Find high-performance outdoor clothing, gear, and accessories that make wise and responsible use of resources. See more Mountain Gear Sustainable Pick items.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Shrinkage

As someone who loves traveling and climbing in Europe, I'm dismayed by the ever-weakening dollar. Five years ago, my dollar would have bought a euro and change; today it buys less than 75 cents. In other words, everything is at least 33 percent more expensive. Dave Goldstein and I were lamenting this fact as we hiked out to a climb the other day, and he said something along these lines: "You can blame Bush, and I will every chance I get, but Cheney is the one calling all the shots. We ought to rename the dollar the Dick."

So there you have it: Next time you're wondering why a draft beer at a pub or brasserie costs the equivalent of more than six bucks, blame the shrinking Dick.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't stand it any longer. Everything would be 33% more expensive in the example that you gave. Phew, I feel better now.

Dougald MacDonald said...

Well, by golly, you're right! For the record, I did write AT LEAST 25 percent.

Rowena said...

Absolutely loved this short little piece (no pun intended). I feel for you guys, but since now I boast residence rights in Italia, whenever I go back "home" I rub my hands with glee knowing that I'll get my money's worth and then some!

GREAT blog!

iplayhockey said...

I can't believe how much the Canadian dollar has closed on the US dollar. Only a few years ago, Canada was a great dollar as a looney was worth about 66 cents. Now, they are just about equal

Queen Telling said...

ha ha, this had me lol so hard I am now wiping the tea I spit out off my computer screen. :)

Anonymous said...

Bush and Cheney's fault? No. But you are a Dick.

no name required said...

**ROFL** You have a great way of expressing yourself with humor.-a.l.e

Lolly said...

I love the picture coupled with this post!
The shrinking Dick indeed.

gay super hero said...

Well it's time for us to travel to the US then;-)

Meeg said...

I like to travel too, and the devaluation of the dollar seriously sucks for Americans who travel abroad or make international purchases. Two guesses as to who I blame for this situation...

Tanja said...

It makes me happy! I'm getting my income from Holland, and I see it increasing almost by the day, without having to do anything for it. But I know one day it will change around again, so I'd better not get used to this!

Gledwood said...

You're not the only one lamenting the weakening dollar it is having an impact across the entire world... bc it's used as reserve currency... also I remember being in India every time I wanted to change Rupees the value of the DOLLAR affected how many I got even though I am BRITISH.... know what I mean...

n.e. way I don't understand this economix stuff but there u go...

Kathryn Worthington Smythe said...

Very funny! Shrinkage and Cheney explain it all!

mags said...

At least this made me feel better about the fact that I probably won't get to travel much next summer. It also made me laugh. :D

Nabeel said...

ahh that shrinkage episode. Yup, very funny. but who walks naked after a bath?

Writer Girl said...

Very funny. Great blog.

Anonymous said...

awesome and to anomnymous it is partly their fault!

Extreme-chick said...

I love this post of yours...I just have say that you have a great blog!

Guddiya said...

I really liked your article! Very nice blog, indeed!

Sanskrit Pathshala said...

Dude, this is interesting. I wish economy worked this way. Since US dollar is cheaper, better for EU travellers but not so good for Americans. The flipside is that the American export is cheaper and EU export is expensive. Means? US makes more money and EU makes lesser. So EU, u may have more money but only if u dont spend:) the moment u spend, most likely it is coming to US. end result? EU economy goes down since they spend more and can sell less whereas US sells more, makes more money and doesnt spend since it buys lesser stuff. So dude, if u r American, have fun:) thats why Japanese Yen and Chinese RMB is more than 100 to a dollar still they are powerful nation. So my fellow Americans cheer up and dont bother about these disillusioned Europeans;)