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Cedars Sinai LA

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Was woken up at 4am by a massive fire behind our apartment building in Brentwood which spread to a few units in the back of our structure

Luckily firefighters stopped the fire's progress before it got to our unit at the front.

First shot is of the fire as viewed from the alley where I exited. Scary, but no one was hurt.
Houses & one car burned out.  Some coverage & video here (click here): 

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Just saw this at the MoMA NYC's digital exhibit

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I have recently read two separate items (referenced below) that relate to both business and life in general - having the courage to open yourself up to possible embarrassment.  

Reading the excerpts below made me relate it to what I have been thinking a lot of about recently - new career choices, and inspired me to write the following in my Kindle notes:

"In general starting a company, or getting behind an idea is making yourself vulnerable - to criticism, failure, ridicule.  There is likely to be initial rejection, doubt and even mockery, but by making yourself vulnerable, you exhibit the courage and humility to learn and iterate. Learn from it. Get stronger. Be all in. Besides, being passionate is better than being dull and non-committal - and passion definitely increases the chances for success."

The quotes below were what inspired this blog post:

“You have to be embarrassed by your first product...If you’re not embarassed, you’re taking too long to get it out there.”  “Done is better than perfect.”   - from nymag article Bubble Boys

Choosing vulnerability means leaning into the full spectrum of emotions—the dark as well as the light—and examining how our feelings affect the way we think and behave. Vulnerability is equal parts courage, mindfulness, and understanding—it’s being “all in".  -noted vulnerability researcher Brene Brown in the book End Malaria

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I just discovered a new bottled water called blk black water which is water infused with fulvic acid.  I was shocked to see black water being marketed, but apparently it has a bunch of claimed benefits (see the label shot above).  I guess companies have run out of ideas on how to make water more interesting...

The water is actually black!  Tastes like normal water, and the bottle has a hidden message when you pour out the liquid.  Unfortunately, the liquid does stain...oh well.

Found this product as a free sample in an Emmy gift bag

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Air Transport Rating Agency (ATRA)'s ten safest airlines 
(in alphabetical order - based on 2009 data):

• Air France-KLM
• AMR Corporation (American Airlines, American Eagles)
• British Airways
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Japan Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• US Airways

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I have been thinking a lot about what advice to give to my future children, and the one piece of advice that I wish my parents, my teachers, educators, or people I looked up would have told me was: "It's OK to be Different".  Ultimately, you have to be true to who you are.

It's OK to be Different
It's OK to NOT fit in 
It's OK to standout
It's OK to like things other people don't like
It's OK if other people like things you don't like (be accepting of others)
It's OK to dress differently
It's OK to be you

There are many kids who were afraid to come out of the closet, or ashamed of their heritage, or worried because they were not popular or didn't fit in....some made it through and realized that things get better, and that diversity is ultimately appreciated. Some however either suffer greatly, eventually even taking their own lives, become miserable, and sometimes even take other people's lives.  As an immigrant Asian kid growing up as a minority in every community I was a part of, I don't think I would have been the only one to benefit from this simple, yet direct advice.  

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Surely he is sipping a Colt 45 enjoying a Sunday read.

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In past negotiations I  have always wondered whether it was better for me to propose the first price, or to let the other party show their cards by letting them make the first move.  Whether its with VCs who are going to send you a termsheet with a valuation, or with potential customers, or even  potential buyers of your company, which strategy leads to a higher price?

 I can definitely see both sides of the discussion, and while I think the 'right' answer depends on the cicrumstance and the party across the table, I just happened upon this article that quotes research supporting the strategy of having the seller making the first offer to get a higher price. More below

"There are differing schools of thought…many people believe you should never be the first person in a negotiation to quote a price. Let the other side start the bidding…and they will be forced to show their hand… provid(ing) you with an advantage. But some research has indicated that the first number uttered in a negotiation...has the effect of "anchoring the conversation." Specifically, when a seller makes the first offer, the final settlement price tends to be higher than when the buyer makes the first offer."

Inc: 5 Things You Should Never Say While Negotiating

Salim Mitha

Twitter  |  Linkedin

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Even Marked Up, Luxury Goods Fly Off Shelves: Sales of Luxury Goods Are Recovering Strongly

While the free spending of the affluent may not be of much comfort to people who are out of jobs or out of cash, the rich may contribute disproportionately to the overall economic recovery.

“This group is key because the top 5 percent of income earners accounts for about one-third of spending, and the top 20 percent accounts for close to 60 percent of spending,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics.

Source: NY Times

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