Is it just me or is there a new trend toward "truthiness"? Here is another op ed piece dispelling conventional wisdom. It's well worth the read.
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110775/time-to-stop-worshiping-small-businesses;_ylt=AhTimDExEUDetEMvOu01IJy7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTFmNGc0bjh2BHBvcwMzBHNlYwNleHBlcnRPcGluaW9uRHluYW1pYwRzbGsDbGV0c3N0b3B3b3Jz
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Good Economic News
This is the most under read, least publicized good news story I've run across. A "must read" for those os us who still believe intellect is more important than ideology.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/225164-the-budget-deficit-is-falling
http://seekingalpha.com/article/225164-the-budget-deficit-is-falling
I Just look Old
One thing most of us have in common is furniture. And, for most of us, it's old. It's from family members who are now collecting pensions; it's from college and we've kept it around for memories of good times that we couldn't remember anyway, and; we mistakenly believe every piece was a Chippendale or Tiffany or of such great value it will propel us through our last years.
Nonsense. It's old crappy furniture. Get rid of it!
Two months ago I carefully placed my original iphone in the glove compartment and gently closed the door. Unfortunately, the glass shattered. I was not happy primarily because I'm cheap. I researched replacing the glass and it simply wasn't worth it. So, I did what I thought I would never do: I taped it together.
Ever seen the old guy sitting in a diner with his glasses taped together and said "damn that just looks awful, I'll never do that"? Well, I did it to an iphone.
My "daughter" and her friend-boy returned from a short vacation last night. They were over at the house and we were discussing new eye glasses. They were very sweet in convincing me that I needed to shed the old style glasses and get something more modern. They basically called me "old furniture" and suggested I discard my taste in eye glasses!
In two weeks or so I'll be wearing some "Tom Ford" look a-likes for reading. I'm still going to look well over 70, at least until they sponsor a face lift, hair replacement and new dentures. But, I'll have those glasses!
I managed to find my all time favorite glasses. I had them hidden for about ten years. Very cool looking rimless. Very classy. Matches all the wrinkles around my eyes. Covers the drooping eyelids.
Off to the repair store. I'll teach those kids a lesson! New lenses, some restorative work and I'll have them back in service.
So, I didn't throw out all of the old-I kept just one. They'll make a nice contrast to the new ones.
There are some things worth keeping no matter how old they get: ME!
Happy Birthday Mr. Investing Woodworker!
Nonsense. It's old crappy furniture. Get rid of it!
Two months ago I carefully placed my original iphone in the glove compartment and gently closed the door. Unfortunately, the glass shattered. I was not happy primarily because I'm cheap. I researched replacing the glass and it simply wasn't worth it. So, I did what I thought I would never do: I taped it together.
Ever seen the old guy sitting in a diner with his glasses taped together and said "damn that just looks awful, I'll never do that"? Well, I did it to an iphone.
My "daughter" and her friend-boy returned from a short vacation last night. They were over at the house and we were discussing new eye glasses. They were very sweet in convincing me that I needed to shed the old style glasses and get something more modern. They basically called me "old furniture" and suggested I discard my taste in eye glasses!
In two weeks or so I'll be wearing some "Tom Ford" look a-likes for reading. I'm still going to look well over 70, at least until they sponsor a face lift, hair replacement and new dentures. But, I'll have those glasses!
I managed to find my all time favorite glasses. I had them hidden for about ten years. Very cool looking rimless. Very classy. Matches all the wrinkles around my eyes. Covers the drooping eyelids.
Off to the repair store. I'll teach those kids a lesson! New lenses, some restorative work and I'll have them back in service.
So, I didn't throw out all of the old-I kept just one. They'll make a nice contrast to the new ones.
There are some things worth keeping no matter how old they get: ME!
Happy Birthday Mr. Investing Woodworker!
Rules, Regulations and Am I in Big Trouble! (again)
Several years ago I attended a family dinner with my in laws and their relatives. We were in a lovely restaurant in a warm foreign country and I was on my very best behavior. The check was about to arrive when I motioned to the waiter to give it to me. My wife's cousins were given the check and my father-in-law gave me a lesson.
You see, in this Korean family, there are "regulations". I almost violated one of those regulations by intercepting the dinner check. Apparently, the custom is for the children of the person celebrating a special birthday, to pay. This made no sense. Their children are both working but hardly have the sort of discretionary money to just throw around. Besides, even if they did, why shouldn't they spend it on a nice Chanel hand bag?
Last week we were in New York City to celebrate a wedding with the same family. Sure enough, I discovered more new "regulations". This time, I was kibitzing with a young person when my wife demanded I return to her. OBG, I had violated a regulation that I didn't even know existed! Hell hath no fury like a .... Well you know what happened.
So, since I yearn to be accepted into my wife's family, it is about time I codify mine. First, for the investor: Reg 1: never act on a tip; Reg 2: Homework; Reg 3: There is no one single best approach to success; Reg 4: Don't fight the Fed; Reg 5: sell your losers.
Well, I have at least 25 more investing "regulations" that I self impose on myself every day. But, this is not the place to bore you.
In the shop, "regulation" number one is always Safety. Reg 2: measure twice, do it again and then cut once.
But here is my point: regulations have to make sense.
They just can't be traditional and passed from generation to generation to be followed blindly-with one exception: Thou Shalt Always Listen to She Who Must Be Obeyed, even when she is falling over drunk, screaming insults at cabbies and leaving DNA at the curb.
Of course, I wouldn't have the courage to write this unless I was sure nobody was reading it! Hello, don't dare forward this to you know who!!!
Mr. K-thanks for a great time in NY!
You see, in this Korean family, there are "regulations". I almost violated one of those regulations by intercepting the dinner check. Apparently, the custom is for the children of the person celebrating a special birthday, to pay. This made no sense. Their children are both working but hardly have the sort of discretionary money to just throw around. Besides, even if they did, why shouldn't they spend it on a nice Chanel hand bag?
Last week we were in New York City to celebrate a wedding with the same family. Sure enough, I discovered more new "regulations". This time, I was kibitzing with a young person when my wife demanded I return to her. OBG, I had violated a regulation that I didn't even know existed! Hell hath no fury like a .... Well you know what happened.
So, since I yearn to be accepted into my wife's family, it is about time I codify mine. First, for the investor: Reg 1: never act on a tip; Reg 2: Homework; Reg 3: There is no one single best approach to success; Reg 4: Don't fight the Fed; Reg 5: sell your losers.
Well, I have at least 25 more investing "regulations" that I self impose on myself every day. But, this is not the place to bore you.
In the shop, "regulation" number one is always Safety. Reg 2: measure twice, do it again and then cut once.
But here is my point: regulations have to make sense.
They just can't be traditional and passed from generation to generation to be followed blindly-with one exception: Thou Shalt Always Listen to She Who Must Be Obeyed, even when she is falling over drunk, screaming insults at cabbies and leaving DNA at the curb.
Of course, I wouldn't have the courage to write this unless I was sure nobody was reading it! Hello, don't dare forward this to you know who!!!
Mr. K-thanks for a great time in NY!
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