I was chatting with an attorney last week who was getting ready to take a trip Italy with his wife. He banked at Vancouver’s downtown Washington Mutual. To prepare for his trip he decided he needed to head to the bank to get some cash to exchange to Euro’s. As he made his way to the teller he noticed that she was very uneasy. He handed her withdraw slip which asked for $2,000. He asked that it would be in large bills and explained his trip to Italy. The young teller made an awkward smile and leaned across to the attorney and whispered to him that they only had a total of $4,000 cash on hand…and it was in small bills. The downtown WaMu had $4,000 cash on hand! He looked behind him at the line of 5 people looking to make withdrawals or cash checks and then proceeded to look back at the teller. He asked her if he took this money would they get their money and she responded with, “probably not.”
What an interesting time we are living in right now. I understand WaMu is gone now, but people amaze me. My sister works at a jewelry store and the boss’ daughter freaked out last week about WaMu and went and pulled all her money out…about $800 worth! People amaze me. This money is insured! If the bank goes under you still get your money! But in the mad media panic and hysteria we often do some crazy ass things, like pull $800 out of your checking account because your local billion dollar bank is on the chopping blocks. Billion dollar banks going under and 777.68 point loss in the market is strictly business as usual.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Hammer Time:
I had the privilege of having dinner with my two great sister’s last Friday. Actually, we spent the day together going antique shopping and enjoying the beautiful September weather we are having. That evening after having some wine we decided to go out for some overpriced-not-really-but-kinda ice cream. On our way to the cold treat store I witnessed something quite new wandering the streets of Portland. We were on a super busy street, I believe it was NW Everett and 10th, and walking ahead of us about half a block was a guy who looked fairly drunk. He looked like he should be in an emo band; untucked black and red plaid shirt, black skinny jeans and black trucker hat…oh and black glasses, the kind Buddy Holly would wear.
As we continued to follow him he neared a post office box. He then made a poor attempt at looking around and crammed himself between the wall of a furniture store and this post office box. I instantly knew exactly what was up. Time to release some of that alcohol in his system…then all of a sudden he looked up and saw my sisters and I walking towards him. He proceeded to maneuver around a little bit to make it look he was taking it easy and leaning on the damn thing. As we neared him he stared at me, smiled and gave me a head nod, as if he was saying, “what up son?” A freaking head nod and all I could hear was him peeing. We quickly past, but that image will be with me forever. My sisters somehow caught up in the conversation missed 90% of what happened, but I was quick to point out the left over stream of urine still on the ground as we made our way home. So here’s to Mr. Emo pee in public. Welcome to Amsterdam.
As we continued to follow him he neared a post office box. He then made a poor attempt at looking around and crammed himself between the wall of a furniture store and this post office box. I instantly knew exactly what was up. Time to release some of that alcohol in his system…then all of a sudden he looked up and saw my sisters and I walking towards him. He proceeded to maneuver around a little bit to make it look he was taking it easy and leaning on the damn thing. As we neared him he stared at me, smiled and gave me a head nod, as if he was saying, “what up son?” A freaking head nod and all I could hear was him peeing. We quickly past, but that image will be with me forever. My sisters somehow caught up in the conversation missed 90% of what happened, but I was quick to point out the left over stream of urine still on the ground as we made our way home. So here’s to Mr. Emo pee in public. Welcome to Amsterdam.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Dedicated to our first comment.
Chris,
Thanks for the comment. A close friend and I made our way to the coast for a surf session bright and early this morning. These rays of sunshine were the highlight of our trip, and little did I know I would have our first comment when we returned from our epic adventure. I hope you find success as well and enjoy this picture that we apparently took for you! Look to have first product in next couple of months. As for our quick trip to the coast, the waves were crashing too hard and too fast. Business as usual.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Good job to America’s top paid CEOs
Running companies into the ground while being paid millions a year seems to be business as usual to these top dogs in the financial industry. It all began with the Enron problems and has swiftly moved onto AIG, Washington Mutual, Lehman Brothers, etc. Isn’t it amazing how the extreme search for profit has compromised some of the largest companies in America? I am not against companies being profitable. I love the fact that anyone can start a business and find success. That is a beautiful thing about this country that we live in.
Here is the problem. These guys run their companies into the ground and upon being fired get a huge check and a home in the Bahamas. I think there needs to be consequences for their actions…not benefits. Here is a perfect example of how bad it can be. CEO of a large financial institution took the companies mortgage lending into a horrible direction, where anyone could get a loan and that loan was generally for a lot more than what the home owner could afford. A majority of these loans granted were 3-5 year arms. Meaning after 3-5 years they would have a new interest rate the next year. You would buy an arm because interest was lower and you could purchase that dream home. The problem is that 3 years later your mortgage payment could double.
