Work Hard for the Money

Shout out to my buddy Jules for the suggestion, first and most eminently. The issue of paying children to attend and excel in school (in core classes) is apparently brewing throughout the nation as some specific urban locations in cities such as Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York have already instituted such a program. The bill is still in the rudimentary stage as it is currently on the table for Detroit.

I thought i heard of this in Atlanta before but maybe not. The article i read cited a particular instance in New York where a school has risen from the doldrums to achieve laudable results due to students receiving pay. The language on the bill states that students could earn up to $2000. I think i am 40/60 (good/bad)on this, on the surface this seems like a good idea but i think that it wouldn't benefit that many in the long run. Some students will pick up their performance to attain money, some probably will not, and some may cheat; but that's not the measuring stick. I believe that children should understand the concept of bettering yourself, often times that doesn't directly offer you a reward. As I channel my inner psychologist, i think that this will induce children to associate school/learning with money, but what will happen when/if they head off to college and the tables are reversed as they have to pay to attend school. Will they then feel like it is not worth it? I also think you can't make everything about money, because their are other things kids can do to obtain money, especially as they live out their teenage years. If your motivation is primarily the money then this offer won't hold your attention. I do understand that some would lose interest regardless but i think it sets the wrong idea.

More importantly the issue of funding this is stifling, in D.C. the program costs $2.7 million a year. For a city like Detroit struggling with a deficit it does not seem wise (although they did mention funding from elsewhere). I would have to contend that families need to encourage their children to try their best and your reward comes down the line, when you get accepted into whatever school you want or you land that job/internship. Instant gratification is another problem we often have but that's a topic for another day.

However as i stated earlier i do not think it is all bad. I think for some this will work and serve as sufficient motivation. I also understand the notion of getting results no matter how you get them, I wrote a blog a while back that talked about motivation coming in many forms. Also perhaps this will help some households that deal with money issues by allowing even the smallest of kids to contribute. As most of the 'Sofa knows i am all about the mindset though, you can't let the situation determine your mindset, you have to have the right mindset no matter the situation.

For a Klondike Bar...

I know its kinda small but he ask the contestants "I'd be willing to post a youtube video of myself doing something completely humiliating but i'd need to get paid..." The winner's answer is "attention by at least three strangers."

This is a small comic that personifies the mindset that a lot of us have. Obviously this is a caricature. Everyone wants to be famous, nothing wrong there, but the extent that people go to in an attempt to attain such status is egregious. I've seen quite a few videos in my time on youtube that are quite preposterous.

But my quarrel is: what has been entrenched in the minds of everyone that makes us all strive to be famous? I would imagine the mindset would be that of Drake, "I just want to be successful". Being famous does not necessarily equate to money or the desired quality of life, it just means that more people watch your every move, good or bad. It means that the praise is high but the persecution is higher. I would like to reiterate that being famous is not a bad thing, but our motivation to be simply famous derails us from our real passions. I think it should also be noted that any amount of fame takes work to sustain, often times people don't or are not willing to put in the work required to reach the stratosphere. And heck who knows, perhaps what you love to do will garner you the rewards if you do it diligently and passionately.

Im looking to galvanize everyone in hopes that they would be the best at whatever they strive to be. Don't follow the fame, follow the passion.

The $540 dollar Debate

Recently everyone's favorite homegirl M.O. (thats what I call her) stepped out in a pair of sneakers by French designer Lanvin. There is a part of me that solely wanted to post this because it was about sneakers, lucky for me it has relevance beyond that (plus its my blog anyway). She and Jilly were at a D.C. Food bank for a Feeding America event. The detail that has left some folks with a bitter feeling is the fact they run about $540.

The dominant sentiment was ''They're in poor taste. That's way too much to spend on a sneaker, especially in a recession.'' This is according to a poll embedded within the webpage of the Daily News article, if I recall the percentage was 59% against and 41% for. I wasn't bothered the least bit by it, as I operate off the assumption that some of her pumps cost thousands of dollars. Also I don't know how she obtained them, perhaps she didn't even have to pay for them. Maybe she did but they reimburse her. The media builds hype over hype about her outfit selections and appearance, therefore it is obviously important to THEM. Since they consistently insinuate that her appearance is so noteworthy perhaps she does need to put on some of the best, or at least perceived that way, sneakers around. Another key point that I learned after some reading is that this isn't the first time she has donned some Lanvins, so it appears that this is a sneaker she feels comfortable with...I say let her be
comfortable.

