Great Geek video from Seagate

Oil Prices

Oil is hovering at around $50 and OPEC wants it to sit at around $70-$90. Since OPEC controls the supply, it's probably a safe bet that it will settle to the desired level within a few months of the second round of production cuts coming later this month....

Minority Report, here we come!

g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

What happens when a country starts to print money?

We are about to find out....

The paper from our printing press gradually becomes worth less as we inject it into the economy for these 'investments' in poorly managed companies. Let GM fail. Yes, there will be a time of unemployment, but a smart group of investors will pick up the operation for a fair market price and a portion of those jobs will be retained and the factory will actually start making cars that people want to buy. With the failure will come an entirely new union structure or possibly no union at all.

I mentioned Peter Schiff in my prior blog entry. He is not the only one who is predicting massive inflation thereby making gold, copper, and foreign currencies very lucrative investments over the next 2-5 years.

My sincere hope is that Barack has the wisdom to tackle all sides of this complex issue. I voted for him because I believe that he is going to look at the problem from all angles including that of Mr. Schiff whom I believe has some extremely compelling arguments over the next few years. I'd encourage anyone who is interested in a fresh, realistic perspective on the dire straits of our economy to subscribe to his podcast.

Peter Schiff

Do you think we should start listening to this guy in the future?

A President Who Uses Technology

I really shouldn't be impressed, but the bar has been set so low by past presidents in this arena that I'm frankly stunned. Look here, we actually have a governmental website to show us the transition steps being taken by Obama.

Boxee

This looks like a sharp idea for a home media player....and it works with Hulu. Hulu is beginning to get a huge amount of relevant content.

I soloed today

Took one run around the pattern with my instructor, Allen. We did a failed engine drill and I was able to put the plane on the ground safely. Allen asked me to taxi on Alpha and drop him off. It was time to solo.

I killed the engine and let him out then started my pre-start checklist. Checklist complete and on to my run-up checklist. I pulled up to the hold short line at 32 and called the tower. "Smyrna tower, N989MA holding short 32 ready for takeoff".

I was holding short for Runway 32 and it was like everyone decided to come home. I waited as he assesed the situation and queued them up. Unexpectedly, I got the call to go with 5 planes on final! "N989MA clear for takeoff, no delay".

It was getting close to sunset and I swear I could see the lights of all 5 planes on final! I taxied out and took off climbing at 66. Oddly, I wasn't nervous (thanks for preparing me Allen). Climbed to 400 AGL and raised flaps, increased speed to 73. Reported the downwind/requested option and he said I was 5th in line after a Katana South of Nissan. Can you say, extend the downwind? I followed the last Katana down and landed very comfortably. I did one more go around without the traffic and headed in. Tower gave me a congratulations. It was very cool.

A solo story

The following is my buddy Jeff's recounting of his first solo flight.

Change is good

Link

Ron Howard's Endorsement

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die