We're Going For Gold

I know, I know, you have missed us so since we have been gone. However, we have had a very busy week of revamping our sales skills, visiting Realtors, taking trips to the emergency room, and yes, watching the Good Ol' US of A win lots of medals in Beijing. I feel this Olympic Spirit has been infectious. People everywhere are talking. They are cheering for swimmers, (trust me, I have been to many a meet and no one usually cares except for the mom's with their cow bells & horns), the great Chinese Divers, the perky gymnasts, and oh yes, the US Women's Beach Volleyball team who is kicking some a**. Once again, it is nice to see the world come together and celebrate some good virtues for a change; sportsmanship, sacrifice, dedication, courage, drive, and honor. Perhaps if we all practiced these virtues a little more in our own lives the world would truly become a better place.

Enough about my unhealthy love of the Olympics, let's move on to the economy, shall we? Today is one of those days where you are just happy because things are not quite falling apart. Yes, while we are still in quite a little slump, I am going to turn the rest of this blog over to our good friend Polly to spout some positive occurrences in the market. Okay, so we all heard the Fed say that we are not headed for the "Stagflation" of the 70's! This is such good news that I am going to ignore the fact they told us we would all feel poorer for the foreseeable future. Also, consumer confidence edged up in August even though people are still fearful of recession, and industrial production is up 0.2% for July. I know this seems really horrible, but hey, they thought it would be flat. So there you have it. "Why yes Polly, my glass is half full. Thanks for noticing."

Now for the news that is good all the way around. The dollar is up and oil is down! YIPPEE! Will this have an immediate effect on my wallet, can't be sure, but it does have an immediate effect on my attitude. As they have always said, Attitude is Everything! It seems as if we need to be thanking China for much more than a fantastic Olympics & awesome food. Yes, with the economies in the US, Japan, Canada, and several European countries teetering on the brink of recession, the growth in China is helping to ward off a global recession. Think things are bad now? You just wait until that happens! I will be the first in a long line a well wishers to say, "Thank you China. Your growth is much appreciated."

I hope you are feeling all my positive vibes, because I am really having to push through some feelings to get there today. See, I am feeling like that kid who idolized Mickey Mantle or Pete Rose, only to see their heroes fall in the shame of their "off the field" antics. While my disappointment is not so great, still I feel a little let down. For all who know me, you know I kind of have this thing for the genius of Warren Buffet. But alas, he too is human, not the investing guru incapable of making a mistake which I have made him out to be. Imagine my dismay when I read he sold out shares of Anheuser-Busch prior to the $70/share takeover by InBev! Since they rarely trade over $61, he sure did leave a lot of money on the table. I can forgive once Warren, but please, don't let it happen again.

Finally, onto Hollywood where Donald Trump has been feeling a little left out of the game. What is a Trumpster to do? Well, bail out Ed McMahon of course. Soon Carson's Sidekick will not have to worry about impending foreclosure since The Donald has purchased his home. It is nice to know at least this publicity stunt is helping the Star Search legend!