Tennis Surfaces. How They're Different

Here is a great guide that NYT put out. It explains how Nadal can be the King of Clay, but has not won any other Grand Slams. Good overview of all the surfaces and their difference, as well as the serve and return positions of Nadal on each surface.


Good interactive content:
The Master of Clay Takes Aim at the Fast Courts
Link Text: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/08/25/sports/tennis/20070827_NADAL_GRAPHIC.html

I have tickets to the US Open for Labor Day. I'll be writing a post as well as showing off some photos when I get back. Exciting isn't it!

Now Alberto Gonzales Resigns?

Is something even more amiss than usual in the White House?

When Rove resigned I figured he wanted to distance himself as much as possible from the current failure of a white house and move on with his political career.

Now we have Gonzales resign. He doesn't really have a political career ahead of him. I'd say he's ruined, so why resign? Is he just enough of a tool that he's being let go to earn a few points in the polls? Or is he actually a liability. How does an administration continue to remain credible when so many things are going wrong and high level officials are leaving. Is the whole thing going to to come crashing down soon?

When investing, it's often a good idea to sell the stock if a major exec leaves (If I held stock in this administration I would have sold it a long time ago). I consider this a sign that something is wrong, a moment of weakness perhaps, and I think that someone needs to get in there and prove it (Democrats).

A US Economic / Political Quiz

I stole this right out of Fortune Magazine. I suppose I can do that b/c this is such a small blog. I thought it was worth sharing though.

• Whose Medicare prescription drug plan was bigger? (a) the one proposed by Al Gore in the 2000 campaign or (b) George W. Bush's, enacted in 2003 and now being rolled out.

Answer: (b). Bush's plan was nearly twice the size of the outer limits of Democratic ambition in the previous presidential election. Yet Dems assail it as inadequate because it wasn't theirs and they fear the GOP could make inroads into the crucial seniors' vote. The drug bill wasn't perfect--there's been confusion galore over the dozens of private plans. Still, if poorer seniors picked any one of those plans by throwing a dart, they'd be vastly better off than before. What does it say when Democratic "strategy" is to discredit a program that offers hundreds of billions to the low-income seniors they're supposed to care about?

• The median stock ownership of U.S. households is (a) $78,700, (b) $24,300, or (c) 0.
Answer: (c). For all the hoopla over the democratization of the stock market, the latest (2004) Federal Reserve data show that just 48.6% of U.S. households own stock, meaning the median ownership is zero. (The median holding for households that do own stock is only $24,300.) What's more, two-thirds of stock market wealth is held by 5% of the population. The lesson? Pushing an "ownership society" is fine, but it's a cynical marketing ploy if we direct the lion's share of new "ownership" incentives (as Bush has in taxes, health, and pension policies) to those who already own everything.

• Whose government was bigger? (a) Ronald Reagan's or (b) Bill Clinton's.
Answer: (a). Federal spending under Reagan averaged 22% of GDP. Under Clinton it was 20%--the same as for George W. Bush. All the carping from the right that Bush is a "big-government conservative" misses the big picture: Uncle Sam could spend $250 billion more a year and still leave government as small as under Reagan.

• Pharmaceuticals account for what portion of national health spending? (a) 38%, (b) 50%, (c) 10%.
Answer: (c), according to government data. Yet surveys show that most people think drugs account for 40% to 50% of health spending--and the rest of the health industry is thrilled to have folks so confused. Drug companies may not be saints (disclosure: I consult for one), but it should put things in perspective. Even restrictions on drug pricing can never solve America's health-cost crisis, because those costs are driven largely by what's happening in the 90% of spending that has nothing to do with drugs.

By Matt Miller

First Day Pop on IPOs

I've been following the VM Ware IPO and am considering a small investment there.

This is a good post about the first day price jump in many IPO's. Counteracts the idea that the bankers left money on the table. It was something I hadn't thought of before...

Why First-Day IPO Pops Are Good for You

White Stripes - Icky Thump

I enjoy sharing the albums I like. This one is takes a place somewhere at the top. They have a good sound on this album, they are really jamming. It doesn't sound over-produced. There's a good variety of sounds throughout the album, they mix it up with each song.

Do you have a blog?

Do you have a blog? I'd love to know about it. Leave a comment here with the url and I'll take a look.

Is there something you want to see on my blog? Do you want to submit something? Having a guest writer or two would be pretty incredible for such a small blog as this one.

