Filling up space and time

I'm just writing this to kill time and fill up some space. It will be the last post of 2013. 2013 was definitely not the best year on record - too many bad things happened. If you keep up with the news, you know what I mean. We didn't find the Forrest Fenn treasure either. 

Africa and other countries

What if every country just retreated back to its borders and decided to mind its own business? What could possibly happen? Every country would be left to figure out its own problems and manage its own prosperity. Yes, there would be plenty of commercial trade but no foreigners would remain in another's country longer than thirty days, even for tourist excursions. What could happen? Weapons would not be allowed to cross borders. Every country would have to manufacture its own weapons if it chose to do so. Defense treaties would be outlawed. Of course, strong, aggressive countries could militarily attack and subjugate other countries but they would themselves be subject to the same actions by other countries. No country would have any legal or moral obligation to step in and defend any other country. What could happen? Would things be worse than they are now? 

Google and China

It has come out that Google intends to pull out of China because the government in China has a habit of eavesdropping on emails and other communications. It's their way of keeping the country safe. The Chinese market, as everyone over the age of 3 knows, is huge. Google will therefore not pull out. Hell might freeze over if that happens. This topless woman might cover up if that happens. The Pope might enter the Boston Marathon if that happens. Please.

Five seconds of carelessness

It didn't have to end this way: From a story in The New York Times: “Adolph Merckle’s creditors were responsible for his death, even if they were not present by the tracks on that snowy night that he jumped in front of the train”, said a town resident. His employees and residents of his hometown saw Mr. Merckle as a decent, taciturn man who looked after his workers and his community, despite his wealth. He was No. 94 on Forbes magazine’s most recent ranking of the 400 richest people in the world. His four children grew up in a modest one-family house with the Merckle name on the mailbox. “I look at this as the banks’ taking the heart out of the family,” said a member of the Blaubeuren City Council. Mr. Merckle’s suicide shocked Germany as much as it angered Blaubeuren, where he was eulogized Monday at a memorial service that overflowed the hamlet’s church.” Merckle had recently lost 400 million Euros in a bad bet against the share price of VW. He was deep in debt with no way to pay it down quickly or restructure it. His flagship company was about to be sold. He had simply been caught in the vise of the worldwide economic downturn – completely unprepared. But, he had also borrowed way too much in order to acquire new businesses. One of my favorite teachers once told me, “be careful that you never bite off more than you can chew.” GOOD ADVICE.

What bad economy???

I get out quite a bit. I see places - I hear stories - I read stories - I meet people. Every single day. From all accounts, the economy isn't doing well but I don't believe that at all and neither should you. Someone is trying to fool us. I see stores packed with customers. There are long lines everywhere. I see customers buying big ticket items. I see lots of people at banks - depositing big chunks of money. Every single day. I see that concerts with very expensive tickets get sold out. I see sporting events being filled to capacity. I see restaurants packed with people having a good time. Where is the bad economy the media is talking about???? NOT HERE, that's for sure.

Marketing 101

Sometimes, the only thing that will draw a crowd is something truly remarkable or outlandish. A dog with the head of a cat. Or a cat with six legs. Marketing is not as easy as it looks. One never knows what the public will like. One sure thing there is - pretty women. They are ubiquitous. You see them on magazine covers, billboards, newspapers, the internet, etc. Of course, if you own a bar, hire the most attractive female bartenders you can. You can't go wrong, unless the competition does that too. Here's a bartender dressed for the occasion, but without customers. Maybe the bar hasn't opened yet. Who knows?

Einstein and success

I was having lunch with a friend yesterday (Wednesday) noon. I happened to mention that I was going out of town next week - it's the only week between now and December 15 that I can travel. Too much going on in the orchestra business. She wanted to know where I was going and with whom. I told her she didn't need to know but that it was business, not pleasure, and she was not offended. She knows how blunt I can be - besides, she likes me way too much to be offended. Anyway, I told her I would explain with a quote from Einstein. He said the secrets of success were three - imagination, work, and keep your mouth shut. I think it's good advice.