Author: Serkadis

It wasn’t much of a surprise to several of the press at CES 2010 that Sony also announced a Blu-ray 3D player, the BDP-S770, to compliment the large number of incoming 3D compatible BRAVIA TV’s. It is of course compatible with regular Blu-ray discs, as well as DVD’s, SA-CD’s, and regular CDs. Sony finally evolved past the akward ethernet-only Blu-ray players it offered in the past with the addition of built in Wi-Fi, making it easy to connect to your wireless network at home. Another new feature is the addition of a Bluetooth remote, and also the ability to control the S770 with a free iPhone/iPod touch remote control application. How awesome! However, we hope it has an IR reciever to ensure compatibility with standard multi-function remote controls.

As you can see, Sony has also made this different than any other Blu-ray player its released in the past with its Monolithic Design styling.

With access to Bravia Internet Video, this Blu-ray player gives you access to content from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Pandora, NPR, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, and more than 25 total content providers. Sony has also integrated IP Content Noise Reduction into the S770, which ensures that you are looking at the best quality image from whatever source your streaming.

DVD owners will enjoy a higher quality experience to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling. You’ll have the best possible sound from any disc with integrated Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding, too.

We feel the S770 will compliment the horde of 3D TV’s coming out quite nicely, and offers several other interesting features to differentiate it from the competition.

Another possible draining strategy – Fed Discusses Limited Bond Sales to Withdraw Stimulus – By Craig Torres – Federal Reserve officials are considering a proposal to schedule limited sales of bonds from the central bank’s $2.2 trillion balance sheet as part of a range of tools for withdrawing record monetary stimulus. … “Here is the worry: What if they try to tighten and they lose control of the federal funds rate?” said Mark Spindel, chief investment officer of Potomac River Capital LLC in Washington … – Bloomberg
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Malkiel: Market Risk-Taking Must Be Restrained – By Burton Malkiel – We have not come to grips with “the fundamental fallacy of the too-big-to-fail doctrine,” writes the long-time stock market watcher – BusinessWeek

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Neel Kashkari’s Quiet Path to Pimco – By DEVIN LEONARD – … “Kashkari brings a great deal of potential benefit to Pimco in terms of government knowledge and connections to both parties,” said Douglas J. Elliott, a Brookings Institution fellow and former managing director at J.P. Morgan. “He understands what the government is likely to do and has a good understanding of the financial sector. So I can really see why Pimco would want him.” … – NY Times

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Populism? – Move Your Money: A New Year’s Resolution – Arianna Huffington and Rob Johnson – …  The idea is simple: If enough people who have money in one of the big four banks move it into smaller, more local, more traditional community banks, then collectively we, the people, will have taken a big step toward re-rigging the financial system so it becomes again the productive, stable engine for growth it’s meant to be. It’s neither Left nor Right … – Huffington Post

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Trimming the lifelines – Government intervention in the economy most likely prevented a worse recession. But the Obama administration should articulate an exit strategy. – LA Times Opinion

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Larry Doyle’s 2009 Market Review – looks at 2009 markets with a hint of 2010 – Sense on Cents

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KD’s Year In Review: Part II: Trade of the Year – Kid Dynamite – … The greatest trade of the year was the one that best personified all the Ponzi values we embrace:  the Fed’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP) … In layman’s terms, the TLGP utilized one insolvent institution (the FDIC) to guarantee the debt issued by a bunch of other insolvent institutions (the big banks and pseudo banks).  Jackpot!  Marty Up! … – Kid Dynamite’s World

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What’s the United States Worth? $1.4 Quadrillion – by Donald Marron 

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uh-oh – E-mails inside AIG reveal executives struggling with growing crisis – By Brady Dennis – Washington Post

The Biggest Losers – Behind the Christmas Eve taxpayer massacre at Fannie and Freddie. – this is the best summary I have seen of this sleight of hand. (BC) – WSJ Opinion