Cheyney's Thoughts on Iraq in 1994

Something this good needs to be linked to from every blog and mentioned in every newspaper. I'm just doing my part...




Facebook users click here.

Vegas Gambling = $12,700,000,000!

- Vegas Gamblers Lost $4,000 While You Read This Note (iGreed)

A Message to New York Drivers

I sit in the office and every time I look out the window there is gridlock on the street below. There must be a solution... Well it appears there is, just honk at the guy in front of you. And they do -all day. Seeing that I consider myself well informed, I find it hard to believe I was never notified of how successful this method can be. This video from the Onion News Network will help you understand.


Tired Of Traffic? A New DOT Report Urges Drivers: 'Honk'

Cramer Explains His Remarks

There are other videos out there that mention how traders and brokers actually stopped and cheered Cramer after his remarks on CNBC, perhaps they did. I don't think Cramer will stop speaking up like this though, he likes the attention too much... Maybe he got in a little trouble from the network, hard to say really. He's even claiming Bernake heard him, Bernake did mention he understood the problem in the mortgage and lending sector today.

I don't know how bad things really are, I do know that after researching both GS and C I am going to try to get rid of my financial stocks. I've listened to Countrywide, GS and Citigroup's conference calls, and I believe they are anticipating some earning that might not be there. The GS call stated that the homebuilders slump had reached bottom. We know that didn't turn out true. They are judging future earnings partly on such a prediction. I have a few other reasons I won't bore you with right now. Are these stocks now valued correctly? Don't know. They are just too risky to hold at the moment, I don't see the large upside to compensate. There was more liquidity in today's market, which drove these stocks up. Good chance to get out. I'll cut positions on any financials if they let me out gracefully tomorrow. Maybe I'll buy a few put options on some of the financials.

Here's Cramer's sentiment about the CNBC escapade.

I Love New York

Took me two hours to get to work today... It was entertaining I guess, to see the mass of human traffic try to make it into the city. I think it will only be entertaining this one time, I hope the make some infrastructure upgrades soon.

Here is a NYT article that captures the morning...

Update: A Better Article in the NYT. Click Here to read it.

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Heavy Rains Causing Transit Delays in New York

NEW YORK (AP) -- Flights were delayed at the area's three major airports and commuters were unable to get to work early Wednesday after torrential rain caused flooding on rail lines and subways.

Most subway lines in the city were experiencing delays or diversions, and there was no Metro North rail service to Grand Central Station on some lines.

For a brief time, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County on Long Island and southern Somerset County in New Jersey. The thunderstorms also caused flooding in parts of New Jersey.

There were delays of up to an hour and a half at John F. Kennedy International Airport and about an hour at LaGuardia due to the earlier storms, said Alan Hicks, spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

There was also some flooding on the roads leading to LaGuardia, traffic delays getting to the terminals.

The morning's climatic drama was expected to give way to an afternoon sizzle as the moisture from the rainstorm sent humidity levels up, the National Weather Service said.

The agency issued a heat advisory that warned of temperatures that could climb to 101 degrees because of the muggy weather.

"I can't believe it's going to get hotter, it's so sticky out," Linda Chapman, 59, told The Daily News in Wednesday editions, after learning that Monday would be hotter than the day before -- which had soared into the low-90s.

"If it's over 100, I may not leave the house at all," said the Manhattan resident."

Link to Above NYT Article on the Weather
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Here's what James Altucher has to say about the day. Yes he's a huge nerd, does that make me one for thinking this is kinda funny?

Cramer, At Least he's Passionate...

I'm curious to see how this economic problem turns out. Although this man is slightly crazy I think he still has plenty of good advice.

Jack Daniel's Shots at the Eye Doctor?

So I took a shot of Gentleman Jack with the cute assistant in the eye doctor’s office. Seriously, it was great. This may not sound like the most professional of institutions, but I walked out feeling quite the opposite -it was only one shot mind you and I used a little persuasion to have her join me. The point is, the office visit was relaxed but also honest and informative.

How many additional products and services did he try to sell me? None. How many hidden fees or taxes where there? None. Did they remind me to get a receipt for Flex Spending? Yes. It was a no pressure meeting, and the doc was happy to share information, all for a reasonable $115. He even told me, “here are my contact prices, check the internet and get back to me about where you’d like to purchase your lenses.” It made me feel cheated in my past experiences. I thought, why have I been putting up with these other jokers? It’s just the way I thought they all operated.

This got me thinking, what other experiences am I missing out on when dealing with the professionals of the world. Is there a similar general practitioner, lawyer, broker, electrician? I do believe there are good ones out there. But America’s professionals are usually more interested in their own well-being than yours, and that’s not obvious until you come across the occasional expert that is different.

I came across a good dental hygienist in Dallas. I now have a much better idea what they are doing when they clean your teeth professionally. I also know that if you don’t floss, your gums will decay in between the teeth and make little black holes… Why hadn’t any previous dentist told me that?

As American experts are increasingly more interested in their own well-being I fear for the average consumer. Either I’m just more aware, or things are becoming more cutthroat. Brokers are more interested in churning your account than making you a good return, doctors are more interested in paying for their new machines than saving you money by nixing unnecessary procedures or using the acceptable/cheaper alternatives. You need to be well educated every time you walk into an expert’s office, it’s a shame. They are supposed to look out for you, but they often just want your money. Side note: If you get a chance watch Michael Moore’s documentary “Sicko.” It’s a good account of the medical and insurance industry in America, and for Moore it’s told from a neutral stance.

We, as consumers of these services, are lucky to live in the information age. The internet is a great equalizer. I found the optometrist on yelp.com, a site where you can recommend, document and share your experiences with just about anything. I frequently consult Google or Wikipedia about products I eat or drink. I often try to quickly self-diagnose any small medical problem before I see a professional, and afterwards I check on the information they give me. I review any prescription medications before I fill them, and I consult the doctor if I find discrepancies. I shouldn’t have to do that, but the professional has to earn my trust before I will let down my guard. I feel this is something you need to do to avoid getting screwed…

Considering financial health, I believe there are many out there who are downright crooks. I don’t know how these people sleep soundly. They have rationalized their cut for looking after your assets, when they know full well there are better passive investments which require very little market knowledge. They intentionally keep you in the dark about what they do, because they often do very little. They use you to make money, and if the market is good average people are none the wiser. When the market’s bad they say, hey everyone is losing money.

So the doctor’s office can be fun, or at least informative. But be prepared for the worst, show up with a written list of questions if you have to and set the agenda for your meeting with the doctor. If you don’t he will leave as quickly as possible and continue making his money. Ultimately you are looking for the professional who chooses to share information with you, because they are the experts, you shouldn’t have to be. Furthermore, don’t settle on any specific professional just because you have made the initial effort of getting out there. Find the person that helps you most, you’ll only be better off in the long run. You might even be lucky enough to get a drink on the house and make a contact or two. I'd say I learned more at school that way than any other...

Iced Yerba Mate

Who needs coffee and all its side effects when there's Mate. Yerba Mate is common in South America and also Syria and Lebanon. There is an entire ritual based around its drinking, it's just slightly more complicated than puff puff pass... Read about it here on wikipedia.

Like any drink in its category, green tea, coffee, etc. it takes a little getting used to. These drinks grow on you, and you learn to love the subtle bitter flavors that each drink provides. When I finally decide to drop that $400 on an espresso machine I might start enjoying coffee more frequently at home. Until then I've think I've found a cheaper alternative with even more benefits.

Mate is a stimulant, much like coffee. But it does not have the side effects such as the jitterynes or diuretic properties of coffee. It does contain caffeine. It also contains many antioxidants similar to green tea, perhaps even more than green tea. Mate is also easier on your stomach than coffee and better for your smile : )

Now on to the iced mate. In NY at the moment it is quite hot, and my A/C doesn't work. The last thing I want is a hot beverage. I bought a 500g (1.1 lb) bag of Yerba Mate for $3 and started experimenting. The first batch was made with boiling water and was noticeably more bitter than the second batch which was made with hot water.

Directions:

- Add 3 tablespoons of Yerba Mate to french press (any brewing method will work)
- Add hot (not boiling) water
- Let steep for 5 min
- Pour a little less than half a glass
- Add sugar or sweeta
- Add a decent amount of water
- Add ice to chill
- Serve like iced tea

Very simple, and you can make a batch of it like iced tea and keep it in the fridge. You can also re-use the yerba (grounds) many times and they will continue to make a good drink. Mate is unlike tea in this sense in that it will not make the drink bitter if steeped too long.

For more information see wikipedia on yerba mate.

Here's the stuff they grind up and we drink. Because he can carry that all by himself we only pay 2.50 a pound...



While we are talking about drinks. Try this licorice mint tea it is one of my favorites.