Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Happy Diwali!
Wishing everyone a fantastic New Year filled with lots of love, lots of laughter and lots of joy!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Sound off
If I hear one more talking head tell me they think we are headed for a recession...
If I read one more article forecasting a recession...
If I have to listen to one more fund manager explain to me why we are in this mess when they clearly don't even know why we are in this mess because their own fund dropped double digits...
I will scream. I will rip the flat screen TVs off the wall in my building that show WSJ headlines throughout the day.
I get that this isn't what our textbooks define as a recession. But really, nothing the market is doing right now is what the textbooks say it should be doing. (Well maybe not 'nothing', but you get my point). Maybe we need to redefine what a recession is?
I'm getting angrier with each passing day as TV stations show live footage of these gajillionaires defending/playing dumb/straight up LIEING about the situation at their respective firms. You had no idea that you were going bankrupt? Really? So that just means that you were doing a really bad job as CEO OF THE COMPANY? Which you were getting paid an unfathomably huge I-can't-keep-track-of-how-many-zeroes-are-in-your-salary salary for? Yet you still get to go home to your massive mansion in your helicopter while people struggle to keep their homes and send their children to college? And you want these people to bail YOU out? WHAT?????
I'm not an angry person, but the "look the other way attitude", the playing dumb, the lieing (the blatant lieing), the fact that NO ONE has the cajones to just call these people out, is making me angry. And let's talk about these financial journalists for a minute. Don't get me wrong...I'm a huge fan of Maria Bartiromo. I covet her hair. I hope MB and I become best friends one day. And then her hair dresser and I become best friends. :-) I love Cramer. For all his craziness and dramatics, at least he's worked in the industry. But they, and their peers, are journalists! Their job is to seek out the truth. Get in there, get your hands dirty, ask the tough questions. Don't sensationalize the issue. It's bad. I know. You know. Let's get past that and figure out a) who started it and b) how to fix it. And I mean fix it. Not throw money at it. Reading off how badly the Dow fell, what historical figure it crushed, when was the last time we fell X percentage points does nothing for me. This isn't ESPN. Don't give me stats. I don't need a play by play.
I would like to see you interview someone and put them on the hot seat though. I would like to see you sit down with an ex CEO and make them squirm a little bit. I would like to see a documentary comparing/contrasting the lives of these CEOs and the lives of the middle class family that's going to bail them out. I would like to see these CEOs apologize to these middle class families. Not on TV. Not over the phone. In person. Explain to them in plain english why they took the risks they took, why they are still getting paid as much as they are, and why they want someone else who is barely getting by to foot the bill. That's reality television I can get behind.
I'm in the industry so I don't scare easy when the market starts doing this. But the regular investor out there is clearly spooked and sensationalizing this stuff doesn't help. Hence, the massive swings we have been experiencing in the market lately.
Someone please just take the bull by the horn (Oh how I love finance humor!) and call it what it is. Be honest. That will be a breath of fresh air and perhaps just what the market is looking for.
Ok, I'm done. I feel better now.
Thank you.
If I read one more article forecasting a recession...
If I have to listen to one more fund manager explain to me why we are in this mess when they clearly don't even know why we are in this mess because their own fund dropped double digits...
I will scream. I will rip the flat screen TVs off the wall in my building that show WSJ headlines throughout the day.
I get that this isn't what our textbooks define as a recession. But really, nothing the market is doing right now is what the textbooks say it should be doing. (Well maybe not 'nothing', but you get my point). Maybe we need to redefine what a recession is?
I'm getting angrier with each passing day as TV stations show live footage of these gajillionaires defending/playing dumb/straight up LIEING about the situation at their respective firms. You had no idea that you were going bankrupt? Really? So that just means that you were doing a really bad job as CEO OF THE COMPANY? Which you were getting paid an unfathomably huge I-can't-keep-track-of-how-many-zeroes-are-in-your-salary salary for? Yet you still get to go home to your massive mansion in your helicopter while people struggle to keep their homes and send their children to college? And you want these people to bail YOU out? WHAT?????
I'm not an angry person, but the "look the other way attitude", the playing dumb, the lieing (the blatant lieing), the fact that NO ONE has the cajones to just call these people out, is making me angry. And let's talk about these financial journalists for a minute. Don't get me wrong...I'm a huge fan of Maria Bartiromo. I covet her hair. I hope MB and I become best friends one day. And then her hair dresser and I become best friends. :-) I love Cramer. For all his craziness and dramatics, at least he's worked in the industry. But they, and their peers, are journalists! Their job is to seek out the truth. Get in there, get your hands dirty, ask the tough questions. Don't sensationalize the issue. It's bad. I know. You know. Let's get past that and figure out a) who started it and b) how to fix it. And I mean fix it. Not throw money at it. Reading off how badly the Dow fell, what historical figure it crushed, when was the last time we fell X percentage points does nothing for me. This isn't ESPN. Don't give me stats. I don't need a play by play.
I would like to see you interview someone and put them on the hot seat though. I would like to see you sit down with an ex CEO and make them squirm a little bit. I would like to see a documentary comparing/contrasting the lives of these CEOs and the lives of the middle class family that's going to bail them out. I would like to see these CEOs apologize to these middle class families. Not on TV. Not over the phone. In person. Explain to them in plain english why they took the risks they took, why they are still getting paid as much as they are, and why they want someone else who is barely getting by to foot the bill. That's reality television I can get behind.
I'm in the industry so I don't scare easy when the market starts doing this. But the regular investor out there is clearly spooked and sensationalizing this stuff doesn't help. Hence, the massive swings we have been experiencing in the market lately.
Someone please just take the bull by the horn (Oh how I love finance humor!) and call it what it is. Be honest. That will be a breath of fresh air and perhaps just what the market is looking for.
Ok, I'm done. I feel better now.
Thank you.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Perfection
Trader Joe’s Truffle Brownies are fantastic in their own right. Marry it with their Peanut Butter Cups and you have, quite possibly, the closest thing to perfection.
A few weeks back at my local TJ’s the tester lady was plating up a batch of these. I picked one up and another…and, I’m embarrassed to admit, another. It was REALLY good. She had melted the Peanut Butter Cups on top of the warm brownies. It was deep, rich, warm, luscious chocolate love all in one bite. I didn’t go straight to the baking aisle. I would have eaten the entire thing had I made a batch at home that day.
Days passed, weeks passed and I could not get the experience out of my head. This weekend I found myself at TJ’s quite a bit – because of the Sunday Dinner but also to pick up Vitamin C rich foodstuffs to properly defend myself from the big, bad cold that was trying to creep into my system. When I get sick, or am on the verge of it, I turn into a big baby. All restraint and manners go out the window. I bought the Truffle Brownie Mix and the Peanut Butter Cups. I reasoned with myself that, a) I was sick and needed comforting, and b) I was having people over Sunday night and they would need something sweet to eat.
Sounds good to me…so all that luscious, chocolatey goodness came home with me Saturday night.
Bake the Truffle Brownies per the package directions – I don’t use an entire stick of butter. But to get it creamy enough you will need to use at least ¾ of the stick.
While the brownies are baking, cut the peanut butter cups into quarters. I used 14 cups for the entire 8x8 pan of brownies.
As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, dot the surface with the quartered cups. They will melt quickly and then you can spread it with a butter knife – like icing!
Eat right away!
They are amazing warm and just as good for breakfast the next morning with your cup of tea.
This obviously isn't highbrow Gourmet Magazine business. It's more Semi-Homemade of the Food Network variety but don't judge until you try it. One bite will banish the winter blues, thoughts of exes, and the 'what ifs' of life decisions that didn't pan out the way you thought they would.
Hm, my cards are showing...
;-) Happy Sunday!
