Biking Update - February 28, 2009

This was an interesting week for weight loss. On the one-hand, my weight stayed within 1.8 lbs of my goal of 210 lbs. On the other hand, there was no really notable weight loss. I hit 210.2 lbs on Saturday, and I was back to 210.4 by Friday. Hmmm... Well, I'll certainly take it. And my current goal is to reach the target weight by June. So I have some time. In the meantime, I am trying to get back toward a full exercise regimen. I am back on the bike most days in the week, and I have taken the "initial test" to resume the 100 push-up challenge. Hopefully, I can find the time and self-discipline to get back to 60 minutes on the bike a day, plus push-ups 3 days a week.

Does not look all that hopeful for biking over the next week, though, as the weather looks poor and the weekend is full of fun but non-bike-related activities like Bible Quiz Meets and Birthday parties. Oh, the humanity!

Key to diet is calorie reduction, not carbs or fat

A new study claims that despite the popularity of low carb diets like Atkins and low fat diets like Weight Watchers, the key to dieting is simply reducing calories not reducing the KIND of calories in your diet.

The main finding from the trial was that diets with varying emphases on carbohydrate, fat and protein levels all achieved clinically meaningful weight loss and maintenance of weight loss over a two-year period. "These results show that, as long as people follow a heart-healthy, reduced-calorie diet, there is more than one nutritional approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight," said Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., Director, NHLBI.

Another important finding was that participants who regularly attended counseling sessions lost more weight than those who didn't. Dieters who attended two thirds of sessions over two years lost about 22 pounds of weight as compared to the average weight loss of 9 pounds. "These findings suggest that continued contact with participants to help them achieve their goals may be more important than the macronutrient composition of their diets," said Sacks.

My experience with weight loss says this study simplifies things considerably. The key is not to find the one diet that works for everyone, but to find the one that works for you. Each body and mind are different. For some, it is key to be able to "cheat" every once in a while with a sugary snack (Advantage: Weight Watchers). For others, it is key to be able to feel full all time time (Advantage: Atkins). For stil others, it is key to be able to appear to be eating normally, so that others are not aware of the diet (Advantage: simple calorie restriction). My body reacts better with no sugar and reduced carbs. Find what works for you. Don't worry about what is hot now, or what worked for your buddy. And on't neglect exercise!

Dog Advantage #367

Gas prices

Gas prices
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

(Sent from my 3G iPhone)

I feel like doing this to someone at my work

Happy Birthday Bow Hunter

Ritz Camera and the death of the minilab

If you've been to a mall lately you've probably seen a Ritz Camera shop or one of their affiliates - Kitts or Wolfe among others.  It turns out that recently they've had to file for bankruptcy.  In our current economic situation you'd think that this is a normal activity for a struggling business, but it turns out that the reason behind it actually has to do with the transition to digital photography.  Ritz made their money printing pictures - many of which sucked and were promptly thrown out, but now people only print the one or two (if any) of the pictures they want.  Most of my best pictures go up on Flickr and if they get printed it's usually in a book I order from Blurb.  It seems that despite photography being at an all time high, making prints is no longer profitable - that's good for something, just not Ritz.

Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent

Ash Wednesday is not something that any of the churches I have attended have ever celebrated. And Lent has really always been a time of preparation for Easter, but the tradition of giving something up over that time was never taught or preached. But as I grow older, I wonder if there is not value in the tradition of introducing some mild suffering to ourselves, in order to remind us of the ultimate suffering that Christ endured on our behalf. Not sure what I will do, but I am considering it.

What do other Mod-Bloggers think? Are you planning to observe Lent this year by giving something up for the next 40 days?

Skewing the news: What did Ben Bernake say?

I remember the flash of enlightenment I felt in high school when I first read a short story that addressed the ability of the Press to shape the news. It is not just what is reported, but how it is reported that frames how we perceive the world around us. The president says "Have a happy day". Depending on how the news frames that statement, it could either be seen as a cheerful expression of optimism, or a fascist attempt to impose an opinion on a skeptical populace.

Consider today's speech from Ben Bernake where he expressed the opinion that the Recession will end this year, but warned people that if credit markets do not begin acting rationally that it could last up the three years.

Headline from CNN?

Bernanke: Recovery will take years: http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/24/news/economy/bernanke/index.htm?postversion=2009022410

Headline from MyWay.Com?

Bernanke: Recession may end in '09: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090224/D96I2KCG1.html

Always be aware that you need to remain skeptical toward news reports. You never know what bias (politics, philosophy, mood of the day) may be coloring the reporting you read.

Who is Social Networking for?

Before anyone gets mad at this one, am now on Twitter and Facebook. Pity me.

AT-AT Boom Box

Oh, my. This must be the epitome of 80s fusion. A boom box combined with an Imperial Walker. If they mass produced this, you know every Star Wars fan over the age of 25 would have one.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10169562-1.html?tag=newsBlogPromoArea.0

Does the auto industry need (a) Steve Jobs

Everybody knows the American auto industry is in extremely bad shape. The $14-billion question is what can be done to save the industry. Some of the companies are trying to restructure in order to be better fit for the future, but there are still questions about whether the management that brought them into this crisis can get them out. If the American tax payer is going to shell out $14-billion to save the industry it seems that radical change is not a bad requirement. In an open letter to President Obama, he is encouraged to recruit Steve Jobs (health allowing) to recreate the American auto industry.

It is time for us to put tax payer money behind an executive capable of transforming the automotive industry. I respectfully submit that neither the current leadership behind these companies nor government officials are the answer. We need entrepreneurs, consumer product savants and creative managers capable of effecting change. We need great leaders who can transform cars into computers rather than horse-less carriages. You were elected to the Presidency based on a mandate for change. Making the necessary moves to transform the US auto industry would be a great way to walk the walk. This challenge is a once in a lifetime opportunity to save hundreds of thousands of jobs, hundreds of billions in future GDP, and prevent further deterioration of our nation’s manufacturing sector. This is the time for great Americans to be called upon to serve. I can think of no better leader than Steve Jobs to support America in this time of national crisis. President Obama, I urge you to seriously consider recruiting Mr. Jobs to manage the revitalization of the US auto industry that is so desperately needed. Thank you for your consideration of this suggestion.

I think it's a great idea, though I doubt Steve Jobs would take it on. Nonetheless the premise is sound, the auto industry needs leaders that are willing to look deep into the future of cars while being firmly aware of all the little things that makes a car desirable. Most Americans aren't going to buy a car just because it's American any longer. It's time that American cars be desirable items, rather than just good enough that American consumers don't feel bad about buying them.

Microsoft knows how to make a bad situation worse

Microsoft recently laid off 1,400 employees after years of faithful service. Such is life in the current economy, some might say. But the software giant showed its usual tin ear for public relations afterward by asking laid off employees to pay back some of their severance check. If an Executive does not put the kibosh on this Monday, it is proof that MS no longer has any interest in having a positive public image.

"An inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment in severance pay by Microsoft," the letter states. "We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to you."
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the authenticity of a letter posted on TechCrunch, but declined further comment, saying it was "a private matter between the company and the affected people."
The company declined to specify how many of these letters were sent out, and it's unknown how much the overpayments total, but it did indicate that some laid off employees were also undercompensated.

Gas prices

Gas prices
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

(Sent from my 3G iPhone)

Hmmmmmmmmm...

Visualizing the Mortgage Meltdown

This is really a brilliant explanation of how we got to where we are in the economic crisis. It shows how things go badly quickly, when everything thinks they can't lose.

Biking Update - February 21, 2009

For once, I have a good week to report on both the weight loss and biking front! This past week was the first since my sinus infection where I was able to exercise every day. The exercise is still generally light - about 30 minutes a day - but I am working my way back up to the hour I was doing a few weeks back. I hit a new low this week of 211 lbs and was able to stay fairly close to that low every day this week, even the day after having pizza at Guys Night Out. You may recall my next goal is to reach 210 lbs by June, and it is looking like I will get there much sooner. Not sure what I will set as a goal after that, but I surely am excited to see how much weight I will have lost in a year!

I should mention this is also my first week without a beard. The reactions of friends, family, and coworkers were positive enough that I plan to leave it off through at least the Quiz Team Meet at the end of this month. We'll see where it goes from there.

On the biking front, Monday was a banking holiday (Presidents Day) so I was off from work. So, I was able to bike with Nick down by the Stratford Beach. We rode 10.5 miles in about an hour, and discovered a number of new little paths along the river. It was the first real bike ride in a long time, and it felt great. It is amazing how refreshing a ride can be in the cold.

Next week is an unknown bike-riding-wise as the weather looks like it might be unsettled. But "unsettled" might mean snow, rain, or just cloudy. We shall see.

Gas prices

Gas prices
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

(Sent from my 3G iPhone)

What is the problem with taxing people by miles driven?

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-lahood-vehicle-mileage-tax,0,6754105,print.story

Simple. If you replace gas taxes with "mileage taxes", then you remove the incentive to buy fuel-efficient vehicles. Thus, deepening our dependence on foreign oil. And you penalize companies who relocate from major cities to other parts of the country, thus encouraging them NOT to move and not to bring jobs to economically-depressed areas.

Always think of the unintended consequences of new ideas.

Mmm... Lightning + Star Wars

I can't stop smiling at this comic

In praise of dissent...

When you are the majority party, it is easy to be annoyed with the opposition. "You lost!" the majority wants to scream, "Get over it and get on the right side!" It happened in 2000 with George W Bush and the Republicans. It is happening now with Barack Obama and the Democrats. It will probably happen again the next time we have a president and congress of the same party.

But it is good to remember that the phrase "loyal opposition" comes from a place of honor. It is a GOOD thing to have people around any endeavor who can keep the victor honest, and adjust the more extreme tendencies of those in power. This commentary from CNN reminds us that "pests" can be among the most useful people in a Democracy. Because they force those in power to look honestly at themselves, and see if perhaps the "Emperor has no clothes."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/19/rollins.pest/index.html

ND bans abortion... again

North Dakota has long been at the forefront of the movement to ban abortion at the state level. They have passed a number of laws which made abortion illegal, all of which have been struck down by state or federal courts. Now, they have tried it again with a law to "declare that a fertilized egg has all the rights of any person". Lawmakers feel this law will pass Supreme Court muster because it follows the language of Roe v. Wade by defining when life begins.

Personally, I doubt it will succeed. Although, it may be useful in defining the limits and boundaries of Roe v. Wade.

Is nationalization of banks inevitable?

When the mortgage meltdown began, we were assured by Democats and Republicans alike that all actions taken were temporary solutions to stave off calamity. Even the "stimulus bill" has been coached in those terms, and the rhetoric has generally been that it is a bandaid and not intended to radically change American economic law or policy.

Now, however, more and more people are calling for the "temporary" nationalization of banks.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e310cbf6-fd4e-11dd-a103-000077b07658.html

Nationalization is a sea change in how Americans view their economy, and could easily be the beginning of a true planned economy which is tightly controlled by the government. Do we really want a nation where the President and Congress have a say on how you spend your personal money? And can we really trust the current government to give up this kind of power, once they have it in their hands?

Good sportsmanship always encourages

I haven't lost a parent yet, but I can imagine it to be the worst thing ever. I can't imagine playing in a basketball game just after my mother died, but that's what Johntell Franklin, wanted to do. So when he entered the game after not being put on the teams roster for that night, his team was assessed a technical foul. What happened next is encouraging.

"I gathered my kids and said, 'Who wants to take these free throws?'" Rohlman said, recounting the game to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Darius McNeal put up his hand. I said, 'You realize you're going to miss, right?' He nodded his head."

McNeal, a senior point guard, went to the line. The Milwaukee Madison players stayed by their bench, waiting for the free throws. Instead of seeing the ball go through the net, they saw the ball on the court, rolling over the end line.

"I turned around and saw the ref pick up the ball and hand it back to the player," Womack said in the Journal Sentinel. "And then [McNeal] did the same thing again."
...
"I did it for the guy who lost his mom," McNeal told the newspaper. "It was the right thing to do."

This was a tragic situation, but I'm glad to see some of the leaders of our schools being able to teach in this type of situation.

G.M. prepares for restructure

Yesterday General Motors (GM) announced their restructuring plan. Much of the plan was already known, but this solidified the next series of actions. The biggest step being taken by the company is to shutdown Saturn and severely limit Pontiac, while selling off Hummer and Saab. This will leave them with four major brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. I am not a business man, but the choice of brands seems kind of random to me. For instance, GMC trucks and Chevy trucks are essentially the same thing. Why maintain a brand like GMC when you could merge it into Chevy and be done with it. I don't like the choice on Pontiac either, seems to me that they should flip flop between Pontiac and Buick. But then again, I am not a business person and I don't know the actual numbers.

