Things I've Noticed

Quick Quote on Thanksgiving

"Thanksgiving is more like Anti-turkey Day."

+ Atul

Thoughts on the Financial Crisis One Year Later

It has been about a year since our world underwent a huge financial crisis and it has been a stressful yet valuable time. We’ve learned what makes people tick, how greedy people can be, how stupid they can be, and how we sometimes have to help people who didn’t necessarily deserve it for the sake of the rest of us. What’s ironic is that people who spent a lot or too much on “stuff” ended up often doing better. Stuff, (except real estate), didn’t really go down in value. And then people who bought this “stuff” on credit and went bankrupt were able to keep it for free. On the other hand, those of us who did “the right thing” and invested like good soldiers, were hit hard. Those who possessed things still had them, while values of our investments, (just ink on paper), vanished. It was very disheartening. Some of these losses have been recovered, but not fully. And many of us panicked by making stupid financial moves in case things would never be the same again. People who bought more than they could afford will be forgiven of some of their debt. Those who foreclose or file for bankruptcy received a discount at the expense of the government and the banks, (many of whom deserve it). But we had to help them out or we would have gone into a deeper crisis. Few people want to buy a house next to a foreclosed house, and they certainly won’t pay as much for one if they do. It’s also funny how the Chinese finance so much of our debt to buy all the stuff they manufacture for us, but if we never pay back our obligations, we’ll have the last laugh, (and the cheap stuff we bought from their factories).

Job losses have been staggering as employees have been treated more like numbers than at any other time in history. Apparently, some companies think work can get done without people. Well, at least they think they can squeeze every last drop of efficiency out of those who are still employed. When the market turns around and the pendulum swings the other way, employees will take advantage of the situation. Turnabout is fair play.

As far as consumption goes, this economic crisis has taught me that although it’s good to invest, remember to also buy the things you can cherish or hold onto, whether they are experiences or objects that mean a lot to you. And diversify like crazy, not just in the U.S., not just in stocks and bonds, but in commodities, foreign companies and other areas you might not have thought of before. And don’t get greedy. Nothing goes up forever so cash in as you need to as you get older. Nothing goes up forever! What’s great about saving money when times are good is that it allows you to buy and spend during economic downturns when the deals are great and nobody else is buying.

It appears that we’ve avoided a depression, (and I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet), but we should never forget the lessons we can take away from this last year of economic mayhem.

+ Atul

Quick Quote on Cleveland Sports 2

"For Cleveland fans, instead of saying, 'There's always next year,' we've started saying, 'There's always never.'"

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Fortuitous Domain Naming - The Noticer and Andy Andrews

A while ago, I had bought the rights to the domain name thenoticer.com because I was considering changing the name of my blog to "The Noticer", (that would be me).  Then I decided against it temporarily, but held on to the domain name.  As good fortune would have it, motivational/inspirational writer/speaker Andy Andrews happened to decide to name his latest book The Noticer.  I had never heard of him but he is a New York Times Best-Selling Author who has also been on PBS.  The nice folks at the publishing company contacted me to see if I wanted to sell the domain, but I thought it would be best to hold onto it and leverage their referral program to help fund my web operations.

I should also mention that the company gave me a copy of every book, (signed by Andy Andrews), CD, and DVD that he has published.  That was really nice of them.  I'm almost done with The Traveler's Gift which is hard to put down due to its mix of poetic language and life lessons.

What's also interesting is that Andy Andrews has started a site called "The Noticer Project", (thenoticerproject.com), which allows people to write notes to the five most influential people in their lives. Those notes will be delivered in the regular postal mail and published on the The Noticer Project website.  If you're interested in buying some of Andy's books or multimedia materials, please click on the ad to the right to buy them.

+ Atul
(The Original Noticer)

Things Nobody Tells You That You Should Know Before You Go to Europe

I just came back from Germany for the second time and I've noticed a lot of minor things that make travel less enjoyable and some things that make traveling there better than home (for us Americans).  I wrote a post about Rome when I went there a little over a year ago and I've been to France since then, so I'm basing this post on a mixture of European, but mostly German experiences.   So I apologize if some of what I mention doesn't apply to most of Europe.  Anyway, in case you haven't been there, here's some advice nobody tells you (but that you should know), before you go to Europe…

Pack the following things
- International Electric Adapter: Their plugs are way different than ours and without an adapter, you won't be able to plug in anything electric that you take over from here.
- Shampoo and Bar Soap: Europeans like this all-purpose hand & body soap/shampoo in dispensers which is good for the environment but not that great on your hair, (and you don't get extra travel sized containers to take with you)
- Travel Iron: hotel rooms don't each have irons and boards, you have to borrow one from the front desk and that can only happen in the morning when housekeeping is in
- Alarm Clock:  Whether you use a travel alarm clock, your phone, or your watch, keep one handy because many European hotels don't have alarm clocks, although sometimes they're built in to the TV.
- Euros: many places don't take credit cards, so use an ATM to get Euros out whenever you can.

