The Dailies

Part 1

Money Magazine collected the best advice from some of the smartest investors (and other people) who have ever lived.

1. Be humble

When you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it–this is knowledge.
–Confucius

Investing is a big bet on an unknowable future. The mark of wisdom is accepting just how unknowable it is. Granted, that’s not easy. Our brains are built to think the future will be like the near past. And we’re too ready to act on the predictions of pundits, who are no more clued in than we are about what lies ahead.

Being humble in the face of uncertainty keeps you from costly mistakes. You won’t jump on yesterday’s bandwagon. And before you invest, you’ll be more likely to ask a key question: “What if I’m wrong?”

2. Take calculated risks

He that is overcautious will accomplish little.
–Friedrich von Schiller

The returns you get are proportionate to the risk you take. This is a fundamental law of the markets. It’s why five-year CDs typically pay more than six-month ones and why you’re disappointed if your emerging markets fund does no better than its stodgy blue-chip stablemate. History unequivocally supports this “no free lunch” principle. Going back to 1926, stocks (high risk) have paid more than government bonds (medium risk), which in turn have beaten low-risk Treasury bills.

Among many, many other things, this law suggests:

* To earn returns high enough to build true wealth, you have to put some of your money in risky assets like stocks–the only investment to handily beat inflation over time.
* If a financial salesperson tries to tell you his product offers a high return with no risk, get that claim in writing. Then send it and his business card to the SEC.

3. Have an emergency fund

For age and want, save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.
–Benjamin Franklin

The first step in constructing any serious financial plan is to create an emergency cash fund–ideally, three to six months’ living expenses–stashed in a low-cost ultrasafe bank account or money-market fund. Without this financial cushion, any unexpected expense can derail your long-term plans.

These days, happily, that emergency stash won’t just sit idle. Top bank accounts like the one at UFB Direct (888-580-0049) and perennially competitive money funds like Vanguard Prime (800-851-4999) now pay more than 5%.

Filmmaker Julian Schnabel says he did not pay much attention when he was given a copy of the extraordinary memoir “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” about six years ago.

The slender volume was written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, a French magazine editor who had been almost entirely paralyzed by a stroke at the age of 43. Yet he managed to dictate “The Diving Bell” while lying in a hospital bed, communicating with his caregivers by blinking his left eye.

A few years afterwards, as Schnabel was coming to terms with the imminent death of his father, Bauby entered his life once more in the form of a screenplay drafted by Ronald Harwood, the Oscar-winning writer of “The Pianist.”

Producer Kathleen Kennedy had offered Schnabel the chance to direct, and the story of Bauby’s suffering affected him so profoundly, he ultimately agreed.

“The thing about my dad is, he was never sick in his life, but he was very, very scared to die, and I couldn’t help him,” Schnabel recalls. “I couldn’t take away his fear of death, but through this film, I thought I could speak to people that were sick, that are scared to die. I could talk to someone about what consciousness is about, what it is to be alive.”

to be continued…

Owen Wilson hospitalised after suicide bid…

Actor Owen Wilson, the star of Wedding Crashers and a symbol of a carefree Hollywood lifestyle, has been hospitalised following a suicide attempt.

Wilson, 38, was transported to St John’s hospital in Santa Monica, California on Sunday. Gossip magazines said that he had cut his left wrist and taken an indeterminate amount of pills.

“I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time,” Wilson said in a statement.

Wilson was reportedly discovered by a family member, who summoned help. He is said to have arrived at the hospital in a very serious condition. His wrist was sutured and bandaged before he was transferred to Cedar-Sinai Hospital, where he underwent a detoxification procedure.

Wilson has starred in a number of successful films, including The Royal Tenenbaums , for which he earned a writing Academy Award nomination, and Zoolander .

Regarded as a fun-loving bachelor, Wilson is nicknamed the Butterscotch Stallion and was last involved with actress Kate Hudson. The relationship ended in June and, according to celebrity reports, it plunged Wilson into depression.

