Archive for January 2009
looking for an optimistic economist
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Geneva-based non-profit foundation best known for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland which brings together top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world including health and the environment.
Funny article by journalist Daniel Gross in Slate – Searching for an Optimist at Davos:
… Armed with a notebook, Blackberry, flip camera, and laptop, I mounted a 72-hour effort to locate an optimistic CEO. …
… many CEOs bore the harrowed looks of survivors of the Donner Party. Once they trickled in, many having endured the indignity of flying commercial for the first time in years, they were treated to an avalanche of doomsaying. Alarmists, from hedge-fund manager George Soros to historian Niall Ferguson, spun elaborate tales of catastrophe. Ferguson boldly concluded that the United States was destined for a decade of extremely lame growth. Economists were universally downbeat, which isn’t totally surprising. (They don’t call economics the dismal science for nothing.) Those who had successfully predicted the debacle, like Nouriel Roubini, New York University’s Dr. Doom, were elevated to prime speaking slots. …
read the rest of the article in Slate
I’ve been unaffected, personally, by the recession, as yet.
Perhaps that’s why I have a feeling some parts of the world, including Alberta, will bounce back much more quickly than expected. Perhaps even mid-2009.
No doubt I will be asked to speak in Davos next year.
Swinging the axe – Job-cutting has begun in earnest. But will the axe be wielded wisely? – Economist
how will Microsoft screw up Windows 7?
Never have I heard better buzz for a Microsoft product than I’m hearing for their NEXT operating system, called … Windows 7.
Even Apple Fan Boys like it:
Windows 7 is shaping up to be an awesome OS. It’s everything people wanted Vista to be and more. Which is exactly why Microsoft should give it away—or offer it dirt cheap—to Vista users.
Windows 7 is the solution to Microsoft’s Vista problem, which is really a nasty hydra of a problem. Let’s not pretend that this isn’t the case. There are three major heads to the beast: Consumer perception of Vista as an abysmal failure and a crappy OS (hence, Mojave); the use of XP instead of Vista in increasingly popular netbooks; and the critical lack of Vista interest from the business community.
Windows 7 neatly resolves them: Word-of-mouth sentiment for Windows 7 has been overwhelmingly positive, …. Windows 7 is slimmed down when it needs to be, running fantastically on netbooks. And the IT buyers and consumers who skipped Vista have been waiting, cash in hand, for whatever came after, so Windows 7 will have a much more enthusiastic customer base.
The stars are aligned for Windows 7. It could wash the bad aftertaste from Vista out of everybody’s mouth. But that’s only if Microsoft sells it right. …
Gizmodo – Why Microsoft Should Give Windows 7 Away
They won’t sell it right.
SOMETHING will go wrong.
I can’t imagine how it’s possible to bungle this sure winner. But MS will find a way.
Congratulations to the product development team, though.
Altadore Gymnastics Club
Yup. I’m still the Technical Director / Head Coach at my old gym club. Interim.
We are accepting applicants for the job — replacing me — to start June 1st, 2009.
Altadore Gymnastics Club 2009
More information on the job.
stop emailing videos
I got a funny video in an email from Rocco the other day.
I could open it because I have VLC and sixteen other video players installed on my Mac.
But other friends could not open the video.
STOP EMAILING VIDEOS. They are problematic big files that clog the tubes.
Much better is to email with the URL link to the video. Here she be:
just finished the Twilight series
All 4 published books are good. It kept me going right to the end. (I’d like to know what happens next to the Cullen clan.)
The writing is not Nobel Prize worthy, but the plot is engaging.
I’m looking forward to the next movie. Rumour is Dakota Fanning will play super vampire Jane.
Book 1
Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Twilight is a series of four vampire-based fantasy/romance novels by the American author Stephenie Meyer. It follows the adventures of Isabella “Bella” Swan, a teenager who moves to Forks, Washington, and finds her life turned upside-down when she falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen. …
I immediately started the next Harry Potter book in audio. It’s titled Harry Potter and the Gob of Deathly Phoenix Blood … something like that.
I love Aussie Licorice
I love all licorice.
But best of all is Aussie soft licorice.
It was one of the highlights when I lived in New Zealand.
In Canada the imported stuff is far too expensive. Except for one locally made brand, President’s Choice.
Legend has it, Down Under at least, that soft-eating licorice came to be quite by accident. – the fortuitous creation of a careless Australian candymaker. Fact or fiction, make no mistake about it, this is the way licorice was meant to taste.
still have hopes and dreams?
More Dilbert.
Obamania
I had nothing to add to the media coverage of the inauguration.
AND … I did not want to brag.
he had a DREAM
The Wrestler (2008 film)
I downloaded The Wrestler, a Golden Globe Award-winning film directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Highly recommended.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
Mickey Rourke is a strong candidate for Best Actor at the Oscars. He is deserving, perfect in this memorable role. (Thank God the original actor chosen — Nicolas Cage — stepped away from the project for Rourke.)
Marisa Tomei I’ve never liked. But she’s excellent in this film.
Both actors are completely believable in a study of the psychology of getting old. And coming to terms with the end of your career.
We’re all getting older.
