But yeah, I'd do "...absolutey nothing...and it was all I thought it could be".
I'd do nothing for about two years. Then I'd have more kids and buy a house at the beach in England where I'm from and work at getting my favorite sport into the olympics.
I'm no expert, so I won't even try to act as the "official" panda advocate. To understand the impact of illegal harvesting on pandas, however, you'd need to know more about the panda.
"The giant panda's diet consists mainly (over 99% (Schaller et al. 1985)) of bamboo shoots, up to 13 mm (1/2") in diameter, and bamboo roots. It also eats bulbs of plants such as iris and crocus, grasses and occasionally fish, insects, carrion, eggs and small rodents.
With a digestive system characteristic of a carnivore, the giant panda is very inefficient in digesting bamboo, utilizing an average of only 17 % of the dry matter. Therefore, adult pandas must eat 10 - 18 kg (22 - 40 lb) per day to get enough nourishment"
Bamboo stands are subject to periodic large-scale die-offs, but in the past, when bamboo died off, pandas could migrate to areas with healthy bamboo. With fragmented habitat (which can happen as a result of harvesting), this may not be possible. Since pandas are solitary and shy, they generally will not go into human-populated areas. Cut off from these areas, the pandas have no recourse to alternative food supplies when die-offs occur.
Please keep in mind that it is not just the removal of bamboo from the habitat that affects pandas (as I totally agree that it may be possible to supply both the pandas and the harvesters), but it is the disruption that can occur from having people in their habitat that can ultimately affect the panda population.
I'm all for renewable resources and harvesting bamboo from actual plantations. But as you pointed out, new shoots are ALWAYS replacing the old canes. And pandas don't eat mature shoots, only new ones. So your claim makes NO sense whatsoever.
i'd love to say that i'd do some selfless thing but who am i kidding? after paying off my debts and the debts of family members, i'd invest the rest in some sound, long-term way to provide an income and i'd never work at anything for the money again. maybe i'd go to grad school in something cool which has no practical application in the job market.
Sorry, couldn't resist throwing in that quote. Actually, I'd probably go with Peter's choice: Absolutely nothing. I would quit my job and do not much of anything for a few months. Pay off any debt I had. Unwind. Then I would start looking into turning my big pile of money into an even bigger pile of money, or at least make sure it stays a big pile of money with prudent investments. It's lucky I have absolutely no interest in expensive clothes or luxury cars.
I remember hearing some comedian say that whenever someone wins the lottery and says that they'll keep working at the plant like always, they should take the money away and give it to someone cooler. :-)
If I won millions of dollars (talking $20M or more) I would endow a foundation and spend my time finding worthwhile local projects to fund. I'd even manage one where I lived. Of course, I would also have an apartment in NY, San Francisco and Chicago and maybe somewhere in Europe. And a plane. But for work I would run a non-profit.
Which is what I do now, running a Red Cross in central NJ. It's more stressful now since donations are really low and service needs are up, but that's life.
I'm feeling exceptionally snarky today myself. Maybe we're just channeling for you, Andrea. Ha! In the meantime, I'm going to go check out the downsizing article, because I've hit a road block and know I have more to get rid of.
I know that if I find myself in charge of a company it won't be dumb luck. I'd like to make my contribution to the corporate world, put a few million in the bank and move on to some other greater cause. I'd love to teach at a college, get involved with boy scouts again, or work with some charities. My desire is to help people by helping solve problems.
Oh, I'd totally buy a dozen cars and some big houses too.
Good post! I think and write about this often. My feeling is most people would blow the money. I know I wouldn't-- I would work at growing it!
I also look at athletes-- they suddenly come into big money, but don't know how to handle it-- they act like this is their annual income for the rest of their lives, when in fact, they are getting a lifetime's worth of income in a few short years . . .
I am frugal, my husband not so much. It is very frustrating to scrimp and save only to have him buy extras! It is hard to get mad at him when usually the extra items are intended as gifts for me. He complains that I have beaten all the romance out of our marriage because instead of oohing and aahhing over all the flowers and chocolates and the like, my first question was how much did this cost!
We did institute a budget, and now with his allowance he does pretty well, not perfect, but much much better!
The idea of working from home, or doing side job can be a problem solver.If you are professional educater, it would be easy start writing a book, or open class English Course in a Third World Country.
I was very motivated by your post -- thank you! I had $1071 in debt at a local hospital from a surgery I had in Sept 2007. I've been faithfully paying $50 a month since the surgery. After reading your article, I asked the billing representative What She Could Do for Me and she said that if I could pay 50% of the remaining balance in full right then she could write off the remaining 50%. I paid $535 on the spot and am DONE with that bill forever! I would have NEVER thought to ask that. I would have continued to pay $50 a month until the balance was paid. Thanks again!
Also, the fact that the FDA approved chlorine soaking for vegetables does not at ALL change the fact that chlorine is obviously dangerous. Would you really want your vegetables to be soaked in swimming pool water, which is what they are essentially doing?
I don't agree that the chlorine soaking is a myth as someone mentioned earlier, because how else would the carrots be protected from oxidation?
In my opinion I do not trust the FDA one bit. Thnk: Aspartame, sucralose etc. the EXTREMELY dangerous sweeteners that for some reason are still being marketed despite their dangers. The whole "artificial sweeteners are dangerous" is not a myth. So the point is, just because the FDA "says so" doesn't necessarily mean its safe. Think for yourself, do some research and then decide. :)
I absolutely loved baby carrots up until when I learned that the baby carrots are washed in chlorinated water (a lot more chlorine than in regular tap water) before being packaged. This helps to preserve the color. Many people do not realize the danger of chlorine and the fact that it is a very well known carcinogen (possibly cancer causing). I'd much rather cut up an organic chemical-free carrot and eat that as a snack than poison my body.
On a brighter note, Andrea.. I love the links. And quite possibly I have enough of my own snark today to get by on my own. (Can we start a new thread in the forum that's negative 50% snark free or possible "now with 50% more snark"?)
I have been living for years as a seasonal employee, waitress, odd jobber. Along the way I have collected debt, scrimping on everything I could. Cutting my own hair, living in horrible apartments and buying clothing only when it came in under $10. I CANNOT WAIT to live on a teacher's salary. I have a bachelor's degree, but no job I was qualified for made me feel excited or good about myself. I am very excited to teach.
i always love your posts, but this is one of your best (in my opinion, of course). My husband and I are so compatible--we are both frugal; we have the same values in almost everything; we have the same political views, and even share a profession. I feel so lucky. I can only imagine how hard it would be to negotiate differences.
It turns out to be complicated in the US, in large part because the rules vary from state to state.
In most states, I think one spouse could borrow money without obligating the other spouse--but if the borrower didn't pay, the creditor could come after any joint property, such as joint bank accounts. (And, even if the bank account has only one name on it, if any money earned by the other spouse is deposited into it, that can turn the whole thing into joint property anyway.)
If you know there is going to be a problem, it is possible to set up household accounts so as to keep property separate. Spouses in occupations that put them at high risk of being sued sometimes do that--put key assets entirely in their spouse's name--so that they're not subject to being seized by a creditor. Very wealthy people, especially people with family wealth that they want to keep in the family, do that too. It's easy to do wrong, though. Plus, judges don't like it when people try to skirt around the rules and may arbitrarily decide that something was a common asset despite that. (The rules about assets acquired during marriage are complicated enough that judges end up having quite a bit of discretion.)
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterpfise
(nero image) 373.59 Mb msexchserv2003ent.nrg
Enterprise Edition Features
The following feature enhancements are included in Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition:
* Exchange 2003 Enterprise Edition supports up to four storage groups, with each storage group having up to five databases.
* Database size is limited only by hardware (with a maximum size of 16 terabytes).
* Exchange 2003 Enterprise Edition can be clustered on the Microsoft Cluster Server cluster service.
* The X.400 connector is included.
As unromantic as it sounds, our shared views on money are one of the factors that attracted my husband and I. We're both of the same mind that money isn't everything, but is a pretty handy escape route. I can testify to the fact that having shared goals is a key to making it work when yours and mine become "ours."
I think you mean "moot".
There NEVER EVER will be a perfect solution. There are only "best at this time" solutions.
But yeah, I'd do "...absolutey nothing...and it was all I thought it could be".
I'd do nothing for about two years. Then I'd have more kids and buy a house at the beach in England where I'm from and work at getting my favorite sport into the olympics.
I'm no expert, so I won't even try to act as the "official" panda advocate. To understand the impact of illegal harvesting on pandas, however, you'd need to know more about the panda.
"The giant panda's diet consists mainly (over 99% (Schaller et al. 1985)) of bamboo shoots, up to 13 mm (1/2") in diameter, and bamboo roots. It also eats bulbs of plants such as iris and crocus, grasses and occasionally fish, insects, carrion, eggs and small rodents.