Since I did not watch the movie but was interested with the brouhaha it created, I searched for a good critique and remembered Nestor U. Torre. Here’s his review of the movie A Love Story.

The movie love triangle redefined

At first blush, “A Love Story” looks like it’s going to unfold in a standard manner, as its “generic” title intimates. In fact, it starts with the “regulation” confrontation scene between two women who we presume are the wife (Maricel Soriano) and the young mistress (Angelica Panganiban) of the “confused” male protagonist, played by Aga Muhlach.

As the film progresses, however, it turns out that we’re in for a series of twists and other surprises that make Maryo J. Delos Reyes’ new love triangle quite different from the usual romantic melodrama.

By skewing its perspective so “naughtily,” it’s as if the production is saying that the usual contexts of “a love story” are no longer operative, and that new definitions and declensions of “love” are definitely in order.

We’re all for cinematic surprises, so we welcome the plot and character twists. Later, however, our involvement is marred when Aga’s character turns out to be a psychological mess—but the movie doesn’t make it clear why.

Yes, it informs us that he comes from a broken home, that his mother left her family high and dry, that his father was disappointed in him, that his father, who now has Alzheimer’s, can’t even recognize him, etc.

But these downbeat notes don’t adequately explain Aga’s dangerous mood swings, which wreak havoc on the women he professes to love.

Despite this lack of psychological focus, we’re glad to see Aga go beyond his patented “cute but sensitive” acting style, and come up with some harshly compelling acting highlights.

Unfortunately, some of these raw moments are marred by excessive musical underscoring, which robs them of their passion and power.

As for Maricel, she does well enough in this movie, but her “signature” mannerism (pursing lips) occasionally distracts.

The acting find here is Angelica, who despite her young age is able to hold her own in her scenes with the vastly more experienced Aga and Maricel.

Another fine place of acting is turned in by Mark Gil as Maricel’s former husband. He figures in only a few scenes, but he fills them with the quiet but intense truth of his portrayal.

As the movie’s plot and characters are further developed, we appreciate the production’s other strengths, which include effectively off-tangent “coincidences,” like Maricel finding herself involved in the delivery of Angelica and Aga’s baby. Oh, how she suffers through it all, and the women in the audience empathize with her pain!

This, again, stretches the limits of the traditional concept of “love,” which is the movie’s most remarkable contribution to the constantly evolving lexicon of screen romances.

Too bad that the film paid less attention to its characters’ back stories, and the psychological underpinnings of its male protagonist’s many, knotted-up angsts.

I was reading OMG! a few minutes ago and I’ve read that the two led stars of HSM are holding out for a bigger pay. Well, they probably deserve bonuses for making the Disney made-for-tv show a huge success! But Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens asking for ridiculous amounts of money?? Hmm…

For the full details of the story, read on…

With the overwhelming success of Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 2″ on the small screen, it’s no secret Disney is itching to ride the wave of success with a big screen sequel.

Gossip reports surfaced today that the planned third movie, is in trouble. Several reports claim that stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are holding out on the big screen version for more money.

When Access Hollywood spoke to Zac last week at the “HSM 2″ premiere, he assured us it was something he wanted to do, “A third movie would be a dream come true. Finishing “High School Musical” with a third movie, that would be in theaters, is just sort of a tribute to everything we kind of did here.”

At the same premiere, Vanessa told Access Hollywood she had not seen a script yet, but “If it’s good of course we are all going to join back in We all have so much fun together. So, why wouldn’t we do another one?”

Access Hollywood has confirmed today with their reps that both Zac and Vanessa are still in talks to do the third movie.

Walt Disney Studios today released the following statement; “There is no contractual obligation for any of the cast members to return. That said, we are in active negotiations with all of the principle cast members and are feeling optimistic.”

Back in February, Disney announced plans for a 2008 feature film sequel with a Halloween themed dubbed “Haunted High School Musical.” Today Disney says they have scrapped plans for the Halloween theme and instead will focus on the senior year of key characters at East High. The original writer from the first two films, Peter Barsocchini, is writing the script. The original producers and director are also on board.

Director Kenny Ortega confirmed to Access Hollywood last week that he is definitely on board too.

Well, what do you think? I just wish they will get into a compromise and the two do the big screen version of HSM.

We’re all in this together, remember?

1. If the officer makes a single mistake on your ticket, the case is dropped.
2. If the officer doesn’t show up in court, you automatically win.
3. Red cars get more tickets.
4. You need a lawyer to beat a ticket.
5. If you get a ticket in another state, your home state won’t find out about it.
6. You can make up an excuse to get out of the ticket.
7. A radar detector will ensure that you never get pulled over.
8. If you don’t sign the ticket, it will be dismissed.

Now we all know these are just myths.

So come on, buy that red car now and don’t be afraid you will more tickets than, say, a violet car! Hahaha

What fun list!

Attention, clockwatchers: Janeane Garofalo will now be punching a 24 timecard. YEY!

The über-liberal actress has signed on for the seventh season of Fox’s conservative-leaning, clock-ticking drama, according to published reports.

Per the Hollywood Reporter, Garofalo will play a government agent investigating the latest crisis befalling Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) & Co.

Her presence on the set could make for an interesting back and forth with series cocreator and executive producer Joel Surnow, who has jokingly described himself as a “right-wing nut job.”

The comedian and activist is the second major addition to the 24 cast in recent weeks, following last month’s casting of Tony winner Cherry Jones as the series’ commander in chief.

Garofalo’s most recent small-screen stint was a recurring role as controversial campaign adviser Louise Thornton on the final season of NBC’s West Wing.

Up until July 2006, she served alongside Sam Seder as a cohost of The Majority Report on Air America Radio but resigned after her relationship with Seder grew strained.

The outspoken thesp will have some time to get used to the idea of her latest gig before stepping in front of the cameras.

Production on the upcoming season of 24 was recently delayed a second time to allow writers the chance to flesh out the story arc.

Shooting is now due to commence on Sept. 10.

It’s often said that the trip to work can kill you. But if you live in Houston, what really takes a beating is your wallet. There, the average commuter spends 20.9% of his annual household costs on getting to work. He’s not alone. Cleveland, Detroit, Tampa, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., and Cincinnati also landed on our list of the country’s biggest cities where transportation eats up a fifth or more of household costs, according to a study by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership (STPP), a nonprofit research firm, which draws on 2003 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the most recent available. The study looked at annual transit costs such as gas and tolls, and public transit fare, as well as money spent on car payments and maintenance.

Robert Puentes, a metropolitan policy fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., says, “In Houston, the cost of transportation is the No. 1 household expense, above shelter.”

But that’s in part because Houstonians spend a lower than average proportion of their take-home pay on housing.

And that’s the trade-off.

The percent of household income Houstonians spend on transportation may be the highest in the country, but when combined with the amount residents spend on housing expenses, Houston’s aggregate cost ranks them 14th, with the composite cost equaling 52% of household income.

Transit costs are high because Houston has few policies hindering sprawl, which in turn allows for cheaper housing. In San Francisco, which is much more dense and has more prohibitive zoning laws than Houston, residents rank 22nd in commute costs but fifth in the combination of housing and transportation.

Worst hit by the composite ranking were the residents of Tampa and Miami where housing and transportation costs were the most out of sync with the average household’s income levels. Tampa residents spent 57.7%, while Miami denizens spent 57.5% of their take home pay on the two.

So you’re between the ages of 13 and 24. What makes you happy? A worried, weary parent might imagine the answer to sound something like this: Sex, drugs, a little rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe some cash, or at least the car keys.

Turns out the real answer is quite different. Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question, according to an extensive survey — more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 — conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America’s young people.

Next was spending time with friends, followed by time with a significant other. And even better for parents: Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy.

“They’re my foundation,” says Kristiana St. John, 17, a high-school student from Queens in New York. “My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid, she’s still going to love me no matter what. Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed.”

