This weekend we hung out around the house. Apparently even though it was the first day of spring it decided to snow. I suppose that is rule of Texas weather, given that it was 72 on Friday and snow on the ground on Sunday. We decided to watch some of the latest Rifftrax movies. For those who don't know Rifftrax is a comedy website made by the creators of Mystery Science Theater 3000. My wife is a big fan of the series. Anyways you download a Rifftrax to a movie - like Twilight:New Moon, play it on your computer in sync with the movie and these guys make fun of the movie every minute. That movie needed making fun of. It was so boring and they all, liked to talk, in pauses, during, the dialogue. We also saw the Rifftrax for Paranormal Activity. It was an ok movie. Kinda boring and easily was funny. It was kinda freaky cause it reminded me that I've got cameras all over the house that could detect "paranormal activity".

On Sunday I kept on flipping it over to the coverage of the new health care bill. If you remember back when I was solely working for my company I was trying to get health insurance and kept on being denied for "pre-existing" conditions. I noted having sleep apnea was akin to having cancer in the eyes of insurance companies. I knew then and there the system has to change. So when the bill got passed I was actually happy. It represents a win against evil corporations. It even makes me think I could go back to working for my business, get a contract and would not have to have Holly's school insurance cover us. I think there will become a new growth market for contractors, especially with the new tax breaks for small businesses.

People are always like ,"what about the benefits, the health insurance, that is why you need a permanent job". Now, not anymore. There are no pensions from corporations any more. There is little vacation days - maybe 2 weeks. 401Ks are limited in their investment options and historically have lost money that could have been in a savings account. The only pluses about 401Ks are if the employer puts money into it as well and the tax benifits. However if the value drops then it would have been better to have the cash on hand. Also, there are more rules to follow in a permanent job. You have to come in when they say and contractors can takes weeks of vacations and days off and not have to account for it, except in hours charged. It is very hard to come up with reasons to stay permanent except for the "job security", which we all know means nothing in todays economy. The average contract lasts 6 months and the average permanent job lasts 18 months.

Of course for me personally I do have some job security. I was a contractor for years and did note how I was the first to be cut when times were tough. Having a wife and child means I need some kind security, even if it is always at risk. Of course given that I am in the government sector and the government is growing by leaps and bounds means I will probably live out the rest of my days at the IRS in some form or fashion. This is the third time I have been here. They like me and keep getting me back. I might as well stay and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Of course having a job and health insurance is nothing compared to the family. So it is all good. I am happy the bill got passed just for the others out there who are looking for jobs and fear starting their own business. The time is now! Go for it!