Apt. 11D

A Post-Finance City

Last week, my parents' neighbors moved out of their $1.6 million McMansion. They sold it quickly at a loss, threw garbage bags of clothes in the back of the van, and headed back to Utah. The husband's hedge fund company went belly up.

Megan speculates what NYC will look like in the Post-Finance period. While I disagree, okay strongly disagree, with her point that lefties can't make smart fiscal policy, I do agree that the city is going to hurt without the easy money of Wall Street.

All that cash led to the gentrification of many neighborhoods that were trash-strewn, crime infested drug dens in the 1970s. (It also pushed out many low income individuals, who could no longer afford the rent in neighborhoods that they had lived in for years.) Bonus money created tax revenue, which went to schools, transportation, and police. In a post-finance city, we're going to see more crowded classrooms and more unemployed teachers. The brokers blew their money on clothes and restaurants. All those who worked in those establishments will be jobless, and creativity will be frustrated.

While I can join my friends who see this new era as a time of a modesty and greater equality, I am deeply worried about the spillover affect. We can't really rejoice in the just desserts of the Wall Street broker.

UPDATE: Confusing typo fixed.

Spreadin' Love

Morbidly curious? Check out these bargain basement foreclosures in California. (via Amy P).

I've made a commitment to link to articles that discuss women's rights abroad. Here's a clip of a documentary that investigates the growing oppression of the Taliban in Pakistan.

Live Blogging the Oscars

OK. I'm ready, guys. Well, sort of ready. I'm preparing for classes, watching the Oscars and blogging about it all at the same time. That means a lot of running up and down the stairs.

Zen Working Habits

I found Zen Habits, via Time's list of the best 25 blogs of 2009. Leo writes about decluttering your life of things and bad influences, setting goals for yourself, and living a balanced life.

I'm really digging this stuff. I'm happily shedding lots of crap from my life right now. Just not Oreos. Or cheesy Nachos. Or my new flowered shirt from the Gap. Well, I like reading about others living a pared down existence.

Read this post on the benefits of working from home.

A Trip to the Natural History Museum

This morning, we broke up the Week of Sloth by making a trip to the Museum of Natural History and seeing some stuffed sloths. I have a huge weakness for this museum with its 1930s and 40s designs and rough hewn oak and dioramas. It reminds me of my grandfather's old encyclopedia set. The end pages had illustrations depicting scenes of Progress and Industry. All the people were drawn with straight nosed profiles and long, sinewy arms.

I took a bunch of pictures. And, yes, I took a picture of the font on the description plates.

The kids played for nearly an hour in the Discovery Room, which is a top secret, hands-on area for kids.

As we stood by the cross section of the tree trunk, I explained to the kids why this was a wonderful thing using the exact same words that my dad used thirty years ago.

All that excellence made up for blowing $30 on hotdogs in the cafeteria.

Oscar Weekend

Yes, I will be live blogging the Oscars on Sunday. I hope to see you all here. We will drool over Hugh Jackman, my boyfriend, and root for Slumdog Millionaire. Check out this interview with Danny Boyle.

I want that saffron scarf. Did you notice that she wears that color throughout the movie?

Sick Boy

Midweek Journal

Steve's been home all week. I worked, but not terribly hard. It's like we won the lottery.

Spreadin' Love

Time lists the top  25 blogs of 2005. I agree with most of their choices.

Pioneer Woman documents a photo shoot by Southern Living in his kitchen. Fun. 

Stephen Walt writes about Obama's escalation of troops in Afghanistan. 

We loved Slumdog Millionaire, especially the M.I.A. soundtrack.

Who Deserves an A?

“If someone goes to every class and reads every chapter in the book and does everything the teacher asks of them and more, then they should be getting an A like their effort deserves. If your maximum effort can only be average in a teacher’s mind, then something is wrong.”

Students feel entitled to an A, because of effort, not output. We're going to discuss this article in class, as I wait for the projector to warm up.

UPDATE: More from Megan McArdle and Tim Burke.