Let me find out M.O. is a sneaker head! In my quest to eradicate the world of corny sneakers I have attained a new level of hope. Us 1, Them 0. Now who's got a problem with me and M.O.!?

Must be the Money

As you guys know i do brief reading in my limited spare time. This time i was nudged to get some perspectives on the subject of money and friendships. The article i read professed that huge differences in income put a strain on both participants. It stated the wealthier person feels a level of guilt for the things they have, considering that the friend has quite a bit less. They feel awkward about inviting them to gatherings in fear that the other friend may be uncomfortable. The other friend feels bad about the paucity of his/her bank account. They feel as though they have to keep up, often acquiescing to spend more money than they should or living at times above their means.

To be frank (who else would i want to be), most people live above their means. I've always imagined that good friends would be just that regardless of circumstance. It sounds like a problem of (as the kids say) not keeping it 100. If you are honest with yourself then you can be honest with others, and people respect and adore honesty. Perhaps people get caught up in the details of life and forget the simple things. The fact that these two friends enjoy each others company and have a blast together is not something that should be overlooked. There is often too much emphasis and attention directed on putting people into a box or category, its almost as if we forget to label people as simply, well, people. I don't want to get too MLKish but people should be judged on the content of their character. Friendships have no rules, as one cares for the other and the sentiment is reciprocated, they shall be friends...qualifications met. From my experiences i don't know that i agree with what i read 100%.

What does the 'sofa readership think? How heavily do you feel that money weighs on friendships? Since we're talking money, let me get your two cents.

Reparations on the Way

Go ahead, you can laugh...I came across this flyer at the GAS STATION, and thought to myself what is the world coming too. If the much heralded and empathetic U.S.A. (cough, cough) was really giving out reparations then i guarantee you would not be buzzing in through a 313 number. So whomever created this flyer needs to be a little wittier with their master plan.

The part that startled me the most was the usage of "Afro" on this solicitation. Do people still use that word? In the heart of Detroit, a city which is probably 95 percent (speculation) I can assure you that none of us say "Afro", therefore I am led to believe this was done by an outsider. You are probably grasping the realization that i thought this was absurd on so many levels. Additionally, if the Obama administration or even the former was really giving out reparations would it really be exclusively on a concrete post at the gas station, no commercials, radio or tv huh? Things like this really tar my feathers, because there is clearly intent to run a scam on people who are essentially your neighbors.

People who exert effort into futile and deceitful efforts will obviously never learn that they could do so much more if they put that effort into something positive or an endeavor with some sustainability that would keep them from obtaining an inmate number. I could only shake my head, when will we get it together.

White House News

In a recent announcement out of the White House President Obama has set forth restrictions on executives pay from companies that are receiving TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) money. The ceiling is set at $500k, companies that have previously negotiated such as Citibank and Bank of America will not be regulated by that rule, as it was not in the terms of their agreement, but from henceforth any other company probing for assistance will. The ceiling will only exist until they repay the government funding. Additional guidelines should ensue next week.

Obama says "This is America. We don't disparage wealth. We don't begrudge anybody for achieving success," Obama said. "But what gets people upset - and rightfully so - are executives being rewarded for failure. Especially when those rewards are subsidized by U.S. taxpayers."

Some business owners cited that this may discourage others from taking post at troubling companies and could prevent them from hiring successful and exceptional leadership. Also, "compensation experts in the private sector have warned that intrusions into the internal decisions of financial institutions could discourage participation in the rescue program and slow down the financial sector's recovery. They also argue that it could set a precedent for government regulation that undermines performance-based pay." I don't think that this would impede the recovery, i think it would coerce institutions to do more diligent candidate searches and seek quality individuals, keeping in mind that this will not always be the cap, just until their government loan is repaid. I would rebuttal that there is plenty of opportunity out there along with individuals willing to command the work load.

