Check the 11/18/2010 emerging trends report for all the details.
Spotlight two companies: au:mlm and ca:emc
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Scandium Story
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Dr. Marc Faber Recommends Vietnam
First, US dollars flow to the countries with the highest current account surpluses and, as explained earlier, push these countries’ asset prices up either through appreciation of the currency or through high domestic price increases – or a combination of the two. In a second instance, this “additional liquidity”, which created enormous wealth in Asia, will flow to the least developed countries. I believe that in this context, Vietnam is currently an attractive investment destination.
I was recently in Vietnam and, as on previous visits since 1989, I was immensely impressed by the dynamism of its population and the ongoing economic growth. This is not to say that Vietnam is problem free (witness the struggle between the reformists and the hard liners in the government, the large trade deficit, high inflation of between 12% and 15%, a weakening currency, etc.), but for the first time in years the valuation of the equity market has become compelling.
For a modest exposure to Vietnam, investors may consider the purchase of the Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM), which is listed on the NYSE.
I was recently in Vietnam and, as on previous visits since 1989, I was immensely impressed by the dynamism of its population and the ongoing economic growth. This is not to say that Vietnam is problem free (witness the struggle between the reformists and the hard liners in the government, the large trade deficit, high inflation of between 12% and 15%, a weakening currency, etc.), but for the first time in years the valuation of the equity market has become compelling.
For a modest exposure to Vietnam, investors may consider the purchase of the Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM), which is listed on the NYSE.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Chris Brogan thoughts on Twitter
Questions:
How do we share? LinkedIn example, do you use it for a digital resume or are you actively helping others and building a network?
How do we extend experiences and relationships? How do we bring them outside..?
How do we collaborate?
How do we wire networks? How do we make new distribution?
How do we develop relationships that yeild? How do we take our commnity and find that part that makes money?
Do not go where the road may lead, but go where there is no road and leave a trail.
Questions:
How do we share? LinkedIn example, do you use it for a digital resume or are you actively helping others and building a network?
How do we extend experiences and relationships? How do we bring them outside..?
How do we collaborate?
How do we wire networks? How do we make new distribution?
How do we develop relationships that yeild? How do we take our commnity and find that part that makes money?
Do not go where the road may lead, but go where there is no road and leave a trail.
Friday, May 04, 2007
The Lowest Point In My Life Part II
It's been two weeks since I stepped into the light. Things have gotten a little better - my wife and I talk often and very openly about this problem. Although her scars are big and will take a long time to heal. She has periods where she just breaks down emotionally - and can't stop crying over the pain.
By using porn, I destroyed her sense of identity - and made her question her desirability as a woman. She said to me "at least if you had an affair with a real women, I might have a chance. But I can't compete with just images. You'll always find them more alluring than me."
But our problems with our marriage go further back than what occured two weeks ago. As I said before, this problem has been around a long time, going back to my days a a young boy. And as I got older and began dating, I always found it hard to develop a close relationship with someone else. And even as I desparately yearned to find a girlfriend - and build a strong bond - it never worked out. I could never quite get over the hump and let my guard down about my hidden dark side. At the time I had no idea why this was so. I simply rationlized that I just hadn't met my soul mate yet -someone who would unconditionaly love me for who I was. Little did I realize how my sexual appitite for porn controlled me and pushed away anyone I might have been happy in a relationship. It hurt a great deal and caused me to question why I was so different from my friends. Now I understand.
By using porn, I destroyed her sense of identity - and made her question her desirability as a woman. She said to me "at least if you had an affair with a real women, I might have a chance. But I can't compete with just images. You'll always find them more alluring than me."
But our problems with our marriage go further back than what occured two weeks ago. As I said before, this problem has been around a long time, going back to my days a a young boy. And as I got older and began dating, I always found it hard to develop a close relationship with someone else. And even as I desparately yearned to find a girlfriend - and build a strong bond - it never worked out. I could never quite get over the hump and let my guard down about my hidden dark side. At the time I had no idea why this was so. I simply rationlized that I just hadn't met my soul mate yet -someone who would unconditionaly love me for who I was. Little did I realize how my sexual appitite for porn controlled me and pushed away anyone I might have been happy in a relationship. It hurt a great deal and caused me to question why I was so different from my friends. Now I understand.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The Lowest Point In My Life
I hit rock bottom this weekend and almost lost my wife and the family (well, my wife still may have nothing to do with me again). What did I do? Something awful. But in order to understand it I need to first make a confession. Something I have been carrying around with me for a long time and that I'm ashamed to admit. I'm a porno addict. Athough I didn't really believe it till this weekend, in reality I've been one for a long time. My wife always had strong suspicions about my problem; especially after finding my hidden porno tape as well as my browser history of visiting porn sites for hours on end. But like every addict does, I played the denial card and lied to myself and to her. I just couldn't accept the fact that I had actually become addicted to it. So I made elaborate excuses and convinced her that it was a one-time deal and it would never happen again.
I realized that I had hurt my wife really bad, so I made a resolution to quit. And I didn't use porn for a long time - 5+ years. I was feeling pretty good about my discipline, and had even won back some of the trust I had destoyed before.
