I finished this interesting book called "Shantaram" recently. It is about an Australian guy who escaped from prison and made his way to India, where he eventually became part of the Mumbai mafia. He learned how to make fake passports, smuggle weapons and lots more.
The story is a novel, but based on events in the life of the author. The story is currently being made into a movie starring Johnny Depp.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Layoffs
Layoffs almost seem inevitable now. I did get a raise and bonus this year, but I think it is quite likely that there will be layoffs at my company within the next few months.
Executives hate to be the only ones at the club who can't brag about how many people they have cut. So few of them can think for themselves that it is always safer for them to follow the herd, even if they don't have to.
Executives hate to be the only ones at the club who can't brag about how many people they have cut. So few of them can think for themselves that it is always safer for them to follow the herd, even if they don't have to.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hudson river plane crash
Everyone has seen the pictures of that plane that crashed into the Hudson River yesterday.
An amazing scene, to see all those people standing on the semi-submerged wings of the plane. Kudos to the pilot, who happens to be an expert in the psychology of flight crews in emergency situations.
I still can't understand why the plane didn't sink. The cabin doors and emergency exits were open, and some people said the plane did take in water. I really wonder what kept it from sinking like a rock.
An amazing scene, to see all those people standing on the semi-submerged wings of the plane. Kudos to the pilot, who happens to be an expert in the psychology of flight crews in emergency situations.
I still can't understand why the plane didn't sink. The cabin doors and emergency exits were open, and some people said the plane did take in water. I really wonder what kept it from sinking like a rock.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Vacation
We just came back from 8 days in Siesta Key Florida, our new favorite vacation spot.
We had a nice second-floor one bedroom condo right on the beach, and we watched the sun set over the gulf every night from our patio. The weather was sunny and 75-80 all the time. Really perfect weather.
We really had such a nice time, building sand sculptures (a whale and a fish this time), collecting sea shells, and playing in the ocean.
We only ate out a few times, for a lunch and some breakfasts. We spent a lot of money on the place but not much on airfare and rental car.
We had a nice second-floor one bedroom condo right on the beach, and we watched the sun set over the gulf every night from our patio. The weather was sunny and 75-80 all the time. Really perfect weather.
We really had such a nice time, building sand sculptures (a whale and a fish this time), collecting sea shells, and playing in the ocean.
We only ate out a few times, for a lunch and some breakfasts. We spent a lot of money on the place but not much on airfare and rental car.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Auto Czar
Here's my pick for Obama to name as the new Czar of the Auto Industry:
Mitt Romney
This is the right choice for several reasons:
1- Bolsters Obama' non-partisan credentials.
2- Auto Industry will respect him, since he is pro-business Republican.
3- Track record of success in business.
Romney is a team player and will work hard for Obama. Obama needs to set a strong direction for a rapid move away from cars that run on liquid hydrocarbons to to plug in hybrids.
Bill Clinton has no business experience, and his personality would overshadow the job. Ditto for Rudy Giuliani.
Appointing an ideologue from either party is the wrong move. Romney is pragmatic and forceful. Give Mitt a chance....
Mitt Romney
This is the right choice for several reasons:
1- Bolsters Obama' non-partisan credentials.
2- Auto Industry will respect him, since he is pro-business Republican.
3- Track record of success in business.
Romney is a team player and will work hard for Obama. Obama needs to set a strong direction for a rapid move away from cars that run on liquid hydrocarbons to to plug in hybrids.
Bill Clinton has no business experience, and his personality would overshadow the job. Ditto for Rudy Giuliani.
Appointing an ideologue from either party is the wrong move. Romney is pragmatic and forceful. Give Mitt a chance....
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Auto Industry
So yes we will bail out the auto industry in one way or another.
And not for the right reason.
These companies know full well the distribution of auto related jobs across the country and they that fact works for them.
This is the same reason why weapons systems are so hard to vote down. When a new fighter jet is being made, the companies make sure that hundreds of congressional districts have some small amount of manufacturing supplying parts. They make sure hundreds of congress members have at least some local economic stake, and they use those numbers to their advantage ("Congressman, cancelling the XYZ bomber would eliminate 123 jobs in your district"). Most congressmen would vote to spend billions if it means they cannot be accused of destroying jobs.
Autos are the same way. The biggest point we hear is that it is not so much the direct employees of the big three, but the parts suppliers and ancillary industries.
I think we should bail them out, but the reason should be that we need to use the auto industry as a springboard into the future of reduced dependence on imported oil.
Bail out the companies, with the condition that all R&D going forward is dedicated to producing plug in hybrids exclusively within 10 years. No more cars made in the USA should burn oil as their primary fuel. There is a lot of electrical generating capacity in the US, especially at night, when most hybrids would be recharging.
That is the right reason to bail them out.
And not for the right reason.
These companies know full well the distribution of auto related jobs across the country and they that fact works for them.
This is the same reason why weapons systems are so hard to vote down. When a new fighter jet is being made, the companies make sure that hundreds of congressional districts have some small amount of manufacturing supplying parts. They make sure hundreds of congress members have at least some local economic stake, and they use those numbers to their advantage ("Congressman, cancelling the XYZ bomber would eliminate 123 jobs in your district"). Most congressmen would vote to spend billions if it means they cannot be accused of destroying jobs.
Autos are the same way. The biggest point we hear is that it is not so much the direct employees of the big three, but the parts suppliers and ancillary industries.
I think we should bail them out, but the reason should be that we need to use the auto industry as a springboard into the future of reduced dependence on imported oil.
Bail out the companies, with the condition that all R&D going forward is dedicated to producing plug in hybrids exclusively within 10 years. No more cars made in the USA should burn oil as their primary fuel. There is a lot of electrical generating capacity in the US, especially at night, when most hybrids would be recharging.
That is the right reason to bail them out.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Obama
We've had a few weeks to let the election news sink in. How much more can be said about the historic nature of this election? I'll leave it to Oprah to think up something new to say.
I do think it is worth noting that even with the most unpopular president in history, a cratered economy, and 2 wars in progress, that Obama still did not win with a popular vote landslide.
I cannot help but think that Hillary Clinton would have achieved a much higher popular vote.
I do think it is worth noting that even with the most unpopular president in history, a cratered economy, and 2 wars in progress, that Obama still did not win with a popular vote landslide.
I cannot help but think that Hillary Clinton would have achieved a much higher popular vote.
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