Eight is Enough....

especially after already giving birth to six children.  In Whittier, California, Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets on Friday. That's a lot of babies. I look at my girlfriends and family members with their children and see how hard it is to juggle everything and can't imagine what it would be like to manage 14 children.  Good luck to you, Nadya.

Day 131

Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil's 4Q profits dropped 33%, but they still managed to win the title of most profitable American company with earnings of $45.2 billion in 2008.  It is all relative, I guess.  

Day 130

Day 129

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The House passed an $819 billion economic stimulus package yesterday with a 244-188 vote. The act is broken down to $544 billion for spending and $275 for tax relief.    

The Golden State

The state of California is not looking too good.  Consider these statistics:

• Unemployment rate of 9.3% as of December (projected to be higher now)
• one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation: 236,000 homes
• home prices down a whopping 42% from December 2007

Day 128

Iceland Iceland Baby

Iceland sounds like such a magical place- a snowy, wintery, amusement park.  Truth is, like every other country, they are not faring well.  It went bankrupt in October and yesterday Prime Minister Geir Haarde announced his resignation amidst much pressure for not handling the financial crisis with enough force and swiftness. 

One of the things I noticed from the article is a strong emphasis on a government lead by a coalition of parties.  I looked on the great wiki of knowledge and found this blurb: 

"The governments of Iceland have almost always been coalitions with two or more parties involved, as no single political party has received a majority of seats in Althing during the republic." 

Imagine the Democrats and Republicans NOT vying for power and majority standing.  

Day 127

Year of the Ox

Happy Lunar New Year!  I need to work a trip to Boston's Chinatown to get some Chinese food today.  When I was younger, I always looked forward to the New Year's Day feast.  My Grandmother would  spend days preparing dishes: a vat of braised chicken with taro root, dozens of  Chinese tamales, a slew of dumplings, several types of bao..... always delicious. I would constantly be right there in the kitchen with her trying to pick-up on her techniques and recipes.  But, I have to admit the best part of the Lunar New Year was getting red envelopes. $5 here, $10 there, and the  occasional $20, it was a lot of money for a little kid- money I could use a little of right now. I can't for the life of me remember what I spent it on.

Day 126

Day 125

Influenza A Virus Subtype H5N1

A bird flu case has been found in a 29 year old man in southwestern China, the sixth case to be documented in China this year. It is reported that he had contact with live poultry markets.

TARP Funds Revisited

Here is an interesting article about where how and where TARP funds are being allocated.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/24/BUMI15FFNL.DTL

Hitting the Ground Running

I am extremely happy to read of Obama's progress as our President. Three of the top five stories today are about the new administration. Headlines:

• Shhh. Obama Repeals the Abortion Gag Rule, Very Quietly; TIME; 9:00 am
• How Obama Will Use Web Technology; Washington Post; 8:45 am
• Obama Fleshes Out Further Details of Stimulus Plan; Washington Post; 8:45 am

The abortion article is especially interesting with its analysis of the the Mexico City policy and each administration's role in the enactment and repealing of the controversial policy.

A few excerpts from the article:

The Mexico City policy, as it is known, has been one of the most visible differences between the two major political parties on the issue of abortion, in part because incoming Presidents have taken action on it within days of entering the White House. Bill Clinton repealed the policy on Jan. 22, 1993, citing his concern that the ban prevented women and children from receiving health services. Eight years later, George W. Bush reinstated the policy on Jan. 22, 2001. "It is my conviction," Bush said, "that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortions or advocate or actively promote abortion, either here or abroad." (View new fronts in the abortion battle.)

Bush's statement is one being echoed by supporters of the policy today. But in fact, since 1973, federal law has banned the use of U.S. taxpayer funds for abortions in other countries. What the Mexico City policy did was take that prohibition several steps further. Under the policy, NGOs that applied for family-planning funds from the U.S. Agency on International Development (USAID) had to refrain from using any of their own funds to provide abortion (with exceptions for cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother). The organizations also were not eligible if they lobbied to make or keep abortion legal in their own country or if they provided abortion referrals — a requirement that led many opponents of the policy to dub it a "global gag rule."