But like any addiction not fully admitted to, it's tentacles slowly wraped their way around my head again and I let my guard down in a big way. And when your defenses are weak, you set yourself up for a fall. I started doing work on encoding videos at work and read about a new adult site using an amazing video compression codec. Then I convinced myself I could would just see how this adult movie site worked - which is just stupid seeing how I could have gone to any number of legit sites to check it out. But given dark past and the fact that I had yet to confront this problem of mine, I just couldn't stop myself from having a quick look. And one look turn into two, which turn into a daily obsession. Well, the bottom line is that three months later my wife finds the history again and nearly has a heart attack. I go on the offensive again and try to explain how it must be a virus or a popup or anything besides me. But there was no hope. I had already been here before, and I knew denial would only add to the pain.
My wife was so crushed that she had to just leave; she left so fast that she did a doughnut in the front yard and speed down the street full tilt. I was in shock myself because I knew this was the final straw. Divorse was imminent. How could I have done this to her? Didn't I love her? Of course I love her - but why would I do this to her?? Why?. My head was just filled with confusion and guilt and anger (at myself). My fist attempt at applogizing made her want puke -- "I'm sorry, when are you coming home? I'll make you dinner". Talk about denial. It got worse the next day when she confronted me face to face. I maintained that what I did was completely normal - "we hardly ever have sex anymore" - and that she had the problem, not me. Boy, talk about adding salt to the wound. She just wanted to kill me right then and there.
But something started to happen over the course of that afternoon. Something rather miraculous. It was like the wall of denial in my mind began to crumble. I began to feel more and more sullen and guilty. I even started sobbing - which for me is very rare. I was coming to the realization that I had chosen a sick perverted form of sexual entertainment over my wife. That's not normal? How could I not see that there indeed was a problem, a big problem. All my rationalizations about porno use began to melt away - and I was left with this one undeniable fact - I had completely destroyed Holleigh (again). The devestation and hurt she felt was beyound description. It was as if I had ripped her soul out and smashed it to pieces. Ten years of marriage (of life) just washed away in the blink of an eye. And the one thing she feared most in the world - that of finding out her husband was a farse - was made a reality.
So as I'm crying and spiraling down into depression, I begin to look for answers on the internet. A quick search on 'porn addiction' instantly brought me answers that I needed. It took reading a case study on porn addiction to make me finally realize that I exhibited the exact same behavior patters; lying, guilt, shame. So my wall of denial is completely removed, and I'm crying uncontrollably. And it was at this moment that I started to believe that God had led me to this place. He had forced me to confront my sinful ways and to face my evil right out in the open. No more hidding; it was time now to seek forgivness and ask for help in my addiction.
I realized that I had hurt my wife really bad, so I made a resolution to quit. And I didn't use porn for a long time - 5+ years. I was feeling pretty good about my discipline, and had even won back some of the trust I had destoyed before.
But like any addiction not fully admitted to, it's tentacles slowly wraped their way around my head again and I let my guard down in a big way. And when your defenses are weak, you set yourself up for a fall. I started doing work on encoding videos at work and read about a new adult site using an amazing video compression codec. Then I convinced myself I could would just see how this adult movie site worked - which is just stupid seeing how I could have gone to any number of legit sites to check it out. But given dark past and the fact that I had yet to confront this problem of mine, I just couldn't stop myself from having a quick look. And one look turn into two, which turn into a daily obsession. Well, the bottom line is that three months later my wife finds the history again and nearly has a heart attack. I go on the offensive again and try to explain how it must be a virus or a popup or anything besides me. But there was no hope. I had already been here before, and I knew denial would only add to the pain.
My wife was so crushed that she had to just leave; she left so fast that she did a doughnut in the front yard and speed down the street full tilt. I was in shock myself because I knew this was the final straw. Divorse was imminent. How could I have done this to her? Didn't I love her? Of course I love her - but why would I do this to her?? Why?. My head was just filled with confusion and guilt and anger (at myself). My fist attempt at applogizing made her want puke -- "I'm sorry, when are you coming home? I'll make you dinner". Talk about denial. It got worse the next day when she confronted me face to face. I maintained that what I did was completely normal - "we hardly ever have sex anymore" - and that she had the problem, not me. Boy, talk about adding salt to the wound. She just wanted to kill me right then and there.
But something started to happen over the course of that afternoon. Something rather miraculous. It was like the wall of denial in my mind began to crumble. I began to feel more and more sullen and guilty. I even started sobbing - which for me is very rare. I was coming to the realization that I had chosen a sick perverted form of sexual entertainment over my wife. That's not normal? How could I not see that there indeed was a problem, a big problem. All my rationalizations about porno use began to melt away - and I was left with this one undeniable fact - I had completely destroyed Holleigh (again). The devestation and hurt she felt was beyound description. It was as if I had ripped her soul out and smashed it to pieces. Ten years of marriage (of life) just washed away in the blink of an eye. And the one thing she feared most in the world - that of finding out her husband was a farse - was made a reality.
So as I'm crying and spiraling down into depression, I begin to look for answers on the internet. A quick search on 'porn addiction' instantly brought me answers that I needed. It took reading a case study on porn addiction to make me finally realize that I exhibited the exact same behavior patters; lying, guilt, shame. So my wall of denial is completely removed, and I'm crying uncontrollably. And it was at this moment that I started to believe that God had led me to this place. He had forced me to confront my sinful ways and to face my evil right out in the open. No more hidding; it was time now to seek forgivness and ask for help in my addiction.
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