How Close is he????

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4245047

Judge for yourself

Come on Bretter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4240888

Soon, real soon, we will now the Favre sitchy.

Fraud through and through

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124450523620696089.html

Maybe he should have focused solely on his women of the night............

Job "Saves"

Interesting, but I am confused. "Saving"?

Read with discretion.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124451592762396883.html

New Fabo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBoxhbavaHM

Enjoy, and then take a jog. Should get you pumped.

Recession end.

Interesting interactive map.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30991972

Lot of housing based info, but interesting nonetheless.

Rent or Buy

Some interesting tables and figures.

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108387

Economists..........who are they anyway?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124223735808916011.html

Can we quit sidestepping? Of course there will be a recovery, thanks for the insight! Key points to take away:
1) Unemployment will continue to rise, even though the economy is gaining steam. This leads me to believe that perhaps having some incompetent people out of the workforce is a good thing. Is 10% really that bad?
2) Fed Funds rate - when will it hit Zero? I say soon........encourage the flow and stability of currency.


Just take note of who is to be rewarded (hint his name is not Obama):

The role of the Fed in stabilizing the market has boosted the outlook for Chairman Ben Bernanke. On average, the economists say there is a 72% chance that Mr. Obama will reappoint the Fed chairman in 2010. "If there's a hero to this piece, it's Ben Bernanke,"

Simmons and Gladwell

If you like the "Tipping Point" or "Blink" or theories in general, we should all read the "Outlier" by Malcolm Gladwell. He takes your mind to places you never have even dusted off.

Attached is a great back and forth between one of the preeminent sports writers (Simmons) and Gladwell on various sports topics.

Enjoy

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090513/part1

#4...in Purple, and it is not JDB!

Does it get any better than this? Favre in the Thunderdome 8 times in one season. I have to admit, he went from my least favorite player to perhaps my new hero in a matter of moments.

A take from Darren Sharper, as if you didn't already know he was coming.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-11-37/Sharper-followed-a-similar--if-less-noticed--path.html?post=true

Bernake speaks, we should all listen!

More good market news:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124153102795887367.html#mod=testMod

Capital opportunities are presenting themselves everyday, and we need to be on the lookout. Real Estate, housing, central bank stocks, etc. are all at lows and should be capitalized upon. Also, firms should be taking advantage of cheap labor, as great humans are being less and less selective.

Look for the market to continue to rise for the next couple weeks, think 9200. The last time he told us we were not in a recession, we had a 1500 point rally.

Derby, Kentucky Style.

So, I made my maiden voyage to Churchill Downs this past weekend, and if you haven't been, go in 2010. Amazing. It has led me to develop a Top 10 Derby "musts".

1) GO!!!!!! Dont care how you get there, just go.
2) Airplane Bottles into the Derby. Everyone was doing it, except us, but that is what happens the first time!
3) Bardstown Road. Awesome bars, awesome eats. Just make sure you get there immediately after the derby.
4) Stay downtown! Makes travel much easier and cheaper.
5) Mint Juleps. They are steep and deep so be careful, but they are awesome.
6) Go to the Track Friday for the Oaks races, half as many people, same track!
7) 4th Street Live..........Friday only, gets way too crowded, and make sure you eat at an outdoor eatery early, so you can get a table.
8) The Horses. Is there a better looking animal. They are ripped, hung and attract chicks.
9) Dress Appropriately, know your SEC and don't be offended if they call you a Yankee!
10) Avoid the infield. Unless you are into frat parties and DJ's yelling, "Body Shots". Plus you can't see a thing once the races are under way.

From the jump, the trip was awesome. You have no idea how big the place is til you go.

Look Alikes.

These are great.

I especially like #'s 6,9,13 and 16. But where is the Ovechkin/Jaws? Crosby/Sandberg?

http://msn.foxsports.com/editorschoice/pgStory?contentId=9342344#sport=News&photo=9336174

Any others you know of?

Derby!

As we approach on Derby Day, and my first appearance at Churchill, I thought I would give you a taste of some Derby hats....

http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/pgStory?contentId=8100824&gt1=39002#sport=Horseracing&photo=8100744

Enjoy, and I will have a Mint Julep for you.

Private Sector

Most recently, our Savior, Barrack Obama has stated that he will attempt to pull government out of the private sector of business as soon as possible. But, the US gov't will remain watchful of the public companies and the American taxpayer.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124104452361970553.html

I would have to say that nobody works well while being micromanaged, that includes students, teachers, athletes, employees, and especially Fortune 500 companies. It is hard to make decisions with 300 million people looking over your shoulder. Also, I say actions speak louder than words. Time will tell.

