Occasional Quote:

Sir Winston Churchill

"One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half."

Another strange search to find my blog

Sparky the Stackable Pig!

Value Investing vs. Contrarian Investing

I said about six months ago that I would post on this.

Basically, I view value investing to be looking for bargain investments by using an objective valuation process. This requires an independent mind to do things different than the market and to use an objective process to value the investment.

Contrarian investing is simply investing in unpopular stocks.

In terms of people, value investing is the man who walks his own path, the people be damned. Think about Verdi, the opera composor, who lived with an unmarried woman in spite of the negative publicity, who ignored the public's contempt and praise, and lived his life.

Contrarian investing is the lone wolf. The man who does everything the opposite of what other people did, simply it is the opposite. I always think of the early punk rock bands who was "anti-establishment".

NoodleFood had a good post on the difference between these two things a few months ago. Diana was quoting Ranil Illesinghe. Here is the relevant litmus test that applies to both investors and people.

I find that the best test to see whether or not someone is an individual is to ask the following question: If the mainstream acted in the same way that he acted, would he:
A. Stay the same OR
B. Do things differently?

If he chooses to stay the same, then he is a true individualist, because it does not matter how many people act LIKE you, as long as you are relying on nothing but your independent judgment. If they start being different for the sake of being different, then that person is the worst sort of coward -- the fashionable non-conformist.

Occasional Quote:

Malcolm X

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."

I'm not entirely sure what to make of the above quote. There is a similar quote from Ayn Rand:

"Those who fight for the future live in it today."

Traveling Juke Joint

Episode 3: Portland, Part 1 is up! Click here for the website. Click here for the download!

I'd love to get some feedback; leave comments on the libsyn site or send an email!

Occasional Quote:

Thomas A. Edison

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

More Culty Wierdness...

From NoodleFood

Saturday Sparky

This is the throne from which I rule.

Occasional Quote:

Jonathan Winters

"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!"

Oops... I discovered Viagra

I didn't, but here is a list of 10 accidental discoveries. (|> GeekPress)

Coolest Blog Search to find HMS Lydia

One viewer found my blog from the google blogsearch for "violent sneeze". How cool is that!?!

Occasional Quote:

Peter Drucker

"Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work."

The Dangers of Hybrid Cars

...they are just too damn quiet. (|> GeekPress)

Drunk Driving Penalties

Apparently in Taiwan, you can either pay a fine for drunk driving or pay mahjong with the elderly. Which would you choose?

Happy Birthday Bach

He brought polyphonic baroque music to its culmination, creating masterful and vigorous works in almost every musical form known in his period.

Life

Born into a gifted family (see Bach, family), J. S. Bach was devoted to music from childhood. He was taught by his father and later by his brother Johann Christoph, and was a boy soprano in Lüneberg. His education was acquired largely through independent studies. He had an insatiable curiosity about music and sometimes walked great distances to hear the organists Johann Adam Reinken (at Hamburg) and Buxtehude (at Lübeck). In 1703 he became violinist in the private orchestra of the prince at Weimar but left within a year to become organist at Arnstadt.

Bach went to Mühlhausen as organist in 1707. There he married his cousin Maria Barbara Bach, who was to bear him seven children. In 1708 he was made court organist and chamber musician at Weimar, and in 1714 he became concert master. Prince Leopold of Anhalt engaged him as musical director at Köthen in 1717. Three years later his wife died, and in 1721 he married Anna Magdalena Wülken, a woman of considerable musical cultivation who eventually bore him 13 children. In 1723 he left Köthen to take the important post of music director of the church of St. Thomas, Leipzig, and of its choir school; he remained in Leipzig until his death.

Why HMS Lydia?

Paul from GeekPress asked me "Why HMS Lydia?"

I thought I'd recycle my posts about this and put them below. This more or less started as my captains blog for sailing, but it evloved. Kind of like the old quote: I used to be Snow White, but I drifted. Anyhow, now that summer is here, I'll probably start with a little more of the sailing bit.

So below are the posts:

Why HMS Lydia?
I don't have a good reason for naming the blog after one of Horatio Hornblower's first ships as captain. I just did. If you've never read Hornblower, you're in for a treat. Start with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower and follow his career from beginning to end.

and

More on HMS Lydia
Again, this was Hornblower's ship in "Beat to Quarters".

In this ship, Hornblower captured La Natividad, which was under Spanish domination. He surprised them and took the much larger ship without ever receiving a shot.