Selling naming rights for local schools

The school district where I live is considering just that. The school district budget is quite tight these days, so as a means of raising more money they're considering selling the naming rights of their schools. I understand the concept and more money is definitely needed, but I'm not sure I agree with this particular means of making money. I really like the tradition of naming schools after important people, either locally or nationally. Here in Tacoma we have several schools that are named after presidents and important people to the development of the area. I just think that Lincoln High School sounds better than Gatorade High School, but that could be just me.

The children are the future... of debt

Gas prices

Gas prices
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

(Sent from my 3G iPhone)

How are statisticians changing sports?

I am not a big sports guys, but this is where science and sports meet. Stats have always been a huge part of baseball, but other sports have not always paid as much attention. Now, the NBA is taking notice of the efforts of Houston Rockets to study statistics and ferret out those players who are not big scorers but make a huge difference in whether a team wins or loses.

Battier’s game is a weird combination of obvious weaknesses and nearly invisible strengths. When he is on the court, his teammates get better, often a lot better, and his opponents get worse — often a lot worse. He may not grab huge numbers of rebounds, but he has an uncanny ability to improve his teammates’ rebounding. He doesn’t shoot much, but when he does, he takes only the most efficient shots. He also has a knack for getting the ball to teammates who are in a position to do the same, and he commits few turnovers. On defense, although he routinely guards the N.B.A.’s most prolific scorers, he significantly reduces their shooting percentages. At the same time he somehow improves the defensive efficiency of his teammates — probably, Morey surmises, by helping them out in all sorts of subtle ways. “I call him Lego,” Morey says. “When he’s on the court, all the pieces start to fit together. And everything that leads to winning that you can get to through intellect instead of innate ability, Shane excels in. I’ll bet he’s in the hundredth percentile of every category.”

This article brings back to my mind the Golden Age of the NBA when players like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson not only were superstars, but actually caused the other players around them to play better. Bringing out more people with that same gift can only make the game better and more fun to watch.

Should the president get new helicopters?

Recently it has become popular to point out CEOs of failing or struggling companies that use private aircraft. In fact they have been scoffed at and made to feel bad for the practice. I understand that it looks bad, considering it costs about $1000 a second to run a private plane. With all this talk it makes the president's choice of new helicopters more interesting. Admittedly this contract is the result of a Bush administration request. I understand the need for safety, but maybe there's a less expensive way of bringing about safety. If the president decides to go forward with new expensive helicopters should he not be ostracized the way these CEOs are - especially considering tomorrow he's signing a bill that's going to put the government nearly a trillion dollars more in debt?

Librarians as information literacy teachers

I found this article about the new roles of librarians in the digital age to be fascinating.  I also find it disturbing when librarians are let go first in a budget shortage.  I've had a series of good librarians in my life from the time I was in pre-school up until I was working on my masters thesis and I can tell you there is nothing better than a good librarian when you're researching something - even if it is just which bugs are the most gross.

My current feelings on politics

NuviPhone shown for real?

It has been a while since we last heard about Garmin's NuviPhone - which is now a joint partnership between Garmin and Asus, it was still a prototype at best. And the few that had seen the light of day were buggy and hardly usable. But now, a working NuviPhone has been seen in Barcelona, and people were mostly impressed with it.

The phone has come a very long way since we last saw it, with a snappy, smooth interface, and nary a glitch or crash. The touchscreen keyboard -- usable in portrait and landscape modes -- is no pretender to the iPhone's throne, but is one of the best we've seen on a resistive touch device. We also found the WebKit-based browser to be one of the smoother ones we've seen outside the T-Mobile G1 and the iPhone.

I doubt this phone will gain a significant marketshare in light of the Apple iPhone, Google Android, and Palm Pre. But it is never a bad thing to have a good competitor in the market to keep the big guys honest. And I do love my Garmin Nuvi GPS.

New Simpsons Opening?

Supposedly, this new opening will start tonight, along with a new HD presentation.

Want to Dump Your Girlfriend?

I found a fun list of gifts that you can give your girlfriend if you want her to break up with you. I think my favorite is #10, a devastatingly accurate scale.

Nomad Sans Facial Hair

I don't post pictures of myself here very often, other than on the biking updates. But yesterday was a somewhat momentous day. After about 15 years of having a beard - and losing 70 lbs - I have decided to see what I look like clean shaven. I know many Mod-Bloggers have never seen me bare-faced. So it only seemed fair to post some pictures here. I have not decided if I will stay like this or grow it back. I'll give it at least a week before making that decision. In the meantime... MY CHIN IS COLD!

