Stock Market Game

Can't help but think about the old Whitman Stock Market Game (1968 deluxe edition) http://www.1stingames.com/vpasp/shopexd.asp?id=20761 "The Aristocrat of board games" and how simple it makes the buy low, sell high mantra. The fact that the game has fixed high and low points for each stock makes this easier. It may not be realistic, but then it does prove the point that there are always ups and downs. You just need to wait. In real life, perhaps picking set lows and highs for individual stocks is a good idea. Warren Buffet knows - $3 billion of General Electric and $5 billion in Goldman Sachs when they are at new lows. And better yet, the perpetual preferred shares that ordinary folks on their e-trade accounts are not likely to find.

Another thing you quickly realize in the Stock Market Game is that if you want to win you have start trading in large volumes. The three for one split doesn't really mean much if you only have five shares. Now 5000 shares and then we're talking. Again, just ask Warren Buffet how many shares he trades at a time.

Playing the Stock Market Game does teach a couple simple lessons, and in a world of derivatives, hedges, and complicated investment schemes, it's a relief to sit at the kitchen table trading the eight stocks: Alcoa, American Motors, General Mills, International Shoe, JI Case, Maytag, Western Publishing, and Woolworth. Bonus points if you can name which companies are still in business and/or U.S. owned.

Myanmar = Burma

The Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar on May 2nd and killed 10,000+(?) people and I'm reminded that most of what I previously knew about Myanmar I learned from Amy Tan's novel, "Saving Fish From Drowning". The story is about a tour group that gets lost in a remote jungle and is taken in by a susperstitious native tribe. I highly recommend this novel. For more about Amy Tan and her work, check out her writer profile and blog at http://www.redroom.com/author/amy-tan. By virtue of being a well known writer, and of course being an excellent one at that, her blog gets readers and comments....

I read "Saving Fish from Drowning" last August, checked out from the public library. Which in turn reminds me how great the public library is! You can search for and request any book or material on the library's web site and then in a matter of days it will be waiting for you at the branch of your choice. You can later renew multiple times on-line. Unless it is some insanely popular novel or cd with 89 holds on the next 12 copies. Then you may as well go to Amazon. And don't get me started on the one week no renewals "bestseller" books. Somehow the idea of bestsellers and library patrons don't mix for me. Real library nerds prefer the stacks.

But I digress. Myanmar/Burma. All the reporters on NPR call it Burma. The newspapers refer to the country as Myanmar. From Amy Tan I learned that the Myanmar military government does not allow "Burma". So from this I conclude that NPR is opposed to the current Myanmar regime and prefers the democratic leader under house arrest Daw Aung San SuKyi.

Shopping at Macy's - Cute Shoes!

I went to Macy's to find Dockers for my husband, perhaps browse a bit, and use the remainder ($18.xx) of a $50 gift card. At the Macy's entrance from the main mall there was a Fossil sunglasses display that caught my eye. How fun! I began trying on various styles and looking in a narrow mirror strip on the display. A woman shopper walking in chuckled, and showed me the larger mirror on another display table. At first I was the only shopper, but within five minutes, other women stopped as well. 25% off, plus I had a gift card - I decided to buy! When I'd selected a pair, it was a chore to find an associate. They were all over in handbags. I said I wanted to buy "these sunglasses" and asked if someone could help me. One of them peeled herself away and we ambled over the to register in the sunglasses area. She was pleasant enough but did not sign her name on the ticket or call me by name. That "Thank you Mrs.....is it....Land?" is annoying at times.

Couldn't find my husband's size in Docker's style/color he wanted, so I decided to walk through the shoe department. The displays were well arranged and several shoes caught my attention. Cute! But I debated - the heels were higher then I usually wore. But 50% off! An associate came by - I was impressed, no hunting someone down! I told her that I liked the style but wasn't sure if it was for me. The sample pair was my size so she suggested I try them on - she went to get me some nylon footies. Not exactly comfortable, a bit snug in the toe, but I wanted something stylish for my cousin's wedding next month. I tried the 6.5 but it was too loose in the back and my foot came out. I decided to buy the shoes in the size 6.

The saleswoman was pleasant and prompt with service; however, a male associate started discussing her vehicle's new tires with her with while I was checking out. Apparently someone had put new tires on her vehicle that were different sizes and of course this was a problem....I found this distracting. She had been trying to remove the price/model stickers from the bottoms of shoes, but gave up because they weren't coming off. (I had to buy the samples, only ones in my size.)

Eli Manning's favorite movies

When I read his "hit list" in the Wall Street Journal weekend edition, my first thought was that Archie must not have sprung for premium cable. The movies 'The Jerk', 'Caddyshack', 'Vacation', 'Major League' and 'Groundhog Day' can all be found on basic cable nearly once a week on TBS, USA, Comedy Channel, etc. What 18 to 50 year old male has not seen these all dozens of times? So Eli is a regular guy, with ordinary taste in movies. Certainly not something you'd expect from a New York giant. But then, the giants play in New Jersey. Although his claim to having see 'The Jerk' "thousands" of times sounds a bit exaggerated.

The only movie I like on Eli's list is 'Groundhog Day'. My favorite part is when Phil buys every insurance policy in existence from the pesky, old pal salesman. It's the beginning of the new Phil. "Vacation" is borderline. Viewers need a Y chromosome to sit through the others multiple times. The one in my house is usually holding the remote.

Paris at the Mall

I went to the mall Saturday afternoon to get a new watch battery and Paris Hilton was at Macy's. Apparently some new perfume promo. Buy a special gift set and you could wait in line to get her autograph. I read through one of the signs at the sign-up table: fans had to leave all personal items behind while meeting Paris on the stage, everyone in line had to wear assigned badges. Tough bodyguard types in sunglasses were on the stage, assorted local police on the floor. I tried a quick photo with my cell, but I'm short so it was very blurry. Ho hum, another day at the mall...
Got my battery replaced and walked by again on the way out. Someone was announcing that you could still meet Paris, just purchase the qualifying item(s). Later I read in the paper that "the first 300 shoppers to buy a special package of Paris Hilton's fragrance collection for $153 to $181 during a pre-sale received a special pass to meet Hilton and receive a signed photograph of her." Guess they hadn't sold all 300 sets yet.

The Sleep Resolution

It's not as easy as it looks in the picture. How do I find time to keep up with this blog? It is a challenge.

Results of football coin toss

Two out of four correct for me and my penny. I can't complain since all those that selected the home team favorites went two for four as well. At least I had a unique selection in the group so total points would have been a non-issue. The winner had a unique combination as well. Here's to picking outside the box.

Football pool coin toss

For this week's football playoff pool at the office, I chose teams based on coin tosses. I had found a penny, heads up of course, on my lunchtime walk Wednesday and decided to put this lucky coin to work for me. Four games to decide. Four tosses. Heads for the teams in column one (away), tails for the teams in column two (home).

Here are the results:

Heads -- Seattle

Tails -- New England

Heads -- San Diego

Tails -- Dallas

Total points for all four games tie breaker: 196 (drop the '0' on the coin date.)

I told one co-worker my method for picks this week. He warned me not to tell anyone else. It's odd how seriously people will take their selections in these weekly football picks, aside from the usual point spreads and injury reports. Who do you want to win? What team do you have a feeling about? Favorite teams and feelings? How is that superior to coin tossing, especially with playoff caliber teams. It's not as if Miami, St. Louis or Atlanta is playing any of these games. Besides, last week I went with feelings and got 2 out of 4. Wish me luck!

An Easy Resolution - Sleep More

Sounds good to me. Sleeping more is better than sleeping less. There have been many news items in the past year linking lack of sleep with poor health and even a greater likelihood of obesity.

This is a summary of sorts: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/important-sleep-habits

I've always been a fan of eight hours a night and am annoyed by those that "brag" that they can get by on just 5 hours or less per night. Good for them, do they want a cookie? Maybe that's why they are gaining weight - it's all those cookies!

BTW - I read recently that Chris Rock has made "Want a cookie?" into a catchphrase: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/arts/artsspecial/02rock.html
Thanks Chris. It's a good one. I remember tossing that phrase around with the college pals back those ten plus+ years ago, but it takes someone with a wider audience and better delivery to get credit.