Today was the first day in a while where I had some lunch time to look over the news, and thus I present a slightly larger-than-usual humpday late lunch news chum:
- Making Money. Two interesting articles related to making money. The NY Times has an interesting article on how the government is printing less paper money, because more and more people are using plastic. On the other side of the coin (rimshot), NPR Planet Money has an interesting piece on how the government is minting too many $1 coins because the law requires it, and is spending lots of money to store them.
- Spending Money. A few articles on spending money. The LA Times has an interesting article on how LA Theatre is going to dynamic pricing, where the price for a seat depends on demand and when you buy it. I think this screws up folks like me that buy early, but then again, maybe not. My brain hurts. The LA Times also has an article on California Officials paid more than $170K. The tone of this article bothers me. First, people are contractually owed their sick or vacation time. If the state prevents them from using it because of workload, they should not forfeit it. Secondly, when figuring their pay, note that the cost of hiring an additional employee to relieve the workload would likely cost the state much much more in training, benefits, and other costs in addition to the second salary. This is an example where not all aspects of the issue were presented.
- Making History. Nice article in the Daily News about the contributions of Rocketdyne to the space shuttle main engine. See, the San Fernando Valley can produce more than just pron.
- Redefining South. A Riverside legislator wants to split California into two states, creating a new state of “South California”. His idea of south… “Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, San Bernardino, Kings, Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa and Mono counties”. Hmm, no Los Angeles, Orange, or Santa Barbara Counties. Seems more like “Conservative California” to me. I’m surprised he didn’t include the Eastern counties all they way up to Oregon!
- What a Jerk! Lastly, a nice historical look back.. and look forward… at the profession of soda jerk. Evidently, the jerk is coming back with fresh made innovative concoctions.
