A Grand Occasion

I'm probably on my return from Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend a good friend’s wedding Friday evening.  I don’t attend weddings often for I generally think these types of celebrations tend to get a bit over the top, especially when the adult beverages are involved, but I really looked forward to attending this wedding due to the folks I know in it, and the relationships I have with their families.

I do have to say that my travels to Ann Arbor were both cost-effective, but also arduous.   It started at 10 pm Wednesday night when I walked from Straitgate Church to the Metrodome, a good 20 block walk in the middle of the night.  Then I completed an 8-hour overnight bus trip from Minneapolis to Chicago, where apparently every passenger had two seats for themselves except me.  To say the least, the night wasn’t as restful as I was hoping.  I completed the trip with a 4.5 hour train ride from Chicago to Ann Arbor, which was needed since I was able to get much more leg room that these trains provide.

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University

Union Station

Amtrak seat view

Once I arrived in Ann Arbor on Thursday afternoon.  I made my way from the train station to Zingerman's deli and had a sandwich that certainly haven't meant my dietary restrictions the past six months.  I then made my way to the Michigan Union to eat my sandwich and run some errands via my computer.  At around 5 pm, I went and visited the Ross School of Business to see where I could have attended if I was more serious about attending a full-time MBA program (I earned my MBA through a part-time program).  I have to say, I did miss out on a few things building-wise.

Michigan Union

Ross School of Business

A view above the Atrium - Ross School of Business

Auditorium - Ross School of Business

The wedding itself?  It was a well-run programs with great music and great testimony.  I didn't take pictures of that, but I'm sure that other blogs will have pictures in the coming week or so.  (Yes, I'm a free-rider).

I have to say that I’m sincerely glad that I’m not part of the wedding in any way since every time that I do so it usually doesn’t end well.  There are two times when I was part of a wedding program.  The last time was as an usher during a hot July day.  I have to say I both nearly fainted due to the heat and I also missed my cue in rolling out the red carpet before the bride.  Obviously, that didn’t reflect well on me. 

The first time, however, was quite a telling story.  As a young lad I was a ring bearer for a wedding.  All I needed to do is the carry the rings down the aisle.  Well, I don’t recall every moment of this event, but I’ve been reminded about the details multiple times.  When I walked down the aisle with the rings, I made it halfway down the aisle when I suddenly threw the rings up in the air and ran out of the church screaming and crying.  While the crowd was a bit stunned, my father was apparently laughing quite loudly.   Perhaps I’ve been afraid of commitment ever since, who knows?

However, I’m sincerely glad to have been in Ann Arbor these days to attend this event.  I am fully confident that the Almighty caused these two folks to have this day and that’s news that I’m utterly glad to know.  I'm also glad that all the parents were able to physically witness this event.  What a great blessing indeed! 

New Poll

The poll has closed and the votes have clearly stated what the name of my autobiography should be:  The Wong Way.  I don't know what to make of the electorate's decision.  Does it mean that I do things in my own way and that's laudable?  Does it mean I've continued to be a bumbler all my life in how I conduct myself?  Or is it a mix of the two extremes?  I've also acknowledge that I have heard of other titles that I should have considered such as "I was Wong" (I think I'm still Wong).    Whatever the rationale,  I thank you all for your consideration.  You voted as you voted and I assume you mean what you voted.  It is what it is.

So on to the new poll.  The question is simple, yet the means are unique for this blog.

Question:  If you had to match my personality with an automobile, what would it be?

I thought of a small, but broad, range of choices:

Answer #1: Hummer H2;  this gas-guzzler symbolizes aggressiveness, vanity and narcissism.

Answer #2: Bentley; this very expensive vehicle ($300K plus each) symbolizes one that is ostentatious about affluence.

Answer #3: Honda Civic; this sedan symbolizes those who emphasize frugal practicality and intelligence that is simply focused on getting the job done without fame.

Answer #4: Toyota Prius; this gas efficient hybrid symbolizes intellectual elitism but also is commitment to long-term consistency.

Answer #5: Dodge Caravan; a cargo vehicle symbolizes lack of "coolness" and a commitment to others.

So there are your options.  Please vote now.

Head Slapper of the Week

As many of you know, I have gone to great lengths to improve my health.  I have changed my dietary and exercise habits (thanks to Medifast) and have lost over 45 pounds and significantly improved my numbers.  But I do know many love the foods that would not help their diet in regards to their long-term health, particularly bacon.  Sing it!!