Obama's staff member addressed resistance inquiries and stated these are special circumstances and the government does not plan on extending the limitations beyond this circumstance. I do not know how the firms were rationalizing their disdainful argument when they are looking to be subsidized by TARP, taxpayers, and federal money. One executive of a firm out of Chicago said "500k is a very tight limit", i think i would have to agree with that assessment but you could lose everything without this assistance. The article also states there was lamenting on Capitol Hill for lower compensation of 400k which is what the president makes (you didn't know that did you!).

Also the number of executives ballooned from 5 to 20, who would face reduced bonuses and incentives if they are found to have knowingly provided inaccurate information related to company financial statements or performance measurements.

With everything there is an exception, so here is the black swan: generally healthy companies looking for TARP money will be allowed to waive the 500k limit with full public disclosure and a nonbinding shareholder vote, essentially all those holding premium stock (which can be bought by anyone) would have a say on the salary. I do not see why a "generally healthy" company would be looking for assistance money but maybe i don't have all the details.

I, myself am attempting to do a better job of staying abreast of the happenings in the political arena, hopefully you are as well.

OPEC and Oil Prices

I got this information via The New York Times and it vaguely perplexed me. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has called an emergency meeting planned for Friday to discuss the price drop of oil while demand is falling. One of the chairmen said, the obvious response is to slow daily oil production, but they are looking to reach an agreement for a plan with more longevity. The price of oil is down by half since July, and oil prices settled at 79.89 a barrel on Tuesday, which is near the 14-month low it reached last week. Many independent experts believe the global consumption of oil will fall this year, the first time since 1993.

We have witnessed the oil prices fall sharply within the last few weeks, but the inquiry that must be made is why does the price fluctuate so heavily? The same methods are used to extract the oil and it is the same companies selling it. Ok, economics lesson: high supply + low demand = low price, low supply + high demand = high price. Experts also stated that it is paramount that they select an agreeable price, because pricing the oil too high will continue to reduce the demand by contributing to a global recession. OPEC is responsible for 40% of the worlds oil exports and they suspect that it will be difficult to get all of its members to abide by price cuts.

This problem can be alleviated by whomever the supplier is at the top if they stop trying to exaggerate their profit. Lets speculate that for the last 10 years Oil Company A has been extracting and supplying oil, but for the last 5 years A's clients have been increasing the amount of oil they purchase. Do you charge your client more money because they are buying more oil from you, usually its the opposite, the more you buy the better the deal. Sheer common sense will say that there is no shortage if OPEC is worried about demand declining, because if their supply was diminishing then they would welcome lower demand to keep them running longer. So why do they keep lifting the price? Granted, in the world there is always inflation but the rapid pace at which they were increasing was not consistent with the rest of the world. It was inevitable for their greed to devour them. If they never would have "gassed" (double entendre) the price up then there probably would not be such a clamoring for alternate forms of energy or a strong focus in another direction and they could have cruised along until, who knows, 2043.

In this world it is funny how everything balances out. The nerd eventually becomes the cool guy, just like the greedy soon become the needy. We shall see what happens, hopefully gas will remain consistent and reasonable. I just found this story highly riveting, the fact that they are worried about the oil prices being at the level where it probably should have been anyway. Less profit for the ones who have more than they can spend, i know, i've received the emails of the rich oil execs and their preposterous as well as hyperbolic lifestyles.

Culture Shot

Yesterday Jacksonville Jaguars DE, Richard Collier was shot near downtown Jacksonville and was reported to have life threatening injuries. He was sitting in a car with another former football player waiting for a lady to come out of her apartment. The shooting reportedly happened around 2:45 a.m. in an upper-middle class neighborhood.

It seems that lately more and more sports players have been getting attacked. Just earlier this summer Raiders WR Javon Walker was abducted and beaten unconscious in Vegas as he was simultaneously robbed. Apparently they tracked him to his hotel room. I won't detail everybody but look at Eddie Curry, Antoine Walker, Sean Taylor, Sebastian Telfair and Darrent Williams as well. I was just talking about this type of thing with Record and it just so happens that i saw this report. The portentous obstacle that we need to hurdle is the mindset that alot of victims as well as attackers have. I read a comment on one of the boards that said "that's what these guys get... where im from you can't wear it if you can't keep it, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN". A lot of people have this mentality. Despite whoever you may think you may be and your status, there are folks out there that are going to "try you" for it. They don't care who you are. Im not saying that any of these athletes are in the wrong places or anything like that because that's not the case. But i think it would behoove you to know how the goons think. There is also two sides to every coin, that admiration you get for having the luxuries of life is great but those things can get you the same amount of envy or ill-will. There is a level of responsibility and awareness you need to have when you are drawing a little more attention to yourself.

I think it is unfortunate just as many people do, but you have to understand the game if you want to play it. I also understand that every situation is different but overall I just hope that these violent acts calm down but i guess we will have to wait to see.

Hotmail is China's friend

Small piece of information here, Microsoft is not letting potential email users utilize the word "tibet" in their email address. Microsoft insist that this barricade is in existence to prevent users from imitating financial institutions and employ "phishing schemes" or impersonations of that nature. In this case a spokeswoman from Microsoft commented that there is a bank in Florida, TIB Bank and that is why names with "tib" are not accepted.

Now the cynicism begins, just as the Olympics are on schedule to begin tomorrow (unofficially). With China looking to chivy away from all inquiries about their treatment of the Tibetans its awkward timing that this would surface now. Especially when you consider the amount of money the Chinese have lent the American economy (hundreds of billions of dollars), we almost have no money. You wonder why everything says made in China and although many complain we still send everything over to China to be produced, its not only for the cheap labor (I think im going to embark on that dialogue another day). Anyhow its not as if someone with the word "tibet" in their hotmail address is a threat to the freedom of all nationalities everywhere. Maybe Microsoft is being honest but i find this whole thing ironic. Im just imparting the little information i have, from all angles.

Funny Money

What is this nation doing? In an attempt to save some cheese many corporations and organizations (24 on the aol list) are closing doors, closing shops, or cutting back. Among the companies named some of the more recognizable were: Home Depot, Starbucks, Sprint, CompUSA, Macy's, Lane Bryant, Kripy Kreme, Sharper Image, and Rite Aid. Most of these are just losing stores and employees, but there were a couple on the list that filed for bankruptcy or bankruptcy protection.

This could be a start but the leaders of these companies have to make better decisions. It seems as if everyday somebody is closing something. However chew on this, the average CEO salary according to a graph by CNNmoney.com is $613,826. The average figure for an individual in the retail sales division is $24,000. To be completely candid about this topic, there is a notion that retail sales is a relatively easy position to replace. However, I actually think the same can be said for the CEO position, granted there aren't that many. There are plenty of company executives that harbor the necessary thought processes to make sound company decisions, but there is only one per company so the numbers don't weigh the same. The average CEO tenure is about five years now, a sharp decline from ten.

But the question that i am trying to arouse here is, are CEO's worth that much more than some of the more populous positions. If this were the founder or entreprenuer that started the company than i would not have anything to say because they bore that risk and start up cost and it was their life on the line. But the CEO's are often not that. They should definately be paid well but that is a pretty big disparity. I have a hunch that the brain trust running the companies are not adjusting well to changing methods, technology, and processes. The people who should get paid are the people who do research because that's what these companies need in order to figure out how to make better decisions.

The point is, those in charge need to use some savvy business acumen to make it work. I hope it gets better but the money in the in country is tight. Hope you don't have to borrow a dollar anytime soon.

Money in the bank?

Clearly ungrateful. Mess like this gets me steamin. Well his grand kids won't be left with any money because any money that he gets he is going to find a way to blow it. This is not an illusion, yes the man has a chain simulating the kellog cereal box. Im all for creativity (as was stated in the previous blog entry)but at some point it becomes absurd, excessive, and wasteful.

The gentlemen pictured is believed to be rapper "gucci mane" (at least thats who Kanye said it was), some of you, however not all, are probably thinking, "I've never heard of him", point well taken. Now i am not one to speak on someone else's pocket especially if i don't know them, however I have not been able to locate him on the Forbes 100 list, or any list for that matter. He claims to be from the hood as most rappers do, therefore im sure the conditions weren't the best, his family had to use the oven to heat the house up, they didn't know where the next meal was coming from or something along these lines. So why the heck wouldn't he use some of that money that he has to help the hood that he came from. Im sure everyone in his old stomping grounds is still struggling, the kids need rec centers or the community needs business', im not a psychic but im getting that feeling. Black folks always talk about the white man this and the white man that, but when you are selfish like this you will never get ahead. There is power in numbers, other nationalities get ahead because they help each other and everybody is willing to contribute. Im not talking about making your boy the head of jewelry security either. Im talking about a real job. Everybody always has something to say about the Arabs running the gas station or the corner store but they look out for each other and they are shutting the market DOWN! They dang near have a monopoly. The people that own the corner stores and such don't even stay in that neighborhood nine times out of ten, it is like going far away from your home, selling crack to the slums and returning back to your safe and quiet abode.