As a result of the policy — which is named for the city in which the Reagan Administration first announced it at the 1984 United Nations International Conference on Population — some groups, including Planned Parenthood organizations in Romania and Colombia, altered their activities in order to qualify and continued to receive funding. But at least 16 developing nations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East have been affected, with all NGOs in those countries denied U.S. funding to help provide contraceptives and other much needed services.

Day 124

Choices

Two hours until midnight and the stem cells on my handkerchief are far from being done. A friend called me up and invited me to a show. So.... should I stay or should I go?



I haven't been out with friends for a while. I think I will go out tonight. Another one unfinished. I feel my momentum really slowing down.

Day 123

Stem Cell Research

The Food and Drug Administration is in the news again as it approves the world's first study on embryonic stem cell therapy.  Geron Corp., a California based biotech will start clinical trials to regrow nerve tissue in spinal cord injury patients.  

The article mentions the vast difference in support for stem cell research between the Bush and Obama administrations.  I think it marks how significant and how quickly the pervading ideology of our leadership can affect policy- Obama has been in office for three days.

Who knows what the new research will accomplish. At bare minimum, at least the microscopic images of stem cell have some visual appeal. 

                     

Blah!

Do you ever get those days when you just don't care about anything? Today has been one of those days. I finished the hanky early, but I don't feel much like photographing it right now. I will wait for tomorrow to post. Sleep well.

GDP =

From the great wiki of knowledge:

The most common approach to measuring and quantifying GDP is the expenditure method:

GDP = consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports − imports), or,
GDP = C + I + G + (X − M).

Got it? Good.

Gross Domestic Product

Two of the top five articles today centered around the decline of the GDP- one focuses on the Asian export market, the other on the transportation equipment industry in the Euro zone.

• China down 9% for 2008
• Japan down 35% for December
• South Korea down 5.6% for fourth quarter
• Singapore down 16.9 for fourth quarter
• Orders for transport equipment (motor vehicles, ships, trains and planes) dropped 6.3% on the month and 46.4 % for the year.

Day 122

Last Israeli Solider Out of Gaza

I thought I should make a post to mark the end of end of the violence in Gaza.  The troubles are far from over, but at least the attacks have stopped. Now it's time to rebuild what has been destroyed. My thoughts immediately go to the portion of in Obama's auguration speech where he directly addresses the Muslim world:

"... know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

Words applicable for ALL people, in my humble opinion.  

GM Slump

General Motors falls behind Toyota as the world's biggest automaker, a title claimed for over 77 years.  Sales for the auto giant dropped 11% in 2008.

Day 121

Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama

As I write this post, I am listening to WGBH's NPR audio stream. They are streaming a segment on Lincoln narrated by James Earl Jones... very dramatic. There have been many comparisons made between the two and I'm sure as his administration begins its work there will be many more. 

Obama followed the same trail Lincoln took to his inauguration and will be sworn in with the same Bible.

Dream Unfinished

I'm very sad I didn't get to finish this handkerchief.  I'm trying not to take it as an omen for things to come, but I had to prioritize my tasks today.  

Day 119

I didn't document and post the handkerchief for January 18th because I was celebrating a friend's birthday. I was stitching during a crazy game of Crainium and when midnight rolled around people were having too much fun for the party to stop.  It was past 1am when I finally got home. It was one of the most beautiful walks I have ever experienced.  The light at night after a huge snow storm is absolutely magical.  Fine, glittery white powder covers everything and the light reflects a glow that extends to the sky. Here's a picture I took during the day.

 

Happy MLK Day

Four of the top five stories for today focus on the inauguration of Obama. The lone ranger of the group: Salmonella peanut butter in Little Debbie snacks.  I have fond memories of looking longingly at the Little Debbie section in the grocery store, hoping my mother would recognize the deliciousness that lie before us and buy the whole lot. Every once and a while she would give in and grab a box of Apple Flips (known as "Apple Delights" in my day)- sans peanut butter and full of artificial apple goodness.