It's just my myopic opinion, but these are the times I'm glad I'm not ordering the Baconator anymore!! 
 

It's a Small Circle and Odd Ends

I was reading the National Review recently and I found out about Paul Ryan's inner circle.  As I read, I saw a name of an individual that I'm familiar with from my past.  This man is a Carleton grad, economics major and was very gracious to me while I was out in for my ten months there.  He was my key to the West Wing.  He also receives this blog as well!!  It's a small, small circle we live in I say.

Who is it?  Well, I won't say here but I think many of you can figure it out.  Here's the link:

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/314247/paul-ryan-s-circle-robert-costa

Update:  I just recalled an interesting story that this individual told me during our first conversation.  He told me about his first week at Carleton when he just arrived from Bayfield, WI.  He found out that his roommate was from Chicago.  One day, he was coming back from a walk from downtown Northfield, MN when he met his roommate.  The first think this individual said was how cool it was to see a hardware store in town since he never saw one in Bayfield. The Chicago native, to say the least, was a bit perplexed.   Just demonstrates how life experiences can really differ.

Also, what's all these stories regarding Paul Ryan's relative appearance in regards to the opposite sex.  I was recently passed along this photo:



Back to campaigning, please!!

Interesting Readers

Through my Blogger analytics tools I can track where folks are reading my blog.  I find it interesting that I have readers not only in the US and Canada, but in countries such as the UK, Russia, Germany and Thailand.  However, I rarely hear how these folks overseas are doing.  But recently I learned of such a case.  

An colleague of mine, Kirk Herbertson, from our days as students in the Carleton economics program is currently living in Thailand as an NGO advocate.  I recently chatted with him recently and learned that he was on the BBC.  Check out the video on this page.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18700473

Interesting Life, Interesting Folks, Interesting Times.

Olympic Wrap Up

So the Olympics are over and everyone can now go on with their everyday lives.  As you know, I have provided my myopic opinions regarding the Olympics a couple times.  However, now that the events are over and the medals awarded, I thought this would be a good way to give a small dose of what I do in my work as an analyst for Best Buy.  

Let's start by taking a look at the final medal count for the 2012 Olympics in London.

So at first glance, it looks like the United States clearly had the most successful Olympic games since they won the most medals, with far more medals than China and Russia.  However, as former college football coach and TV football commentator Lee Corso would say:

Let us start by taking a look at how many athletes participated  in the Olympics by country.

Now we start seeing a story develop.  While the USA won the most medals (104) in the Olympics, 16 more medals than China and 22 more than Russia, the USA had 155 more athletes than China competing in the Olympics.  So we we do some simple number crunching on the proportion of medal winning athletes each country had in London, we literally get a different picture.

So did the USA clearly win the 2012 Olympics?  Well, as an economist and data analyst I would say, it depends.  The USA had the most successful Olympiad in the absolute number of medals won.  However, in regards to relative success based on the number of athletes competing, China had the most successful Olympiad.  Welcome to the world of analytics.

As a final note, I received this picture regarding future Olympic games.

You can only guess what my reaction was to this thought.

Quick Paul Ryan Take

Over the weekend, I've been asked to provide my reaction to Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan for his running mate.  Well, I just have a couple thoughts.

First, for a man who is campaigning as an outside the Beltway candidate, I find it curious that Governor Romney selects a man with no private sector experience to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.  Rep. Ryan has as much private sector experience as the President, which appears to contradict a central criticism many have of the President of having no private sector experience.  

As one who has both educational credentials (Masters of Public Policy) and professional experience (6 years consulting government agencies) as a policy wonk,  I am intrigued that Rep. Ryan is on the ticket since he is perhaps the most noted policy wonk in the Beltway.  However, he is not well known outside the Beltway.  So name ID will be an issue outside the GOP base.  Additionally, the policies he has crafted, mainly through his work as Chairman of the House Budget Committee, are so idiosyncratic in the concepts, not the details, that they can be easily blurred by his opponents.  Currently, Rep. Ryan's proposal to offer a premium support program in Medicare for those under 55 is easily obfuscated by his opponents as fundamentally destroying the program for seniors by the idea that Medicare will change.  I'll be interested how the Romney/Ryan ticket will combat that charge.  As a reader of this blog says who has experience in these matters, Romney appears to be "leading with his chin" on this one.

