Events

Swamped with client work, getting ready for Xmas, traveling hither and yon—tomorrow, at least, will be quieter.

In the past day I've seen two movies, both adaptations from really good novels: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Incendiary. The former, adapted from John le Carré's 1974 novel, brought me right into the Cold War and had me transfixed by Gary Oldman's performance. After next weekend—when I think I'll have a couple of hours of free time—I'm queuing up the 1979 version with Alec Guinness. The latter, adapted from Chris Cleve's 2005 novel, disappointed me. Except for Michelle Williams' superb acting, it...

I'm juggling a couple of clients today, so I can't write entire entries on any of these: My favorite steakhouse in Chicago, Morton's, will get bought out by a company in Houston. The deal closes in February, so I'll have to get in there once I finish digesting my Christmas dinner. (Could take weeks.) Christopher Hitchens died last night; Andrew Sullivan has posted great stuff about him today. The President will sign the Defense Authorization Bill into law, even though it contains...

Former Chicago mayor Rich Daley got named to Coke's board of directors today. Coca-Cola said: "Mr. Daley brings significant public policy expertise and experience in creating sustainable growth opportunities for businesses and communities to our Company," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. "His experience and insights will be invaluable as we continue to work to grow our business and invest in the fabric of the communities we serve." Daley is also a senior...

Even though we still have two weeks to go, 2011 has already experienced the costliest year of weather disasters in decades: From extreme drought, heat waves and floods to unprecedented tornado outbreaks, hurricanes, wildfires and winter storms, a record 12 weather and climate disasters in 2011 each caused $1 billion or more in damages — and most regrettably, loss of human lives and property. The Illinois State Climatologist adds: We also experienced some $50 billion in total losses for the year. And...

Derp. One year ago yesterday I finished my MBA. It doesn't seem like a full year...except when it doesn't seem like only one year.

I forgot to post this photo from the Tsukiji fish market earlier:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, our friend in the Middle East, has beheaded one of its citizens on the charge of witchcraft: Amina bint Abdel Halim Nassar was executed Monday for having "committed the practice of witchcraft and sorcery," according to an Interior Ministry statement. Nassar was investigated before her arrest and was "convicted of what she was accused of based on the law," the statement said. Her beheading took place in the Qariyat province of the region of Al-Jawf, the ministry said. The...

People in the UK travel much more by train than we in the US. Still, I think office centers at train stations would be great here: Sitting in a proper office space after missing your train would certainly beat propping a laptop on your knees outside WH Smith as the pigeons wander round your feet. Regus has initiated a similar programme in France, where it is opening drop-in business centres in six stations, and it has plans for more developments in the Netherlands. It sounds like a reasonable deal for...

A client visit up in Manitowoc, Wis., ended a little earlier than planned today, so I was able to: Avoid rush-hour traffic in both Milwaukee and Chicago; Pick Parker up tonight instead of tomorrow; and Snap this photo from the roof of the Lincoln Park Whole Foods: