Interesting article here on the resentment the merely wealthy feel toward the ultrarich. I'd say this echoes some of what I'd heard here in LA.

Update, another take on the same article.

Ever wonder where nachos came from? No? Well here's the story anyhow.

Need spare parts for your bicycle or accessory? This is the place to go. I couldn't find replacement parts for my pump anywhere in LA, but Mr. Spicer at SpicerCycles.com was able to get them, no problem. He's got access to one of the biggest distributors in the country, and you can search the catalog online. What more could you ask for? Good service? He's got that too!

Fascinating post on why progressives lose elections. This reminds me a bit too much of my own experience in sales. I used to believe that people bought based on facts, hard experience has taught me otherwise.

Sure, sure one isn't supposed to talk about such things but hey - I just saw Robert Redford by my dentist's office! I can add that to my sightings list which includes

• Anthony Edwards - airline club/LAX
• Al Pacino - Toys R Us
• Jon Voight - LAX
• Pierce Brosnan - LAX
• Dick Van Dyke - Best Buy
• Ahnuld - several times in/around Santa Monica
• Slash - bicycle shop
• Lyle Lovett - motorcyle dealership (he later purchased it)
• Scott Bakula - LAX
• Dennis Hopper - art gallery

and probably some others that have slipped my mind. No biggie overall, but still - Robert Redford!

Interesting piece on L.A. schools (and attitudes towards low income students generally)

http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh030106.shtml

If liberals care about public schools, and about low income people in general, why are schools in a liberal Democratic stronghold so darn bad? I don't have the answers, but the article raises some great points.

Many affluent liberals in the L.A. area shell out approximately 20k/year for private school - why not spend the same time/attention on our local district?

A note to some less experienced employees:

Yes you are smart, and yes, you are knowledgeable. But you don't know everything, or even everything about the things you think you are expert in. Before opening your mouth and inserting feet, you might pause to consider that maybe, just maybe, someone else knows how to do their own job, and suggesting otherwise is not endearing.

Just a tip.

Right now, I'm reading the Cryptonomicon, an interesting book all the cool kids were reading a few years ago. It's the best story about cryptography, warfare and cross generational treasure hunting I've ever read. The sad part is everyone else has moved on.

Ditto for Freakonomics, Blink, and just about everything else I've read recently. I used to stay quite current with books, but now not so much. I'm sure part of it has to do with being the father of a 2 year old, but it also has to do with the way I get books these days. As I learn about a book that sounds interesting, I add it to my Amazon wish list. Then once a year for Christmas, I send a list of those books around, and I hope I get some. So in general, I don't even bring a book in my house until many months after it has been published, and I usually don't read it until many months after that (in my annual pre Christmas book reading/shelf clearing frenzy).

I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to break this cycle, but I am going to give it some thought.

MAC 3 Stroller - Avoid if you can

My wife and I bought one of these about 18 months ago, and at first we loved it. It was easier to handle than a "real" jog stroller, looked nice, and was easy to fold. Unfortunately, as the review notes, the design/build quality leaves something to be desired. Screws have fallen out (no locknuts or similar fasteners), we've had several flat tires, and the thing almost never tracks straight.

The official Maclaren site doesn't even list the stroller anymore, which is probably for the best.