Third, while many conservatives are excited by this pick because they want a debate on the need for fiscal discipline,  I find it hard to believe that Rep. Ryan is best spokesman's on the issue based on his past experience as a politician.  Recall in this time where Ryan proposed a budget that hopes to bring the budget into balance in 2050 through program re-design and spending cuts that this is the same man who voted for bailouts of financial firms, auto companies as well as expanding Medicare itself.  At a church I attend in town we have a song for that… Hippocritter..

So in the end, while I am intrigued by Romney's pick and think it will excite the base to a large extent, I would rather have had Romney choose a Governor such as a Bobby Jindal (my preference) or Bob McDonnell who has executive experience outside of Washington than an inside Washington policy wonk with little name recognition outside the political junkie crowd.  In short, I find myself in this position when thinking about Mitt's decision.

Head Slapper of the Week

In this time where it seems everything from BMX biking to synchronized dancing is an Olympic sport, I have found one activity that is not…. yet.

In New York this week the National Texting Championships were held.  Austin Wierschke, a 17 year old from Wisconsin (insert your own commentary here) won the $50K check as the National Texting Champion…for the second time.

Some skills are better left unheralded.   

SPCO and Local Development

Yesterday I received my season pass to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO). For 5 bucks a month, I have access to as many concerts as I want throughout the season.  This season the SPCO is performing multiple productions of Beethoven and Vivaldi's Four Seasons, so I thought this would be a good deal.

However, over the past couple months the SPCO and its musicians are embroiled in a difficult negotiation that threatens the start of the season.  The musicians are considered full-time, even though the season is 10 months long.  According to the StarTrib, the situation is as follows:

"For five decades, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has touted itself as the only full-time chamber orchestra in the United States -- a prestigious ensemble noted for its international touring, recordings and Grammy Awards.

But in tough labor talks that seek $1.5 million in annual savings, the SPCO is reconsidering whether it can keep its musicians at full-time.

Details of the negotiations, which began in April, have dribbled out and reveal far-reaching proposals to trim the SPCO's annual expenses, which totaled $10.9 million last year. The board's initial proposal called for reducing guaranteed workweeks for most musicians to 20 weeks per year, and in some cases to 15 weeks per year.

Facing declining revenue and flat attendance, the Minnesota Orchestra is going through similar negotiations with its musicians this summer. That organization reported a $2.9 million deficit last fiscal year and is embarking on a $50 million building project."

I was thinking that these skilled musicians deserve to be paid well due to their high amount of skill and they were perhaps being paid $40K a year for their work.  Well, according to the StarTrib, I was wrong.

When musicians signed a five-year deal in June 2007, they were promised that minimum annual salaries would increase to $78,223 by now. Recessionary pressure, reductions in contributed income and foundation money forced concessions that reduced those numbers significantly. According to the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, the SPCO minimum was $66,700 for a 37-week season.

Under the current management offer, a comparable figure would be about $56,000 -- based on 35 weeks at a $1,600 weekly minimum. A significant part of the discrepancy results from a management proposal to eliminate pay during the off-season.

This news changed my perspective a great deal.  If one can receive a $56K salary for 10 months of work in this economy, it's a good deal.  There are many lawyers in town that would like a $56K salary, let me tell ya.  If the musicians reject such an offer, I will be very disappointed.

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I took a small walk around my condo this evening to take a look at the significant construction going on in the surrounding blocks.    Around the building, there is a light rail stop, an apartment building, a Lunds grocery store and a city park being developed within a 1 block radius of the condo building.  So I decided to take a few pictures.

Here's a picture of the future light rail stop on Cedar and 10th in Saint Paul:

Here's a sign noting the half block city park being built, Pedro Park.

Here's the apartment building, the Penfield, being built across the street from me.  It'll be a 250 unit building.

Here's the side of the Penfield where the Lund's grocery story will be built.  The first commercial grocery store in downtown Saint Paul.

With all this development, will it help the value of my residence?

All we can say is stay tuned.

Quick Memories and Mitt Take

Last night I was perusing on the alma mater’s website, Carleton College, seeing if there are any local events in the Twin Cities area that could remotely interest me.  While on the website, I learned that there are archived versions of the school newspaper, the Carletonian, posted on the site through a searchable database engine.  Back when I was a student, I was frequent contributor to Carletonian speaking on issues ranging from affirmative action to environmental issues.  So I decided to search my name in the database and it returned multiple items of my past columns to multiple professors responding to my columns making the case of the utter myopia of my views.  It was a fun thing to examine.  However, the one thing that I was most intrigued by is that I was such a hot topic in the Carleton media that I became a subject of a cartoon “Robot of the Week.”  It was obviously a political cartoon.