Whatta think?

Interesting.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123862046764979775.html

Very interesting, and good perspective. Take a gander......

Rent........and what you can afford.

Many of my friends and b-school colleagues are in the renting stage of their lives, with dreams of ownership in the next 4-5 years. Below are some interesting slide shows on what you can get with $1000 or $2000 in various parts of our fair country. For example, $2k gets you 4 bedrooms and 4000 sq ft in Albuquerque, but only 250 sq ft in Greenwich Village. But, you can see Lady Liberty with a 20 min walk!!!!

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=19300088

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=19302038

Pretty interesting.

Madden Cover.

You have all heard of the Madden Jinx. Put the player on the cover of the video, player has bad year or gets seriously injured (ie, Vick in '04, Alexander in '07, and Young in '08). So, as a Viking fan, I was thrilled to see AP (AD) turn down the offer to appear on the popular video game.

But, my question to EA sports, why the hell would you not just ask Madden himself to be on it? He just retired! He is a legend! It is his damn game! Yeah, I agree, he is no Adonis (in fact Rack-o-Mickelson looks pretty fit next to him), but make a logo, design a crest with his face on it and the Super Bowl rings he has won. You make video games that simulate the movement of Tiger Wood's golfswing for heaven sakes, surely you can design a trademarked logo.

And if you are wondering how much the guy is worth.....it is estimated around $1billon.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14184974/

Biggest Stud of the Postseason (so far)

NBA and NHL only.......tell me what you think.

a) Dwyane Wade (couldn't it just be Dwayne, or Duane or even D-Wayne? It is like Tarvarius Jackson, or whatever the hell his name is)

b) Lebron James (manchild)

c) Henrik Lundqvist (guy is showing up)

d) Chauncey Billups (how about outscoring Chris Paul 67-30 something, and has yet to commit a turnover!)

e) The Sedin Twins (combined for 9 points, +8 in sweep of the Blues.)

I could have picked Malkin, Crosby, Parise, Neidermayer, but that would be too easy. Then again, I put Lebron and D-Wade on there too, and they are not very popular.

Sports Ponzi?

Bernie M here we come..........Great article on one of the best chewers who ever played MLB (http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/lenny_dykstra.jpg). Talks about his career after baseball, which surprisingly, is more entertaining than his playing days.


Guy has the gift of gab, and has actaully had some sound advice to investors, but man, I thought Kanye was arrogant. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4084962

B of A.

I previously posted a piece on Mark-to-Market Accounting (Mark-to-Market .........experience) stating how it may be a short-term band aid, and a way to avoid paying back TARP funds. Today, Bank of America posted a $4.2 billion profit for the first quarter (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124021187032334351.html#mod=testMod), yet stated that $2.2 billion was due to mark-to-market accounting.

I think it is going to be awfully difficult for BofA to continually adjust their illiquid assets going forward. It is also purposeless to compare to first quarter of last year because of the accounting changes.

Thoughts??????

Gaga.......again.

If you like Coldplay.......check it out. If you don't like Coldplay (which is more than ok) listen anyway........Gaga is gold!

http://perezhilton.com/2009-04-20-gaga-does-coldplay


Thoughts?

Speaking of interviews...........

Here is a great article on the interview front. FYI, don't send your interviewer a box of Godiva, an arrangement of petunias, or a bottle of Veuve.......

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123966126017514865.html

Interviewing.......from an expert (?)

Face time is good, and getting an interview today is almost like getting a job. Try getting one in NYC, I know some of the sharpest knives in the block, and they can't even get coffee with a higher up. Anyhoot, I have had many interviews in the past few months, some finished with offers, some with deliberation and Marketing Exams (can't make that up, and I spent so much freakin' time on it!), some with a thank you, see you lata, and some had unbelievably strange and quirky questions. Like:

Questions
- How many quarters, laying flat, does it take to reach the top of the Empire State Building?
- How many Gas Stations are there in the US? (yeah, and good luck........I started with each state issuing so many gallons, yada, yada, yada)
- What are your 5 favorite albums of all time? (I went with Marvin Gaye "What's going on", Beatles "Rubber Soul", MJ "Thriller", Van Morrisson "Moondance" and Radiohead "Bend".)
- If you could be one animal, what would it be? (A bee, right?)
- Favorite Book? Current Book?
- If you could travel to one place for one day, where would it be?
- Why are manhole covers round?

Not that you should listen to me, but most of the time, interviewers are looking for your ability to think on your feet, and verbalize your thought process. Meaning, it is more the path than the destination.

