NK on the move

"I don't think that anybody in the (Obama) administration thinks there is a crisis," Robert Gates (referring to the North Korean situation)

I would beg to differ, but maybe I'm just a little nervous about a nut with a nuke, who happens to be shooting off missiles seemingly every day.

Actually for the first time I think that North Korea has it figured out. I've always watched them with some amusement much as the rest of the class watches the class clown, never really seriously but you have to watch- its like must see tv. Going back to 7th grade when the country I was to 'sell' to world at a mock trade show was...... North Korea. Now we actually did a pretty good job (me and two others) in fact we actually got some 'investors' students reperesenting companies to 'invest in us. I'm pretty sure it was Pepsico. We got a bronze level investment from them- but we did get a high praise from our teacher as we pitched the whole, "Well we're a communist nation run by a crazy family, but we have a big popluation ready to work (because they are starving) and we got a whole lot of natural resources with no way to get em out. I distinctly remember this beacuse NK actually has a very large natural supply of tungsten; so we worked really hard to get GE and Philips to 'invest' with us.
Anyway for the first time North Korea is just like screw it; they shoved all the chips to the center and basically are calling our bluff that the UN won't do anything- or will be too slow to act. I think that they realize that any act of aggretion will not be met well- however, they could be betting that the US doesn't have the manpower to do anything about it, and so they think that by threatening they can get more than obeying UN demands. Its an interesting power play move.

I however would call it a crisis.

Good news!

The Mets didn't lose last night. The flip side of course is that they didn't play either.

In other news I played golf last night, and while I hate to make excuses last night was one of the most frustrating rounds I have played in the last oh 5,6 years.... yeah that bad. There are rounds where you just are not hitting the ball well; but scoring decently, and then there was last night.

Now I don't pretend to be a great putter, but I think I'm pretty decent; however yesterday on the putting green I had no feel at all, and that should have been a precourser of what was to come. It was fast, like putting on concrete fast. First hole, on in regulation on the first hole I four putted. I don't know the last time I four putted a green. It wasn't anytime recently (like once in the past 5 years?) Ok shake it off, next hole 10 footer uphill slight left to right breaker, for birdie; and I choke it, and three put. Next hole three put, you get the idea. In fact the only potential bright spot came on the 490 yd par 5 uphill. I hit a drive which cought the cartpath and rolled to a point where I was 190 to the center of the green. I hit a 5 iron within 5 yards of the green chipped up to 8 ft. The putt rolled over the edge of the cup almost a third, then stopped and rolled a foot and half back down from the cup. Thankfully I made par else my putter might have been in pieces out on the green. It was just rough. I was on in regulation over 9 holes 6 times; 1 par. That is just atrocious.

Then I got pulled over on the way home. It was just a fantastic afternoon =P

Why mutual funds are robbing you

I think everyone knows that mutual funds have a percentage charge that they take for 'maintenance fee' but to me that is robbery. Now I don't make any claims about being a super financial genius, if I was I certainly wouldn't be with the portfolio that I have. (Disclaimer I was beaten down quite a bit from the peak, to the end of the crash) because as an optimist and the proverbial BULL I chose to think that the sun will come out tomorrow. But the fact is that by placing money in a 401k that money is (or should) be making serious money for someone (and it sure isn't me).
Why? well its in the Options. Again disclaimer this is NOT a financial workshop and I offer no advice which you should follow... BUT.... but your money should be working harder than it is. A primer, what is an Option? Quite simply it is an option to buy stock. Ok, doesn't everyone have an option/right to buy stock? Well of course. But an option is a vehicle to control stock for pennies on the dollar, thus you have tremendous leverage, and risk. BUT with proper management you can get serious money without that risk. That is by selling covered calls. Covered calls are done by offering for sale the stock that you own (in blocks of 100 shares). By selling out-of-the-money calls (the strike price, ie the price you will sell the stock at, has not been reached yet) you (the stock holder) can net a tidy monthly dividend.

Here's an example, I own a stock ANR I own a few hundred shares.
Today I can sell (per 100 shares I own) someone the right to purchase my shares for 32.50 (current price is ~$29) for 1.3 a share (or $130 per the 100) So I am covered on the downside share depreciation by 5% or (and better) the share price goes up (but less than 32.5) and I pocket the $130. Plus should the price go above 32.50 I am happy to sell my shares at 12% gain PLUS the $130. Seems like a win win. And I can do this every month. Comfortably I pull in a couple hundred a month with a teeny portfolio. Surprised? me too, it takes a little time every month, but so? its more than I make hourly at my job.

So whats the point? A broker managing an entire account of a 401K has thousands on thousands of shares to do this to. Selling covered calls wisely could easily net that person millions a year. And again if the stock sells its not his money covering the comissions. I think that some clarity into this could benifit those with accounts. If nothing else we should be able to have the option to pursue this to benifit our own retirement accounts.

To lose only as the Mets could...

Thankfully because of the time I mercifully did not see the end of the Mets game last night. But the highlights (lowlights?) are rough enough. The Mets had as many errors as the Dodgers had hits (5) The Dodgers won the game (after the Mets lost it, more on that later) first on a routine fly ball that Angel Pagan runs into Carlos Beltran resulting in a two base error. Ok this is little league stuff; the centerfielder ALWAYS has the the right of way, especially when he calls for it. Beltran had some choice words afterwards. Later the Mets have the runner dead to rights at home; and Jeramy Reed throws it away (from first base) these are supposed to be major leaguers, yet they played like amatuer hour last night.

Now we get to the top of the 11th, Ryan-my coach hates me- Church. Already in the doghouse Church rounds third and heads home safely. Oh wait an appeal to third..... and hes out! He missed third base. Now whether or not he did or did not touch third is less the issue than NOBODY complained about it! I'm sorry if I'm the manager or the player I am going to argue until I'm thrown out of the game and then argue some more. But no, they just kinda sat in stunned silence.

The wheels are kind of falling off; Reyes hurt, Cora DL, Delgado DL, interclub squabbles... they need to pull it together and quickly, otherwise this roadtrip which started so promising could end up a disaster.

Blog maken!

A picture! Haven't had one of these in a while. Just a glimpse into the world where you work for a Dutch company. All the computers have Dutch internet tags. So you have to get familiar with certain Dutch phrases and comments. To be fair some of their advertisements are just as annoying as ours; the blinking fire engine red 'Klik Her' on a white background is good for the constant annoyance. Also every week I have to log into the Dutch blogger page (log in is apparently aanmelden) So for you out there who wondering how I got around or learned anything while over in Holland take a peek at the page and see if you can't figure some stuff out. According to people who study such things the only thing closer to English is Dutch (followed by the English that English people speak)

That and you can always walk into a bar and order a bier, (pronounced beer) which is good.

... It wasn't me- I was dead at the time

Ah, Eddie Izzard, (taken from Dressed to Kill, which you should see if you haven't) The skit revolves around lying and how when we are young we lie about everything, to the point sometimes we don't even know the answer. In comedy its funny, but when the speaker of the house can't keep a story straight and starts blaming everyone else for her problems it starts getting sad. Now I've mentioned before, there is some stuff that I know the government/CIA/military does that I know they do, I count on them to do, and in a moment of Zen I realize I just don't want to know about it. Lets face it, after September 11, I think everyone was under the impression there would be a second attack on the US within a year, certainly several during the next 5, and probably our world would be changed forever and not for the better sometime in the next ten. No understanding we haven't reached that 10 year point, the fact is (because I'm not totally naive) some things have gone down, people 'taken out' and plots thwarted during that time. Getting a gun is not a difficult task in the US, ironically its the planning part of terrorism that probably gets them(the terrorists) in trouble. Sadly a lone disgruntled student can wreak terror over a small area because they are alone and the chances of saying/writing the wrong thing are slimmer before they make their move. And for all those in law enforcement, and espionage, thank you. You people must have something special that drives you, and your dedication is vastly underappreciated.

