On A Challenging Week...Yet so much to be thankful For.....

It has been a rather challenging week here in #outsiders as the team was on the "prowl" for President Obama's last state of the Union.    Our team's focus primarily was to underscore the key themes and provide a balanced view of the key challenges being faced.     I look forward to being supportive of it over the ensuing weeks and months as we are now "officially" in campaign season in the United States.

Beyond the politics, there is the human element always.    I had the pleasure to once again help staff the St. Timothy's Catholic Church Food Pantry this past Wednesday.  I happened to help a lady with the food she'd shopped to her car--and I subsequently was told by another team member that she had taken refuge in a Battered Woman's with her friend who was with her.  I don't mind noting that it was absolutely disheartening to hear it.    I subsequently struck a conversation with a father who had fallen on hard times.   He had five kids--All I could tell him to smile and never allow the World to change his smile.    I hope and pray that I somehow made his day just a little bit better.

As I was working away selfishly concerned about my own challenges, I saw this:

I don't mind sharing I was in near tears seeing...I salute @moas_eu: Sky Witnesses Distressing Migrants Rescue https://t.co/XupdUuECpp

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) January 15, 2016

I just got to know MOAS briefly after this report and I am frankly in awe.    I warn all (and our team shared it earlier as well in a special edition of Notations) that the Clip by the wonderful team @ SkyNews is horrific to be witness to.   The great reporter pitched in to help as I saw the MOAS volunteers jumping in cold water.

It is a stark reminder about all that we're blessed with--and a reaffirmation of all that we can do to make a difference.  

On the "Virtual Beat" w/Brief Thoughts On Today in #Outsiders & Other Thoughts

It was another busy morning throughout Outsiders as the team worked on the properties and finalized the Daily Social Media Review.   What I personally found disturbing was a report in +Haaretz הארץ about how Hamas has nearly rebuilt the Tunnel Network destroyed by Israel during the 2014 Gaza War.  I was also taken aback by this from Lebanon:

It was also a sad day of sorts--but also a day to remember and celebrate quite a life as I joined the World in remembering a legend that passed away:  David Bowie.        What he noted in this I saw is ever so critical--it is about living a legacy that I try to underscore in the work we do here @ #Outsiders on a day in and day out basis:

“Fame itself doesn’t really afford you anything more 
than a good seat in a restaurant.”
~ David Bowie

 

It is also always good news when one hears about marriages.     I have profound disagreements with Rupert Murdoch and have so noted in my Twitter Feeds.   However when the team sent out a congratulatory Tweet on the pending marriage of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall (Mick Jagger's Ex), I thanked them for it because good news should always be celebrated not withstanding the challenging times we live in.

As A New Week Dawns....

It was an interesting weekend as our team finished off on-going curation as the new week begins.   I also stepped back to think about and reflect upon quite a number of on-going upcoming mergers.

The key thing that has been at the forefront right now is the state of the World Economy.   China is slowing down and once again markets in China were quite weak.   The US Election cycle is also quite vibrant and our team finished an edition on Notations that would be available in the network later on.     The man that is yet to be beaten at all is Mr. Trump.  Although there is polling that continues to suggest a soft underbelly of his support, it is yet to work itself out.

Beyond the political and broad economic challenges, there are some rather interesting news that our team will be monitoring throughout the year.    There are a number of mega-mergers out there including: 

• Walgreens and Rite Aid
• Staples & Office Depot
• Dow & DuPont
• Dell & EMC 

This realignment has profound implications for the long-term in the Country and will be subject to some scrutiny.    We will be monitoring the progress it.   What I found laughable though was the legal action taken by TransCanada over the decision by the Obama Administration over the KeyStone Pipeline XL.    The team will continue to assess this on an on-going basis.    

Beyond some of the key focus points this week, I was blown away by some of the developments out of the Consumer Electornics Show in Las Vegas.    A new French Company called Sensorwake has created an Alarm Clock with a beautiful scent.    It was created by a 19-year French Entrepreneur and hope you all check it out yourself!!!  There was also The Altra IQ™ which was powered by iFit, a smart shoe for runners.   This was just a "snaspshot" of stuff out there @ CES as a new sleuth of Television and other interesting gadgets were introduced including this--A Drone by Ehang capable of carrying a Human: 

Beyond this, there is what is going on in California.    The budget that was uneviled by Governor Jerry Brown has in it some major uptick in spending especially for schools.   Spending per pupil is slated to be at $ 14,500 (with Federal Funds) which will mean some very cool windfall for the school District I have a keen interest in:  Capistrano Unified.     I was also very pleased with a slight increase in Corrections Spending as I was pleased with his plan to spruce up the rainy day fund more than it was required--some $ 2 Billion Dollars more.

It is bound to be quite a week of development work as I hope all enjoy this very insightful clip from Nobel Laureates: