I love the French. I love their wine, their commitment to food, their lazy afternoon and late dinners, and the language is beautiful. But the French have a terrible case of entitlement that is hurting their country economically. The job security enjoyed by so many hurts businesses' ability to remain profitable and in business. In Cowboy Capitalism, Olaf Gersemann, a German, details the problems with the European welfare state. The social safety net in place is unsustainable and the French may find themselves in much more unpleasant circumstances than out of a job. The latest episode finds the French casting about for reasons for high unemployment. The final quotation in the article perfectly captures the misplaced blame.
"We are here for our children. We are very worried about what will happen to them," said Philippe Decrulle, an Air France flight attendant at the Paris protest. "My son is 23, and he has no job. That is normal in France."
Of course Mssr. Decrulle is worried about his son. He has every right to be. 23 and no job is a problem. However, it should be clear that the reason no jobs exist is because companies who cannot afford the taxes, benefits, and inability to fire bad workers have gone out of business, taking the jobs with them, thereby creating unemployment. To think that government advocting for less job security is the reason is foolish.
You have to give it to the French though. They are world class protestors!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
New Mexico, Buffalo, and Back
I am here in the airport in Albuquerque and getting ready to head back east. Despite my east coast bias, I really enjoyed it out here. The mountains are amazing and we ate some great food. Also, I got to see Amy and Chris, two of my best friends who lived in Baltimore for a short time, and their two AMAZING kids! I really miss them and it was so great to catch up after 3 years or so.
Anyway, personal stuff aside, I wanted to blog about the food.
I LIKE New Mexican food. Though I am a bit burnt out on cheese. I had a enchilada at High Noon -78--that was cheese covered corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and topped with green chile. The food was pretty good, the atmosphere was wonderful, but the service was not as good. The server mentioned that it was her second week ever and she was pretty dizzy. She was nice and tried hard. Also the mozzarella in the Buffalo Mozzarella Salad was clearly cow's milk in origin.
We also ate at a supurb Spanish tapas restaurant on Canyon Drive, the artists' enclave in Santa Fe. El Farol -90--was perhaps the most expensive meal we had, but sooooo worth it. I had grilled romaine salad, aguacate--a deep fried avocado with salsa cruda and lime crema-- and the best pasta dish I have ever had: pasta pinon verde--penne, manchego, poblano and pinon cream.
More later.
Anyway, personal stuff aside, I wanted to blog about the food.
I LIKE New Mexican food. Though I am a bit burnt out on cheese. I had a enchilada at High Noon -78--that was cheese covered corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and topped with green chile. The food was pretty good, the atmosphere was wonderful, but the service was not as good. The server mentioned that it was her second week ever and she was pretty dizzy. She was nice and tried hard. Also the mozzarella in the Buffalo Mozzarella Salad was clearly cow's milk in origin.
We also ate at a supurb Spanish tapas restaurant on Canyon Drive, the artists' enclave in Santa Fe. El Farol -90--was perhaps the most expensive meal we had, but sooooo worth it. I had grilled romaine salad, aguacate--a deep fried avocado with salsa cruda and lime crema-- and the best pasta dish I have ever had: pasta pinon verde--penne, manchego, poblano and pinon cream.
More later.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
This Won't Come as Much of a Shock!
Check out this personality test courtesy Jackie.
My Personal Dna Report She mentions on her blog that it is quite thorough and she is right. I like the sliders. It is much easier to answer realtively than the traditional multiple choice. So anyway, suprise surprise, I am...
You are a Leader
#
Your solid grounding in the practicalities of life, along with your self-assuredness and your willingness to appreciate new things make you a LEADER.
#
You're in touch with what is going on around you and adept at remaining down-to-earth and logical.
#
Although you're detail-oriented, this doesn't mean that you lose the big picture.
#
You tend to find beauty in form and efficiency, as opposed to finding it in broad-based, abstract concepts.