This has turned into a bigger discussion (I know sometimes it happens that way). White people run their business' and look out for their buddy and help them get their foot in the door. Then you have a branching out effect that leads to a bunch of white people running the show because usually that is who they are friends with. Black folks don't do that, we get some money, start a car wash and blow it. Then we go back to being just like everybody else with the same ole plans and same ole grams. If we got some things going and put our friends on like everybody else then maybe we could get some representation out here in the money market of America. However, we would rather make frosted flakes chains. Are you serious! This is really the best idea he had to spend his money on. We need a whole new mindset. We need the those MIB guys to come to the hood and zap everybody so we won't even remember what mess we used to think about.

I am about to go in reverse here put on your seatbelt, this guy isn't even your premiere rapper. He's known in a couple of hoods across the United States but that's it! He is no LL Cool J, or Jay-z, or you know....SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD SUCCESS. His momma should have come on stage and grabbed him by the ear and drug him off stage. The worst part about all this, im sure the people in the crowd were thoroughly excited and impressed when they saw his chain.

Im done with this matter, Kellog should sue this guy for blasphemy!

Commentary on Black America

THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

This is a picture that i received in an email with the accompanying paragraph:

"This is a sad commentary on black men in America. The men in this photo have a combined wealth of over $40 million. Yet they look like they're posing for a high school yearbook photo. 40-year-old-men should dress more age appropriate to set an example for the young black youth. Especially when so many black fathers are incarcerated or absent."

Lets dissect this commentary along with the corresponding photo. First it comments on how much money these men have combined, however at least 50% of that is in Jay-z's region of the pie chart. People have yet to realize that money does not give any individual wisdom, knowledge, or humility. You can give money to anyone but that alone does not change them as a person.

Next the individual compares this picture to a high school photo. That is a stretch as well, if you look at actually look at the photo the oldest one, Jay-z is just standing straight up, pretty simple right? Jeezy is leaning in a little to fit in the frame, nothing high school about that, just common picture etiquette. Now Slick Pulla looks a bit high schoolish, the pants low and the hat cocked, and Scrappy looks a little tough but guess what, those guys aren't that old still in their twenties. In the commentary it says they should dress more age appropriate and i shall take that as a stone at Jay-z because he really is the only one close to forty years old (and there really is nothing wrong with what they are wearing but that is to be discussed later). Jay-z has on a regular t-shirt and some regular jeans. His shirt is not a 3x or a long tee, it fits him and same for the pants. What's wrong with that for crying out loud. For the record just because you are approaching forty years old does not restrict your dress code to dockers or suits.

The point i would like to most fervently make is "man makes the clothes, clothes dont make the man". People get so caught up on the insignificant properties of life. These guys are just hanging out at some local event. Its not a board meeting or church, heck they are not even at work. They can wear their leisure clothes if they want and that's what they feel comfortable in, the clothes are clean trust me! What makes wearing one thing right and wearing something else wrong if that's what someone feels comfortable in then let them be! Maybe i feel a little close to this situation because i have seen people judge people based on their style of dress, then when they finally meet them they think that they are one of the best people they ever met. Well i will just come out and say it, it has happened to me plenty of times! There, you have it! This one man told me before "you're way different then i thought you were, you are a very bright young man with a good head on your shoulders". He thought i was some stereotypical black guy because when he saw me i looked rather urban. Now i would have you know I have multiple looks in my closet and that just so happened to be what i had on that day. I say all that to say this, stop judging people, PEOPLE!

And on the subject of role models that's a wholeeeeeeee different can of worms, all im gon' say is people in the community need to step up (father, neighbor, uncle, grandparent, mother, whoever). Im out, im bout to go buy some more t-shirts and sneakers! HOLLA!