I spent most of the day at work today doing my expense account. What a drag. I am having to deal with two charges to my Diner’s Club from hotels I made reservations for when Steve was visiting that I canceled but got charged for any way. What a hassle. Hopefully the Starwood request to the hotels will get the charges credited. Also, I still need a receipt from the night at the LAX Sheraton Four Points. This is the second time I’ve called about it. Annoying.
I met with Nathan today. I’m in a good place financially. I opened an account to buy CDs in this rather interesting fund. You give the minimum amount, $1000, and they buy a 12-month CD on the Wednesday following your deposit. They take a snapshot of the S&P 500 on that Wednesday. One year from that date, they take another snapshot of the S&P 500. You make the percentage the S&P goes up, with a 6% cap. You can’t lose your principal. So, it’s a gamble versus a guaranteed 2.75% in most banks right now.
We’re working on my “middle tier” pool of money now. I have what I need in the “liquid tier,” and I have more than enough in my “long-term tier,” but I’m really lacking in that pool that is not quite as liquid to get to, earning more interest than the liquid pool, but easier to get to than the long-term pool. We’re going to build the middle tier with CDs and a bond fund.
After that meeting, I went to UPS to pick up the computer I bought for Robert. What a customer service nightmare! I’m sure my blood pressure was off the chart when I left there.
I did have to laugh while there, though, when a customer wanted to mail a package to Jamaica. The UPS lady behind the counter said, “That’s going to be expensive. Bring it here so we can weigh it.” The customer brought it over and put it on the scale. The UPS lady said, “That’s in Africa, right?” The customer said, “Africa? No! It’s in the West Indies.” I left before I’m sure the UPS lady quoted a price to mail that package to some city in the west of India.
I called Robert and made plans to get the computer at lunchtime tomorrow. I’m going to meet him at his house and he’s going to make us lunch.
I had lunch with Jay today, and got caught up on his life. He leaves tomorrow for several days in NYC with his mom. Sounds like fun. I also got caught up on his relationship with Keith.
I had coffee with Gregor at Third Place, and got caught up on his life. He’s bowing out of the cruise. On the way home I remembered that Paul D. has that suite that he wants to share with one or two folks. I’m going to ask him tomorrow about moving in with him.
Kevin joined us while we were having coffee at Third Place. He feels real strongly about shaved pubes.
I’m listening to WQDR writing this. God I love these songs they are playing. I’m wondering why this song called, “A Lot of Things Different,” is making me cry when I hear it.
I’d spend a lot more time in the pouring rain without an umbrella
Covering my head
And I’d stood up to that bully when he pushed and called me names
But I was too afraid
And I’d a gone on and saw Elvis that night he came to town
But mama said I couldn’t
And I’d a went skinny dipping with Jenny Carson that time she dared me to
But I didn’t
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different
I wished I’d a spent more time with my dad when he was alive
Now I don’t have the chance
I wish I had told my brother how much I loved him before he went off to war
But I just shook his hand
And I wish I had gone to church on Sunday morning when my grandma begged me too
But I was afraid of God
And I wish I would’ve listened when they said Boy, you’re gonna wish you hadn’t
But I wouldn’t
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different
People say they wouldn’t change a thing, even if they could
Oh but I would
There was this red dress she wanted one time so bad she could taste it
And I should’ve bought it, but I didn’t
She wanted to paint our bedroom yellow and trim it blues and greens
But I wouldn’t let her, wouldn’t a hurt nuthin
She loved to be held and kissed and touched but I didn’t do it
Not nearly enough
And if I’d a known that dance was going to be our last dance
I’d a asked that band to play on and on on and on
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different
People say they wouldn’t change a thing, even if they could
Oh but I would
Oh whoa Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things
I think we’d all do a lot of things different