The Dogwood Report

Why Big Government Doesn't Work

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:30:00 +0000

In an economy dominated by the government, the ruling class fulfills its ambitions by serving faithful constituencies at the expense of others. It tries to address its failures by increasing control, which reduces wealth even further, in a downward spiral. It’s not in the nature of government to abandon failed programs, because if government was intelligent and morally superior enough to assert control over a situation in the first place, it will not see the logic in surrendering that control to inferior free-willed citizens. Instead, it will redouble its efforts.

Read the whole thing here.

Kate & Emily at Mackinac Island

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Bad Practice

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:08:00 +0000

CoffeyGrinds vents about poor Twitter behavior. Check it out here.

Lake Michigan, Unsalted

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:02:00 +0000

Emily at the beach at sunset Wednesday.

Pre-School Graduation

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:05:00 +0000

My youngest graduated from pre-school tonight. Sigh.

Trackside at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:49:00 +0000

I'm doing a freelance photography gig at the Indianapolis 500 from Wednesday to Sunday. Here is a shot I took this morning from pit row looking down the front straight of the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

On Sunday, those stands will be filled with 400,000 of my closest friends.

My View of the Start Line @ IMS

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Nasdaq 100 Looking Tired on Weekly Chart

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:01:00 +0000

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:35:00 +0000

It was supposed to rain all day, but the spring showers stayed to the west of us, so I saddled up and went for a ride after RIMM earnings were announced.

Most of the route was around the lake, but I took a small detour through the country at the halfway mark before turning back toward the lake and heading home.

Temp: 64
Distance: 10.48 miles
Time: 0:46:35
Avg. Speed: 13.5
Max. Speed: 29.2
Min. Elevation: 725 ft.
Max. Elevation: 807 ft.
Ascent: 161 ft.
Descent: 174 ft.
Calories Burned: 459

Human Achievement Hour

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:38:00 +0000

Going outside to light the grill. Had supper an hour ago. I'm just celebrating the human achievement of Match Light charcoal.

Out & Back

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Didn't feel the love for today's market or today's bike ride.

Marketwise, I made two trades, both short, for a breakeven result, then watched the choppy melt up.

Afterwards, I hopped on the bike and headed north out of town on a rural county road. I had planned to ride to the river, then loop back, but I wasn't in the mood. So, I rode to a small berg and then turned around.

Just kind of a blah day in general.

Temp: 56

Distance: 8.82 miles
Time: 0:38:59
Avg. Speed: 13.6
Max. Speed: 26.8
Min. Elevation: 758 ft.
Max. Elevation: 823 ft.
Ascent: 148 ft.
Descent: 148 ft.
Calories Burned: 415

The Colors of Spring

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:25:00 +0000

Crocus

Crocus II

Emily, age 4

Flowers, grass & sun by Kate, age 7

The Daily Trading Coach

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Amazon has shipped my copy of Dr. Steenbarger's latest book, The Daily Trading Coach. It should arrive next Tuesday and I'll try to write a review as soon as I finish it, probably next weekend.

Hip Hop Violin by Paul Dateh & inka one

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:43:00 +0000

H/T: Hawaii Trader

Another 10 Miler

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:46:00 +0000

Another beautiful spring day and another 10 mile ride around the lake. Passed three other cyclists going the opposite direction, a sure sign outdoor life is beginning to stir in these parts.

The elevation profile below is the mirror image of yesterday's. I tackled the east shore hills first and instead of sitting in the saddle and cranking away, I stood on the pedals and attacked.

Attacking the hills felt good, but I was mostly spent by the five-mile mark. After a burst of downhill speed between miles 7 and 8, where I hit a top speed just over 31 MPH, the body kicked into "just get home" mode, with which I happily complied.

The last hill about a mile from home reminded me it is past time for a bicycle tuneup as several missed shifts left me struggling to maintain speed up a very mild grade. At least I didn't fall over or get passed by someone out for a walk, but spinning fast in granny gear burns up energy I'd rather not waste.

Temps are expected to hit 61 on Monday and 68 on Tuesday, then low 50s the rest of the week, so I'll have good riding weather for a while. Unfortunately, it now hurts to sit, so not sure I'll get back on the bike for a day or so. Might be a good time to go for a run/walk anyway since I'm participating in the Indy Mini-Marathon in 47 days.

Finally, I'm working on a ride schedule for the summer. My goal is to do a major 30, 60 or 100-mile ride at least once a month through September or October. I'll post the full schedule when it is complete, but my first 30-miler is in May and my first 100-miler is in September.

Temp: 58

Distance: 10.49 miles
Time: 0:46:04
Avg. Speed: 13.6
Max. Speed: 31.2
Min. Elevation: 725 ft.
Max. Elevation: 807 ft.
Ascent: 171 ft.
Descent: 164 ft.
Calories Burned: 531

Spring Hath Sprung

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:18:00 +0000

You know it is spring in my town when the boat launch is full of trucks and trailers, and crews have begun installing piers and boat lifts. It has been a long winter and I am ready for warmer temps and the hustle and bustle of summer in a resort town.

Although with the economy flat on its back, it'll be interesting to see what impact it has on summer traffic. Word on the street is that the local summer camp program has contingency plans in place for regular enrollment or a 20 percent drop in enrollment.

No one knows for sure what to expect, so they are planning accordingly.

Another sign of spring today was my first bike ride of the year. Nothing exciting to write about, just a brisk 10-mile ride around the lake.

A little chilly still, and the roads were sandy and/or wet in places, but otherwise a nice ride. Even saw a couple guys teeing off at the local Pete Dye designed golf course.

Here are the stats and elevation profile for today's ride:

Temp: 43

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 0:45:48
Avg. Speed: 13.3
Max. Speed: 25.1
Min. Elevation: 725 ft.
Max. Elevation: 807 ft.
Ascent: 171 ft.
Descent: 164 ft.
Calories Burned: 520

Charting the Nasdaq 100

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:33:00 +0000

Lots of people seem almost giddy over the potential for a rally that might last more than a couple days, but truth be told, I see nothing but overhead resistance.

Today, the Naz 100 came within five points of the MA 20 before reversing, once in the morning and once in the final few minutes of trading. Also note RSI(2), which is nearing overbought.

The market needs to retrace part of Tuesday's rally, or it needs to churn sideways for a day or two to burn off the overbought condition. Then, maybe it can attack the multiple lines of resistance.

Thought of the Day

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:19:00 +0000

by Robert Heinlein:

Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.

This is known as “bad luck.”

H/T: Instapundit

Def Leppard, Cheap Trick & Poison

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Are going on tour together this year to 40 cities across the country. I'll be trying to get my hands on tickets for their Noblesville, Ind., concert. Wish me luck. You can find their schedule here.

H/T: Adam

Harsh But True

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:14:00 +0000

"I don't mean to be sarcastic, but there just isn't anyone left to kill."

So said Detroit mayoral candidate Stanley Christmas regarding the Motor City's homicide rate, which dropped 14 percent last year. Detroit is losing 1,000 people per month as residents flee the city.

Cleverly Done TV Commercial

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:13:00 +0000

Why They Suck, II

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:00:00 +0000

This is what Ford offers to its European customers:

This is what Ford offers its American customers.

Any questions why they suck?

O Bingo

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:08:00 +0000

For those of you who will be watching the mini-State of the Union tonight, Americans for Tax Reform brings you O Bingo. Download your card now, there are four to choose from.

$1 Million A Day, For 2,000 Years

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:02:00 +0000

Time for Tea

dogwood_2005@yahoo.com (Dogwood) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Vote now if you would be interested in attending a Santelli Tea Party.