I was right about yesterday being a great day to buy stocks. They were on sale.
No more on sale. They’re going up today.
Wimbledon Tennis continues THIS MORNING
Men’s semifinals begin now on ESPN. These are eastern times. Should be excellent tennis. Hurkacz is incredible.
China continued
Xi is killing technology in China. I’m not sure why. Other than he’s a control freak. Why would he deliberately reduce the rewards to Chinese entrepreneurs from going IPO in the U.S. ? Why would he signal Chinese VCs that tech venture capital is no longer an acceptable business? Why would he signal U.S. businesses that investing in China and partnering with Chinese companies is now subject to even greater state scrutiny?
He putting in a police state with cameras everywhere. He eyes blogs and emails. He’s already cut off China’s access to a huge part of the worldwide Internet. And said No to many American businesses going there. Now he’s killing Hong Kong. I know of residents who’ve let permanently And more are going. Why force your smartest (and richest) people to leave?
I’m typing this on a laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad) made in China. It’s a nice machine. But I’m not investing in Chinese companies — like BABA and DIDI. And you shouldn’t either. I’ve harped on this for months.
I’ve always believed that competition in business never got you. It was you. No one was better at shooting yourself in the foot.
Useful stuff I’ve learned in recent days.
+ Windows support? Not from Microsoft. Sorry about that. Call them. They send you to their semi-useless, uniformative “support” website. Then they hang up on you. Click. Yes, Microsoft hangs up on you!
+ Surprise, surprise. Amazon can be much more expensive than buying direct from the manufacturer. Amazon’s free shipping has its charms — but not for large, heavy items, e.g. cases of tennis balls, heavy tools. Amazon charges you much more. Tip: Google your manufacturer’s coupons, You’ll often save their shipping with the coupons you snag and still pay 20% lower than Amazon.
+ Electricians are often the worst. Don’t let them install fancy, new low-voltage circuits. Check all circuits that they have power and your lights turn on. Mark the circuit breakers.
+ From a reader: “We contactors hate HomeAdvisor, and by extension, Angie’s List (now called Angi.com) . The leads are terrible, they autodeduct lead fees from your account, and their customer service is awful. The sales reps (to us) are desperate, and unrelenting, BTW.
+ Ebikes are sold out everywhere. Ebikes are a joy to ride. I have a new Cannondale which I love. My bike shop won’t have ebikes delivered from Cannondale until November. You can’t buy shares in Cannondale. I tried.
+ Sketchers shoes are the most comfortable shoes you can buy. But for God’s sake, don’t pay retail. There’s always a sale or a hefty discount.
+ I applied for an Alaska Airlines Visa credit card because it offered a free companion ticket. Bank of America called me, checked a few minor things, then awarded me the card — even though I’d had frozen my credit reporting with all the agencies. And I didn’t unfreeze them.
+ Do not buy anything direct from Stasher, the food container people. Their stuff is good but you can never, ever get off their mailing list. Temporary email addresses are the way to do.
+ Airlines are changing and cancelling. They suffer the same shortage of employees that every other business is suffering. Be prepared for a mess on your next trip. Get ready: Don’t check luggage. Don’t book connecting flights. Carry your own food. Don’t expect to be able to buy any food in the airport. Cancelations are frequent. Be flexible to change your reservations at the last moment. Don’t expect refunds or hotel rooms. Plan to go a day early — otherwise you’ll miss the wedding.
+ Loll Designs makes great indestructible outdoor furniture. My son swears by it.
Get your vaccine, please
The new variants are more dangerous. To wit (from a doctor):
The variants may spread more easily from person to person.
The variants may lead to more severe disease, including increased hospitalizations or deaths.
The variants may be significantly harder to combat by antibodies generated during a previous infection or vaccination.
The variants may evade diagnostic detection.
99%+ of the people who are dying today from covid are unvaccinated.
Further fun advertising
IN A SHOE REPAIR STORE IN WINNIPEG: “We will heel you. We will save your sole. We will even dye for you.”
ON ANOTHER PLUMBER’S TRUCK: “Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.”
IN FRONT OF A FUNERAL HOME: “Drive carefully. We’ll wait.”
IN A CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP: “Best place in town to take a leak.”
Off to watch the tennis
I’m off to watch the tennis. Our stocks are doing well. No worry there. I’ve updated my list of favored stocks — here.
Remember the early 1990s? Hong Kong cinema was riding high with Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-Fat and directors like John Woo. Their combat choreography inspired movies like The Matrix. Sad that it’s all over.
I had toyed with the idea of visiting China. But, after what I’ve written about them in recent months, I’m scared. Yuch.
See you soon. Harry Newton. I love Herman.