BEFORE


AFTER

Gotta love it

After the last newspaper

Best summary of the Stimulus Bill I have seen so far

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/your-money/13money.html?hp

Happy Valentines Day!

Biking Update - February 13, 2009

As we come to the midpoint of February, I think I am finally pretty much healed from the sinus infection. I am feeling good, I got in a full week of work, and my weight is still under control. This week, I was not up to biking as my body finished the healing process - I was nearly ready to zonk as soon as I got home every day. So, I am up from my lowest weight while sick. But I am holding at between 214 and 215 by diet alone, which is quite encouraging.

Now, I can start thinking about biking again. I am hoping to either start biking on the stationary bike in the attic or on the real bike outside over the weekend. It is supposed to get cold again but not nearly as frigid as in January. It will be great to be moving again and to start accelerating my metabolism.

The other "weight loss" detail is that I am planning to remove my beard for the first time since college. I do plan to take pictures which will likely be posted here on Mod-Blog. Prepare to be shocked.

Stimulus(?) bill passes

In the least surprising act of congress, possibly ever, the so called stimulus package has passed both the House and the Senate. Nobody from the GOP voted for it in the House and only 3 voted for it in the Senate. It's too bad it took losing the ability to make a difference in the congress for the GOP to get a spine.

"Just because Republicans spent too much money after September 11 and lost our way on financial matters doesn't mean the Democratic party should be allowed to wreck our ship of state. This is taking us quickly down the wrong road. Vote no," Wamp (R-Tennessee) said.

Interesting Take on the $500K Salary Limit

While I could find a lot to cut out (such as $16,000 per year for vacation), this article takes an interesting look on how a banker "couldn't live" on a $500K salary. Though mortgage commitments and cost of living differences are part of the reason, the author argues that a successful banker has a certain lifestyle that has become part of their identity. While I don't think taxpayers should subsidize their way of life - after all it is the banking industry that is part of the cause of this mess - it is interesting to take a look at it from the other side.

Controlling Prosthetics With Your Brain

The "old" way of allowing movement of a prosthetic arm was to attach a motor for each motion and use muscles in your back or upper arm to control the motor. This required great concentration from the amputee. Doctors have discovered a way to allow more motions, at the same time, and with less thought on the part of the amputee. The procedure, reinnervation, requires the connecting of existing nerves to the another muscle. While cost is a factor and it won't work for every patient, since the process only requires surgery and medical devices that have already been approved, it does not have to go through an approval process. This is great news for the field of prosthetics.

When Blowing Your Nose Might Be Bad For You

Turns out that something I do often when I have a stuffy nose - blowing it to relieve stuffiness - may be putting me at risk for worsening my infection by sending viruses or bacteria into my sinuses. The solution? Decongestants or blowing one nostril at a time.

Mama's Boys and Other Parent-Child Relationships

Another blog asks the question, "Why does our culture undervalue mother-son relationships?" Mother-daughter bonding and father-son bonding are seen as normal, natural and necessary. There are father-daughter events. But for the son close to his mom? The one cultural example other than "mama's boy" that I can think of is Oedipus Rex. I vaguely remember one - possibly two - times that there was a mother-son event. Personally, I grew up having and still have a close relationship with my mom (and dad, for that matter) and I know others here have as well - all without being "mama's boys". Other than culture telling sons that they have to be "manly men", why are mother-son relationships held lower in our culture than other parent-child relationships?

The History of Sesame Street

I loved Sesame Street as a child, and I still enjoy seeing it from time to time as an adult. Its commitment to education, to being entertaining to both parents and kids, and its honesty in dealing with tough issues has earned it a place in the heart of most Americans who grew up since its premiere in the 1960s.

