Not A Mystery
News
Hold Those Fries
Walter Cronkite passed away today, so we are down one icon. But thankfully the Economist’s Big Mac Index soldiers on. In a previous post we expressed concern that Big Mac might be supplanted by Big White, but our fears were unfounded. Herewith the latest Index, no ketchup required. Just to review, The Economist has been … Continue reading
Not A Great Week For Thinkers, The Wrap
Here are a number of Quotes from the main stream media this week. I’m not going to name the people who uttered the following because they would (hopefully) be embarrassed. The leading cause of death is old age. This was said in support of the idea that we should take antibiotics or other drugs to slow … Continue reading
Big Mac, Stand Aside For Big White
Is it possible that The Economist is moving towards replacing its Big Mac Index with a Big White Index? The Economist has been publishing their (not so tongue-in-cheek) Big Mac Index since 1986. It’s a reality check on world-wide currency exchange rates, based on the concept of Purchasing-Power Parity. Purchasing-Power Parity (PPP) says that exchange … Continue reading
Pensioners Run Wild
This week from the Daily Telegraph of London, it’s reported that a gang of German Pensioners kidnapped and tortured a financial adviser after he lost their money on a Florida property investment scheme. The adviser was held in the basement of a vacation home, and over a period of four days was burned with cigarettes, … Continue reading
It’s Not Gambling, It’s Sophisticated Investing. Right.
A recent sting operation perpetuated on several Big City Banks by a smallish Hedge Fund puts my Schadenfreude Meter off the scales. This one feels even better than a vicious lawyer joke. Let’s see if I can explain what they did. [Note: the following narrative is based on an article in the Wall Street Journal … Continue reading
What’s Better Than A Reverse Mortgage? Death Bonds!
In these tough economic times, some folks are using Reverse Mortgages to access the equity in their homes and get cash either for spending or to pay off their conventional mortgage. It’s an idea whose time has come; and not a bad option in some circumstances. But even better, especially if you are further from … Continue reading
OMG, I Made Up An Acronym: F2U !
This week was the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s annual meeting in Seattle, appropriately named “SLEEP 2009”. In the midst of some fascinating studies into how we spend a huge part of our time on this earth (sleeping), were some amusing (to me) acronyms. So for example, the following 3 were my favorites: TIB – … Continue reading
Eco-Tourism Was So 1990’s
We’ve gotten comfortable with Eco-Tourism, and now have another great phrase entering the lexicon: “Terror Tourism”. Today we’re visiting Mumbai, six months after the attacks, thru the reporting of the Financial Times. Farhan Jehani, co-owner of Leopold Café, said business could not be better as he pointed out the bullet and grenade marks the managers … Continue reading
A Fine Read In The Tradition Of A Fine Wine
When I was still working there was never enough time in the day. Now that I’m retired, there’s even less time. Which makes no sense, but there you have it. So I am always looking for ways to save time, or at least waste less of it. One of my major, serious, time sinks was … Continue reading
They Really Are From The Projects
The political commentator who fancies himself America’s Pinata recently criticized a number of Obama nominees because they didn’t credit public programs as having any influence in their successes. Instead they acknowledged such things as parental support, mentors, and teachers. Mr. Pinata should have the common sense to know that most of us would credit the people … Continue reading
Lawyers Are Still Hauling and Shoveling
Here we are several weeks later, and those Chrysler lawyers are still doing manual labor. I guess they are worried about being outsourced, so they stick to their handcarts. Something about guys who get up to $1,000/hr. for their services actually pulling their own carts makes me feel good. It’s also possible that the cart-guys … Continue reading
Just Another Mystery
- Weaving A Different Kind of Necklace
- Jumping into Spring
- The Art of Using Natures Bounty to Dye Cloth
- A Shibori Stitched and Felted Wrap
- Faux Fur, Vogue and Verve
- The Perfect Dance, Part 2
- The Perfect Dance
- The Vest That Mysteriously Turned Into A Purse
- Vintage Kimono Baby Booties
- Zipper, Keys, and a Linen Belt Buckle
Sterling Jewelry & Gifts
Not A Mystery 