A few weeks back at my local TJ’s the tester lady was plating up a batch of these. I picked one up and another…and, I’m embarrassed to admit, another. It was REALLY good. She had melted the Peanut Butter Cups on top of the warm brownies. It was deep, rich, warm, luscious chocolate love all in one bite. I didn’t go straight to the baking aisle. I would have eaten the entire thing had I made a batch at home that day.
Days passed, weeks passed and I could not get the experience out of my head. This weekend I found myself at TJ’s quite a bit – because of the Sunday Dinner but also to pick up Vitamin C rich foodstuffs to properly defend myself from the big, bad cold that was trying to creep into my system. When I get sick, or am on the verge of it, I turn into a big baby. All restraint and manners go out the window. I bought the Truffle Brownie Mix and the Peanut Butter Cups. I reasoned with myself that, a) I was sick and needed comforting, and b) I was having people over Sunday night and they would need something sweet to eat.
Sounds good to me…so all that luscious, chocolatey goodness came home with me Saturday night.
Bake the Truffle Brownies per the package directions – I don’t use an entire stick of butter. But to get it creamy enough you will need to use at least ¾ of the stick.
While the brownies are baking, cut the peanut butter cups into quarters. I used 14 cups for the entire 8x8 pan of brownies.
As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, dot the surface with the quartered cups. They will melt quickly and then you can spread it with a butter knife – like icing!
Eat right away!
They are amazing warm and just as good for breakfast the next morning with your cup of tea.
This obviously isn't highbrow Gourmet Magazine business. It's more Semi-Homemade of the Food Network variety but don't judge until you try it. One bite will banish the winter blues, thoughts of exes, and the 'what ifs' of life decisions that didn't pan out the way you thought they would.
Hm, my cards are showing...
;-) Happy Sunday!
29 and 3 months!
It’s my 29 and 3 month birthday! Today also happens to be the Inaugural First Sunday Dinner. For my birthday I am hosting the inaugural dinner. The idea is that the first Sunday of every month a bunch of us get together at a friend’s house, exchange recipes, talk, etc. It’s hosted at a different house each month and the hostess decides the menu. My menu includes Chicken Curry, Raita, Baby Peas, and Basmati Rice. I’m very excited to share these dishes with my friends. I will post recipes and reviews soon!
For more Sunday Dinner series fun visit http://www.sunday-night-dinner.blogspot.com/. My friend started blogging about this many moons ago. Her pics are awesome. She is my inspiration – not just for this idea but in general, all around my inspiration. She’s pretty fierce. Love you A!
For more Sunday Dinner series fun visit http://www.sunday-night-dinner.blogspot.com/. My friend started blogging about this many moons ago. Her pics are awesome. She is my inspiration – not just for this idea but in general, all around my inspiration. She’s pretty fierce. Love you A!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
No Spending Week
I was leafing through the magazine rack the other day and came across the latest Real Simple. In their money section, the author wrote about a No Spending Week that he implemented much to the dismay of his wife. Now, it wasn’t entirely a no spending week. He still engaged in activities that required money – just so happened that whoever was with him ended up footing the bill. In light of recent market events, I decided to see if I could do this too.
Monday
28 bucks spent at Trader Joe’s for groceries. I don’t necessarily count this as a frivolous expense because it’s food. I need it. To live. I didn’t purchase anything fancy. The basics like eggs, bread, salad, etc. I had made Khichdi the night before. Jazzed it up with some awesome Indian style skillet potatoes for dinner.
Tuesday
Nada. Yay me! Dinner was whole wheat penne pasta and a homemade pasta sauce – tomato sauce with golden raisins, celery and white onions. A splash of vinegar and it reminded me a lot of my Caponata.
Wednesday
When I woke up, I was craving an egg sandwich from a local bread shop that I pass on the way to work every day. Given my no spending rule, I was inspired to try my hand at it. Needs some work (read: more butter) but it hit the spot.
