The New York Times ran an interesting Sunday Magazine cover story on the population crisis facing many European countries.  In Italy, for example, a small Southern Italian town has instituted a “baby bonus:” “…in 2003 Falivena let it be known he would pay 10,000 euros (about $15,000) for every woman — local or immigrant, married or single — who would give birth to and rear a […]

A recent New York Time Sunday Magazine article (and video) got me thinking about whether it’s practical to share all responsibilities as a married couple and my initial gut reaction is NO and here’s why: not all individuals have equal skill sets (yes you can use skill set when talking about a marriage).  Just like a typical corporation, getting things […]

I recently headed to a local pizza joint for a large pie (half mushrooms, half pepper) and when the bill came over I almost threw hot pepper flakes at the owner!  The price of the large pie was $21.95. I calmly made my way over to the cashier’s desk and politely asked the owner’s wife to please do something about […]

The Dow Jones average fell almost 317 points today on mere speculation that the state of Israel was going to attack Iran.  The drop is most likely associated with the rise in crude oil prices; specifically to the fact that oil skyrocketed $10.75 in a single day (to $138 a barrel!).  The $10.75 increase is the largest single day increase in history!     

The 2006 World Cup is a bit stale at this point, but I can’t help but get excited when I see video collages of the Italian national team.  For example, see the following clip (especially minute 1:42 where the Italian announcer Fabio Caressa begins to scream in total joy, “Beppe, or Joe, we are going to Berlin, we are going to Berlin <meaning the Final […]