Gyroscopic Investing

Good morning folks!

Today is the first day that I, as someone with a libertarian bent, is officially collecting income from a government economic relief benefit. The irony (hypocrisy?) is not lost on me.

As I reflect on that thought, I'm sipping coffee as per usual.

Last night I saw the movie Dolittle with the girl down the street at the local drive-in movie theatre! I'm really liking the drive-in experience. As long as you get a good spot, I kind of prefer it to a normal theatre.

My only gripe is that this girl has a curious way of making me pay for things... Her wallet/debit card/cash always seems to go missing at convenient times. Hmmmmmm.

It’s funny how the brain can just guess some of these from context. WRT — with regard to.
Others are a complete enigma, and googling them often produces multiple results. Usually jargon.

Defining at the beginning is always a good policy.
Also, an idea for phone users: set up text expansion so that you can type in some abbreviation or code and let your phone do the work for you. Create once, use forever. e.g.: b.c (without the period in between) can become ‘because’. (why the dot? because the damn thing kept expanding every time I typed those two letters. it works).

I’m quoting Smith’s post below. My post has nothing to do with it, but I just knocked the thread to a new page.

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:37 am Good morning folks!

Today is the first day that I, as someone with a libertarian bent, is officially collecting income from a government economic relief benefit. The irony (hypocrisy?) is not lost on me.

As I reflect on that thought, I'm sipping coffee as per usual.

Last night I saw the movie Dolittle with the girl down the street at the local drive-in movie theatre! I'm really liking the drive-in experience. As long as you get a good spot, I kind of prefer it to a normal theatre.

My only gripe is that this girl has a curious way of making me pay for things... Her wallet/debit card/cash always seems to go missing at convenient times. Hmmmmmm.

Tell us more about her, Smith.

Congrats Smith!

So you took the voluntary layoff and they did it right away?

You are now required to send us more pictures of your beautiful, happy cat. Other than that, enjoy your newfound freedom!

p.s. Agree with MangoMan. It's not healthy for you or your girlfriend for you to be picking up the tab. You could maybe start by arranging dates that involve little or no $$ e.g. going for hikes, and mentioning a few times that you're now unemployed so you can't spend money like you used to.

Smith, re. paying issue with GF:

In keeping with the theme of the past several posts, BRF.

(Big Red Flag)

Yes, the funny thing is, when we were talking about what we like/dislike in a relationship, I mentioned that I liked to split things down the middle. She fully agreed. And just last week we were relaying stories to each other about bad date experiences.

I told her about a date who was particularly set on not paying. I covered dinner & dessert, which was 40 some odd dollars. Afterwards we were at the movie theatre, and again I was paying. I told my date she could collect the movie theatre's points. The cashier said "You have enough points to cover the tickets! Would you like to?" My date sheepishly just said "No..." I never texted her again. This new girl I'm dating guffawed dutifully.

So, last night I pay for our drinks and snacks at a shop before the movie. When we're at the theatre, I also pay for tickets. She says she'll pay me back later, maybe e-transfer. When we park she appeared to feign the motion of checking her wallet. No cash. Pretty convenient again. She mumbled a bit and appeared to forget that e-transfer was a thing. Can you say it was an innocent slip of memory? Sure, but I definitely got the vibe she was hoping it was just going to slide. This is the 3rd or 4th time this has happened now. Hmmmm.

She is a very nice girl otherwise. Pretty, smart, and well educated. This bugs me though, especially since we've already talked about it.

Mountaineer wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:57 am In keeping with the theme of the past several posts, BRF.

WiseOne wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:49 am Congrats Smith!

So you took the voluntary layoff and they did it right away?

You are now required to send us more pictures of your beautiful, happy cat. Other than that, enjoy your newfound freedom!

p.s. Agree with MangoMan. It's not healthy for you or your girlfriend for you to be picking up the tab. You could maybe start by arranging dates that involve little or no $$ e.g. going for hikes, and mentioning a few times that you're now unemployed so you can't spend money like you used to.

My last post was being typed up while you two responded. Thank you for the input.

Yes, I agree it's starting to become something of a red flag. I'm thinking just being open is best, so I'll have a chat with her about it today. I am kind of just working up how I will approach it. I always find money in these situations to be an awkward subject.

And yes! I took the layoff! More Lily pictures will be incoming!

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:37 am Good morning folks!

Today is the first day that I, as someone with a libertarian bent, is officially collecting income from a government economic relief benefit. The irony (hypocrisy?) is not lost on me.

As I reflect on that thought, I'm sipping coffee as per usual.

Last night I saw the movie Dolittle with the girl down the street at the local drive-in movie theatre! I'm really liking the drive-in experience. As long as you get a good spot, I kind of prefer it to a normal theatre.

My only gripe is that this girl has a curious way of making me pay for things... Her wallet/debit card/cash always seems to go missing at convenient times. Hmmmmmm.

You can always wear the old school T shirt as a hint - I think this goes back to the 60's VW bus days

https://www.amazon.com/lepni-me-T-Shirt ... =8-1-fkmr0

On second thought - maybe not - it is a little strong of a hint

Buy her a present: one of those smartphone covers with a mini wallet on the back. Fits a credit card or two and some cash. That should take care of the "forgot my wallet" excuse, since no one EVER forgets their smartphone. And hopefully she'll get the point!!!

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:37 am Good morning folks!

Today is the first day that I, as someone with a libertarian bent, is officially collecting income from a government economic relief benefit. The irony (hypocrisy?) is not lost on me.

My position on that is that as soon as they stop taxing, regulating, and generally harassing me, I'll stop taking their benefits.

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:37 amAs I reflect on that thought, I'm sipping coffee as per usual.

Last night I saw the movie Dolittle with the girl down the street at the local drive-in movie theatre! I'm really liking the drive-in experience. As long as you get a good spot, I kind of prefer it to a normal theatre.

My only gripe is that this girl has a curious way of making me pay for things... Her wallet/debit card/cash always seems to go missing at convenient times. Hmmmmmm.

Yes, that seems to happen a lot with some girls.
Are you getting your money's worth?

A gentleman should expect to pay the freight for the pleasure of a lady's company. Sounds like she likes being treated.

MangoMan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:14 am

Xan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:08 am A gentleman should expect to pay the freight for the pleasure of a lady's company. Sounds like she likes being treated.

If that wasn't sarcasm, this isn't 1950. You can't have both ways.

What's the other way I tried to have it?

MangoMan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:55 am

Xan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:40 am

MangoMan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:14 am

Xan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:08 am A gentleman should expect to pay the freight for the pleasure of a lady's company. Sounds like she likes being treated.

If that wasn't sarcasm, this isn't 1950. You can't have both ways.

What's the other way I tried to have it?

I didn't mean you personally, I meant women. See the second paragraph of that post.

Ah, got it. In which case, largely agreed, I think. I recommend steering clear of women who are so "strong" and "independent" that they won't let you pay.

In dating, I like the approach where the person who asks the other person out on the date pays for it. His idea, his bill. Her idea, her bill.

That approach avoids situations where one person suggests an expensive date (fancy restaurant, expensive concert, etc.) and expects the other person to pay. Instead, you suggest it only if you're able and willing to pay for it.

That approach also encourages the guy to let the girl ask him out once in a while. If the guy is doing all the asking-out, he's missing a great opportunity to test how interested the girl is. If she's really interested, she'll do the asking once in a while.

It's been a long, long time since I last dated (married almost 25 years now), but I guess I'm old-fashioned and actually liked to be the one paying. But, even if you're OK with that, you obviously don't want to be stupid and need to be aware as to whether you're in a "relationship" where someone is just taking advantage of you.

I mainly wanted to jump in to reply to another part of Smith's post, that Libertarian666 already beat me to...

Libertarian666 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:36 am

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:37 am Good morning folks!

Today is the first day that I, as someone with a libertarian bent, is officially collecting income from a government economic relief benefit. The irony (hypocrisy?) is not lost on me.

My position on that is that as soon as they stop taxing, regulating, and generally harassing me, I'll stop taking their benefits.

This is my take, also. Any opportunity I can have to get some of my tax money back from the state is an opportunity to be taken, IMO. Sadly, I very rarely find myself in that situation at tax-time, with many credits and deductions being phased out at our income level. I've never been laid off, but my wife was once many years ago (for a short while), and I absolutely encouraged her to collect unemployment.

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 9:04 am

Yes, I agree it's starting to become something of a red flag. I'm thinking just being open is best, so I'll have a chat with her about it today. I am kind of just working up how I will approach it. I always find money in these situations to be an awkward subject.

Since you are so concerned with this you have to listen to this song which was "born" long before you were!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC-2CDhquDs

Vinny

yankees60 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:48 pm

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 9:04 am

Yes, I agree it's starting to become something of a red flag. I'm thinking just being open is best, so I'll have a chat with her about it today. I am kind of just working up how I will approach it. I always find money in these situations to be an awkward subject.

Since you are so concerned with this you have to listen to this song which was "born" long before you were!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC-2CDhquDs

Vinny

And, if you liked the song here is the live version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip7wwUre4mc

Vinny

Good morning, guys! Your resident Canadian with the coffee and protein bar checking in.

I'm still feeling raw about girl down the street and I. Your points are well taken, and I hate the relationship politics that comes into play regarding things like money. I often don't have the nerve to confront awkward and uncomfortable topics and this is one of them. I will see her again soon... and hopefully that feeling -- that emotional equivalent of walking around with a pebble in your shoe -- can be resolved.

