Brent Nyitray
Fairlington Blade
Let the mutherfuker burn!
jnc4p
Kevin S. Willis
Michigoose
lmsinca
markinaustin
Arcanaut
novahockey
quarterback
ScottC
yellojktWe sometimes call ATiM a grand experiment.
I’ve been given a chance at another grand experiment. Fifteen grand of an experiment, give or take.
The theme is “Yay Me! Yay Us!” Interpret that as you will. The budget is $15,000.
How would you spend it and what’s the result?
Filed under: Uncategorized |
All Things in Moderation 
15 Grand would be entirely welcome and a godsend around here right now. It would just about cover our lack of rental income/attorney’s fees and my husbands hospital bills…..yikes.
Otherwise, if I had the luxury, I’d be in Hawaii in a skinny minute.
LikeLike
“How would you spend it and what’s the result?”
I’d solicit investment advise from the various gurus here and split it into three equal portfolios to see whose recommendations panned out the best.
I’d call it the ATiM hedge fund.
LikeLike
Fifteen grand would pay for the bathroom remodeling we are always putting off because we like to travel too much.
LikeLike
I’m going to second jnc’s “ATiM hedge fund” idea.
Either that, or buy $15K of oil futures in anticipation of Iran trying to close the Straits of Hormuz.
LikeLike
Hookers and cocaine are always viable options.
Er, ah, so I’ve heard.
LikeLike
I suggest the money be used to stage an ATiM weekend get-together.
A location within driving distance for the most people should be chosen. The budget would cover flights for those not within driving distance, hotel rooms, and a venue at which dinner will be held followed by a formal debate on a topic to be agreed to by all. Mark would be the moderator, Two or three people would be chosen to argue each side of the motion. The debate would consist largely of questions posed to the participants by everyone else.
Following the debate, a bash will be held in lmsinca’s room (she gets a suite, but has to host the party) with full open bar, until everyone passes out or the remainder of the $15k disappears, whichever comes first.
No spouses/significant others. Whatever happens at ATiM events stays at ATiM events.
LikeLike
Scott,
Surely the airing of greivances would have to be on the agenda.
LikeLike
Scott, is Hawaii within driving distance? Otherwise, it sounds good but as it’s MsJS’ money I doubt she’d go along with it.
LikeLike
lms:
as its MsJS’ money I doubt she’d go along with it.
She did say interpret “Yay us!” as I will. I’m interpreting it as a desire to spread the wealth around.
LikeLike
“quarterback, on February 29, 2012 at 10:02 am said:
Scott,
Surely the airing of greivances would have to be on the agenda.”
Only after drinking.
LikeLike
“Only after drinking.”
And if my undergrad experience holds true, after drinking comes the Feats of Strength
LikeLike
“lmsinca, on February 29, 2012 at 9:53 am said:
Scott, is Hawaii within driving distance? Otherwise, it sounds good but as its MsJS’ money I doubt she’d go along with it.”
You are going to hate me. I have to go to Hawaii for a week on business.
LikeLike
“Hawaii for a week on business.”
Sounds like a waste, unless you can conduct business on the beach. Why go to HI if you can’t spend your days outside? Its a long plane ride if you just go sit in conference rooms.
LikeLike
“bsimon, on February 29, 2012 at 10:06 am said:
“Hawaii for a week on business.”
Sounds like a waste, unless you can conduct business on the beach. Why go to HI if you can’t spend your days outside? Its a long plane ride if you just go sit in conference rooms.”
I agree.
LikeLike
The closest I’ll get to Hawaii this year is Vegas at the end of March and it’s in the opposite direction from me. Dangit
LikeLike
put your 15k on the pass line. or if you want to be contrary the don’t pass line.
LikeLike
I’m sticking with my hedge fund idea. With the collective investing acumen here, we should be able to generate a return large enough to fly everyone to Hawaii.
LikeLike
“lmsinca, on February 29, 2012 at 10:11 am said:
The closest I’ll get to Hawaii this year is Vegas at the end of March and it’s in the opposite direction from me. Dangit””
But it does have the hookers and cocaine for McWingnut.
LikeLike
or if you want to be contrary
Who, moi?
LikeLike
It’s idea-generation time, folks. Keep ’em coming.
