The Integrator

Through the first experience renovating my first home, it was a pleasant experience. I had one contractor which is a dad of a friend to do a few tile work. Other minor works were fun and enjoyable. Managing a single competent contractor was easy and rewarding.

When I took on a second project at my second condo home, it was completely different stories. Learning from the hard way, I dealt with multiple contractors and suppliers. Learning the insight into how to read people, judge their competency. The hardest part is how to bring the best out of them rather then seeing the worst of it. Even with multiple attempts, i couldn't get the results I want. Was it that I was too demanding? Wasn't I clear? was my expectation too high? or was it simply that I didn't select the right people. There are definitely a few lesson learned. However these aren't the best results as I want.

Trust my gut instinct sometimes and only give people ONE second chance and no more. Due to my own insecurity and worry that I plowed ahead giving too much trust to the expert who really doesn't know much.

1. After two strike, it is out. No third chances
2. Do my research, either own research or getting a second opinion. To verify the advice I am getting. Expert are not always right.
3. Do not fear or your ability take time to find the right person or do it yourself. Correcting that much longer

These lesson above there distill from the experience with two contractors, which totally disappointed me to the point I never want to see them again. Some sign of indication

1. Sloppy on the job, making a mess and damage other property w/o knowing. Cutting wood indoor and dirty my printer
2. Sloppy tile job and consider that done. 
3. Water heater installation was sloppy, took twice the amount of time. Due to not knowing about using the flexible gas line. Damage my water hose
4. Giving bad advice on condense humidity on AC. Cause the door was open all day. Nothing wrong with machine
5. Not doing something that is requested multiple time, running a electrical wire to island before patching up the wall. 
6. Uneven wall, blame on previous wall was uneven
7. Leaving big mess after working

The second experience

1. Not sure what material to use, whatever material I suggest, say ok, more expensive is better
2. Does not own the tool for the job
3. Quoting material price double. 

It was a total disaster after the first cement section. Using the wrong tool, leveling too much cement, taking short cut, not grinding. Must monitor their workmanship, can't trust they do it right. 

Launching of Kicklotto

http://www.kicklotto.com

1. Kicklotto is a new way to fund a lottery pool together

Kicklotto is the first official lottery pool manager that leverages the crowd funding model.  Currently we establish pools for two major lottery system: Mega Million and Power Ball.  With the power of crowd funding, we aim to maximize our chance to win the Jackpot.  Everyone is familiar with an office pool; why not take it to the next level and take the pool to the cloud.  With clearly documented legal agreement, Kicklotto is legally binding to our our terms and conditions.  Find your pool, jump in and hit the Jackpot.

2. Each pool is independently managed

Kicklotto is a platform and a resource; we’re not involved in the lottery drawing.  We will use the pool fund to purchase lottery ticket from authorized locations in Virginia.

3. Together,  swimmers fill up the pool

Each pool has its funding goal, selected charity, jackpot amount and of course the deadline.  If people like a particular pool, they can pledge money to be part of the pool.  Funding on Kicklotto is all-or-nothing — pools must reach their funding goals to execute the lottery purchase.  All-or-nothing funding might seem difficult, but it’s to ensure swimmers of the pool get the best odd at winning the Jackpot.

4. Backing a pool is more than just buying lottery ticket

By the power of crowd funding, there is an increase in the order of magnitude of winning the Jackpot.  Not only does the pool enrich every swimmer, but at the same time it can help support selected charity organizations.  The Kicklotto platform enable a small amount of seed fund to magnify itself by winning the lottery.

5. Our mission is to hit the Jackpot

Kicklotto is a new start up based in Fairfax, Virginia.  We spend our time making Kicklotto a little bit better every day, answering questions from swimmers, and finding new charities to support.  If a pool is successfully funded, we apply a 12% fee to the funds collected to cover our operation cost; mainly all the credit card transaction fees.  The remaining balance is used to purchase lottery tickets.

We believe that our pool crowd funding model gives a huge edge for the swimmers, and we’re thrilled to also support charities along the way.  Building a community of swimmers around a pool is a win win situation.

Denisovans a new Cousin

Quite cool to see the interbreeding between the human family tree. Today they also found out the Han Chinese has interbreed with Denisovans about 40,000 year ago as well. 

 

A Call to Arms

About a month ago, I deployed 5,000 troops to the front line to secure a contractual agreement. The served as the paratrooper that survey the perimeter and secure the position for the full assault later this month. During the past month, I secure 74,000 mercenaries and 20,000 allies troop to assist on the final assault. Along with 43,000 of my own garrisoned troops, I launch the final assault today, a total for 137,000 troop joined force with the 5,000 already at the front line. There is an immediate 2,000 casualties, following by a swift victory. From occupying this new city, I have converted or recruit 15,000 troops from the population. The current city garrison capacity is at 156,000 troops. This new city can train and generate up to 1,400 troops a month. There is a 250 troops tribute requirement to join the loosely federated city states association. This troop contribution provides security, public water, trash, clearing of the federated states. There are much reconstruction to be done on this city that would need an additional 20,000 troops. After that the city can garrison up to 185,000 troops. There also needs an exit strategy for all allies troops and mercenaries. Starting Oct, 2014 1,500 allies troops are planned to leave the city every month. All allies troops will exit the city by the end of 2015. Based on the mercenaries contract, it requires a return of 1.5% of garrison mercenaries every month. All mercenaries troops shall exit the city by 2018.

Hardest tofu

Quite a harsh quote from a billionaires but make the point -  "Well, after struggling for a year and if your second year salary is still RMB 2,000, then that means you have not grown as a person. You should be really ashamed of yourself. Do yourself a favour and go to the supermarket and buy the hardest tofu. Take it and smash it on your head because you deserve that."

1. Buy people that are better than you lunch twice a month
2. Volunteer to help businessman
3. Get a sale job
4. Start a small business

http://therealsingapore.com/content/hong-kong-billionaire-li-ka-shing-teaches-you-how-buy-car-house-5-years

Long live American Debts

GPD is all about CONSUMER SPENDING. Keep spending "not" your money and make wall street and government rich.

"Too many people spending the money that they don't have, buy the things that they don't need and to show off to the people that don't care"

http://business.time.com/2014/02/19/federal-reserve-debt-bankrate-consumers-credit-card/

Margin Debt at all time high

http://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/NYSE-Margin-Debt-and-the-SPX.php