Somer's baby's due at the end of the summer, so she's heading home to Sacramento to be near her family. Here we are, all together at Alta for one last meal before she heads back to California. She'll be missed.
27 April 2007
24 April 2007
Blank Slate Hedgies
Blank Slate Hedgies
Morning Show Talking Head: So tell us what drives hedge fund managers?
Hedge Fund Dude: It’s just never ending. Thinking about what is going to work next. I have a friend who is worth $150 million who is working some new ideas for a fund.
Talking Head: If I had $150 million, the last thing I would do is start a hedge fund.
Hedge Fund Dude: That’s why you don’t have $150 million.
....
I’ve...met my share of hedgies. The common thread that runs through us all is a personality disorder. The only way I can describe it is sort of an inner George Costanza – working hard to stay shallow. Here are a few guiding principles:
• Don’t believe in anything.
• Let the world happen and then pass judgment.
• Bias leads to disaster.
• Be emptyheaded and fleet of foot.
• Change your mind often.
• Observe and critique, 24/7.
Morning Show Talking Head: So tell us what drives hedge fund managers?
Hedge Fund Dude: It’s just never ending. Thinking about what is going to work next. I have a friend who is worth $150 million who is working some new ideas for a fund.
Talking Head: If I had $150 million, the last thing I would do is start a hedge fund.
Hedge Fund Dude: That’s why you don’t have $150 million.
....
I’ve...met my share of hedgies. The common thread that runs through us all is a personality disorder. The only way I can describe it is sort of an inner George Costanza – working hard to stay shallow. Here are a few guiding principles:
• Don’t believe in anything.
• Let the world happen and then pass judgment.
• Bias leads to disaster.
• Be emptyheaded and fleet of foot.
• Change your mind often.
• Observe and critique, 24/7.
23 April 2007
Pet Physical Therapy
WTF? I am looking for a physical therapist near my office, and while New York Magazine's Best of New York didn't list one, it did have a listing for Best Pet Physical Therapist.
And the moral of the story?
I know this is a crappy end for anyone, but sometimes people are just dumb.
A crocodile shot to death in south China during a search for a missing 9-year-old student was found to contain the child's remains, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
The child, surnamed Liu, disappeared Friday after Liu and three other children climbed over the fence around a pool in the park that had been used to stage crocodile shows, Xinhua said.
"The children shot the animals with catapults and beat them with wooden sticks," the agency said. "One of the irritated crocodiles bit Liu's clothes and dragged him into water, where he was eaten by a swarm of crocodiles."
A crocodile shot to death in south China during a search for a missing 9-year-old student was found to contain the child's remains, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
The child, surnamed Liu, disappeared Friday after Liu and three other children climbed over the fence around a pool in the park that had been used to stage crocodile shows, Xinhua said.
"The children shot the animals with catapults and beat them with wooden sticks," the agency said. "One of the irritated crocodiles bit Liu's clothes and dragged him into water, where he was eaten by a swarm of crocodiles."
22 April 2007
20 April 2007
"I am mentally dating him.
He just doesn't know it yet."
AW told me that quote today. I found it amusing.
AW told me that quote today. I found it amusing.
17 April 2007
Pictures from whitewater on Bulls Bridge
We made two runs. The first run had 3 rafts with 4-6 people in each, but by the time it was over, most people opted out for the second run. It had been freezing rain/snow/ice all day, which wasn't helped by the frigid river and the fact that almost everyone (guides included) got dumped out of their rafts from the first rapid, which was a fast 9ft drop. (Accordingly to our guide, it was a technical Class IV whatever that means.) The second run ended up being just one lone raft containing PW, me, DC (another person on the trip who sent me these pictures) and four guides. It was hella fun. Friggin cold, but fun.
The trip was run by Zoar Outdoor. These are pictures from just the first rapid on our second run (proof being that no one fell out of the raft :)). PW, DC and I are wearing the blue splash jackets. I'm the one with the white baseball cap under the helmet.
The trip was run by Zoar Outdoor. These are pictures from just the first rapid on our second run (proof being that no one fell out of the raft :)). PW, DC and I are wearing the blue splash jackets. I'm the one with the white baseball cap under the helmet.
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| Whitewater Rafting at Bulls Bridge |
16 April 2007
An Asian male on a student visa
That's what I heard on "the news" tonight. Man, it's a shit storm on so many fronts.
Now everyone can be a oeno(phile)
and become vintners with only 5-10k to make at least 300 75 mL bottles bottles of wine per year. Compared to the exorbitant cost of actually owning a Napa Valley vineyard, it's pretty reasonable. This article brings out the best of technology -- it's ability to democratize.
Beware the alpha
Examining the alpha male at work
While it is currently the alphas who dominate, Ludeman and Erlandon say the climate is changing.
They believe that many of those who came to power in the early 90s, would not make it today. Why? Because of the critical mass of women in middle management and a corresponding emphasis on collaboration, rather than confrontation and Emotional Intelligence as much or more than I.Q.
"Today's employees who are well educated -- increasingly female and concerned with job satisfaction and work-life balance would sooner quit than put up with an abusive manager," Ludeman says.
"Sometimes, talented people want to work for someone precisely because he or she isn't an aggressive alpha. That's an important factor if you believe, as many people do, that the main function of corporate leaders is to attract, retain and develop talent in their companies."
While Ludeman and Erlandson believe that non-alphas have much to offer an organization, they concede that those who aspire to upper management won't get there without adopting at least a few alpha traits.
They say that perhaps the best combination of all in a leader is the alpha assertiveness and willpower combined with a softer, more consensus-building management style.
Adding that, "Those who have little need to dominate a room can be very useful in opening up the culture and giving stability to an organization."
I wonder why mass shooters do the things they do
Gunman kills at least 21 at Virginia Tech
I mean, they're not political or religious idealogues. So what's the thought process here that leads them to an outcome like this? It reminds me of Christian Slater in Heathers.
I mean, they're not political or religious idealogues. So what's the thought process here that leads them to an outcome like this? It reminds me of Christian Slater in Heathers.
Do you do it?
For better or worse, "googling" your date has become standard practice.
It's a big reason people should take the information they find online "with a grain of salt," says Dr. Paul Dobransky, a Chicago-based psychiatrist and author of "The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love."
He says there's nothing wrong with doing a little online homework -- but thinks the focus should remain on face-to-face interaction to make a final judgment.
"Our minds are more made for in-person, slow contact in getting to know one another," Dobransky says.
In the end, Danielle Martinetti says online research really only helps to a point, anyway. "The crazy stuff usually becomes apparent on the actual date," the 30-year-old New Yorker says.
"No amount of online searching is going to tell you that a person has issues with his mother, loves to be described as a George Clooney look-alike, has an overzealous obsession with hand sanitizer, or that he prefers to sit facing the door in a restaurant 'just in case."
It's a big reason people should take the information they find online "with a grain of salt," says Dr. Paul Dobransky, a Chicago-based psychiatrist and author of "The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love."
He says there's nothing wrong with doing a little online homework -- but thinks the focus should remain on face-to-face interaction to make a final judgment.
"Our minds are more made for in-person, slow contact in getting to know one another," Dobransky says.
In the end, Danielle Martinetti says online research really only helps to a point, anyway. "The crazy stuff usually becomes apparent on the actual date," the 30-year-old New Yorker says.
"No amount of online searching is going to tell you that a person has issues with his mother, loves to be described as a George Clooney look-alike, has an overzealous obsession with hand sanitizer, or that he prefers to sit facing the door in a restaurant 'just in case."
Why do some people think it's ok to cheat to get to the top?
Ex-Morgan Stanley Worker Charged in Data Theft
A former Morgan Stanley (MS) employee was arrested Wednesday in connection with the alleged theft of a list of hedge fund clients in the firm's prime brokerage business and the rates it charges them, prosecutors said.
[He] sent copies of Morgan Stanley's client rate list and other proprietary Morgan Stanley documents from his email at an unnamed midtown Manhattan company to his personal email at least five times between December 2005 and February 2006. The unnamed company negotiates on behalf of hedge funds the rates they pay for Morgan Stanley's prime brokerage services, according to the complaint.
A former Morgan Stanley (MS) employee was arrested Wednesday in connection with the alleged theft of a list of hedge fund clients in the firm's prime brokerage business and the rates it charges them, prosecutors said.
[He] sent copies of Morgan Stanley's client rate list and other proprietary Morgan Stanley documents from his email at an unnamed midtown Manhattan company to his personal email at least five times between December 2005 and February 2006. The unnamed company negotiates on behalf of hedge funds the rates they pay for Morgan Stanley's prime brokerage services, according to the complaint.
15 April 2007
Pictures from Stu's 40th Bday
These are Katie G's pictures from Stu's 40th birthday, which we celebrated last Friday, April 6.
And yes, I hate my hair. I usually love my hair guy, but he did a piss poor job this time around, and it shows. I'm just waiting at this point for it to grow out so I can do something different to it.
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| Katie G's pictures of Stu's Bday |
And yes, I hate my hair. I usually love my hair guy, but he did a piss poor job this time around, and it shows. I'm just waiting at this point for it to grow out so I can do something different to it.
White water rafting at Bulls Bridge
PW and I went white water rafting on Class IV rapids at Bulls Bridge today despite the nor'easter ravaging the eastern starboard. It wasn't the most comfortable white water experience ever given the snow and ice, but it was a lot of fun. Yes, even when our raft tipped and I was one of the three people that fell out. (I was rescued by a safety kayak.) PW managed to be the only person besides our guide that stayed in the raft.
I put on a Patagonia tank, a thick neoprene rashguard, a long wetsuit, a thin long sleeve fleece, a splash jacket, smartwool socks, high booties, a PFD, baseball hat and helmet, and managed to stay pretty warm. The only places where I was uncomfortable were my hands and feet, which felt like pins and needles the whole time. It's been 6 hours since we left CT, and my hands are still a little swollen from the exposure to the cold, but other than that, I am pleasantly exhausted. It has been a good day. Hopefully I'll have pictures for you soon -- someone on the trip promised to email me some.
I put on a Patagonia tank, a thick neoprene rashguard, a long wetsuit, a thin long sleeve fleece, a splash jacket, smartwool socks, high booties, a PFD, baseball hat and helmet, and managed to stay pretty warm. The only places where I was uncomfortable were my hands and feet, which felt like pins and needles the whole time. It's been 6 hours since we left CT, and my hands are still a little swollen from the exposure to the cold, but other than that, I am pleasantly exhausted. It has been a good day. Hopefully I'll have pictures for you soon -- someone on the trip promised to email me some.
13 April 2007
I know a lot of lawyers
and this has never happened to any of them. I swear.
Person Dies after Falling from the Empire State Building
Joking aside, this is sad.
Person Dies after Falling from the Empire State Building
Joking aside, this is sad.
12 April 2007
Nothing says romance like a pile of rocks
It's actually quite sweet.
It's rocks. Real rocks a bird can build a nest out of.
On Wednesday, the keepers at the Shedd started rolling out the rocks for the Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins who call the aquarium home. For these types of penguin, nothing says romance like a pile of rocks.
"What's going on here is a very exciting day for the penguins," said Gretchen Freimuth, senior marine trainer at the Shedd. "This actually cues the birds to start pairing up and building those nests."
Now, if only someone would build me a pile of rocks...
It's rocks. Real rocks a bird can build a nest out of.
On Wednesday, the keepers at the Shedd started rolling out the rocks for the Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins who call the aquarium home. For these types of penguin, nothing says romance like a pile of rocks.
"What's going on here is a very exciting day for the penguins," said Gretchen Freimuth, senior marine trainer at the Shedd. "This actually cues the birds to start pairing up and building those nests."
Now, if only someone would build me a pile of rocks...
09 April 2007
Downsizing
This is an interesting story. Sometimes, I get the urge to give or throw everything out as well -- especially when my apartment starts to feel cluttered. (Clutter sucks, but "organized" piles on the the other hand are completely fine.) :-)
Lisa Perry wants a fresh start. So she's decided to sell nearly all of her belongings in one massive auction on eBay.
...
Perry, has worked as a lawyer in Montana, a communications professor in Mankato, Minnesota, and a bookseller in North Carolina. She now delivers subpoenas and legal documents. In June, she plans to move west, possibly to take up creative writing or holistic healing.
"I've been schlepping this stuff across the country for more than 20 years," she said. "I'm tired of thinking: 'Oh my God, what if it breaks in the next move?' Who cares? I think it will almost be scary how liberating it will be."
Lisa Perry wants a fresh start. So she's decided to sell nearly all of her belongings in one massive auction on eBay.
...
Perry, has worked as a lawyer in Montana, a communications professor in Mankato, Minnesota, and a bookseller in North Carolina. She now delivers subpoenas and legal documents. In June, she plans to move west, possibly to take up creative writing or holistic healing.
"I've been schlepping this stuff across the country for more than 20 years," she said. "I'm tired of thinking: 'Oh my God, what if it breaks in the next move?' Who cares? I think it will almost be scary how liberating it will be."
08 April 2007
Fired!
Funny movie. Watch it if you can. (Showtime on Demand.)
It's kinda true. I was especially touched by the interviews with the auto workers in Lansing, MI. For them, much hasn't changed from the days of Roger & Me -- different place (Flint, MI) but same issues. They've conceded a lot, but continue to lose overall. And yet, factory workers throughout rest of the world haven't seen a drastic improvement in their lives either. I wonder where all the benefits that American factory workers are giving up are going? Hmmm.
It's kinda true. I was especially touched by the interviews with the auto workers in Lansing, MI. For them, much hasn't changed from the days of Roger & Me -- different place (Flint, MI) but same issues. They've conceded a lot, but continue to lose overall. And yet, factory workers throughout rest of the world haven't seen a drastic improvement in their lives either. I wonder where all the benefits that American factory workers are giving up are going? Hmmm.
07 April 2007
What does your palm say about you?
I went to a friend's house for dinner tonight, and one of the guests there could read palms. He told me that I haven't met "the one" yet (whatever that means), and I will have no children (which makes me sad, because I would love a loud, fun, rambunctious family someday). I came home and read my own palm, and this is what my hand says about me:
First let's take a look at your Life Line. You have the best kind of Life Line, long and clearly marked. This shows that you will possess good health, vitality and a very nice life expectancy. The cramped nature of your Life Line would also seem to indicate a cautious life style, and perhaps a limited love life.
Now let's see what your Head Line had to say. Your Head Line is deep, long and straight, stretching across the palm. This indicates a logical and direct way of thinking. The straighter the line, the more realistic the thinking, and the deeper the line, the better the memory. The joining of your Head Line and Life Line at the beginning indicates that your strong sense of mind generally rules over your body. You also look at childhood with a cautious and fearful outlook.
The last line we'll look at is your Heart Line. You have a conical hand. This is often the type of hand shared by people who are more interested in theory than practice. This is the hand of the imaginative and creative spirit. Professions of people who share this type of hand usually include teacher, lawyer or artist.
I hate to say it, but the hand doesn't lie. What does your hand say about you? Click here to check it out.
First let's take a look at your Life Line. You have the best kind of Life Line, long and clearly marked. This shows that you will possess good health, vitality and a very nice life expectancy. The cramped nature of your Life Line would also seem to indicate a cautious life style, and perhaps a limited love life.
Now let's see what your Head Line had to say. Your Head Line is deep, long and straight, stretching across the palm. This indicates a logical and direct way of thinking. The straighter the line, the more realistic the thinking, and the deeper the line, the better the memory. The joining of your Head Line and Life Line at the beginning indicates that your strong sense of mind generally rules over your body. You also look at childhood with a cautious and fearful outlook.
The last line we'll look at is your Heart Line. You have a conical hand. This is often the type of hand shared by people who are more interested in theory than practice. This is the hand of the imaginative and creative spirit. Professions of people who share this type of hand usually include teacher, lawyer or artist.
I hate to say it, but the hand doesn't lie. What does your hand say about you? Click here to check it out.
The answer to my question
Thanks for playing. The answer to my question:
Yes, but only under the condition that I could choose to end my life whenever I wanted. Otherwise, no deal.
Yes, but only under the condition that I could choose to end my life whenever I wanted. Otherwise, no deal.
05 April 2007
I'm 29 pictures
B organized a get-together to celebrate my soon-to-be 29th year last Saturday. Given that just about everyone I knew wasn't able to make it, it was small and low-key -- just the way a 29th bday should be. :-)
Click on the picture below for more pictures from the night.
B, Joe, G and I did dinner at Nolia. The lamb chops there are holy moly fantastico, and I don't even like lamb. G would agree -- one he took a bite of mine, he insisted on ordering himself the lamb as his second entree. WW joined us for drinks later.
Click on the picture below for more pictures from the night.
B, Joe, G and I did dinner at Nolia. The lamb chops there are holy moly fantastico, and I don't even like lamb. G would agree -- one he took a bite of mine, he insisted on ordering himself the lamb as his second entree. WW joined us for drinks later.
Do real women need meat?
'Cause I guess I wasn't paying attention when they were passing out the instruction manuals. For the past few months, this commercial has aired during the Daily Show, and every time I hear this woman, it's like nails on a chalkboard. Yeah, that's how crazy I think she is.
"It's not lackin' any meat, and that's what real women needs. Ehe he."
Seriously? Come to think of it, what is up with Quiznos commercials and their obsession with meat?
"It's not lackin' any meat, and that's what real women needs. Ehe he."
Seriously? Come to think of it, what is up with Quiznos commercials and their obsession with meat?
04 April 2007
Chocolate by the Bald Man
I had dessert at Max Brenner's last night. The chocolate was great, and the whole experience was made better by the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vibe and the retro design. Even the dishes had a whimsical retro-modern feel. Here's a picture of the tall DRINK ME glasses with a steel straw. It reminds me of Alessi, one of my favorite design houses.
03 April 2007
29
In 1978 Sadat, Begin and Carter began peace conferences at Camp David, the Senate ratified Panama Canal treaties giving Panama control by 2000, Love Canal was evacuated because of toxic waste, the US and Communist China established diplomatic relations, President Carter deferred production of the neutron bomb, the legal retirement age was raised to 70, California voters passed Proposition 13, rolling back property taxes by 57%, Congress voted to extend ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to 1982, and there was rioting in Iran; Ayatollah Khomeini united opposition.
Top hits were Shadow Dancing, Night Fever, Three Times a Lady, You Needed Me, Grease, Don't Cry Out Loud, You Don't Bring Me Flowers
The movie theatres played Grease, Animal House and Coming Home with the Deer Hunter receiving honors for the year's best movie. John Voight took home Best Actor, and Jane Fonda won Best Actress.
In the US, a pound of bread cost $0.49 then and $1.49 today. The population was 221.4M then and 302.7M today. The average income was $20,488 then and $45,360 today. A gallon of gas was $0.63 then and $2.39 today. Births were 3.3M then and 4.1M today. A 1st clast stamp was $0.15 then and $0.39 today.
And, on this day in particular, I was born. My father isn't sure what time I was born, but he's fairly certain I was born.
Top hits were Shadow Dancing, Night Fever, Three Times a Lady, You Needed Me, Grease, Don't Cry Out Loud, You Don't Bring Me Flowers
The movie theatres played Grease, Animal House and Coming Home with the Deer Hunter receiving honors for the year's best movie. John Voight took home Best Actor, and Jane Fonda won Best Actress.
In the US, a pound of bread cost $0.49 then and $1.49 today. The population was 221.4M then and 302.7M today. The average income was $20,488 then and $45,360 today. A gallon of gas was $0.63 then and $2.39 today. Births were 3.3M then and 4.1M today. A 1st clast stamp was $0.15 then and $0.39 today.
And, on this day in particular, I was born. My father isn't sure what time I was born, but he's fairly certain I was born.
02 April 2007
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