But the thing on my mind today is the new administration.  It is truly history in the making and I am so excited to be alive to witness it. Obama embodies the same spirit of hope and forward thinking vision that MLK, Jr. worked so hard to champion 40 years ago. So, here's to progress and a childlike belief that things will indeed get better.  

Hudson River Landing

Details have been released on the water landing of US Airways flight #1549. What an experience to live through! Crash landing is definitely one of my biggest personal fears. Major, major praise to pilot Chesley Sullenberger for quick thinking and flying prowess.  

Repetition

Yesterday's Circuit City handkerchief was the first time I consciously repeated a monogram. Today I realized I already did an NFL hanky when I was half way finished stitching the 'F'.  The previous hanky is from December 6, 2008 and was mined from a story about 3-D cheerleaders. Commentary from that post also mentioned a relief from stitching more grave subject matter. I guess sports has become my fallback for "light-hearted" news.   

Groundhog's Day?

I've been invoking the spirit of Bill Murray for a while now.  I wake up. Click on Google News Feed. Read the same stories with no resolutions in sight.  Unlike Bill Murray's character, I'm beginning to believe that there will never, ever be any resolutions, that these stories are destined to be repeated over and over again. Then I guess it becomes a matter of "baby steps". So today, I will embroider an NFL handkerchief just to have a break from the war in Gaza, the looming financial crisis, the conflict over gas with Russia/Ukraine, ect.

 

Day #117

Circuit City Revisited

#2 electronics retailer, Circuit City, has filed for bankruptcy and is asking for court approval to close its 567 stores.  If approved, doors will close by March 31 and its 34,000 employees will receive 60 days notice, pay, and benefits.  

I embroidered a Circuit City hanky on November 11, 2008, when it secured a credit line of $1.1 billion with Bank of America, closed 155 stores, and laid off 8,600 employees.  

Bank of America is not without its own woes.  The banking giant just received another $20 billion in bailout funds from TARP.  I have to admit, my anti-number crunching mind can't comprehend how the shifting of funds is working to offset the losses. In any case, bailout funds were granted to absorb the deficit (which, apparently, was much, much higher than forecasted) accrued by the buyout of Merrill Lynch.  

By golly, all this time I thought money grew on trees. 

Wishful Thinking

I wish this handkerchief is the last one I stitch about the war in Gaza but I know it is wishful thinking.  

UN Relief Agency Bombed in Gaza

The UN Relief and Works Agency was struck today in Gaza.  The UNRWA distributes food to 750,000 of the 1.5 million Palestinians.  The compound was sheltering 700 people at the time of the bombing. 

The Egyptian Moment

Cairo takes center stage in negotiations for a Gaza cease fire as a senior Israeli defense official goes to hear Hama's response to an Egyptian-mediated plan to bring peace to the troubled region.  Hamas favors a non-amended proposal by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak calling for "immediate cease-fire and acceptance of withdrawal". The smuggling of arms to Gaza through the Egyptian border has been a constant concern and is central to Israeli conditions.  

Day 115

Republic of Lebanon

Lebanon fires rockets onto Northern Israel.  Israel's offensive continues into its 19th day.  Still no end in sight.  

Day 114

Bail Me Out

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke suggests that more bailouts are needed in order to revive the economy.  What concerns me is there is no talk about how the money is allocated and managed.  $800 billion is a hefty amount of money, very hefty indeed. Too hefty to just be given away to institutions that made very bad lending decisions that, for the most part, were based purely on greed.  

Day 113

For Sale

Citigroup moves closer to a merger of its Smith Barney division with Morgan Stanley. Here is an excerpt from the article:

The move would create the largest retail brokerage and mark the boldest step in dismantling what was the world's biggest financial services conglomerate.

The financial services sector is in a state of constant flux as banks recoil under the threat of a long and deep downturn, with governments bailing out the worst-hit lenders while relatively strong banks look for bargain acquisitions.

Day #112

Toyota Yo

Toyota launches plans to have an electric vehicle (EV) by 2012.  Already a leader in the hybrid market with its top selling Prius, I'm glad to see the financial down turn has not hindered their forward vision. 

