I’ll return to blogging on Jan 2, whether or not I get the redesign done. I’m enjoying the time off, hope you are, too.

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Credit Suisse has decided to pay its top executives their bonuses in the troubled mortgage investments those execs approved. Sounds fair. Here’s the story via Joe Weisenthal and Bloomberg:

We’re shocked that nobody has suggested this before, but on its face this looks like a great idea… Credit Suisse announced today that bonuses for its top executives would be made in illiquid, mortgage-backed securities. Seeing as these guys are responsible for getting this stuff on the companies books, it makes sense to shove it back to them. And if the market gets liquid again, and the stuff goes up, that’s going to be a huge windfall for execs:

Bloomberg: The bank will use leveraged loans and commercial mortgage- backed debt, some of the securities blamed for generating the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, to fund executive compensation packages, people familiar with the matter said. The new policy applies only to managing directors and directors, the two most senior ranks at the Zurich-based company, according to a memo sent to employees today.

“While the solution we have come up with may not be ideal for everyone, we believe it strikes the appropriate balance among the interests of our employees, shareholders and regulators and helps position us well for 2009,” Chief Executive Officer Brady Dougan and Paul Calello, CEO of the investment bank, said in the memo.

Another bonus: This moves the stuff off of Credit Suisse’s books, while letting it hold onto its precious cash. Will we see any copycats?

So, I’m reading through Google News headlines and come upon this:

Mariners deal Putz in three-team trade

How was I to know it was a sports story? I thought it was a bunch of merchant seamen in a boy party orgy.

Do I have to turn in my Man Card?

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You can go HERE and find other versions of The Jingle and you can even load it as a ringtone or an iPod selection! Yippeeee!!!!

The world has been too much with me late and soon.

Several men I’ve known well have died within recent times and a good friend is almost dead after taking antifreeze for the second time in just a few weeks.

Foremost on my mind at the moment is Craig, a simple barkeep and Boston sports fan. He drove convertibles and we often exchanged pleasantries about the weather and the advisability of leaving the top down (or up).

The man had the largest collection of music you’d ever want to see. His mind was a repository of music history and trivia.

The best epitaph I could write for any man: he will be missed.

He isn’t the only one.

This weekend, I learned of the death of Mark Schwartz, a former city councilman, and Tom Riddle, a former fire fighter’s union president here. I knew them both very well in my 1970s political life and was on campaigns with both. I lost touch with both, but kept up with Mark more than Tom; I saw and spoke with Mark not more than a few months ago.

Then there’s Jeremy, the pizza delivery murder victim and Red Cup devotee, and poor Josh who took his own brief life.

I still haven’t processed those two young men’s demise.

I don’t have anything profound to say in the face of death, the most profound event after birth in a human’s life. I’m uncomfortable about irreversible and absolute. I’m sad for my own loss and sympathize with the families of these men. My heart goes out to Craig’s partners on Paseo, I know they’re taking this hard. Love you guys and there’s nothing you can do about it.

What prayers can the living say for the dead?

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From Politico.com:
“Shennanigans” blog

There is a new recruiter in politics these days, and it ain’t Rahm, Chuck Schumer, Mike Duncan, Howard Dean, Jim Nussle, John Cornyn, Norm Coleman or [insert any name here].

It’s … Craigslist?

Yes, Craigslist items are a bit overserved, but bear with us.

The site has an ad seeking a woman to run against one of the embattled Republican senators, David Vitter. Vitter, did you think people had forgotten about you?

And, oddly — or not, depending on how you look at it — the ad is looking for a woman who has “a history in some aspect of the adult entertainment industry.”

Read below:

“Seeking a female candidate to challenge David Vitter in the Republican primary for the United States Senate in 2010. Candidate must be over 30 years old and a registered Republican in the state of Louisiana. Beyond this, we are looking for a candidate with a history in some aspect of the adult entertainment industry who has taken the benefit of that experience both monetarily and otherwise and translated it into success in their later career.

“Candidate will have the benefit of an experienced campaign staff, including finance and media teams. Reasonable compensation as allowed by federal campaign finance rules will be offered. This is a serious offer for a serious candidate who cares about the direction of her state and community and who is willing to accept the serious commitment of a statewide political campaign.

“Please forward a résumé or CV with contact information along with a 200-word description telling us who you are and why you think you are the ideal candidate to challenge David Vitter.”

I know I said i wasn’t going to blog and I really am working very hard on my political internet obsessions, but this struck me as hilarious. I would SO go to work for that campaign! It would be so much fun to do. That’s so evil, it just tickles my left wing heart.

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I’m suspending my posting here for awhile.

I’m exhausted.

The presidential campaign and election has left me played out.

I’m so proud of my country for its turnout, more people voted and a higher percentage voted than in decades. That alone is a victory.

A great many people will write with more talent and insight than I have about Obama’s historic rise to president-elect. I’ve been his supporter since last year and I’m overjoyed.

The past couple of months, I’ve been an internet addict. I have spent anywhere from 4 to 12 hours a day on my laptop. It’s got to stop. I must reclaim my life. It’s become self-destructive to other areas of my life, to the point that I do very little of anything else I really enjoy.

I don’t know what else to do but make a clean break.

In three years, I’ve done about 900 posts and another few dozen comments. That’s a lot, for those of you who don’t try to do this.

When i come back, I’m going to try to come back with a redesigned page, more photos, more links and “tags”. I’ll expand my blogroll and make other changes I hope makes this page more readable and more friendly to discussions.

To my fellow bloggers, I’ll still read your stuff, but perhaps a tad less obsessively.

I really need a break, readers, so please don’t begrudge me a few weeks off. I love all of you and there’s nothing you can do about it.

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