Keep Emitting Positive Energy

I returned to Hook restaurant to take advantage of its prolonged Restaurant Week menu. No sooner did I enter the eatery did one of the waiters graciously met me. Though he was not my original waiter, he immediately recognized (Maybe it was my $4 tip on the $20.08 prix fixed menu.) which was comforting. I took it as a sign that emitting positive energy was important towards having people treat me favorably.

An Economist's Take on Current Recessionary Pressures

I have started today off with a boom by opining about an Los Angeles Times’ article about why some people do not think that a recession will occur. When food and gas prices exceed the CPI inflationary targets then we will have a recession. Period. Regardless of where you are in the economic strata, if you cannot afford food and clothing then we will have a recession. These things are not luxuries just the basics; and when the essentials outpace inflation then America has a problem! Even though I am unaffected by the sub-prime lending crisis and my income outpaces inflation, you do not need to be a genius to understand that the domino effect is coming.

During the last week of Christmas I walked into the Jimmy Choo store at 6:30pm and no one was there. Though I knew that the store closed at 7pm, the fact that no one was in there did not resonate until earlier this year when the dismal retail numbers were reported. When the upper middle class cannot afford to spend their discretionary income because of higher consumer prices then why denounce a recession? That’s ridiculous!

Finally, I have a problem when all of these analysts, idolizing the rich, make these outlandish statements about a self-contained or regional slowdown. The majority of these reporters cannot afford to buy items out of Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus on sale, let alone at regular price! As an economist, I know a domino effect when I see one because though I can afford these high-end items, I cannot be the only one in the store.

Reapplying to American

I have just applied to readmittance into American University and will ask my boss for a recommendation. Setting the wheels in motion boosts my confidence especially since by the end of the year, I will be finished. That’s what motivates me to awake and keep going every morning. Just knowing that every day puts me closer towards achieving my MA in Economics degree pushes me to do my best by overcoming my fear about the comprehensive exam.

Darren McFadden Has Entered the 2008 NFL Draft

Darren McFadden has entered the 2008 NFL Draft and all that I have to say is “It is about time! All of these other no-names entering the draft. Why not the blue chips prospects?” Of course, ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli proclaims that the league is not ready for Darren but incorrectly compares him to Adrian Peterson. Run DMC is way better than Adrian because McFadden is more patience, trusts his blockers and can line up in the Wild Hog formation, an asset to deceive any defensive line. Darren’s ability to play both quarterback and running back will push him over the top. Furthermore, Darren is a team player who is not selfish and is okay with sharing the backfield with fellow running backs Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. This transferable skill will bode well for whichever team drafts him. Congratulations, Darren!

College Football Warts and All

Dan Wetzel’s blind advocacy for a playoff without conducting due diligence is unfounded for this reason:

All conferences should either have or disband a championship game. The Bowl Championship Series does not mandate this because currently neither the PAC-10, Big East, nor Big Ten have them. Eliminating the championship game removes the corporate interests currently involved in college sports. You must sell advertising, accommodations essentially everything but the game which is ludicrous because it is the reason behind the playoffs. Some conferences such as the ACC openly admit that if not for the corporate interests, it would not have created a championship game. The conference plans to move its championship game from Jacksonville, Florida to Charlotte because of decreased revenue. Furthermore, no coach would want to play one more game thereby increasing injury to his players.

He should conduct more due diligence before merely speculating that it is the BCS is the Big Ten’s doing especially since there are other conference participants like the SEC, ACC, Big XII, Big East and the PAC-10 that benefit from this system. Mr. Wetzel’s sticks it to the Big Ten rather than the PAC-10 because of the pull of Hollywood. It is easier to battle Midwesterners than powerful entertainment people and if Mr. Wetzel wants to keep his sports entertainment job with Yahoo then he knows who not to upset. In order to have a playoff system all of the big leagues must decide on a uniform code but none would do that proclaiming competitive advantage or rather that’s what make our conference unique. Finally, they would point to the fact that pre-BCS, college football awarded #1 without a playoff system. Though I understand why Mr. Wetzel feels this way especially during this topsy-turvy season without unbiased due diligence, this wayward cry is baseless.