At a minimum, learn how to say these phrases in the native language(s)
- Hello and goodbye
- Good morning, good day, good evening
- I would like… please… thank you
- Where is… and more specifically, Where is the bathroom?
- The numbers
- Can I please have the check: the Europeans wait staff are rarely in a hurry
- How to ask if a menu item has something you don't like or won't eat

Peculiarities
- Ground floor is floor "0", the U.S. second floor is "1"
- Many escalators don't start moving until you approach them, (motion sensor)
- Stuff is just plain expensive, especially clothes.  Even some European things are sometimes cheaper to buy in the U.S.
- You can't get a glass of tap water anywhere, have to buy a bottled water, with or without "gas" (carbonation)
- If you rent a car, most of them have manual transmissions because that's what 95% of Europeans drive
- The switch to the bathroom light is often outside of the bathroom which makes one highly vulnerable to pranks
- They play a lot of American music on some of their radio stations
- You need Euro change to use some public bathrooms
- The hotels there do not have gyms, so with all the good food, beer, and wine, walk a lot or expect to gain some weight.

Good things
- The food just tastes more wholesome (and probably is)
- Breakfast buffets are amazing
- You usually don't have to bus your table at a cafeteria style place
- Coffee is way better, especially in Italy
- Beer and wine are generally better
- The bread and cheese are better
- Sweets are not over-sweetened like in the U.S. and they probably don't use corn syrup
- You don't have to tip nearly as much, not sure how much though
- They really like soccer
- More variety of cars to look at
- You get to drive fast on the highways
- Most people usually know at least a bit of English
- They sell cooler toys
- People are thinner
- People take time out to eat and don't work while eating
- On the business side, customers treat you like guests will usually buy you lunch, coffee, water

+ Atul

Goofy American Money and State License Plates Run Amok

For some reason, after all of this financial crisis, American money is gaining strength relative to other currencies. Even before the US Treasury started printing money like crazy to fuel the TARP fund, they had started to make incremental changes to the way the currency looks. Apparently this is being done to make the money less susceptible to counterfeiting. But, the mish-mash of changes have made the cash start to look ridiculous. Purple sans serif fonts combined with green traditional old-fashioned numbers with eagles everywhere and red areas blended in. The overall visual look is a mess and the colors and fonts don’t match. In fact, the changed font is very similar to the Canadian currency font. We can’t have that. By the time the U.S. Mint is done making these “improvements”, the money will end up becoming nearly worthless anyway from all this debt our government is in. I can only think that the cosmetic effect of the changes will only hasten the decline.

In the same vein as money, I have been noticing for a while all the new license plate designs that are out there. The designs are often not very aesthetically pleasing, probably because some state official’s child or friend always ends up “winning” the plate design contest. I remember the good old days when each state or province had one license plate design. They were usually plain and simple with unique colors, with simple fonts, and maybe a motto thrown on. Now, you can barely read the state name because the script gets too fancy to be legible. Growing up in Ohio, it was easy to spot a crazy Blue Plate Special, (read Michigan), driver weaving between cars without using turn signals. But now, each state uses plates as a revenue generator and that requires a wider variety of plate designs. I’m sure that there are states with over 20 designs available. I do like the fact that each car owner can display her or his loyalties and affinities by choosing a certain license plate, and many of the plates support worthy causes with the extra fees. But aren’t plates supposed to help us identify from afar the vehicle license plate number and the state it’s from? Now it has become nearly impossible. I feel sorry for the police… but then, maybe I don’t.

Barack Obama: The Beginning of A Monumental New Presidential and Cultural Reality

It is here. It has been more than two months since the historic day when we elected our first African-American president. And now the time has come for the most glorified and needed leader in modern history to take the reigns of the most powerful nation on earth. This event has me excited, hopeful, and cautious all at the same time. I was ecstatic on election night and almost couldn't believe the result after eight years of presidential hell with Bush/Cheney (or should it be Cheney/Bush?). We have elected a leader who we can respect and look forward to. But I worry that the problems of our country and our world are so serious that we may be putting too much faith in Obama as a miracle leader. We should not forget that he is only human. Obama, (although confident), understands better than many of his supporters do, that he needs help from experienced, knowledgeable advisers.

