Ok, I have no problem with bad science fiction movies- I actually enjoy them. But holy shit- Legion was such a bad movie! Last night we took the boys to see Legion and it was sooo bad. Of course I knew that the boys would love it and they did. They thought it was sooo cool and so good. Funny thing is we have now taken the boys to see two R-rated movies and both had Dennis Quaid in them (Pandorum and Legion). The first was pretty good but Legion- Dennis Quaid should be embarrassed. The one redeeming quality was Lucas Black's guns at the end of the flick. The end also kinda left it open to a sequel. If there is one I would imagine it goes straight to DVD- actually I hope it does.
Today we skated in the afternoon. It was great and we were in the middle of a heatwave- it got up to freezing today! My youngest looked at my hand and noticed the abrasions I had on my knuckles. He asked what happened and I told him they were from karate yesterday. Abrasions- they happen when you are hitting muy thai pads without wraps or bag gloves. I am a bit old school though and when I started down the road to the black belt one did not wear wraps or bag gloves during core class. I still don't and that is the price I pay I guess.
So, PS and SP- our friends who live across the street and got us to move into our home- are moving to D.C. come June. We're bummed but it is a great chance for them and they may not stay there. We had drinks with them this evening when I got back from dropping the boys off at their mom's house.
This looks like it will be a busy week. The husband has his other book club tomorrow night. I have karate Tuesday and Wednesday, I think we are free Thursday and we have no plans for the Super Bowl this year but it will be our four year anniversary for when we met.
I actually wasted five minutes of my life reading Mr. Volcker's editorial in the NYT today. He did not write anything new from what he has been saying for close to a year now and I agree with some of his points but I am sure it will cause a huge commotion in the markets tomorrow.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
We live in a pornocracy
So yesterday morning I woke up and I winced when I rolled over onto my left side. Went to the bathroom. took a leak and checked out my ribs- yep, big bruise on them and actually had one right below it on my abs as well. I also notice on on the outside edge of my foot. Of course right off to the gym. My run was a bit painful so I only ran for 20 minutes and not at a blistering pace- just over 2 miles.
So J.D. Salinger passed away. I have never read The Catcher in the Rye. I have an inherent aversion to it because every pompous, prep school prick I met in college raved about it and how it was his favorite book. I may read before I die but I am in no rush- I have had enough angst, alienation and phoniness in my life already- like I really need to read about in some teenager who got kicked out of prep school?
JW made a reference to an Abelian group during our emails about politics. I had no clue what it was and accused him of making phrases up to see if I'd challenge him on any of them. I wiki-ed it and it is real. The best part though is there are axioms and I am thinking of starting a cult- I mean group where people live their lives by the Abelian group axioms. What are the axioms? Glad someone asked. They are closure, associativity, identity element, inverse element and commutativity. Hell, I bet I could get a bunch of baby boomers to fall for it and give me money too.
Thursday some talking head from the White House was commenting on how the high speed rail seed money the government is putting up is going to create an exciting new sector of the economy. Really now? I don't know what planet that guy has been living on but last I checked passenger rail travel is not a new sector of the economy. I believe it's been around since the 1830s. We still have passenger rail travel here in the United States- it's called Amtrak and guess what- the government already owns and runs it.
After the close AMZN reported. The thing that stuck out to me is they are still reporting using non-GAAP numbers. AMZN has been around for sixteen years and public for close to thirteen. Why is the company still using non-GAAP numbers? How long before they make the big move to GAAP numbers? I also want to know if they did report GAAP numbers would they actually have made any money? Kinda makes you think what the point of GAAP is if everyone can just ignore them and make up their own accounting standards.
I had drinks after work with the boss and a guy we do business with. It was a good time as this guy is just a great guy. During the conversation it came out that the boss and his wife use to do Tae-Bo together in their basement- naked! I told him that is too much information to be telling people.
After I ad drinks with JS right around the corner. As always it was good to see him and catch up. I was a bit freaked at the length of his hair. He has always kept his hair close to short and tight. Now he looks like some long-haired hippy freak, lol.
Friday morning I din not work out but did go to the gym. I went to the gym because there was a water main break and out part of town had not water so I showered up there.
The whole brouhaha over Justice Alito saying not true is interesting. The President was a Constitutional Law instructor if I recall correctly- I believe at the University of Chicago. Most of the commentaries all say the President is wrong plain and simple in his statement of how the Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United vs. FEC.
The idea of jobs tax credits is probably going to fail. The only reason I say that is they have been tried before and they did not achieve the intended goal. Yep, President Carter tried them.
Lunch Friday was awesome! Meatball parm on garlic bread. I highly recommend as a lunch meal.
IF the President really wanted to be straight with us Americans he would tell us sorry but we have to accept that we will have a lower standard of living going forward. Sad thing is we Americans don't ever want to hear bad news or be told that we and our children will not have the same standard of living as our parents unless we make the hard decisions now and that those decisions will be painful and hard.
I got home last night only to find out a water pipe in our building had burst. Of course it was over the lobby. So the entire lobby was out of commission last night.
I picked up the boys and we had a nice quiet evening. This morning I hit the dojo- Kobra Kai never die!- and then took the boys with me to get my taxes done. Tonight we are going to see Legion. This is the second R-rated movie the boys will be seeing with us. I already pinky swore them to not tell their mom.
A pornocracy is where the government is ruled by harlots. If you really think Congress is not a bunch of whores, harlots or prostitutes I'd like to know what kind of cookies you had when you drank the Kool-Aid.
So J.D. Salinger passed away. I have never read The Catcher in the Rye. I have an inherent aversion to it because every pompous, prep school prick I met in college raved about it and how it was his favorite book. I may read before I die but I am in no rush- I have had enough angst, alienation and phoniness in my life already- like I really need to read about in some teenager who got kicked out of prep school?
JW made a reference to an Abelian group during our emails about politics. I had no clue what it was and accused him of making phrases up to see if I'd challenge him on any of them. I wiki-ed it and it is real. The best part though is there are axioms and I am thinking of starting a cult- I mean group where people live their lives by the Abelian group axioms. What are the axioms? Glad someone asked. They are closure, associativity, identity element, inverse element and commutativity. Hell, I bet I could get a bunch of baby boomers to fall for it and give me money too.
Thursday some talking head from the White House was commenting on how the high speed rail seed money the government is putting up is going to create an exciting new sector of the economy. Really now? I don't know what planet that guy has been living on but last I checked passenger rail travel is not a new sector of the economy. I believe it's been around since the 1830s. We still have passenger rail travel here in the United States- it's called Amtrak and guess what- the government already owns and runs it.
After the close AMZN reported. The thing that stuck out to me is they are still reporting using non-GAAP numbers. AMZN has been around for sixteen years and public for close to thirteen. Why is the company still using non-GAAP numbers? How long before they make the big move to GAAP numbers? I also want to know if they did report GAAP numbers would they actually have made any money? Kinda makes you think what the point of GAAP is if everyone can just ignore them and make up their own accounting standards.
I had drinks after work with the boss and a guy we do business with. It was a good time as this guy is just a great guy. During the conversation it came out that the boss and his wife use to do Tae-Bo together in their basement- naked! I told him that is too much information to be telling people.
After I ad drinks with JS right around the corner. As always it was good to see him and catch up. I was a bit freaked at the length of his hair. He has always kept his hair close to short and tight. Now he looks like some long-haired hippy freak, lol.
Friday morning I din not work out but did go to the gym. I went to the gym because there was a water main break and out part of town had not water so I showered up there.
The whole brouhaha over Justice Alito saying not true is interesting. The President was a Constitutional Law instructor if I recall correctly- I believe at the University of Chicago. Most of the commentaries all say the President is wrong plain and simple in his statement of how the Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United vs. FEC.
The idea of jobs tax credits is probably going to fail. The only reason I say that is they have been tried before and they did not achieve the intended goal. Yep, President Carter tried them.
Lunch Friday was awesome! Meatball parm on garlic bread. I highly recommend as a lunch meal.
IF the President really wanted to be straight with us Americans he would tell us sorry but we have to accept that we will have a lower standard of living going forward. Sad thing is we Americans don't ever want to hear bad news or be told that we and our children will not have the same standard of living as our parents unless we make the hard decisions now and that those decisions will be painful and hard.
I got home last night only to find out a water pipe in our building had burst. Of course it was over the lobby. So the entire lobby was out of commission last night.
I picked up the boys and we had a nice quiet evening. This morning I hit the dojo- Kobra Kai never die!- and then took the boys with me to get my taxes done. Tonight we are going to see Legion. This is the second R-rated movie the boys will be seeing with us. I already pinky swore them to not tell their mom.
A pornocracy is where the government is ruled by harlots. If you really think Congress is not a bunch of whores, harlots or prostitutes I'd like to know what kind of cookies you had when you drank the Kool-Aid.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Rule 22e-3
So, this morning at the pool, the gentleman who devises all the work outs for the club- I guess you'd say is the coach or coach-like- told me I need to stretch my stroke out(reach more) and turn my hips. He said I don't know how or what you were taught but if you can do that you'll get more glide in the water and use less energy. I told him yes way back when I was a youngin' and swimming for a club team (as in 1976-1979) my coach told me I was not supposed to turn my hips. Curses upon you Bob Kuhn! I coulda been a contender if I had just been taught to turn my hips when swimming...
