Some Interesting Links...Linkfest

Ok so here are some of the interesting links that I've come across in the past few days...

I promise promise promise to get to work on my new blog in the coming weeks, I've just been brainstorming. Thanks for the patience, good things are coming!

Self
8 Tips for making yourself happier in an hour: http://bit.ly/1JeZz3

9 ways to give even when times are tough: http://bit.ly/7da7sB

Finding your true Passions: http://tinyurl.com/ygerkzs

The world according to American (funny but so true): http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/11/the-world-according-to-americans/

Biz

Investing with your eyes and ears - Howard Lindzon: http://bit.ly/8zvSRq

War against an invented enemy and financial bust: http://bit.ly/5DYVyV

Jim Rogers: Legendary investor and one of the people I look up to- interview http://wallstcheatsheet.com/knowledge/interview-knowledge/exclusive-interview-jim-rogers-on-gold-bubbles-commodites-equities-and-roubini/?p=3528/

My two minute experience with a Homeless Person

http://wordonthestreetto.blogspot.com/

So I wanted to share my 2 minute experience from after work this evening. I was coming from a work out, passing through the eaton centre on my way to the subway when a homeless person approached me. I'll be the first to admit that normally when a homeless person approaches me, I usually say sorry and keep walking but it was different this time. This person was a distressed looking female in tattered clothes and looked like she was about to have a serious breakdown. I was on the phone at the time so I told the person to hold on. The homeless person was asking me for money. Normally when this happens I don't give out money in fear that they may use it for drugs, alcohol or cigarettes- everything but food which is what I would want it used for. So she came out and said I need 50 cents. I paused. She is like I don't want to sleep outside and I need to call a shelter, as she pointed to the pay phone. In my head at this point, I'm thinking here is 25 cents you can go make the phone call. At this point she tells me that 25 cents is not enough. She took me over to the pay phone and I put in the money (25 cents) and much to my surprise the phone said credit 25 cents please deposit another 25 cents. The pay phone cost 50 cents!!! She pulled out the sheet of paper with the number to the shelter, and I dialed the numbers as she looked like she couldn't manage. She got in touch with them and at that point I took off. For the record, I'm not writing this because I want to hear what a cool thing I did. Instead I'm simply writing this because it needs to be said!

On my long ride home in the subway, my head was filled with many thoughts. Since when did pay phones start costing 50 cents!?!?! I guess Bell Canada wasn't making enough money when they were charging 25 cents so now they are charging the ludicrous price of 50 cents per call. How in the world is this person supposed to afford a phone call for help or is the expectation that she will never have to call anybody at all?!? Or maybe she is just supposed to call 911 anytime she needs something?!?!? I couldn't help but think to myself underneath this persons dirty clothes is a human being who needs help and is unable to contact the help she needs without begging for it.

This reminded me of the small things we take for granted. Things such as cell phones, family to call during emergencies, or even having spare change in your pocket for that one time you may really need it.

My point is this; something has gone horribly wrong in society and I couldn't help but feel a bit pissed off riding home in the subway. What happened to the society where we took care of people; every individual regardless of their gender, ethnicity or social status!?!? Something has changed, and it seems that this is no longer a priority. My challenge to the government and individuals is this: if you can afford resources such as time, money and people ensuring that big businesses survive the past economic downtown you can certainly afford to start taking care of the individuals in our society again, especially those that seem to need it the most. Positive energy feeds off of itself, and your giving will likely have a lasting impact of the other person/people.

** further note- I'm working on constructing a new blog in which i'll be able to create a better environment... thanks!**

My worst date ever...(the story)

http://wordonthestreetto.blogspot.com/

So someone was asking me the other day... "Andrew what was the worst date you've ever been on!?!? " This developed into a long conversation in which she started the normal nonsense of how all men are players and that women are the ones that are always screwed over (err is she bitter much!?!) So I thought I would share my story... to prove that is not the case and I thought you might want some entertainment on a Wednesday night.

So after being in a relationship for a few years... I got my first whiff of "single guy life" last summer ( year and a half ago)...mostly enjoyable. There was one situation that really made me go hmmmm....

I met this girl at a bar one night last summer while I was out with some friends, rather attractive girl at that. We chatted and stuff and she seemed cool, so I got her phone number. We talked a few times on the phone and texted etc and decided that we should meet up for a drink. So we set something up to meet up at a bar....

So we are meeting at 7pm that night outside of the lounge/bar, when my phone goes off and the text says she will be there in 20 minutes that she is running a bit late. So I wait... then i get a text saying OK be there in 5 minutes and then a phone call asking where I am!?!?

I say that I'm outside the bar and that I reserved a table on the patio, see you in a few. So then she arrives at the bar and walks right by me into the entrance. I stop her and say hey" "C", how are you doing", she turns and looks at me like she doesn't know me and then says" oh ya, hey I lost your #, why don't you text it to me so I have it again" At this point i'm like ummmm.... Then she continues " Actually I'm just meeting my cousin on the patio for drinks, i'll talk to you later" and she walks off. At this point i'm totally "confuzzled" and just start taking off. About 60 seconds later my phone rings.... and it is her. She is like "where are you!?!? I'm on the patio and I can't find you". Then I tell her "errrr I'm the guy you just walked by at the front door and i'm like i'm leaving". Then my phone's text goes off " Oh I'm sorry, i've made a terrible mistake I need to leave now".

Haha no kidding!!! So she clearly couldn't keep her guys straight and got guy # 4 and guy # 2 confused to the point that she had no clue who she was supposed to be meeting haaaa.

This happened ages ago so at this point it is just one of those amusing memories worth sharing but geeeeesh if you are going to be a player at least learn how to play the game!!! There must be many stories similar to this one... and of course, noooo I'm not going to share the good ones.

Dear Balloon Boy & Fam....

Dear Balloon Boy and Family,

I couldn't help but spend my afternoon at work on Thursday tuning into CNN every 5 minutes to see if Falcon had managed to land safely from inside that air Balloon. As sick as this might sound, I think it would have been a far cooler story if Falcon had been in the Balloon landing safe and sound- being the kid that just wanted an adventure. There is a part of me that would have loved to try something as stupid as that when I was a kid too!

But to be honest here is what I really think... I think it is totally disgusting that this seemed like a ploy to get media attention on your family which has already been on the hit show "wife swap" ($hit show opps). Not only did you manage to fool millions and millions of people into being concerned for this kid, but you also managed to tie up all of the important services in Colorado(police force, ambulances). What really bothered me was watching this interview.... "falcon why didn't you come out when we called", "well we did it for the show". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6y6HA65wUg

Why do I have this feeling that the kid is smarter then his Dad (6 year old vs 40ish hmm)!!! And geesh I'm surprised that the forces in Colorado didn't search the house first, rather then turning this into the global spectacle it became. Many examples came into my mind on Thursday... like do we blame Disney for making movies like "up" that make kids want to do stupid things like this??? Obviously I got it wrong at the time but ya that is what I was thinking, yes folks I was totally naive at the time.

I think this is one of the major things that is wrong society these days, we will do just about anything for a buck even if it means deceiving the masses to claim fame and fortune.

Obama deserved the award!! Why don't they get it yet!?!?

http://wordonthestreetto.blogspot.com/

Well it is Saturday night and I am home, I've been sick and recovering all weekend!!! But hey at least I get to catch up blogging.

So a couple days ago Barack Obama got awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, congrats to him. I tuned into some of the news stations however that day, even my facebook and all I could hear was does he really deserve the award!?!?! You bet he does, and I'm a bit tired of the negativity towards the guy who has been in office for about 9 months now.

Why does he deserve it you ask?!? Well in 9 months he has announced/committed that the US will be closing Guantanamo Bay (the place where they send the terrorists), bringing torture in the US to an end, he has also gone as far as announcing that the US troops will be returning home. Besides all of this I've never seen a President in my lifetime, that has allowed everything to be up for debate, there is essentially an open door policy on almost any issue (except the banks, but that is a different issue for a different day). And unlike the President before whose name rhymes with wuss, Prez Obama is willing to allow the lines of communication to remain open with all countries- he is truly diplomatic.

