Dabbling

So now at age 53 I've finally began doing something I wanted to my entire life, Dabble in the Stock Market.  I have been enrolled in my company's 457 Plan (Federal Tax Deferred investment), but I have never, until now, actually bought and sold stock on my own.   I began doing this with ING Direct's ShareBuilder.  I put some of my 2012 Income Tax return funds into this account, slowly building, and hoping to build, my portfolio.  So far I've chosen 3 different stocks.

I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about the stock market.  I still for the life of me cannot figure out what really makes a stock rise or fall except it has something to do with company performanc and sales.  Sometimes the Dow is down, but the individual stock still seems to rise and vice versa.  I have been doing more reading on the topic of stocks to see what I can learn.  I picked the 3 stocks I have so far invested in based upon the track record of them the past year and thus far this year.  (Any help from any reader is much appreciated).

Scary?  Yes!  But I figure the worse that will happen is I lose some money.  I still am not quite sure when I begin the sell off!  HaHa!

New Attempt

OK!  Karl's Corner!  I've neglected you!  This morning I just felt like writing something.  I write something on FaceBook several times a day, and I do some writing on Twitter, but there I only have a limited number of words that I can squeeze in.  So, here at Karl's Corner, I can write, write, and write some more.  (Well, actually, that is "type," not write).  So here's to hoping I can keep up my daily, or at least several times a day, webLOG!

A Rainy Day in Provincetown

Well it rained all day in Provincetown.  It was windy and a fairly steady rain throughout the afternoon and evening.  Kind of a laid back day as a result.  This is a good thing.  Seems like you're always on the move during vacation, but a day like today makes you stop, relax, and just enjoy doing nothing.....primarily because you really cannot do anything.  It was a good day to just catch up on True Blood on the computer.  Couple cups of coffee.  Quick walk to the store for a sandwich.  Day to cook chili for another day.  Still, all and all, a great day!

Quaint Provincetown

Provincetown, Mass. is a quaint little fishing town......most of the time!  However, during special weeks like this one, Carnival, things can get a bit crazy to say the least.  Hard to tell from the photo above, but during Carnival week, a gay Mardi Gras is the only way I can describe it, Commercial Street (the street at the bottom of the hill) is lined with people for about a mile!  People, all kinds of people!  Gay, Straight, families, dogs, and on and on and on!  That's what's so nice about PTown!  Doesn't matter who you are, you are welcome, and welcome to be yourself!

But early in the morning, Provincetown is just like any other quiet beach town.  Out for a quick jog and you find people walking dogs, riding bikes, and just enjoying the solitude of the beach atmosphere.

More to come from Provincetown in the next few days.............

Rick Perry v. Muslim Rally. Any Difference?

Do you see any difference in the pictures above?  Well, they are dressed diffently.  The top picture is the Rick Perry Prayer rally held Saturday in Texas, and the bottom picture are Muslims praying in a prayer rally somewhere in the Middle East.

Does religion belong in the public, govermnent sector regardless of what religion it is?

Let the Wedding Bells Ring!

For those of you that have been in the closet (no pun intended) and do not know it, New York became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, and at 12:01AM today, it began.  It's a day of rejoicing for same-sex couples and the many hetero people who believe marriage is a right that all couples should be allowed to enjoy....or not! 

For the most part, I am sure the majority of couples will have your traditional wedding with a few exceptions.  But some couples will choose to have weddings designed to show who and what they are really all about.  Some critics of same-sex marriage will scream, "Look what those fags are doing to the sanctity of marriage!"  But I remind them, from the photos above, it's not just same-sex couples that do some outlandish wedding ceremonies.  (See more at Damn Cool Pictures).

My New Keurig

Still getting used to my new Keurig one cup coffee maker. I have to say I love the convenience of using the Keurig. There's no clean up after and it makes things simpler. But I must admit, the coffee is not as delicious as I had hoped. I am still experimenting with different varities to find those that suit my taste.

I like a strong coffee. So far the Keurig does not seem to give that "jolt" I need from a good, bold coffee. Some of the varities, such as the Green Mountain Dark Magic, have almost hit the spot. I just ordered and received more of the Green Mountain Dark Magic and Green Mountain Black Diamond, both "Extra Bold" as Keurig advertises.

I tried the Chocolate Ecstasy hot chocolate. It's ok, but nothing to brag about. I have yet to try the teas. I currently have in my stock the half and half, half black tea and half lemonade, which the sales clerk at Macy's insisted was "out of this world!" I just received Celestial Seasonings Green Tea which I'll soon give a shot.

Overall, the convenience does outweigh the flavor so I am not yet ready to put my Keurig up on EBay! But I'll keep it for now.

Maybe The Feds Could Help State?

There was an interesting article in this week's New York Times that spoke about States considering some form of bankruptcy to deal with their fiscal problems. Although
states are barred from seeking protection in federal bankruptcy court, many are seeking a similar alternative that would permit a state to alter its contractual promises to retirees, which are often protected by state constitutions, and it could provide an alternative to a no-strings bailout.

I have a novel (well not really that novel I'm sure) idea! Why doesn't the US Federal Government aid assistance to states in the United States of America? Instead of giving billions and billions of money to other countries, why not pull back some of that money and give it to some of our own states that need help? Instead of wasting billions and billions of dollars in country building efforts, why not "build" our own states?

Even if the Feds just gave the States a "loan" this would help a great deal. Guess not! The Federal Government would rather send the money overseas instead of helping those in our own country. I am totally in favor of giving aid to other countries, but when our own need help, the dollars should go to them first. If a relative needed some help, I'd give him the money before I contributed it to a non-familial organization.