I woke this morning with a slight twinge in my ribs and knew immediately what it was from. Last night at during kickboxing I went up against this guy one level above me and his frackin' snapping front kicks were deadly. He definitely hits with the ball of the foot and it is not only painful but effective in making me hesitant to close the distance with him. Of course I sparred with him again tonight and he was back with those damn snapping front kicks. After our round was done I told him how good those kicks were and how the hurt when he connected.
Since I am on the topic of the dojo- so embarrassing. Tonight, during submission grappling I of course got paired up with the hot, inked surfer dude who has the same first name as me. During one of the drills I totally ripped ass; it was loud, it was near hs head and I couldn't help but start laughing. I am not sure he saw the humor in it as well.
It kind of seems ironic to me that Greece, which many think of as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy, is rumored to be getting bailed out by China- the last major Communist nation in the world. Of course all parties involved denied said rumors.
it seems that Paul Volcker has always detested money market funds (going forward MMF). If I understand what I've read on his stand on them he seems to view them as art of a shadow banking system that really should not be around because they don't fall under a serious federal regulator and can exacerbate financial problems. He has pretty much had it out for them for a while now. Well it looks like he may finally get what he wants. The SEC voted to pass rule that is possibly going to drive MMFs out of business. The SEC will end up shortening the maturity MMFs can hold down to 45 days I believe and they can suspend redemption's in times of crisis at their discretion. It really won't impact retail investors much since most of the MMF assets are all corporate cash balances. This could be why the 1 month U.S. Treasury Note went negative on yield. That means that people who are lending the U.S. government for one month are also paying the government for that privilege. I would conjecture that corporations will realize this and the possible response would be to pull their assets out of MMFs. That could be slightly detrimental to the MMF business as a whole.
I woke this morning with a slight twinge in my ribs and knew immediately what it was from. Last night at during kickboxing I went up against this guy one level above me and his frackin' snapping front kicks were deadly. He definitely hits with the ball of the foot and it is not only painful but effective in making me hesitant to close the distance with him. Of course I sparred with him again tonight and he was back with those damn snapping front kicks. After our round was done I told him how good those kicks were and how the hurt when he connected.
Since I am on the topic of the dojo- so embarrassing. Tonight, during submission grappling I of course got paired up with the hot, inked surfer dude who has the same first name as me. During one of the drills I totally ripped ass; it was loud, it was near hs head and I couldn't help but start laughing. I am not sure he saw the humor in it as well.
It kind of seems ironic to me that Greece, which many think of as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy, is rumored to be getting bailed out by China- the last major Communist nation in the world. Of course all parties involved denied said rumors.
it seems that Paul Volcker has always detested money market funds (going forward MMF). If I understand what I've read on his stand on them he seems to view them as art of a shadow banking system that really should not be around because they don't fall under a serious federal regulator and can exacerbate financial problems. He has pretty much had it out for them for a while now. Well it looks like he may finally get what he wants. The SEC voted to pass rule that is possibly going to drive MMFs out of business. The SEC will end up shortening the maturity MMFs can hold down to 45 days I believe and they can suspend redemption's in times of crisis at their discretion. It really won't impact retail investors much since most of the MMF assets are all corporate cash balances. This could be why the 1 month U.S. Treasury Note went negative on yield. That means that people who are lending the U.S. government for one month are also paying the government for that privilege. I would conjecture that corporations will realize this and the possible response would be to pull their assets out of MMFs. That could be slightly detrimental to the MMF business as a whole.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
I wanna know where Tanya Harding was at the time...
Holy crap the bus was full hot guys this morning! I love sitting at the back of the bus and watching them all get on at the various stops on the way into the Port Authority.
I actually biked 12 miles this morning at the gym. I felt like I was going to die by the end of the ride to hell. I was still schvittzing when I sat down at the desk 30 minutes later.
First thing I read was tht apparently the DoD had signed off or agreed it would be in our best interests to sell Blackhawks and Patriot missiles to Taiwan. WTF??!!! Seriously, why now are we deciding it is a good time to jab another eye in the eye of the Chinese? We are starting a trade war with them, have attacked them after how many years of them censoring the internets there, we know they are running a cyber-war against us and now we figure we'll antagonize them just a little more. Sure, sounds like a plan to me for this country when China is also our largest creditor.
I got a great BBRG message yesterday from a guy at a large U.S. bank that currently engages in prop trading. He made the observation that here in the West we get all pissy and uptight when the government takes stakes in banks and then decides they have a say in how the banks should run their business. Apparently Western governments have no point in being involved in the direct business of allocating capital. Yet those same investors are falling over themselves to invest in all and any Chinese bank which are all majority owned by the Chinese government, i.e. a Communists government that believes in and practices authoritarian central planning of the economy. Can someone please explain to me why these investors have more faith in the Chinese Communist party correctly and efficiently allocating capital than our own democratically elected governments?
You have to love how the Fed finally now decides the Fed Funds rate is not the correct benchmark rate and are debating switching to or creating a new benchmark rate. As one commentator put it it is basically a confession of shit, this is the target we set and no one is hitting it or paying attention to it. Let's just make a new one. The problem I have with it is does that mean (which I am inclined to believe) the past twenty years of using the FFR as the benchmark have been a huge waste of time? Also the other option they have is just to raise the FFR tomorrow form zero to 25 bps. Actually they can't do that because the economy is actually in worse shape than they are letting on with all of there massaged statistics. You also have to wonder about all the unintended consequences that will arise form creating a new benchmark. It is another step away from letting the markets. i.e. the supply and demand for overnight interbank loans,set the rate and an attempt to wrest control back. I am not saying it doesn't have merit. It is quite possible that by letting the market set the benchmark rate over the last twenty years that is what helped cause the mess we are in right now. Funny thing though is a lot of people lie having supply and demand set it as opposed to some supposedly objective econometric model which by its very nature has flaws and inherent biases built into it.
For the record I found out today that basil chicken salad will stain a light colored shirt if it comes into contact with said light colored shirt. Just thought everyone should know for future reference.
I was chatting with my cousin this morning. He is the one who got me into this business. He was commenting on or lamenting the fact he will be 50 later this year. I told him he should be psyched as it means he will now got to avail himself of all the AARP discounts. He questioned me on that and I explained to him the first real shop I worked for in my line of work ran all the AARP mutual funds so all of the employees of that shop were automatically members of AARP regardless of age and for free. I miss the days I could use the discounts for car rentals and hotels and when people doubted me I'd whip out my membership card and they had to acquiesce to my demand for the discount.
Apparently I need to give m employer my passport number. It seems we will be getting registered to conduct some non-U.S. business and Big Brother (aka a foreign government) requires that information.
I read about Nancy Kerrigan's father passing away and how her brother is now a suspect in an alleged murder of him. Seriously, hasn't anyone thought to check out Tanya Harding's whereabouts at the time of the alleged crime? She had no compunction whatsoever in hiring someone to take a pipe to Nancy's knee years ago, got caught, did her time. It could be all about revenge and patience.
I debated not using spell check tonight as I am kind of beat from the dojo but figured I should. I may skip it later this week and just let my bad spelling and grammar stay as is.
I actually biked 12 miles this morning at the gym. I felt like I was going to die by the end of the ride to hell. I was still schvittzing when I sat down at the desk 30 minutes later.
First thing I read was tht apparently the DoD had signed off or agreed it would be in our best interests to sell Blackhawks and Patriot missiles to Taiwan. WTF??!!! Seriously, why now are we deciding it is a good time to jab another eye in the eye of the Chinese? We are starting a trade war with them, have attacked them after how many years of them censoring the internets there, we know they are running a cyber-war against us and now we figure we'll antagonize them just a little more. Sure, sounds like a plan to me for this country when China is also our largest creditor.
I got a great BBRG message yesterday from a guy at a large U.S. bank that currently engages in prop trading. He made the observation that here in the West we get all pissy and uptight when the government takes stakes in banks and then decides they have a say in how the banks should run their business. Apparently Western governments have no point in being involved in the direct business of allocating capital. Yet those same investors are falling over themselves to invest in all and any Chinese bank which are all majority owned by the Chinese government, i.e. a Communists government that believes in and practices authoritarian central planning of the economy. Can someone please explain to me why these investors have more faith in the Chinese Communist party correctly and efficiently allocating capital than our own democratically elected governments?
You have to love how the Fed finally now decides the Fed Funds rate is not the correct benchmark rate and are debating switching to or creating a new benchmark rate. As one commentator put it it is basically a confession of shit, this is the target we set and no one is hitting it or paying attention to it. Let's just make a new one. The problem I have with it is does that mean (which I am inclined to believe) the past twenty years of using the FFR as the benchmark have been a huge waste of time? Also the other option they have is just to raise the FFR tomorrow form zero to 25 bps. Actually they can't do that because the economy is actually in worse shape than they are letting on with all of there massaged statistics. You also have to wonder about all the unintended consequences that will arise form creating a new benchmark. It is another step away from letting the markets. i.e. the supply and demand for overnight interbank loans,set the rate and an attempt to wrest control back. I am not saying it doesn't have merit. It is quite possible that by letting the market set the benchmark rate over the last twenty years that is what helped cause the mess we are in right now. Funny thing though is a lot of people lie having supply and demand set it as opposed to some supposedly objective econometric model which by its very nature has flaws and inherent biases built into it.
For the record I found out today that basil chicken salad will stain a light colored shirt if it comes into contact with said light colored shirt. Just thought everyone should know for future reference.
I was chatting with my cousin this morning. He is the one who got me into this business. He was commenting on or lamenting the fact he will be 50 later this year. I told him he should be psyched as it means he will now got to avail himself of all the AARP discounts. He questioned me on that and I explained to him the first real shop I worked for in my line of work ran all the AARP mutual funds so all of the employees of that shop were automatically members of AARP regardless of age and for free. I miss the days I could use the discounts for car rentals and hotels and when people doubted me I'd whip out my membership card and they had to acquiesce to my demand for the discount.
Apparently I need to give m employer my passport number. It seems we will be getting registered to conduct some non-U.S. business and Big Brother (aka a foreign government) requires that information.
I read about Nancy Kerrigan's father passing away and how her brother is now a suspect in an alleged murder of him. Seriously, hasn't anyone thought to check out Tanya Harding's whereabouts at the time of the alleged crime? She had no compunction whatsoever in hiring someone to take a pipe to Nancy's knee years ago, got caught, did her time. It could be all about revenge and patience.
I debated not using spell check tonight as I am kind of beat from the dojo but figured I should. I may skip it later this week and just let my bad spelling and grammar stay as is.
Monday, January 25, 2010
My Gym Partner's a Monkey
So this morning the wind was scary strong. The windows were rattling and is was howling outside. It was kind of scary. I asked the husband as I was leaving if he heard the wind. He mumbled something incoherent most likely because he did not get home until about 1:15 AM.
So apparently it is Girl Scout Cookie season right now. I always laugh about it because every guy in the office with a girl in the Girl Scouts or Brownies hits up everyone in the office. What I noticed is the Girl Scouts from more affluent areas in the tri state are charge more per box than the ones from the less affluent areas. I also laugh because I recall a cartoon on Cartoon Network the boys used to watch and one episode where the Girl Scout like organization was basically a gang and beat the crap out of anyone who encroached on their turf. Hence the title of the post.
Denny Hamlin is kinda cute. I saw a news story about how he got injured playing a basketball game- he's a race car driver professionally. I haven't done any more checking out of him on the internets though.
The new Brendan Frasier and Harrison Ford movie Extraordinary Measures is a huge flop apparently. Funny thing though is the guy who it's based on, one John Crowley, used to take karate with me down in central Jersey. I remembered him because he was pretty cute, built and short. I saw him on one of the financial news networks once too.
My bond friend has been all over me about what's going on in the single delta markets lately. It makes me nervous when a bond guy is asking me but I tell him what I know and what I think is going on.
I still think and have been debating it with the boss all day that Bernake is a goner. I think the general populace is getting a bit fed up with the schizophrenic message the Administration is giving: The banks are bad and evil but Bernake has to stay to make the financial system keep going. Well if the banks are the cause and they are the financial system then why do we need Bernake to save them? Hasn't he been involved in and with them for more than a decade? You want the banks saved but they are bad?
So I read somewhere that all of the TARP money lent to banks was repaid at a profit. The TARP payments to AIG, GM and Chrylser have not been repaid and are still losing money. Yet somehow the banks need to pay again and more. Does that make any sense? And don't you want the financial system saved? Saved so you can then make them pay again and again and again?
The boss has a bit of an issue. Last week he went to his knee and ankle guy. The doctor told him he really shouldn't be a runner any more, he should just be a swimmer and biker. It seems all of the scoping he has had done on his knee over the years has left nothing in the joint anymore and the pain he feels from the pounding of running is bone hitting bone. I asked if that meant this was his last race this June. He said probably but he has to do this one as he shanghaied about foru more people in the office into to doing it.
It's good having the husband home. He has one of his book clubs tomorrow night and then a business networking party to go to Wednesday night. I am having drinks with a good friend Thursday night and we have the boys again this weekend. So since I have not seen him in a week I blew of karate tonight. We'll watch Heroes, eat Chinese delivery and go to bed early.
So apparently it is Girl Scout Cookie season right now. I always laugh about it because every guy in the office with a girl in the Girl Scouts or Brownies hits up everyone in the office. What I noticed is the Girl Scouts from more affluent areas in the tri state are charge more per box than the ones from the less affluent areas. I also laugh because I recall a cartoon on Cartoon Network the boys used to watch and one episode where the Girl Scout like organization was basically a gang and beat the crap out of anyone who encroached on their turf. Hence the title of the post.
Denny Hamlin is kinda cute. I saw a news story about how he got injured playing a basketball game- he's a race car driver professionally. I haven't done any more checking out of him on the internets though.
The new Brendan Frasier and Harrison Ford movie Extraordinary Measures is a huge flop apparently. Funny thing though is the guy who it's based on, one John Crowley, used to take karate with me down in central Jersey. I remembered him because he was pretty cute, built and short. I saw him on one of the financial news networks once too.
My bond friend has been all over me about what's going on in the single delta markets lately. It makes me nervous when a bond guy is asking me but I tell him what I know and what I think is going on.
I still think and have been debating it with the boss all day that Bernake is a goner. I think the general populace is getting a bit fed up with the schizophrenic message the Administration is giving: The banks are bad and evil but Bernake has to stay to make the financial system keep going. Well if the banks are the cause and they are the financial system then why do we need Bernake to save them? Hasn't he been involved in and with them for more than a decade? You want the banks saved but they are bad?
So I read somewhere that all of the TARP money lent to banks was repaid at a profit. The TARP payments to AIG, GM and Chrylser have not been repaid and are still losing money. Yet somehow the banks need to pay again and more. Does that make any sense? And don't you want the financial system saved? Saved so you can then make them pay again and again and again?
The boss has a bit of an issue. Last week he went to his knee and ankle guy. The doctor told him he really shouldn't be a runner any more, he should just be a swimmer and biker. It seems all of the scoping he has had done on his knee over the years has left nothing in the joint anymore and the pain he feels from the pounding of running is bone hitting bone. I asked if that meant this was his last race this June. He said probably but he has to do this one as he shanghaied about foru more people in the office into to doing it.
It's good having the husband home. He has one of his book clubs tomorrow night and then a business networking party to go to Wednesday night. I am having drinks with a good friend Thursday night and we have the boys again this weekend. So since I have not seen him in a week I blew of karate tonight. We'll watch Heroes, eat Chinese delivery and go to bed early.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
J-E-S-T! Jest, Jest, Jest!
So I saw the Glee won some Golden globes. I happened to be perusing the web site of my alma mater when I learned that the co-creator/producer of the show and he graduated 3 years behind me which means he would have been a freshman when I was a senior. I don't remember the guy at all, lol.
Friday at the office was jeans and green day. The COO is a huge Jets fan and said everyone could wear jeans and green and donate $5 towards Haiti. I am not a Jets fan or supporter so I wore a suit and tie. I don't care how hot Dirty Sanchez is, I just don't like the Jets.
So when I picked up the boys Friday night I told my oldest he needed to take medicine for his cold. I had noticed through out the week he was sniffling and coughing. We stopped at the grocery store right out of the garage and picked up some Sudafed Cough & Cold- the non-drowsy formula. By the next morning he was feeling much better and sounded better too. He had to do something he hates- admit dad was right.
It was a real lazy weekend for the boys, the kids and me. I actually got to take a nap both days. I told the boys I'd make dinner. So I used the husband's recipe for brined pork chops. I also made baked potatoes and honey glazed carrots. The odes was psyched as he told me he thinks the husband and my mom are great cooks, followed by me and his mom's mom and last but not least his mom. The big hit was not he brined pork chop but the baked potato! Go figure. I am not a potato fan- the irony is rich since I am of Irish descent- because mom made them for every frackin' meal growing up. I really only eat potatoes on Thanksgiving and then with lots of gravy. For dessert it was mint chocolate chip ice cream.
I actually read two good articles this weekend in the main stream media.
One basically made the point that the political parties are missing the point of what has changed. It used to be what can each party do for me. These days it seems it has become which party has the same values and goals that I do.
The second one was about a big flame out on the blogosphere between a blogger and his former readers/allies/etc. The thing I took away from it reinforces my belief we are becoming tribalized through the internet. One person commented well it's his sand box and he can allow in whoever he wants. The rampant anonymity the internet allows has led many to completely abandon all civility.
Holy shit- U2 songs in ads for the Daytona 500????
Just turned on the tv and see the Jets lost- I knew I was right to wear a suit and tie...
Friday at the office was jeans and green day. The COO is a huge Jets fan and said everyone could wear jeans and green and donate $5 towards Haiti. I am not a Jets fan or supporter so I wore a suit and tie. I don't care how hot Dirty Sanchez is, I just don't like the Jets.
So when I picked up the boys Friday night I told my oldest he needed to take medicine for his cold. I had noticed through out the week he was sniffling and coughing. We stopped at the grocery store right out of the garage and picked up some Sudafed Cough & Cold- the non-drowsy formula. By the next morning he was feeling much better and sounded better too. He had to do something he hates- admit dad was right.
It was a real lazy weekend for the boys, the kids and me. I actually got to take a nap both days. I told the boys I'd make dinner. So I used the husband's recipe for brined pork chops. I also made baked potatoes and honey glazed carrots. The odes was psyched as he told me he thinks the husband and my mom are great cooks, followed by me and his mom's mom and last but not least his mom. The big hit was not he brined pork chop but the baked potato! Go figure. I am not a potato fan- the irony is rich since I am of Irish descent- because mom made them for every frackin' meal growing up. I really only eat potatoes on Thanksgiving and then with lots of gravy. For dessert it was mint chocolate chip ice cream.
I actually read two good articles this weekend in the main stream media.
One basically made the point that the political parties are missing the point of what has changed. It used to be what can each party do for me. These days it seems it has become which party has the same values and goals that I do.
The second one was about a big flame out on the blogosphere between a blogger and his former readers/allies/etc. The thing I took away from it reinforces my belief we are becoming tribalized through the internet. One person commented well it's his sand box and he can allow in whoever he wants. The rampant anonymity the internet allows has led many to completely abandon all civility.
Holy shit- U2 songs in ads for the Daytona 500????
Just turned on the tv and see the Jets lost- I knew I was right to wear a suit and tie...
Friday, January 22, 2010
For a four day work week it sure seemed frackin' longer
It has been a long week. I have gone into full ADD mode I think with all the stuff that has gone on in politics and the markets. it is late, I am tired, this post will ramble thanks to ADD- oh look a chicken!
I really don't know where to start. I might as well start with some eye candy.
We have four televisions in my area of the office. The other day one of them was tuned into the Childrens News Broadcasting Corporation. I happened to see who was talking and turned the volume down but kept watching as he was a pretty good looking guy- one Cameron Findlay. I have no clue what firm he works for or what he was even talking about but it was nice.
The Human Target- thought it was a great comic book. The show is going to be good solely because of Mark Valley and the fact that in the pilot he was shirtless and is totally freakin' hot! He is furry and has ink. The husband googled him when we were watching and saw he was only 5' 10" which is within his range. I told the husband he could add him tot he list.
So Massachusetts sent a Republican to Washington to take over the late Ted Kennedy's seat. The implications are staggering. I don't know what message the voters are trying to send except maybe they want Congress to actually do their job and legislate effectively and from the center. The election has set off a long and great discourse with JW. What we have agreed to in principle is that the public is pissed because they are starting to think that Washington has abdicated all responsibility to the corporate sector. It's as if the corporate and government sectors are becoming one. That is essentially fascism. JW and I don't fully agree on what the definition of fascism is but we agree on enough to think that is the road we are headed down. Sadly unless we do something about it we will have voted ourselves there.
The left is pissed off because they got completely suckered by the candidate they voted to become President. The Dems have ignored their base.
I think the Dems need to throw off the yoke of the pejorative term liberal. I have become indoctrinated to view the word liberal as a pejorative because of my career choice. I think the Dems need to remember words have power and they need to claim the mantle of progressive. They have 70 or so years of history to base the claim on.
The bear market rally- while it was huge and long is over.
I am going to have to guess that the populist pivot the President has made in deciding to fight the banks will not end well for him. Maybe it's just me but it seems money always beats political power. To paraphrase Dillinger- the bank is where the money is.
The internet is great but it has had a balkanizing effect on society and encourages a tribalist mentality.
I have found I don't sleep well when the husband is away. He gets back Sunday night- late.
We do need healthcare reform as I have said before but what the Dems are proposing is not reform at all.
Ice skating tomorrow maybe.
ADD is an asset by the way for what I do for work but makes writing a coherent blog difficult at times, lol. Fucking deal with it bitches.
I really don't know where to start. I might as well start with some eye candy.
We have four televisions in my area of the office. The other day one of them was tuned into the Childrens News Broadcasting Corporation. I happened to see who was talking and turned the volume down but kept watching as he was a pretty good looking guy- one Cameron Findlay. I have no clue what firm he works for or what he was even talking about but it was nice.
The Human Target- thought it was a great comic book. The show is going to be good solely because of Mark Valley and the fact that in the pilot he was shirtless and is totally freakin' hot! He is furry and has ink. The husband googled him when we were watching and saw he was only 5' 10" which is within his range. I told the husband he could add him tot he list.
So Massachusetts sent a Republican to Washington to take over the late Ted Kennedy's seat. The implications are staggering. I don't know what message the voters are trying to send except maybe they want Congress to actually do their job and legislate effectively and from the center. The election has set off a long and great discourse with JW. What we have agreed to in principle is that the public is pissed because they are starting to think that Washington has abdicated all responsibility to the corporate sector. It's as if the corporate and government sectors are becoming one. That is essentially fascism. JW and I don't fully agree on what the definition of fascism is but we agree on enough to think that is the road we are headed down. Sadly unless we do something about it we will have voted ourselves there.
The left is pissed off because they got completely suckered by the candidate they voted to become President. The Dems have ignored their base.
I think the Dems need to throw off the yoke of the pejorative term liberal. I have become indoctrinated to view the word liberal as a pejorative because of my career choice. I think the Dems need to remember words have power and they need to claim the mantle of progressive. They have 70 or so years of history to base the claim on.
The bear market rally- while it was huge and long is over.
I am going to have to guess that the populist pivot the President has made in deciding to fight the banks will not end well for him. Maybe it's just me but it seems money always beats political power. To paraphrase Dillinger- the bank is where the money is.
The internet is great but it has had a balkanizing effect on society and encourages a tribalist mentality.
I have found I don't sleep well when the husband is away. He gets back Sunday night- late.
We do need healthcare reform as I have said before but what the Dems are proposing is not reform at all.
Ice skating tomorrow maybe.
ADD is an asset by the way for what I do for work but makes writing a coherent blog difficult at times, lol. Fucking deal with it bitches.
Monday, January 18, 2010
A three day weekend
Friday my brother and his wife came to town for the weekend. They got into Penn Station around 6 PM, I met them there and we took the PATH home. The husband had already had quite a bit of cooking wine preparing dinner. Dinner was amazing- chicken poached in olive oil with anchovy-Parmesan dressing. I made a quick ratatouille and salad. We then played cards and hit the hay around midnight.
Saturday we took them to lunch in the city for lunch then hit the High Line. Afterwards we took them to my office. They were amazed at the views.
Saturday evening we had dinner reservations in the city. My youngest brother and his wife met us at the restaurant as well. Dinner was amazing and the best part was my brother paid for it. We then went to the Strip House for an after dinner drink. My youngest brother and his wife then went home and the four of us went back to Hoboken and went to a bar my brother loves and had a few more drinks.
Yesterday I took them back into the city to catch their train back and then I hit the gym and did a run. The husband and I watched Paranormal Activity last night. This time we watched the theatrical ending and I have to say that ending was much scarier than the alternate ending.
Speaking of movies I cannot believe they are remaking the following: Red Dawn, Tron, Teen Wolf,Nightmare on Elm Street and Clash of the Titans. The next thing you know those totally cheesy fanny packs will be back in and the hot thing. God help us.
This morning we went into the city to the husband's tailor and dropped off a bunch of things to get altered. There was smokin' hot blond guy who walked in in front of us. The husband was wondering if he could go into the changing room with him, lol. I got two suits and three pairs of pants altered and learned something. A one button suit is not for me because, as the tailor explained it, my chest is too large for that type and it messes up the lapels. Live and learn but it is a great three piece suit and it was half price so I went with it anyways.
After the tailor I walked across town to my gym and hit the pool. I got a good swim in and was asking myself again why the fuck I am now signed up for three frackin' triathlons.
The husband is off to Aspen for Gay Ski week this Wednesday. He and TK are going out. I am skipping it this year as I like snow boarding but don't love it the way the husband does and would rather spend the money going somewhere warm and sunny.
I have the boys this weekend. They asked about going skating and I told them as long as it is not raining we will go at least one day. I have also committed to reading the Cirque du Freak series in exchange for my youngest reading the Ranger's Apprentice series.
I have not read any business news this weekend. Just wasn't in the mood. I did see that the Vikings beat the Cowboys though so I am glad about that since I predicted the Vikings would win the Super Bowl.
