NYU 2005: Stefani Germonatta Before She Became Lady Gaga

She was terrific even before the dance moves and blonde hair.  Watch to the end – even the judges agreed.

Palin’s Going Rogue

The book tour is on and the book is out on November 17. Sarah Palin is on a big bus driving around the country in what looks to be campaign mode. More soon.

Rush and Sarah – What’s Up?

Weird pairing. I’m wondering if he’s taking her on as a project. After leaving her post as Alaska’s Governor in mid-responsibility (come on, Sarah – we all like duck, lame or otherwise) she’s off to parts unknown. Will the Fox network hire her? Will she become a huge draw for the right and make Coulter jealous? Stay tuned.

What’s Wrong with Rush?

Limbaugh is looking like just what he is – a tired old neocon who just has to shout louder because he and his message don’t matter in 2009.

Sorry Rush – you’re toast.

One of the Most-watched Break Dance Videos on You Tube

It’s back. Break dancing, that is.

Here’s a You Tube vid in what I’d call the robot or Michael Jackson ‘moonwalk’ style.

Incredible flexibility and strength.

View it here.

New York Times: Break Dancing is Back

It’s been a while, but the men who spin have returned to the streets and subways of New York.

We have a wonderful tradition of urban street entertainment in cities across the U.S.  In the early ’70s and ’80s, it blossomed – and nowhere like it did in New York.

Now, an entirely new generation of young people are back spinning and break dancing – on the sidewalk, in subway stations, and (against the rules) on subway trains.  It’s a community of people who love dance and imagine incredible moves – then make them happen.  And, even in this recession, they’re finding an audience and making money.

Go Chubbs!  View the story and video here.

New York Times: Self-Publishing Comes of Age

New York editors – you might want to be just a bit nicer to writers.

As the publishing industry shatters in front of us, the NYT reports an uptick in self-publishing.

Used to be that was a dirty word.  It meant you couldn’t get a publisher.  That an editor wouldn’t look at you.  A synonym for rejection.

Not not.  Publishing – whether an ebook using Adobe’s PDF format or the production of a full-fledged book using Lulu.com – is being reborn even as the old models for it are dying.

Full article along with a hot stream of reader’s comments here.

We say, “Yes!”

New York Times: Bacon and Sausage – The New Health Food?

Seriously, look at this.

Never thought I’d see bacon weaving – perhaps a new Olympic sport?

You can bet the White House chef won’t be serving this to the Obama family!

The Economist: The Madoff Scandal – Due Diligence Trumps Faith

Maybe Bernie Madoff should have been named burnie…that’s what happened to the hundreds of people who parked their cash with him only to see it evaporate like alcohol on a sidewalk on a hot summer day.

While the SEC and others keep working to unwind what Mr. Madoff insists he did to the tune of $50B and on his own, we can takeaway a great lesson here.

Faith has nothing to do with investing. It’s all about the facts and numbers. We’d all do well to set up an appropriate process for ourselves and follow it.

It could be quite awhile before this story is complete, give the shame and secrecy we Americans have around money.

Here’s an excellent piece by The Economist on the subject.

Dear Viagra: I’m Sorry, But We’re Breaking Up

First, let me say it’s not your fault.

I really liked your shape right away – it told me you were strong.  And just the right shade of blue – my favorite color.

It’s been ten years.  Hard to believe.  And, yes, the pun is intended.

Sometimes I’ve heard far too much about you around town and on the Internet.  Frankly, you were invited to too many parties, too many weekends away for my taste.  But I bit my tongue.  Maybe I shouldn’t have.

You lasted allright – I can’t fault you for that.  You were there when I needed you.  It’s just that, at the end of ten years, I’d somehow hoped there would be, well, more.

Thanks for the good – and not so good – times.  In many ways, you’ve been a girl’s best friend.

No, there’s no one else.  I’m not moving on to your competitors with the names that remind me of elevators and clouds.  That would be cruel.

I guess I’ve just grown up and now it’s time for me to move on.

In a kind of crazy way, I look forward to hearing about your next conquest.  See you around.