Bonne Année

Happy 2009! Perhaps the title is wishful thinking for a trip abroad in 2009.

Everything’s been a constant blur since about mid-2006, so I’m hoping that 2009 will be more defined than the past couple of years.

Some of what I hope to accomplish this year (in no particular order):

• Tweet and blog more (yes, that is possible)… and not just in quantity, but also in quality.  In the first 101 days for 2009, I hope to tackle @chrisbrogan‘s 100 blog topics to write about.
• Harness the power of social networking and social media.  Become more engaged so that I can learn, stay in the loop, and do more good.
• Start a business venture, and get it live and kicking.  Whether it be Dilettante Hostess or something else.  I’ve made a lot of good friends over the last few years that share similar interests, and I’d like to share such an experience with others.
• Pleasure reading.  With classes done, I hope to have time to read the long list of books that have accumulated over the last three years on my Amazon Wishlist.
• Accomplish an athletic feat.  Either a sprint triathlon or skiing blue runs.  And also find ways to engage my dog, Chibi, more in outdoor activities.
• Compile my recipes into a CC-licensed book.
• And much more that I am not thinking of at the moment….

In one sense, I would like 2009 to take it’s time so that I may accomplish all these things.  On the other hand, I can’t wait for 2010 to come because that means @Padrepablo will be done with school and we can pick up with our lives together again.

RIP: Opera Pacific

My parents have been patrons and season ticket holders to the Opera Pacifc.  I secretly looked forward to the performances that they could not attend because that meant I had free seats!

In fact, I was really looking forward to Grapes of Wrath in January.  Yes, of John Steinbeck fame.  But alas, OP has fallen victim to the hard economic times according to the OC Register.  OP’s Web site has no indication of its demise yet.

Too bad, because I has just started getting over the “opera is boring” hump and began to appreciate it.

Funny to think that this past July a head hunter for OP called to ask if I’d be interested in a marketing-communications job there.  Obviously, I did not pursue it.

Some pics from a donor appreciation event for Mozart’s Magic Flute this past season.

Rehearsal:

Music Director John DeMain (no relation) explaining OP to donors at the backstage tour of Magic Flute:

I-Pain

I have a migraine tonight.

So to divert the energy of agonizing about the pain, I thought up of new lyrics to T-Pain’s Apple Bottom Jeans:

[Chorus]
I have them Apple, Google stocks [stocks]
Shares with a promise  [With a promise]
Got the Wall Street lookin at her
Stocks hit the floor [Stocks hit the floor]
Next thing you know
Dow got low low low low low low low low

Them banks saying we cants
And bad loans with the straps [With the straps]
Feds turned around and gave the Fannie n’ Freddie a smack [Ayy]
Stocks hit the floor [Stocks hit the floor]
Next thing you know
Dow got low low low low low low low low

[Verse 1:]
I ain’t never seen nuthin that’ll make me low,
This crazy market losin’ my dough
Had a million dollar vibe and a bottle to go
Dem analysts, they stole the show
So miserable, I was once able
Professional, drinkin X and ooo
Hold up wait a minute, do i see what I think I
Whoa
Did I think I seen prices get low
Ain’t the same when it’s up that close
Make it rain, I’m gonna hold
Work the goal, I want the bank roll
Imma say that I prefer them hi stocks
I’m into that, I love portfolios
Stocks once were good for me, I gave Dow more
Cash ain’t a problem, as long as it grows

Keating Economics

For your lunchtime viewing pleasure, John McCain and the Making of a Financial Crisis debuts at Noon EST tomorrow (10/06) @ Keating Economics.

Here’s a preview… thanks to Pablo for the tip!

September Madness

For those who seek to have their financial news of late illustrated in sports terms: