Here are a few links, just in case, you know, anyone wants to know what happened to Lionel Richie. He’s now available for private parties. Book him for your wedding today!

The initial public offering of Google is expected to take place today. Much has been made about its experiment with a dutch auction, and the Street is chuckling to itself. I think Google tried to do the right thing.

Now let’s see if the pressure of being a public company can keep them from being evil.

During my Navy duty, I had the opportunity to visit Diego Garcia, the speck of British-owned coral just south of the equator in the Indian Ocean. It is a beautiful piece of land: quite a tropical island paradise, with crystal-clear waters lapping on white, palm-tree topped coral beaches.

Diego Garcia is also one-hundred-percent military base. This military base needs no fences due to its remote location and dozens of patrolling ships. It is home to numerous B-52s, B-2 bombers, as well as serving as a staging area for materials bound for the Persian Gulf. During the cold war, it proved to be an ideal place from which to monitor the Soviets in the Indian Ocean. Thus, the Naval Security Group (of which I was a part) was the first to move in.

It wasn’t until after my visit to Diego Garcia that I learned how the indigenous people of Diego Garcia were unceremoniously packed up and shipped off, with only a suitcase of their belongings. To this day, they are not allowed to return to their homeland, even to visit. Kinda sad.

The people of Diego Garcia won a victory in British court in 2001, but a hollow one at best. The U.S. lease on the base runs through 2016, and even if we leave, the reef is now so damaged that its existence and that of the wildlife it supports is threatened.

Once again, individual rights get evicted by “national security.”

I missed an important appointment today when Kelly and Hallie went to Kelly’s ultrasound appointment. This time around, Kelly was treated to the 3D ultrasound, for free.

We’ve got spooky, three dimensional pictures in the gallery.

Oprah Winfrey, one of the richest Americans, with an entertainment empire to run, has nevertheless decided to put her civic duty first by serving in the jury of a murder trial (although somewhat reluctantly, it seems).

In a time when top celebrities are used to being coddled, it’s great to see Oprah’s keepin’ it real.

Last week, I read an interesting article in USA Today about working musicians called Summer Tours Help Bands Pay Bills. It focuses on banjo-guru Bela Fleck to show how much money bands earn by touring.

Fleck says concerts reflect 70% of the band’s income, records 20% and merchandising 10%.

Fleck will realize 40% of his yearly touring income crisscrossing the country to perform with his jazz/bluegrass/world music band at amphitheaters, auditoriums, amusement parks — even a farmer’s market in Kansas City.

Good info on the economics of the touring band.
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I know the furniture industry has been hit hard by the new economic landscape, but I’ve gotta wonder about some places. For instance, on Old Wake Forest Road, the High Point Furniture Connection has hit on tough times. While some stores meet their maker with merciful speed, the High Point Furniture Connection has managed to drag its demise out seemingly forever. Why, I can remember three years ago when it began its “final days,” and it has yet to give up the ghost.

I admire its tenacity. And yet, I feel for the poor employees who are left wondering just when the doors will close for good.
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