a few reMarks

Not that I recommend doing it but a Prankster by the name of Joe Herrick has been doing just that. Joe posing as a known analyst from a respectable firm makes has made his way onto companies ranging from Pepsi Co. to Rubbermaid quarter-end fiscal earnings report conference call. Joe then proceeds to ask a question and inserts industry buzz-words in, like synergy, lean Six Sigma, to give it credibility. The unknowing CEOs and CFOs attempt to answer his ludicrous questions and the follow questions that have followed. Below are my two favorite questions:

Posed to Mark Ketchum, Rubbermaid’s CEO:

...regarding your operational improvement initiatives for 2008, what are
going to be your top initiatives regarding lean, mean manufacturing, keeping in the Six Sigma? What effects do you see
benefiting the bottom line?

Posed to Leo Kiely III, Molson Coors CEO:

Can you provide some more color as to what you are doing for your supply
chain initiatives to reduce manufacturing costs per hectoliter, as you
originally promised 150 in synergy or savings to decrease working
capital?

You can read the rest of the questions here at wallstreetjournal.com.

There also is a nice write-up on this serial prankster which also is at wallstreetjournal.com.

Update: You can listen to some snipets of one of the encounters on the WSJ's website, click here and scroll down it's midway down the page where the picture of the phone is. Pretty funny to hear the Executives try to respond.

With the Fed cuts bringing interest rates to 5 year lows, savings accounts across the country are suffering. Lower interest rates my help the buying side of your pocketbook but it hurts the savings side (which hopefully is bigger). Searching for savings accounts that has acceptable interest rate has become increasingly more difficult. In my own search for a high yielding savings account i stumbled across the Bank Deals Blog. This is an awesome site run by "Ken the bank Deals Guy". Ken serves to make our lives easy by finding the best rates across the country on checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts. He even finds out the "catch" for the high rates and includes customer service ratings. I recommend you be a smart investor, check out his site here and know your money is earning the best rate possible.

OK Maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration but check out this new telephoto lens from Cannon. The Canon Super Telephoto 1200mm f/5.6L EF USM Autofocus Lens is the stretched limo of the lens world being a mere 33" long 9" wide and weighing 33lbs. So if your going to take it on the family vacation bring a friend and a tripod just for the lens. I feel that pictures shot, as far away as this lens is capable of, would suffer sever distortion just from air pollution. However, if you are interested in this "declassified Russian KGB Spy Satellite", head on over to B&H Photo and bring your checkbook the Cannon Super Telephoto is modestly priced at $99,000 USD.

There is a fascinating article over at Scienceblogs on Caffeine and its how to optimise its effects. The article recommends:

1. That it is better to consume small amounts over time; roughly "20-200mg per hour"

   A landmark 2004 study showed that small hourly doses of caffeine (.3mg per kg of body weight [approx 20 mg per hour; thanks digg!]) can support extended wakefulness, potentially by counteracting the homeostatic sleep pressure, which builds slowly across the day and acts preferentially on the prefrontal cortex (an area of the brain thought responsible for executive and "higher" cognitive functions).

2. Being "high" on caffeine heightens certain cognitive tasks.

   Caffeine may increase the speed with which you work, may decrease attentional lapses, and may even benefit recall - but is less likely to benefit more complex cognitive functions, and may even hurt others. Plan accordingly
   (and preferably prior to consuming caffeine!)

   3. Boosting caffeine's effects.

   Caffeine's effects can be maximized or minimized depending on what else is in your system at the time.

   The beneficial effects of caffeine may be most pronounced in conjunction with sugar. For example, one factor analytic study has shown caffeine-glucose cocktails provide benefits to cognition not seen with either alone.

   4. "Know when to stop - and when to start again."

   Although you may not grow strongly tolerant to caffeine, you can become dependent on it and suffer withdrawal symptoms. Balance these concerns with the cognitive and health benefits associated with caffeine consumption - and appropriately timed resumption.

   Long-term ingestion of large quantities of caffeine (by way of coffee) is associated with a variety of health benefits - not only cognitive enhancements but also reduction in risk for type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's . These beneficial effects may be related to the neuroprotective role of adenosine.

   With all the benefits including reducing the risk of Type II diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Do yourself a favor and reach for that second cup of coffee, put some sugar in it (it will last longer), pull up a chair and check out the original article.

NPR has an article about a study preformed by Clemson University on double dipping. Apparently the study found that double dipping acctually does spread germs. Who would have thunk it? I hope they procured a goverment grant to preform this study. Apparently the study was inspired by the Seinfeld Episode. the study concluded that 3 to 6 double dipps transfered rouchly 10,000 bacteria from mouth to dip. So besafe this Supper Bowl weekend and be first to the dip.