Tuscan Villa

Image: Heather Keenan
Good people, good wine, and good food. Beautiful language and landscapes. Why haven't I gone to Tuscany yet? Sometimes we sacrifice our dreams in the name of being pragmatic.
Tags:Italy Tuscany dreams travel

Binary Talk

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Tags:
Binary, Bits

Bikeology

Natural Antidepressant = Ride a Bike!
I bought a brand new, cheap mountain bike three years ago, after years of not riding. It was exhilarating and liberating, like releasing a long forgotten passion buried in the past of fading childhood memories. At first, I didn't respect the bike as a machine. I rode it without regard for maintenance, or respecting its mechanical wonders. Of course this attitude finally caught up with me. After a long beautiful fall ride through the river valley parks with my wife - the chain snapped at the low point of a steep hill. After pushing the bike to the hill top it occurred to me that one should be prepared for mechanical break down. I bought some basic tools - started regular pre-ride inspections, and made some basic adjustments to the derailleurs, brakes and other bike parts. The chain was repaired at a local do it yourself bike establishment. A nonprofit community organization in Edmonton dedicated to low cost commuter cycling. A few people who are trying to promote and support the bicycle as a healthy and ecologically sound mode of everyday urban travel. Rubbing shoulders with these folks who depend on their bikes to get around in all seasons was humbling for a recreational rider like me. For a nominal fee you can use their tools and work stations to maintain and repair your bike. Often there are volunteers and fellow riders present to educate and assist you with most repairs. Community in action! It's not about competition or expensive equipment and bikes. It's about healthy transportation and interacting with like minded individuals. Don't be complacent and forget about safety though. This bike safety page discusses a variety of potential traffic collision situations and how you can avoid them. I prefer sticking to bike paths and trails for the most part.

It's amazing how different a city looks from a bike, and of course you can access areas that are out of bounds for the four wheeled cages. You are immersed in the sun, wind, and sights and sounds, along with the rhythm of your bike. Love it!

Tags:
cycling, bicycles, transportation, recreation, health, depression, vitality, commuting

Promise Fountain

A sense of Calm. Serenity. Renewal. Negative(Positive) Ions. A return to the Source. The Circle of Life. Baptism. Clarity. Flowing, fresh water in all of its forms. A Promise of Renewal. Why do Fountains evoke these thoughts and feelings?

There are many Famous Fountains in the world including the choreographed, technical marvel of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas (a rare oasis of relative peace in Sin City). Find your Inner Fountain.

Tags:
Fountain, Promise, Source, Origin, Spring, Birth

Stock Market Madness Reloaded

Back in January of 2008 while stock markets were plunging I brazenly posted an article titled Stock Market Madness that predicted a probable market recovery by year end. As this New Year begins it's obvious that I was far too optimistic in trying to predict a softer landing for the U.S. Economy, and didn't anticipate the ensuing ferocious Bear market. Unlike many "expert" financial pundits which I'm definitely not - I'm quite willing to scarf down some humble pie, and admit to some hubris in early 2008. At least I didn't call a bottom, but I did express faith in the basic fundamentals of U.S. markets, and their ultimate recovery by year's end. What I didn't anticipate was the level of greed, dishonesty, and corruption tearing away at the fabric of U.S. and global financial institutions. All of this highlighted more recently by the fifty billion dollar Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme scandal. Of course predicting stock markets in the short term is a shell game, and we tend to under estimate the wide spread effects of excessive leverage risk as it unwinds. Collectively we are far too trusting of investment firms in general, and companies that are publicly funded by common stock offerings. Despite these sobering thoughts, none of this has deterred Warren Buffet - perhaps the greatest investment guru in history - from making some significant late 2008 purchases in firms such as General Electric, and Goldman Sachs. If history is any guide post, Buffet will likely be proven right over the next few years by sensing that this harsh sell off has offered up some tremendous bargains in stocks. There are still honest, diligent, and profitable Buffet like companies out there that have been caught in the global down draft, and they may be poised for significant gains when recovery takes hold. It's up to individual investors to find them, or do everything possible to make sure that their financial advisers are doing the same on their behalf. It's one thing to argue about regulating the level of risk that investment banks, and similar entities can underwrite. However, there can be no debate about the need for more oversight and regulation of investment firms - to scrutinize their accounting and transactions, so that individual investors won't be fleeced by corporate psychopaths and con men. Unfortunately, as John Kenneth Galbraith so eloquently illustrates in his book "A Short History of Financial Euphoria" these huge speculative bubbles are prone to recur again and again as they are firmly entrenched in human psyche and the behavior of crowds.

One lesson that life seems to mete out time and again: Do your homework, and be wary of chasing that elusive "easy buck".

Tags:
Stock Market, Investing, Bear Market, Speculation, Ponzi Scheme, Finances, Bernie Madoff, Warren Buffet, John Kenneth Galbraith

A President for the Century

The upcoming American Presidential election will be the most significant turning point in recent history. The United States can choose to look back and succumb to irrational fear, or choose a new path and future with an inspirational leader. Barack Obama wants to restore faith in America at home and abroad. He wants to be an agent of positive change for Americans and the world at large.

He's not a perfect man, and he won't be a perfect President as he readily admits, but he'll always try and do the right thing. That's the way he was raised, and his Senate record speaks for itself.

His economic and taxation plans may need some tweaking. His foreign policy beliefs especially as they concern Afghanistan may need adjustments. His energy policies may not be totally realistic. These should not be deal breakers for voters. You can feel it in your heart and soul. This man is what America and the world needs now. The politics of division and fear have had their day. We can't blame the present Administration for all of the world's woes, but they certainly fanned the flames of war and economic despair. Why would you continue with the status quo of a John McCain?

One man's opinion from the Great White North.

Tags:
President, Barack Obama, Presidential Election, Politics, United States

Vegas High Roller Suite

A few years ago my wife and I stayed in some large, complimentary, luxury suites at the Paris Hotel courtesy of our "Old Style Vegas" casino host - lavish digs despite the fact I'd only been a moderate high roller. There are huge decked out suites available for the "whales" or million dollar gamblers with wrap around views of the strip and every amenity, but that would have been too much for us anyway. Our Vegas days are likely over for various reasons, and this has been chronicled in prior posts on this site, however it occurred to me that a few readers might be interested in seeing what the inside of a "High Roller Suite" looks like. This Suite had multiple rooms, and was lavishly appointed with a fantastic view of the pool area. Of course when you're a gambler you don't spend much time in your hotel room anyway - kind of a shame in this case.

Disclaimer:

The author is not presently involved in any gambling activities, and this site is not intended to promote such activities. The author has no direct or indirect financial interest in any gaming sites or casinos, either as a participant, employee, or owner.

Tags:
Las Vegas, High Roller, Paris Hotel, Casino Host, Hotel Suites, Vacation, Hotels, Sin City, The Strip

Lifehacker?

Are you a fan of Lifehacker.com?

It's a clever site with special emphasis on advice for tweaking software apps and information technology - all in an effort to get you more organized in today's complex world of data overload. You can find a myriad of tips to tweak your e-mail settings, perform superior google searches, get in on early beta applications, incorporate widgets, and recommendations for a gazillion firefox extensions.

All of this raises the question:
Are we trying too hard to organize Chaos by using too many programmable devices and software applications? Some of us are spending more time organizing and tweaking when we should be deleting. Lifehack No. 1: Delete any technology or activity that doesn't enhance YOUR life.

For example, If you have paper, web based, cell phone, and PC versions of your TO DO list - YOU are over organized, and I'm willing to bet none of those lists are synchronized. Of course the technology is out there to do that, and you can spend a few more unproductive hours trying to synchronize your lists to all of your devices. Hmmm... using only one paper TO DO list is sounding even better. Then you might have the time to actually do something that's on the list.



Tags:
Lifehacker, Organizing, Chaos, Productivity, To Do List, Culture, Luddite, Information Management, Postmodernism

New Miracle Mood Drug!

Have you heard of Wonderifinol?


It's a new drug developed and manufactured by Nofartis that will revolutionize the treatment of mood disorders. Forget about psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, psychiatrists, counsellors and parole officers. You will be able to rid yourself of all negative thoughts, bad behavior, depression, and dysfunctional moods once and for all - and the price is cheap compared to a Starbuck's coffee addiction. It comes in red and blue pills. Either color works just as well, and you only need to take one pill every year. Double blind studies demonstrated far superior mood enhancement for those on the new medication as opposed to the placebo control group who underwent an intensive regime of optimized sleep, nutrition and exercise.

There are a few side effects and possible complications to consider though:

May cause excessive hair growth on the tongue and buttock regions.

Can increase the risk of terminal euphoria.

Should be used with caution by those who obtain secondary gain from their dysfunctional personality.

Those men who experience an erection longer than five minutes should seek immediate medical attention (less potent than Viagra).

Extreme euphoria can be associated with excessive risk taking or a sudden interest in extreme sports.

Gradual increase in sphincter tone may lead to constipation.

Tags:
Humor, Satire, Wonder Drugs, Euphoria, Dysphoria, Psychotherapy, Mood, Medications, Placebo, Health, Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, Drugs

Utopian Dreams

What is the ideal Society? That question brings forth a wide range of opinions, philosophies, proposals, values, and biased suggestions that are often in conflict with each other. My Utopian world may be your dystopian nightmare, just as one man's hell is anothers heaven. These considerations shouldn't stop like minded individuals from trying to create their own enlightened community, but where does a Utopia end and a Cult begin?

In terms of creating a Utopian city there is always the danger of such cities becoming isolated and out of sync with mainstream culture as it exists within a larger nation. This view might describe Arcosanti - envisioned as an ecologically friendly "desert utopia". It was constructed an hour North of Phoenix in the Seventies by Italian architect Paolo Soleri. It's now home to fewer than a hundred people, and despite ongoing efforts to sustain the site it's in danger of becoming a stalled or failed Utopian dream, bereft of finances, and catering to Eco-tourists and Artists as a means of staying afloat. Perhaps it's the Artists keeping this Utopian vision alive.

In this digital age how can we discuss any Utopian concepts without including the rise of Virtual reality or Virtual societies accessible via the Internet such as Second Life? The ability to create alter egos or personal Avatars that can thrive and interact within a virtual world might be considered a Utopian pursuit by those residents. In Second Life you can create your own appearance, earn a living, design a living space, and participate in many activities that emulate the real world. All of this happens within a virtual economy based on a currency called the Linden that has an actual exchange rate with the U.S. dollar. Perhaps this is a Utopia by proxy - individuals who consider their real lives to be unfulfilled and boring can pursue glamorous new hopes and dreams with a new identity in a parallel metaverse simply by logging in to their world of choice.

Perhaps seeking a Utopia in the outer world by attempting to create a new society or participating in a virtual one without self awareness are ultimately futile pursuits, and we would be better served by searching for an inner harmony or wisdom that can nourish and enlighten us even in harsh environments. The enduring success of any Utopian vision may ultimately depend on the enlightenment and inner consciousness of its citizens, and not the social principles or technology that define it.

Tags:

Utopia, Dystopia, Culture, Society, Philosophy, Second Life, Enlightenment, Arcosanti, Artists

Stock Market Madness

The Stock Market will CRASH tomorrow. After today's carnage on the global markets stock futures for the S&P and Dow indicate that the major indices will open significantly lower. This scenario of panic selling in the face of some economic woes, and disrupted financial liquidity has been played out many times over decades of investing, and could well signify the beginning of a Bear market. However, history also tells us that such selling in the face of bad news and impending recession is often over done. Institutions and fund managers will unload shares indiscriminately to appease clients. Leveraged share owners will have to cover their margin calls by dumping shares for quick cash. Conservative investors or those near retirement will exit the market in fear of the coming financial apocalypse. In the short term their actions will be deemed sensible, and may save them further short term losses. Looking farther out - even a few months out, the markets could well prove them wrong.

The U.S. may experience a mild recession, but the economy is still fundamentally strong. The subprime debacle is deep, and still unfolding, but it's really only a big wave compared to the ocean of global bank assets and resources. Productivity, or the value of goods relative to manufacturing resources required to make them is high. Real inflation beyond oil and gas prices is manageable. Price/earnings ratios, projected earnings for 2008, and the fundamentals of many stock valuations are still strong and those stocks are now cheaper to buy with the recent big declines. If you have some courage, and stay invested in the fundamentally sound companies you will be rewarded.

I am not a financial expert, just a seasoned individual investor who has stayed invested through all of the market gyrations, even through the crash of 1987. In retrospect I was right to stay invested, but I regret not having more conviction, and investing in some of the bargain stocks that these large pull backs create. I plan to have the conviction this time, and expect that the next few weeks will provide some buying opportunities.

As for tomorrow, hold on tight if you have U.S. stock holdings, but don't panic. I will even go out on a limb here, and predict that the Dow will be up for the week by next Friday. At some point the fear will subside. The short sellers will cash in and buy back their stocks. Bargain hunters will wade into the market. The Federal Reserve will slash interest rates to stimulate liquidity, and there will be positive earnings reports from companies.

Who knows? The Dow may even find positive territory by the end of Tuesdays trading. Not that it matters, it's the long term that counts. Financial markets will be stronger by the end of 2008, but the bears may linger for a while early in the year. The apocalypse pundits will ultimately be wrong again.

Tags:
Investing, Finances, Bear Market, Stock Market, Dow Jones, Stocks, Recession, Market Rally, Stock Futures, Money, Shares