Other results are more disconcerting. While most young people are happy overall with the way their lives are going, there are racial differences: the poll shows whites to be happier, across economic categories, than blacks and Hispanics. A lot of young people feel stress, particularly those from the middle class, and females more than males.

You might think money would be clearly tied to a general sense of happiness. But almost no one said “money” when asked what makes them happy, though people with the highest family incomes are generally happier with life. However, having highly educated parents is a stronger predictor of happiness than income.

And sex? Yes, we were getting to that. Being sexually active actually leads to less happiness among 13-17 year olds, according to the survey. If you’re 18 to 24, sex might lead to more happiness in the moment, but not in general.

From the body to the soul: Close to half say religion and spirituality are very important. And more than half say they believe there is a higher power that has an influence over things that make them happy. Beyond religion, simply belonging to an organized religious group makes people happier.

And parents, here’s some more for you: Most young people in school say it makes them happy. Overwhelmingly, young people think marriage would make them happy and want to be married some day. Most also want to have kids.

Finally, when asked to name their heroes, nearly half of respondents mentioned one or both of their parents. The winner, by a nose: Mom.

Can you believe that Pasay City vice mayor asking the MMDA chief Bayani Fernando to give more time for the squatters instead of agreeing with him that the families squatting under the bridge (that will soon overflow with water from the river due to the recent typhoon) that it’s time for them to leave? The water under the bridge is overflowing and the squatters were actually submerged with flood water already and yet the vice mayor insists that the people should be given more time. More time for what? To stay put and drown?

These people, instead of tolerating their ‘squatting’ activities, should be given by the government decent housing programs that they can avail of. No, please, NOT in Sapang Palay! The people who relocated there are in the metro once again, squatters once more. The place is just too far away and there’s no jobs available for them there. Naturally, those people will go back to the metro to find jobs. What will they do with a decent place to live in when their stomachs are empty.

I am not in favor of the demolition jobs conducted by MMDA. It’s barbaric. There is a much better way of relocating all those squatters, I believe. But this time (it was in the news last night), the MMDA people were right in forcing those squatters to move. They will drown in that place. Tsk tsk… And that vice mayor playing the hero there… He (and the Pasay local government) should have done this job before the MMDA demolition.

I really wish some of the (big) taxes we are paying will go to a decent housing program for the poor. And the government should create jobs near the relocation sites so as not to tempt these people to go back to the metro and squat once again. Squatters clog the metro and they clog the creeks and rivers where rain water should flow to. But since they are there blocking the way together with the metro garbage, well, there goes the flood.

The government should do something about this.

Yes, you read it right. The billionaire author of the 7 Harry Potter books that sold more than 335 million copies worldwide is writing a new novel. This time, it is a detective novel.

Le’s see if this new novel will be received just as enthusiastically as the Potter series.

Read on for the full story…

J.K. Rowling has been spotted at cafes in Scotland working on a detective novel, a British newspaper reported Saturday.

The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Ian Rankin, a fellow author and neighbor of Rowling’s, as saying the creator of the “Harry Potter” books is turning to crime fiction. (more…)

New research suggests that car interiors may be a significant source of indoor air pollution.

You watch what you eat, making sure that the food you serve your family is healthy and, if you’re really diligent, organic. You make sure that the furniture and appliances inside of your home are safe and well maintained. There isn’t a flake of lead-based paint anywhere in your home. But what about the new car in your driveway? Just how safe and non-toxic is the interior of your automobile? Does that “new car smell” contain toxic chemicals that could be bad for you?

According to a recent study by the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., the answer is yes. The group analyzed the elemental composition of over 200 late-model cars, trucks and SUVs for off-gassing chemicals from interior auto parts. The chemicals of concern for the Ecology Center were bromine from flame-retardants, chlorine from PVC and plasticizers, lead and other heavy metals. The use of these chemicals has been known to cause birth defects, liver toxicity, cancer and certain allergies. According to the Ecology Center, “since the average American spends more than one-and-a-half hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is a major source of potential indoor air pollution.”

Do you feel like you’re always hungry? Trying to curb your appetite for certain foods? Appetite is different than hunger. Hunger is that physiological growly feeling in your stomach.

Appetite is more about cravings for certain foods. Appetite can be affected by emotions such as boredom, depression, happiness, loneliness, or even by medications. Controlling your appetite can be tough.

But if you can learn to tame your appetite, you’ll be able to choose healthier foods and even to eat less and lose weight. Try some of the following tips to curb your appetite. (more…)

Was “High School Musical,” the Disney Channel sensation that rocked the tween nation, the start of a blockbuster franchise — or just a one-hit wonder? We’re about to find out.

“High School Musical 2″ debuts Friday night, and if it comes anywhere close to approaching the success of its predecessor, it will bop to the top of multiple media platforms and send dollars streaming out of Disney’s mouse ears.

Producers have insisted that the goal coming into “HSM2″ was not to replicate the original, but to let the story evolve and toss in a few surprises along the way. Consider their mission accomplished.

“HSM2″ reunites the entire impossibly cute cast, including Zac Efron as hunky hoop star Troy Bolton and Vanessa Hudgens as his main squeeze, brainy Gabriella Montez. But now the action shifts from clique-riddled East High to the posh Lava Springs Country Club, where most of the gang conveniently lands summer jobs and a rigid social hierarchy comes into play. (more…)

Eyeing that 2007 Mercedes S Class with all the trimmings? Be prepared to pay through the nose for it.

And for the insurance.

It should come as no surprise that the more expensive the car, the more it will cost to insure it. But just how expensive may come as a shock. For modest coverage ($500 deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage, $100,000 each for personal and property coverage and $25,000 each for medical and uninsured coverage) on this year’s $135,400 Mercedes SL, owners will pay about $22,536 a year.

For pricey cars like this, 20% of the base price is typical. But for those with low monthly payments on high-end cars, that could mean spending more on insurance than on the car itself.

“The cost of the vehicle is primary when setting the price of a policy,” says David Wurster, president of Vincentric, a Detroit-based automotive data firm that studies car- insurance costs. Vincentric gets its data from state agencies and averages these figures in compiling its list of most expensive yearly rates. “But there’s also the type of vehicle it is. Sports-car owners tend to drive them a little more aggressively.”

This, in turn, leads to higher-priced policies. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that racy offerings from Mercedes, BMW and Porsche make for some of the most expensive cars to insure.

Never mind then. I will settle for an Isuzu SUV anytime, thank you very much.

Paris Hilton may be millions of dollars richer after selling her home, but she’s also reportedly looking to make some extra cash on the side.

The celebutante’s Hollywood Hills mansion was recently sold for $4.25 million, Us Weekly reports.

The Spanish-style 1920′s abode, originally purchased by Hilton for $2.9 million in 2004, was sold after being on the market for ten days.

The home, in which she spent her infamous night of house-arrest in June, was reportedly sold in order to find a residence with “more privacy” for the paparazzi-plagued Paris.

(more…)

Been reading Yahoo Entertainment’s OMG! and I saw a write-up about the Beckhams. It says that Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham is enjoying their new home at Beverly Hills. There was one line that say’s she wrote on her blog… whoa! She also has a blog! Oh well, everyone has a blog nowadays, so what’s new? Just thought she’s not the type who writes stuff and all hehe…

Here’s the full story.

(more…)

A Saudi passenger tried to smuggle a large number of reptiles, including cobra snakes and infant Nile crocodiles, out of Egypt in his luggage, Egypt’s official Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported Sunday.

The discovery of the reptiles in the passenger’s bags triggered a brief panic among security personnel at the Cairo International Airport, witnesses said.

The 22-year-old passenger, identified only as Anas, said he needed the reptiles, which also included chameleons, for scientific research at his university in Saudi Arabia.

His collection will be handed over to Egypt’s main zoo in Cairo.