Archive for January, 2010
Why were the headlines positive for Q409 GDP?
In a previous article, U.S. Output in 2009, I wrote that in terms of output as measured by Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) the U.S. economy did poorly in 2009. Even though the population grew by 0.9% in 2009, Real GDP shrank by -2.43%. But the headlines on the papers [Read More]
U.S. Output in 2009
Yesterday, the Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the 4th Quarter of 2009. So just how much did the U.S. economy produce in 2009? How did that compare with the previous year? In other words, did [Read More]
Short Pants for Winter
Photo courtesy of Street Scene Photo Short shorts in winter? Only in southern California. Short pants can be worn all year long in southern California. This UCSD student on the way to the library is wearing very short pants and black leather pirate boots. She has a cropped [Read More]
Have American Jobs Been Shanghaied?
From book: China There used to be a practice in seafaring towns in the United States back in the 1800s and early 1900s. Merchant ships bound for the far east needed a crew of sailors. If the crew was shorthanded, the sea captain sent out the first mate and a few burly [Read More]
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 HOW-TOs
Here’s another book from Adobe Press that covers Lightroom 2: The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 HOW-TOs by Chris Orwig. This is the second Lightroom 2 book I have used, and so far I like this book the best. Chris Orwig is a photography instructor at Brooks Institute of [Read More]
Zeiss T*2/100 ZF Makro-Planar Lens for Nikon
Here is my new lens for people photography: Zeiss T*2/100 ZF Makro-Planar. This lens is designed for full-frame Nikon cameras with the Nikon bayonet mount. This is one of the highest-quality lenses I have owned. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit that I am [Read More]
Is Bernanke Too Big To Fail?
Unless Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is confirmed by the U.S. Congress, his tenure as Federal Reserve Chairman will come to an abrupt end next week. Last week Senator Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, Byron Dorgan and others last week came out against his [Read More]
Natural Beauty of Georgia Z.
Here is another all-natural pretty girl. Georgia has a wonderful face and great skin. She has a real wholesome beauty. No Retouching Required I always look for potential models that have excellent skin and don’t require any retouching. If I shoot 200 or 300 shots, I [Read More]
Where to Invest Your IRA Contribution
In the previous article, I explained How to Start Investing with an IRA. That article covered which kind of IRA to open (Roth IRA), where to go for your IRA (Fidelity, Schwab or Vanguard) and how to fund your IRA (from your checking account by electronic funds transfer), [Read More]
How To Succeed in Business
Photo courtesy of Pictor Photo Archive As the old saying goes, “Nothing succeeds like Success!” This young up and coming professional is dressed to the nines for a meeting in the executive boardroom. She is wearing a short silver mini dress with short sleeves. [Read More]
Was It Really a Lost Decade for Investors?
A lot has been written about the so-called lost decade for stocks including this previous article, Lost Decade for Stock Investors. But was it really a lost decade investors? There has been some debate about this. Some pundits have argued that it has not been a lost decade [Read More]
Interview with Eugene Fama on Market Efficiency
There is a fascinating interview with Eugene Fama in The New Yorker magazine. The article is titled Rational Irrationality by John Cassidy. Eugene Fama is a Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Fama is known as the father of The [Read More]
How to Start Investing with an IRA
In a previous article, I wrote about Saving & Investing for Retirement. In that article, I wrote that the three investing accounts you need were a 401(k) plan, an IRA and a taxable account. Like the three legs of a stool. Your 401(k) is handled at your place of [Read More]
The Cheap Leis from Hawaii
Photo courtesy of Street Scene Photo While the rest of the U.S. sees freezing weather, a few places have been lucky to avoid the chilly winter winds. One U.S. state that springs to mind is Hawaii. But on the mainland, one city that has weather as nice as Hawaii is sunny San [Read More]
Old Folk Tale: The Two Winemakers
Once upon a time there were two brothers, Jacques and Pierre. Jacques was diligent and studious. Pierre was lazy and inattentive. Each brother wanted to start a vineyard to grow grapes for wine making. The diligent brother, Jacques, studied farming and wine making. He [Read More]
U.S. Consumer Prices in December 2009
Yesterday, the Consumer Price Index for December 2009 was released. The good news is that inflation over the past year has not been a problem in the U.S. Year-over-Year Prices are Stable In Dec 2009, CPI-U stood at 215.949. One year ago in Dec 2008, CPI-U was at a level of [Read More]
Book: Samuelson’s Economics
For the study of economics, no textbook has been more widely used than Samuelson’s Economics. This is an introductory college textbook by American economist Paul Samuelson. Economics was first published in 1948. This textbook has been updated every few years with new [Read More]
U.S. Employment in the 21st Century
The first decade of the 21st century is behind us. Now is a good time to take stock of things and look into the state of the economy. Perhaps the most important aspect of the economy is employment. So just how is the U.S. doing one decade into the new century, in terms of [Read More]
The Downfall of Detroit
Read the headlines in the papers yesterday: CBS News: China Surpasses U.S. In 2009 Auto Sales USA Today: China Surpasses U.S. In 2009 Auto Sales Bloomberg.com: China Ends U.S.’s Reign as Largest Auto Market (Update2) Yahoo: China Surpasses U.S. In 2009 Auto Sales India [Read More]
In God We Trust
Some restaurants have a sign above the cash register that reads: “In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash.” The question is, can you trust the cash? Once upon a time, U.S. dollars were backed by gold and silver. The U.S. Treasury held gold and silver in its [Read More]
