WillErwin.com

Last week was not kind to stock market participants, as the S&P 500 tumbled 3.0% and the Dow fell to its lowest level since September 2006. Record high crude prices, tumbling financials and less-than-stellar outlooks from tech companies took a toll on market sentiment. (more…)

To say the least, June of 2008 will not be a month we remember fondly with respect to the equity markets. With oil prices reaching new highs frequently throughout the month, equities have found new lows for the year. While the equity market weakness in late 2007 and early 2008 was focused primarily on the financial sector’s troubles, this month’s decline has been almost solely a function of inflation concerns. There is much concern about the Federal Reserve’s ability to effectively manage the delicate balance between a very soft economy and keeping a lid on inflation. The interesting thing about that relationship is that the former may be the best solution for the latter, and that may be what the Fed is looking for. When the Fed’s Open Market Committee met last week, they left rates unchanged. They slightly reduced their risk assessment for economic growth while modestly increasing inflation risks. Our expectations for future Fed Funds rate moves are for higher rates but not until the fourth quarter.

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The Chinese government announced June 19 that it will raise the price ceiling on a number of energy products by 5 percent to 25 percent. However tentatively, the Chinese are thus beginning to accept the challenge of running the gauntlet between unemployment and inflation.

Yesterday China announced that it would raise diesel & gasoline prices by 1000 yuan/ton, equivalent to around $0.48/gallon. With current prices around $2.70/gallon, this amounts to an increase of +18%. In addition China is expected to raise jet-fuel prices by 1,500 yuan/ton, or +25% today. On July 1, China will also increase electricity prices by an average 0.025 yuan/kilowatt-hour, or +4.7%.

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I’m so glad it’s summer. I’ve been getting to really enjoy the things that I love the most — such as water-skiing, having the “challenge” of working on some C++ and website projects. I really feel free, like there is no weight on my shoulders, and it is such a great feeling to have!

Two of my most recent website designs are:
TJON INTERNATIONAL
BuySomeDrank.Com

So, eventually, this website will get updated with some cool look, instead of the default theme.
I hope everyone is having a great summer!

I wanted to give everyone a status update as to what I’ve been doing, since I’ve been MIA for the past few weeks/months. I’ve been in and out of the hospital (total time in hospital = weeks) for severe migraine headaches, that even narcotics would not respond to. I have a brilliant neurologist and we’re trying out some other options that seem to be helping.

So, I’ve been quite busy or ill (hopefully no more of the latter) and just wanted to give any readers a status update on the crazy life of Will Erwin.

I wanted to take a second to call a time-out in your busy day. I know we’ve all heard and know that donating blood is a good thing to do. However, the majority of us don’t do it for a variety of reasons from it taking up time to being scared of needles. I donated blood a few months ago when my grandfather was in the hospital, shortly before he passed away. I recently got a phone call from the mother of a 10-year old child, thanking me for my donation of blood and that it helped save her child’s life. That really hits you at home when you hear that. Taking 30 minutes out of your day a couple times a year to donate blood and you’re helping save lives.

This is something physically you can do. One thing that you can do on you’re computer is to run Folding@Home.

Dear Will Erwin,

Your next eligible blood donation date is 04/01/2008,

Thank you for saving lives. Your last donation helped save the lives of
three people. You will be eligible to donate and save three more lives on
the date listed above. Please make the time to donate again. Patients need
you.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Blood Center

So, please. Take an hour out of your day or weekend and help save a life. It’s easier than you think.

SecurityFocus has an interesting article on a new $30 billion US government project, called Cyber Initiative. It is intended to secure the nations [United States] infrastructure, but some worry that it may be too little, too late. I think the skeptics may be right on this one.

Read it here

Just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

We don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

No matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

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The Shareaza Development Team are going completely postal on Discordia, the scumbag shell corporation behind the extortion of the former Shareaza site and false program, and now who are attempting to trademark the Shareaza name.

The Shareaza Development Team needs your help - we are setting up legal defenses to go to battle with Discordia! Every cent counts, even if you can only give a little.