#
Never one to pass on an adventure, you're consistently seeking and finding new things, even in your immediate surroundings.
#
Because of this eagerness to pursue new experiences, you've learned a lot; your attention to detail means that you gain a great deal from your adventures.
#
The intellectual curiosity that drives you leads you to seek out causes of and reasons behind things.
#
Your confidence gives you the potential to take your general awareness and channel it into leadership.
#
You're not set on one way of doing things, and you often have the skills and persistence to find innovative ways of facing challenges.
#
You are well-attuned to your talents, and can deal with most problems that you face.
#
Your independent streak allows you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts
#
You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.
#
You prefer to have time to plan for things, feeling better with a schedule than with keeping plans up in the air until the last minute.
#
You have a strong sense of style and value your personal presentation - friends may even seek your style advice from time to time.
#
Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.
You are Attentive
#
Because you like spending time with others, understand their feelings, and often know what is best for them, you are ATTENTIVE.
#
Some people are merely concerned about others, but you take action, helping people when you have the opportunity.
#
Although you care about others, you are hesitant to trust them to act in the best way on their own.
#
You don't let your concerns with people go unnoticed: if someone has hurt your feelings, that person will hear about it.
#
People energize and excite you—you love being in large groups and just having fun.
#
You also learn a lot about yourself by talking things out with others, even if you don't always share things that are important to you.
#
Although you are social by nature and are not hesitant to express yourself, you have a strong sense of right and wrong.
#
Understanding the dynamics of a situation is an important skill that you have, and you often intervene to clarify things for others.
If you want to be different:
#
You care about people, but finding the ones you can truly trust will allow you to get closer to them.
#
While you have strong opinions about what is right and wrong in the world, you risk coming across as judgmental—be sure to consider different perspectives when voicing your opinion.
My Personal Dna Report She mentions on her blog that it is quite thorough and she is right. I like the sliders. It is much easier to answer realtively than the traditional multiple choice. So anyway, suprise surprise, I am...
You are a Leader
#
Your solid grounding in the practicalities of life, along with your self-assuredness and your willingness to appreciate new things make you a LEADER.
#
You're in touch with what is going on around you and adept at remaining down-to-earth and logical.
#
Although you're detail-oriented, this doesn't mean that you lose the big picture.
#
You tend to find beauty in form and efficiency, as opposed to finding it in broad-based, abstract concepts.
#
Never one to pass on an adventure, you're consistently seeking and finding new things, even in your immediate surroundings.
#
Because of this eagerness to pursue new experiences, you've learned a lot; your attention to detail means that you gain a great deal from your adventures.
#
The intellectual curiosity that drives you leads you to seek out causes of and reasons behind things.
#
Your confidence gives you the potential to take your general awareness and channel it into leadership.
#
You're not set on one way of doing things, and you often have the skills and persistence to find innovative ways of facing challenges.
#
You are well-attuned to your talents, and can deal with most problems that you face.
#
Your independent streak allows you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts
#
You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.
#
You prefer to have time to plan for things, feeling better with a schedule than with keeping plans up in the air until the last minute.
#
You have a strong sense of style and value your personal presentation - friends may even seek your style advice from time to time.
#
Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.
You are Attentive
#
Because you like spending time with others, understand their feelings, and often know what is best for them, you are ATTENTIVE.
#
Some people are merely concerned about others, but you take action, helping people when you have the opportunity.
#
Although you care about others, you are hesitant to trust them to act in the best way on their own.
#
You don't let your concerns with people go unnoticed: if someone has hurt your feelings, that person will hear about it.
#
People energize and excite you—you love being in large groups and just having fun.
#
You also learn a lot about yourself by talking things out with others, even if you don't always share things that are important to you.
#
Although you are social by nature and are not hesitant to express yourself, you have a strong sense of right and wrong.
#
Understanding the dynamics of a situation is an important skill that you have, and you often intervene to clarify things for others.
If you want to be different:
#
You care about people, but finding the ones you can truly trust will allow you to get closer to them.
#
While you have strong opinions about what is right and wrong in the world, you risk coming across as judgmental—be sure to consider different perspectives when voicing your opinion.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Dubai
The whole situation is perfectly shameful. For anyone who doesn't know what has happened, see this. I have never seen a policy that was so blatenly racist and anti-free trade. The unintended consequences are fantastic. First, Arab companies have already begun discussing the withdrawal of investments in the U.S. Arab states, directly and indirectly, finance a large portion of our debt. The withdrawal of such investment could prove disasterous. This sends a signal to all foreign investment. We are already going to suffer long term repercussions for the Patriot Act's impediments to workers and students from abroad. We are tanking our capital structures for the future. This country's strength has long been the presence of both human and financial capital. As India and China continue to rise, students study elsewhere, and innovation takes place outside our borders, our advantage in human capital declines. Losses in investments and constarints on business here in the United States will sap our advantage in financial capital as well.
5 Minutes of Fame
A five minute cartoon synopisis of F.A. Hayek's The Road to Serfdom. Thanks to Marginal Revolution.
NCAA Bracket
Some comments:
- I am a Terps fan to the end, but they did not deserve to go. Quit whining Gary and start recruiting for the future. This Terps class was a real letdown after the National Championship team.
- There WERE however some questionable picks for the tournament this year, many of whom played as inconsistently as the Terps and in weaker conferences.
- For once I can't disagree with the number 1 seeds.
- I do disagree with ALL of the number 2 seeds.
- George Washington got ripped off so badly with an 8 seed and a potential second round game against Duke after losing only 2 games.
- Speaking of Duke, how about that ACC championship? Duke really showed that it has a new group of punks to replace Reddick. McRoberts and Paulus are vying to become my new whipping boy. So far McRoberts is in the lead.
- If Hansborough doesn't win FOY...
- Gonzaga should have been a 2 seed and Michigan State should have been an 10.
- Cincinnati got screwed as well.
Restaurant Guide
This post will be a continual work in progress...
(See sidebar for permalink)
Rating System:
95-100 World class, everything is outstanding from service to ambiance to wine list
88-94 Among the best and favorites.
80-87 Very good, at times outstanding, but could be inconsistent or not provide a total dining experience
70-79 Good. May surprise you at times, usually inexpensive and casual.
60-69 Decent. A good weeknight, quick dinner out. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done adequately.
Below 60 Not recommended
Pazo-88--Spanish, Italian and French Riviera tapas. This is in my top 5 favorite restaurants in Baltimore. Try the involtini di tonno if it is available. Oh and the cannolis are the best I have ever had. The service is a bit spotty considering the Foreman training. The Pazo Red and Pazo white are 15 bucks each and eminently drinkable.
The Wharf Rat-79--This bar is the essence of the dirty sailors of Fell's Point's past. Don't go to the newer one on Pratt Street. The best micro-brewed beer in town and the best greasy bar food you have ever had. The pizza is some of the best in Baltimore and the chicken fingers are huge and juicy! Get both the BBQ and the honey mustard sauces. Wash it all down with Ironman Pale Ale.
Ixia-92--Aside from the dramatic space this restaurant is in, the food remains the star. Chef Kevin Miller is the most creative chef in Baltimore. His menu is constantly surprising and his food nearly world class. The fois gras and scallop appetizer is always pure pleasure and his take on bouillabaise is astounding. A friend recently loved the sweet potato gnocchi. Remember to save room for dessert as Kevin's training is in pastry. His homemade sorbets and ice creams are mind numbingly good and he is a master of bread pudding.
El Trovador-81--My favorite Salvadorean place in Baltimore. Stick with the platas tipicos and you can't go wrong. The portions here are enormous and the atmosphere is lively. Have a Tecate or two and some of the wonderful pupusa de puerco and the ribs are tender and good. Any of the biftek are great and so inexpensive. This is one of those restaurants where everything the waiter carries by your table, you ask what it is.