Getting back to Botox, I mean Nancy Pelosi, I would like to see them call your bluff on releasing the memos. I don't think that the security of the nation would be compromised so they could prove you a liar, so I think you played that well, but I am surprised that you think the majority of the populous is that naive. Personally for these high ranking terrorists, if they know something I would hope that everything would be done to try and get that information out; that's not a stretch. While I would have a problem torturing some brainwashed Taliban grunt, if you know this guy is a high ranking member of the Taliban I would hope you didn't bring him breakfast in bed and then ask where Osama is. It just doesn't fit the profile. I think many of these guys want to die to be 'martyred' so the only thing they fear is NOT dying- or not dying in a way befitting of them. As I said I don't want to know; but I do want those people doing these things for the betterment of us that they have the support of the US, otherwise its just not going to work. Just because you can't say you follow the Obama 10 commandments its really ok- just have a backbone and admit it. Even the Great One has already rescinded his abolishment of the military tribunals for 'enemy combatants. That lasted what? Four months?

You know what they say: Before you judge someone walk a mile in their shoes- so then you can better see how they feel; and you have their shoes.

.... and the streak ends

And so I open my big mouth and the Mets proceed to score 1 run for Johan, and the Mets allow 5 unearned runs to lose. Fantastic. What a team. We'll see what they do from here. I heard a stat, the Mets score less than 2 runs a game when Santana pitches (11 runs on the year) For every other start they average over 6. Nothing like supporting your teammates.

In other news we had a company softball game last night; the team played really well; until the 7th inning when we decided to blow a 2 run lead by allowing the other team to hit for 10 runs in the inning. So what was a 9-7 lead for us turned quickly to a 17-9 deficit. Still the team made a good effort, we loaded the bases with nobody out, had a FC grounder to third which they got the out at home. I singled in 2, behind me doubled, I went first to third, then home when they threw in to second. The throw got away behind the catcher and we had a man on third. A sac fly got in that run. We got a couple more hits and got the tying run to the plate, but that was as close as it got. It ended 17-14. Overall, though it was a good game, I thought the team played pretty well minus that inning and showed some tenacity trying to fight back in the end. For those keeping score I was 3/4 (the fourth was a fading liner that pushed through the LF's glove-it was moving and went for a 3 bagger, it was scored an E-7; I dissagree, if it was just a drop I shouldn't have even gotten to second) 1 2b, 2 singles, 3rbi, 3 run scored.

Mets on a Roll

So I know I shouldn't jinx it so I'll talk past tense. The last 7 games the Mets have played they have looked really good doing it. They are 1)hitting the ball with runners in scoring position. This particular skill is very important to scoring runs and getting teammates to go home. After all isn't that what everyone wants in life? To get home safely? Omir Santo (who? you may ask) the backup- and now with Castro non functional with the hammy the starter is a nice hitter. He (unlike many on the Mets) is content to get a hit rather than the five run homers that others swing for. He got a nice hit to drive in two yesterday with the Mets trailing by one. 2) They are piling on runs late. The early season trend was to a. get off to small lead, b. never score again and lose the game. Thankfully (and ok it was against the Pirates, but still....) the Mets scored some insurance late. (Cue the Gecko....)

Anyway today the Mets find themselves looking down at everyone else in the division; which is great news having almost had them written off a week and a half ago. Lets see if they can keep it going.

In other news I am becoming increasingly frustrated with my fantasy baseball team, yes I am in second place, but the gap between first and second is widening, and I can't recover the gap just on my own, but the rest of the league seems unwilling or unable to help out. Plus I desperately need a closer, as I'm down to one.

Marketing for Dummies

OK its been advertised for a while but every time and I mean every time I hear it I either want to laugh or cry, mostly because the radio talking head tries to make it sound serious. I think the first time I heard it, it was Craig Carton on WFAN and I thought he was joking when said "Introducing Astepro... ...I guess its the first asthma medication that can turn you from an ass to a pro..." Since then only Boomer(his partner in the morning show) has done the voicing for this brand. Indeed that's how its pronounced ass-too-pro. Now I understand that there are a ton of drugs out there; probably a lot of the good names have been taken and perhaps never make it to market; but there has just got to be a better name that you can come up with. And there are drugs now for everything.... and I mean everything. I saw during a half hour of watching the news other day for high blood pressure, restless leg syndrome, asthma, lower cholesterol, and bladder problems. In a half hour- and I might have missed one or two!

Now picture me marketing genius that I am; I combine some pills together so I bring you Astapee, for people with asthma when their bladder is full.

