We have a winner! At long last the ABL Stock Picking Contest has concluded. If you want to relive the glorious saga from the beginning, feel free to go back and read the Q1, Q2, and Q3 results first. I had a giggle near the end of the year as I looked at the results. […]
2018 Stock Picking Contest: Final Results Read More »
A few days ago the missus reminded me that I hadn’t posted to my blog in “forever”. I told her that was OK because she gets to enjoy my live-action wit and wisdom every single day. “But what about your other readers?” she asked. “Ah yes…my ‘other’ readers. They’re probably at the edge of their
TGIF: Happy New Year Read More »
(Camp Tomo-Chi-Chi Knolls, Illinois) As a nervous Scoutmaster looked on and a group of friends offered encouragement, young Billy Bailey huddled with focus over his task. He struck flint to steel, sending a small spark into his kindling. A whisper of smoke rose, and Billy cupped his hands carefully to shelter his infant flame. He
He Retired at Age 12: Lessons from the World’s Youngest FIRE Read More »
I started business school early in the aughts. My class, as you would expect, was rather full of arrogant know-it-alls (not me and the missus, though – we were super cool). I distinctly remember one of my classmates holding court early on as everyone tried to impress each other with awesomeness. The conversation had turned
The Guinness In Ireland Tastes Exactly the Same Read More »
I’m not feeling too bullish on the fate of humankind. It seems that in a few years, every aspect of our lives will be ruled by the internet. We’ll be myopic from staring at screens and more sedentary than potted plants. A minor power outage could be an extinction event. One interesting aspect of our
How to Be a Master Negotiator Read More »
The 21st century has seen some amazing advancements for us humans. Some of the really annoying activities we used to be burdened with (e.g., talking to other people, walking) are no longer necessary in our remarkable modern world. But we’re still positively primitive when it comes to heating our homes. Most home heaters involve some
Furnace: Friend or Foe? Read More »
I plan on being the coolest person at my 50th high school reunion. That will be quite the coup, because (brace yourself) I was rather far from the coolest person in my high school. Since I ran track, I technically qualified as a “jock”, but my jock friends were quick to inform me that I
Win the Game You\’re In Read More »
Three quarters of the ABL Stock Picking Contest are in the books, and we\’re entering the final stretch. If you\’d like to heighten the drama, you can go back and read the Q1 and Q2 results first. Results are YTD through quarter end and include dividends paid. I’ll try to tighten up the QC process before year-end to
2018 Stock Picking Contest: 3Q Results Read More »
A little over 10 years ago, a fellow by the name of Randy Pausch was planning a speech at Carnegie Mellon University. Pausch was a professor there, and his speech was to be in the style of a “last lecture” – the lessons he’d want to impart if he were to give a final lecture
Remembering The Last Lecture Read More »
I know you’ve arrived for your weekly dose of my wit and wisdom, but today I have a special treat for you. I’m sure the loyal ABL reader fancies my writing but is always a bit depressed by the scene. “Are you ever going to get a real logo?” (maybe) “Why are your archives as
ABL on Tour: Adventures in Plumbing Read More »