We have decided to dvr both The Human Target and Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
Saturday we took them to lunch in the city for lunch then hit the High Line. Afterwards we took them to my office. They were amazed at the views.
Saturday evening we had dinner reservations in the city. My youngest brother and his wife met us at the restaurant as well. Dinner was amazing and the best part was my brother paid for it. We then went to the Strip House for an after dinner drink. My youngest brother and his wife then went home and the four of us went back to Hoboken and went to a bar my brother loves and had a few more drinks.
Yesterday I took them back into the city to catch their train back and then I hit the gym and did a run. The husband and I watched Paranormal Activity last night. This time we watched the theatrical ending and I have to say that ending was much scarier than the alternate ending.
Speaking of movies I cannot believe they are remaking the following: Red Dawn, Tron, Teen Wolf,Nightmare on Elm Street and Clash of the Titans. The next thing you know those totally cheesy fanny packs will be back in and the hot thing. God help us.
This morning we went into the city to the husband's tailor and dropped off a bunch of things to get altered. There was smokin' hot blond guy who walked in in front of us. The husband was wondering if he could go into the changing room with him, lol. I got two suits and three pairs of pants altered and learned something. A one button suit is not for me because, as the tailor explained it, my chest is too large for that type and it messes up the lapels. Live and learn but it is a great three piece suit and it was half price so I went with it anyways.
After the tailor I walked across town to my gym and hit the pool. I got a good swim in and was asking myself again why the fuck I am now signed up for three frackin' triathlons.
The husband is off to Aspen for Gay Ski week this Wednesday. He and TK are going out. I am skipping it this year as I like snow boarding but don't love it the way the husband does and would rather spend the money going somewhere warm and sunny.
I have the boys this weekend. They asked about going skating and I told them as long as it is not raining we will go at least one day. I have also committed to reading the Cirque du Freak series in exchange for my youngest reading the Ranger's Apprentice series.
I have not read any business news this weekend. Just wasn't in the mood. I did see that the Vikings beat the Cowboys though so I am glad about that since I predicted the Vikings would win the Super Bowl.
We have decided to dvr both The Human Target and Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I might have to start following USC football this fall
So I saw an oldie but goodie on the bus this morning- Full Lower Lip was on my bus. I am fairly certain he still wants me even in my unshowered state whilst wearing a hoodie and sweats.
I had been obsessing over a comic book I remember from the late '90s. All I could remember was it was a vampire book, a teenager got turned, a Senator was the bad guy, there was a kick-ass version of Red Riding Hood and there was an ancient Atlantean vampire who was trying to atone for helping Lilith create vampires. I scoured wikipedia, google and the comic book resource websites. I knew it was not Marvel or DC. I thought maybe it was Top Cow or Americas Best Comics (yes I know technically that is a DC imprint label but whatever). I was wrong and finally yesterday I found it- Crimson! It was Cliffhanger/Image (again I know- a DC imprint line). Alex Elder was the protagonist.
Last night I had beers and cheese steaks with my bond friend. It was good to see him and we had fun as usual.
So, if TARP has made money for the government why do we need to tax, sorry I mean place a levy on the 50 largest financial institutions? Am I the only one who sees a huge disconnect there? I also have a problem with the fact that the levy will even be placed on those who did not take any TARP funds. Then there is the issue of the banks that took TARP funds and paid them back with interest. So now they have to pay again? What about GM and Chrysler? Oh wait, they employ UAW workers and the UAW makes huge donations to the Democrats so they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them. Don't get me started on GE Capital...
Since we are on the topic of supposed profits, how can we know for sure the Fed has actually made $45 billion in profits when they won't let us look at their books and accounting?
I saw the Asus Waveforce Ultra Smartphone bracelet and had to say it looks really frackin' cool. I know they say it is only a concept phone but I bet it would be a huge hit and mega-seller if they brought it to market.
My brother and sister-in-law are coming to town tomorrow evening to spend the weekend with me and the husband. It will be some good adult time for them as they have three kids. We are eating tomorrow night and probably playing cards. Saturday we'll take them ice skating and I will be sure to get pictures to post on the tome of mugs and embarrass my brother. Saturday night we are going out to dinner in the city with my youngest brother and his wife.
I have no opinion on Lance Kiffin's coaching abilities but I think he is pretty damn woofy. I may have to start following the Trojans in the fall.
I had been obsessing over a comic book I remember from the late '90s. All I could remember was it was a vampire book, a teenager got turned, a Senator was the bad guy, there was a kick-ass version of Red Riding Hood and there was an ancient Atlantean vampire who was trying to atone for helping Lilith create vampires. I scoured wikipedia, google and the comic book resource websites. I knew it was not Marvel or DC. I thought maybe it was Top Cow or Americas Best Comics (yes I know technically that is a DC imprint label but whatever). I was wrong and finally yesterday I found it- Crimson! It was Cliffhanger/Image (again I know- a DC imprint line). Alex Elder was the protagonist.
Last night I had beers and cheese steaks with my bond friend. It was good to see him and we had fun as usual.
So, if TARP has made money for the government why do we need to tax, sorry I mean place a levy on the 50 largest financial institutions? Am I the only one who sees a huge disconnect there? I also have a problem with the fact that the levy will even be placed on those who did not take any TARP funds. Then there is the issue of the banks that took TARP funds and paid them back with interest. So now they have to pay again? What about GM and Chrysler? Oh wait, they employ UAW workers and the UAW makes huge donations to the Democrats so they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them. Don't get me started on GE Capital...
Since we are on the topic of supposed profits, how can we know for sure the Fed has actually made $45 billion in profits when they won't let us look at their books and accounting?
I saw the Asus Waveforce Ultra Smartphone bracelet and had to say it looks really frackin' cool. I know they say it is only a concept phone but I bet it would be a huge hit and mega-seller if they brought it to market.
My brother and sister-in-law are coming to town tomorrow evening to spend the weekend with me and the husband. It will be some good adult time for them as they have three kids. We are eating tomorrow night and probably playing cards. Saturday we'll take them ice skating and I will be sure to get pictures to post on the tome of mugs and embarrass my brother. Saturday night we are going out to dinner in the city with my youngest brother and his wife.
I have no opinion on Lance Kiffin's coaching abilities but I think he is pretty damn woofy. I may have to start following the Trojans in the fall.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Never use a ouija board
Yesterday morning the fat chick- um I mean large boned woman- who sat next to me on the bus in was ripping ass like there was no tomorrow. Ok, I am not sure it was her but I always find it funny when fat chicks fart or get blamed for it. I dunno why I just do, I guess I am a bad person.
I did notice one totally super cute black Irish boy though. He was adorable to use a phrase the husband is fond of.
Maybe I'm old fashioned but I think if you are in college you should own a simple navy blazer. It doesn't need to have but most likely will the gold buttons. It is the best thing a guy can own in college. Why do I bring this up you ask? The woman who sits next to me asked my and the guy on the other side of her seat if her son should wear a tie to a job interview. (He is going to interview to be a Census worker). We both said not only should he wear a tie but also a blazer. That put her in a tizzy. She is a very frugal woman and asked if she can buy one for $60. I told her I doubt it, not even Mens Warehouse sells ones that cheap. She started complaining and I told her look, you asked our opinion and that is what she got.
So apparently some company in Australia is looking out for all those people who don't feel popular enough on the Tome of Mugs. For $200 (I think) they will give you 1000 fake friends on the site that will post comments, write on your wall, etc in order to make you seem popular.
All I have heard about for the past two days is 3D television. Seriously- who the fuck cares about 3D tv? I have a hard enough time keeping up with all the shows I like to begin with and if you think #D will entice me you are wrong. Do we really need 3D tv? I am pretty happy with good ol' 2D.
So I picked up the boys last night at their mom's house. My oldest is without his iPod Touch as he lost it for the week because of some transgression he committed. He brought his dvd player though for the ride home. He convinced me we should watch Paranormal Activity. I and the husband had not seen it and even though I knew it would give him nightmares I figured last night would be the night to watch it because he could end up sleeping in the bed with me when he got nightmares. My youngest had no interest in watching it with us so he went into his room, closed the door and watched Cartoon Network.
The movie is really good, freaky and scary. I loved it and had goose bumps many times. After the movie my oldest told me he needed to watch Land of the Lost. So the three of us started watching it. My oldest fell asleep and my youngest was asleep on my lap. I turned off the tv and told them it was bed time. about a hour later my oldest was in the room asking if he could sleep with me. So he jumped in the bed with me and the kids and was soon sleeping soundly. This morning he told me I snore alot.
The husband is on the road home from mom and dad's house. He said he is going to stop by one of the outlet malls in Pennsylvania on the way home. I and the boys are going to go ice skating in the afternoon as it is Arctic like right now and I am hoping the sun will warm things up a bit.
I think tomorrow we are going to take the boys to MoMA to view the Tim Burton exhibit. Tim Burton has one seriously fucked up imagination so it should be fun.
I did notice one totally super cute black Irish boy though. He was adorable to use a phrase the husband is fond of.
