Weekend Haiku

Moist spring moon -
raise a finger
and it drips.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Explosive

Here is Bond's video of Explosive. Talented, good looking women creating great music on electric string instruments. What's not to like? Enjoy and happy Friday.

Lebron James on Letterman

Here is the newly minted champion on David Letterman last night. He talks about finally getting a ring and getting ready to represent the U.S.A. in the summer Olympics next month. For those of you who might not know the music the band is playing as he comes out is Some Like It Hot by the Power Station.

The robot wins every time

Do you think you are pretty good at rock, paper, scissors? Well, the Japanese have created a robot at the University of Tokyo that wins every time. It has a super fast sensor that knows what your hand puts out and reacts to it so quickly that it has a 100% victory rate. Its name is the Janken robot which is Japanese for rock, paper, scissors. Maybe it should stand for cheater. Here is the Janken robot in action and here is some more information about it.

Chase losses could be bigger

As you may recall Jamie Dimon went before congress recently to report on the significant losses JP Morgan Chase suffered due to poor trades. At the time he stated that the losses could be somewhere in the vicinity of 2 billion dollars. Now it is being reported that the figure he gave was somewhat of an underestimation and that losses could reach as high as 9 billion dollars. Dimon says that notwithstanding this shocker, his bank can weather the storm and still remain profitable. All I can say is I am glad I am not a shareholder. Ouch!

In praise of Lebron

The Miami Heat won the NBA finals over the Oklahoma city Thunder 4 games to 1 in a very convincing fashion. There has been a lot of hate directed at Lebron James and to a lesser degree at the Miami Heat in general for their swagger. All I can say is that they have backed it up this year and I for one am a Lebron fan and always have been.

Everyone makes mistakes and Lebron has made his in the past. Of this there is not doubt. There is also no doubt that he has learned from them. This season he comported himself as a true champion does, on and off the court. The result of this was an NBA championship ring, a season MVP trophy and an NBA finals MVP trophy. No matter how much you may dislike the man there is no denying his greatness. I for one am happy for him. I am grateful that he decided to "bring his talents to South Beach." He carried the Heat all season long on those massive shoulders of his and he deserves every bit of the success he is now rightfully enjoying. 

This is not to take away from the rest of the Heat roster. Basketball is a team sport and the season is long and difficult. It takes the right blend of players, physical fitness and avoidance of injury, coaching, championship mettle and luck to get to the NBA finals, let alone win the thing. Congratulations to the Miami Heat and to Lebron James for bringing the championship to Miami. For an excellent analysis of the what the Heat did this year and the reason they were able to prevail click on this article.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. This next manager is the antithesis of Ted Kaczynski.

MOTW: Techno Manager

Is convinced that every challenge can be solved with a system, a website, a portal or some other technological solution. Human beings are superfluous and the manager often wonders why he/she has so many people working for him/her. Techno Manager’s favorite phrase is, “Put it on the Web.”

Weekend Haiku

With my father
I would watch dawn
over green fields.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Let's Go To Bed

Here is Let's Go To Bed from the Cure. Enjoy and happy Friday.

If only it were this easy at home

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, is set to go before congress today and say "I'm sorry" for his firm's loss of over $2 billion last month due to trading mistakes. Ironically the loss was in the unit which is designed to prevent such losses from occurring. If that is all I had to do at home when I lost some money, go to my wife and say "I'm sorry" that would be really nice. I am sure the shareholders of JP Morgan want a little more than a mea culpa.

Weekend Haiku

The mad girl
in the boat at midday;
spring currents.

Buson (1716 - 1783)

Lebron James beats Boston

The Miami Heat won their do or die game last night 98-79, but in reality it was Lebron James who won. With 45 points and 15 rebounds James lifted the Heat on top of his shoulders and carried the team to victory with his determined will to win. James made sure that the Heat will come back to Miami for a game 7 and a possible place in the NBA finals representing the Eastern Conference against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now if he can only bring that same focus and hit his free throws tomorrow night the Heat should be OK. Oh, and some help from his mates wouldn't hurt either.

Edward Reid

As Monty Python would say...and now for something completely different. From 2011's Britain's Got Talent, here are nursery rhymes as you may have never heard them before, sung by Edward Reid, a Scottish schoolteacher. He was a big hit with the audience and judges. Enjoy and have a happy Friday.

Arrgh...Heat lost again!

The score was 94 - 90. The Heat had better show their mettle in Boston on Thursday night and win or they do not deserve to be competing for a championship in the NBA. That is all.

Mobile home?

Well, it isn't mobile now, but at one time it flew through the skies. This man is turning a Boeing 727-200 into his dream home.

Heat loses in OT!

The Miami Heat dropped both games during their visit up north and none hurt more to a Heat fan than last night's overtime loss 93 - 91. There have been a lot of complaints from Heat fans about the officiating. I warned about this in my previous post. My position on the refs is the following. Forget about the calls and forget about them. Officials are a necessary evil in any sport unless you play Ultimate. If the Heat want to move on to the NBA finals they must play defense for a full 48 minutes, not just 24 of them and expect to win against any team talented enough to be in the Eastern Conference Finals. The series now shifts back to Miami for game 5 tomorrow night and it is a must win for the Heat.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager off the Week. This next manager marches to the beat of his/her own renegade drummer. You can only hope that the particular drumbeat he/she is currently following doesn't derail him/her and by extension you.

MOTW: Buck the Trend Manager

Watches a lot of movies and television, especially fare that features rogue cops, vigilante citizens and/or general anti-establishment characters. Has a reputation for going against whatever corporate strategy, policy or procedure is mandated by Head Office. Working for Buck the Trend Manager can have serious and undesired, short-term repercussions for your career.

Weekend Haiku

Sparrow singing-
its tiny mouth
open.

Buson (1716 - 1783)

Suicide Blonde

Taking a trip back to the 90's. Here is the video of Suicide Blonde by INXS. RIP Michael Hutchence. Enjoy and happy Friday.