$1.77 on a tall Starbucks coffee. I had to walk a few blocks in the rain to go to my Board Meeting after work. I was wet. Cold. And grumpy. The Starbucks was right there and I didn’t even put up a fight. Mind you, I haven’t had coffee in nearly three months so I’m not sure what compelled me to get it but get it I did. It was eh. Next time I will do a better job of fighting the urge. Or get a green tea instead. Ha! ;-)
Thursday
Zilch
Basmati rice and Rajma (almost like Mom’s!). Super yum.
Friday
Stay tuned…
The point is to see how quickly little things add up and which activities really bring you joy. (I’ve come to find retail therapy is not as therapeutic as I had once thought. Go figure!) I’ve been eating at home every night and walking home for lunch every day. I love it. I get a break from the office in the middle of the day, I get to enjoy a healthy and homey meal at night, and experiment with my cooking which I in turn get to share with you. Did I mention, my Rajma almost tastes like Mom’s? Very exciting development for me. The no spending directive has also forced me to do things I’ve been stalling on and slow down long enough to take a deep breath. I caught up on phone calls and emails during the week. I got started on projects I had been putting off. I actually read through entire articles rather than skimming. I’m making progress on the book I’ve been trying to finish for months: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I went for a walk today after making a healthy dinner. My head is extremely thankful for this past week. Good stuff all around.
It’s definitely not something I can keep up long term but it’s a good exercise to engage in every once in a while. If I were to do it over the course of a month I would modify it by setting a spending limit and trying to adhere to that.
Ok, my nerdiness is starting to show. I’ll stop now. Night folks!
Monday
28 bucks spent at Trader Joe’s for groceries. I don’t necessarily count this as a frivolous expense because it’s food. I need it. To live. I didn’t purchase anything fancy. The basics like eggs, bread, salad, etc. I had made Khichdi the night before. Jazzed it up with some awesome Indian style skillet potatoes for dinner.
Tuesday
Nada. Yay me! Dinner was whole wheat penne pasta and a homemade pasta sauce – tomato sauce with golden raisins, celery and white onions. A splash of vinegar and it reminded me a lot of my Caponata.
Wednesday
When I woke up, I was craving an egg sandwich from a local bread shop that I pass on the way to work every day. Given my no spending rule, I was inspired to try my hand at it. Needs some work (read: more butter) but it hit the spot.
$1.77 on a tall Starbucks coffee. I had to walk a few blocks in the rain to go to my Board Meeting after work. I was wet. Cold. And grumpy. The Starbucks was right there and I didn’t even put up a fight. Mind you, I haven’t had coffee in nearly three months so I’m not sure what compelled me to get it but get it I did. It was eh. Next time I will do a better job of fighting the urge. Or get a green tea instead. Ha! ;-)
Thursday
Zilch
Basmati rice and Rajma (almost like Mom’s!). Super yum.
Friday
Stay tuned…
The point is to see how quickly little things add up and which activities really bring you joy. (I’ve come to find retail therapy is not as therapeutic as I had once thought. Go figure!) I’ve been eating at home every night and walking home for lunch every day. I love it. I get a break from the office in the middle of the day, I get to enjoy a healthy and homey meal at night, and experiment with my cooking which I in turn get to share with you. Did I mention, my Rajma almost tastes like Mom’s? Very exciting development for me. The no spending directive has also forced me to do things I’ve been stalling on and slow down long enough to take a deep breath. I caught up on phone calls and emails during the week. I got started on projects I had been putting off. I actually read through entire articles rather than skimming. I’m making progress on the book I’ve been trying to finish for months: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I went for a walk today after making a healthy dinner. My head is extremely thankful for this past week. Good stuff all around.
It’s definitely not something I can keep up long term but it’s a good exercise to engage in every once in a while. If I were to do it over the course of a month I would modify it by setting a spending limit and trying to adhere to that.
Ok, my nerdiness is starting to show. I’ll stop now. Night folks!
Oh happy day
I received my blackberry in the mail yesterday. It’s pink! And from here on out will forever be known as my Pinkberry. I’ve been playing with it all evening. I love it.
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