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Updated each Month: Best two books to read this month:
A Whole New Mind, by Daniel Pink. In a time of global change and economic uncertainty, Daniel Pink gives readers a hint of what tomorrow's leaders must have to be successful. Creative minds, storytellers, fluid communicators and others like them will find the future very welcoming. This is an interesting take on right-brain and left-brain thinking.
The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A classic tale of Amercana in the 1920s that resonates today. You may have read The Great Gatsby once or even twice before. Yet this book continues to convey a brutal and beautiful reality of American life in an era gone by yet somehow still here.
Updated each week : Top 5 NFL sophomores most likely to make their mark in 2009:
1. Rashard Mendenhall -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back: Mendenhall's injury early in the 2008 season will prove a blessing as he will return in 2009 more mature, healthy, stronger and faster.
2. Jake Long -- Miami Dolphins offensive tackle: Long was ready for starter status as a rookie but 2009 will show exactly why the Dolphins put so much stock in the mammoth, smart and quick footed long.
3. Keith Rivers -- Cincinnati Bengals: Rivers' rookie campaign was abruptly shattered along with his jaw with a crushing hit by Pittsburgh's Hines Ward in 2008. Rivers will return in 2009 hungry for redemption alongside a much improved supporting cast in Cinci.
4. Chris Johnson -- Tennessee Titans running back: Johnson's rookie season was more than a flash in the pan as he rolled up more than 1,000 yards. If he is able to duplicate that effort in 2009 and stay healthy, he may see many future seasons in the Pro Bowl.
5. Jerod Mayo -- New England Patriots linebacker: Mayo was a machine at linebacker in his freshman campaign, arriving at a time when they most needed fresh blood to replace the aging and slow Patriots linebackers. He will need more than a repeat performance in 2009 to garner lasting respect from his peers and solidify his place on the squad.
Based on real-runner feedback, S.C opinion: Best running shoes, distance runners:
Non-scientific ranking, in order of preference based on wear, cushion, weight, durability, comfort, stability.
Nike Air Zoom Vomero 2 or 3 (Men & Women)
Saucony ProGrid Triumph 5 (Men)
Asics GEL-Cumulus 9 (Men)
Nike Air Pegasus (Women)
Updated each Thursday: Best movies to go see, rent or watch on television this weekend:
At the Theater: No recommendations for this week.
Something to rent from Netflix or other:
Sleeper (PG-13) 1973, One of Woody Allen's funniest movies. He wrote, directed and acted in this comedy about a hapless store owner who wakes up after 200 years and sets out to test his new environment as well as the Orgasmatron.
The Sting (PG) 1973, Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in this story of masterful con artists with revenge in mind. Nothing is sweeter than payback. This is also a great pick for anyone nostalgic for a great Paul Newman movie after his recent passing.
Something on TV:
No recommendations this week. Read a book.
Updated each periodically: Interesting investment opportunities in a down market:
Disclaimer: The following should not be considered a financial or investment opinion or recommendation from Strider.com or anyone associated with the site.. Before investing in any stocks, do your own due diligence and consult a financial planner. Strider.com does not have a position in any of the following companies:
Long-term buys: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ticker TSM, engages in manufacturing, selling, packaging, testing, and computer-aided designing various integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices, as well as manufacturing masks. Very little debt, solid earnings and significantly oversold with current share price pulled down due to the swoon of global markets. Should recover nicely. -- Titanium Metals Corp., ticker TIE, produces titanium melted and mill products. It offers titanium sponge, which is the basic form of titanium metal used in titanium products; and melted products, such as ingot, electrodes, and slab that are the result of melting sponge and titanium scrap. Adversely impacted by slowdown in global titanium demand and recent strike at Boeing.
Mid-term buys: KB Home, ticker KBH, the company builds various types of homes, including attached and detached single-family homes, town homes, and condominiums, designed primarily for first-time, first move-up adult buyers; -- Shaw Group Inc., ticker SGR, offers engineering, technology, construction, fabrication, environmental, and industrial services to various companies worldwide. Both companies appear substantially oversold at market close 10/17. Both companies appear to have strong balance sheets able to make it through economic downturns.Both companies appear to have found a bottom.
Short-term pure speculation: Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc., ticker ALTI, engages in developing and commercializing nanomaterial and titanium dioxide pigment technologies principally in the United States and Canada; -- Syntroleum Corp., ticker SYNM, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of the Syntroleum Process that is designed to convert natural gas into synthetic liquid hydrocarbons. Both companies engage in green technologies that figure to grow substantially in the next decade. Each may benefit from milestone accomplishments that will cause substantial short-term pops in their share prices. However, should they weather the struggles of small microcap companies in growth stages, they could be tremendous; opportunities.
Best five gifts for men:
MacBook Pro, loaded with all of the office and home entertainment and creative software needed: He may not even know how to operate a Mac. Once bitten with the Mac bug, and he will be hooked on a system that will better his work and entertainment for a long time. This will also enhance the iPhone and iPod experience.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Extra Large Mens Watch: It’s not one of the most expensive of Patek’s but even at its current price, it is much more than can typically be afforded. However, if you can, this is a gift he will remember forever.
Season Tickets: Whether it is to the local Triple-A team or the Chicago Bears, this is a gift that lasts way beyond the holidays and is something he can appreciate with you.
If he is a golfer, a new, custom-made set of Calloway or Ping golf clubs. This is only for someone who plays at least 10 times a year.
You. A card -- and somewhere to travel to that’s very cold and in the mountains or very warm and humid.
Best five gifts for women:
Jewelry: This sounds predictable but it can be tricky. Think about this one before you buy. You need to make sure it is not too cheap or too gaudy. “More” and “less” are not always better. It should match her personality, speak to her individuality and should also be something she would be more comfortable wearing out for fine dining. Think karats, plural. And make sure there is Godiva chocolate on the side.
800-thread Egyptian Cotton bed linen given with certificates for deep-tissue massages, good throughout the year. Both say relaxation and are great places to be after stressful days.
A weekend getaway: Bring on the decadence, spa, good food and plenty of time away from it all. Out of town, state, country – all are good, but make sure she is reminded of what luxury really is, if you want to do it right.
Write her something. Engrave it, in gold or crystal. Tell her why you are with her and what she means to you. In tandem, give it to her with an antique music box with your song custom installed.
You. A card -- and somewhere to travel to that’s very cold and in the mountains or very warm and humid.