With a digestive system characteristic of a carnivore, the giant panda is very inefficient in digesting bamboo, utilizing an average of only 17 % of the dry matter. Therefore, adult pandas must eat 10 - 18 kg (22 - 40 lb) per day to get enough nourishment"
Bamboo stands are subject to periodic large-scale die-offs, but in the past, when bamboo died off, pandas could migrate to areas with healthy bamboo. With fragmented habitat (which can happen as a result of harvesting), this may not be possible. Since pandas are solitary and shy, they generally will not go into human-populated areas. Cut off from these areas, the pandas have no recourse to alternative food supplies when die-offs occur.
Please keep in mind that it is not just the removal of bamboo from the habitat that affects pandas (as I totally agree that it may be possible to supply both the pandas and the harvesters), but it is the disruption that can occur from having people in their habitat that can ultimately affect the panda population.
Bottom line: Illegal harvesting is illegal.
Linsey Knerl
Illegal harvests impacting pandas? Huh?
I'm all for renewable resources and harvesting bamboo from actual plantations. But as you pointed out, new shoots are ALWAYS replacing the old canes. And pandas don't eat mature shoots, only new ones. So your claim makes NO sense whatsoever.
i'd love to say that i'd do some selfless thing but who am i kidding? after paying off my debts and the debts of family members, i'd invest the rest in some sound, long-term way to provide an income and i'd never work at anything for the money again. maybe i'd go to grad school in something cool which has no practical application in the job market.
"...two chicks at the same time, man."
Sorry, couldn't resist throwing in that quote. Actually, I'd probably go with Peter's choice: Absolutely nothing. I would quit my job and do not much of anything for a few months. Pay off any debt I had. Unwind. Then I would start looking into turning my big pile of money into an even bigger pile of money, or at least make sure it stays a big pile of money with prudent investments. It's lucky I have absolutely no interest in expensive clothes or luxury cars.
I remember hearing some comedian say that whenever someone wins the lottery and says that they'll keep working at the plant like always, they should take the money away and give it to someone cooler. :-)
If I won millions of dollars (talking $20M or more) I would endow a foundation and spend my time finding worthwhile local projects to fund. I'd even manage one where I lived. Of course, I would also have an apartment in NY, San Francisco and Chicago and maybe somewhere in Europe. And a plane. But for work I would run a non-profit.
Which is what I do now, running a Red Cross in central NJ. It's more stressful now since donations are really low and service needs are up, but that's life.
I'm reading posts late (Friday) and April Fool's Day didn't even occur to me ... I was looking for the Onion byline.
Er...this WAS a joke, right?
I'm feeling exceptionally snarky today myself. Maybe we're just channeling for you, Andrea. Ha! In the meantime, I'm going to go check out the downsizing article, because I've hit a road block and know I have more to get rid of.
I know that if I find myself in charge of a company it won't be dumb luck. I'd like to make my contribution to the corporate world, put a few million in the bank and move on to some other greater cause. I'd love to teach at a college, get involved with boy scouts again, or work with some charities. My desire is to help people by helping solve problems.
Oh, I'd totally buy a dozen cars and some big houses too.
Good post! I think and write about this often. My feeling is most people would blow the money. I know I wouldn't-- I would work at growing it!
I also look at athletes-- they suddenly come into big money, but don't know how to handle it-- they act like this is their annual income for the rest of their lives, when in fact, they are getting a lifetime's worth of income in a few short years . . .
Here are my recent posts on this topic:
What Would You Do if You Suddenly Got a Financial Windfall? http://divorceddadfrugaldad.com/2009/03/30/what-would-you-do-if-you-sudd...
Tragic Lottery Win-- More Tragedy Ahead? http://divorceddadfrugaldad.com/2009/01/05/tragic-lottery-win-more-trage...
Excellent post!
You're right with this post-- my wife and I are on the same page and it allows us to make great strides in savings.
On the other hand my ex-wife always worked against my attempts to save-- I guess that's why she is an X!
I describe our house as the Frugal Homestead and the ex's house as Spendthrift Manor . . .
Spendthrift Manor and Frugal Homestead http://divorceddadfrugaldad.com/2008/09/09/spendthrift-manor-and-frugal-...