An article from CNN highlights some of the history of the show, taken from a new book about the genesis of the program. Who know "Rubber Ducky" was such a source of conflict?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/books/02/11/sesame.street/index.html

Too true

Saving the newspaper industry

As someone that works for a newspaper the question of how to keep newspapers profitable is of utmost importance.  But recently it seems that the question has become popular among journalists (I know, big surprise) to the point that they're actually writing about it.  The cover story of Time magazine this week is more a commentary on why newspapers need to go to micro-payments for their content online.  There's a lot of discussion on both sides of the story.  The bottom line of the discussion for me is not 'how do we maintain an industry putting out a physical paper', but rather how do we maintain a quality journalistic core - I could care less if we stop putting out actual papers.  With every Tom, Dick and Joe being able to start their own blog and comment on the news, it becomes increasingly important to maintain journalists that are going to report on the news.  It's hard to find unbiased journalists - it's even harder to find them when they're working for basically free or at the whim of an advertiser.  So, the real question is how do we compensate journalists.  I'm not particularly a fan of the micro-payments model - it seems to complicated especially if you take it to the extreme that some would like.  It's becoming more and more clear that large news sites are not being thoroughly subsidized by advertisers.  I don't have any real answers, but I am curious as to what some of the Mod-Blog community think is the best or even a good way of keeping quality journalism happening?

Henson to release "Happytime Murders"

Well, I had been hoping a new Muppet movie was in the works, but an adult-oriented puppet movie in the film noir genre was not exactly what I was looking for.

The film, based on a story by Todd Berger and Dee Robertson, will feature the renowned Henson style of irreverence and parody. The film will take place in a world where puppets are a minority race amongst humans, and follows a puppet detective who is forced to solve a string of murders around the Happytime Gang, the cast of a beloved children’s show, that is being picked off by a mysterious villain. Todd Berger is writing the screenplay, while Brian Henson is attached to direct.

I can't help wondering if this film will go the same way as Greg the Bunny, a puppet sit-com from Fox which was clearly NOT for kids. The kids didn't get the jokes, and most adults were ashamed to watch it because of the puppets. Therefore: cancellation.

Layoffs as natural disaster

From here.

Catholic Church tries indulgences...again

There are lots of things about the Roman Catholic church that confound me.  The logic behind the significance of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), the multiple levels of bureaucracy, etc...  But even with that, I find them to be largely fine and on the right track.  Every now and then they do something that can only be described as stupid.  Recently the payment of indulgences has become allowable again.  If you remember your European or Church history, you'll remember that indulgences were a significant issue in the coming of the German Reformation and Martin Luther.  As a Protestant, I find them abhorrent - no matter how many conditions you place on them.  The idea that you can in any way purchase salvation is unbiblical not to mention unchristian.  I can't believe they're trying this tired old thing again.  I can't see it actually helping their stock among the Protestants an Orthodox churches either.

Kindle 2 Announced: A lot better - über expensive

I love the idea of eBook readers, but they're all so expensive.  Enter the Kindle 2.  A spectacular piece of equipment released today, but at $359 I could buy a netbook that could do almost the same thing and more.

What good business looks like

To say that good business comes down to customer service is sort of a truism in the business community, but there aren't a lot of companies that are actually living that out - especially online.  One significant exception to that rule is Zappos.  I can't say that I've ever been to their website or bought any of their shoes, but they do have a great reputation for their service.  Why?  Because they actually do put customer service as their number one goal.  Perhaps I'll have to check them out.

So what is different about Zappos?

• The company provides free shipping both ways
• Zappos has a 365 day return policy
• Only products available in the warehouse are placed on the site
• The warehouse is open 24 hours a day
• The company is contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• The 1800 contact number is prominently placed on every page of the site
• The company trusts in its reps; sales staff don't have scripts
• If products are unavailable, sales staff direct customers to competitors

Understanding Bank Fees

Working for a bank, I am amazed every day to see how many fees our customers pay. To some, this may seem like a criticism of the bank, but overall I am amazed by how many customers are paying fees that there is no reason for them to pay. For example, millions of people every day are paying transaction fees to take money out of ATMs, when they could save $5 and simply walk across the street or down the block to an ATM at their own bank. I am sure some of this is laziness, but some of it is also ignorance. This article is a good summary of the main kinds of fees that banks charge, and how you can reduce the impact to your bottom line. In this current economy, consumers need ever extra dollar they can find, and these simple tips can help you save big bucks.

I needed a laugh today

Biking Update - February 7, 2009

Another short update this week. I am still under the weather. But I did see the doctor this week and she diagnosed me with a sinus infection and put me on antibiotics. Because of this, I have had no energy for exercise and thus no biking occurred. But somehow I am still losing weight. This week with my highly rigorous exercise program of sleeping, eating, sleeping some more, taking a pill, and sleeping yet more, I am down to a new low of 212 lbs. That over 70 lbs lost since the start of this journey. Hopefully, I will not gain too much of this back once I am well again.

