TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER
Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.
Share the fun! You may re-distribute Top Drawer Ink as long as the entire newsletter is left intact. Please respect our copyrights.
Top Drawer Ink is self-syndicated. Send reprint, licensing, syndication or other inquiries to editor -at- TopDrawerInkCorp.com.
***
July 10, 2004
Volume 2, Number 13
ISSN 1554-6330
In this issue:
1. Carpenter Country Essay |
2. Top Drawer Article |
3. Top Drawer Tips |
4. Top Drawer Book Review |
5. Top Drawer Satire |
***
CARPENTER COUNTRY
What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human ExperienceIt’s probably safe to say that all of us would like to have a good memory. To run into an acquaintance or a classmate we haven’t seen in years and remember their name is an incredible high.
On the other hand, not being able to recall the names of the people in the new activity we joined two weeks ago can induce sweaty palms, stammering and a full blown panic attack.
A lot of us have worked our way around this last situation by simply saying: “Hi. How are you?”
That’s a good way out of what could be an embarrassing moment, especially if the others in the group remember our name. But after a while, they’ll catch on to what we’re doing.
So how come we can remember an acquaintance or a classmate from twenty, thirty, forty, even fifty years ago, but can’t remember the names of the people we’re meeting with once a week?
Here in Carpenter Country we’ve learned the answer.
The first incident is lodged in long term memory. The second entered short-term memory, but never went any further.
Is there a way to improve short-term memory and recall new names? Yes – qualified by - not always, but often enough to make us feel better about our minds.
First, put away the anxiety. It takes energy away from thought.
Second, if the name refuses to pop up, concentrate and listen. When the name is mentioned again, attempt to make a mental picture of the person and their title.
If they’re called Sandra – try thinking of a sandy beach. Noel could personify Christmas. Lorri brings a laurel wreath to mind. Helen, when remembered with two L’s, is a not-so-nice place to end up in.
Failure is common the first few times. Just keep trying. Improving a mind takes a great deal of persistence, but it’s worth the effort.
The day we looked a new acquaintance in the eye and thought - a beach - then said: “Hi, Myrtle,” made all the work seem like play.
***
TOP DRAWER ARTICLE
The Efficient Markets Theory
byHL Carpenter
What is the best way to make money in the stock market? Buy and hold - or buy and sell?
The debate may never reach a conclusion. Arguments abound as to whether markets are efficient or not – and your personal opinion about which theory is correct will influence your investing style.
What’s an ‘efficient’ market?
This information should not be considered legal, investment or tax advice. Top Drawer
Ink Corp. does not provide legal, investment or tax advice. Always
consult your legal, investment and/or tax advisor regarding your
personal situation. |
***
TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits
What do you want to know about credit cards, debit cards, smart cards,
prepaid cards, ATM cards, loyalty cards and phone cards? You’ll
find it here: http://www.cardweb.com/.
Remember
those old styles? Glad a bad fad is gone? Wish your favorite would come
back? Frolic in the memories at http://www.badfads.com/.
Dog
Lovers! Here's information about those heroic four-footed furry friends
who search for people amid disasters: http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/index.html.
The
National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine have
sponsored a site accurately self-described as 'a goldmine of good health
information'. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.
***
TOP DRAWER BOOK REVIEW
byHL Carpenter
Decide & Conquer
by Stephen P. Robbins
190 pages; hardcover; $19.95
Financial Times Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2004
How good are you at making decisions?
Author Dr. Stephen Robbins, a faculty member at San Diego State University, has distilled gallons of behavioral research into a quick, punchy book in an effort to help you answer that question.
***
TOP DRAWER SATIRE
Geeks United
byHL Carpenter
The US Department of Justice today announced the successful completion of a multi-year investigation into a massive computer conspiracy.
No, it’s not the offense you might first suspect. The keyboarding criminals at Geeks United, Inc. had far bigger plans than the simple spread of viruses or theft of financial information.
***
HL Carpenter, an experienced investor and a CPA, specializes in reader friendly financial and tax topics for individuals and small businesses, and publishes Top Drawer Ink, a newsletter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.
***
Last update: January 8, 2011
Like what you're reading? Subscribe here:
Top Drawer Ink is a free newsletter. After you complete the opt-in process, a new issue will arrive twice each month, direct from our email box to yours.
Subscribe via RSS feed
Top Drawer InkWhat's RSS? Click here