Our company was supposed to have some online meetings this week, but since I'm now officially laid off, none for me!! Woohoo!

In other news, my home internet connection hasn't been working for the better part of 18 hours. I am using a personal hotspot on my cell phone to power the Internet for my entire home. Game consoles, computers, etc. The little cell phone that could!

Bacon and eggs for me. Thank you, farmers market.

dualstow wrote: ↑Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:15 am Bacon and eggs for me. Thank you, farmers market.

I got these turkey sausages from Costco yesterday that have bits of spinach and cheese in them. I am excited to try them later today. Yummmmmm!

Good morning PPers. Here is a daily dose of Garage Theology to soften your hearts in trying times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsT1uh7 ... e=youtu.be


.

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:05 am ...
I'm still feeling raw about girl down the street and I. Your points are well taken, and I hate the relationship politics that comes into play regarding things like money. I often don't have the nerve to confront awkward and uncomfortable topics and this is one of them. I will see her again soon... and hopefully that feeling -- that emotional equivalent of walking around with a pebble in your shoe -- can be resolved.
...

I don't have any input on date economics & payment etiquette either way, but a couple things:

(1) Smithers: Hey, take a look at my new act. It's a trial run on youtube with a laugh track right now, because obviously open mic night is closed for the time being.
Girl: Cool, send me the link!
Smithers (in clip): Don't you hate girls that pretend like they're going to help pay for a dinner date and then always seem to have an empty wallet. Soooo tacky. { laughter } I mean, who does she think she's kidding?! { applause and loud cheers }
Girl: Hey, I watched your show. You're not talking about me, are you?
Smithers: No, no no no. It's just something that popped into my head one day. Btw, here's another segment. I'll send it to you..

Actually, I think there was a Seinfeld episode like this. Woman was nice to Jerry, and then talked about what a jerk he was while on stage.

(2)

that emotional equivalent of walking around with a pebble in your shoe

That phrase always reminds me of the Northern Exposure (90s show in Alaska) episode where Adam Ant guested. He wanted to play loud guitar with Native American drummers in the background. The liason told Ant that they were dumping him because he was like a pebble in their shoe. Good stuff.

Smith1776 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:05 am

I'm still feeling raw about girl down the street and I. Your points are well taken, and I hate the relationship politics that comes into play regarding things like money. I often don't have the nerve to confront awkward and uncomfortable topics and this is one of them. I will see her again soon... and hopefully that feeling -- that emotional equivalent of walking around with a pebble in your shoe -- can be resolved.

Maybe reading what you have been writing here inspired the dream I had last night.

I generally don't remember much of my dreams but I definitely remember the end of this one.

In it was some woman that I was attracted to. We were together doing some work on my property. Then I saw her do something which many people would consider "dirty work", that a lot of people (maybe more of them being women) would not do. As soon as I saw her do it, I shouted to myself (in my dream) "She's the one for me!" Her doing that signified that she would be all in as equals in a partnership, doing her share of any type of "dirty work" that no one likes to do but which has to be done.

It also brought me back to our band days.

Our bass player had this girl friend who had the glamour look. Tons of makeup, perfect hair, long, done up finger nails. Several of our band mates regularly made positive comments regarding her. I never did. Instead, I liked the girl friends of the guitar player and keyboard player. After our show were over they were right with us, standing next to their men, helping breaking down the equipment and getting it loaded up so that we could finally leave. The glamour girl friend? She never lifted a finger to help at all.

Which of those girl friends do you think would be the better marriage mate? Which one would you expect to be catered to and which ones do you think would be by your side?

Vinny

Does your girlfriend have a smartphone?

Who the heck carries a wallet anymore. We all have Apple Pay, or Zenmo, or Zelle. I bet you anything she doesn't forget her phone. Even if you pay, she can send you her half of the payment on the spot using one of these apps. And there's those silicon sleeves you can attach to the back to carry cards & cash, which make a wonderful and inexpensive gift. which would pay for itself many times over in your case.

Here's the one I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075L ... UTF8&psc=1

Very girl-friendly! Or should I say "woman-friendly" since I assume the person currently being maligned in these pages is over 18.

I think the problem goes a bit deeper than that. They've already discussed this, and now it seems the agreement is being broken.

Personally, I'd feel completely emasculated asking a lady to pay for my meal and entertainment, but at this point that's secondary to the disconnect that's taken place.

I don't think the conversation is "you need to pay your own way" or even "hey you said you'd pay and so I shouldn't have to". It's more along the lines of "You said you believed this way about this situation, but you seem to be behaving differently. Do you in fact believe you should pay, or do you actually think I should?"

That gives her the opening to say what she actually wants, which may be different from what she said earlier. Maybe Smithy will like the answer and maybe he won't, but it's more likely to be the truth. It's more likely to help them get to know each other better than dropping hints to change behavior about this one thing.