Unfortunately, he was required by orders to turn La Natividad over to a madman, with whom the British had allied themselves against Spain. Days later, Hornblower comes to find out that Spain and England are now allies.

Hornblower takes it upon himself, as his duty, to re-take La Natividad before she can sink a valuable Spanish cargo vessel.

The Lydia takes on the much larger Natividad in a fight to the death. At the end of the battle, Hornblower tows the Lydia across the becalmed sea into action. As the Lydia is towed, he has the men who dance the best jig compete for the top prize. Hornblower does this to keep the men's spirits high as they move slowly into action, but it cements his reputation as a man of iron nerves.

Saturday Sparky

"So that's where I put all my toys. Ew... Jason needs to clean under the couch."

And now the post you've all been waiting for....

My interested in Podcasting moved from interest to enthusiasm to infatuation to obsession. And now I have my own Podshow with its very own website. The premise is a traveling Juke Joint, looking for quality local music in different cities around the country.

The link for my Podshow is travelingjuke.libsyn.com.

Let me know what you think. You can post comments here or there. Hope you enjoy it!

PS I'm probably going to be posting a little less on this blog because of the podcast, but don't despair, I won't forget my roots.

21st Century Noir

So this dame walks in to my office and right away I could see she was dangerous, just by the way she was dressed. (Or wasn't dressed.)

Buffy Honorable Mentions--Oz (Spoiler)

Season 2-Phases
Season 4-Wild at Heart/New Moon Rising

These are a few episodes focusing on Oz (Seth Green). Oz was a great character who was neither an outsider nor an insider. He got some of the dryest lines in all of the Buffy 'verse.

WARNING SPOILER ALERT.

Ok. So I know Willow is gay, but I am still an Oz/Willow shipper. Tara was a nice girl. Kenedy and Willow were... well kinda hot... but Oz and Willow were just such a good couple. Damn you Joss... Damn you... Ok. Sorry. I'm calm now. And why were doing the spoiler thing. Damn you Joss, for killing Book... and Wash.... and Damn you for killing Angel... but not really... and Damn you for killing Buffy... but not really... and Damn you for killing Dracula... repeatedly.... and Damn you for splitting up Spike and Dru... and... Goddamnit... Damn you Joss for not having a show on television right now that I can pine and fret over... DAMN YOU JOSS WHEDON... at least finish the Wonder Woman Script already. Oh yeah... and Damn you JK Rowling for not finishing Book 7 yet... and for killing Dumbledore...

No.. I wont stop writing...
No.. I won't take my meds...
I'm not done typing ye

Buffy Honorable Mentions

Season 1
The Pack (Xander's always the victim of something... at least this time his victimhood turns him into a preditor)
The Puppet Show (The closing credits are priceless!!)

Season 2
What's My Line--Career Week
Surprise/Innocense--Angel Goes Bad

Season 3
Anne
Lovers Walk--"Love's Bitch"
Enemies-Faith tries to steal Angel's soul

Season 4
Beer Bad
A New Man--Giles gets a make over... demon style.
This Years Girl/Who Are You--Faith Returns and steals Buffy's Identity.

Season 5
The Replacement - 2 Xanders
I was Made to Love You--robots

Season 6
Bargaining/After Life--Buffy returns from ... well no spoilers.
Hell's Bells--Xander and Anya's wedding
Normal Again-Buffy in Psych Ward

Season 7
Same Time Same Place
Him--This one is worth it to see Xander and Spike steal a letterman's jacket.
First Date

Saturday Sparky

Sparky performing the sacred and time-honored "food dance". The tupperware container is where I keep his opened "wet food" cans.

Sparky is doing much better. This is a pre-op photo.

Buffy Favorite #10-Once More, With Feeling

Season 6 Episode 7

A music demon comes into town and everyone bursts into song.

Check out the tunes at Amazon.

Ok. So I ran out of tens in the top ten. Next time, I'm going to comment on the honorable mentions.

Buffy Favorite #9-The Body

Season5 Episode 16

This is the episode where Buffy's mom dies.

The only thing I can say is that if you have ever lost anyone or know anyone who as lost anyone this episode will break your heart.

No quotes.

Buffy Favorite #8-Buffy vs. Dracula

Season 5 Episode 1

Dracula finally shows up!

Notable Quotes

Xander: No, we're not going to (imitates Dracula's accent) leave you. And where'd you get that accent Sesame Street? One, two, three — three victims. Mwah, ha, ha, ha!

(Xander falls under Dracula's influence)
Willow: Well, I think we have Dracula factoids.
Xander: Like any of that's enough to fight the Dark Master. (They look at him) Bator.

Xander: See?! Buffy didn't feel it. I think you're drawing a lot of crazy conclusions about the Unholy Prince! (They look at him) Bator.

Riley: I've lived in Sunnydale a couple of years now. Know what I've never noticed before?
Giles: Uh, a castle?
Riley: A big, honking castle.

Giles: Oh, good show Giles. At least you didn't get knocked out for a change.

Xander: Where is he? Where's the creep that turned me into a spider eating man bitch?
Buffy: He's gone.
Xander: Damn it! You know what? I'm sick of this crap. I'm sick of being the guy who eats insects and gets the funny syphilis. As of this moment, it's over. I'm finished being everybody's butt monkey!
Buffy: Check. No more butt monkey.

Buffy Favorite #7-Superstar

Season 4 Episode 17

Jonathan, the class loser, becomes a superstar. This episode is great! Jonathan who is always in the background takes center stange and Joss makes you figure out what the hell is going on for yourself.

Sorry for the spoiler.

Notable Quotes:

Willow: I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin.

Xander: We knocked them dead... which they already were.
Willow: We knocked them deader!

Spike (to Buffy): Yeah, back off, Betty!
Buffy: It's Buffy! You big, bleached... stupid guy.

Anya: Xander's not here.
Buffy Oh.
(Pause)
Anya: You're not going away. Why aren't you going away?

Anya (trying to give Buffy a pep talk): Oh, buck up you! You kill the best! Go you! Kill, kill.

Anya: You could have, like, a world with no shrimp. Or with, you know, nothing but shrimp.

Buffy: Anya, tell them about the alternate universes.
Anya: Oh, okay. Um... say you really like shrimp a lot. Or we could say you don't like shrimp at all. "Blah, I wish there weren't any shrimp," you'd say to yourself —
Buffy: Stop! You're saying it wrong.

Buffy: I think that Jonathan may be doing something so that he's manipulating the world, and we're all like his pawns.
Anya: Or prawns.
Buffy: Stop with the shrimp! I am trying to do something here!

Buffy: Giles, do you have a Jonathan swimsuit calendar?
Giles: No... Yes. I-it was a gift.

Riley: These spells, these really work? I mean, can you really turn your enemies inside out or learn to excrete gold coins?
Anya: That one's not so much fun.

Giles (after Xander speaks Latin, setting a book on fire): Xander, don't speak Latin in front of the books.

Xander: So, we're saying that he did a spell just to make us think he was cool?
Giles: Yes.
Xander: That is so cool.

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition

I've had a shit week. My Special Lady Friend decided that we should put more emphasis on the Friend and less on the special. I'm still getting over being sick from last week. And my foster cat has been sick and needed surgery, which is hard both because my little buddy is sick and because vet bills are shockingly expensive.

Surprisingly, I'm still in pretty good spirits. I know that all of this crap isn't important and that it is the good stuff that is important to focus on. Sparky is getting better and so am I. I know eventually I'll find another Special Lady Friend and a little bird told me that another little bird thinks I'm cute (read: devastatingly handsome).

So all in all... a little bit of a gloomy week with sunshine on the way.

Buffy Favorite #6-Hush

Season 4 Episode 10

In this episode, the town loses its voices. The theme of this was: you start communicating when you start talking. The great thing about this show is that it was known for its writing and they do an episode with almost no words! Amazing! Oh, yeah. The bad guys are wicked evil and scary!

Notable Quotes (?) (The best lines in this one are the actions.)

Riley: "So tell me about your dream. As a Psych major, I'm qualified to go, 'hmmm.'"

Anya: "This isn't a relationship; you don't need me! All you care about is lots of orgasms."
(Giles and Spike stare at them.)
Xander: "OK, remember how we talked about private conversations? How they're less private when they're in front of my friends?"
Spike: "Oh, we're not your friends; go on."

Giles: "I have a friend who's coming to town, and I'd like us to be alone."
Anya: "Oh, you mean an orgasm friend?"
Giles: "Yes, that's exactly the most appalling thing you could've said."

Forrest: "We have a gig that would inevitably cause any girl living to think we are cool upon cool. Yet, we must Clark Kent our way through the dating scene never to use our unfair advantage... thank God we're pretty."

