I was driving the other day and almost got side-swiped on the highway from someone who was talking and laughing on the cell phone and it started me down this path of consideration. Is technology beneficial or the downfall of production in society…or both? For anyone curious, I did NOT flip the other driver off. However, I did seriously consider it:-)
A short decade ago, I got my first pc and cell phone. Now, I am on my laptop for ten hours a day and don’t even use a home phone anymore. With the technological advances we as a society have improved communications and can work, shop or do just about anything over the internet. All are great advantages to the individual and hopefully to society as a whole.
But at what cost? Gone are the days of writing a letter. No longer can the recipient of your note see the emotion of your personal script across the paper. As too are the days of daydreaming. I remember being a kid and NOT having a tv on or computer games. It was great just dreaming up ideas in the solitude of my thoughts. What are children doing today? While playing WII or texting hundreds of times a day, are they considering what they want to be when they grow up? Are they dreaming of an idea that will change the world or just filling time? I am not saying all these electronic devices don’t have a place but so too should the development of ones own ideas and dreams. As my parents would say when I was doing any one thing in excess… everything in moderation.
Here’s a serious question for anyone who has internet access at work. Now that I don’t work in the corporate world, I can acknowledge I know it was being done…excessively by some. It was one of my biggest pet peeves. How many hours a day do you surf the web? Be honest, no one is going to know the answer but you so be honest with yourself. How is that impacting the production of your job duties? Say for an example, you work 8 hours a day. For an hour and a half a day you surf the internet not relating to your job. That’s nearly one day a week, or a whole week (taking out vacations) being non-productive while you are at work. Doesn’t sound like much? How many people are in your company? 50? 5000? If everyone surfs the internet like that, who can complain when their company has layoffs. Employers cut costs to make up for lost production or sales and go overseas to get cheaper employees or manufacturing. It is a vicious cycle that we as individuals have more control over than most would want to admit. It’s easier to blame someone else than to do the right thing.
I know, I know.. just Steve ranting again but isn’t that what blogging is all about? Thank you Al Gore for giving us the internet:-)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
State of the Union
“Taxation without representation is tyranny”, James Otis 1725-1783. What would Mr. Otis say about taxation with misrepresentation? Mr. Otis and our forefathers sought to end the tyrannical control Britain had over the colonies through words, action and ultimately battle. It has been two hundred and thirty-three years since the United States won our freedom but now we are faced with another form of tyranny from within.
“Tyrannical” by definition is unjust severity or arbitrary behavior. If you don’t believe our government is acting in an oppressive manner (tyrannical) towards its citizens, I will provide examples.
• As of the moment I am writing this (8/2/09) our National DEBT is $11,592,933,342,717.49. That’s $11 TRILLION or $37,803.50 for every woman, man, child who is a citizen. What would happen to your household if you were $37 thousand in debt?
• Welfare expenses for 2009 will be approximately $600 billion for 5 million recipients. That’s an average of $120,000 EACH! I Googled the information so it may not be the exact figures but still… how much money do you WORK for to run your household?
• The INTEREST alone on the national debt is the THIRD largest expense on the Federal budget!
• In 2011 the itemized tax option is set to expire and a tax increase in capital gains. So much for the entrepreneurial spirit that our country was based upon…
• Lobbyists in Washington are quite often made up of former politicians who make up for their government salaries in the private sector by socializing with current politicians. Talk about insider information! Or collusion might be a better term!
• According to a Facebook poll asking if you are in favor of government healthcare, 76% voted NO out of nearly 250,000 votes yet our ‘representatives’ insist on continuing as if the public opinion does not matter!
• The head of the US Treasury CHEATED on his taxes. At first he didn’t pay because it was past the statute of limitations requiring him to do so. He only paid when it became apparent that he may not be selected for his new post. The fox is in the henhouse now.
I could go on and on with examples but I think you get the idea. Our elected officials have lost touch with the basic principals our country was founded on. The “New Deal” has turned into the “New Steal”. I work hard to pay off my debts but this is NOT my debt! Is this your debt? It is time for a balanced budget and to return the integrity to our nation in the eyes of the economic world.
Solutions? The Fairtax plan is a brilliant and creative way to end the inequities in the collection of taxes and needs to be implemented. Our representatives need to run this country like a successful business. Charismatic politicians win elections because it is a popularity contest. Occasionally a successful business person does get elected but a few among many of career politicians is like spitting into the wind. Our hope is to continue to voice our opinions on every forum we can. A grass roots effort to show citizens thoughts on what is happening on the island of Washington DC. Silence is tacit approval for unjust actions.
To end with a quote from Thomas Jefferson and a few questions for you to ponder, “A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government”. I ask you, is our government wise and frugal? Are they taking the bread from labor? Do we have good government?
Carpe diem
Steve
“Tyrannical” by definition is unjust severity or arbitrary behavior. If you don’t believe our government is acting in an oppressive manner (tyrannical) towards its citizens, I will provide examples.
• As of the moment I am writing this (8/2/09) our National DEBT is $11,592,933,342,717.49. That’s $11 TRILLION or $37,803.50 for every woman, man, child who is a citizen. What would happen to your household if you were $37 thousand in debt?
• Welfare expenses for 2009 will be approximately $600 billion for 5 million recipients. That’s an average of $120,000 EACH! I Googled the information so it may not be the exact figures but still… how much money do you WORK for to run your household?
• The INTEREST alone on the national debt is the THIRD largest expense on the Federal budget!
• In 2011 the itemized tax option is set to expire and a tax increase in capital gains. So much for the entrepreneurial spirit that our country was based upon…
• Lobbyists in Washington are quite often made up of former politicians who make up for their government salaries in the private sector by socializing with current politicians. Talk about insider information! Or collusion might be a better term!
• According to a Facebook poll asking if you are in favor of government healthcare, 76% voted NO out of nearly 250,000 votes yet our ‘representatives’ insist on continuing as if the public opinion does not matter!
• The head of the US Treasury CHEATED on his taxes. At first he didn’t pay because it was past the statute of limitations requiring him to do so. He only paid when it became apparent that he may not be selected for his new post. The fox is in the henhouse now.
I could go on and on with examples but I think you get the idea. Our elected officials have lost touch with the basic principals our country was founded on. The “New Deal” has turned into the “New Steal”. I work hard to pay off my debts but this is NOT my debt! Is this your debt? It is time for a balanced budget and to return the integrity to our nation in the eyes of the economic world.
Solutions? The Fairtax plan is a brilliant and creative way to end the inequities in the collection of taxes and needs to be implemented. Our representatives need to run this country like a successful business. Charismatic politicians win elections because it is a popularity contest. Occasionally a successful business person does get elected but a few among many of career politicians is like spitting into the wind. Our hope is to continue to voice our opinions on every forum we can. A grass roots effort to show citizens thoughts on what is happening on the island of Washington DC. Silence is tacit approval for unjust actions.
To end with a quote from Thomas Jefferson and a few questions for you to ponder, “A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government”. I ask you, is our government wise and frugal? Are they taking the bread from labor? Do we have good government?
Carpe diem
Steve
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Investing In The Stock Market
Yesterday I spent a fun day with some friends watching a minor league baseball game. Between innings we were able to get caught up on things. A big topic of conversation (and questions) were about investing in the stock market. For that reason, I decided to repost a blog I initially published in April of this year. I know it's been awhile since I had original content and that's coming soon but I thought this was important enough to report again here today.
Investing in the stock market IS risky. Not ‘it can be’ or ‘it might be’, it IS risky. But without risk there’s little reward. The important thing is to practice what you learned in school. Do your homework. Find a company that you have an interest in and do some research. If you like drinking Coke’s, look up the company’s financial information. It’s as simple as going to Yahoo’s financial link and typing in the company name to find the stock ticker symbol (KO =Coca Cola). From that point you can look at the stock charts, dividends, insider or institutional holders, historical prices, analyst opinions and a variety of other information.
Another source I’ve found extremely helpful for explaining terms is investorpedia.com (http://www.investopedia.com/ ). The tutorials are excellent for beginners and those who want to learn more about research and terminology. ( http://www.investopedia.com/university/stocks/ ).
While it can seem a bit overwhelming for new investors to the market, research is a very important process. In today’s current market a lot of companies are undervalued due to overall economic concerns. This is an opportune time to consider investing in stocks. Seldom in the history of the market have opportunities like these come about but when they have the subsequent upturn has been substantial within the first 18 months. Most investors become overly cautious and wait until the market has passed the greatest period for growth. I’m not suggesting anyone go ALL IN or any such thing. Not now, not ever should you put all your eggs in one basket. But at least one egg in the stock market basket to give oneself an opportunity to get on course for the run up is essential for long term financial stability.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to invest for tomorrow. Carpe diem. Do your homework. Make
an investment plan and act on it. Don’t be the person who says, “I wish I had” but be the person who says, “I’m glad I did”.
Good luck to all!
Steve
Investing in the stock market IS risky. Not ‘it can be’ or ‘it might be’, it IS risky. But without risk there’s little reward. The important thing is to practice what you learned in school. Do your homework. Find a company that you have an interest in and do some research. If you like drinking Coke’s, look up the company’s financial information. It’s as simple as going to Yahoo’s financial link and typing in the company name to find the stock ticker symbol (KO =Coca Cola). From that point you can look at the stock charts, dividends, insider or institutional holders, historical prices, analyst opinions and a variety of other information.
Another source I’ve found extremely helpful for explaining terms is investorpedia.com (http://www.investopedia.com/ ). The tutorials are excellent for beginners and those who want to learn more about research and terminology. ( http://www.investopedia.com/university/stocks/ ).
While it can seem a bit overwhelming for new investors to the market, research is a very important process. In today’s current market a lot of companies are undervalued due to overall economic concerns. This is an opportune time to consider investing in stocks. Seldom in the history of the market have opportunities like these come about but when they have the subsequent upturn has been substantial within the first 18 months. Most investors become overly cautious and wait until the market has passed the greatest period for growth. I’m not suggesting anyone go ALL IN or any such thing. Not now, not ever should you put all your eggs in one basket. But at least one egg in the stock market basket to give oneself an opportunity to get on course for the run up is essential for long term financial stability.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to invest for tomorrow. Carpe diem. Do your homework. Make
an investment plan and act on it. Don’t be the person who says, “I wish I had” but be the person who says, “I’m glad I did”.
Good luck to all!
Steve
Monday, May 4, 2009
Dendreon Provenge Results
Well my last post discussed Dendreon and it's potential with Prostate treatment Provenge so I thought I'd provide an update. When I posted last the stock had risen from under $3 at the beginning of March to close Friday April 17th @$17.99 in anticipation of it's long awaited phase three clinical results on April 28th. The stock plummeted in the last 3 minutes of trading before the results were released for no reason other than market manipulation that is being investigated still. For those who didn't have a stop limit order in place (thankfully I didn't) the results were good and when trading resumed the next day, the stock was back in the $20's. It shows how volatile and manipulated the market can be and it's definitely not for the weak of heart. The manipulation had nothing to do with the science or company but short selling traders and market manipulators that were able to take advantage of the frenzied trading on the day of the results. There is a possibility that the sudden manipulation will be uncovered and those who performed illegal transactions will be prosecuted. One can only hope.
In any event, the scientific results of the clinical study were positive and met the criteria set forth in the study. Basically, those on Provenge had a 4.1 month increase in the survivability than those on the placebo. In comparison this was about a month longer than those who receive the currently used chemotherapy treatment. In addition, Provenge has none of the horrific side effects normally associated with chemotherapy so it adds the benefit of quality of life. This could potentially be the start of real vaccine treatment for cancer. It is not a cure for cancer but definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion. The humanitarian benefit far exceeds any monetary one.
For disclosure... I previously stated that I sold enough of the shares I had in the company (average price per share for my investment was under $5) in the high teens so that the rest was basically free money. I am maintaining my long position on this stock and will let it ride (at least until the new Camaro's are rolled out:-). I believe that the FDA will approve the treatment sometime in 2010 and the company is well positioned and a possible target for a buy out by a large pharmaceutical company. As of this posting, stock is trading around $21 per share. As with any post, this is all based on my personal opinion and my approach to the stock market. Everyone should perform their own research and proceed as their own personal needs determine.
Best of luck to all
In any event, the scientific results of the clinical study were positive and met the criteria set forth in the study. Basically, those on Provenge had a 4.1 month increase in the survivability than those on the placebo. In comparison this was about a month longer than those who receive the currently used chemotherapy treatment. In addition, Provenge has none of the horrific side effects normally associated with chemotherapy so it adds the benefit of quality of life. This could potentially be the start of real vaccine treatment for cancer. It is not a cure for cancer but definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion. The humanitarian benefit far exceeds any monetary one.
For disclosure... I previously stated that I sold enough of the shares I had in the company (average price per share for my investment was under $5) in the high teens so that the rest was basically free money. I am maintaining my long position on this stock and will let it ride (at least until the new Camaro's are rolled out:-). I believe that the FDA will approve the treatment sometime in 2010 and the company is well positioned and a possible target for a buy out by a large pharmaceutical company. As of this posting, stock is trading around $21 per share. As with any post, this is all based on my personal opinion and my approach to the stock market. Everyone should perform their own research and proceed as their own personal needs determine.
Best of luck to all
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Prostate cancer - Provenge
I am sharing a press release on a biotech company I follow that is involved in the development of a therapy that targets cancer. I am sharing less because of the investment aspect but more for the humanitarian since I know individuals who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The study below is related to prostate cancer (provenge) but the company has several drugs in their pipeline that target other cancers, including breast cancer (nuvenge). Recently the company completed and released prelimary data on their phase 3 clinical study for provenge on late stage prostate cancer patients. That preliminary data indicates unambigious results (per the CEO) that the trial met its FDA agreed upon end points but specifics won't be released until presented at a major medical conference on April 28th.
This press release is a separate ongoing study that indicates a positive benefit for early stage prostate cancer patients. This is not the same study (late stage trial) that was released and caused the last jump in the stock price. This is new and potentially even bigger in my opinion. If the treatment can benefit patients in earlier stages and cause the patients own immune system to fight off the worsening of the disease for a longer period of time... this is the tip of the iceburg. If this same treatment logic works for the other trials in process (nuvenge and others) ... this is going to be huge for cancer research overall. If the presentation on the 28th shows significant end point survivability (>22%) from the other trial... $28 will be conservative, again in my opinion. April 29th could go into the $30's. Be cautious, one never knows what the FDA will do. I learned that the last time provenge was up for approval two years ago. This issue is politically charged.
Now my disclaimer because you're my friends and I want to keep it that way:
I am not an expert on interpreting any of this data and this is all my opinion. I am a long term holder on this stock but have sold some on the last price jump to realize some profit and to let the rest run on "house money". I believe in not being greedy and taking profits when appropriate. What I have left is totally house money now in my regular account. I've sold none of the shares I have in my retirement accounts yet although I may use the same method of taking some profits to let house money ride the upcoming couple weeks.
Good luck my friends
Steve
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM
Dendreon Corporation
Dendreon Announces Data on PROVENGE Potency and Long-Term Immune Responses in Androgen-Dependent Prostate Cancer
Data presented at 100th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
SEATTLE, Wa and DENVER, Co., April 19, 2009 -- Researchers from Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) presented today data from its PROTECT (PROvenge Treatment and Early Cancer Treatment) or P-11 Phase 3 study suggesting that PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) induces long-term memory immune responses that are durable and can be maintained following boosting. The results of the study also indicate that CD54 upregulation on Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs), a measure of potency, is a correlate of immune activation.
P-11 is an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and biologic activity of PROVENGE in patients with non-metastatic androgen-dependent (hormone sensitive) prostate cancer who have had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence following surgical removal of the prostate. Patients were randomized to PROVENGE or placebo following 3 months of hormone therapy. This study evaluated CD54 upregulation and peripheral immune responses in men enrolled in the trial.
PROVENGE or placebo was administered at weeks zero, two and four. A treatment booster infusion of PROVENGE or placebo was offered after confirmed PSA >3.0ng/mL. Immune responses were measured pre-treatment, at weeks four and 13, and at four and 13 weeks following the booster infusion.
At the week zero dose of PROVENGE, the expression of CD54 on APCs was upregulated 5.8 fold. At the week two dose, it was 10.1 fold, significantly increased from week 0 (p < 0.001). The increase in CD54 upregulation persisted at week four (10.7 fold) and at the time of the booster infusion (12.0 fold). There was an increase in cellular immune response between pre-treatment and week four (p < 0.001), which persisted through 13 weeks after the booster infusion (p < 0.001). The PROVENGE booster infusions occurred from 0.2 to 5.5 years (median 1.1 years) after the week four dose.
Data is being presented in a session titled, "Cancer Vaccines: Human Studies" in a presentation titled, "Antigen presenting cell activation in sipuleucel-T and long-term immune responses in prostate cancer trial" today at 8:00 AM MDT at the 100th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Research in Denver, Colorado.
"We are encouraged to see that CD54 upregulation in APCs is maintained after boosting in men with androgen-dependent prostate cancer," said David Urdal, chief scientific officer of Dendreon. "This pattern of CD54 upregulation suggests that the first dose 'primes' the immune system for subsequent 'memory' responses and is consistent with that observed in our studies of men with androgen-independent disease where the cumulative CD54 upregulation dose correlated with survival. We also are encouraged by these data which suggest that the immune response generated by PROVENGE is durable for a year or more after initial treatment and that it can be maintained following boosting."
Study Design
The study, known as PROTECT (PROvenge Treatment and Early Cancer Treatment) or P-11, is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and biologic activity of PROVENGE in men with non-metastatic androgen-dependent prostate cancer who have had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence following surgical removal of the prostate. A total of 176 patients at 19 sites in the United States were randomized two to one to receive PROVENGE or placebo following a three-month course of hormonal therapy. Patients were then followed with serial PSA measurements to evaluate the impact of PROVENGE on PSA and PSADT (PSA doubling time). At the time of biochemical progression, defined as a PSA of 3ng/mL or greater, men became eligible for one booster infusion of either PROVENGE or placebo in accordance with the treatment arm to which they were randomized. Patients continue to be followed for the clinical endpoints of time to distant failure, which typically would be the appearance of a positive bone scan, and for overall survival.
About PROVENGE
PROVENGE ® (sipuleucel-T), an investigational product in development for men with androgen-independent prostate cancer, may represent the first product in a new class of active cellular immunotherapies (ACIs). PROVENGE and other ACIs are uniquely designed to use live human cells to engage the patient's own immune system with the goal of eliciting a specific long-lasting response against cancer. In controlled clinical trials, the most common adverse events were chills, fever, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, vomiting and tremor. These events were primarily low grade with a short duration of 1-2 days following infusion.
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the United States and the third most common cancer worldwide. More than one million men in the United States have prostate cancer, with an estimated 186,320 new cases and approximately 28,660 men who were expected to die from the disease in 2008. Currently there are limited treatment options for men with advanced, metastatic prostate cancer.
About Dendreon
Dendreon Corporation is a biotechnology company whose mission is to target cancer and transform lives through the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics. The Company applies its expertise in antigen identification, engineering and cell processing to produce active cellular immunotherapy product candidates designed to stimulate an immune response. Dendreon is also developing an orally-available small molecule that targets TRPM8 that could be applicable to multiple types of cancer as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Company has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol DNDN. For more information about the Company and its programs, visit www.dendreon.com.
Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding the efficacy of PROVENGE to treat men suffering from prostate cancer, risks and uncertainties surrounding the presentation of data to the FDA and approval of product applications by the FDA and risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such differences include risks related to our limited operating history, risks associated with completing our clinical trials, the risk that the safety and/or efficacy results of existing clinical trials or from additional clinical trials for PROVENGE will not support approval for a biologics license, the risk that the FDA may interpret data differently than we do or require more data or a more rigorous analysis of data than expected, the risk that the FDA will not approve a product for which a biologics license has been applied, the risk that the results of a clinical trial for PROVENGE or other product may not be indicative of results obtained in a later clinical trial, risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund required clinical trials or commercialization of PROVENGE, our dependence on the efforts of third parties, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon's business, financial condition and results of operations are contained in Dendreon's public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.
Contact Information:
Investors:
Jennifer Cook Williams
Dendreon Corporation
(206) 829-1500
Media:
Katherine Stueland
WeissComm Partners
(312) 208-0320
This press release is a separate ongoing study that indicates a positive benefit for early stage prostate cancer patients. This is not the same study (late stage trial) that was released and caused the last jump in the stock price. This is new and potentially even bigger in my opinion. If the treatment can benefit patients in earlier stages and cause the patients own immune system to fight off the worsening of the disease for a longer period of time... this is the tip of the iceburg. If this same treatment logic works for the other trials in process (nuvenge and others) ... this is going to be huge for cancer research overall. If the presentation on the 28th shows significant end point survivability (>22%) from the other trial... $28 will be conservative, again in my opinion. April 29th could go into the $30's. Be cautious, one never knows what the FDA will do. I learned that the last time provenge was up for approval two years ago. This issue is politically charged.
Now my disclaimer because you're my friends and I want to keep it that way:
I am not an expert on interpreting any of this data and this is all my opinion. I am a long term holder on this stock but have sold some on the last price jump to realize some profit and to let the rest run on "house money". I believe in not being greedy and taking profits when appropriate. What I have left is totally house money now in my regular account. I've sold none of the shares I have in my retirement accounts yet although I may use the same method of taking some profits to let house money ride the upcoming couple weeks.
Good luck my friends
Steve
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM
Dendreon Corporation
Dendreon Announces Data on PROVENGE Potency and Long-Term Immune Responses in Androgen-Dependent Prostate Cancer
Data presented at 100th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
SEATTLE, Wa and DENVER, Co., April 19, 2009 -- Researchers from Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) presented today data from its PROTECT (PROvenge Treatment and Early Cancer Treatment) or P-11 Phase 3 study suggesting that PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) induces long-term memory immune responses that are durable and can be maintained following boosting. The results of the study also indicate that CD54 upregulation on Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs), a measure of potency, is a correlate of immune activation.
P-11 is an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and biologic activity of PROVENGE in patients with non-metastatic androgen-dependent (hormone sensitive) prostate cancer who have had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence following surgical removal of the prostate. Patients were randomized to PROVENGE or placebo following 3 months of hormone therapy. This study evaluated CD54 upregulation and peripheral immune responses in men enrolled in the trial.
PROVENGE or placebo was administered at weeks zero, two and four. A treatment booster infusion of PROVENGE or placebo was offered after confirmed PSA >3.0ng/mL. Immune responses were measured pre-treatment, at weeks four and 13, and at four and 13 weeks following the booster infusion.
At the week zero dose of PROVENGE, the expression of CD54 on APCs was upregulated 5.8 fold. At the week two dose, it was 10.1 fold, significantly increased from week 0 (p < 0.001). The increase in CD54 upregulation persisted at week four (10.7 fold) and at the time of the booster infusion (12.0 fold). There was an increase in cellular immune response between pre-treatment and week four (p < 0.001), which persisted through 13 weeks after the booster infusion (p < 0.001). The PROVENGE booster infusions occurred from 0.2 to 5.5 years (median 1.1 years) after the week four dose.
Data is being presented in a session titled, "Cancer Vaccines: Human Studies" in a presentation titled, "Antigen presenting cell activation in sipuleucel-T and long-term immune responses in prostate cancer trial" today at 8:00 AM MDT at the 100th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Research in Denver, Colorado.
"We are encouraged to see that CD54 upregulation in APCs is maintained after boosting in men with androgen-dependent prostate cancer," said David Urdal, chief scientific officer of Dendreon. "This pattern of CD54 upregulation suggests that the first dose 'primes' the immune system for subsequent 'memory' responses and is consistent with that observed in our studies of men with androgen-independent disease where the cumulative CD54 upregulation dose correlated with survival. We also are encouraged by these data which suggest that the immune response generated by PROVENGE is durable for a year or more after initial treatment and that it can be maintained following boosting."
Study Design
The study, known as PROTECT (PROvenge Treatment and Early Cancer Treatment) or P-11, is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and biologic activity of PROVENGE in men with non-metastatic androgen-dependent prostate cancer who have had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence following surgical removal of the prostate. A total of 176 patients at 19 sites in the United States were randomized two to one to receive PROVENGE or placebo following a three-month course of hormonal therapy. Patients were then followed with serial PSA measurements to evaluate the impact of PROVENGE on PSA and PSADT (PSA doubling time). At the time of biochemical progression, defined as a PSA of 3ng/mL or greater, men became eligible for one booster infusion of either PROVENGE or placebo in accordance with the treatment arm to which they were randomized. Patients continue to be followed for the clinical endpoints of time to distant failure, which typically would be the appearance of a positive bone scan, and for overall survival.
About PROVENGE
PROVENGE ® (sipuleucel-T), an investigational product in development for men with androgen-independent prostate cancer, may represent the first product in a new class of active cellular immunotherapies (ACIs). PROVENGE and other ACIs are uniquely designed to use live human cells to engage the patient's own immune system with the goal of eliciting a specific long-lasting response against cancer. In controlled clinical trials, the most common adverse events were chills, fever, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, vomiting and tremor. These events were primarily low grade with a short duration of 1-2 days following infusion.
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the United States and the third most common cancer worldwide. More than one million men in the United States have prostate cancer, with an estimated 186,320 new cases and approximately 28,660 men who were expected to die from the disease in 2008. Currently there are limited treatment options for men with advanced, metastatic prostate cancer.
About Dendreon
Dendreon Corporation is a biotechnology company whose mission is to target cancer and transform lives through the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics. The Company applies its expertise in antigen identification, engineering and cell processing to produce active cellular immunotherapy product candidates designed to stimulate an immune response. Dendreon is also developing an orally-available small molecule that targets TRPM8 that could be applicable to multiple types of cancer as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Company has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol DNDN. For more information about the Company and its programs, visit www.dendreon.com.
Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding the efficacy of PROVENGE to treat men suffering from prostate cancer, risks and uncertainties surrounding the presentation of data to the FDA and approval of product applications by the FDA and risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such differences include risks related to our limited operating history, risks associated with completing our clinical trials, the risk that the safety and/or efficacy results of existing clinical trials or from additional clinical trials for PROVENGE will not support approval for a biologics license, the risk that the FDA may interpret data differently than we do or require more data or a more rigorous analysis of data than expected, the risk that the FDA will not approve a product for which a biologics license has been applied, the risk that the results of a clinical trial for PROVENGE or other product may not be indicative of results obtained in a later clinical trial, risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund required clinical trials or commercialization of PROVENGE, our dependence on the efforts of third parties, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon's business, financial condition and results of operations are contained in Dendreon's public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.
Contact Information:
Investors:
Jennifer Cook Williams
Dendreon Corporation
(206) 829-1500
Media:
Katherine Stueland
WeissComm Partners
(312) 208-0320
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Stock Market 2009
Investing in the stock market IS risky. Not ‘it can be’ or ‘it might be’, it IS risky. But without risk there’s little reward. The important thing is to practice what you learned in school. Do your homework. Find a company that you have an interest in and do some research. If you like drinking Coke’s, look up the company’s financial information. It’s as simple as going to Yahoo’s financial link and typing in the company name to find the stock ticker symbol (KO =Coca Cola). From that point you can look at the stock charts, dividends, insider or institutional holders, historical prices, analyst opinions and a variety of other information.
Another source I’ve found extremely helpful for explaining terms is investorpedia.com (http://www.investopedia.com/ ). The tutorials are excellent for beginners and those who want to learn more about research and terminology. ( http://www.investopedia.com/university/stocks/ ).
While it can seem a bit overwhelming for new investors to the market, research is a very important process. In today’s current market a lot of companies are undervalued due to overall economic concerns. This is an opportune time to consider investing in stocks. Seldom in the history of the market have opportunities like these come about but when they have the subsequent upturn has been substantial within the first 18 months. Most investors become overly cautious and wait until the market has passed the greatest period for growth. I’m not suggesting anyone go ALL IN or any such thing. Not now, not ever should you put all your eggs in one basket. But at least one egg in the stock market basket to give oneself an opportunity to get on course for the run up is essential for long term financial stability.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to invest for tomorrow. Carpe diem. Do your homework. Make
an investment plan and act on it. Don’t be the person who says, “I wish I had” but be the person who says, “I’m glad I did”.
Good luck to all!
Steve
Another source I’ve found extremely helpful for explaining terms is investorpedia.com (http://www.investopedia.com/ ). The tutorials are excellent for beginners and those who want to learn more about research and terminology. ( http://www.investopedia.com/university/stocks/ ).
While it can seem a bit overwhelming for new investors to the market, research is a very important process. In today’s current market a lot of companies are undervalued due to overall economic concerns. This is an opportune time to consider investing in stocks. Seldom in the history of the market have opportunities like these come about but when they have the subsequent upturn has been substantial within the first 18 months. Most investors become overly cautious and wait until the market has passed the greatest period for growth. I’m not suggesting anyone go ALL IN or any such thing. Not now, not ever should you put all your eggs in one basket. But at least one egg in the stock market basket to give oneself an opportunity to get on course for the run up is essential for long term financial stability.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to invest for tomorrow. Carpe diem. Do your homework. Make
an investment plan and act on it. Don’t be the person who says, “I wish I had” but be the person who says, “I’m glad I did”.
Good luck to all!
Steve
Friday, April 10, 2009
Happy Easter
I apologize for the long period with no update. I've been rather busy lately! That's a good thing, right?
I just wanted to make sure to post before the holiday to say Happy Easter to everyone. Easter is a time for renewal. Rejoice in what you've been giving, renew your spirit and look forward to tomorrow.
Now... go eat some jelly beans and get off your computer:-)
I just wanted to make sure to post before the holiday to say Happy Easter to everyone. Easter is a time for renewal. Rejoice in what you've been giving, renew your spirit and look forward to tomorrow.
Now... go eat some jelly beans and get off your computer:-)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tales From Coffey’s Convenient –Episode One, Jenny Chases John
Way back in ancient times, the 1970’s, my brother John worked as a manager for a little convenient store owned by our family dentist. The dentist had enough and decided to sell the business. My brother John in all his persuasiveness talked our Dad into becoming a business owner and buy the business. Dad was not in tune with all the workings of being a business owner as he had worked his whole professional life as a printer and decided he would be a business owner as a side gig to his day job. In true entrepreneurial spirit the saga began. Some of the shenanigans that went on in the store continue to make our family laugh decades later. I decided I would share some of these tales in episode format and see if they are truly funny to other people or if my family is in need of more professional counseling than most.
Episode one- Jenny Chases John
Jenny was a colorful old dame. She was in her eighties I think when Dad bought the store and hired her on. She had worked at another convenient store down the street for years and everyone knew her. When the store closed, Jenny along with a few of the other veterans came to work for us. She lived life to its fullest. She would regularly drive herself to the ‘old folks’ home to visit and make the old folks feel better. Remember she’s in her eighties and who she might be calling the ‘old folks’ would make me wonder as an 11 year old. I thought she must be visiting Methuselah herself! My brother was maybe 19-20 and full of it. On this particular occasion, Jenny observed John merely looking at a beautiful woman dressed in shorts and a tank top enjoying a hot summer day who had come in to buy some provisions. When John smiled at the image, it was enough to get Jenny going. She proceeded to go to the ice cream freezer and open a box of popsicles. She took one out, walked up to John and tried to drop it down the front of his pants. John ran up and down the aisles in front of the customers with this little old lady, a popsicle held high over her head, chasing John shouting she was going to cool off that little thing. The customers were at first in shock but in seconds everyone was laughing hysterically at the chase. John was laughing so hard Jenny caught him and succeeded in her mission. Chalk one up for the old dame with her own version of birth control.
God Bless Jenny. She’ll never be forgotten.
Episode Two – Bill’s Hearing Aid Batteries Are Dead…or Are They?
Episode one- Jenny Chases John
Jenny was a colorful old dame. She was in her eighties I think when Dad bought the store and hired her on. She had worked at another convenient store down the street for years and everyone knew her. When the store closed, Jenny along with a few of the other veterans came to work for us. She lived life to its fullest. She would regularly drive herself to the ‘old folks’ home to visit and make the old folks feel better. Remember she’s in her eighties and who she might be calling the ‘old folks’ would make me wonder as an 11 year old. I thought she must be visiting Methuselah herself! My brother was maybe 19-20 and full of it. On this particular occasion, Jenny observed John merely looking at a beautiful woman dressed in shorts and a tank top enjoying a hot summer day who had come in to buy some provisions. When John smiled at the image, it was enough to get Jenny going. She proceeded to go to the ice cream freezer and open a box of popsicles. She took one out, walked up to John and tried to drop it down the front of his pants. John ran up and down the aisles in front of the customers with this little old lady, a popsicle held high over her head, chasing John shouting she was going to cool off that little thing. The customers were at first in shock but in seconds everyone was laughing hysterically at the chase. John was laughing so hard Jenny caught him and succeeded in her mission. Chalk one up for the old dame with her own version of birth control.
God Bless Jenny. She’ll never be forgotten.
Episode Two – Bill’s Hearing Aid Batteries Are Dead…or Are They?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
One Branch in My Family Tree
Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time researching my genealogy. I met a distant cousin online who has done a lot of research on the family already and is writing a book on her research. She asked me if I would write a bio on my paternal grandfather and I thought I’d share that as my topic for the blog. I’ll come up with something more tantalizing next time:-)
John Coffey bio- I am the grandson of John Coffey. His youngest child Joseph, was my father. John was born in 1876 and died in 1935 when my Dad was only eight years old. It is difficult to write about someone whom you’ve never had the opportunity to meet. I have done my best and pray I’ve served his memory with respect.
John was the son of Stephen and Margaret. He was born and lived his entire life in Albany NY. His first marriage was to Margaret and they had two children, Pauline and Stephen. After the passing of his first wife he married my grandmother Charlotte Persons in 1924 and they had two children, Kathryn and Joseph. A photograph dated November 2, 1922 of the Chorus for the Diamond Jubilee of the Albany Diocese shows John and Charlotte among the group. Judging by their distance in the group of nearly 90, they may have been acquaintances at this time but it wouldn’t appear the romance had begun yet. John graduated from Albany High School in 1892 and began a professional career following in his father’s footsteps in the printing industry. I’ve located a few obituaries for John and the most eloquent I’ve decided to include with this bio because it describes his professional life and the respect he received from his peers. “The ready and poised pencil of John Coffey never again will swoop downward like a hawk to pluck an error from copy or proof. For John Coffey is dead and we who knew him feel deep sorrow and loss. John Coffey had been a proofreader in Albany 40 years or more. His father before him was a proofreader and both father and son were known as the best proofreaders in the business. In the publishing and printing world, the proofreader is an important person. He is the final rectifier of error. Writers and editors and printers make mistakes but the proofreader must make none and he must correct those that others make. We knew John Coffey would not let an error slip through. We depended on him always. If we knew he had read a proof we knew that proof was clean and errorless. Nor did we begrudge him the pleasure he took in pointing out to us mistakes we had made. We knew John Coffey knew. He had read the proof of a many-volumed encyclopedia from A-Z and it seemed to us that he had retained in his mind every fact and figure in that encyclopedia. If you asked John Coffey about some ancient king he could tell you and he could spell the name. If you asked him about some small community or even a street in some distant city he could tell you. John Coffey had an education that could scarcely be equaled. He was a keen and faithful man in his place. To him the slightest error was almost a great wrong. We wondered how he could do so much and how he could know so much. And withal, he was a most enjoyable companion and friend. John Coffey did his work well in the world and he made work lighter for others.” The measure of a man is by the lives he touched. Judging by this well penned obit, it appears John was a success in life and his memory should be respected as such.
There has always been family lore that he died of a broken heart while in New York City searching for his estranged daughter Pauline. Estranged according to that same lore because of his marriage to my grandmother after Pauline’s mother passed away. Truth be told from the information I’ve found he was on one of his and my grandmothers frequent vacation trips to NY to enjoy the culture. Not nearly as romantic as succumbing to a broken heart. However, in a sense he did. He died from the effects of a heart attack which newspaper documentation states he had complained to family and friends for the previous few weeks. No one knows to this day what became of Pauline and since she probably passed away decades ago… Google has become my friend in trying to find her. Maybe when/IF I do that will be a blog worthy story. Wish me luck!
Steve
John Coffey bio- I am the grandson of John Coffey. His youngest child Joseph, was my father. John was born in 1876 and died in 1935 when my Dad was only eight years old. It is difficult to write about someone whom you’ve never had the opportunity to meet. I have done my best and pray I’ve served his memory with respect.
John was the son of Stephen and Margaret. He was born and lived his entire life in Albany NY. His first marriage was to Margaret and they had two children, Pauline and Stephen. After the passing of his first wife he married my grandmother Charlotte Persons in 1924 and they had two children, Kathryn and Joseph. A photograph dated November 2, 1922 of the Chorus for the Diamond Jubilee of the Albany Diocese shows John and Charlotte among the group. Judging by their distance in the group of nearly 90, they may have been acquaintances at this time but it wouldn’t appear the romance had begun yet. John graduated from Albany High School in 1892 and began a professional career following in his father’s footsteps in the printing industry. I’ve located a few obituaries for John and the most eloquent I’ve decided to include with this bio because it describes his professional life and the respect he received from his peers. “The ready and poised pencil of John Coffey never again will swoop downward like a hawk to pluck an error from copy or proof. For John Coffey is dead and we who knew him feel deep sorrow and loss. John Coffey had been a proofreader in Albany 40 years or more. His father before him was a proofreader and both father and son were known as the best proofreaders in the business. In the publishing and printing world, the proofreader is an important person. He is the final rectifier of error. Writers and editors and printers make mistakes but the proofreader must make none and he must correct those that others make. We knew John Coffey would not let an error slip through. We depended on him always. If we knew he had read a proof we knew that proof was clean and errorless. Nor did we begrudge him the pleasure he took in pointing out to us mistakes we had made. We knew John Coffey knew. He had read the proof of a many-volumed encyclopedia from A-Z and it seemed to us that he had retained in his mind every fact and figure in that encyclopedia. If you asked John Coffey about some ancient king he could tell you and he could spell the name. If you asked him about some small community or even a street in some distant city he could tell you. John Coffey had an education that could scarcely be equaled. He was a keen and faithful man in his place. To him the slightest error was almost a great wrong. We wondered how he could do so much and how he could know so much. And withal, he was a most enjoyable companion and friend. John Coffey did his work well in the world and he made work lighter for others.” The measure of a man is by the lives he touched. Judging by this well penned obit, it appears John was a success in life and his memory should be respected as such.
There has always been family lore that he died of a broken heart while in New York City searching for his estranged daughter Pauline. Estranged according to that same lore because of his marriage to my grandmother after Pauline’s mother passed away. Truth be told from the information I’ve found he was on one of his and my grandmothers frequent vacation trips to NY to enjoy the culture. Not nearly as romantic as succumbing to a broken heart. However, in a sense he did. He died from the effects of a heart attack which newspaper documentation states he had complained to family and friends for the previous few weeks. No one knows to this day what became of Pauline and since she probably passed away decades ago… Google has become my friend in trying to find her. Maybe when/IF I do that will be a blog worthy story. Wish me luck!
Steve
Monday, February 23, 2009
What's In A Name
One of the ‘ventures’ I’ve been working on is to create and sell domain names. Last fall I saw a local news story about a woman who had no job and was trying to bring in additional income while still being able to stay home and raise her small children. She did some research and started to create domain names for resale. Within a year she was making decent money. I believe it was about $25000/year for her part time efforts. One of the domain names she created was Jacksonville.com and she sold it for about a $700 profit. I decided it was definitely worth looking into.
Before I give anyone the idea that I’m making beaucoup bucks from this, I’m not yet. I’m still learning the ropes and have only sold a couple domain names but like my blog about trading foreign currency, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share what I know and let whomever dare carry forth as they see fit.
So what is it to create a domain name? Basically it is creating a name for an internet site. It doesn’t require building content in the site but just the formulation of the name for someone else to build upon for whatever their intent. The name has to be registered with a company, I use GoDaddy, who will confirm the name doesn’t already exist and prohibit anyone else from taking it after you buy it. The purchase price depends if you create a .com, .net, .mobi, etc… but is generally less than $10. What you sell it for depends on who wants it, like anything else. Finding the right name that is hot is a matter of opinion. I’ve created some dogs that we’re more for fun and I knew I’d be lucky to break even (sold creditiswhack.com for a couple bucks profit) and some I thought were sure hits that I’m still waiting for a buyer. Example: dog= Celticsdynasty.com which I registered and then realized “Celtics” is a copyright so stay away from team nanes, just saying. I’ve contacted the Boston Celtics front office and offered the domain name and I’m waiting for a reply. One I thought was a hit- Obamahealthbenefits.org . I still think it will be profitable after President Obama unveils his intentions regarding healthcare policies. Time will tell.
GoDaddy also offers a service called cash parking. What that means is that after you create a domain name, they will place advertisements on the page for you relative to the name and when anyone clicks on the advertisements, you get paid. Similar to the advertisements on my blog page, pay per click. While that amount of money certainly doesn’t pay the mortgage it certainly does help offset the expense of creating the names. The domans I created related to movies (twilightmoviesequel.com and monstersvsaliens3d.com) and mobile (kidapps.mobi, puzzleapps.mobi, iwantanapp.mobi, ineedanapp.mobi, dollarapps.mobi) have had the most traffic and ad revenue so far. Feel free to check them out if you’re interested. I offer discounts on sale price to readers of my blog. :-)
As I said, I’m still trying to figure out how to make this as profitable as possible but I know it can be done. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, creative way to make money off of the growing world wide web. Doubt it can be profitable? Here is an example from the current GoDaddy auction site of a name someone created. The domain name is “nique.com”. Don’t ask me what it stands for I don’t know, but apparently it has meaning to the 25 bidders who have raised the price to $3,755. Now THAT would help pay the mortgage! Go figure… but if THAT name can bring money, don’t you have a great name for a domain rattling around?
Good luck!
Steve
Before I give anyone the idea that I’m making beaucoup bucks from this, I’m not yet. I’m still learning the ropes and have only sold a couple domain names but like my blog about trading foreign currency, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share what I know and let whomever dare carry forth as they see fit.
So what is it to create a domain name? Basically it is creating a name for an internet site. It doesn’t require building content in the site but just the formulation of the name for someone else to build upon for whatever their intent. The name has to be registered with a company, I use GoDaddy, who will confirm the name doesn’t already exist and prohibit anyone else from taking it after you buy it. The purchase price depends if you create a .com, .net, .mobi, etc… but is generally less than $10. What you sell it for depends on who wants it, like anything else. Finding the right name that is hot is a matter of opinion. I’ve created some dogs that we’re more for fun and I knew I’d be lucky to break even (sold creditiswhack.com for a couple bucks profit) and some I thought were sure hits that I’m still waiting for a buyer. Example: dog= Celticsdynasty.com which I registered and then realized “Celtics” is a copyright so stay away from team nanes, just saying. I’ve contacted the Boston Celtics front office and offered the domain name and I’m waiting for a reply. One I thought was a hit- Obamahealthbenefits.org . I still think it will be profitable after President Obama unveils his intentions regarding healthcare policies. Time will tell.
GoDaddy also offers a service called cash parking. What that means is that after you create a domain name, they will place advertisements on the page for you relative to the name and when anyone clicks on the advertisements, you get paid. Similar to the advertisements on my blog page, pay per click. While that amount of money certainly doesn’t pay the mortgage it certainly does help offset the expense of creating the names. The domans I created related to movies (twilightmoviesequel.com and monstersvsaliens3d.com) and mobile (kidapps.mobi, puzzleapps.mobi, iwantanapp.mobi, ineedanapp.mobi, dollarapps.mobi) have had the most traffic and ad revenue so far. Feel free to check them out if you’re interested. I offer discounts on sale price to readers of my blog. :-)
As I said, I’m still trying to figure out how to make this as profitable as possible but I know it can be done. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, creative way to make money off of the growing world wide web. Doubt it can be profitable? Here is an example from the current GoDaddy auction site of a name someone created. The domain name is “nique.com”. Don’t ask me what it stands for I don’t know, but apparently it has meaning to the 25 bidders who have raised the price to $3,755. Now THAT would help pay the mortgage! Go figure… but if THAT name can bring money, don’t you have a great name for a domain rattling around?
Good luck!
Steve
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Day Baseball Died
A-Rod has followed the paths of politicians and televangelists. 'I didn't do it... oh THAT?? Yeah, since you caught me I guess I did. But just the time you caught me'. If anyone suspected of steroid use is allowed in the Hall of Fame,they need to rename it the Hall of Shame. I am a life long Red Sox fan and will still follow the team and all that but the luster continues to rust on MLB's armor. Who would have ever thought that Jose Conseco would be the hero again. I admire that at least he told the truth and then was ridiculed as a liar by his baseball brethren. Hypocrites. If MLB doesn't clean up this year, or at least do SOMETHING, I'm going to change to the NBA. At least those thugs don't hide it.
I borrowed from Don McLean for this 'tribute':
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How baseball used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.
But steroid use made me shiver
With every rumor they’d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about the heroes who lied,
But something touched me deep inside
The day baseball died.
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly.
Did you even use a glove,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in the hall of fame,
Didn’t you even feel the shame,
And can you teach me how to inject real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with A-Rod
ignorin’ all the fraud.
He lied to me and all you.
Caught and now its boo hoo.
I was a lonely teenage bronc’in buck
With a Vida Blue glove and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day baseball died.
I started singin,
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Now for years we’ve been fed bullshit
And all time records took a hit,
But thats not how it used to be.
When the jesters sang in DC,
In cloaks of baseball history,
And voices that lied to you and me,
Oh, and while Aaron was looking ‘round,
Barry Bonds stole his home run crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.
And while fans still filled all the parks,
The players shot up in the dark,
And we knew it was all a lark
The day baseball died.
We were singin
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Hit eight miles high and climbing fast.
It landed on Alcatraz.
The players were full of gas,
With the jester on the sidelines in a trance.
Now the players were huddled in a room
While congress played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
`cause the players went and took the field;
Filled with steroids not goodwill
Do you recall what was revealed
The day baseball died?
We started singing,
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again.
So come on: A-Rod be nimble, Bonds be quick!
Gene Orza sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is Donald Fehr’s only friend.
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break Bud Seligs spell.
And as the baseballs climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw Selig laughing with delight
The day baseball died
He was singing,
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
I borrowed from Don McLean for this 'tribute':
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How baseball used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.
But steroid use made me shiver
With every rumor they’d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about the heroes who lied,
But something touched me deep inside
The day baseball died.
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly.
Did you even use a glove,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in the hall of fame,
Didn’t you even feel the shame,
And can you teach me how to inject real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with A-Rod
ignorin’ all the fraud.
He lied to me and all you.
Caught and now its boo hoo.
I was a lonely teenage bronc’in buck
With a Vida Blue glove and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day baseball died.
I started singin,
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Now for years we’ve been fed bullshit
And all time records took a hit,
But thats not how it used to be.
When the jesters sang in DC,
In cloaks of baseball history,
And voices that lied to you and me,
Oh, and while Aaron was looking ‘round,
Barry Bonds stole his home run crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.
And while fans still filled all the parks,
The players shot up in the dark,
And we knew it was all a lark
The day baseball died.
We were singin
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Hit eight miles high and climbing fast.
It landed on Alcatraz.
The players were full of gas,
With the jester on the sidelines in a trance.
Now the players were huddled in a room
While congress played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
`cause the players went and took the field;
Filled with steroids not goodwill
Do you recall what was revealed
The day baseball died?
We started singing,
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again.
So come on: A-Rod be nimble, Bonds be quick!
Gene Orza sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is Donald Fehr’s only friend.
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break Bud Seligs spell.
And as the baseballs climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw Selig laughing with delight
The day baseball died
He was singing,
So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were takin GHB
Singin, this’ll be the day the homers fly.
This’ll be the day the homers fly
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Why Pay Taxes?
Now our new President is in place and after two years of campaigning on a promise of change coming to Washington, I’m wondering what does ‘change’ really mean?
President Obama promised bringing change and hope to Washington. I know it’s early in his term but where is change? A stimulus package, that should be called a spending frenzy instead, stuffed with pork barrel items that don’t provide stimulus to an economy on life support. I’m not an economist but how do the following items ‘stimulate’ the economy: $3.4 BILLION towards repair, restoration and improvements at Public Parks/facilities ; $9 BILLION to improve access to broadband. In my opinion these are budgetary items and can not stimulate the economy for anything other than giving out temporary jobs with little or no long term return on the investment. The public parks are notorius for not being profitable. Improving broadband access?? To what end and who is going to profit? The companies that provide broadband service are not going to lower prices to the consumer. The individual companies will profit, not the taxpayer footing the bill to improve the access and then pay every month to actually USE it.
Originally the stimulus bill included ridiculous items from ‘our’ representatives that included such things as millions towards supplying condoms. Although, I’d rather pay for the condom now for teens to keep them from getting pregnant and the taxpayer supporting the child till they turn 18… if they aren’t using condoms now, are they going to use one because it might be free and stamped ‘government approved’? Thankfully once that item came to light, it was shortly after dropped from the proposal.
The requests from individual cities for their pet projects tp receve money from the stimulus bill is also absurd. Here are a couple brilliant ideas for your amusement. Las Vegas- $2 million for neon signs. They don’t have enough already?? Boynton Beach, FL- $4.5 million for an ‘eco’ park and butterfly garden. Chula Vista, CA- a mere half million for a dog park so they can run without a leash. Unbelievable. What are these people thinking. To me, this isn’t bringing change to Washington but business as usual. Government being run like a politicians personal ATM. ATM- ALL TAXPAYERS MONEY. To what end… ours.
What about the wonderful appointees? The new head of the Treasury/IRS didn’t pay $40,000 in taxes. Not because he made a mistake. He was audited in 2006 and paid the 2003-04 but not 2001-02 because it was after the statute of limitations ran out so he wasn’t going to pay. Only after he was appointed was it a ‘mistake’ that he corrected and paid. The measure of an individual is what you do when no one’s looking. He got audited and knew , he didn’t care to make it right then. It was made public and may impact his career and only then he paid. If it was you or me… we’d still be paying the penalties or in prison. The credibility of the tax system is shot. I won’t even start on those who pay zero in taxes getting thousands back. Maybe a future blog but once I get started on that, look out! Now more than ever the country needs to do away with the current tax code and implement the Fair Tax. President Obama, PLEASE PLEASE bring real change to Washington and renew my faith. Change in Washington right now is just the party in charge and it’s a party only the insiders continue to benefit from.
Why pay taxes? I will because it’s the law but I wouldn’t spend my money the way the government does. Would you?
President Obama promised bringing change and hope to Washington. I know it’s early in his term but where is change? A stimulus package, that should be called a spending frenzy instead, stuffed with pork barrel items that don’t provide stimulus to an economy on life support. I’m not an economist but how do the following items ‘stimulate’ the economy: $3.4 BILLION towards repair, restoration and improvements at Public Parks/facilities ; $9 BILLION to improve access to broadband. In my opinion these are budgetary items and can not stimulate the economy for anything other than giving out temporary jobs with little or no long term return on the investment. The public parks are notorius for not being profitable. Improving broadband access?? To what end and who is going to profit? The companies that provide broadband service are not going to lower prices to the consumer. The individual companies will profit, not the taxpayer footing the bill to improve the access and then pay every month to actually USE it.
Originally the stimulus bill included ridiculous items from ‘our’ representatives that included such things as millions towards supplying condoms. Although, I’d rather pay for the condom now for teens to keep them from getting pregnant and the taxpayer supporting the child till they turn 18… if they aren’t using condoms now, are they going to use one because it might be free and stamped ‘government approved’? Thankfully once that item came to light, it was shortly after dropped from the proposal.
The requests from individual cities for their pet projects tp receve money from the stimulus bill is also absurd. Here are a couple brilliant ideas for your amusement. Las Vegas- $2 million for neon signs. They don’t have enough already?? Boynton Beach, FL- $4.5 million for an ‘eco’ park and butterfly garden. Chula Vista, CA- a mere half million for a dog park so they can run without a leash. Unbelievable. What are these people thinking. To me, this isn’t bringing change to Washington but business as usual. Government being run like a politicians personal ATM. ATM- ALL TAXPAYERS MONEY. To what end… ours.
What about the wonderful appointees? The new head of the Treasury/IRS didn’t pay $40,000 in taxes. Not because he made a mistake. He was audited in 2006 and paid the 2003-04 but not 2001-02 because it was after the statute of limitations ran out so he wasn’t going to pay. Only after he was appointed was it a ‘mistake’ that he corrected and paid. The measure of an individual is what you do when no one’s looking. He got audited and knew , he didn’t care to make it right then. It was made public and may impact his career and only then he paid. If it was you or me… we’d still be paying the penalties or in prison. The credibility of the tax system is shot. I won’t even start on those who pay zero in taxes getting thousands back. Maybe a future blog but once I get started on that, look out! Now more than ever the country needs to do away with the current tax code and implement the Fair Tax. President Obama, PLEASE PLEASE bring real change to Washington and renew my faith. Change in Washington right now is just the party in charge and it’s a party only the insiders continue to benefit from.
Why pay taxes? I will because it’s the law but I wouldn’t spend my money the way the government does. Would you?
Monday, January 19, 2009
TRADING FOREIGN CURRENCY
I am still learning how to trade foreign currency but I thought I’d take this opportunity to share on my blog what I’ve learned so far. Mainly because I’ve had several people ask me about how to get started and what some of the terms when they have delved into it. I want to preface the blog by saying I am in NO WAY an expert and I am not suggesting this is for everyone or without risk. With that disclaimer out of the way… here goes…
I signed up with a company through the CNBC stock/currency contest. As a side note, sign up for the contest. It’s free and good practice trading stocks and currency to see how you can do without risking your own money. FXCM is the sponsor of the currency trading for the contest and offers a $25 to sign up for a real account with no strings attached. You can play with their $25 before deciding if currency trading is for you and fund additionally with your own money. $25 doesn’t sound like much but you trade on margin and it can grow rather quickly. The advantage with this company is you can’t lose more money than you deposit. Or if you were to lose the $25, you wouldn’t owe more money. You’d only lose their initial $25 they funded for you for free!
Margin defined: “Trading on Margin,” the ability to trade a position larger than the amount of money in your account. Margin is expressed as a percentage of position size, for example 5% or 1%, or in monetary terms, such as $50 or $2,000. FXCM Micro sets margin in terms of required margin per lot. One lot of a FXCM Micro account is 1,000 units of currency. (A unit of currency could be one dollar, one euro, one pound, etc.) Therefore, $2.50 in funds allows you to trade 1,000 units. (For simplicity, FXCM Micro requires $2.50 in funds for every 1K lot traded, regardless of the currency pair you choose to trade.)
So basically, you can trade in small increments of 1,000 units of currency at a time from the $25 deposited into your account by FXCM. When I started I set out to limit the losses and gains for each trade of $5. After deciding which unit I wanted to buy, I would click on the stop order and set it to automatically close the trade if it trended to a $5 loss and clicked on the limit order to close at a $5 gain. Again, seems like small amounts but for the learning purposes it is very helpful. I was able to grow the account to about $200 within the first two weeks. It was enough time to teach me what I needed to look for on the charts.
FXCM offers a very good program with charts and trending that you can follow easily. I watch the trading on the charts and monitor for a ‘bottom’ or ‘top’ of the graph. If it appears the currency has been traded down, I would place a buy order in. If it seems it has been traded up, I place a sell order in anticipation that the chart is cyclical and the trading will move the price down and I will sell. Here is an actual example from my account: on 1/19 I bought 4 units of GBP/USD (Great Britain pound/US dollar) @ 1.45088 because the charts showed it was near a high in the recent trades. Seven minutes later the price went up to 1.45320 and I sold for a profit of $5.68. Again, it isn’t enough to make a huge difference in lifestyle but if you can average a $5 profit every 15 minutes, $20 an hour isn’t a bad part time job!
Foreign currency trading is a 24 hr a day business from Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon. It allows you to log in when you feel like it or have time. One thing I have learned is to be consistent with my goal I set forth in trading in foreign currency. My intention is to trade and make at least a couple hundred a month in this venture. Like anything, don’t get greedy and think you’re going to hit a home run. Several singles strung together still scores runs and can win the game. By keeping this simple approach, I limit my risk and still have a tangible reward. The more time I spend trading, the more I learn and the more money can potentially be made. However, who wants to sit on top of the charts non-stop. There are so many other things to do!
I don’t know if anyone will find this useful or will actually venture into the world of currency trading but if you do, be smart. Set your goals, do your homework and GOOD LUCK!
I signed up with a company through the CNBC stock/currency contest. As a side note, sign up for the contest. It’s free and good practice trading stocks and currency to see how you can do without risking your own money. FXCM is the sponsor of the currency trading for the contest and offers a $25 to sign up for a real account with no strings attached. You can play with their $25 before deciding if currency trading is for you and fund additionally with your own money. $25 doesn’t sound like much but you trade on margin and it can grow rather quickly. The advantage with this company is you can’t lose more money than you deposit. Or if you were to lose the $25, you wouldn’t owe more money. You’d only lose their initial $25 they funded for you for free!
Margin defined: “Trading on Margin,” the ability to trade a position larger than the amount of money in your account. Margin is expressed as a percentage of position size, for example 5% or 1%, or in monetary terms, such as $50 or $2,000. FXCM Micro sets margin in terms of required margin per lot. One lot of a FXCM Micro account is 1,000 units of currency. (A unit of currency could be one dollar, one euro, one pound, etc.) Therefore, $2.50 in funds allows you to trade 1,000 units. (For simplicity, FXCM Micro requires $2.50 in funds for every 1K lot traded, regardless of the currency pair you choose to trade.)
So basically, you can trade in small increments of 1,000 units of currency at a time from the $25 deposited into your account by FXCM. When I started I set out to limit the losses and gains for each trade of $5. After deciding which unit I wanted to buy, I would click on the stop order and set it to automatically close the trade if it trended to a $5 loss and clicked on the limit order to close at a $5 gain. Again, seems like small amounts but for the learning purposes it is very helpful. I was able to grow the account to about $200 within the first two weeks. It was enough time to teach me what I needed to look for on the charts.
FXCM offers a very good program with charts and trending that you can follow easily. I watch the trading on the charts and monitor for a ‘bottom’ or ‘top’ of the graph. If it appears the currency has been traded down, I would place a buy order in. If it seems it has been traded up, I place a sell order in anticipation that the chart is cyclical and the trading will move the price down and I will sell. Here is an actual example from my account: on 1/19 I bought 4 units of GBP/USD (Great Britain pound/US dollar) @ 1.45088 because the charts showed it was near a high in the recent trades. Seven minutes later the price went up to 1.45320 and I sold for a profit of $5.68. Again, it isn’t enough to make a huge difference in lifestyle but if you can average a $5 profit every 15 minutes, $20 an hour isn’t a bad part time job!
Foreign currency trading is a 24 hr a day business from Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon. It allows you to log in when you feel like it or have time. One thing I have learned is to be consistent with my goal I set forth in trading in foreign currency. My intention is to trade and make at least a couple hundred a month in this venture. Like anything, don’t get greedy and think you’re going to hit a home run. Several singles strung together still scores runs and can win the game. By keeping this simple approach, I limit my risk and still have a tangible reward. The more time I spend trading, the more I learn and the more money can potentially be made. However, who wants to sit on top of the charts non-stop. There are so many other things to do!
I don’t know if anyone will find this useful or will actually venture into the world of currency trading but if you do, be smart. Set your goals, do your homework and GOOD LUCK!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Crime and the Media in America
The rising level of crime in Jacksonville is a constant topic in the news with everyone wondering what can be done to improve the situation. Societal woes impact everyone, in every town. It seems there is a whole generation that has a very low importance placed on life, property and their fellow human beings. I don’t think there is any one answer. Parenting, music, sports role models, the media… there is enough blame to go around. However, media is my pet peeve… for this blog anyway.
I opened the paper around Thanksgiving to see a ¾ front page picture with teasers of the Jaguars poor performance on the football field. Yet tucked away on B-5 is a small article and picture of a wanted suspect in an aggravated battery on a police officer. Perhaps sports should be left in the sports section and more importance placed on getting the bad guys off the streets. At the very least share the front page and allow the public a fighting chance to help the police. We all knew the Jags sucked this year. It wouldn’t have hurt me to wait until I got to the sports section to be reminded, AGAIN.
Yesterday on the radio I heard a question from the station on a survey they wanted listeners to reply to… the burning question? With the rash of recent police shootings, who is to blame? You could have knocked me over with a feather. Why is this even a question? Hmmm, could it be the CRIMINAL is to blame? Instead the “media” perpetuates the feeling that the police may be out of control, shooting Joe the Plumber or Joe Six pack as they walk down the street. Give the cops the benefit of the doubt. It seems to me the media assumes the police are guilty until proven innocent and the criminal is somehow a victim. Shame on them. Shame on us for buying into it. I refuse to buy the Times Union everyday anymore. I’ll get it on the weekends still, maybe… ads, comics and crossword puzzle they can’t screw up too much.
In my opinion, sensationalized journalism needs to change. Media should report the facts, period.
P.S. This blog is dedicated to my grandfather who was a newspaper proofreader for years. Unfortunately, he’d be ashamed to admit that now.
I opened the paper around Thanksgiving to see a ¾ front page picture with teasers of the Jaguars poor performance on the football field. Yet tucked away on B-5 is a small article and picture of a wanted suspect in an aggravated battery on a police officer. Perhaps sports should be left in the sports section and more importance placed on getting the bad guys off the streets. At the very least share the front page and allow the public a fighting chance to help the police. We all knew the Jags sucked this year. It wouldn’t have hurt me to wait until I got to the sports section to be reminded, AGAIN.
Yesterday on the radio I heard a question from the station on a survey they wanted listeners to reply to… the burning question? With the rash of recent police shootings, who is to blame? You could have knocked me over with a feather. Why is this even a question? Hmmm, could it be the CRIMINAL is to blame? Instead the “media” perpetuates the feeling that the police may be out of control, shooting Joe the Plumber or Joe Six pack as they walk down the street. Give the cops the benefit of the doubt. It seems to me the media assumes the police are guilty until proven innocent and the criminal is somehow a victim. Shame on them. Shame on us for buying into it. I refuse to buy the Times Union everyday anymore. I’ll get it on the weekends still, maybe… ads, comics and crossword puzzle they can’t screw up too much.
In my opinion, sensationalized journalism needs to change. Media should report the facts, period.
P.S. This blog is dedicated to my grandfather who was a newspaper proofreader for years. Unfortunately, he’d be ashamed to admit that now.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Business plan
I thought I’d create this blog as a way to share with my friends one idea I have about a business. I have a few ideas about starting a business but the one that I seem to be leaning towards the most is an Irish pub. I have always liked the atmosphere of an Irish pub. With the rich dark wood, Irish music and glimpses of the Emerald Isle all about. I may only be about 30% Irish by heritage but when I’m sitting on a stool in a real Irish pub, I start talking with a brogue. My father’s side of the family is from Ireland. My great grandmother came from Ireland when she was 2 in 1849. Her name was Margaret Murphy and my dream pub would be named for her. Maggie Murphy’s Irish Pub!
Food would be typical Irish and American pub fare. Bangers & Mash, Sheppard’s pie, burgers and all that too. When Maggie was in her 90’s the Albany Knickerbocker News published a story about her life in Albany and her memories with a great picture of her. The article made me feel closer to a woman I never had the chance to meet. She talked about remembering when Abraham Lincoln came through Albany and how the house she lived in was built over an old horse race track. Guess that might explain why betting on the horses is in my blood! I want to use that article and picture as the front of the menu. What a great way to pay tribute to the first generation from Ireland that brought their dream of a better life to America. I’d like to have on VIP table dedicated to my Irish heritage and call it Maggie’s table. Family and friends only seated here! I have a logo that I’m working on as well. Maggie Murphy in script with the Murphy crest on one side and Coffey crest on the other side. In the back of the name, Irish and USA flags.
I’m still working on my business plan and now that the holidays are over, I am going to focus on specifics. I’ve looked at a couple of locations in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Much of my decision will be based on the economy. Small business loans may be harder to come by for the immediate future. I thought about forming a private corporation and selling shares. If anyone is interested in investing and being a part owner in Maggie’s , feel free to let me know! I didn’t create the blog looking for investors but it came to my while typing so maybe just maybe, it would be a way to go and share the dream. If anyone has ideas for the venture that want to share from their experiences about a pub they have been in that left a lasting memory, please share that as well!
Faith and Begorah (Irish: Faith and by God)! Wishing everyone a great, healthy and profitable 2009!
Food would be typical Irish and American pub fare. Bangers & Mash, Sheppard’s pie, burgers and all that too. When Maggie was in her 90’s the Albany Knickerbocker News published a story about her life in Albany and her memories with a great picture of her. The article made me feel closer to a woman I never had the chance to meet. She talked about remembering when Abraham Lincoln came through Albany and how the house she lived in was built over an old horse race track. Guess that might explain why betting on the horses is in my blood! I want to use that article and picture as the front of the menu. What a great way to pay tribute to the first generation from Ireland that brought their dream of a better life to America. I’d like to have on VIP table dedicated to my Irish heritage and call it Maggie’s table. Family and friends only seated here! I have a logo that I’m working on as well. Maggie Murphy in script with the Murphy crest on one side and Coffey crest on the other side. In the back of the name, Irish and USA flags.
I’m still working on my business plan and now that the holidays are over, I am going to focus on specifics. I’ve looked at a couple of locations in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Much of my decision will be based on the economy. Small business loans may be harder to come by for the immediate future. I thought about forming a private corporation and selling shares. If anyone is interested in investing and being a part owner in Maggie’s , feel free to let me know! I didn’t create the blog looking for investors but it came to my while typing so maybe just maybe, it would be a way to go and share the dream. If anyone has ideas for the venture that want to share from their experiences about a pub they have been in that left a lasting memory, please share that as well!
Faith and Begorah (Irish: Faith and by God)! Wishing everyone a great, healthy and profitable 2009!
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