Hot spots.

Today's Tids Issue 4,026

For Stability:

This is supposed to be a peaceful week, but if you are at all aware of anything other than returning gifts, you have to look at next year as one that could be tenuous with regards to global conflicts and serious disruptions to peace. I hear US Generals speaking a bit more often about war for 2018. They know more than we do. We may be looking at short term freezing today, but in the longer outlook we could be seeing seriously hot wars. The Global Conflict Tacker lists 28 serious hot spots, with the NK problem being just one of the most prominent. We still have the Taliban strong in Afghanistan, growing Islamic militancy in Nuke power Pakistan, the instability in the Ukraine, an increasingly mysterious Turkey, India-Pakistan tensions and yes even uncontrolled Criminal activity in Mexico which could erupt – just to name a few. Africa is a powder keg in several regions and you never know about the Middle East. I only open Today’s Tids with such a sour mind jogger to remind us that there are lots of serious considerations for 2018, and that for sure rebuilding our military capabilities and reorienting strategies should be at the top of the list.

“Once you have chosen Hope, anything is possible.” – Christopher Reeve.

The estimate for returned Christmas gifts this year is $90 Billion!! Holy Cow! That’s a lot of mistakes.

Elon Musk is not a men’s cologne.

The Question:

When decluttering a house for selling, there are three well known philosophies which can guide you. Name them.

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Opens Higher As Slow Year End Week Continues; Tech Stocks Revitalized;  New Jobless Benefits Stay Steady; 21 Big Retailers Closed Stores During Year.

--Ray Moore Seeks New Alabama Election; Suing To Block Certification Of Results.

--IS Claims Responsibility For Blast that Kills 41 In Afghan Shiite Center.

--Meghan Markle’s Family Upset With Harry’s Comments, “ …And It’s The Family (His) I Suppose That She’s (Megan) Never Had.”

--South Korea Says It Could Close Bitcoin Exchanges.

Just what the world needs, the Harry and Barack show.

I shouldn’t tell you this because it might have an effect on my retirement plan, but Mega Millions and Power Ball have huge $300 Million plus pots of dough for their Friday (Mega) and Saturday (PB) Night drawings.

Actually, those big lottery pots would be less than10 NCAA football coaches 5-year contracts.

Are you really traveling if you just go to places where the weather is different but the people are the same?

There was probably a time when golf super stars could turn it on when they wanted and win a tournament or major or two. But former number one’s Rory McElroy, Adam Scott, Jason Day and even Tiger Woods who are looking at 2018 is a year which to return to their former star places on the list of best golfers, may find the fairways a bit tighter. There are just so many new emerging golfers that even Jordan Spieth may be following some young hotshot who has his eyes on Number one in the world. I’m looking forward to a great season.

“Free and Open” means different things to different people. For some it is when the government is in charge, and for others it is when it is unregulated free enterprise capitalism. As you can see, there is little room for understanding, and that is the problem.

Dolphins are so smart, that after just about 3 weeks in captivity they have trained humans to stand by the side of the pool and toss them fish.

I’m not looking forward to picking the NFL winners today. There are just two many teams resting players or not in it for anything. Couple that with numbing weather for the weekend, and upsets could abound. For instance, take LA Rams versus San Fran. The Rams are powerful but the QB, all-star runner and several “D” line men are resting. That opens the door for red hot Garoppolo. I’m seeing the Niners keeping it going. I don’t believe the Pats will rest anybody because they like the home field advantage, and need to beat the so-so Jets to keep it. I think its Indy beating Houston, Detroit over GB, Minn over Chi and Baltimore taking Cinncy. Buffalo is in it, and even though they are away at Miami they are loving the heat down there versus their stormy home on Lake Erie. And the Bills still have a chance. KC is also resting key players, so I am going with Denver needing to restore a little respect. I’ll take Wash over NYG, Philly over Dallas and Pitt over poor Cleveland. The Charger Oakland game could be one of the better ones, with LAC needing it and Oakland craving a win. Chargers for me. Seattle needs a win and they should beat Arizona. I like Jax over Tenn in a very close important tussle and New Orleans over TB. Atlanta and Carolina are both playoff bound and are playing for seeds and advantages. Tough game to pick. But I’m going with Cam Newton. As we enter the final week, the Tids pickers are 170-70 (71%). Better than last year. Now, they’ll want a bonus.

The left is outraged at the VF satire of Hilary Clinton. That includes laugh-a-minute lefties like Kathie Griffith who thought it funny to display a severed head of President Trump. The left, the definition of intolerance.

Craft beer sales seem dominant across our landscape, that is if you read the any CB articles or see the special interest pieces on TV. But the Craft beer portion of the total industry is 12.3%. Some times we get hoodwinked by articles of political or cultural trends. But the facts always remain that the whole is always truly larger than emotional anecdotes. We often see disc-gruntled people interviewed about some subject, and the minds of the uninformed quickly projects the few to a universe. The media looks for the negatives because that’s where he news is – even when the positives are far more common. Alleged criminals are persecuted in the news, before trials. And, of course on regular basis, politicians just plain abuse reality.

I used the beer info to make a point about over exuberant extrapolation, but in all honesty, the Craft beer biz is doing quite well. In fact the 12.3% barrels share was up 6.2% from the previous year, in a year where overall beer sales showed no growth. What is really interesting is that the value of Craft beer sales is 23.5% of the overall beer market of $107.6 Billion. See. There are a lot of ways to look at stats, and one of them is honestly.  

I like the new boxes for the renamed Restoration Hardware store. The new name is “RH”, my initials. The design is refined and understated, just like me. They will be great to hold all of the special stuff of a hoarder like me.

Satire and sarcasm have been basically relegated out of existence by fake news and bombastic commentators because there are so many anxious people who can’t see what they are reading, or hear what is being said.

Money talks, but all mine ever says is “Good Bye”.

The Answer:

The three philosophical choices available when prepping a house for resale are Feng Shui, The KonMari Method and The 90/90 Rule (Minimalism). Feng Shui is about harmony and balance requiring small changes to the color, decor and furniture arrangement from front door to the bathroom. The Bathroom? In the KonMari method, you take all of your possessions, lay out categorically – clothes first ad sentimental pieces last. Then you pick up and hold each item in your hand and decide if it brings you joy. Yikes! Everything brings me joy except maybe an apple corer. The 90/90 rule is a bit simpler. You once again get out all of your stuff and hold each item asking have I used this in the last 90 days, or will I in the next 90 days. If not toss it. I have an easier way. Take half of all your stuff and hide it under the bed, sofas and stuffed chairs until the house sale is closed.

I have a couple of things I worry about, the stock market and war. I like cooler wars and hotter markets.

See you all tomorrow.

Thanks to the daily comics pages for some good ideas.