I have to admit I am a little biased when it comes to the Toyota brand.  The only cars I've ever driven were Toyota Corollas- 3 total.  The first two were hand-me-downs from my father who had to drive a lot for work.  By the time I got them, they had well over 200,000 miles logged on the odometer and were still reliable as ever. The third I gave up when I moved to Boston and had no need for a car. 

I found some interesting trivia on the logo:

The current Toyota Mark consists of three ovals: the two perpendicular center ovals represent a relationship of mutual trust between the customer and Toyota.  These ovals combine to symbolize the letter "T" for Toyota.  The space in the background implies a global expansion of Toyota's technology and unlimited potential for the future.

Numb

I'm throwing in the towel (or handkerchief) in favor of the sweet oblivion of sleep knowing that tomorrow will come too soon soon soon.  Until then.

Trying to Move On

DTV

Bye bye analog television.  May you rest in peace. I guess everything has its shelf life and in a digital age, it seems as though the lifespan of things are getting shorter and shorter.  The death of analog TV is set for midnight, February 17, 2009.  Here are the 10 things you need to know about the transition.  Full article here.

1. You don't need and HDTV.
2. Not everybody needs a converter box.
3. Your cable company could still mess up everything.
4. You should order your converter-box coupons now. (there is a waiting list because money is not available, probably tied up in T.A.R.P. funds)
5. Before you buy a converter box, call ahead.
6. Your VCR needs its own separate converter box.
7. Don't forget the rabbit ears. (needed to access digital signals)
8. Your portable TV is not so portable anymore.
9. You'll get more channels.
10. Your old TV won't become and HDTV overnight.

more info at www.dtv.gov

No Peace in the Middle East

• Two rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel
• Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert states that resolution is "unworkable"
• Alleged failure of Israeli Army to help wounded civilians in Gaza 
• UN calls for cease fire
• Hamas rejects cease fire
• United States abstains from UN Security Council vote on resolution

Same Old Stories

Current events seem to be the same as the ones that occurred yesterday, last week, last month, last year.... ect. ect.  And life goes on.  I got sick of reading depressing news and decided to watch this fat little robin perching on the tree outside my bedroom window. He flew away after I captured his image. I guess he didn't want to be photographed.  

Loss

BART Shooting

I first read about the New Year's shooting of Oscar Grant on the Bay Area Rapid Transit last night.  Today, protesters met with the Alameda District Attorney to demand answers.  I reluctantly watched a video of the shooting, knowing that the images would be very difficult to bear.  The video immediately sent me back to the Rodney King beating from 1992, the first time, in my memory, police brutality was recorded on video.  The incident changed the face of video surveillance forever. Back then not many people had video cameras. Now, practically everyone has a cell phone with video capabilities. This shooting was recorded from various angles and the footage will be used as evidence. 

The video also reminded me of a conversation I had with a Brit while I was in London about the right to bear arms. He asked me why Americans were so gun crazy. I could not give him a reasonable answer and I think the shooting of Oscar Grant is a perfect example of why the American attitude towards fire arms needs a complete overhaul. 

Topsy Turvy

I came across these two articles that left me in stitches:

• Joe the Plumber is now a war reporter in Israel- Christian Science Monitor
• Flynt, Francis want $5 billion in porn bailout- NBCwashington.com

In my most humble opinion, both are examples of what I'd like to coin "American Absurdity". I'm sure Flynt and Francis are requesting the money to highlight the ridiculousness that surrounds the government bailouts but to think that Joe the Plumber would be a well-informed and adept war correspondent is equal to thinking that Sarah Palin would be a capable Vice President.  Isn't ironic, don't you think? 

Shut Down

Here's to believing that everyone should have warm shelter.

Back in the U.S. of A

and back on the Google News Feed.  It was interesting reading only one news source, the headline articles were definitely more focused on the British economy and the war in Gaza.  

In today's news, Hungary and Slovakia are forecasted to be hit the hardest by the halt in gas delivery to the Ukraine.  Hungary and Slovakia receive more than 60% of their gas supplies from Russia via Ukrainian gas company NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy.  Other European countries affected by the stoppage: Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary.  Heating homes will be very difficult without fuel.  I predict this is going to be a very long, cold, winter for many.  

Last Tango in London