What really happened

So, I have wondered how the whole credit crisis was allowed to happen. It seemed to me like a no-brainer - of course, if you gave away risky loans, it will eventually come back and kick you- So I understood the global idea of what went wrong, what I didn't understand, was why - My supersecret boyfriend Ira Glass did an episode on it - and I highly encourage anyone who is interested to listen to it

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1242

here is the summary:
The Giant Pool of Money
A special program about the housing crisis produced in a special collaboration with NPR News. We explain it all to you. What does the housing crisis have to do with the turmoil on Wall Street? Why did banks make half-million dollar loans to people without jobs or income? And why is everyone talking so much about the 1930s? It all comes back to the Giant Pool of Money.

Host Ira Glass talks with an NPR business and economics correspondent about two gatherings he attended—one at the Ritz Carlton and one at a community college in Brooklyn. The first was an awards dinner for finance professionals who created the mortgage-based financial instruments that nearly brought down the global economic system. The other was a non-profit conference for people facing foreclosure. Ira explains that today's show lays out how the finance guys and the people facing foreclosure are connected by a chain of middlemen, and that together, they all brought about the current housing and credit crisis.

This American Life producer Alex Blumberg teams up with NPR's Adam Davidson for the entire hour to tell the story—the surprisingly entertaining story—of how the U.S. got itself into a housing crisis. They talk to people who were actually working in the housing, banking, finance and mortgage industries, about what they thought during the boom times, and why the bust happened. And they explain that a lot of it has to do with the giant global pool of money.

me, my brother and 34 hours on the road

So - Reno to Ann Arbor in 34 hours with a 5 ton trailer attached to my brothers car - that is what my brother and I did on Sunday and Monday of this week. We left early on Sunday morning and arrived late last night.

Above the photos are of Nevada, Utah, the Great salt lake, wind mills in Wyoming and a barn in Nebraska. I have to say after driving through Nebraska my desire to take photos completely ended - what a long freaking state -

another set of stitches

so while out in Tahoe, I stayed at a wonderful woman's home, named Joan. Within minutes of meeting her I had an unfortunate accident with a blender that resulted in 4 stitches on one finger and 5 on the other......I am sure Joan will never use the blender again with out fond memories of my blood....ugh.....9 stitches.....

65 Years of Marriage!

My grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past weekend in Reno, NV - their advice is: Grandma "have patience and forgive and FORGET" my grandpa's advice "she says 'jump' I say 'how high" They had 40 people from all over the country out to celebrate - it was quite a party!

10 Year Grad School Reunion

So - its hard to believe, but its been 10 years since I graduated from Grad School at Washington University in St. Louis, so my friends Stef and Heather and I went to St. Louis to have a look around. Turns out the only thing that has changed was us. It was totally fun and completely surreal to be back in town. Thanks to Heath and Stef for such a wonderful w/e!

I also had the wonderful oppotunity to see the Katzman family whom I babysat for while I was in graduate school - it was so wonderful to see them and reconnect with them. It was a trip to ride in a car with both Charlie and Matt as they were 6 and 8 when I left St. Louis 10 years ago.

Dali Lama and Friends!

So, last Sunday, I had the great honor of seeing his Holiness, the Dali Lami. Its funny because I had a lot of hesitation of going to see him. Everyone in my yoga studio and other places were all going to see him and I felt like a poser to do so. It seemed like the hip thing to do, which is the exact opposite of why I thought I should go see him, if that makes any sense.

But as fate would have it, I had a trip cancelled and a ticket made available to me. So I went unshowered right after a bike ride and I have to say it was well worth the trip. Despite, the Chinese Protesters (I wanted to ironically ask them how they liked the right to protest, but didn't), the Dali Lama was humble, wise and funny. The dude cracks himself up, which is refreshing. His message of compassion, love and peace was very welcome. He defined love as simply wanting joy and happiness for others. He defined fear as the opposite. From fear, stems violence. Its so simple.

Its also funny because my friends from around the world were all like "what is the Dali Lama doing in the midwest, in Ann Arbor of all places" and I have to say, I am very thankful to be in a town big enough to invite guests like the Dali Lama, and small enough so that the entire town takes notice of such occasions.

On another note, my friends Paul and Sheri came back to visit Ann Arbor for the weekend and I realized how much I really miss them. I truely miss you guys!!! I had the distinct pleasure of running with two of my pregnant friends who are due 2 1/2 weeks apart - September 20th (Kerry Sheldon) and October 7th, (Sheri Hall).


here is a photo of them in Bird Hills - thanks for the run you two!!!

Klinke

My New bike

so, I totally feel guilty for my old specialized Allez, but I have a brand new ride - its a 2007 all carbon fiber frame - its like riding air -