Friday, April 01, 2005

Sad, yes.

Doesn't mean we can't have great headlines.



Oh, this is just perfect!

("It's a miracle! She's walking....!"
"Quick, stick a tube down her throat")



And, yes, any joke involving lobsters is fun.



Dont you just love hedge fund guys? My esteemed colleague had this item in our paper today:


Uncovered positions
in hedge fund world


Alan Lewis is managing director of (correct)Sthenos Capital, a London hedge fund manager that closed its funds at the end of 2004. Daniel Loeb is chief executive of Third Point, a US hedge fund manager. The e-mail exchange below - reproduced verbatim apart from minor style changes - is genuine.


From: Alan Lewis
To: Daniel Loeb
March 22 2005

Daniel, thanks for calling earlier today. Enclosed is my CV for your review. I look forward to following up with you when you have more time. Best regards, Alan


From: Daniel Loeb
To: Alan Lewis

March 28 2005
What are your three best current European ideas?


From: Alan Lewis
To: Daniel Loeb

March 28 2005
Daniel, I am sorry but it does not interest me to move forward in this way. If you wish to have a proper discussion about what you are looking to accomplish in Europe, and see how I might fit in, fine. Lesson one of dealing in Europe, business is not conducted in the same informal manner as in the US. Best regards, Alan


From: Daniel Loeb
To: Alan Lewis

March 28 2005
One idea would suffice.
We are an aggressive performance oriented fund looking for blood-thirsty competitive individuals who show initiative and drive to make outstanding investments.
This is why I have built Third Point into a $3bn fund with average net returns of 30 per cent net over 10 years. We find most Brits are bit set in their ways and prefer to knock back a pint at the pub and go shooting on weekends rather than work hard. Lifestyle choices and (are) important and knowing one's limitations with respect to dealing in a competitive environment is too. That is Lesson 1 at my shop. It is good that we learned about this incompatibility early in the process and I wish you all the best in your career in traditional fund management.


From: Alan Lewis
To: Daniel Loeb

March 28 2005
Daniel, I guess your reputation is proven correct. I have not been in traditional fund management for more than 11 years. I did not achieve the success I have by knocking back a pint, as you say. I am aggressive, and I do love this business.
I am half American and half French, and having spent more than half my life on this side of the pond I think I know a little something about how one conducts business in the UK and Europe.
There are many opportunities in the UK and Europe, shareholder regard is only beginning to be accepted and understood. However, if you come here and handle it in the same brash way you have in the US, I guarantee you will fail. Things are done differently here, yes place in society still matters, where one went to school etc. It will take tact, and patience (traits you obviously do not have) to succeed in this arena. Good luck! Alan


From: Daniel Loeb
To: Alan Lewis

March 28 2005
Well, you will have plenty of time to discuss your “place in society” with the other fellows at the club. I love the idea of a French/ English unemployed guy whose fund just blew up telling me that I am going to fail.
At Third Point, like the financial markets in general, “one's place in society” does not matter at all. We are a bunch of scrappy guys from diverse backgrounds (Jewish Muslim, Hindu etc) who enjoy outwitting pompous asses like yourself in financial markets globally.
Your “inexplicable insouciance” and disrespect is fascinating; It must be a French/English aristocratic thing. I will be following your “career” with great interest.
I have copied Patrick so that he can introduce you to people who might be a better fit. There must be an insurance company or mutual fund out there for you. Dan Loeb


From: Alan Lewis
To: Daniel Loeb

March 28 2005
Hubris


From: Daniel Loeb
To: Alan Lewis

March 28 2005
Laziness

Thursday, March 31, 2005

Right now, both the NYT and the Washington Post have these stories ranked 1 & 2 on their home pages.

No prizes for guessing the only one anyone will want to talk about.

And, of course, this was pretty inevitable too.


Tut Tut......


And while we're on the subject, a parody? Don't speak too soon. The track record in this area, and current trends, suggest we'll get around to Our Lord soon enough.


But this looks like it might be fun - HBO, Tonight at 8.


Since I'm not a US resident, I can't enter this, but I'll be more than happy to accompany you to collect your prize.


"Anna Nicole Smith as a columnist.." Ye Gods, but we have a lot to answer for.


The E&P is understandably aghast at this, but I'm sure there'll be plenty of takers. Heck, I'd go....


On my Yahoo! sign in page, there's always a "word of the day". Today's word is diminutive. Here's the example:

"Children are fond of Shetland ponies because their diminutive size makes them easy to ride."

I honestly have no idea why I find that funny. But I do.

Sorry.

Monday, March 28, 2005

Another powerful earthquake near Aceh province. Reports still sketchy, but seems not to have triggered any kind of tidal wave.


And of course, with brilliant satirical timing, try this....


This looks like a lot of fun, over at the AU School of Communication.