You ever have any weird ones? Ever had an interview?

Not that you should listen to me, but

Freegans???

Is this ok? I have heard of day old bread, bagels and coffee beans, but kale and squash? http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/freegan-salvage-food-trash-0309?/gt1=47001
I am into vintage as much as the hipsters and CU grad students, but this may be a bit too far. Kind of reminds me of a Prius, with an Apple sticker and a Cal-Berkeley Bear in the front seat; Minus the Prius.

80's Music Quiz

Who doesn't love the 80's? Billy Ocean, MJ, Madonna, Tears for Fears, Inxs, Lionel, ok, I have to stop. Way to many to mention, yet are all deserving. Sometimes I wish I was born in the 80's so I could lay claim to such icons (judging, judging, look at the baby). I have posted a quiz on some of our faves, to see what you know and how fast you can remember it. So study up on your U2 and Astley, so you don't get Rick Rolled ( http://smouch.net/lol/).


Here is the quiz. Double Dog Dare you. I got 7500, I suck.
http://zone.msn.com/en/celebtrivia/80smusic_default.htm?GT1=29000

Julian Perretta

Listen to this, please. Guy puts the lent in talented. Not sure what that means, but it sounds real nice.

http://www.myspace.com/julianperrettamusic

Job Search Advice

So far the past few months, this topic has consumed my life. I can't look away from email or phone; like they are vacationing FSU co-eds (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/sioncampus/10/17/florida.downfall/p1_sterger_usf3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fanblogs.com/south_florida/006684.php&h=410&w=300&sz=18&tbnid=XJF5VH8OmCLD6M::&tbnh=125&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3DFSU%2BCowgirl&hl=en&usg=__MGoA1lIBFkfhZSsghLEtpq8SNRk=&ei=CKPnSbfCK-Owtgf7y9iXBg&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image). But, I think I have found what works (at least for interviews, which are like jobs these days), and what doesn't. I think the bad news should always come first, so you leave every situation feeling like Napoleon.

Does Not Work
- Monster.com
- Only applying to Fortune 500
- Online apps.
- Cover letters. I am so confused by these. What is the ultimate point of a cover letter? So they see how bad you can stretch the value of your skill set for a particular role? 25 seconds of seeing a resume and they know. Not sure why these are always required.
- Apparently a Top Tier MBA (well, until the banks pay back all the TARP funds, in like 26 years)
-Recruiters. Can't really blame them..........but, they have to go somewhere.
-Facebook

Works (slightly)
- Calls following up emails. Always do this. We all get enough email.
- Asking everyone you talk to if they have 3 more contacts that could be valuable.
- Giving exact situations where you made a decision that had a positive outcome for people and the firm
- Applying to positions under your capabilities.
- Sending a manilla envelope, with resume, referrences and cover letters (grrr) in a 3 ring binder. Then CALL to see if they got it.


What did I miss?????

2 Sport Athletes

Say what you want about Greg Paulus and Duke Basketball, but the kid is a stud. Went to a top academic institution, started as a freshman, became the most hated player in college basketball (for reasons unknown to me), was gracious when not starting, graduated on time, and now wants to go to grad school at Michigan and play QB. Serious? I mean he can get a top 5 MBA (http://www.bus.umich.edu/NewsRoom/FastFacts.htm) and be BMOC! Stud.
Need more proof? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4073430

Greg Paulus. 2. Sport. Stud. He is now in my top 10.........see below.

1) Bo Jackson
2) Deion Sanders
3) Jim Brown
4) Charlie Ward
5) Julius Peppers
T6) Ronald Curry & Joe Mauer - (Gatorade Player of the Year in two sports)
8) Donovan McNabb
9) Greg Paulus
T10) Michael Jordan & LeBron James - Poker, not Baseball for MJ; and name the sport for LBJ, I am sure he would be fine.

Argue? Care?

Job Loss Interactive Map

Check this out. Wow! Very interesting.

http://www.slate.com/id/2216238/

If you have recently lost a job, please comment where you are from. Sorry, that came out wrong. Those that care to comment on recent career setbacks, I would love nothing more than to know the location of your parents home.

Hilton Head.

Where in one place can you get $5 buckets of oysters, bike-rideable beaches, airplane booze bottles at the bar, no-see-em's, and yoga mat sized greens? Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, SC........the post Masters event in the Low Country is as laid back and good as it gets.

And if you have never been, get the family piled in the wood-paneled Jeep Wagoneer and stay in Sea Pines. In fact, I have a new gig, selling time shares in Hilton Head. How hard was that?

