Author: Ashley Bischoff

More on the Economy

Ashley BischoffLeave a comment

This morning, I woke up and thought to myself, “Thank goodness all that ‘Crash of 2002’ stuff was just a dream.” *boggle*

And, in other news, Wall Street Suffers Worst Setback Since Yesterday:

Stocks took another beating yesterday in what analysts are now calling the worst day on Wall Street since the day before yesterday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to a record low, while the Nasdaq plunged even further. The last time either average visited these levels, George W. Bush was president, Alan Greenspan was chairman of the Federal Reserve, and “Malcolm in the Middle” was still on television. […]

HHOS?

Low-Carb Eating

Ashley BischoffLeave a comment

I’ve been following some of the low-carb diets, and Josh passed along that 20/20 had a segment last night on low-carb diets. He happened to e-mail me as it was airing, so by the time I read the e-mail, I had missed it ;). Luckily, though, there’s a good summary on their website.

“The theory was that a low-fat/high-carb diet would control weight and help prevent killer diseases. But most of the studies that followed actually failed to show a direct link between fat in the diet and heart disease and cancer. But by then it was too late — even science couldn't shake the prevailing wisdom that all fats are bad, and all carbs are good,” explained Johnson.

By investigating the genesis of this theory, Taubes found that the government's initial decision 30 years ago to promote low-fat diets was not based on recommendations from doctors or scientists, but rather from lawyers who worked for Sen. George McGovern in the mid-1970s. […]

I also found the “good fats / bad fats” and “good carbs / bad carbs” charts especially helpful. I was confused for a sec when it appeared that pasta was listed both as a “bad carb” and and as a “good carb” — but, it looks like the distinction is that “wheat or oat … pastas” are ok (at least, according to the chart).

Crash of 2002?

Ashley BischoffLeave a comment

CNN/Money has an article today “The crash of 2002” with the sub-title “Stocks’ four-month slide has left investors battered and bloodied. How bad will it get”. According to the article, we may not be in for good financial times ahead:

Ten trading days, 1,360 points off the Dow. Let's start calling the “sell off” what it is. Let's call it a panic. Let's call it a crash.

Indeed, after rallying following Sept. 11, the markets topped out in March, and have been careening downward ever since: The Dow is down 25 percent since then; the S&P 500 is down 27 percent, and the Nasdaq is down 32 percent. […]

I can’t say that I’m terribly surprised by their assessment, but I would have preferred better news. Still I was amused by this bit:

In Mar. 2000, 500 shares of JDSU would’ve bought a Porsche 911 Carrera. Today, they’ll buy a 1990 Dodge Omni Hatchback with 100,000 miles (no a/c).

“visited links” — denied

Ashley Bischoff4 Comments

I often visit DFWBlogs to check on updated blogs in the area. I primarily check my friends’ blogs, so I figured that it could be handy to have a “visited link” color for the list of blogs along the left side.

I wasn’t sure who to e-mail about that, so I e-mailed both Leia and Matt:

Hey guys,

I wasn’t sure who to e-mail about this suggestion, so I’m just e-mailing both of you ;). Anyhow, like any good blogger, I make use of DFWBlogs to check whether my friends’ blogs have been updated.

However, could you assign a “visited link” color? That way, I’d be able to more easily find blogs that I frequently visit among those on the list.

And, Leia replied:

Hmm. Interesting point. But, I declare designer’s prerogative and say no. I think it would make the list look too garish.

Alternatively, you could go make your own list of favorites at http://www.freshblogs.com

I was disappointed to read that and I disagree with her prerogative :-/. I really thought that a visited-link color would add something to the site.

Update: Just to be clear, there’re no hard feelings here — this is just another ordinary post about blogging :).