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Timothy Geithner Meets Vladimir Lenin – John P. Hussman, Ph.D. –  … The Treasury’s action last week completes this circle. It provides a surprise pledge of public resources to make these mortgage loans whole, and an unlegislated commitment to make the “implicit” backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac explicit. All without debate, and without the force of public will. … This policy is likely to lead to far more delinquencies. … What will be a game-changer is if Congress fails to recognize that the Treasury’s action is at minimum an evasion, and possibly a usurpation of powers that are enumerated to Congress alone. If Congress does not forcefully defend that prerogative – even if it ultimately ends up voting for exactly the same policy – it will have relinquished the power of fiscal policymaking into the hands of unelected bureaucrats … – Hussman Funds
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Fed economist calls for US government MBS guarantees – … “There ought to be government-backed ABS,” said Fed economist Wayne Passmore in a presentation to the American Economic Association. … – Reuters

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Fannie and Freddie – Peter Demirali – … If they had realized those losses, they would need to go to Congress and request additional funding. This explains why Treasury decided under the cloak of midnight to relax the unwinding and shrinking of these two institutions, and did it before Congress got involved. Congress does not appear to be as acquiescent and accepting as the current administration. Our view is this merely prolongs the inevitable and unpleasant decisions that need to be made regarding these two institutions.  Our view is that the day of reckoning is near on the GSEs … – Cumberland Advisors

After just three days with the company, former Saturn executive Jill Lajdziak has been named president of Smart USA, in the wake of former president David Schembri’s relocation to another post with Smart distributor Penske Automotive.

“As we look to enhance the position of the Smart brand, Jill’s background and experience will help us reinvigorate the dealer network and bring a greater awareness to the smart brand,” said Roger Penske, chairman of the Penske Automotive.

Smart, which is made by Daimler AG and was launched in the U.S. in 2008, has seen sales fall 38% through the end of November, and Schembri has been at the helm since they entered the U.S. market.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Opel today unveiled the new Meriva prior to its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. Totally redesigned for 2011, the new Opel Meriva features a significant amount of space engineered to be packed in a compact and contemporary design.

The 2011 Opel Meriva features FlexSpace rear-seating, high seating position and roomy cabin. It also gets a “coolness factor” with new FlexDoors, which are rear-hinged rear doors.

Engine choices range from standard gasoline to turbocharged engines with output ranging from 75 to 140-hp. Opel says that an ecoFLEX version will also be offered. Transmission choices will include a 5 and 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Follow the jump for the press release.

2011 Opel Meriva:

Press Release:

New Opel Meriva: The Flexibility Champion

– Innovation: A multitude of unique features extends leadership in flexibility
– Coolness follows function: Rear-hinged FlexDoors improve cabin access
– Debut: World premiere in Geneva, March 4

Rüsselsheim. Innovative, versatile and elegant: The second generation Opel Meriva, to premiere March 4 at the Geneva Motor Show, will set the new standard for automotive versatility with a multitude of innovative features engineered to optimize the flexible use of space. And it is all packed in a distinctive, contemporary design.

After pioneering automobile on-board versatility with the compact seven-seater Zafira in 1999, Opel created a new market segment for small, affordable monocabs when it launched the first generation Meriva in 2003. With its revolutionary FlexSpace rear-seating concept, high seating position and roomy cabin, the Meriva was big on flexibility yet small in size. This popular formula has enabled it to consistently lead the small monocab segment, with sales in Europe totaling more than 1 million units.

Now, the second generation Meriva again raises the bar for affordable, on-board flexibility. Its FlexSpace system has been further developed to become even more intuitive and easier to use. It also introduces FlexDoors, innovative rear-hinged rear doors that facilitate access to its cabin – a premiere for a volume manufacturer. Moreover, the new Meriva features great interior storage space enhanced by a revolutionary concept of flexible center console, as well as the Opel-exclusive FlexFix system – the integrated rear bicycle carrier that is stored like a drawer under the luggage compartment.

The Meriva’s flexibility trademark is enhanced by expressive exterior and interior styling that carries forward Opel’s award-winning new sculptural design language. Its monocab silhouette is fluid, elegant and dynamic. The rear window graphic features a distinctive wave accentuating the rear-hinged FlexDoors, improving the view for rear seated passengers, particularly children.

The new reference in on-board versatility

“With the Zafira Flex 7 and the Meriva’s FlexSpace seating concepts, we invented a new kind of fully integrated, on-board flexibility,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Opel/Vauxhall. “With the new Meriva, we wanted to engineer the new versatility champion in the automotive industry. I don’t see any other car offering so many ideas that make one’s life easier.”

Increased flexibility is extended to all areas in the new Meriva. In the cabin, the innovative FlexSpace rear seating system introduced in the first Meriva has been further developed: It requires even less effort to move the seats in their different positions or to fold them down.

Throughout the cabin, storage space is considerably increased with convenient locations provided for items commonly carried inside a car. The revolutionary FlexRail console system consisting of exchangeable storage units that can slide on rails located between the front seats provides convenient and adaptable storage for any kind of use.

Up front, the generously proportioned seats are similar to those of the new Astra and Insignia. They offer a class-leading range of adjustment – 240 mm forwards/backwards and 65 mm in height – allowing people of all size and age to find optimal comfort for their journeys. Also new for Meriva is the availability of Opel’s unique FlexFix integrated rear bicycle carrier.

Entering into a new era of doors

Meriva opens up a new dimension in rear seat access with unique rear-hinged rear doors. The FlexDoors concept is a first from a volume manufacturer in the industry. Unlike the few well-known rear-hinged doors systems available, FlexDoors features full-sized doors which open independently without the need for a clamshell overlap by the front doors. A conventional B-pillar makes this independent opening possible, while ensuring good body rigidity and side impact protection. In addition, it has a handle that further facilitates entry and exit.

FlexDoors provide great functionality by making it easy to get into and out of the rear seat. Locating the door hinges on the C-pillar also allows more clearance for passengers’ feet to swing past the B-pillar flange. The FlexDoors also open up to 84 degrees, much wider than conventional doors, for which 68-70 degrees is the usual standard. Front passengers also benefit from the same 84 degrees opening angle. FlexDoors are also more ergonomic and convenient for the front passengers to open FlexDoors when stowing a jacket, a briefcase or an umbrella behind the front seat.

FlexDoors also provide greater safety, especially for young families. Parents can reach into the rear seat more easily to help with buckling up, and children can be more safely guided when getting in and out of the vehicle. For example, when both the front and rear doors are open at the same time, a safety zone is created as both child and parent can get out of the car without a door separating them, reducing the risk of children stepping out into traffic.

FlexDoors add style to increased functionality. Stepping in and out of the vehicle not only feels much more natural, it looks cool and elegant. It’s no longer necessary to twist or slide out of the rear seat.

The FlexDoors concept has been successfully market tested and evaluated with Meriva customers since 2006. It s supported by an array of patented locking systems designed to optimize safety.

Monocab expression of new Opel design

Inside and out, the Meriva moves forward Opel’s new, expressive design language – sculptural artistry meets German precision – and adheres to the same focus on quality already seen on Insignia and the new Astra.

Opel designers created a dynamic and elegant monocab. A lower, sweeping roof-line combined with Opel’s signature blade side-body motif and the wave rear window line give the Meriva a fresh, distinctive character and look.

The FlexDoors invite you to an interior landscape of harmoniously flowing lines and surfaces. The wraparound wing shaped instrument panel enhances the feeling of width and roominess. The forward leaning center stack contributes to this and adds a notion of sportiness and sculpture.

The interior is appointed with six different levels of colour and trim. The widest choice ever offered on an Opel. The high standard of fit and finish of the chosen textures and materials as well as the layout and decoration of the controls is typical of more expensive cars.

Meriva to launch with six environmentally friendly engines

The new Meriva benefits from a longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks, all contributing to improved handling and greater ride comfort.

The range of powertrains features economical and efficient turbocharged engines offering a power bandwidth from 75 to 140 hp. A particularly economical ecoFLEX version will also be offered. The Meriva will offer a choice of 5 and 6-speed manual transmissions as well as a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Designed and developed at Opel’s engineering center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new Meriva will be built in Zaragoza, Spain and is scheduled to go on sale this summer.

– By: Kap Shah

Last year’s Webbie line of camera/camcorder hybrid devices has been reborn as the “Bloggie,” which are new devices and change in focus for Sony in the low-budget, yet above average quality personal imaging device category. This is a product aimed towards people who want to not form over a ton of money, but have a fun, high quality option to enrich the whole “share my life” process people do on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media avenues. The new MHS-PM5 ($170) and MHS-CM5 ($200) include many of the same features and shooting options found in more expensive cameras — such as an integrated CMOS sensor and image stabilization, but is easy to use with the ability to easily upload content to popular video sharing websites. Both devices have the capability to capture 1920×1080/30p high-definition MPEG-4 video and shoot 5-megapixel photos all on a Memory Stick PRO Duo, Secure Digital (SD), or SDHC storage card. Built-in Face Detection makes the content creation process easier by recognizing and enhancing faces through automatic exposure correction.

Also, both devices feature a built-in USB arm for quick charging/data transfer and include Picture Motion Browser Portable software (Mac/PC compatible) which makes it easy to manage or upload content to video-sharing websites.

Features unique to the MHS-CM5 (pictured above) are slight in comparison to the PM5, but some may prefer the addition of HDMI output for viewing photos and high definition clips on your HDTV, and a 5x optical zoom lens on a “pistol-grip” body with large flip-out 2.5” LCD screen. Here’s another angle:

The PM5 has an 4x optical zoom lens on a vertical lightweight body that slips easily into a pocket or purse and SteadyShot image stabilization that ensures smoother footage. The screen is only slightly smaller at 2.4″ LCD, but can do full-screen playback in landscape format. The PM5 is also available in four stylish colors including dark purple, blue, pink, and white. We also see a listing for a PM5 bundle package, MHS-PM5K ($190), with an interesting lens that lets you capture 360-degree videos and includes a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo card. We have a shot of that device below:

We’ll have to test this lens out at CES!

Published Jan. 5, 2010
By Sara Schilling, Tri-City Herald staff writer

Winter quarter is under way at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and the campus again is seeing enrollment growth over the same time last year.

“There are more people coming to us thinking this is a safe harbor and good time to invest in their education” because of the bleak economy and job market, said CBC President Rich Cummins.

But that does create challenges for the college, which like other institutions in Washington is getting less money from the state because of deep budgets cuts and is facing the possibility of even more reductions, Cummins said.

Winter classes at CBC started Monday. Enrollment figures for the first day weren’t yet available, but there were nearly 6,800 students signed-up as of Dec. 30.

That’s an increase of more than 470 students over the same time last academic year.

The full-time equivalent count, which is used by the state to allocate funding, also was up — from 4,575 to 5,041 students during the same time. That’s an increase of more than 10 percent.

Part of the reason for the higher enrollment numbers at the beginning of the quarter could be that more students are registering for classes earlier than in the past.

CBC officials had to cut some programs and limit the number of sections offered because of the state budget cuts, and they’ve encouraged students to register early.

Fall quarter enrollment was up 17 percent in mid-August over the same time the year before, but that percentage dropped some over the course of the quarter, according to information from CBC.

Still, the college is seeing more students signing up, which leaves officials trying to do more with fewer resources, Cummins said.

The college lost about $3.4 million in the last round of state cuts. And Cummins said CBC could lose another $1.5 million in state money for the remainder of the 2009-11 biennium.

The state Legislature is heading back into session next week.

More cuts will mean more tough choices, Cummins said. A committee of faculty and staff examined the college’s budget situation and made recommendations during the last round of cuts, and that’ll happen again, he said.

Still, CBC has had successes despite the tight financial times, Cummins said. For example, the privately funded nuclear technology program started running in the fall.

“In spite of bad budget news, there’s capacity here. People who know what they want (in terms of training and classes) can come and get it,” Cummins said. “We’ve had a big impact and continue to have a big impact. In spite of troubles, we’re strong.”

Classes at Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland resume Jan. 11.

Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald.

HECO Executive Vice President Robbie Alm says the company must pursue every renewable resource available from the sun, wind, land and oceans. The contract with Renewable Energy Group of Iowa must be approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

Whitney Tilson doesn’t think Warren Buffett interfered at all when he voted against Kraft’s proposal to acquire Cadbury. Instead, Tilson thinks that Cadbury will still get a good offer from Kraft while Buffett is essentially negotiating for a lower price. Watch Tilson on CNBC below:

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Warren Buffett Just Delivered A Death Blow To Cadbury
• Kraft And Nestle’s Cadbury Bidding War Has John Paulson Laughing All The Way To The Bank
• UK Cadbury Factory Workers Protest Against Any US Take-Over

The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is kicking off efforts for the year-long campaign 2010:  Year of the Engaged Older Adult.

Last month, Governor Pat Quinn made the call to action to get individuals and families engaged in efforts to benefit their communities and thus improve the state.  The focus for January is Intergenerational Programs:  How Generations Support Generations.

People should look for examples on how older adults are engaged in their community or neighborhood.  Gathering stories will help all generations save their family stories, create stronger connections among generations and foster communication skills – interviewing, listening, writing, and reading.

For ideas, log onto law.siu.edu/GenServeGen.

IDoA Director Charles D. Johnson is leading the statewide initiative that started when Illinois was selected to participate in the National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy on Civic Engagement of Older Adults.

The project is designed to improve the health and lives of older Americans and increase their involvement in service, learning and work.

“Our goal is engage citizens, especially those ages 50 and older, and tap their talents to benefit others,” said Director Johnson.

“We are encouraging individuals, their families, organizations and networks to find ways to do good in their communities.  Whether baking cookies for our troops overseas, sharing family stories to document family history, we want people to find ways to get involved and make a difference to benefit their communities.”

A team of dedicated professionals in Illinois have been working to map out the best strategies to get older adults involved in community and to encourage more interaction between the generations.

Members of the NGA Illinois Leadership Team include the Illinois Department on Aging, Intergenerational Initiative-SIU School of Law, AARP, Retirement Research Foundation, Corporation for National and Community Service, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Senate Higher Education Committee, Illinois Community College Council of Presidents, Chinese American Service League, Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and McCormick Foundation.

Activities will be planned across the state to engage older adults in service, learning and work.

The purpose is to:

• highlight the tradition of service by reporting the stories of older generations
• increase participation in service across generations
• publicize and communicate to local communities the ways generations support one another
• emphasize the importance of each citizen’s contribution
• demonstrate how Illinoisans 50+ strengthen the economy

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, call the IDoA Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 1-888-206-1327.

Filed under: By the Numbers

Subaru, Kia and Hyundai increase alone, FoMoCo loses least

Most automakers giving themselves a pat on the back for a strong sales performance in December should take a second look at the books. A good month of sales to finish off a crappy year still equals a crappy year of sales. The chart below makes this perfectly evident, as only three individual brands and no multi-brand automakers managed to make it through 2009 selling more vehicles than they did in 2008. Not surprisingly, Subaru, Kia and Hyundai (in that order) were the three brands to post an overall sales increase in 2009, with Subaru posting a double-digit rise of 15 percent. With 216,652 sales overall, Subaru now sells more vehicles in the U.S. than Volkswagen and Mazda, two direct competitors with larger lineups.

Though no multi-brand automaker can claim a sales victory in 2009, you might be surprised to learn that Ford Motor Company with its Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo brands performed the best. FoMoCo sales in 2009 fell 15 percent, a smaller drop than any of its competitors. Toyota Motor Company sales (Toyota and Lexus combined) fell over 20 percent, but the Japanese juggernaut still managed to beat Ford in number of vehicles sold (1.77 million to 1.68 million).

The rest of the industry’s performance can be viewed in the chart below. Note that there were 308 selling days in both 2008 and 2009, so the percent change in volume sold will equal the percent change in the daily average sales rate.

By the Numbers – 2009: Up and Down Year Ends Down For Most Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are plenty of stories today about the not-so-secret “Google Phone” known as the Nexus One (assuming no silly legal issues get in the way) was finally “officially” announced. There wasn’t much surprise at the announcement, other than the fact that Verizon Wireless is expected to get the phone in the spring as well, meaning that there’s a CDMA version out there somewhere. Nearly every story about the phone has played the paint-by-numbers game of asking “is this an iPhone killer.” To be sure, the Nexus One (which I have had a chance to play with) is extremely iPhone-like. But pitting it head-to-head against the iPhone may be the wrong way of thinking about it.

As he often does, Bill Gurley cuts through the clutter to make a really strong point. The iPhone and its closed system were designed for the top of the market only. Google isn’t necessarily looking to compete with the iPhone or take users away from the iPhone — it’s looking to attract the market of “everyone else,” for whom the Nexus One (or other Android Phones) represents a huge upgrade over what they have:

The iPhone does exist, and it is wildly popular. There are an estimated 55 million iPhones in use around the world. Despite this remarkable success, history will also show that Apple intentionally chose a business model with plenty of room for disruption underneath its pricing structure. It also chose a single carrier as a partner, which resultantly threatened others. Then Google built a product and a strategy that allayed the carrier’s relative fears. Google gave them what they wanted, and then even gave them money. It could afford to do this because Google aims solely to protect the great business they already have in advertising, not to make money directly from the product (HW or SW in this case). Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla’s Firefox represent choke points on the personal computer whereby Google could lose search share, or at least be forced to pay a toll. In mobile, they see a chance to potentially eliminate the toll-takers.

With a business model that allows for much broader distribution and price points that are well beneath the iPhone, Google’s Android won’t compete directly with the iPhone. For the iPhone loyalist, like Stewart Alsop who railed against Android, Android is simply not an option. This price insensitive user demands the very best experience they can possibly have and this is still the iPhone. Users won’t switch in mass from the iPhone to the Android. It’s the other 3.95 billion cell phone users that are highly likely to consider Android a step up from their current feature phone. The Android strategy results in phones at much lower prices with much more diversity which will hit a broader set of demographics. Apple can and will quintuple its current market share and still have a small portion of the overall cell phone market.

This is why the two products do not compete head to head. With its super aggressive model, Android will be the choice of the masses, and with its sleek design and non-compromising price point, Apple will rule the high end.

While I think Gurley overplays the claim that the Android strategy results in “phones at much lower price points,” since that hasn’t happened yet, there are a number of good points raised in this article. In many ways it goes back to the discussion we had a year and a half ago about the differences between open and proprietary strategies. The closed, proprietary, “walled garden,” strategies have advantages in brand new markets — no doubt. They are less chaotic, more user friendly and simply easier to grasp for many. But, in the long run, the open solutions almost always win out. The solutions that allow others to jump in and add stuff, change stuff or make stuff better. It may take some time, and the lead time for the proprietary solution may seem insurmountable, but overtime, the more open solution almost always wins out. Remember when AOL and its walled gardens were going to dominate the “open” internet? It seems likely that the same thing may play out in the mobile space.

The second point that I think is key is the recognition that Google has the opportunity to play a bit of business model jujitsu against competitors with Android, noted in this sentence: “It could afford to do this because Google aims solely to protect the great business they already have in advertising, not to make money directly from the product (HW or SW in this case).” This is a point that we discuss in a variety of different business markets. It’s why we think that those who understand how to embrace the difference between scarce and infinite goods have a huge advantage. If you can make money by giving away a product for free that some legacy business relies on charging for — and then making your money up in an ancillary market (made bigger by giving your product away for free), then you have a massive advantage to disrupt the market.

The problem, however, with Gurley’s post is that it isn’t clear that Google is actually doing any of this. As noted, the pricing on the Nexus One is hardly revolutionary, and seems quite standard. Gurley is right that Google with Android has an opportunity to do something disruptive, but it’s not clear it’s there yet.

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The American Law Institute, comprised of 4000 judges, lawyers, and law professors who shape and help promote consistency in the law throughout the United States, recently disavowed the intellectual framework for the modern death penalty system.

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1.Scapa de numerele neesentiale !!!
Aici se includ si varsta,greutatea si inaltimea. Lumea ar parea mult mai simpla,daca nu am mai pune atat de mult accent pe lucruri atat de irelevante.

2.Pastreaza-ti numai prietenii optimisti,plini de viata,cu simtul umorului !
Pesimistii nu vor face decat sa te traga in jos.
De cate ori nu s-a intamplat ca un prieten sa va strice dispozitia cu un comentariu stupid sau cu lipsa lui de optimism ?
P.S Daca esti pesimist inca mai ai ocazia sa te schimbi !

3.Continua sa inveti !
Ce sa inveti ? N-ai vrut niciodata sa inveti ceva? Poate ai vrut vreodata sa inveti sa dansezi,sa inoti,sa sari cu parasuta…
Sunt o gramada de lucruri noi,care cu siguranta iti pot schimba perspectiva despre viata !
Incearca!

4.Bucura-te de lucrurile simple (un zambet,un sarut,o plimbare,un cantec…)

5.Incearca sa razi mai mult/des . Razi pana ramai fara aer.Viata pare mult mai roz atunci cand razi.

6.Momentele triste vor aparea din cand in cand.Lacrimile la fel.
Indura,plangi,treci mai departe !
Singura persoana care va fi cu tine toata viata,esti tu !
TRAIESTE atat timp cat esti in viata.Alta ocazie nu o sa mai primesti !

7.Inconjoara-te cu lucruri pe care le iubesti.
Nu conteaza care sunt acestea : familie,prieteni,hobby-uri,un caine,o pisica,muzica,filme …

8.Ai grija de sanatatea ta !
Poti sa ai toti banii din lume. Daca esti bolnav,e ca si cum nu ai avea nimic !

9.Spune-le “Te iubesc” celor la care tii,de fiecare data cand ai ocazia. Ar putea fi pentru ultima oara !

10.Traieste fara regrete !
Nimic nu e mai dureros decat un lucru pe care ai vrut sa-l faci,dar nu l-ai facut.
Ai visat sa faci ceva ? Ce mai astepti ? Ce te opreste ? Nimeni nu o sa-ti indeplineasca visul ! Tu esti singurul/singura care poate sa faca ceva !
Ai vrut sa fii cu cineva ? Astepti sa faca el/ea toata treaba ? DO SOMETHING. Lucrurile rareori se intampla de la sine. Viata nu e un basm !Viata e asa cum e !!!

Related posts:

1. Viata de cacat
2. Barbati sub papuc

” Rebecca Bloomwood este o new-york-eză foarte simpatică, a cărei mică problemă cu cumpărăturile tinde să devină mare de tot.
Rebecca are o adevărată dependenţă pentru hoinareala prin magazine, ceea ce-i provoacă o gaură imensă în buget. Tânăra visează la o slujbă,la o revistă de modă, dar nu pune mâna decât pe o rubrică la un ziar financiar din acelaşi trust. Rubrica devine foarte populară, iar Rebecca se desfată pe laurii celebrităţii obţinute peste noapte…Dar când pasiunea pentru cumpărături îi pune în pericol atât relaţia cu prietenul ei cât şi cariera, ea trebuie să decidă urgent ce-i mai important în viaţă.”

Related posts:

1. Because I Said So
2. Til There Was You
3. The Nanny Diaries
4. Post Grad
5. No Reservations
6. He’s Just Not That Into You
7. A Life Less Ordinary
8. Head Over Heels
9. Keith
10. Definitely,Maybe

First, read this piece at Wall Street Journal

Insurance Rule Adds Up to $5 Billion – By LESLIE SCISM – … Life insurers will need to set aside about $8.75 billion to back up souring home-mortgage bonds based on preliminary analysis provided to regulators by Pacific Investment Management Co., the officials said.  The figure is far less than the $14.5 billion requirement the companies would have faced if regulators still relied on ratings, rather than on Pimco. … – Wall Street Journal

thoughts from Nom De Plumber …

Insurers complain that the rating agencies were too loose, deeming too many credit-risky securities to be “AAA”.
Insurers complain that the rating agencies were too stringent, downgrading these same securities and triggering higher capital charges.

Same insurers, same rating agencies, and same securities…..but conflicting, simultaneous accusations.     Hmmmm…….

Regulator to Rating Agency, Episode 1:    “You were too lenient in your stress projections, leading investors to own securities with high principal losses.  You must repent.” 

Regulator to Rating Agency, Episode 2:    “You were too stringent in your stress projections, leading investors to own securities with high capital charges.  You must repent.” 

Both episodes of this tragicomedy share identical regulators, rating agencies, stress projections, investors, and securities.   PIMCO has been hired as Deux Ex Machina, to define a common rating-agency repentance for both.   This is only the intermission; stay seated.

Nom De Plumber is a Nom De Plume