Charles Ponzi lives on!

The following article within today’s WSJ is certainly worth reading, Before the Bust, These CEOs Took Money Off the Table

Don’t get me wrong. I am very much a capitalist and believe people should be rewarded for building value. However, with investors losses now totaling $ 9 trillion, it’s hard to fathom that these modern day con artists were rewarded with over $100 MM apiece.

By the way, I have a Nigerian friend looking to cash in on some old oil contracts.

Bankruptcies Loom Large

For all those that think the economy has hit bottom, you better hang on for 2009. So far in 2008, corporate default rates have been in low single digits, near historical averages. The people in the know, including my neighbor, expect default rates to increase threefold and “real” unemployment (not the number the gov’t reports) to hit double digits (12%). Let’s hope everyone is wrong.

Google Chrome

A couple of key takeaways from some of Google’s recent blog posts:

At Google, we have a saying: “launch early and iterate.”

On the surface, we designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple.

I hate to say it, but Google gets it. I will be downloading Chrome tomorrow.

Yahoo wins Gold!

According to the most recent comScore statistics, Yahoo Sports, which has its own dedicated Olympics Web site, generated 1.3 million more visitors than NBC in the first three days of the Games.

Finally some good news for Yahoo, and yet another example of a traditional media company falling short. One word for 2012: live!

Make Your Own Drug

It’s not what you think! Fun site and a creative way to waste 5 minutes. As I am examining effective viral campaigns, this is one to keep in mind.

getyourdrugon.com

Commerce Bank

More calls last night and a few more emails and still no resolution. I am convinced now their new slogan should be “No Stupid Fees, No Stupid Hours, Just Stupid People.” Well, the good news is I have felt compelled to start blogging again.

Update: I finally found a representative that took the initiative and resolved the issue. She was well informed, polite, and effective. It could and should have been quick and easy!

Commerce Bank ~ Worst Bank Award!

Wow … I have now experienced the worst customer service ever. My suggestion spend less money on your interior design and more on customer service.

Clinton compared to Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction

The Democratic Primary gets uglier and uglier.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn, an Obama supporter, compared Clinton to the Glenn Close character in “Fatal Attraction” — a spurned woman turned stalker who was apparently drowned in a bathtub only to jump up one more time to be shot dead.

Reshaping an Industry

Using my family as a case study(we never shop Wal-Mart and only buy music through iTunes), it was interesting to see that only Wal-Mart sells more music than iTunes. Apple continues to tighten its grip on music sales and reshape how we listen and buy music.

Frozen Grand Central

I have been too busy to post, but recently found this video that was worth sharing. Pretty cool!