Arcos-73--Mexican food rules here in a interestingly renovated rowhouse. The owner is a contactor and he took parts from many different houses throughout Baltimore and used them to fashion this restaurant. It is beautiful, though a bit dark. Go when the backyard is open and they have tacos cut from meat on a spit and the mariachi band in the corner. The queso fundido with chorizo and the barbacoa are hits. Oh and the salsa and chips they serve are the best in Fells Point.
Mezze-86--The food here is very good and very consistent, but for some reason I can't rate this one higher. The spinach fritters and crabcakes are among my favorites. I also really like the grilled sardines. Do get the sangria! The food here is solid, I guess I just have never been blown away by anything. Its also a bit cramped and uncomfortable. Sit outside if you can. Update-went last night and I have not changed my mind a bit, in fact the waiter was awful.
Birches-90--I may be ranking this a bit high, but I was charmed to death by the atmosphere: the old wooden bar, the spittoon that ran along the base of the bar, the high ceilinged bathrooms with the old school trough in the men's room, the cozy dining rooms, the warm neighborhoody feeling and the magnificient food. The prices are a bit high. Some might balk at the 29 dollar fillet mignon or the 14 dollar shrimp and black bean wrap. I assure you that everything is worth it. The last time out I had perhaps the best burger I have ever had and my Companion had an awe inspiring cobb salad that fed us for 2 more days.
Fells Point Station-61--The only reason to go here is the wings. I am an expert on Buffalo style wings and these are the closest to the real thing.
Brick Oven Pizza-85--BOP has good pizza with a stunning array of toppings. The Lucky Seven is 7 cheeses and is heart stoppingly good. The greek salad is huge and amazing. The antipasto has 10-12 different toppings! Only place in Fells to get soy cheese for all you vegans. The cheesesteak wrap has what must be 1lb of meat and cheese in it.
Lucia's Pizzza
Lulu's
Slainte
Kooper's Tavern
Daily Grind
John Stevens LTD
The Waterfront Hotel
Bonaparte
Red Star
Burritos en Fuego
Jimmy's Restaurant
Admiral's Cup
Duda's
DuClaw Brewing Company
Fletcher's
Friends
Blue Moon
Ding How
Pierpoint
Thai Talay Grill
Asahi Sushi
Ze Mean Bean Cafe
Peter's Inn
Liquid Earth
One Eyed Mike's
Charleston
Chiru Sushi
Della Notte
Amicci's
Sarah's Cafe
Thairish
Helmand
Akbar
Red Maple
Brass Elephant
Banthai
Mick O'Shea's
Sacha's 357
Thai Landing
Brewer's Art
Tapas Teatro
Thai Arroy
Blue Agave
Spoons
Matsuri
Ten-O-Six
Regi's
Sam's Bagels
Sky Lounge
(See sidebar for permalink)
Rating System:
95-100 World class, everything is outstanding from service to ambiance to wine list
88-94 Among the best and favorites.
80-87 Very good, at times outstanding, but could be inconsistent or not provide a total dining experience
70-79 Good. May surprise you at times, usually inexpensive and casual.
60-69 Decent. A good weeknight, quick dinner out. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done adequately.
Below 60 Not recommended
Baltimore
Pazo-88--Spanish, Italian and French Riviera tapas. This is in my top 5 favorite restaurants in Baltimore. Try the involtini di tonno if it is available. Oh and the cannolis are the best I have ever had. The service is a bit spotty considering the Foreman training. The Pazo Red and Pazo white are 15 bucks each and eminently drinkable.
The Wharf Rat-79--This bar is the essence of the dirty sailors of Fell's Point's past. Don't go to the newer one on Pratt Street. The best micro-brewed beer in town and the best greasy bar food you have ever had. The pizza is some of the best in Baltimore and the chicken fingers are huge and juicy! Get both the BBQ and the honey mustard sauces. Wash it all down with Ironman Pale Ale.
