Thursday, March 31, 2011

MiO, Mio Catena Chiave


Kraft has entered the water enhancing market. The company has concocted a flavorful line of six twists*, which make a plain bottle of water more zesty. The user can add as much or as little enhancer as desired. Some have even been reported to use MiO straight (not recommended). The $3.99 uber cool tear drop shaped container holds enough flavor for about twenty-four water servings. The target market is the 20-39 year old demographic.


MiO is a zero calorie product, but it does contain artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives**. Artificial is an ugly adjective. The Krafters would have been substantially better off if they gone natural. But it is what it is. Just look at these artificial and natural hearts.

Artificial Heart
Natural Heart
Well, artificial may not be so bad after all. At least as far as appearances go, the faux model looks a lot better than the natural rendition.

The fact that the user has to have access to the product on a minute to minute basis makes the utility of MiO seemingly problematic. Say Vinny from Jersey Shore stops at a convenience store for a bottle of water... If he wants to MiO up, he has to have the stuff with him, say in his pocket or somewhere. Does Kraft expect folks to have MiO ready to go whenever they want to enhance their water drink? (As an aside, one wonders if Viagra is considered an enhancer?)

Easy, continuous product access is a definite issue. Maybe the Krafters should market MiO as a key chain. Everybody carries keys. If Vinny's keys were connected to his MiO, he would have ready access. The Jersey Shore star would be able to squirt the enhancer into his water bottle at the convenience store or anywhere else, for that matter. Aha! Mio catena chiave (My key chain). Just sayin...

A video is illustrative, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGq_8uMJPzU

"MiO allows you to personalize your drink whenever you’d like – Just remember to flip it, tip it, sip it. Squeeze as much or as little of the MiO flavor of your choice into your water." http://superglamnews.com/?p=2039


The water enhancing market approaches $1B. $1B is a lot of Kincaid, but not enough to support the Afghanistan war effort for half of a week. Without doubt this kind of money attracts attention. Kraft, a company which has not put out a new food product since 1995 (what in Sam Hill has Kraft been doing?), is hopeful it will achieve success. While it is doubtful this product will be little more than a fad, it's fate lies in the ability of Kraft to sizzle market it. When you don't have much real value to sell, a marketer must push the sizzle, not the steak. Whether Kraft can carry this mission out remains to be seen...

E cosi va.


*Flavors are Strawberry Watermelon, Berry PomegranateSweet TeaMango, Peach Tea and Fruit Punch.




**One curiosity is Kraft's failure to add caffeine to Mio. Caffeine is the RAGE. If JL Kraft could come back, the hukster (he began the company selling cheese off of a horse drawn carriage in 1903) would be surprised at the addition of MiO WITHOUT CAFFEINE to the product line. Harummff.

David Sokol Made Warren Buffett a Bad Guy


David Sokol*, the ex-heir apparent to Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, resigned. Indeed. After what he did with his trading of Lubrizol shares in the time leading up to Berkshire's acquisition of Lubrizol, his exit is not enough. Inasmuch as he profited by some $3 million and he was critical in the decision to make the Lubrizol purchase, he is guilty of insider trading. It's ugly since Sokol has muddied the system and everyone around him. Not least in the dirtification** is the venerable and avuncular Buffett himself***.


Here's a timeline provided by the Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/03/30/david-sokol-timeline-of-his-lubrizol-stock-purchases/?mod=e2tw


Fall 2010: Sokol, as part of a general meeting with bankers at Citigroup, receives information about possible deals for 18 companies. The list included Lubrizol, according to the SEC filing released Friday by Lubrizol.
Dec. 13: Sokol and Citigroup met again to discuss the list of companies. “During the course of the meeting, Mr. Sokol said that the only company on Citi’s list that he found interesting was Lubrizol,” according to the SEC filing. Sokol asked Citigroup to relay to Lubrizol CEO James Hambrick about Sokol’s interest in meeting to discuss Berkshire and Lubrizol.
December 14: Sokol first bought 2,300 shares of Lubrizol, Buffett said in his letter. Lubrizol shares closed at $108.03 that day, up 3.2% on the day.
Lubrizol’s board held a meeting the same day, according to the SEC filing. The board discussions included an “evaluation of a number of opportunities for Lubrizol to make acquisitions.”
Dec. 17: Citigroup called Hambrick, the Lubrizol CEO, to relay Sokol’s expressed interest in a meeting. Hambrick, according to the proxy filing, “indicated that he would inform the Board of Berkshire Hathaway’s possible interest.”
December 21: Sokol shared the 2,300 shares he had bought a week earlier. Lubrizol’s share price ended the trading session Dec. 21 at $109.28. (Berkshire later agreed to buy Lubrizol for $135 a share.)
Jan. 5, 6 and 7: Sokol bought 96,060 Lubrizol shares as part of a 100,000-share order he had placed with a $104-a-share limit order, Buffett said in his letter. (A reminder: A “limit order” is an order to buy or sell stock at a specific price, or higher. Based on Buffett’s letter, it appears Sokol put in an order to buy Lubrizol shares only if the market price was $104 a share or below.) Lubrizol shares reached as high as $105.25 during those three trading days. The low-water stock price those days was $101.74.
Jan. 6: the Lubrizol’s board held a special meeting, and Hambrick outlined Berkshire’s possible interest in a deal, as he learned from talking with Citigroup. In subsequent days, Hambrick and other Lubrizol executives meet with lawyers at Jones Day to talk about Berkshire’s possible interest in a deal and other matters. More Lubrizol board meetings followed in subsequent days.
Jan. 14: Sokol and Hambrick talked on the phone. Their conversation was generally about “corporate cultures and philosophies of both Berkshire Hathaway and Lubrizol,” according to the SEC filing about the acquisition. The two men arranged to meet in person on Jan. 25.
Jan. 14 or 15: Sokol brought to Buffett the idea of buying Lubrizol, according to Buffett’s letter today. Buffett said he was initially “unimpressed” with the idea. Buffett said in Sokol’s first discussion about Lubrizol, he mentioned to Buffett that he owned stock in the company. “It was a passing remark and I did not ask him about the date of his purchase or the extent of his holdings,” Buffett said in his letter.
Buffett also said in the letter: “Dave’s purchases were made before he had discussed Lubrizol with me and with no knowledge of how I might react to his idea. In addition, of course, he did not know what Lubrizol’s reaction would be if I developed an interest.”
Jan. 25: Sokol meets and has dinner with James Hambrick, the CEO of Lubrizol, according to Buffett’s letter. The meeting was held in Cleveland, near Lubrizol’s headquarters of Wickliffe, Ohio, according to the proxy filing. Hambrick talked to Sokol about Lubrizol’s business and expected financial performance and forecasts through 2013, and early internal outlook for 2014 and 2015. Buffett’s letter says after Sokol’s report of the meeting, he began to warm to the idea of buying Lubrizol. As late as a day earlier, Buffett said he sent a note to Sokol expressing skepticism about a deal for the chemicals company.
March 13: Berkshire Hathaway’s board votes on the agreement to buy Lubrizol. “Though the offer to purchase was entirely my decision, supported by Berkshire’s Board on March 13, it would not have occurred without Dave’s early efforts,” Buffett says in his letter.
On or around March 19: “Shortly before I left for Asia on March 19,” Buffett says in his letter, Buffett said he first learned the specifics of Sokol’s purchases and sales of Lubrizol shares.
March 28: Buffett said he received Sokol’s letter of resignation.
Sokol's interview in CNBC yesterday was a flop for him. He came off as an arrogant, too cool, cat, who has a Texas sized ego. For him to appear was folly. Perhaps he was a day early for April Fool's Day. Indeed, he is the April Fool.


Did his lawyer really know about the interview? If so, it's hard to imagine that this was a wise move. Becky Quick and Joe Kernan took it to Sokol in such a way that he left the set naked, but he didn't know he was showing his a**. Quick, who has a certain repoire with Warren Buffett, did a fair, non fluff job. Special kudos to her.


The impropriety represented by his actions, whether REALLY intended or not, shakes confidence in American business. Be clear, while Sokol was buying and selling Lubrizol equities, he was carrying out his duties for Berkshire. It was Sokol's opinion that Lubrizol was a solid company and that Berkshire should acquire it. Inasmuch as Berkshire ultimately bought Lubrizol, Sokol's dabbling in Lubrizol stock reeks of insider activity. Precise, definite action is needed. Besides the imminent criminal implications, civil actions will inevitably ensue. In a way, Sokol looked liked Sir Allen Stanford. Stanford, himself, had a similar, arrogant CNBC interview before he was hauled away in chains. EGO is a killer.


If the timeline is valid, there is no way Sokol doesn't do time. Others have served for less. After all, think of Martha Stewart in Alderson Federal Penitentiary. She was imprisoned for her improprieties with ImClone trading (she unloaded shares just before the collapse of the stock based on insider advantage) and she has good hair... Ha!



E cosi va!

*Sokol is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He self published his book, Pleased But Not Satisfied, in 2008. Not a NYT best seller, the publication should enjoy a light pop in sales.

**Warren Buffett's Mistake: How The Saint Of Capitalism Damaged His Reputation, 

***Warren Buffett, who has been a most trusted individual, has a cat by the tail on this one. Sokol has impugned his up-to-this-time stellar reputation. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld offered his views on Buffett's image repair, http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-01/warren-buffett-how-he-can-repair-his-image/#, in the Daily Beast. Both thoughtful and inciteful, he says, "Buffett is not infallible and his hiding in the bunker does not make him appear stronger, wiser, or accountable." Indeed! When will the Oracle of Omaha speak?

Buffett in South Korea, March 21, 2011

Update April 28, 2011

Things are popping. The lawyers are starting to cash in on the sokolization of Berkshire. The buffetized clean company is muddied. Not only is there a shareholder suit against the Board, the Board itself has begun litigation against Mr. Sokol. The SEC investigation is ongoing. When that shoe drops things and thongs will get dirtier. The BH annual meeting starts tomorrow and this weekend's yap-a-yap by Mr. Buffett should smooth things out, at least for a time.

In addition, the Oracle of Omaha is going to be interviewed by CNBC's Becky Quick, Monday AM (May 3). Seemingly, he will invite any and all questions. His nervous laugh should be in fine form. Will the Rutgers grad take it to him or will she serve up some softballs? Something still smells. BH's damage control will be a thing business schools will exemplify. Exciting...

Update April 30, 2011

The annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting in Omaha is underway.  Look at these tweets... Hmmmm

 Becky Quick 

Charlie Munger on Sokol situation at : He thinks "hubris" was responsible


 Becky Quick 

Buffett : Calls Dave Sokol's actions w/ regard to Lubizol trades "inexplicable" and "inexcusable".


 Becky Quick 

Buffett : Sokol violated BRK's code of ethics & insider trading rules & principals  lays out every 2 years to managers


 Becky Quick 

Charlie Munger @ on why original Sokol release wasn't angrier :"You can always tell a man to go to hell tomorrow."


 Andrew Ross Sorkin 

buffett on reaction to sokol affair: "I plead guilty"to not putting sense of outrage into the Dave Sokol resigation release"

Update Sunday May 1, 2011


 Peter Plumeri 

@ 
@ are these fresh, right now quotes, or older stuff?


 Becky Quick 

@ 
@ these are all fresh quotes. Munger & Buffett doing press conference right now. No cameras allowed. 2-4 pm Central time


 Peter Plumeri 

@ 
@ thank you, following with interest, you are great, twitter as a news vehicle sweet


Buffett & Munger holding press conference now. No video cams allowed. Stay tuned for headlines 



 Becky Quick 

Buffett @ press conf, asked abt Sokol: "I've made mistakes in the past, I'll make mistakes in the future."


 Becky Quick 

Buffett on Sokol: "I've got no strong feelings about it except it's a very sad situation.


 Becky Quick 

Buffett on Sokol's lawyer's statement: "The facts are the facts. His lawyer wasn't there. I know what's happened."



 Becky Quick 

Buffett @ press conf: BRK's law firm interviewed Sokol 3x, asked for more interviews, nothing happened. We don't have supoena power.


 Becky Quick 

Buffett on Sokol: BRK's audit cmte looking at "every aspect" still. "Whatever they come up with is absolutely fine w/ us.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Cleavage Wrinkles, Oh No!



OK, OK, somebody has to say it. CLEAVAGE WRINKLES!!! There is an epidemic of cleavage wrinkling going on. Blame Katy Perry.

She has made cleavaging a good thing. Up until she hit the scene with her ampleness and her wholesomeness, cleavaging was, well, dirty. Not dirty in a grimy sense, but in a sexy sense. But now because of her and Elmo and all of that http://www.pplume-blog.com/2010/09/cleavage-controversy.html, women are cleavaging.


It's not that cleavaging is a bad thing. Heck, just look around and its de rigueur. Some women pull off cleavaging so that they appear SMARTER (even if they are already as smart as whips). For one, check out Mandy Drury, a CNBC star. Egads! She's from Australia, speaks fluent Japanese and knows economics!


A priori "good" cleavage implies SMOOTH. The skin should be supple and without defects such as moles, hairs and discolorations. Wrinkles are an obvious NO-NO. A wrinkled cleavage is like a brown mottled banana or a spotted apple. Unappetizing. Thus a woman or man, who wants to publicly "cleave" should be properly groomed and toned for the exposition. Anything less than proper preparatory action is a gross out.

Well, the market is moving to meet the needs of the more mature cleave-desirous persons, who might suffer from wrinkling, spotting, mole-ing or freckling.

Several products are now available to reduce and eliminate these unsightly wrinkles. Before getting to them, a few tips are in order:

1. The SUN is the major risk for skin. Premature aging and loss of elasticity are common sequelae of UV exposure. Do Not tan the decolletage. Sadly, for many, the damage has already been done. As an aside, tanning the legs and arms is becoming more and more encouraged to keep good levels of vitamin D for bone and general health.

Sue Barker: Sporty women like the TV presenter who have spent time in the sun often suffer from a damaged decolletage http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1080136/AMANDA-PLATELL-Yes-Ive-banished-crinkly-cleavage.html#ixzz1I6WiXPLs

2. Use moisturizers and sun block creams every day.

3. Eliminate moles and other skin imperfections promptly. See a dermatologist frequently (yearly) for a careful examination and as needed treatment.

4. Think about a coating of castor oil over the anterior chest wall (yikes!) nightly. Not only does it keep the skin rich and soft looking, the ricinoleic acid keeps moles and discoloration in check. No, topical castor oil is not a laxative.

5. Keep the push up bra pressure reasonable. The more pressure, the more wrinkling. There is no need to push the breast tissue into the mouth. Subtle cleavage works better in the long run that the look of two chubby butt cheeks holding in a delivery.

6. Smoking! Just don't smoke. Sometimes it's hard to quantify which is the more lethal skin killer, the sun or smoking. 'Nuf said.

7. Age is the unavoidable X factor. Oh, well... But despair not...

Aged: The sun spots, freckles and wrinkles on the chest of the Duchess of York is not a pretty sight

So, some here are a few helpful, but not exhaustive commercial suggestions....

***Begin***


La Decollette is actively preventing vertical wrinkles at the cleavage. After just 1 night you will notice that wrinkles will disappear. After 5 to 7 nights La Decollette has done her job and your cleavage will be smooth again.Simply because the cleavage cannot wrinkle anymore during the night, protected by this special nightbra who will keep your breasts into place. On the pictures on this page you will see the result of a woman in her mid fifties. To keep the skin tight and smooth, it is recommendable to use a moisturizing cream to the cleavage before wearing La Decollette. If necessary, you can manually put the bra perfectly into place between the breasts. Make sure that the bra is worn firmly to the body or it will miss its effect. 
Als u La Decollette regelmatig gebruikt, zult u op een natuurlijke wijze een glad en strak decolleté behouden. If you will use La Decollette regularly, your cleavage will stay smooth and soft in a natural way so that you can show your beauty . ....... Because finally, femininity is ageless .......
***And***


After comprehensive research and testing, Kush was developed as an anatomically contoured accessory offering both health and beauty benefits. Made from a lightweight plastic with a slip-resistant outer coating, Kush is uniquely designed to fit between the breasts to maintain a more natural shape while resting on your side. No straps, no underwires, no constraints, no adhesives and no garments needed - the slip-resistant surface and contoured shape help keep Kush in place as a woman rolls from one side to the other during sleep. It is best to avoid sleeping on the side since this position favors the creation of delta wrinkles.

As women age, wrinkles and folds can form between the breasts. Kush gently supports the weight of breasts, relieving the pressure to help prevent wrinkles and creases in the cleavage area.
http://www.thekushcompany.com/
***And***

 Intimia™ Breast Pillow Gold Edition


For best results we recommend to use our specially designed rich in skin sculpting peptides Intimia Firm & Repair Throat 
Cream to enhance Firmness of the neck and décolleté area.
http://www.intimia.com/chest-wrinkles/home.html

***And***


Decollette Pads
  • Pads designed to correct and prevent chest wrinkles
  • Decollette Pads prevent chest muscles from forming creases while sleeping, as well as smoothing existing wrinkles while awake.
  • A clear self adhesive medical-grade silicone pad applied to the chest while sleeping or 20-60 minutes anytime of the day.
  • Helps return skin to a more youthful and supple appearance.
  • A less expensive and less irritating alternative to Botox, dermabrasion or retinol cremes with outstanding results.
  • Very subtle and discreet to wear
  • Decollette Pad will last 30-60 days depending on usage time. One pad per box.
***And***

Amanda Platell, The LASER


Amanda, aged 50+, claims the renewed cleavage of a much younger woman. Excerpts from her adventures from the Daily Mail...

One minute you've got a cleavage like Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, the next there are more ravines down there than the Grand Canyon. 
One day it's as smooth as a baby's bottom, the next as dried up as the River Darent during any one of the great droughts. 
One moment you can wear low-cut dresses with panache, the next you're desperately searching for big, droopy necklaces for cleavage camouflage.
Especially as the new décolletage treatments are, as I have discovered this summer, not only pretty painless and fabulously successful, you can actually have them done without anyone ever knowing, except your partner, clinician and closest girlfriend. 
No knives or needles, no hiding away for days or weeks as the scaly bits heal or the swelling goes down and the bruising fades away. You can hide the redness easily - what do you think polo necks are for?
A wrinkled old décolletage begins to be a problem for most women as they pass 40. 
Too much sun, hardly any SPF cream on the chest - even when we were on holiday all we ever thought about was our face and neck. 
Perfume is also to blame as it causes skin staining as we splash it around our chests and down our cleavage. Now they tell us! 
One of the biggest chest crinklers, apart from the sun and the passing years is the way we sleep.

The décolletage procedure I did takes four weeks and as many sessions, most lasting less than an hour.
Believe me, lasers work. On the first consultation this time, Lee did a patch test with the Broad-Band Laser which would be used on my chest to stimulate the cells in the dermis and create more collagen.
I also picked up the skincare products that would go with the series of treatments. They consist of a new range called the Obagi Elastiderm Décolletage System which contains a skin lightening cream and also a wrinkle reduction lotion. 
It is fast-acting and again stimulates the fibroblasts that synthesise collagen, heaven's gift to plump, wrinkle-free skin. 
The second week it was a full session with the BroadBrand Light using the Sciton laser. It lasted about 20 minutes. Does it hurt? Yes, a bit. It looks for all the world as though you've had a lot of little hot iron burns all over your chest, but the stinging goes quickly and your chest is packed with ice to take away the heat.
The third and fourth procedures are basically the same Sciton laser treatment, but each one is progressively less uncomfortable. By the last session it was a breeze and there was no need even for the icepacks afterwards. 
The laser works to eradicate hyperpigmentation and broken capillaries caused by sun damage and ageing, and stimulates the production of collagen to plump up the skin and reduce the crepeyness and lines.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1080136/AMANDA-PLATELL-Yes-Ive-banished-crinkly-cleavage.html#ixzz1I6al3lDU
***And***

ProBust Breast Firming Gel


The Cleavage
A lovely full cleavage is sexy and attracts admiring glances. Its a fact that around 90% of cleavages featured in breast areaphotographs are taken on the red carpets of this world – Award ceremonies, film premieres and fund-raisers all bring out the women stars in their low cut designer gowns. Not all women, however, have the nerve to reveal a plunging neckline – they feel that their breasts lack firmness, their cleavage not worth displaying or simply feel their breasts are too small.
Cleavage care zone – attractive but sensitive.
An attractive and beautiful bust is always accompanied by an attractive cleavague. However as women age, the process causes slackening of the breast’s connective tissue, because of this the breast starts to lose its shape. An envelope of skin without any muscles, which supports the breast and gives it its curved shape.
The most important factor for a well shaped bust is the quality of this skin expanse, stretching from the chin around the neck and the shoulder down to the breast. It is also known as the “natural bra” due to its support function. It is the quality of the firmness and elasticity of the skin in this cleavage area that determines the shape and fullness of the breasts
Cleavage “care zone”
The bridge running from the curving sections of the breast up to the flat area over the breastbone is very appealing, however this area of skin does require special care. When compared to other parts of the body, this area has fewer sebaceous glands that keep the skin moisturised.
The skin here is particularly thin and highly sensitive to drying out when exposed to the sun’s damaging rays. Without protection and care this can lead to premature ageing and wrinkling. It is important that particular care is taken with this area to ensure that the skins condition is maintained.
Ageing But Looking Younger
Women these days have a new defination of aging, to combat this, cosmetic surgery, inparticular breast augmentation has grown in popularity.
Nevertheless surveys have determined that around 96% of female consumers would really prefer noninvasive procedures, One of the main reasons is the pain and possible health risks of surgery.
Because of this extensive research has been carried out by the major pharmaceutical companies in developing highly effective specialised cosmetic products. Cosmetic “botox” or “lifting” are, for instance, There are not many women who do not wish for well-shaped, firm bustline. http://www.womenshealthreview.co.uk/a-breast-lift-without-the-surge

***And***

SPRAY TAN


"Actually I went to have my chest and body spray tanned last week... That works wonders on your chest.. Blends the spots.. You left that option out! Easiest and quickest results... I did not request the Snookie formula. I was beautifully bronzed... Comes off in a few days but worthit for a hot nite! Ha!" from Brenda


***OTHERS***




Other remedies include Retin A and BioOil. Retin A is a hydroxyacid which eliminates wrinkles well and has an additional advantage. It clears up hyperpigmented lesions. It does cause reddening of the skin and some initial desquamation, but the results are good. Also, pruritus is a problem in some users. When using Retin A the sun MUST be avoided. A prescription is required. It is available in its generic form and is way cheaper from Canada.




Bio Oil is an excellent nightly product as well. Loaded with good stuff for the skin, Bio Oil is readily available over the counter. Antioxidants, rosemary and PurCellin make Bio Oil a good before bed application. http://www.middle-ageless.com/2009/08/goodbye-to-chest-wrinkles.html

***And***
Youth, Yeeeeoooww
Kacey Jordan
Besides the MsMosquitoBites alternative directly above, a variety of other options including creams, hormones, pillows and other devices exist. The ever popular Botox injections have also been used to relax the muscles and skin of the anterior chest. Botox or Breastox has a limited efficacy of about 3 months.
Good for short term use, Breastox is more efficacious in the small breasted person. TA-DA!!!
***End***
E cosi va...