{"id":29759,"date":"2015-02-04T10:26:25","date_gmt":"2015-02-04T15:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.technologyinvestor.com\/?p=29759"},"modified":"2015-02-04T14:21:12","modified_gmt":"2015-02-04T19:21:12","slug":"playing-with-fire-avoiding-the-nasty-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.technologyinvestor.com\/?p=29759","title":{"rendered":"Playing with fire. Avoiding the nasty flu."},"content":{"rendered":"

An idea: Look at all the recent “hot” stocks.<\/p>\n

Only Apple and Netflix have done well. Says something about volatility and the difficulty of playing with fire. (Unless you got in on the IPO, which you and I didn’t.)<\/p>\n

Chipotle
\nNetflix
\nGoogle
\nApple
\nBOX
\nGPRO
\nBABA
\nCYBR
\nSHAK
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasingly too hard to play “hot” stocks — especially those which get the most press on BubbleVision (CNBC).<\/p>\n

Simple, low-cost index funds make increasing sense.<\/p>\n

Sundry stuff:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

+ There are four main browsers<\/strong> — Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox and Apple’s
\nSafari. Everyone loves their browser. But each browser has its own quirks and irritations. Hence it’s a good idea to have several installed on your laptop. When Adobe’s Shockwave Flash blows up in Firefox (as it does), you can move to Chrome.<\/p>\n

+ Everyone is sick with variations on the “flu.”<\/strong> From diarrhea to coughing to debilitating fatigue, the symptoms are truly awful. Planes seem to be cesspools. To repeat: Open the air vent and aim it towards your head. It’s the only clean air in the plane. Wipe everything down with antiseptic wipes. Don’t ever use the seat pocket in front of you. You have no idea what was dumped in last trip. Someone’s snotty tissues. Wash your hands obsessively. Don’t touch your eyes. Don’t shake hands with anybody. Tell them you’ve been sick. You’re protecting them.<\/p>\n

+ Reading books on Kindle is fun.<\/strong> Best is when you highlight text you want to refer back to, Amazon saves your highlights here: https:\/\/kindle.amazon.com\/your_highlights<\/strong><\/a>. Much easier to save highlights electronically than with a yellow magic marker.<\/p>\n

+ eBay charges a 10% commission on things you sell.<\/strong> It’s outrageous. The fee is not matched by eBay’s “service,” nor their user interface — both of which are awful. I pray someone competes against them soon. Craigslist is OK, but not “professional” enough.<\/p>\n

+ 5 Apps No Traveler Should Leave Home Without.<\/strong> From Mens Journal<\/em>. The are Citymapper, Yplan, HotelTonight,
\nPocket and Localleur. For an explanation. Click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

+ The Black+Decker 20 volt hand vac. <\/strong>The family loves this powerful dustbuster:<\/p>\n

\"Black&Decker\"<\/a>
\n$79. Click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

What’s it like to climb Everest.<\/strong><\/span> This is the most amazing video. As you climb, watch the elevation on the left.\u00a0 When you arrive at the summit, move your mouse for a 360 degree view. Watch it on a big screen.<\/p>\n

\"EverestClimb\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Click on this or paste it into your browser:\u00a0 http:\/\/everestavalanchetragedy.com\/mt-everest-journey.html<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

American Sniper is an amazing movie. <\/strong>You know the story: A man driven by his desire to serve and protect our country after seeing 9\/11. Four tours of duty. Incredible skills. More kills than any other sniper in that war. Only to come home with PTSD, which causes severe family problems. He tackles it, ultimately finding a satisfying calling stateside — helping vets. Only to be killed by one of them.<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"AmericanSniper\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Go see the movie. Sit up front. Or (my choice) wear assistive headphones. The dialog can be hard to hear. Sincerest congratulations to Clint Eastwood for making a truly incredible movie.<\/p>\n

\"HarryNewton\"<\/a>
\nHarry Newton, who is bracing himself for today’s battle with eBay.<\/p>\n