Guys splurge, too

The International Herald Tribune has a neat column on money matters called 2 Cents' Worth. M.P. Dunleavy writes:

So why does the perception persist that men are more rational when it comes to money? It's male camouflage. Whereas women may spend or splurge for emotional reasons, men have developed a vocabulary of terms like "collecting" (as in wine), "upgrades" (anything electronic), "restoration" (cars, houses) and "extreme sports."

I laughed out loud since I'm guilty of two of the four and I think the term "retail therapy" does not just apply to women. Now where's that catalogue.....

Happy Holidays 2006

Posting from Dallas Fort Worth Airport. Great customer service from T-mobile hot spot service. It worked like a charm after I got my password corrected. Tight transit times left us with 4 hours to kill before our next flight. The airport is busy but not jammed. It is warmer than I expected.

See the card I made from photos taken this year. Tokyo, San Francisco, Kyoto, Los Angeles and Vietnam. Happpy holidays!

My Desk - My Dilemma

Thanks to The New Yorker Magazine.

Peter Drucker 1909-2005

Peter Drucker in a sense created the study of "Management" and was a great source of what we think of today as obvious, common sense aspects of modern management . He could certainly forsee the future and we will miss his thoughts and observations.  Here's a quote from a book that features a different Drucker observation each day. The Daily Drucker: 366 Days of Insight and Motivation for Getting the Right Things Done. (Disregard the title)

For it is character through which leadership is exercised; it is character that sets the example and is imitated... [Employees]may forgive a person for a great deal: incompetance, ignorance, insecurity, or bad manners. But they will not forgive a lack of integrity in that person. Nor will they forgive higher management for choosing him.

Maybe I'll re-read some of his writings this weekend to honor his contribution and life's work.

See Obituary and related links

Modern Vocabulary

A friend of a friend works hard and earns by most standards a large salary. This friend works even harder at spending his money, all of it on being fabulous. If the clothes make the man, then my friend is a Gucci and Prada man. I think you get the picture.

Our mutual friend was telling me "oh, he has a new friend." I said, "Are they dating?" The reply, "No! He's just a Splurging Companion!"

George Bush don't like Black People

Terrific post about a hip hop song that reflects the truth about our President. Check it out!

Kayne West and the Legendary K.O. Remix

Women Incognito

Have you ever noticed that there are a few young women often hurrying through the streets of Tokyo wearing  hats, white gloves and big sunglasses? They often use a umbrella too. I am sure that there are good reasons for avoiding the sun, but there is something strange here. I suppose a few could have sun related problems, but in general, I think they're just odd. They uniformly have these awful grim faces, and they remind me of those people who are obsessed with cleanliness. I smell obsessive compulsive behavior here. I've never ever asked them why they're wearing the protective gear. One day I'm gonna stop one and see what's up?

A David Sedaris Weekend

I stumbled upon no less than three sites this weekend referencing or featuring David Sedaris, the neurotic but brilliant writer. David's books can be found easily at Amazon, but his work for This American Life radio program is recorded and immediate. His self-conscious, self-centered monologues are entertaining and memorable. A favorite site, Jockohomo  links up with the current  New Yorker article Turbulence
And refers us to a " A-list anthology of his favorite short stories" from David at Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules. This American Life is hilarious and David has long been a contributor as well as to NPR. too. Please check them out. There are hours of humor to be enjoyed. The (a bit dated)  unofficial home page is useful. In a rent interview someone remarked that it has been said that "your work is all about "me, me, me." David said, I would say " me, me me and me."

Race Queens at a Camera Tradeshow

Why are they smiling?

Japanese Playboy