Or CholestAstaleg for high cholesterol asthma and restless leg syndrome. You could throw some anti depressants in too for good measure- Zolofcholestasteleg

Side effects will include all the side effects of all pills which pretty much includes everything awful including dry mouth, exploding spleens, heart attack, stroke, and death. Don't worry though just call your doctor.

The ESPN effect

This blog was supposed to have taken place on Monday, its now Wednesday- I shall endeavor to do better. (Translation: I should have less to do at work so I can blog per schedule) In any event in my discussions of reporters last week I was heading towards my conclusion on why reporting per se is a dying occupation being replaced by two other professions; paparazzi journalism, and talking heads with nothing inside the heads. In some ways I blame this on ESPN for creating what I call the ESPN effect.

To be fair ESPN changed the landscape of sports; if I were a bigger ESPN fan I might go so far as saying that much of the million dollar sponsorships and salaries can be directly related to ESPN for broadcasting the players and the teams that otherwise the local markets had never even heard of. SportsCenter reinvented the way sports was portrayed on the news, instead of a few snippets of the local teams a whole hour was dedicated to sports around the nation, it was a movement and really moved cable into the necessity of the sports fan.
The problem was that ESPN realized that their best course would be to 'befriend' the athletes- have them in commercials, give them soft interviews, pretend to be their friend. Then the superstars would come back for interviews or to be in commercials, and ESPN had 'stories' and 'exclusives.' All of which were just a forum, a publicity stunt, and a moneymaker for both sides. And it worked. Athletes got rich, ESPN made money hand over fist, and the public lost out on what could have been (in several memorable occasions) chances to turn sports news into real news- and chose to look the other way to maintain their 'chummy' status with the athletes and unions that represent them.

Now this has spilled over into all quarters of the news; politics, entertainment; mostly because there are sooooooo many outlets now; you need to keep the friends you have (that's money in advertising and interest to the source)- especially if they are big interviews so NO ONE asks tough questions except those 'paparazzi' or independent journalists who ask obnoxious questions as the person in question is walking down a street or into a car- and they never get answers anyway. That is a sad state of affairs.

Speaking out; its a good thing

So in a followup to yesterdays piece, at a press conference by the press secretary Gibbs, Gibbs stated what he 'knew' what Joe Biden 'meant' to say here's the quote: "I understand what he said, and I'm telling you what he meant to say." Ooooooh says all the little people.

"What he meant to say," Gibbs claimed "if somebody is exhibiting symptoms of being sick . . . then they should take all necessary precautions."

"Obviously, if anybody was unduly alarmed for whatever reason, we would apologize for that."

Allow me a little history lesson here is the VPotus actual quote:

"I would not be, at this point -- if they had another way of transportation -- suggesting they ride the subway,"

"I would tell members of my family -- and I have -- that I wouldn't go anywhere in confined spaces right now. It's not just going to Mexico. If you're in a confined aircraft and one person sneezes, it goes all through the aircraft."

Now people are not fools I can read too, those are not nearly even remotely close. To be fair its cannot be easy being the Press Sec, you are constantly on clean-up for gaffs and misquotes, but c'mon now. Thankfully, (and restoring my faith in SOME reporters) ABC news correspondent Jake Tapper had this response for Gibbs,

"With all due respect, I sympathize with you trying to explain the vice president's comments, but that's not even remotely close to what he said. He was asked about if a member of his family..."

GIBBS: Look, I understand what he said, and I'm telling you what he meant to say, which was that... (LAUGHTER BY REPORTERS) ... if somebody is experiencing symptoms -- you heard the president say this last night -- If somebody is feeling sick, if somebody is exhibiting symptoms of being sick, then they should take all necessary precautions. Obviously, if anybody was unduly alarmed for whatever reason, we -- we would apologize for that. And I hope that my remarks and remarks of people at CDC and Secretary Napolitano have appropriately cleared up what he meant to say.

And so my person of the week is Jake Tapper for not being afraid to ask a tough question, and better yet being able to cut through the bs that has become so much a part of reporting these days. Thank you Sir for supporting the principles of the free and independent press.

Monday I will discuss why I think there is so much fluff in reporting now.