity growth. Mr Greenspan steered the economy through a host of crises: the 1987 stock market crash, the savings and loan debacle, a series of emerging market crises in the 1990s, the collapse of Long Term Capital in 1998 and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. His understanding of capital markets and of the benefits of financial innovation were second to none. And his risk management paradigm offered a helpful way of thinking about decision-making in an uncertain world, rightly leading him to take mild risks with inflation to see off the risk of deflation in 2003. During his time in office, the Fed as an institution grew in quality and reputation: he passes on a superb staff and an impressive team of governors. Mr Greenspan also made big strides in making the Fed more open and communicative, with the speedier publication of its policy statement and more detailed minutes. As he steps down from his position as chairman of the US Federal Reserve today.
In summary Dr. Alan Greenspan will be departing his role as one of the great economic figures. Having steered the world's largest economy for 18 years, under four Presidents, through a stock market crash, the September 11 attacks and the dotcom boom, Dr Greenspan hands over the reins. The 79-year-old former professional saxophone player has seen America endure two mild recessions under his stewardship but is generally acknowledged as leading the US economy through a sustained period of growth and prosperity.

I don't remember if I put this up already, but here it is. A sequential collection of still photographs of me and friends white-water-rafting. I'm mostly doing this to play with this video-embeding stuff. Enjoy.

On occasion I have heard girls talk about how they find some men's hands really attractive. I have always thought this was such a ridiculous and erroneous comment and idea. However, there is a girl in my biology lab who's hands I noticed the first day. They are so incredibly attractive. I don't know what it is about them, I can't describe it, but she just has the most attractive hands. I catch myself staring at them. Weird I know.

Okay, so being the McComas that I am, I have been trained to keep an eye out for good deals wherever they may pop up. And we all know that the best deal of all is free, right? So there I was walking out of my fencing class (yes fencing, cool I know) and as I walked out of the building there in the dumpster (which I often check for goodies) were some of this flipper/fin things you strap to your feet so you can swim like a frog, or a scuba-diver. That's right in the dumpster. Well I threw my torso over the edge, picked out the best looking pairs, strapped them to my backpack and went to my biology class. Makin' the McComas' proud. Photos included are of the loot:

Okay...well I have been messing around with the blogging service over at Wordpress.com. I guess this is just a forshadowing of what may happen. I am a big fan of Blogger, and it would take quite a bit to make me change, but this program looks promising...we'll see.

Ok, I am trying out this new blog-posting software that allows you to write posts and save them and post to your blog all while off-line, so you don't have to worry about a web-based program that is going to crash, or that you can't write one when you are on the plane. It is available for free download at zoundry.com.

We must always fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil that we must fear the most, and that is the indifference of good men.

"A gathering of angels appeared above my head
They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said
They said come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me"
--STYX

(click image for larger)
This is an actual picture of the "dark side" of the moon. Eat your heart out Pink Floyd (what does that expression even mean?)
Photograph courtesy NASA

...everyone for your kind comments about the stencil. I have never really considered myself an 'artist' but I really appreciate the comments.