Ixia-92--Aside from the dramatic space this restaurant is in, the food remains the star. Chef Kevin Miller is the most creative chef in Baltimore. His menu is constantly surprising and his food nearly world class. The fois gras and scallop appetizer is always pure pleasure and his take on bouillabaise is astounding. A friend recently loved the sweet potato gnocchi. Remember to save room for dessert as Kevin's training is in pastry. His homemade sorbets and ice creams are mind numbingly good and he is a master of bread pudding.
El Trovador-81--My favorite Salvadorean place in Baltimore. Stick with the platas tipicos and you can't go wrong. The portions here are enormous and the atmosphere is lively. Have a Tecate or two and some of the wonderful pupusa de puerco and the ribs are tender and good. Any of the biftek are great and so inexpensive. This is one of those restaurants where everything the waiter carries by your table, you ask what it is.
Arcos-73--Mexican food rules here in a interestingly renovated rowhouse. The owner is a contactor and he took parts from many different houses throughout Baltimore and used them to fashion this restaurant. It is beautiful, though a bit dark. Go when the backyard is open and they have tacos cut from meat on a spit and the mariachi band in the corner. The queso fundido with chorizo and the barbacoa are hits. Oh and the salsa and chips they serve are the best in Fells Point.
Mezze-86--The food here is very good and very consistent, but for some reason I can't rate this one higher. The spinach fritters and crabcakes are among my favorites. I also really like the grilled sardines. Do get the sangria! The food here is solid, I guess I just have never been blown away by anything. Its also a bit cramped and uncomfortable. Sit outside if you can. Update-went last night and I have not changed my mind a bit, in fact the waiter was awful.
Birches-90--I may be ranking this a bit high, but I was charmed to death by the atmosphere: the old wooden bar, the spittoon that ran along the base of the bar, the high ceilinged bathrooms with the old school trough in the men's room, the cozy dining rooms, the warm neighborhoody feeling and the magnificient food. The prices are a bit high. Some might balk at the 29 dollar fillet mignon or the 14 dollar shrimp and black bean wrap. I assure you that everything is worth it. The last time out I had perhaps the best burger I have ever had and my Companion had an awe inspiring cobb salad that fed us for 2 more days.
Fells Point Station-61--The only reason to go here is the wings. I am an expert on Buffalo style wings and these are the closest to the real thing.
Brick Oven Pizza-85--BOP has good pizza with a stunning array of toppings. The Lucky Seven is 7 cheeses and is heart stoppingly good. The greek salad is huge and amazing. The antipasto has 10-12 different toppings! Only place in Fells to get soy cheese for all you vegans. The cheesesteak wrap has what must be 1lb of meat and cheese in it.