Not sure what the upcoming week holds. If my health is restored in time, I may try to get some biking in. If not, I still need to get back to the normal routine of life. Please be praying everything is restored ASAP.

My Man Mitt Chimes in on Stimulus

Mitt Romney has up a commentary on what he thinks of the current stimulus package and what his priorities would be for a Stimulus. Here are the principals Romney would follow:

1. First, there are two ways you can put money into the economy, by spending more or by taxing less. But if it's stimulus you want, taxing less works best. That's why permanent tax cuts should be the centerpiece of the economic stimulus.

2. Any new spending must be strictly limited to projects that are essential.

3. Sending out rebate checks to citizens and businesses is not a tax cut.

4. If we're going to tax less and spend more to get the economy moving, then we have to make another commitment as well. As soon as this economy recovers, we have to regain control over the federal budget, and above all, over entitlement spending for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

5. We must begin to recover from the enormous losses in the capital investment pool. And the surest, most obvious way to get that done is to send a clear signal that there will be no tax increases on investment and capital gains. The 2001 and 2003 tax cuts should be extended permanently, or at least temporarily.

6. Let's exercise restraint in the size of the stimulus package. Last year, with the economy already faltering, I proposed a stimulus of $233 billion. The Washington Post said: "Romney's plan is way too big." So what critique will the media have for the size of the Obama package?

Path of Least Resistance

Happy Birthday Muse

Happy Birthday!!! May this year be filled with many joys.

Bill Gates releases mosquitos on audience

When I first read about this, I thought it must be an internet hoax/prank. But now they have video. Apparently, Bill Gates released a swarm of mosquitoes onto an unsuspecting crowd at the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference.

"Malaria is spread by mosquitoes," Gates said while opening a jar onstage at the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference — a gathering known to attract technology kings, politicians, and Hollywood stars.

"I brought some. Here I'll let them roam around. There is no reason only poor people should be infected."

...Gates then waited a minute or so before assuring the audience the freed insects were malaria-free.

I know this was supposed to be a way to make a point about first-world people caring about third-world problems, but it was wrong. Self-righteous displays like this only serve to alienate the audience. If it were me there, Bill Gates would have accomplished only one thing - ensuring I never gave his foundation another nickel as long as I live.

But maybe that's just me. What is your reaction?

A Defense of the Stimulus

These days it is easy to find critics of the various economic stimulus bills wending their way thru Congress. They look like pork-laden pieces of political claptrap designed to do nothing so much as pay off the friends of politicians. And most of the defenses are simply lame, "We have to do SOMETHING!" i.e. The supporters of a stimulus bill feel it needs no reasoned defense in light of the crisis. As though a fire were an excuse for any action, even throwing gasoline in its general direction.

Finally, someone has bothered to put together a clear defense of a stimulus which explains why its supporters feel that the details of the stimulus are less important than the bill itself. It is a short article and worth a read. I do not think it addresses many of the concerns of critics, but it is a good, clear defense.

Happy Birthday, Sean!

Happy birthday to you, Sean! May today be a day of fun and enjoyment, and may this upcoming year be one of gifts given and received. (Leave your own wishes in the comments below.)

Another Example of 'Atlas Shrugged'

I've been listening to an abridged audio book version of 'Atlas Shrugged' after seeing more than one mention of how we are or are about to be living the book. I have not finished the book, but so far it is a good story and I can see many parallels to how some people think today. I still don't think we're quite at the point of 'Atlas Shrugged', but some parts of northern Italy have taken a step closer by banning any new ethnic food restaurants. And the winner of the "sounds most like a character out of 'Atlas Shrugged' award? Davide Boni who said that "kebab shop owners were prepared to work long hours, which was unfair competition." Right, because we shouldn't reward people for their hard work.

Obama to limit spending/compensation of bailed out companies

We have all been sickened by the hubris-filled spending choices of several bailed-out companies, where taxpayer money has apparently been used to buy private jets, pay for huge parties, or been paid out in bonuses to failed executives. Now, the Obama administration is planning to reveal new rules governing how bailed out companies can act.

"Tomorrow I'm going to be talking about executive compensation and changes we're going to be making there," he said. "We've now learned that people are still getting huge bonuses despite the fact that they're getting taxpayer money, which I think infuriates the public."