GaGa

She has purple hair, yet still rocks!

http://perezhilton.com/2009-04-16-gaga-showing-her-true-colors-in-london

Don't believe me? Listen to this.........

http://perezhilton.com/2009-04-06-i-poke-her-face

Mark to Market.......experience?

http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2009/04/02/off-to-the-races/

To shine some optimism on us, FASB says mark 'em up. Some illiquid assets (such as Subprime Mortgages) are hard to quantify as there is not a market for, but this will allow banks to give them some value, to improve firms financials. I am just worried about the time frame, honesty and our ability to later compare banks situations. If not all banks are adopting mark to market, how can we value them on the open market? How we will compare previous years to projections? Is constantly changing rules truly going to aid our recovery, or just mask past mistakes, aka, band-aid style? Oh, and go read this....... http://www.amazon.com/Smartest-Guys-Room-Amazing-Scandalous/dp/1591840538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239903750&sr=8-2. Then tell me you saw it coming.

Since we are in to new and innovative things.....................
Is there anything more frustrating than a company telling you don't have enough experience? Well, no kidding, that is why I am applying to the job, I met the quals, I have an MBA, but I don't know all the acronyms associated with, for example, Health Care. Are these really that important (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronyms_in_healthcare)? Is that really going to help me build repoire with clients, enable others to do their best, work harder, sell more, trade higher, and meet a deadline? If I were a hiring manager, criteria such as respectfulness, honesty, drive, personality and well-roundedness (made that up, but who cares) would be much more important than experience in a particular task. Forward thinking companies already understand this, and know that they have the training necessary to teach a competent person how to perform a certain skillset. Right now, this is crucial as ever, and hiring managers can be uber selective in the search because of the talent available.

Talent over Experience...........Whatta ya got????

NHL Playoffs......Beards and Backchecking

I am excited.......the hardest working professional athletes (sorry NFL, not a knock, it is just that there are only 16 games, not 82) are making the run to the most coveted of all trophies, Lord Stanley's jug. I rate the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the 4th most enjoyable sporting spectacle. 1 through 3, and 5? Glad you asked:

1) NFL Playoffs & Super Bowl - one game, one globe.........hard to compete
2) NCAA Basketball - when was the last time you didn't fill out a bracket?
3) The Masters
4) See above
5) Any SEC football game - start with a Swamp, Hedges or Grove trip.

Anyone partied with the cup? Comment......

Twitter......to follow John Mayer? No, to find a job....

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/businesswire/2009/04/15/businesswire123319243.html

People are swearing by it. Why would you not try it? The upsides? Downsides?

Donations

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123983002234522435.html)
The First Family reported $2.7 million in 2008, and while that is a Whaler full of cash, I want to know if the 6.5% they donated is a solid standard?
Personally, I think it is pretty fair, and if we all donated that amount (In 2007, the median annual household income rose 1.3% to $50,233.00 according to the Census Bureau.; meaning roughly $3,265 for the Average Joe the Plumber ), it would seem like quite a bit. So, sterling work done by the First Family. Sen. Biden, on the other palm, .7%? For real? That is a few bottles of Ernie's best (http://www.ernieelswines.com/default.asp?pageID=782075285) and the Mechanic's finest (http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/11/13/golfballs_460x276.jpg).

What is a fair percentage for all of us to strive towards? 1%? 2.5%? 5%? Is 6.5% feasible for all of us? Discuss...........

First Post..........

Reason for starting Blog: Recently minted Top Flight MBA, with no current form of employment; have average writing skills (completely up for debate); have great family and friends; and distinguishable tastes in a lot of arenas (like mile wide, inch deep). I will provide a question of the day involving a topic that will be near and dear to us all. I want to get a feel for the relationship of all these topics: Sports, Politics, Higher Learning, Music, Culture and the like, and see how they relate, hence the made up name Spolitico. Interesting? Not sure, but I will give it a college try. I also want to get a feel for those recently graduated MBA's, JD's, MD's and PHD's that are on the warpath, and don't know where to turn. Vent on me, I don't care, I am in the same overeducated boat.

Instead of going through the whole rigmarole of telling you what I like, I would rather show you the websites I follow, so you get an idea if this is for you or not. Yeah, yeah, I am sure they are boring, but whatever, it is my blog, start your own.


http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-career-jobs.html (currently unemployed, duh)
http://espn.go.com/
http://gmail.com/ (who doesn't love at least one google app?)
http://pandora.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/us/politics/POLI_NAVI.html
http://perezhilton.com/ (we all have guilty pleasures, mine just involve fashion, music, and The Hills)

That is the jist, and yes there are more, but you don't care yet.