The text was so small that I thought I should zoom in and investigate.

Well, who is that familiar looking guy in the middle with the short hair and eyeglasses stating “Ha! Ha! Ha!  The earth’s old.  It can take it.  Ha! Ha! Ha!?”  Why is the MPIRG (Minnesota Public Interest Research Group) robot trying to cut his neck off?  Hmm.  

Oh, the good ol’ days.

I guess I should provide my Mitt Romney take.  While I have previously noted my skepticism of his candidacy, I have to say I have been impressed by his campaign’s discipline considering his political past.  While there have been occasional instances of his capricious instincts taking over (his Olympic security comments stating reports were “disconcerting” and then saying London is “absolutely ready” a day later the latest instance), I have been impressed by his campaign’s discipline thus far.  It’s also obvious what his strategy is to me.

• Until mid-August, raise as much money as he can and spend only as much as needed to not be defined by the President.
• In mid-August, increase interest in the campaign through the VP announcement and rollout tour.  During the rollout, start stating some “big ideas” to build contrasts with the President.
• Announce broad and specific themes during the GOP convention to bring about party unity and crystalize signature ideas that folks can relate.
• With the money advantage he may have with the President, spend the last month of the campaign pounding the President with ads and building grassroots get-out-the-vote infrastructure for Election Day.  

I know of folks, including me, that have been frustrated that Romney hasn’t produced specific ideas to contrast himself with the President, but I can see why he hasn’t.  If he released his specifics now, they either become old news in a couple weeks and/or they will provide fodder for the opposition to poke holes.  Thus, by keeping the race close and holding his big rollout of ideas until another week from now, Romney is betting on shortening the campaign is his best chance at beating an incumbent President.

Will it work?  I have my doubts, but we shall see.

Head Slapper of the Week

The Olympic Games are a week about halfway over and I thought I would take this time to have one last Olympics-related post for at least the next two years.  Well, I incidentally ran into video of a promotional stunt of London Mayor Boris Johnson (a Tory for those who need to know) for the Olympic games.  Johnson was trying to celebrate the United Kingdom's first Olympic gold medal by swinging on a zipline 20 feet in the air waiving British Union Jacks.  Well, as you can see the stunt did not go as planned.

Perhaps symbolic of the European fiscal state in general: stuck in neutral?

Bits and Olympic Musings

I like to start out by saying that I appreciate your comments to my last post.  Not that I have protested about a “lurker problem” like some bloggers do, but I appreciate that folks acknowledge their appreciation that I have something interesting to say.   Keep the comments and questions coming.

A few of the comments stated that I do not post enough photos on the blog.  I will say that I do post photos on this blog, but not every blog since I am not much of a picture taker.  Like my mother says, I’m a pretty boring guy in many ways in that my hobbies are pretty limited.  When I think about it, do I have a natural hobby?  I’ll have to think about that.

Oh, I do recall that one commenter talked about a portrait of me.  There is actually one out there, hanging in my living room.  Here’s a photo of it:

I don’t know how close a resemblance to me this is.  But hey, I’ve become much older since I was 17 years old.

I know many are watching and following the Olympic games.  Outside of background pictures in the office (it’s streaming on a large plasma screen near my cube), I have not been following the Olympics much at all.  In fact, I’m of the myopic opinion that much of the Olympics are truly a government-sponsored public works and community-organizing project.  Just think about all the billions of dollars different Olympic sites have spent to build up Olympic physical and intangible infrastructure as well as security.  Here’s a list of the amount of public funding for the current and past Olympic games:

-       London: $10 billion

-       Vancouver: $2 billion

-       Beijing: $40 billion

-       Turin, Italy: $1.6 billion

-       Athens: $15 billion

-       Salt Lake City: $2 billion

All I say is that is a whole lot of money for about two weeks of sporting events.  Does the spending bring in enough tourism and economic activity to justify this spending?  I would say more likely no.  I’ve seen multiple pictures of some of the abandoned buildings post-Olympics, particularly from Athens and Bejing.

Bejing Track after 2008 Olympics

Panathinaiko Stadium after the 2004 Olympics

    

The "Bird's Nest" in Bejing since the 2008 games

So while I appreciate the competition of the Olympics, I’m also well aware that it’s quite the spendthrift operation that many “fiscal conservatives” often ignore.

I’ll hold back on my Mitt Romney commentary till next time.  Until then, keep the comments coming.