Under the president's plan, companies that want to pay their executives more than $500,000 will have to do so through stocks that cannot be sold until the companies pay back the money they borrow from the government.

The restrictions will most affect large companies that receive "exceptional assistance," such as Citigroup.

The struggling banking giant has taken about $45 billion from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program....

The new rules also will mandate that shareholders of banks have a greater say about the salaries paid to company heads. The measures will put in place greater transparency for costs such as holiday parties and office renovations.

While at first blush this seems like a wise and prudent move, I have to wonder about the unintended consequences here. Let's say you are one of the CEOs from the "Age of Irresponsibility" whose company has two choices: take government bailout money or go bankrupt and put hundreds of thousands out on the street without jobs. If you are an irresponsible executive, won't you take your money and run, leaving the company to collapse? In which case, the general economy is worse than beforehand. I hope I am wrong about this, but I have to wonder.

Updated 11:25 AM EST with the right link. Sorry folks, sick-brain was in full effect this morning.

Kindle 2.0 coming Monday?

I am a big fan of the Amazon Kindle. When it first came out, I was skeptical. I had played with eBooks before on Windows CE and Palm devices and they never really were able to deliver the goods. Book selection was limited, the screens have me a headache after a while, and as soon as I upgraded my PDA/Phone/Computer it was all lost, because of Draconian DRM. But I picked up the Kindle last year on a whim when it had a price drop, after looking around my room and realizing how much room I was wasting on books bought at Amazon.Com. And it quickly won me over. The ePaper screen was easy to read, the interface was clunky but worked perfectly for actually READING things, and the ability download books from anywhere was great.

Now, it is rumored that Amazon.Com is ready to release the second Kindle. The upgrades are unclear, but likely include a better form factor, better screen refreshes, and more memory. If they provide an easy upgrade path (which is expected), then I will be sorely tempted.

Broadcasting Assisted Suicide

While apparently, this already aired, I had not heard of it other than this article. Craig Ewert went to Switzerland in order to have an assisted suicide where it was recorded and was then shown later on British TV. Eerily reminds me of a comment "Nick" made a number of years ago wondering when we'll be so depraved as to have Colosseum type games on TV.

I love the English language

My new favorite comic

Well, after XKCD.

Happy Groundhog Day

As if we needed more winter, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow.  For those keeping score that means 6 more weeks of winter. Ugh!

Congratulations to Steelers Fans...

The terrible towel
Originally uploaded by bigluketx.

...on the win of their beloved football team.

But I am curious to know what Mod-Bloggers thought won as the best commercial of the night. Gotta admit, for me, the GIJOE movie trailer was the one I enjoyed the most.

A Lesson for all of Us

Olympic gold medalist and hero to many Michael Phelps admitted today to smoking Marijuana after a photo surfaced of him smoking using a bong. Why do so many people ruin their image with one night's pleasure? (Assuming they found the smoking pleasurable.) WHy risk the millions of dollars for it? It is too bad. Michael Phelpls seems like a good young man.

School Delayed because of Super Bowl

Pittsburgh schools will have a 2 hour delayed opening on Monday. No, it is not supposed to snow, it is because of the Super Bowl. I actually think this is a good decision by the school superintendent. He realizes that many people will be up late that night and can help to minimize both student and teacher absences.

There is really only one rival to the Superbowl today on TV...

Michael Steel becomes RNC Head

After a long fight amongst would-be Republican leaders, former Maryland Lt. Gov Michael Steele has been elected as the first black head of the Republican National Committee. The selection has obviously come as a response to the election of Barack Obama, but it is also a sign that the GOP is ready to try and shake the image of being a party of "white guys."

The question of the size of the GOP's tent were brought into focus back in December, when former Tennessee GOP leader Chip Saltsman, who had hoped to become RNC chair, distributed a CD to Republican National Committee members featuring a song called "Barack the Magic Negro." Saltsman dropped out of the race last night.

"Steele's election won't help the party attract black voters immediately, but if Steele sets the right tone, he could help the party compete for them in the (way) future," said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. "As GOP strategists have always known, and noted, somewhat dyspeptically, it's white suburban voters, particularly women, who are responsive to a diversity message. The RNC isn't diverse yet; only five black delegates were chosen to attend the national convention. Steele was disgusted by that. It prompted him to run."