Lucia's Pizzza
Lulu's
Slainte
Kooper's Tavern
Daily Grind
John Stevens LTD
The Waterfront Hotel
Bonaparte
Red Star
Burritos en Fuego
Jimmy's Restaurant
Admiral's Cup
Duda's
DuClaw Brewing Company
Fletcher's
Friends
Blue Moon
Ding How
Pierpoint
Thai Talay Grill
Asahi Sushi
Ze Mean Bean Cafe
Peter's Inn
Liquid Earth
One Eyed Mike's
Charleston
Chiru Sushi
Della Notte
Amicci's
Sarah's Cafe
Thairish
Helmand
Akbar
Red Maple
Brass Elephant
Banthai
Mick O'Shea's
Sacha's 357
Thai Landing
Brewer's Art
Tapas Teatro
Thai Arroy
Blue Agave
Spoons
Matsuri
Ten-O-Six
Regi's
Sam's Bagels
Sky Lounge
DC/MD/VA
Jaleo
Logan Tavern
Merkado
Rice
Lalibela
Java Green
Skewers
Coppi's Organic
Busboys and Poets
2 Amys
Thai Tanic
Zatinaya
Fado'
Vegetate
Veridian
Malaysia Kopitam
Bertucci's
A&J's
Joe's Noodle House
Mark's Duck House
Vegetable Garden
Amanna's Vegetarian Kitchen
Nirvana
14K
Chinatown Express
Teaism
Thai-Xing
Old Ebbitt Grill
Restaurante Tosca
Taberna del Alabardero
Thai Place
Bar Pilar
Julia's Empanadas
Soul Veg
Logan Tavern
Merkado
Rice
Lalibela
Java Green
Skewers
Coppi's Organic
Busboys and Poets
2 Amys
Thai Tanic
Zatinaya
Fado'
Vegetate
Veridian
Malaysia Kopitam
Bertucci's
A&J's
Joe's Noodle House
Mark's Duck House
Vegetable Garden
Amanna's Vegetarian Kitchen
Nirvana
14K
Chinatown Express
Teaism
Thai-Xing
Old Ebbitt Grill
Restaurante Tosca
Taberna del Alabardero
Thai Place
Bar Pilar
Julia's Empanadas
Soul Veg
Friday, March 10, 2006
Sen's take on the newest offering on the development shelf
Amartya Sen, the Nobel Prize winning economist, looks at William Easterly's new book on development in Foreign Affairs. His review, which can be accessed here, chides him for overstatement and hyperbole, but he says that Eastely has some good points. I can't wait to read this and see his take on the problems in development.
The mathematics of derivatives
What an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal. Apologies to those who cannot access this. I think I might have to look up stochastic calculus.
At the Model UN Conference
I have been volunteering for the Baltimore County Public Schools Model UN, among others. I have worked on this for about 2 1/2 years now and find it so rewarding. I was just thinking about it as I sit here during the break and I encourage everyone to find something to do in your community. Just a few hours here or there can make a big difference. Many people see volunteerism as inherently classist, but I argue that everyone can find a few minutes to help.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Hockey IS Sport
With all of the steroid allegations present in baseball surrounding Barry Bonds, the lost season for child-like behavior we just saw Terrell Owens face, and the "terrible hardships" faced by Latrell Sprewell's family, major league sports has become a window on the dark side of human nature. These events are sadly, not isolated incidents.
Hockey, however, (aside the the unfortunate incident involving Todd Bertuzzi and the strike) has been free from much of the greed and self centered behavior we have seen in the other major sports. Now hockey is back and better than ever.
The poster boy for the new NHL has to be Alexander Ovechkin. Going into the season everyone was talking about Sidney Crosby, but compared to Ovechkin, Crosby has been quiet. Even if you don't like hockey, watch this montage. It is an amzing display. The guy is a 19 year old rookie and has already scored 40 goals this year. But what I like about him is that no one plays the game with more exuberance and energy, while making professional hockey players look like fools. You can barely believe he is playing against the best players in the world the way he is making them look! There was no one more fun to watch in the Olympics. Ovechkin has re-energized hockey and for me, sport as well.
Hockey, however, (aside the the unfortunate incident involving Todd Bertuzzi and the strike) has been free from much of the greed and self centered behavior we have seen in the other major sports. Now hockey is back and better than ever.
The poster boy for the new NHL has to be Alexander Ovechkin. Going into the season everyone was talking about Sidney Crosby, but compared to Ovechkin, Crosby has been quiet. Even if you don't like hockey, watch this montage. It is an amzing display. The guy is a 19 year old rookie and has already scored 40 goals this year. But what I like about him is that no one plays the game with more exuberance and energy, while making professional hockey players look like fools. You can barely believe he is playing against the best players in the world the way he is making them look! There was no one more fun to watch in the Olympics. Ovechkin has re-energized hockey and for me, sport as well.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Here we go again
I am a complusive blogger, as in I start Blogs and never post to them, eventually forgetting the password, then the address. So as a friend of mine did, I will not share this with anyone until I have made a significant contribution.
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