LikeLike
NoVA:
And if my undergrad experience holds true, after drinking comes the Feats of Strength
Hey, I went to that school! But back then, we called it Feats of Strength, Agility, and Imperviousness. And I still have the scars to show for it.
LikeLike
Puerto Rico.
Everything Scott outlined, followed by the Feats of Strength.
My ex was once in charge of putting together a committee meeting for the Feds, and found out that PR was the cheapest venue (and easiest to get to) for most areas of the US (to include CA). Plus it’s warm, and I could use warm this time of year.
LikeLike
“msjs0315, on February 29, 2012 at 10:19 am said: Edit Comment
It’s idea-generation time, folks. Keep ‘em coming.”
I assume setting up a Super PAC for Gary Johnson is probably out of the question?
http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/
LikeLike
hmm. 15k. If you really wanted to make it count for something, you might considering putting a DC-based government affairs expert on retainer for about 2 months.
LikeLike
I’m interpreting it as a desire to spread the wealth around.
MsJS is a good liberal, of course she’s doing her best to redistribute wealth! 🙂
LikeLike
On a somewhat related note, I’m going to be on a long layover (around 3 hours) at Logan in Boston on 3/17 and 3/24; any of you East Coasters going to be around at that time to get a beer?
LikeLike
“Michigoose, on February 29, 2012 at 11:06 am said:
I’m interpreting it as a desire to spread the wealth around.
MsJS is a good liberal, of course she’s doing her best to redistribute wealth! 🙂 ”
As a reminder, the Federal government also accepts gifts:
http://www.fms.treas.gov/faq/moretopics_gifts.html
LikeLike
jnc:
As a reminder, the Federal government also accepts gifts:
Any idea what Buffet’s e-mail address is?
LikeLike
insufferablerichguy@BerkshireHathaway.com
LikeLike
nova:
insufferablerichguy@BbBerkshireHathaway.com
Heh.
I had a business dinner with a British guy last night who decided to start singing the praises of Buffet and his tax sermons. It quickly went downhill. He prefaced what he said by declaring himself entirely apolitical, but I discovered what he meant by “apolitical” was that he had never bothered to question every European trope and cliche about America that has been uttered in the last 20 years.
LikeLike
I hope we’re not inviting Buffett to the party……………..buzz kill.
LikeLike
“lmsinca, on February 29, 2012 at 12:02 pm said:
I hope we’re not inviting Buffett to the party……………..buzz kill.”
No, but he’s welcome to participate in the hedge fund. Also, I hear he has a pretty good sense of humor.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204652904577194893165820250.html?mod=slideshow_overlay_mod
LikeLike
When my dad retired he and my mom took a 30 day antiquities tour: Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Italy. When they came back they said 21 days in Tuscany, with side trips to Rome and Venice, would have been perfect. If you and MrJS like that sort of thing, I recommend Florence, from my own experience, as well.
If there is some medical procedure you cannot afford but need, I recommend Mumbai.
If you like the ponies: Santa Anita.
For a cheap subtropical party, I second ‘Goose: San Juan. Alternate: San Felipe, Baja. Safe, American colony.
If you love mountain scenery: the 2 day Canadian Pacific run from Vancouver to Banff.
If you are an Anglophile: BritRail pass, pick your stops.
If travel isn’t your thing, get tips from Brent and John and Scott and put it away for a rainy day.
LikeLike
What? Nobody wants to have a beer with me??
LikeLike
Nothing personal!
LikeLike
Mark: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (as lms would say).
I’m wondering more about our East Coasters. For all I know, Boston may actually be difficult to get to. i know that flying in and out of it from SLC is a challenge.
LikeLike
Mich:
For all I know, Boston may actually be difficult to get to.
Not difficult, just not close. Boston is about a 3 hour drive from my house. (If I try, I can get to Boston College in about 2.5 hours.) It’s a great city but for one thing…Red Sox fans.
LikeLike
CALLAHAN SNUBS KELLY – NO GREEN BEER AT LOGAN ON ST. PADDIE’S
Sox fans blamed
LikeLike
I’d go see a sporting event on my bucket list.
Manchester United game at Old Trafford
Real Madrid v Barcelona, preferably in Madrid, so I can see a friend and his wife who live there.
Wimbeldon
Golf at St. Andrews (with my twin brother)
I’d take as many people as $15,000 can bring along!
LikeLike