elegation's posterous - Filed under '2009'

March 15, 2009

This American Life Explains the Financial Crisis in 59 Minutes [Money]

Excellent program. I finally got around to listening to it, and now subscribed to the "Planet Money" blog. The authors help put in plain language the current financial situation.

This American Life Explains the Financial Crisis in 59 Minutes [Money]

via Lifehacker by Adam Pash on 3/6/09

NPR radio show This American Life tackled the financial crisis last weekend, explaining the collapse of the banking system in 59 compelling minutes. Photo by wwarby.

For instance, when we talk about an insolvent bank, what does it actually mean, and why are we giving hundreds of billions of dollars to rich bankers who screwed up their own businesses?

If you've got the time to put on your headphones and listen while you finish out the work week, it's a good listen.

Bad Bank [This American Life via Open Culture]

Filed under // 2009 banking crisis economics financial NPR this american life

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February 4, 2009

George Carlin, TED 2009: Inspiration and entertainment 2/4/09

1. PBS Showed George Carlin winning the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize today :

"The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize celebrates the life and humor of the late comedian George Carlin who passed away at age 71 on June 22, 2008. The announcement of Carlin's receiving the Mark Twain Prize was made a week before the comedian's passing. Carlin was delighted with the honor, and was looking forward to attending the ceremony. The award was presented posthumously for the first time in its eleven years.

The program airs, Wednesday, February 4 at 9P.M. ET on PBS stations nationwide. Taped at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on November 10, the 90-minute special features tributes and comic testimonials from a star-studded cast of Carlin's friends and colleagues including leading American entertainers Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Garry Shandling, Lily Tomlin, Denis Leary, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, Richard Belzer and Margaret Cho. The program which recognizes the life and achievements of the beloved comedian, includes an assortment of classic film clips from Carlin's career. "

Most of his work was before my time, but he was quite talented and unique. I really enjoyed the program.

2. TED 2009 is going on right now, and has some inspiring ideas.

Seth Godin , Al Gore , Bill Gates are a few of today's speakers.

Filed under // 2009 george carlin TED video

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January 25, 2009

Obama: "The time has come to set aside childish things."

I have a gift certificate at Target left over from Christmas. I went to Target yesterday strolling through the Wii games, DVDs, CDs, organization, and office supplies. I was noting the latest WII games , and contemplating buying a new one for myself. I was thinking about guitar hero or animal crossing. Suddenly I flashed back to the inauguration last Tuesday, and Obama's speech.

"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

His speech has been haunting me since Tuesday .

I left the electronic aisle and went to the book section. Rick Warren, Warren Buffet, thumbing through their books it seemed like they were from a different era. No longer relevant. I had resigned myself to thinking that the only relevant material would be on the web. But then an entire display dedicated to the Obama's caught my eye. I had read his second book, The Audacity of Hope when it came out in 2006. It resonated with me and my views of the world.

Anyway, I bought his first book, Dreams from My Father , originally published in 1995. I have been unable to put it down since.

Filed under // 2009 dreams from my father inauguration Obama target wii

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January 25, 2009

GTD 2009: Organizing with Goodwill Purchases

The economic downturn has got me in the spirit of shopping at goodwill . I went over the weekend with the purpose of finding a pen-holder. I found this vintage coffee holder (see photo) and immediately fell in love.

I also found a cabinet at good will for $30, officemax and office depot would charge more than $100 for a similar piece of office equipment.

Another note: I am still in the process of transitioning to my 2009 calendar . I tried switching to an online/electronic as well as a briefcase sized calendar. However the tried and true pocket calendar is portable, and functions as a quick capture device.

Via Lifehacker , I found this video clip of David Allen (of GTD fame) got me motivated to clean my own office and implement my recent purchases.