Obama's election was so much more than just the election of a minority candidate in a major country. Three years ago, I said while watching the TV show "24" (which had a black U.S. president,) that it would be 10 years before we had a black president in reality. I've never been so glad to be wrong. Much of the success of the candidacy was Barack himself and the "Yes We Can" message.  Not in a long time have we had a leader with the ability to move his audience to tears. His eloquence and charisma are sometimes hard to believe. As Obama spoke to accept his nomination, I watched celebrities like Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey choke up and journalists in tears.  I find his genuineness and intelligence as his best attributes, but I too was moved by his convention speech.  People of all races, ethnicity, and education levels came together. By being "different", Obama was able to transcend our differences and bring us together. We are all Americans regardless of our background.  Just his unusual name provides added comfort for those of us with non-mainstream names. More importantly, Obama has been able to gather the support even a large portion of those who voted against him and differ from him philosophically.

Obama's election was a product of a well-run campaign team including David Plough and David Axelrod, one that took advantage of many marketing tactics, (which warms this marketer's heart). These included grassroots efforts, internet sites for small private donations, social networking, and a consistent message. But it was the man behind the message, a calm, intelligent leader who kept the ship sailing in the right direction. He never wavered and he stood up to attacks against him and his ideals. It's ironic that in a way, we owe Obama's inauguration to the failed policies of the Bush administration. Bush opened the door for a presidential candidate from the Democratic party. Even people who might have otherwise factored race into their vote decided that we really did need competence and change no matter what the color of the candidate.

His presidency has a broad impact beyond politics. It has instilled hope in countless minority individuals that our country is more open-minded than we may have thought. It has helped undo some of the damage from the xenophobic prejudice that arose after 9/11.  And it means so much to our elder African Americans who withstood so much hatred and mistreatment generations after their ancestors were enslaved. Even if a significant minority of our people is not race neutral, at least we know that those who look past color and ethnicity are the majority. This should make us feel even more proud to be Americans. Despite all our problems and shortcomings, we have become a model nation in a way. Many other so-called progressive countries will not elect non-mainstream ethnic candidates for decades to come. We are fortunate that we have this diversity to begin with, and we are now stronger for being more accepting of it.

But an Obama presidency will not instantly solve all of our problems including wars, the environment, and the economy. There is much to be done and there are no easy answers. Obama is not a king or a dictator who can control every political move.  Even if he could, he does not own the answer key to the test this nation is under. He will need the help of Congress but politics as usual will most likely rear its head.  Additionally, Obama is not perfect. Given all the weight that has been placed on his shoulders, he may encounter some failures, ones that should not weaken our support for him. Given the circumstances, we will have to sacrifice in ways that Americans are not used to. For those of us alive today, like no other time in the history of our nation, we need to remember that we're all in the same boat. "Yes we can" will only ring true if we all truly try.

I wasn't alive when John F. Kennedy entered the Oval Office, but today will be a great day in my life, one that I will hopefully be able to tell my grandchildren about. I wish my father was around to see this as it was his political views and upbringing that have led me to develop the political beliefs I have, the ones that are so well represented by Obama.  Nevertheless, I and millions of others will watch and gain hope and renewed strength to do our part to help our country become great again.

+ Atul

Happy Holidays and "Non-Christian Indian-American Christmas"

I've been in Cleveland, busy with family, shopping, and eating.  We had a 65 degree day two days ago.  It was amazing.  Anyway, Santa brought me some cool stuff and I subsidized Santa a lot too.  I've officially designated the third day after Christmas as "Non-Christian Indian-American Christmas".  It's great because you get to buy presents while others are making returns and you get to take advantage of all the sales.  Most Indians like good deals and bargains, so it all works out well.  Procrastination for Christmas shopping becomes less of an issue because you get a few extra days to buy presents.  Plus, you can see what others didn't get for Christmas from friends who celebrate on Christmas day.  Then you can save the day and get them what they really wanted.  Instead of being a Secret Santa, you can be a Savior Santa, (not to be confused with Jesus Christ).  I suppose non-Christians who are not of Indian descent could also join in, but I don't know enough non-Christian non-Indians to spread the idea well.