And here we are with that CEO walking away with a check for $20+ million and slap on the back. The company will be lucky to be around in 4 months. He should have to put that $20 million bonus towards those loans that are falling apart, and then find out how jail feels. Nothing is safe, but here we the people experience business as usual.
Here is the problem. These guys run their companies into the ground and upon being fired get a huge check and a home in the Bahamas. I think there needs to be consequences for their actions…not benefits. Here is a perfect example of how bad it can be. CEO of a large financial institution took the companies mortgage lending into a horrible direction, where anyone could get a loan and that loan was generally for a lot more than what the home owner could afford. A majority of these loans granted were 3-5 year arms. Meaning after 3-5 years they would have a new interest rate the next year. You would buy an arm because interest was lower and you could purchase that dream home. The problem is that 3 years later your mortgage payment could double.
And here we are with that CEO walking away with a check for $20+ million and slap on the back. The company will be lucky to be around in 4 months. He should have to put that $20 million bonus towards those loans that are falling apart, and then find out how jail feels. Nothing is safe, but here we the people experience business as usual.
Bail this…
I read an article today where Warren Buffett is dumping $5 billion into Goldman Sachs. Read that again…$5 billion. I think this may be some spare change that he found between the cushions in his leather couch at home. By making this investment he is guaranteed to make millions and possibly even a couple of billion. I have read many times that Warren is a very shrewd individual. I could care less, he has a company that has a stock that is trading for over $100k/share and has the means to write massive checks. Hell of an example of how the rich get richer. In a nation where the average American saves -2%; that’s right it is a negative, maybe we should take note and buy less crap that we can’t afford anyway. Saving -2% is just business as usual. We are living way above our means.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if America’s richest came together and bailed out these companies that are in such financial trouble? As it stands right now, when the government steps in we the people are on the hook. It will be our tax dollars that will be raised to pay off these massive bailout plans. Not to say we should or should not be doing this, but Mr. Buffett thinks it’s a great idea to bail out these wrecked companies. I have a ton of college debt, maybe Warren can help me out!
Business as usual.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if America’s richest came together and bailed out these companies that are in such financial trouble? As it stands right now, when the government steps in we the people are on the hook. It will be our tax dollars that will be raised to pay off these massive bailout plans. Not to say we should or should not be doing this, but Mr. Buffett thinks it’s a great idea to bail out these wrecked companies. I have a ton of college debt, maybe Warren can help me out!
Business as usual.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
genesis
About 8 months ago I was roused from bed at 2am with an idea. Perhaps it was more of a concept of sorts, but what jumped into my mind was the phrase "Business as Usual." I had been going through a little bought in life, you know those times when the weight of it all seems to get you down? There was no money in the bank, no food in the fridge and my wife and I were trying to figure this thing called life out. Here is where business as usual came in.
I had been watching the news and Obama had just raised a record amount of money in a week. It was just business as usual to him. I looked at my bank account and 10 overdraft charges stared back. I think I was personally paying someone's salary, and to the bank it was just business as usual. My friend was told by his girl that she just wants to be friends. Business as usual.
This phrase became a life lesson to me at the time. Whether it is bad or good I don't quite know. But one thing is for sure, I have been given a passion to create a clothing company that makes light of these things of life that are business as usual. Whether you are landing kickflip backside tails or knocking out teeth on a rail, life makes it clear that it is all business as usual.
The goal is to make this a common phrase that people use everyday… a kind of mantra if you will. The other goal, to back that up with quality made goods that will inspire you to put a smile back on your face and tough it out.
I am starting this company with a good friend of mine who is an amazing designer and my sister who will help promote the business and the mentality.
For now, till we have our first shirt or sticker, please feel free to send us stories where you have experienced the phrase, "business as usual."
Get ready for us.
I had been watching the news and Obama had just raised a record amount of money in a week. It was just business as usual to him. I looked at my bank account and 10 overdraft charges stared back. I think I was personally paying someone's salary, and to the bank it was just business as usual. My friend was told by his girl that she just wants to be friends. Business as usual.
This phrase became a life lesson to me at the time. Whether it is bad or good I don't quite know. But one thing is for sure, I have been given a passion to create a clothing company that makes light of these things of life that are business as usual. Whether you are landing kickflip backside tails or knocking out teeth on a rail, life makes it clear that it is all business as usual.
The goal is to make this a common phrase that people use everyday… a kind of mantra if you will. The other goal, to back that up with quality made goods that will inspire you to put a smile back on your face and tough it out.
For now, till we have our first shirt or sticker, please feel free to send us stories where you have experienced the phrase, "business as usual."
Get ready for us.
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