Maybe I'm old fashioned but I think if you are in college you should own a simple navy blazer. It doesn't need to have but most likely will the gold buttons. It is the best thing a guy can own in college. Why do I bring this up you ask? The woman who sits next to me asked my and the guy on the other side of her seat if her son should wear a tie to a job interview. (He is going to interview to be a Census worker). We both said not only should he wear a tie but also a blazer. That put her in a tizzy. She is a very frugal woman and asked if she can buy one for $60. I told her I doubt it, not even Mens Warehouse sells ones that cheap. She started complaining and I told her look, you asked our opinion and that is what she got.
So apparently some company in Australia is looking out for all those people who don't feel popular enough on the Tome of Mugs. For $200 (I think) they will give you 1000 fake friends on the site that will post comments, write on your wall, etc in order to make you seem popular.
All I have heard about for the past two days is 3D television. Seriously- who the fuck cares about 3D tv? I have a hard enough time keeping up with all the shows I like to begin with and if you think #D will entice me you are wrong. Do we really need 3D tv? I am pretty happy with good ol' 2D.
So I picked up the boys last night at their mom's house. My oldest is without his iPod Touch as he lost it for the week because of some transgression he committed. He brought his dvd player though for the ride home. He convinced me we should watch Paranormal Activity. I and the husband had not seen it and even though I knew it would give him nightmares I figured last night would be the night to watch it because he could end up sleeping in the bed with me when he got nightmares. My youngest had no interest in watching it with us so he went into his room, closed the door and watched Cartoon Network.
The movie is really good, freaky and scary. I loved it and had goose bumps many times. After the movie my oldest told me he needed to watch Land of the Lost. So the three of us started watching it. My oldest fell asleep and my youngest was asleep on my lap. I turned off the tv and told them it was bed time. about a hour later my oldest was in the room asking if he could sleep with me. So he jumped in the bed with me and the kids and was soon sleeping soundly. This morning he told me I snore alot.
The husband is on the road home from mom and dad's house. He said he is going to stop by one of the outlet malls in Pennsylvania on the way home. I and the boys are going to go ice skating in the afternoon as it is Arctic like right now and I am hoping the sun will warm things up a bit.
I think tomorrow we are going to take the boys to MoMA to view the Tim Burton exhibit. Tim Burton has one seriously fucked up imagination so it should be fun.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Event Horizon
So last night I actually watched an episode of Glee- I believe I read in the last monthly newsletter all gays have to watch at least once and then rave about it. I have to say I found it not bad and fairly amusing. I am not a fan of musicals but I loved when Artie sang Billy Idol's Dancing By Myself- that pretty much made me like the show. Plus Finn is pretty damn cute and Puck is hot and funny. It won't beat out Heroes, Fringe or Supernatural but if I happen to catch it I will watch it; it is not yet on the dvr list.
Even though he is a bit too left for me I really like the fact the Stiglitz is telling everyone the emperor has no clothes. The most salient point he made was Wall Street is in the business of selling stocks. Plain and simple. Wall Street will generally always be bullish. Nothing else has been changed- derivatives are still the wild west, may banks are still holding all the shit that got them in trouble and there is no meaningful reform bill anywhere.
BBRG had a pretty big story about the whole AIG debacle and the role Turbo Tax Timmy had in it. I am starting to think that my AIG prediction is closer than I think. Maybe the government has decided the event horizon (not the eerie movie starring Sam Neil and Laurence Fishburne) of the LEH bankruptcy is far enough away that if the let AIG go now it would not be too bad.
Seriously- who is so stupid they need the Perfect Brownie Pan? How can you not know how to actually wait until brownies cool before you cut them? And if someone else eats all the edges, tough luck, you should have been more aggressive.
The husband is still up at mom and dad's house. He'll be back Saturday. I am picking the boys up tomorrow after work and am thinking pizza for dinner when we get home. Other than that the only thing I need to do tonight is brush out the kids and fold some laundry- actually the laundry may wait until tomorrow evening.
Even though he is a bit too left for me I really like the fact the Stiglitz is telling everyone the emperor has no clothes. The most salient point he made was Wall Street is in the business of selling stocks. Plain and simple. Wall Street will generally always be bullish. Nothing else has been changed- derivatives are still the wild west, may banks are still holding all the shit that got them in trouble and there is no meaningful reform bill anywhere.
BBRG had a pretty big story about the whole AIG debacle and the role Turbo Tax Timmy had in it. I am starting to think that my AIG prediction is closer than I think. Maybe the government has decided the event horizon (not the eerie movie starring Sam Neil and Laurence Fishburne) of the LEH bankruptcy is far enough away that if the let AIG go now it would not be too bad.
Seriously- who is so stupid they need the Perfect Brownie Pan? How can you not know how to actually wait until brownies cool before you cut them? And if someone else eats all the edges, tough luck, you should have been more aggressive.
The husband is still up at mom and dad's house. He'll be back Saturday. I am picking the boys up tomorrow after work and am thinking pizza for dinner when we get home. Other than that the only thing I need to do tonight is brush out the kids and fold some laundry- actually the laundry may wait until tomorrow evening.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Splish splash
So the kids were pretty surprised they got walked at 5 AM in the morning. Usually the husband walks them but not until around 6 or 7.
I am probably too cynical to believe that Senator Dodd is retiring to spend more time with his family. The guy was most likely going to lose the election, he was (as ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee) a big part of the group that got us into this mess, he took advantage of his position in the Senate to get himself a sweetheart deal it appears, and no one who has been in the a position of power for close to four decades willingly gives up that power- unless of course that person knows some hammer is about to fall very hard on them.
The FOMC minutes came out today and it indicated that the Fed is split on whether or not to continue their QE program. It is scheduled to end in March but it may not. Many market participants took that to mean rates are most assuredly staying near zero for longer than expected. To that I would say I take it as an indictment that the Fed is all but admitting the "recovery" may be a lot more fragile than even they are willing to admit. It also seems like a very Japanese thing to do but I digress...
Something to keep in mind about the unemployment number in February: I was told approximately 1 million people will drop off the rolls of emergency benefits. That means U-6 will show an uptick solely because of that. It does not mean those people don't want to work but they are no longer counted by the government as looking for work- how fucked up is that?
You have to wonder why the government of Yemen seems to be getting really vocal about their opposition of the United States intervening directly in their nation in the fight against Al-Qaeda. I can only assume it mean there is a lot behind the scenes rumblings.
Of course there are now a bunch of lists of predictions for the coming year. Last count I made there are 58 different lists. the funny thing is the boss, I and the kid who sits next to me decided back in the beginning of December we as a trading desk would put together our own. I wrote up a bunch of them starting on December 7th. I find it eerie that some of the things I said could happen made it on to a couple of the other lists I have read (I have not gone through all 58 yet). Here they are:
Geithner out, Summers in, bonds react negatively
Bernake out
AIG goes into liquidation
EK files for bankruptcy- finally
Democrats get crushed in mid-term elections
Iran falls into civil war
Osama Bin Laden dies of kidney failure
Terror strike in the U.S. perpetrated by locally grown terrorists.
The government seizes GE Capital from GE
Double dip recession and with U-6 going over 20% it starts being called a depression
EU starts to fragment end result being only France, Germany and Nordic countries in it
Vikings win the Super Bowl
No health care bill is passed
Cap and trade is not passed
Some form of Glass-Stegall is reinstated
Citigroup is nationalized de jure and broken up
SAC shuts down for good of its own volition
U.S. troops are sent into Mexico to help stabilize it because of drug war
FHA goes into conservatorship ala FNM and FRE
I remember the comic book The Human Target and I now see that Fox is going to come out with it as a tv series. I am psyched about for it. I am even more psyched that Mark Valley is going to be the star.
I gave the kids baths tonight. They were so not happy with me, lol. Tomorrow night I'll brush the creatures of darkness out.
I am probably too cynical to believe that Senator Dodd is retiring to spend more time with his family. The guy was most likely going to lose the election, he was (as ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee) a big part of the group that got us into this mess, he took advantage of his position in the Senate to get himself a sweetheart deal it appears, and no one who has been in the a position of power for close to four decades willingly gives up that power- unless of course that person knows some hammer is about to fall very hard on them.
The FOMC minutes came out today and it indicated that the Fed is split on whether or not to continue their QE program. It is scheduled to end in March but it may not. Many market participants took that to mean rates are most assuredly staying near zero for longer than expected. To that I would say I take it as an indictment that the Fed is all but admitting the "recovery" may be a lot more fragile than even they are willing to admit. It also seems like a very Japanese thing to do but I digress...
Something to keep in mind about the unemployment number in February: I was told approximately 1 million people will drop off the rolls of emergency benefits. That means U-6 will show an uptick solely because of that. It does not mean those people don't want to work but they are no longer counted by the government as looking for work- how fucked up is that?
You have to wonder why the government of Yemen seems to be getting really vocal about their opposition of the United States intervening directly in their nation in the fight against Al-Qaeda. I can only assume it mean there is a lot behind the scenes rumblings.
Of course there are now a bunch of lists of predictions for the coming year. Last count I made there are 58 different lists. the funny thing is the boss, I and the kid who sits next to me decided back in the beginning of December we as a trading desk would put together our own. I wrote up a bunch of them starting on December 7th. I find it eerie that some of the things I said could happen made it on to a couple of the other lists I have read (I have not gone through all 58 yet). Here they are:
Geithner out, Summers in, bonds react negatively
Bernake out
AIG goes into liquidation
EK files for bankruptcy- finally
Democrats get crushed in mid-term elections
Iran falls into civil war
Osama Bin Laden dies of kidney failure
Terror strike in the U.S. perpetrated by locally grown terrorists.
The government seizes GE Capital from GE
Double dip recession and with U-6 going over 20% it starts being called a depression
EU starts to fragment end result being only France, Germany and Nordic countries in it
Vikings win the Super Bowl
No health care bill is passed
Cap and trade is not passed
Some form of Glass-Stegall is reinstated
Citigroup is nationalized de jure and broken up
SAC shuts down for good of its own volition
U.S. troops are sent into Mexico to help stabilize it because of drug war
FHA goes into conservatorship ala FNM and FRE
I remember the comic book The Human Target and I now see that Fox is going to come out with it as a tv series. I am psyched about for it. I am even more psyched that Mark Valley is going to be the star.
I gave the kids baths tonight. They were so not happy with me, lol. Tomorrow night I'll brush the creatures of darkness out.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Hot Companions
No the title does not refer to the husband. It refers to what astronomers are calling some new celestial bodies. The Kepler Telescope found a star with two smaller bodies orbiting it. The two smaller bodies are too small to be stars and too hot to be planets. No one is quite sure what they are so they are being called hot companions.
I am really starting to think GOOG is the Galactic empire just currently in the Chancellor Palpatine mode though. That makes me wonder who the Old Republic is- MSFT or AAPL? The whole Nexus One is a brilliant idea especially selling it unlocked. I think that will be the next big wave in cell phones- all the manufacturers will see how well the Nexus One sells unlocked even with the unsubsidised price and follow suit. I really hope that is how it plays out.
I am psyched that GMAC- the bank that "We the people" now own- reported yet another $5 billion loss. Woo hoo! More of our tax dollars down the drain and we won't wind it down why?
So apparently now transfer payments- that would be any payment from the government to any citizen which comes from our taxes paid- account for twenty percent of all personal income. How can anyone seriously say the worst is over and the recession has ended. I am not advocating we should not have a social safety net- we should have one. But at what point do we figure out how to re-allocate the money being wasted propping up failed banks into finding ways to create new jobs so the social safety net will not be strained to the point of failure? Seriously, 20% has to be close to Third World levels...WTF?
I am of two opinions on where the health care reform bill now stands. It appears it is not going to conference as a bill this important actually should. Instead the differences between the House and Senate versions will be resolved by the Democratic leadership only through a process referred to as ping pong. I think that is the wrong way to hammer out a joint version as it excludes the minority from having a say in the process. However the minority has yet to actually add anything to the debate other than the plan is wrong because it is what the President wants. It is going to end up a huge mess even more and when it backfires on the President and Congress the Republicans will be able to say they had not say in it or part of it. It also flies in the face of a new way to run the government.
So auto sales are out and they are in line at roughly 11 million units. I read on one of the blogs to the right that that figure is below the replacement level for the U.S. This is good how? Again- are we wasting money supporting an auto industry that is dying anyways? Maybe we need a "death council" for the auto industry?
So, some sick fuck in New Hampshire killed a 42 year old woman in her bed with a machete and thought he also killed her 11 year old daughter. He apparently regrets leaving the 11 year old alive and did it only to see what it was like to kill someone. He says he felt nothing. I bet if we send 2,000 volts of alternating current through him he would feel something? It would not bring back the mother but it would prevent him from exploring his feelings again.
I had a dentist appointment after work today and the dentist took a pick and applied pressure asking if that hurt. I said no. Apparently one of my old silver filings had caused part of the the cusp to break- news to me.
I then met a senior from my alma mater who has an interest in my line of work. It went well I think and I asked him what other alums he had met with and how it went. Some friendly advice to anyone else who gets asked by their alumni relations department to help guide seniors- fucking talk to and engage them and find out about them.
I am really starting to think GOOG is the Galactic empire just currently in the Chancellor Palpatine mode though. That makes me wonder who the Old Republic is- MSFT or AAPL? The whole Nexus One is a brilliant idea especially selling it unlocked. I think that will be the next big wave in cell phones- all the manufacturers will see how well the Nexus One sells unlocked even with the unsubsidised price and follow suit. I really hope that is how it plays out.
I am psyched that GMAC- the bank that "We the people" now own- reported yet another $5 billion loss. Woo hoo! More of our tax dollars down the drain and we won't wind it down why?
So apparently now transfer payments- that would be any payment from the government to any citizen which comes from our taxes paid- account for twenty percent of all personal income. How can anyone seriously say the worst is over and the recession has ended. I am not advocating we should not have a social safety net- we should have one. But at what point do we figure out how to re-allocate the money being wasted propping up failed banks into finding ways to create new jobs so the social safety net will not be strained to the point of failure? Seriously, 20% has to be close to Third World levels...WTF?
I am of two opinions on where the health care reform bill now stands. It appears it is not going to conference as a bill this important actually should. Instead the differences between the House and Senate versions will be resolved by the Democratic leadership only through a process referred to as ping pong. I think that is the wrong way to hammer out a joint version as it excludes the minority from having a say in the process. However the minority has yet to actually add anything to the debate other than the plan is wrong because it is what the President wants. It is going to end up a huge mess even more and when it backfires on the President and Congress the Republicans will be able to say they had not say in it or part of it. It also flies in the face of a new way to run the government.
So auto sales are out and they are in line at roughly 11 million units. I read on one of the blogs to the right that that figure is below the replacement level for the U.S. This is good how? Again- are we wasting money supporting an auto industry that is dying anyways? Maybe we need a "death council" for the auto industry?
So, some sick fuck in New Hampshire killed a 42 year old woman in her bed with a machete and thought he also killed her 11 year old daughter. He apparently regrets leaving the 11 year old alive and did it only to see what it was like to kill someone. He says he felt nothing. I bet if we send 2,000 volts of alternating current through him he would feel something? It would not bring back the mother but it would prevent him from exploring his feelings again.
I had a dentist appointment after work today and the dentist took a pick and applied pressure asking if that hurt. I said no. Apparently one of my old silver filings had caused part of the the cusp to break- news to me.
I then met a senior from my alma mater who has an interest in my line of work. It went well I think and I asked him what other alums he had met with and how it went. Some friendly advice to anyone else who gets asked by their alumni relations department to help guide seniors- fucking talk to and engage them and find out about them.
Monday, January 4, 2010
One little sentence a lot of people seem to forget
You've got to admire Bernake and his set of solid brass balls and gall. He actually had the nerve to state that interest rates being too low but it was a lack of regulation. Hello???!!! Isn't regulation of banks part of the Fed's job? So either the Fed failed at that part or actually did keep rates too low for too long or a combination of the two.
This morning some broker sent me a BBRG message commenting on how goes the first week of January, so goes the year. He then went on to cite that this statistic has been 80% correct over the last 50 years. Little quibble here is that last year (that is now '09) in the first week of January saw a ~13% decline in the SPX only to end the year up ~23%. Which brings me to something that is said on every document you get from your 401(k) administrator, broker or anyone else involved in managing money; that would be the following sentence: Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Funny how after two years of fat tail events or black swans or whatever you want to call the events that no one thought would ever occur but did in the past two years you still have people who think that just because it has happened many times in the past it will most likely happen again.
Some bad news for the in-laws last night. The husband's step-father's father has been ill for the past several years and he passed away over the weekend. They flew off to Europe this morning for the funeral. I will send my step-father-in-law (that's a mouthful to type) a card expressing my sympathy. I asked the husband what is the feasibility of sending flowers but we never figured it out.
Tomorrow the husband will be going north to mom and dad's for a few days. His younger sister is on winter break for five weeks and needed something to keep her busy that also fits into her engineering studies. Dad came through in the clutch and got her two unpaid internships for a week each; one at an engineering firm and one at an architectural firm up north. The husband is psyched. It means I won't be able to hit the gym in the mornings but not a big deal.
I totally forgot I am meeting a senior from my alma mater tomorrow for drinks and to discuss his aspirations about getting a job in my line of work. Thankfully he emailed me this morning checking in.
This morning some broker sent me a BBRG message commenting on how goes the first week of January, so goes the year. He then went on to cite that this statistic has been 80% correct over the last 50 years. Little quibble here is that last year (that is now '09) in the first week of January saw a ~13% decline in the SPX only to end the year up ~23%. Which brings me to something that is said on every document you get from your 401(k) administrator, broker or anyone else involved in managing money; that would be the following sentence: Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Funny how after two years of fat tail events or black swans or whatever you want to call the events that no one thought would ever occur but did in the past two years you still have people who think that just because it has happened many times in the past it will most likely happen again.
Some bad news for the in-laws last night. The husband's step-father's father has been ill for the past several years and he passed away over the weekend. They flew off to Europe this morning for the funeral. I will send my step-father-in-law (that's a mouthful to type) a card expressing my sympathy. I asked the husband what is the feasibility of sending flowers but we never figured it out.
Tomorrow the husband will be going north to mom and dad's for a few days. His younger sister is on winter break for five weeks and needed something to keep her busy that also fits into her engineering studies. Dad came through in the clutch and got her two unpaid internships for a week each; one at an engineering firm and one at an architectural firm up north. The husband is psyched. It means I won't be able to hit the gym in the mornings but not a big deal.
I totally forgot I am meeting a senior from my alma mater tomorrow for drinks and to discuss his aspirations about getting a job in my line of work. Thankfully he emailed me this morning checking in.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Ah the new year
The rest of the week at mom and dad's was fun. Tuesday my brother, sister-in-law and their kids arrived in the afternoon. We opened yet more Christmas presents, had yet another Christmas dinner and relaxed. The boys got iTunes cards so I spent a good portion of the evening downloading apps, one movie and some t.v. shows for them.
Wednesday was a blast as there was a bunch of new snow so we all decided to go sledding. We hit the hill in the local town park. We used to sled on the hill growing up and I have to say I forgot how big it was. Thankfully dad had a bunch of sleds- saucers and tugboats. We got there and there were already some people on the hill. They however were on the small part so my youngest and I walked up to the top of the hill and started going down from there. Pretty soon everyone else joined us there. We rode down a bunch of times, my brother and I taking the his sons down with us, my sons riding on their own but I did get them to ride down once with me. I forgot how fast you get going on that hill.
We ended there, everyone went for hot chocolate except for my oldest and I. We went back to the house, showered up and went our for lunch. We of course had authentic Italian cuisine- Olive Garden. Then it was off to the movies. We saw Sherlock Holmes. It was a really good movie. My oldest was psyched because there will definitely be a sequel.
Thursday morning we were up and on the road by 8 AM. Of course there was snow the entire way down in to Pennsylvania. The boys both napped and I did not go more than 50 mph for the first three hours. You'd think with all the stimulus money they'd have some for plowing- apparently not. I finally dropped the boys off at their mom's house around 1:45 PM. I got home to the husband around 3:30.
It was New Year's Eve so we were going out in the city to a party at our friends home on the lower east side. We had a nice homemade dinner first, showered up, got dressed and met up with TK. We then cabbed it over to the party. It was a fun time. The new year rang in and the arty was still going strong. Thor- the bartender (he was a huge, hot blond guy with massive guns)had a very heavy hand with the drinks. At one point I believe he got all indignant when I asked him for a tequila with some water (at the husband's request. He looked askance at my request and I explained he had a heavy hand.
We needed up chatting with another party guest. He is a Jersey boy, works as a consultant in the food industry. Nice guy, he asked us if we wanted to go to another party some of his other friends were having. TK had already left as he is not a big fan of New Year's Eve parties so we said sure. We ended up in some massive apartment on 17th street were the party was still going strong. At one point the husband looked at me and asked if I was still having fun- I said no, it's late, can we go home? Late as in it was 4:45 AM. We got home rather easily on the PATH.
We got up at 1:30- yes 1:30 in the afternoon. The day was spent inculcating the husband in all that is Buffy. There was a Buffy marathon on tv so we spent the day watching it. The marathon only covered seasons 1 & 2 having Chinese food for dinner. At the end the husband was into it and asked what seasons I have on dvd. I told him all of them.
Yesterday we spent the day watching season 3- e did not get through all of it. We only left the house to walk the dogs. Made dinner for ourselves again.
The kids had been sick the entire time I was up north. The husband played Nurse Betty for them the week. apparently they had picked up some bacterial infection at the farm- probably from eating goose shit, pheasant shit or some carcass they came across. They are finally back to normal.
Today we are having brunch with JP who we have not seen in months. Dinner at JD and JW's new home.
Pride is a dangerous thing. Several years ago the husband told me to take down a profile I had on a social networking site for gay men. I let my pride get the better of me and told him you don't tell me what to do. It finally came to a head this past week. He told me that he viewed the site as a sex site regardless if I did or not (he used to be on it as well) and took his profile down early on in our relationship. He said that me putting myself out there- regardless of what I wrote on the profile- was akin to not respecting our marriage and he had to assume I was not on the same page as he was. I was distraught. I told him that was not the case. If I did not want to be with him and only him I would never have asked him to marry me and would not have fought the ex to keep him in my life. My willful pride, obstinacy and arrogance hurt him deeply and probably embarrassed him with some of his friends. I killed the profile immediately. This year I have my work cut out for me to repair the damage I caused, restore his faith in my commitment to us and dispel any doubts he has about me. I debated writing about it as I am not sure he wants it known.
I have not really kept up on the economic news lately other than I noticed the NY Times is now questioning the wisdom of helping people stay in homes they cannot afford. When your own party starts questioning it you have to wonder how much longer the policy will stay in place.
Wednesday was a blast as there was a bunch of new snow so we all decided to go sledding. We hit the hill in the local town park. We used to sled on the hill growing up and I have to say I forgot how big it was. Thankfully dad had a bunch of sleds- saucers and tugboats. We got there and there were already some people on the hill. They however were on the small part so my youngest and I walked up to the top of the hill and started going down from there. Pretty soon everyone else joined us there. We rode down a bunch of times, my brother and I taking the his sons down with us, my sons riding on their own but I did get them to ride down once with me. I forgot how fast you get going on that hill.
We ended there, everyone went for hot chocolate except for my oldest and I. We went back to the house, showered up and went our for lunch. We of course had authentic Italian cuisine- Olive Garden. Then it was off to the movies. We saw Sherlock Holmes. It was a really good movie. My oldest was psyched because there will definitely be a sequel.
Thursday morning we were up and on the road by 8 AM. Of course there was snow the entire way down in to Pennsylvania. The boys both napped and I did not go more than 50 mph for the first three hours. You'd think with all the stimulus money they'd have some for plowing- apparently not. I finally dropped the boys off at their mom's house around 1:45 PM. I got home to the husband around 3:30.
It was New Year's Eve so we were going out in the city to a party at our friends home on the lower east side. We had a nice homemade dinner first, showered up, got dressed and met up with TK. We then cabbed it over to the party. It was a fun time. The new year rang in and the arty was still going strong. Thor- the bartender (he was a huge, hot blond guy with massive guns)had a very heavy hand with the drinks. At one point I believe he got all indignant when I asked him for a tequila with some water (at the husband's request. He looked askance at my request and I explained he had a heavy hand.
We needed up chatting with another party guest. He is a Jersey boy, works as a consultant in the food industry. Nice guy, he asked us if we wanted to go to another party some of his other friends were having. TK had already left as he is not a big fan of New Year's Eve parties so we said sure. We ended up in some massive apartment on 17th street were the party was still going strong. At one point the husband looked at me and asked if I was still having fun- I said no, it's late, can we go home? Late as in it was 4:45 AM. We got home rather easily on the PATH.
We got up at 1:30- yes 1:30 in the afternoon. The day was spent inculcating the husband in all that is Buffy. There was a Buffy marathon on tv so we spent the day watching it. The marathon only covered seasons 1 & 2 having Chinese food for dinner. At the end the husband was into it and asked what seasons I have on dvd. I told him all of them.
Yesterday we spent the day watching season 3- e did not get through all of it. We only left the house to walk the dogs. Made dinner for ourselves again.
The kids had been sick the entire time I was up north. The husband played Nurse Betty for them the week. apparently they had picked up some bacterial infection at the farm- probably from eating goose shit, pheasant shit or some carcass they came across. They are finally back to normal.
Today we are having brunch with JP who we have not seen in months. Dinner at JD and JW's new home.
Pride is a dangerous thing. Several years ago the husband told me to take down a profile I had on a social networking site for gay men. I let my pride get the better of me and told him you don't tell me what to do. It finally came to a head this past week. He told me that he viewed the site as a sex site regardless if I did or not (he used to be on it as well) and took his profile down early on in our relationship. He said that me putting myself out there- regardless of what I wrote on the profile- was akin to not respecting our marriage and he had to assume I was not on the same page as he was. I was distraught. I told him that was not the case. If I did not want to be with him and only him I would never have asked him to marry me and would not have fought the ex to keep him in my life. My willful pride, obstinacy and arrogance hurt him deeply and probably embarrassed him with some of his friends. I killed the profile immediately. This year I have my work cut out for me to repair the damage I caused, restore his faith in my commitment to us and dispel any doubts he has about me. I debated writing about it as I am not sure he wants it known.
I have not really kept up on the economic news lately other than I noticed the NY Times is now questioning the wisdom of helping people stay in homes they cannot afford. When your own party starts questioning it you have to wonder how much longer the policy will stay in place.
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