correlate Rotating Header Image

Uncorrelated

Caffeine Detector

Jan 11th, 2009
by Lou Paglia.
1 comment

Reading this month’s edition of the MIT Technology Review and came across a blurb on a new caffeine detector that is available from Silver Lake Research.  It was also covered in Gizmodo in a recent post.  Apparently 20 to 30 percent of decaffeinated coffee and tea are high in caffeine levels, according to research done.  That’s pretty comforting.  They are only $9.95 for a pack of 20. I guess that is a small price to pay from someone who really is trying to avoid caffeine, those who are pregnant, suffer from migraines, are allergic or those who simply don’t like bouncing off walls to name a few.  At that point, it seems easier to just make your own and be absolutely sure (and it’s cheaper).

I, for one, may want to pick up a package of this little device to the exact opposite reason:  to ensure with 100% certainty that what I am being served IS CAFFEINATED!

A couple of weeks ago while in quite a lengthy line at Starbucks and noticed the person behind the counter give DECAF coffee to a number of people who I believe ordered regular.  Here is my tweet when it happened.  Not one of them noticed (or cared) as they simply took their coffee and left to start their day.  Upon ordering regular, I too would have received decaf if I did not say that I did not want decaf.  Perhaps these little strips are a good way to ensure the coffee one receives has the caffeine one needs.

If you are interesting in buying a pack of the detectors, you can buy them here.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Where’s John Galt?

Jan 10th, 2009
by Lou Paglia.
9 comments

Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal had an opinion piece ‘Atlas Shrugged’: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years written by Stephen Moore. The article discusses the real parallels with what Ayn Rand brings forth in the book, the relationship between business (industry) and government, and what we currently are facing with today’s economic situation. We find ourselves today where government programs are the proposed practice du jour in order to offset issues in industry. I’ve never been a fan of the bailouts, particularly where bailouts are used to repair situations that are clearly caused by neglect or poor decision making.

For any that have read the book, Rand would look for a more Darwinistic approach rather than bailouts. Moore discusses this in his article in more detail. Whether you agree with Rand or Moore’s view or not, it is certainly an interesting lens to use on the situation we currently find ourselves in. Is bailout the solution or are we better served with a survival of the fittest mentality?

Anyway, I recommend Atlas Shrugged to anyone who hasn’t read it. If you are in business or an entrepreneur, I’d add it to your definite-read list. It is a great book, I’ve read it twice. It would be at the top of my list of favorites (save a 75 page rant by Mr. John Galt himself that over did it a bit). And if the book is too much for you, Moore’s article is an intriguing look into Rand’s thoughts and its application to the world we live in today.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Congratulations Utah!: LJP National Champions

Jan 7th, 2009
by Lou Paglia.
5 comments

Congratulations to the Utes of Utah. They may not have won the BCS National Championship but I believe they’ve won something equally important, the LJP National Championship. Note, my initials are LJP.

I am one of the firm believers that until there is a playoff system, it will be more times than less where there is dispute on who is the national champion. And it lowers the value and meaning of the trophy to the right. The BCS system is arbitrary. In fact, we’d be better off using the electoral college to vote on the national champion and let the people decide. What is even more shocking: this is not an innovative idea either. Do a quick Google search on the topic, there is plenty of reading.

But in the meantime I’ve decided to hand out my own national title. And I’m handing it to the Utah Utes, the only undefeated team in the nation and the team that handed Alabama (who was #1 in the country for at least a month) a pretty convincing defeat. For those interested in statistics, the Utes received one first place vote to win the LJP National Championship title unanimously. Oklahoma received one second place vote and Texas received one third place vote.

Back to the national championship. The solution, in my mind, is quite simple: develop a 16-team playoff system and use the actual bowls to fill out the brackets. The bowls and their respective cities get their games (and profits) the nation gets one team at the end of the process that can say “we are champions”.

Quick prediction: Oklahoma defeats Florida.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Favorite lines from Today

Jan 5th, 2009
by Lou Paglia.
3 comments

It is not every day that a couple of lines catch my eye. Today brought out a couple of them so I thought I would mention them here:

1.  Steve Jobs – In his letter to the Apple community, Steve Jobs ends with a classic line:

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Not making light of the situation but glad to see Steve’s open and close stance on what is personal to him.  I do not agree with a lot of the ridicule that Steve or Apple have received regarding how they have not disclosed information about Steve’s health.  My view is until it reaches a point where the CEO duties are not able to be responsibly met, the information should remain personal.  Steve’s line sums up my thoughts on this as well.

2.  Jeff Nolan – late yesterday, Jeff sent out this tweet:

“Dr. Seuss’ Fox in Socks… I cringe when that’s the book request for the night. Seems like it should be someth ing used at Gitmo.”

Anyone who is a parent out there who reads to the child can commiserate. I believe there are several books that I can put on a list that without fail my daughter will ask to read.  I haven’t read Fox in Socks yet but Green Eggs and Ham is certainly up there on my list although lately I’ve been getting Amelia Bedelia’d.

3.  Brad Feld – A couple of days ago, I stumbled upon the “legal” page on his blog.  Here is an excerpt and there is more so do check it out:

…I’m responsible for what I say, and all errors, idiocy, stupid comments, swear words, and humor are my own personal responsibility. These are my own thoughts, generated by me, representing me.

I awarded to Brad via Twitter my first annual “best blog disclaimer ever” award as a result. It is not very often that one can get enjoyment from a disclaimer or terms & conditions.  This one, however, was a nice respite from lawyer speak.

Enjoy the rest of your Monday.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

New Year, New Blog Design

Jan 4th, 2009
by Lou Paglia.
No comments yet

Thought as we enter 2009, it is time for blog design refresh and so I spent some time yesterday to incorporate a different WordPress theme.  I wanted to aim for something that gave the content more priority on the page, gives template control for integrating widgets and also allows something flexible but easy to add some personality to the look.  I think that Ravi Varma has designed a good one and decided to go with it.

I really like moving the columns to the right with both a wide and double column option.  But most, I like that it provides out-of-the-box the ability to add your own masthead images.  Special thanks to my wife who is the photographer on most, if not all, of the masthead shots on this blog.  She gave me a good set of photos that demonstrate a good swath of life ‘close to home’, some things meaningful, some of places we’ve been together.

Anyway, I’m quite happy with how the design came out.  Looking forward to continuing blogging in 2009.  Happy New Year all.

← Earlier Posts Newer Posts →