Well, it's time to drink some late-night tea.  Look for a real post after the new year, 2009.  I have some great resolutions planned out that I'm just itching to break.

+ Atul 

The U.S. Government Must Provide Loans to Assure The Survival of GM, Ford, and Chrysler

We’ve heard a lot of news from the press lately about the dire situation the American automobile industry is in. In part due to the “financial hurricane” that the credit crisis has created, the Detroit 3, (D3), including GM, Ford, and Chrysler are on the brink of going bankrupt or closing up completely. As a former GM employee who loves cars, and cares for Detroit, my friends who work in the auto industry and our whole country, I believe that the government must provide loans to the Detroit 3. Blame can be laid on many things but a negative spin about the Detroit 3 has gotten out of control to the point that people have a grudge beyond reason, one that could lead to our government making a horrible decision. I don’t mean to dismiss mistakes of management and the possibly unreasonable demands of the unions up to this point, but the issue is not who we should punish but what we should do now to prevent a catastrophe.

I’ve written on countless numbers of website comment sections and based on what I’ve written, I want to address all the claims others have made as to why they think the Detroit 3 shouldn’t get support in the form of a loan, (not a bail-out). Please don’t quote me on the exact numbers as these are estimates, but read this with the understanding that I do know a lot about the auto industry from experience and interest. Feel free to research some of my general figures.

Here are claims and suggestions listed, with bullets beneath them addressing why the suggestions aren’t feasible, the claims are overstatements or just aren’t true.

The Detroit 3 don’t make cars that people want to buy:
- Ford, Chrysler and GM sell nearly half the vehicles purchased in our country. 50% of the customers are not nobody, and many of these customers are loyal repeat ones.
- The Detroit 3 had fewer competitors in the 70's than they do now, so some market share attrition is bound to occur by virtue of there being more choice.
- GM sells the most mid-sized cars of any manufacturer, but they are spread out amongst many models with different styles but the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry get all the credit for their manufacturers

The D3 only make gas guzzlers and SUV’s:
- They did profit from the SUV craze but so did/do all the other competitors. Consumers tended to equate value with size and the D3 couldn’t get its typical consumer to buy small cars at prices that would be profitable.
- Admittedly, they should have started making hybrids earlier but that’s a small slice of the market. - For the segments that sell the most, American car company vehicles are amongst the most fuel efficient in their segments such as the Chevy Malibu, Saturn AURA and Ford Focus...
http://www.freep.com/article/20081117/COL14/811170379

The quality of vehicles from the Detroit 3 is not nearly as good as that of the Asian and Europeans:
- The quality gap has narrowed significantly and in some cases, D3 products have better quality than Toyota and Honda, (Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion are prime examples in JD Powers studies.) http://www.freep.com/article/20081117/COL14/811170379
- Toyota recalled more vehicles last year than GM did http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6495664/the-general-forum/recall-numbers-for-2007-honda-toyota-numbers-highe/index.html

If the Detroit 3 go under, the import competitors will just sell more cars and provide just as many jobs:
- The Detroit 3 employ far more people in our country than foreign-based companies. It’s not just at plants but at headquarters white collar professional, engineering and technical jobs.
- If any one of the D3 go under, then many suppliers will go bankrupt leading to more job losses and parts will stop flowing to the Toyota, BMW, Honda plants here. That would lead to (at least temporary) layoffs at the transplant company plants.
- No other company is going to take up slack in our industrial base by starting a large, new auto manufacturing company as the major investment, expertise, low profitability, and economy would be inhibitors. Small companies like Tesla and Fisker will take tens of years to become mass market manufacturers, (assuming they succeed).

Quick Ten List #1 - I'm a PC and... Responses

I was back at my house in the Detroit area and my friend/tenant and I came up with some great Microsoft "I'm a PC and..." responses.  I haven't really felt like videotaping myself so I thought I'd write them on my blog instead.  Here are the ones that I feel are TIN-worthy...

I'm a PC ...

1. ... and I'm all about the music... man
2. ... but I don't freeze up
3. ... and I have high cholesterol
4. ... and I program your software
5. ... and I hate washing dishes
6. ... and I like dropping my laptop
7. ... and I like big butts and I cannot lie
8. ... and I'm not a plumber... and my name's not Joe
9. ... and I like to do the moonwalk
10. ... and Bill Gates is my hero

+ Atul