The Rachmaninoff C minor concerto, with Evgeny Kissin, accompanied by Sir Andrew Davis conducting the BBCSO. I absolutely love this ... … [Read more...]
Does Religion Have a Responsibility to Look to Science?
March 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Here's an interesting question: Does religion have just as much responsibility to examine scientific evidence as it does religious tradition and scriptural text? Put another way: Throughout history, religion taken as a whole has lagged behind scientific discovery and development, only to redefine itself decades, or even centuries, later. In the case of Christianity, the Bible, specific passages in it, as well as long religious tradition were used to justify: Slavery (not only of … [Read more...]
Department Store Sales Make Me Really Happy
March 14, 2010 By 2 Comments
Although I'm normally a Nordstrom's guy myself, I have to say that after reading an article a few years ago (The Wall Street Journal or The Financial Times maybe?) about the vastly improved quality of department stores suits such as the J.C. Penny brand thanks to the use of expert tailors in Hong Kong for a fraction of the price and trying out the difference for myself, I have been genuinely shocked at how good the improvement is. I waited until a 50% off sale and bought a couple of suits for … [Read more...]
An Interesting Bit of Nostalgia from My Childhood …
March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A pleasant bit of nostalgia today. I was researching Papa John's and it reminded me of the last time I read the report. I was in 7th grade in a small town called Savannah (again, most of you know I lived in seven or eight different places before I finished middle school so it's sometimes necessary to clarify). I was doing something for the student government association and was in the journalism room on the third floor. We were there after school, the sun was starting to set, and the … [Read more...]
Family Member Speculating on Citigroup Stock Options
March 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Some time ago, a family member of mine decided to take a tiny portion of his speculation portfolio and trade stock options on Citigroup. This wasn't his investment capital, he was fully aware it could totally and completely blow up, but thought it would be interesting and great entertainment, plus he figured that he was right. With the rest of his "financial house" in order, so to speak, and conservatively managed, it provided far more enjoyment for him than, say, a cruise or blowing the … [Read more...]
The Joy of Cash Dividends
March 12, 2010 By 2 Comments
Over the years, I've written a lot about dividends on the Investing for Beginners site at About.com. In fact, over the past few years it has been one of my absolute favorite topics to cover because through the Great Recession of 2007-2009, those who owned a collection of high quality dividends stocks were better able to ignore market fluctuations and avoid selling their ownership to pay their household bills. It isn't an infrequent thing I'll hear people opine, "yeah, but who has money … [Read more...]
Dear Ken Cuccinelli. You Are Proof That The Older Generation Just. Doesn’t. Get. It.
March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A friend of mine sent me information on the recent actions of the Attorney General in Virginia. I almost couldn't believe it, but true enough, he has issued his legal opinion that state colleges and universities cannot self-govern and determine their own community standards, including creating classes of people they want to protect. Not only is this bad for civil rights, it is an affront to the independence of the nation's school systems. Educational institutions must be free to teach … [Read more...]
Dominion Theology and the United States
March 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago, I was reading a political message board where some commentators espoused their sincere belief that all of humanity's problems will be solved when they succeed in implementing dominion theology. Intrigued, I began to research the concept. What I found was frightening. The only good news is that all mainline Christian religions have rejected dominion theology, although some, such as Focus on the Family, are accused of practicing a "soft" form if it. In a nutshell, … [Read more...]
The Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano – A Real Life Lesson in the Time Value of Money
March 10, 2010 By 3 Comments
The Opportunity Cost of a Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano I'm going to teach you a financial technique that can help empower you to make informed choices about your own life and keep more cash in your pocket. I've been using it since college and it's done wonders from my bank balance and investments. From the time I was a kid and had only a few thousand dollars in the bank, I have wanted either a Steinway & Sons Model B grand piano and / or a Bosendorfer Strauss model grand piano, … [Read more...]
First Impressions of Final Fantasy XIII
March 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I've played Final Fantasy 13 for roughly five or six hours now and it's starting to get good. The only concern I have is that it is feeling really linear. Part of the magic of the franchise is being able to take 20 hours and go do side quests, level up and get hidden summons, etc. I hope they haven't taken that out because it took far too long to get this title on the market and after the utterly forgettable Final Fantasy XII, it would mean that Square-Enix is nothing compared to what it … [Read more...]
I'm a private investor who loves architecture, furniture, clothes, history, philosophy, books, cooking, and music as much as I do finance. 