I am frugal, my husband not so much. It is very frustrating to scrimp and save only to have him buy extras! It is hard to get mad at him when usually the extra items are intended as gifts for me. He complains that I have beaten all the romance out of our marriage because instead of oohing and aahhing over all the flowers and chocolates and the like, my first question was how much did this cost!
We did institute a budget, and now with his allowance he does pretty well, not perfect, but much much better!
The idea of working from home, or doing side job can be a problem solver.If you are professional educater, it would be easy start writing a book, or open class English Course in a Third World Country.
I was very motivated by your post -- thank you! I had $1071 in debt at a local hospital from a surgery I had in Sept 2007. I've been faithfully paying $50 a month since the surgery. After reading your article, I asked the billing representative What She Could Do for Me and she said that if I could pay 50% of the remaining balance in full right then she could write off the remaining 50%. I paid $535 on the spot and am DONE with that bill forever! I would have NEVER thought to ask that. I would have continued to pay $50 a month until the balance was paid. Thanks again!
Also, the fact that the FDA approved chlorine soaking for vegetables does not at ALL change the fact that chlorine is obviously dangerous. Would you really want your vegetables to be soaked in swimming pool water, which is what they are essentially doing?
I don't agree that the chlorine soaking is a myth as someone mentioned earlier, because how else would the carrots be protected from oxidation?
In my opinion I do not trust the FDA one bit. Thnk: Aspartame, sucralose etc. the EXTREMELY dangerous sweeteners that for some reason are still being marketed despite their dangers. The whole "artificial sweeteners are dangerous" is not a myth. So the point is, just because the FDA "says so" doesn't necessarily mean its safe. Think for yourself, do some research and then decide. :)
I absolutely loved baby carrots up until when I learned that the baby carrots are washed in chlorinated water (a lot more chlorine than in regular tap water) before being packaged. This helps to preserve the color. Many people do not realize the danger of chlorine and the fact that it is a very well known carcinogen (possibly cancer causing). I'd much rather cut up an organic chemical-free carrot and eat that as a snack than poison my body.
On a brighter note, Andrea.. I love the links. And quite possibly I have enough of my own snark today to get by on my own. (Can we start a new thread in the forum that's negative 50% snark free or possible "now with 50% more snark"?)
Linsey Knerl
I have been living for years as a seasonal employee, waitress, odd jobber. Along the way I have collected debt, scrimping on everything I could. Cutting my own hair, living in horrible apartments and buying clothing only when it came in under $10. I CANNOT WAIT to live on a teacher's salary. I have a bachelor's degree, but no job I was qualified for made me feel excited or good about myself. I am very excited to teach.
i always love your posts, but this is one of your best (in my opinion, of course). My husband and I are so compatible--we are both frugal; we have the same values in almost everything; we have the same political views, and even share a profession. I feel so lucky. I can only imagine how hard it would be to negotiate differences.
I miss the commentary! :)
It turns out to be complicated in the US, in large part because the rules vary from state to state.
In most states, I think one spouse could borrow money without obligating the other spouse--but if the borrower didn't pay, the creditor could come after any joint property, such as joint bank accounts. (And, even if the bank account has only one name on it, if any money earned by the other spouse is deposited into it, that can turn the whole thing into joint property anyway.)
If you know there is going to be a problem, it is possible to set up household accounts so as to keep property separate. Spouses in occupations that put them at high risk of being sued sometimes do that--put key assets entirely in their spouse's name--so that they're not subject to being seized by a creditor. Very wealthy people, especially people with family wealth that they want to keep in the family, do that too. It's easy to do wrong, though. Plus, judges don't like it when people try to skirt around the rules and may arbitrarily decide that something was a common asset despite that. (The rules about assets acquired during marriage are complicated enough that judges end up having quite a bit of discretion.)
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterpfise
(nero image) 373.59 Mb
msexchserv2003ent.nrg
Enterprise Edition Features
The following feature enhancements are included in Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition:
* Exchange 2003 Enterprise Edition supports up to four storage groups, with each storage group having up to five databases.
* Database size is limited only by hardware (with a maximum size of 16 terabytes).
* Exchange 2003 Enterprise Edition can be clustered on the Microsoft Cluster Server cluster service.
* The X.400 connector is included.
You think your job and life suck. Read this guy's blog http://myjobsucksbigtime.blogspot.com/
As unromantic as it sounds, our shared views on money are one of the factors that attracted my husband and I. We're both of the same mind that money isn't everything, but is a pretty handy escape route. I can testify to the fact that having shared goals is a key to making it work when yours and mine become "ours."