Poetry builds a better banker

It's about the shoes
These days, Stephon Marbury is playing for the Chinese coal mining city of Tiayuan. The most "Ma Bu Li" is allowed to earn in the government-owned league is $60K/month - clearly not why he's there. He's there to sell shoes and other Starbury gear to the estimated 300 million Chinese basketball players. The NBA didn't like his attitude, but if his kicks take off in China, (And how could they not? He's one of their best players and he's got the brand logo tattooed on his shaved head.), he'll be getting the last laugh. (source: Wall Street Journal, 1/28/10)

Hard times call for hard liquor
In 2009, value brands of distilled spirits were up overall 1.4%, mostly taking share from more expensive brands. However, the category also took share from wine and beer. Irish whiskey was they biggest winner, growing 10%, with tequila at #2 (up 5%), vodka (4.9%), and brandy/cognac (3.3%). Canadian whiskey, blended scotch, and liqueur/cordials were down slightly. High-end tequila held its own against the lower end because, well, yuck. (source: Wall Street Journal/Distilled Spirits Council of the US, 2/2/10)

Rumbly
There have been over 1,600 tiny earth quakes in Yellowstone National Park since January 17. Although they're keeping close watch, geologists say the swarm of quakes is not a sign of an imminent eruption in the park's massive caldera which last blew a few tens of thousands of years ago. The park record is 3,000 quakes in 3 months in 1985. When it does pop, the blast is expected to blanket nearly half of the US in ash. (source: NY Times, 1/30/10)

Manned up
For managing to make dorky-cutie Peyton Manning look tough and soulful, almost grizzled, Wheaties Fuel package designer, I salute you.

You'll want to eat the whole thing
I've been following this guy's blog for about a year and not only are the recipes fantastic (yet not too complex), but the photos are to drool for. http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/

Cocoa crack
Today is world Nutella day. Slather up and celebrate 47 years of hazelnutty deliciousness. (source: Fast Company, February 2010)

Your carbon footprint is tearing us apart
According to Iconoculture, eco-awakening is becoming a bone of contention for friends and couples. Instead of infidelity, refusal to recycle could be grounds for a divorce.

Let's hear it for the humanities
Some business schools are restructuring their programs to be more liberal arts-like. The big R made them realize that numbers alone do not an ethical, critical-thinking corporate citizen make. (source: NY Times, 1/9/10)

YouTube is the world's #2 search engine behind Google. Wow. (source: Ad Age, 2/1/10)

Be afraid in Colorado
Men's Health published its annual Drunkest Cities report. This is no party guide. The study tallies stats like binge drinking, crashes, DUI, and liver disease. Denver's most drunk. Durham's least drunk. ATL, you'd better watch yourselves at #12. And Rochester, you're #25, but I wouldn't advise driving I-90W ‘cause Buffalo's #3. Go Bills. Interactive map here http://www.menshealth.com/drunk/

Product of the Year awards
It's the Oscars of the CPG set. This teeny one-time-use tooth-brush-and-gel combo won in the "oral care" category. http://tinyurl.com/yesmweqhttp://tinyurl.com/yesmweq (source: Fast Company, 2/2/10)

My ever shrinking Valentine
This year Americans are expecting to spend about $63 on their honey. Last year it was $67. Before that $102...$223... (source: National Retail Federation)

Kid power
Finally somebody's figured out how to harness the energy of those little perpetual motion machines. A group of Harvard students has created a soccer ball that stores energy from the kicks it receives (3 hours of LED light for every 15 minutes of play). The Soccket prototype has been tested in South Africa. They may do a buy-one-share-one program in the West to cover the cost of getting the balls to people in developing countries. Now the kids will be able to do homework at night after they play. (source: Springwise, 2/4/10)

Tarp pants
No, not trousers purchased by bankers with fat, tax-supported bonuses, but pants made from an actual tarp. More specifically, a Sony billboard tarp. The one-of-a-kind jeans were hung back up where the billboard had been and guys in rock climbing gear brought down ones that buyers selected. The profits were further recycled -- Sony donated the money to preserve world landmarks. Full story here http://creativity-online.com/news/behind-the-work-sony-recycle-project-jeans/141754 (source: Creativity via Elaine. Tx, Elaine)

Shoe whisperer
Can't find just the right pumps? A NYC clairvoyant and part-time shoemaker will help you get that perfect pair out of your head and onto your feet by sketching what's in your mind and then assisting you with the construction. One recent customer created a pair of ruffled silver brocade mules fit for Louis XIV for his wife for their wedding anniversary. (source: NY Times, 2/4/10)

Smacked down
There are two more victims in the brutal Walmart vendor-reduction cage match. After an ad-blitz showdown, the chain's decided that Hefty and Glad food bags and containers have no place on their shelves. Ziploc and the store brand, Great Value, survive to fight another day. (source: Ad Age, 2/4/10)