Can one great Apple spoil the barrel?

A story that didn't get much attention yesterday, should have. It involved Apple. (Disclosure-I own Apple Stock)

Shares dropped $15 because of a RUMOR that Apple's COO Tim Cook was leaving the company. The story turned not NOT to be true. The stock rebounded and the sun rose this morning.

But a market that moves on rumor instead of fact is a dangerous one, especially for investors who live along Main Street USA. In the above-mentioned story, writer Vincent Fernando, CFA makes the point that should a powerful and major market presence like Apple take a hit based on rumor, it could drag the rest of the market down with it.

The issue isn't the strength of Apple, it's sitting on $50 Billion in cash and has a ton of great products in the pipeline (when doesn't it?) including a new generation iPad next spring. (It will have a camera and USB port-HOORAY!)

But to my original point, when Wall Street has a tizzy based on rumor, it's bad for us here on Main Street. That's wrong.

Is anyone in charge?

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

PRDaily - Public Relation Video Collection

PRDaily - Public Relation Video Collection

Absolute Zero.

Did you know there's a limit to how cold it can get? Scientists say the maximum lowest temperature possible is -459º Fahrenheit. It's known as "Absolute zero."

Congress has reached the political equivalent. Last Friday Stephen Colbert testified before a congressional committee about immigration. Why he was there had both Republican and Democrats scratching their heads. For the record, Colbert was invited by Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

Members of both parties say the Comedy Central Star's appearance was a mockery of Congress. Actually, Congress made a mockery of itself. Please don't confuse this with any partisan politics. Both parties have had a hand in bringing the once august body to its lowest approval ratings ever. Almost near zero. Absolute zero.

Congressional hearings cost $100,000 per hour. It would have been far cheaper to have everyone watch Colbert on their office televisions. It would have been far more productive for our elected "representatives" to spend time on more pressing issues.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Dagwood Bumstead on Health Care Reform

This isn't a commentary about health care reform, like you I really have no idea how this will impact us all in the short and long term. But I got a kick of this morning's edition of Blondie.

Dagwood nailed it. Our best "option" is simple: Stay healthy.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

BEVO Blog: What's the spread?

I belong to a fun football pool, fun because our team won it last year and we're quickly making our way back to the top after a dismal first week.

It's all about the spread. Although it's not a "pool rule" itself, a certain member of our team doesn't allow voting against Texas, regardless of the spread which Texas often times has a difficult time beating. Last week was a nice exception. This week the spread is 15 1/2 over visiting UCLA which I think the 'Horns will beat. Their defense is awesome and UCLA coach Ricki Neuheisal is a weasel. The "Weasel" factor means a lot. Really.

Other games of interest include the match-up between Air Force and Wyoming in Laramie, specifically Jonas Field at War Memorial Stadium presented by Taco John's or something along those lines. It's always a great game and full of tradition. Air Force has been riding high, if not in the win column but they're taking on some big teams and fighting them hard. Wyoming in a word, stinks. Their coach agrees. But something tells me that Wyoming will beat the 12 1/2 point spread, and might even win.

Another team that just could be surprised is Boise State. While they're playing in the blue, blue fields of home, Oregon State is my pick to beat the spread if not win. It would be a huge upset and at the same time be of great relief to the yahoos that run the BCS.

One final note: I just found out today that John Hamm who brilliantly plays Don Draper in the AMC Series "Madmen" is a Texas-Ex! He also played football in his native Missouri. Yet another reason to love Madmen.

When, where and who is YOUR team playing? Click here.

So...

HOOK'EM HORNS!
GO WYO!
WAR EAGLE! HEY!

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

To 3D or not to 3D? The question is answered. For now.

This article caught my attention this morning. Apparently there's a bit of a glut of flat-screen televisions. That means great prices for you if you're in the market for one.

What wasn't in the news is 3D HDTV. A few months ago it was the rage, at least in the trade media if not customer showrooms. When was the last time you saw an ad for a 3D television? Or a promo on a network promoting it? I thought so.

I saw an 3D HDTV demo a few months ago showing a World Cup Soccer match. It was pretty cool. Two things held me back. I'm not in the market for a new television and the 3D glasses. At $150 a pop plus having to replace batteries every 20 hours or so is a no-sell and nonsense. As consumers, most of us aren't conditioned to buying added doo-dads when we buy a TV.

Then there's the question of how many sets of glasses do you buy? We've all broken eye glasses in our lives, just something else to break and replace. Again, there's the $150 tab. What if the batteries die in the middle of the Superbowl? Oops, remembered the drinks and snacks but forgot the extra batteries.

For want of a horse, the battle was lost. For the expense of the glasses, the 3D battle is lost. At least for now. When someone markets a 3D set that comes with glasses as convenient as those we get in theaters, the battle will be rejoined.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

We'll always have Paris.

Remember in the movie "Casablanca" where Rick says to Ilsa, "We'll always have Paris?" A great line from a classic film.

Today, sadly, it applies to Paris Hilton. We'll always have Paris. The question is why? At a news seminar sometime ago, the question of what makes the lead story came up. A response from a panelist was telling. He said it's whatever the producer decides it is.

Truer words were never spoken.

Paris Hilton's only skill appears to be capitalizing on too many of those producers. Flipping around some news channels this morning, I learned that Paris Hilton was denied entry into Japan because of her many drug busts, the most recent being in Las Vegas.

Actually they buried the lead. The story should be why can't we be as smart as Japan and deny her entry into the United States? She's a serial law-breaker. Kudos to casino mogul Steve Wynn for at least denying her entry into his hotels. It's a start.

Did you hear the joke about Hilton Hotels offering Paris $10 million to change her last name to Motel 6? I wish some producers would change the subject to news of interest, of impact and importance to us living on Main Street. If you do need your Paris fix, just go to TMZ.com. They do a great job on this sort of stuff.

But for now, we're stuck with Paris. Oops, I have to go. There's a high speed chase, live on TV. Paris is bumped to page 2.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"