All of these actions lead to a more peaceful world and the decisions have an impact on many people all over the world, correct me if I'm mistaken!!!

The final point I wanted to make is that, Barack represents a new United States. If you remember it wasn't that long ago that slavery was going on in the United States, even now in parts of the southern States there is still much hate. So it was something special nearly a year ago when the United States decided enough was enough; came together as a country to vote someone of colour into office in an effort to correct the 8 years of mess that took place in front of him. This took courage by the people and the president... and marks a major mark in American History. So that alone is worth an award and shows the ability of people to rise to the occasion, when things get shaky.

I could not believe all of the negativity two days ago on TV, in the media etc... they are trying anything possible to bring this guy down. It has almost become comical! Arguments like what has he done? Does he deserve it? They are looking for any reason possible to blame this guy for something. To be blunt it is nice to see a respectable/intelligent person in charge south of the border, rather then someone that belongs on the comedy channel. Anyone who takes office after George Bush deserves an award for cleaning his $hit up domestically and internationally.

When they gave Barack this award, they essentially said this is the guy we like... do you get it yet America?!?! and judging by the media reaction on Thursday, clearly we aren't quite there yet!?!?

Capitalism: a Love story... thoughts...

http://wordonthestreetto.blogspot.com/

So last night I went out to watch the new Michael Moore movie Capitalism: A love story and.... I liked it. I had to digest it over night to know how I really felt about it, but I will share a few of my thoughts.

I think he did a really good job on the film, I went with a couple people from work which was fun. Now here is what I think... the guy is a brilliant FILM-MAKER and I've seen all of his work. The evidence was lacking in this film but I will say this.... everyone was talking after this film about what they just saw and for a filmmaker there can really be no bigger reward. It really makes you think about things going on in society, injustices. He does a really good raising awareness of issues and bringing them to the public forefront like no other filmmaker can.

One thing I didn't agree with at all in the movie, is that he seems to blame all evil on Capitalism. I don't believe this to be the case. Bad people are in the world regardless of if they are trying to capitalize on situations/people or not... it is more the bad apples on this planet making S&% smell worst.

No economic system will work if rewards aren't given to those who produce more, if things are equal between all citizens (socialism), but at the same point restrictions should be put on those that abuse the system(thats really been missing). As far as I'm concerned white collar crime is just as bad as someone getting murdered.... both should be treated just as seriously as the other. Just my thoughts.

Interesting fact from the movie is that pilots are only making 19K some places in the states... I hope I'm never on a plane where the pilot is making less then someone working at Mcdonalds - yikes.

Ok, I'm done. I think I'm going to tackle the backlash against Obama and Healthcare in another post... and yes I'm happy the Brazil got the olympics, kind of makes me want to be around for the beach volleyball down there.

Cool Links...

Have been cruising through links and such the last few days... here are a few worth sharing.
http://wordonthestreetto.blogspot.com/

Replay of 1930?!?!?
Econbrowser: Replay of 1930?

34% of workers have 1 week or less in savings right now
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/08/34-percent-of-workers-have-one-week-or.html

Retail feeling the hurt...
Brands Go Overboard to Attract Customers - Fashion Markets News - WWD.com

Five Myths about Health Care around the world.
By T.R. Reid -- Five Myths About Health Care in the Rest of the World

False signs of Recovery???
Boom and burst: Don’t be fooled by false signs of economic recovery. It’s just the lull before the storm | The Big Picture

The 3 key parts of newstories we usually don't get...
The 3 key parts of news stories you usually don’t get at Newsless.org

Best Websites of 2009... really liked this one. Check these sites out.
Full List - 50 Best Websites 2009 - TIME

The mistakes we make and why we make them (investing), applies to other stuff as well.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970204313604574326223160094150.html#mod=todays_us_the_journal_report