Occasional Quote:

Quote of the day

To err is human. To loaf is Parisian. — Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

This one is from Ian Hamet

The Simpsons--For real

I don't know what to say about the British introduction to the Simpsons with real live actors. Clever... Strange... Frightening... You dear readers must decide for yourselves.

(Hat Tip: NoodleFood)

Which SciFi (Sciffy) Character Am I?

Buffy Favorite #5-Doppelgangland

Season 3 Episode 16

Three words: MMM... BAD WILLOW!

Notable Quotes:

Willow: "Buff. I'm storming off. It doesn't really work if you come with me."

Willow: "Well did you try looking inside the sofa in Hell?"

Willow: "Say! You all didn't happen to do a bunch of drugs, did ya?"

Vamp Willow (meeting the real Willow): "Well, look at me. I'm all fuzzy."

Willow: "That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil. And skanky. And I think I'm kinda gay!"

Willow (looking down at her cleavage): "Gosh, look at those!"

Rubik's Cube for the Blind

I'll keep my witty puns to myself. Here's the link from GeekPress.

Saturday Sparky

Big Yawn-->Big Sleep

Buffy Favorite #4-The Zeppo

Season 3 Episode 13

This is the episode where Cordy tells Xander that he's worthless and is the Zeppo of the group. Zeppo refers to the Groucho Marx's forgotten brother. The episode focuses on Xander and how he actually prefers to be the Zeppo. Xander is one of my favorite characters because he is the most human. He is, in fact, the only real human. He is insiteful, thoughtful and genuine.

There is a touching moment in season 7 when Dawn realizes that she is not a potential slayer. Realizing what a let down this can be, Xander comforts her and he is amazing. In fact, he is the only one who can do it and this episode is a major part of his character development.

Noteable Quotes:

Jack: "What are you, retarded?"
Xander: "No. No, I had to take that test when I was seven. A little slow in some stuff, mostly math and spatial relations, but certainly not challenged or anything."

Jack: "You wanna be startin' something?"
Xander: "What? Starting something? Like that Michael Jackson song, right? That was a lot of fun, huh? 'Too high to get over, yeah, yeah.' Remember that fun song?"

Xander: "Is it hard to play guitar?"
Oz: "Not the way I play it."

Xander: "It's my thing."
Willow: "Your thing?"
Xander: "My thing!"
Buffy: "Is this a penis metaphor?"

Giles: "All we know is that the fate of the entire world rests on the
(looking in the donut box)— did you eat all the jellies?"
Buffy: "Did you want a jelly?"
Giles: "I always have a jelly. I'm always the one that says 'Let's have a jelly in the mix.'"
Willow: "We're sorry. Buffy had three!"

Buffy Favorite #3-Band Candy

This is the episode where the band candy makes everyone turn into their teenage-selves. The best part of this episode is Buffy playing mom to her mom. Especially when Joyce and Giles have their fun.

Notable Quotes:

Cordelia: "Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I do well on standardized tests. (Everyone gives her a look) What? I can't have layers?"

Xander, making guilty conversation while playing footsie with Willow: "The band! Yeah. They're great. They march."
Willow: "Like an army. Except... with music instead of bullets, and... usually no one dies."

Willow's attempt to explain the adults' behavior: "Maybe there's a reunion in town, or a Billy Joel tour or something."

Oz: "Teenagers. It's a sobering mirror to look into, huh?"

Buffy: "Giles at sixteen? Less 'together guy,' more 'bad-magic hates-the-world ticking-time-bomb guy.'"

Buffy: "Something's weird."
Oz: "Something's not?"

Buffy Favorite #2-Halloween

Season 2 Episode 6
This is an interesting episode because in the Buffyverse, normally Halloween is boring. Amature night. In this episode a wizard has everybody actually turn into their costumes. Xander turns into a soldier; Willow turns into a ghost.

I like this episode because 1) Xander gets mad skills and 2) Halloween is the night to dress up as you what you would want to be in real life... this episode explores that premise.

Notable Quotes:

Drusilla: "Do you love my insides? The parts you can't see?"
Spike: "Eyeballs to entrails, my sweet."

Xander: "Buffy! Lady of Buffdom, Duchess of Buffonia, I am in awe! I completely renounce spandex!"

Willow: "She couldn't have dressed up like Xena?"

Willow: "Okay, your name is Cordelia, you're not a cat, you're in high school, and we're your friends. Well, sort of."
Cordelia: "That's nice, Willow. And you went mental when?"

Spike: "Well, this is just... neat!"

Dale Carnegie Cliff Notes