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March 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM #360200March 3, 2009 at 6:20 PM #359656
partypup
Participant[quote=TheBreeze]I would rather bet against you on something that is more easily measured. How about we bet that there are no news stories of grocery stores in California running out of food due to supply chain disruptions that are a result of economic catastrophe between now and the end of 2010? Note that this would exclude instances where grocery stores go out of business or run out of food due to natural disasters. It would also exclude instances where grocery stores place limits on how much product people can buy, like they did with rice last year. In the penultimate outcome, there is a news story where I (TheBreeze) and some other hapless individual (or individuals) literally brawl over the last can of chicken soup at Ralph’s.
If I win, you donate $50 to smiletrain.org. I will donate $50 to the cause of your choice if you win.
By the way, you are sounding awfully, awfully cocky. Perhaps your predictive powers are as great as you think. Or perhaps you are due for a comeuppance. Let’s hope you can withdraw your fiat if TSHTF while you are on one of your trips:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67fba682-075a-11de-9294-000077b07658.html%5B/quote%5D
Okay, I’ll take your bet, Breezy. Decmber 31, 2010 is the date by which everything you set forth must occur, right? I’m not cocky, but I am fairly confident — given the pace at which events are currently unfolding — that I will win this one. If not, then good times for all of us!
And yes, the Ukraine is looking awfully ugly now. Much unrest all over Eastern Europe, and soon to come to the U.S…
March 3, 2009 at 6:20 PM #359960Participant[quote=TheBreeze]I would rather bet against you on something that is more easily measured. How about we bet that there are no news stories of grocery stores in California running out of food due to supply chain disruptions that are a result of economic catastrophe between now and the end of 2010? Note that this would exclude instances where grocery stores go out of business or run out of food due to natural disasters. It would also exclude instances where grocery stores place limits on how much product people can buy, like they did with rice last year. In the penultimate outcome, there is a news story where I (TheBreeze) and some other hapless individual (or individuals) literally brawl over the last can of chicken soup at Ralph’s.
If I win, you donate $50 to smiletrain.org. I will donate $50 to the cause of your choice if you win.
By the way, you are sounding awfully, awfully cocky. Perhaps your predictive powers are as great as you think. Or perhaps you are due for a comeuppance. Let’s hope you can withdraw your fiat if TSHTF while you are on one of your trips:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67fba682-075a-11de-9294-000077b07658.html%5B/quote%5D
Okay, I’ll take your bet, Breezy. Decmber 31, 2010 is the date by which everything you set forth must occur, right? I’m not cocky, but I am fairly confident — given the pace at which events are currently unfolding — that I will win this one. If not, then good times for all of us!
And yes, the Ukraine is looking awfully ugly now. Much unrest all over Eastern Europe, and soon to come to the U.S…
March 3, 2009 at 6:20 PM #360105Participant[quote=TheBreeze]I would rather bet against you on something that is more easily measured. How about we bet that there are no news stories of grocery stores in California running out of food due to supply chain disruptions that are a result of economic catastrophe between now and the end of 2010? Note that this would exclude instances where grocery stores go out of business or run out of food due to natural disasters. It would also exclude instances where grocery stores place limits on how much product people can buy, like they did with rice last year. In the penultimate outcome, there is a news story where I (TheBreeze) and some other hapless individual (or individuals) literally brawl over the last can of chicken soup at Ralph’s.
If I win, you donate $50 to smiletrain.org. I will donate $50 to the cause of your choice if you win.
By the way, you are sounding awfully, awfully cocky. Perhaps your predictive powers are as great as you think. Or perhaps you are due for a comeuppance. Let’s hope you can withdraw your fiat if TSHTF while you are on one of your trips:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67fba682-075a-11de-9294-000077b07658.html%5B/quote%5D
Okay, I’ll take your bet, Breezy. Decmber 31, 2010 is the date by which everything you set forth must occur, right? I’m not cocky, but I am fairly confident — given the pace at which events are currently unfolding — that I will win this one. If not, then good times for all of us!
And yes, the Ukraine is looking awfully ugly now. Much unrest all over Eastern Europe, and soon to come to the U.S…
March 3, 2009 at 6:20 PM #360141Participant[quote=TheBreeze]I would rather bet against you on something that is more easily measured. How about we bet that there are no news stories of grocery stores in California running out of food due to supply chain disruptions that are a result of economic catastrophe between now and the end of 2010? Note that this would exclude instances where grocery stores go out of business or run out of food due to natural disasters. It would also exclude instances where grocery stores place limits on how much product people can buy, like they did with rice last year. In the penultimate outcome, there is a news story where I (TheBreeze) and some other hapless individual (or individuals) literally brawl over the last can of chicken soup at Ralph’s.
If I win, you donate $50 to smiletrain.org. I will donate $50 to the cause of your choice if you win.
By the way, you are sounding awfully, awfully cocky. Perhaps your predictive powers are as great as you think. Or perhaps you are due for a comeuppance. Let’s hope you can withdraw your fiat if TSHTF while you are on one of your trips:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67fba682-075a-11de-9294-000077b07658.html%5B/quote%5D
Okay, I’ll take your bet, Breezy. Decmber 31, 2010 is the date by which everything you set forth must occur, right? I’m not cocky, but I am fairly confident — given the pace at which events are currently unfolding — that I will win this one. If not, then good times for all of us!
And yes, the Ukraine is looking awfully ugly now. Much unrest all over Eastern Europe, and soon to come to the U.S…
March 3, 2009 at 6:20 PM #360247Participant[quote=TheBreeze]I would rather bet against you on something that is more easily measured. How about we bet that there are no news stories of grocery stores in California running out of food due to supply chain disruptions that are a result of economic catastrophe between now and the end of 2010? Note that this would exclude instances where grocery stores go out of business or run out of food due to natural disasters. It would also exclude instances where grocery stores place limits on how much product people can buy, like they did with rice last year. In the penultimate outcome, there is a news story where I (TheBreeze) and some other hapless individual (or individuals) literally brawl over the last can of chicken soup at Ralph’s.
If I win, you donate $50 to smiletrain.org. I will donate $50 to the cause of your choice if you win.
By the way, you are sounding awfully, awfully cocky. Perhaps your predictive powers are as great as you think. Or perhaps you are due for a comeuppance. Let’s hope you can withdraw your fiat if TSHTF while you are on one of your trips:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67fba682-075a-11de-9294-000077b07658.html%5B/quote%5D
Okay, I’ll take your bet, Breezy. Decmber 31, 2010 is the date by which everything you set forth must occur, right? I’m not cocky, but I am fairly confident — given the pace at which events are currently unfolding — that I will win this one. If not, then good times for all of us!
And yes, the Ukraine is looking awfully ugly now. Much unrest all over Eastern Europe, and soon to come to the U.S…
March 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM #359666Participant[quote=Zeitgeist]Pup- I think the small farm sounds nice. I know you are smart and a superb survivor. I hope you have some like minded people on your side because as we all know, you have to sleep some time. In the meantime, don’t leave behind your books including poetry: “Open still remaineth a free life for great souls. Verily, he who possesseth little is so much the less possessed: blessed be moderate poverty!”
“There, where the state ceaseth–there only commenceth the man who is not superfluous: there commenceth the song of the necessary ones, the single and irreplaceable melody.”
“There, where the state CEASETH–pray look thither, my brethren! Do ye not see it, the rainbow and the bridges of the Superman?–”
Thus spake Zarathustra.[/quote]
LOL. Zeit, I’ve got a posse of feisty friends on my side (mostly white collar types who are growing increasingly apprehensive and moving into self-protection mode). We’re prepped and ready to support each other 🙂
Your quotes resonate with me — and not just because I love poetry. They remind me that in these times we must cling to bits of art, humor and culture to bring perspective and stability to our lives. I have recently found joy in learning the guitar and composing music (I played piano for 10 years and lost my skills). I know, it’s going to come as a huge surprise to everyone on this board, but I actually don’t spend all my time plotting my escape and stuffing my pantry 😉 Tonight, I’m enjoying a couple of joints with a buddy, opening a bottle of Menage a Tois and watching “Madagascar 2”. Have you ever watched talking animals when you’re high? AMAZING!!!!
March 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM #359971Participant[quote=Zeitgeist]Pup- I think the small farm sounds nice. I know you are smart and a superb survivor. I hope you have some like minded people on your side because as we all know, you have to sleep some time. In the meantime, don’t leave behind your books including poetry: “Open still remaineth a free life for great souls. Verily, he who possesseth little is so much the less possessed: blessed be moderate poverty!”
“There, where the state ceaseth–there only commenceth the man who is not superfluous: there commenceth the song of the necessary ones, the single and irreplaceable melody.”
“There, where the state CEASETH–pray look thither, my brethren! Do ye not see it, the rainbow and the bridges of the Superman?–”
Thus spake Zarathustra.[/quote]
LOL. Zeit, I’ve got a posse of feisty friends on my side (mostly white collar types who are growing increasingly apprehensive and moving into self-protection mode). We’re prepped and ready to support each other 🙂
Your quotes resonate with me — and not just because I love poetry. They remind me that in these times we must cling to bits of art, humor and culture to bring perspective and stability to our lives. I have recently found joy in learning the guitar and composing music (I played piano for 10 years and lost my skills). I know, it’s going to come as a huge surprise to everyone on this board, but I actually don’t spend all my time plotting my escape and stuffing my pantry 😉 Tonight, I’m enjoying a couple of joints with a buddy, opening a bottle of Menage a Tois and watching “Madagascar 2”. Have you ever watched talking animals when you’re high? AMAZING!!!!
March 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM #360115Participant[quote=Zeitgeist]Pup- I think the small farm sounds nice. I know you are smart and a superb survivor. I hope you have some like minded people on your side because as we all know, you have to sleep some time. In the meantime, don’t leave behind your books including poetry: “Open still remaineth a free life for great souls. Verily, he who possesseth little is so much the less possessed: blessed be moderate poverty!”
“There, where the state ceaseth–there only commenceth the man who is not superfluous: there commenceth the song of the necessary ones, the single and irreplaceable melody.”
“There, where the state CEASETH–pray look thither, my brethren! Do ye not see it, the rainbow and the bridges of the Superman?–”
Thus spake Zarathustra.[/quote]
LOL. Zeit, I’ve got a posse of feisty friends on my side (mostly white collar types who are growing increasingly apprehensive and moving into self-protection mode). We’re prepped and ready to support each other 🙂
Your quotes resonate with me — and not just because I love poetry. They remind me that in these times we must cling to bits of art, humor and culture to bring perspective and stability to our lives. I have recently found joy in learning the guitar and composing music (I played piano for 10 years and lost my skills). I know, it’s going to come as a huge surprise to everyone on this board, but I actually don’t spend all my time plotting my escape and stuffing my pantry 😉 Tonight, I’m enjoying a couple of joints with a buddy, opening a bottle of Menage a Tois and watching “Madagascar 2”. Have you ever watched talking animals when you’re high? AMAZING!!!!
March 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM #360151Participant[quote=Zeitgeist]Pup- I think the small farm sounds nice. I know you are smart and a superb survivor. I hope you have some like minded people on your side because as we all know, you have to sleep some time. In the meantime, don’t leave behind your books including poetry: “Open still remaineth a free life for great souls. Verily, he who possesseth little is so much the less possessed: blessed be moderate poverty!”
“There, where the state ceaseth–there only commenceth the man who is not superfluous: there commenceth the song of the necessary ones, the single and irreplaceable melody.”
“There, where the state CEASETH–pray look thither, my brethren! Do ye not see it, the rainbow and the bridges of the Superman?–”
Thus spake Zarathustra.[/quote]
LOL. Zeit, I’ve got a posse of feisty friends on my side (mostly white collar types who are growing increasingly apprehensive and moving into self-protection mode). We’re prepped and ready to support each other 🙂
Your quotes resonate with me — and not just because I love poetry. They remind me that in these times we must cling to bits of art, humor and culture to bring perspective and stability to our lives. I have recently found joy in learning the guitar and composing music (I played piano for 10 years and lost my skills). I know, it’s going to come as a huge surprise to everyone on this board, but I actually don’t spend all my time plotting my escape and stuffing my pantry 😉 Tonight, I’m enjoying a couple of joints with a buddy, opening a bottle of Menage a Tois and watching “Madagascar 2”. Have you ever watched talking animals when you’re high? AMAZING!!!!
March 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM #360257Participant[quote=Zeitgeist]Pup- I think the small farm sounds nice. I know you are smart and a superb survivor. I hope you have some like minded people on your side because as we all know, you have to sleep some time. In the meantime, don’t leave behind your books including poetry: “Open still remaineth a free life for great souls. Verily, he who possesseth little is so much the less possessed: blessed be moderate poverty!”
“There, where the state ceaseth–there only commenceth the man who is not superfluous: there commenceth the song of the necessary ones, the single and irreplaceable melody.”
“There, where the state CEASETH–pray look thither, my brethren! Do ye not see it, the rainbow and the bridges of the Superman?–”
Thus spake Zarathustra.[/quote]
LOL. Zeit, I’ve got a posse of feisty friends on my side (mostly white collar types who are growing increasingly apprehensive and moving into self-protection mode). We’re prepped and ready to support each other 🙂
Your quotes resonate with me — and not just because I love poetry. They remind me that in these times we must cling to bits of art, humor and culture to bring perspective and stability to our lives. I have recently found joy in learning the guitar and composing music (I played piano for 10 years and lost my skills). I know, it’s going to come as a huge surprise to everyone on this board, but I actually don’t spend all my time plotting my escape and stuffing my pantry 😉 Tonight, I’m enjoying a couple of joints with a buddy, opening a bottle of Menage a Tois and watching “Madagascar 2”. Have you ever watched talking animals when you’re high? AMAZING!!!!
March 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM #359681Participant[quote=CDMA ENG]Partypup,
I have a question for you. Granted it maybe out of your area a little.
How is IP Law doing? Are these firms doing the same in terms of layoffs.
Intially when the construction business went belly-up in PHX my friend was very busy. People started to sue each other for the revenue and oustanding bills.
Anything similiar in IP Law. It would seem that once a outside source of revenue dries up that many deseperate companies would rely on the law to restablish this. For example; Company A makes a product that is making money hand over fist, then the revenue stream dries up. Company Z makes similiar product but may be percieved as infringing on Company A’s patents. Company Z still has a revenue stream. Company A sues Company Z.
Just wondering and thanks in advance.
Also kudos to you for having the courage to post. You know you were creating a firestorm when talked about high salaries, lawyers, and layoffs! 😛
CE[/quote]
cdma eng, from what I can tell and have gathered from my friends at firms, ALL practice areas are getting hit very hard – although you are right, I haven’t heard about as many layoffs in the IP area. The corporate practice areas (structured finance, M&A, etc) are without question being hit the hardest, but law firms are definitely laying off in all areas.
As you mentioned, in tough times litigation has generally been buffeted and has held up better (when companies or individuals are losing money, they are often tempted to file claims to bring in cash). I think the problem these firms are facing is that they over-hired in all practice areas (a bone-headed move, to be sure), and now they simply cannot sustain themselves with all the associates they have taken on. And let’s face it, even if firms need IP litigators, they will simply just choose to make do with fewer heads. So instead of billing 2,500 hours a year, these associates will be billing 3,000.
And yes, I seem to have created quite a firestorm with this post! I wasn’t trying to elicit sympathy for these people, though. In my mind, we’re ALL in the same boat – and it’s sinking. No unemployed person deserves more sympathy than any other one, regardless of profession or career. I think the real value in sharing these stories is to make folks aware of how broad-based this employment crash is becoming.
March 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM #359984Participant[quote=CDMA ENG]Partypup,
I have a question for you. Granted it maybe out of your area a little.
How is IP Law doing? Are these firms doing the same in terms of layoffs.
Intially when the construction business went belly-up in PHX my friend was very busy. People started to sue each other for the revenue and oustanding bills.
Anything similiar in IP Law. It would seem that once a outside source of revenue dries up that many deseperate companies would rely on the law to restablish this. For example; Company A makes a product that is making money hand over fist, then the revenue stream dries up. Company Z makes similiar product but may be percieved as infringing on Company A’s patents. Company Z still has a revenue stream. Company A sues Company Z.
Just wondering and thanks in advance.
Also kudos to you for having the courage to post. You know you were creating a firestorm when talked about high salaries, lawyers, and layoffs! 😛
CE[/quote]
cdma eng, from what I can tell and have gathered from my friends at firms, ALL practice areas are getting hit very hard – although you are right, I haven’t heard about as many layoffs in the IP area. The corporate practice areas (structured finance, M&A, etc) are without question being hit the hardest, but law firms are definitely laying off in all areas.
As you mentioned, in tough times litigation has generally been buffeted and has held up better (when companies or individuals are losing money, they are often tempted to file claims to bring in cash). I think the problem these firms are facing is that they over-hired in all practice areas (a bone-headed move, to be sure), and now they simply cannot sustain themselves with all the associates they have taken on. And let’s face it, even if firms need IP litigators, they will simply just choose to make do with fewer heads. So instead of billing 2,500 hours a year, these associates will be billing 3,000.
And yes, I seem to have created quite a firestorm with this post! I wasn’t trying to elicit sympathy for these people, though. In my mind, we’re ALL in the same boat – and it’s sinking. No unemployed person deserves more sympathy than any other one, regardless of profession or career. I think the real value in sharing these stories is to make folks aware of how broad-based this employment crash is becoming.
March 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM #360127Participant[quote=CDMA ENG]Partypup,
I have a question for you. Granted it maybe out of your area a little.
How is IP Law doing? Are these firms doing the same in terms of layoffs.
Intially when the construction business went belly-up in PHX my friend was very busy. People started to sue each other for the revenue and oustanding bills.
Anything similiar in IP Law. It would seem that once a outside source of revenue dries up that many deseperate companies would rely on the law to restablish this. For example; Company A makes a product that is making money hand over fist, then the revenue stream dries up. Company Z makes similiar product but may be percieved as infringing on Company A’s patents. Company Z still has a revenue stream. Company A sues Company Z.
Just wondering and thanks in advance.
Also kudos to you for having the courage to post. You know you were creating a firestorm when talked about high salaries, lawyers, and layoffs! 😛
CE[/quote]
cdma eng, from what I can tell and have gathered from my friends at firms, ALL practice areas are getting hit very hard – although you are right, I haven’t heard about as many layoffs in the IP area. The corporate practice areas (structured finance, M&A, etc) are without question being hit the hardest, but law firms are definitely laying off in all areas.
As you mentioned, in tough times litigation has generally been buffeted and has held up better (when companies or individuals are losing money, they are often tempted to file claims to bring in cash). I think the problem these firms are facing is that they over-hired in all practice areas (a bone-headed move, to be sure), and now they simply cannot sustain themselves with all the associates they have taken on. And let’s face it, even if firms need IP litigators, they will simply just choose to make do with fewer heads. So instead of billing 2,500 hours a year, these associates will be billing 3,000.
And yes, I seem to have created quite a firestorm with this post! I wasn’t trying to elicit sympathy for these people, though. In my mind, we’re ALL in the same boat – and it’s sinking. No unemployed person deserves more sympathy than any other one, regardless of profession or career. I think the real value in sharing these stories is to make folks aware of how broad-based this employment crash is becoming.
March 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM #360166Participant[quote=CDMA ENG]Partypup,
I have a question for you. Granted it maybe out of your area a little.
How is IP Law doing? Are these firms doing the same in terms of layoffs.
Intially when the construction business went belly-up in PHX my friend was very busy. People started to sue each other for the revenue and oustanding bills.
Anything similiar in IP Law. It would seem that once a outside source of revenue dries up that many deseperate companies would rely on the law to restablish this. For example; Company A makes a product that is making money hand over fist, then the revenue stream dries up. Company Z makes similiar product but may be percieved as infringing on Company A’s patents. Company Z still has a revenue stream. Company A sues Company Z.
Just wondering and thanks in advance.
Also kudos to you for having the courage to post. You know you were creating a firestorm when talked about high salaries, lawyers, and layoffs! 😛
CE[/quote]
cdma eng, from what I can tell and have gathered from my friends at firms, ALL practice areas are getting hit very hard – although you are right, I haven’t heard about as many layoffs in the IP area. The corporate practice areas (structured finance, M&A, etc) are without question being hit the hardest, but law firms are definitely laying off in all areas.
As you mentioned, in tough times litigation has generally been buffeted and has held up better (when companies or individuals are losing money, they are often tempted to file claims to bring in cash). I think the problem these firms are facing is that they over-hired in all practice areas (a bone-headed move, to be sure), and now they simply cannot sustain themselves with all the associates they have taken on. And let’s face it, even if firms need IP litigators, they will simply just choose to make do with fewer heads. So instead of billing 2,500 hours a year, these associates will be billing 3,000.
And yes, I seem to have created quite a firestorm with this post! I wasn’t trying to elicit sympathy for these people, though. In my mind, we’re ALL in the same boat – and it’s sinking. No unemployed person deserves more sympathy than any other one, regardless of profession or career. I think the real value in sharing these stories is to make folks aware of how broad-based this employment crash is becoming.
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