Slope of Hope Blog Posts

Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.

The Beatles: So What?

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Apple's home page was breathlessly awaiting some huge, life-changing announcement that was even reported on Page One of this morning's New York Times:

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So……….does Apple have a cure for cancer? Have they put the first human on Mars? Have they brought lasting peace to the Middle East?

No; the agreed-upon rumor is that they're going to let people download Beatles songs.

B.F.D.

Anyone who likes the Beatles at all – and, I assure you, I'm a huge fan – already has the CDs and has put the music into iTunes. I've been listening to the Beatles on iTunes for years.

Here's a fun Tim Trivia tidbit: my first real job was at Apple as its Music Marketing Manager (seriously!), and the first thing I was told was about the legal problems with the "other" Apple. Apple Corps, which is the holding company for the Beatles, had a long-running suit against Apple Computer. Now, over two decades later, the Beatles are finally going to let people buy songs online.

You don't know how lucky you are, boy.

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The Real Pee Wee

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If you've ever heard US3's Cantaloop (and if you haven't, you'd better correct that by clicking here), you may have wondered – as I have – who made the introduction ("Ladies and gentlemen, as you know we have something special down here at Birdland this evening – a recording from Blue Note Records.….")

I always thought it was Ella Fitzgerald, but it turns out it was this really pissed-off black midget who was the M.C. for the Birdland Jazz Club. Check this out:

He had a reputation for being mean and demanding "tips" to the point of extortion. An explanation of this system is given by Bobby Hutcherson in an interview. He claims Marquette told him on his first day that he was not needed and that he should "pack your things and get on out of here." This did not occur as he had been asked to play, but Marquette still made Hutcherson's first night playing at the club difficult. Marquette intentionally announced his name wrong to embarrass Hutcherson and blew cigar smoke in his face to further the irritation. However once Marquette was paid his "tip" he announced Hutcherson's name correctly. This is said to have been a pattern for him and other musicians had similar stories of having to pay him to avoid public humiliation.

I mean……..he's a midget…..who runs a night club….abuses the talent…..and is a successful extortionist. How cool that can possibly be? Viscous has nothing on this guy. Here he is with Count Bassie – – Pee Wee is the 3' 9" guy on the left.

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On a different note, this just in from Boston Wealth:

Slope weekly competition.. first prize.. $100 gift certificate to Morton's steakhouse (or Lowe's if you prefer) – email your estimate, screen name or real name.. as to where SPX (make your prediction out to two decimal places) will be on Friday (this coming Friday Nov. 19, 2010 at 4 p.m. close.. SPX cash not futures….competition closes Sunday evening at 5 p.m. EST..  Winner will be the one closest to close.. above or under…  Buddahboy will be the monitor of the results…  Email your predictions to bwm@bostonwealth.net