Rain already

I first thought about writing this post as the snow (the most abundant snow in 15 years) was finally melting. Although we thoroughly enjoyed playing with the snow, it isn't really the reason that we moved to Seattle. Rain is fine, but snow is a bit of an inconvenience. I mean, with snow you need to drive in low gears (which I still find my self doing although the roads are clear) and when I walk my socks get wet. I really hate wet socks.

On the other hand snow is essentially Cali crack. When we go for a walk in the snow she gets over-excited and romps all over the place, especially if there are small birds. If we are playing ball she loves to burrow into the powder and make a mess. If the snow is crunchy she hops around and breaks the crust. Cali makes snow fun, so I guess it is a good thing that as I write the perfectly clear, black roads are getting a fresh dusting of powder.

Thanks, Washington!

I was looking through my archives today and found this post about how living in Sacramento was awesome.  Although living in Sacramento was wonderful, I am still thrilled to be living in the Seattle area (no snow yet...).  I love the weather, I love the city, and I love the surrounding countryside.  Also, it doesn't hurt that there is no state income tax in Washington.   Thanks for the raise!

Sage Wisdom

I saw this quote yesterday and had to share it:

“This should be bullish for Berkshire. With great foresight, I long ago entered the mattress business in a big way through our furniture operation. Now mattresses have become fully competitive as a place to put your money, and sales will soon take off.”

- Warren Buffett
Via Fortune

Rain Rain Rain

We were warned by many Californians that our recent move to the Seattle area would be a shock. Washington is supposed to be wet and cold in comparison to Sacramento's more temperate climate.

Toni and I have found that it is is colder here. When we returned to Sacramento for Thanksgiving I was shocked by how warm it was. I annoyed Toni incessantly by complaining that it was too hot in California. Truth be told, the visit confirmed in my mind that we made the right choice to move here.

The rain is a different issue all together. Seattle is famous for its rain. I would say that it has rained almost every day that we have been up here. But, and this is a huge but, the rain is different here. The rain passes through. On a typical rainy day we will wake up with the rain and by afternoon we are looking at bright blue skies filled with white puffy clouds. Moreover, by far the hardest rainfall is in the middle of the night.

Right about now you may be thinking that Washington is the land of milk and honey, but here is the deal; in is supposed to snow Friday. We shall see how I feel about it here after a winter dusting.

So Full, So Hungry.

Toni made tacos tonight and they were awesome.  As a result, I am full and couldn't possibly eat another bite.  That said, we are eating at the Kitchen tomorrow night (Thanks to my awesome sisters and brother-in-law).  I am getting hungry already.

NetFlix Origami!

Earlier today Toni introduced me to a great way to use up the flaps that come with our NetFlix DVDs!

www.NetFlixOrigami.com

I made a crab.

And while I'm at it...

I love the Estate Tax. I hope that someday I (well, my estate) need to pay it (or that I properly plan with charity, etc.). In any case, the Estate Tax rocks.

First, you can't call it a "death tax" because everyone would need to pay a death tax an in reality only a small number of Americans ever qualify for the Estate Tax. You see, under 2011 (Bush tax cuts change the Estate Tax annually) law estates valued over $1,000,000 are subject to a 55% tax. So, you need to be a millionaire to qualify. My opinion is that $1,000,000 is too low of a threshold as many upper-middle class Americans have homes that are worth that much, or more. The Estate Tax should only affect the richest of Americans, and not invade the middle class. 55% is a high rate too. A rate closer to a high-bracket income tax rate makes more sense.

That said, the Estate Tax does some wonderful things. It ensures that charities are funded because donations are tax deductible. Also, it helps to ensure that we do not have hereditary wealth on a massive scale. The decedents of J.P. Morgan or Andrew Carnegie don't retain the wealth and power of their ancestors. If the tax remains in place, then the children of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet will need to work hard to become as wealthy as their parents. Basically, the Estate Tax helps realize the American value that there is no hereditary upper class. If the wealthy want to remain wealthy, then they will need to work.

If you don't want to take my word for it, then listen to Mr. Buffett. His opinion can be found here.