Epileptic Ramblings

I visited the Ralph Lauren website today and saw items that had Made in America underneath them.  I guess the word is getting out and now a high end fashion designer is making his stuff here.  Awesome!

BANGALORE (Reuters) – American Apparel Inc’s (AMEX:APP – News) woes continued as it raised “substantial” doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern and warned it could breach a loan covenant, sending its shares down 22 percent to a lifetime low.

The company also said in a regulatory filing that it received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in July, as well as inquiries from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the resignation of its former auditors.

American Apparel’s former auditor Deloitte had quit in March after warning of problems with the company’s financial reporting, and the subsequent reliability of its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.

American Apparel Chief Executive Dov Charney, who is also its largest shareholder, has been repeatedly sued for sexual harassment and the company has faced several problems in recent months from underperforming results to mass layoffs of illegal workers.

The Los Angeles-based company, which opened its first retail store in 2003, dodged a potential breach of debt covenants earlier this year at the cost of higher interest payments.

The company said on Tuesday it will not be in compliance with the minimum consolidated EBITDA covenant under its second lien credit agreement, as of September 30.

American Apparel, known for its shiny spandex leggings and cotton T-shirts, plans to work with the second lien lender to obtain the appropriate amendments prior to the anticipated covenant default, it said in a statement.

Popular with urban hipsters for “Made-in-USA” retro apparel, the company now sees losses from operations continuing through at least the third quarter, and said it may not have sufficient liquidity to continue to operate through next year.

It also expects substantial operating loss and negative cash flows for the six months ended June 30.

For the second quarter, the company forecast sales of about $132-$134 million, down from $136.1 million a year ago. Same-store sales, which fell in 11 out of 12 months in 2009, were down 16 percent in the quarter.

American Apparel shares were down 22 percent at $1.08 Tuesday afternoon on the American Stock Exchange.

At their peak, the shares touched $16.75 in December 2007, after blank check company Endeavor Acquisition Corp took the company public through a reverse merger.

Barack Obama is not a magician.  He’s the leader of the free world but he does have to deal with a little known legislative body known as Congress.  This is the first President in my lifetime to actually stand for the things people truly value and to pass legislation that works for those values.  He and the courage of Pelosi/Reid have hit a major milestone with that healthcare bill.  The next step will of course be Wall Street but the key to a true Step Up in the economy will be Energy.  That bill is coming in the autumn/winter and therefore people have to have patience.  The financial crisis is over.  The banks are mostly solvent.  Growth is positive once again.    Six letters is what everyone must be considering now.

E-N-E-R-G-Y.

This will be the turning point in jobs.  The truth is 90% of America is at work.  But when gas went to 5 dollars per gallon that was the beginning of an energy led recession.  Most Americans’ disposable income is being wiped away from them due to high energy costs.  State’s are strapped because of lacking tax revenue.  You want tax dollars? You want to reduce deficits? Increase American exports of goods and services and decrease your dependence on foreign oil.  You make that happen, and this country is rockin’ again.  I mean to post photos of my new clothing from All American Clothing. I will do that later.

Okay so I made a salad last night that was low in sugar, delicious and cheap to make AND something a guy could eat.

Ingredients:

Iceberg Lettuce
2 cucumbers
2 beef tomatoes
1 small can whole kernel corn
8 ounce Salmon
4 – 6 strips bacon
Litehouse Casesar Dressing

1. Chop up the veggies.  I also peeled the cucumbers.   Place in a large bowl.
2.  Pour in small can of Corn.
3.  Mix lettuce with a hearty amount of caesar dressing and veggies.
4.  Place a grill pan on medium heat
5.  Brush salmon with olive oil and Kosher salt and black pepper.  On top place  Basil or Rosemary. I used Basil.
6.  Cook on each side for 6-7 minutes until inside has a little bit of pink showing.
7.  Once done slice up salmon place in bowl and mix with the rest of salad.
8.  While pan is still hot add two tablespoons of butter.
9.  Add 4 – 6 strips of bacon.  Grill the bacon until brown and a lot of the fat has cooked off.
10.  Let bacon cool on paper towel for a couple of minutes.
11. Place Bacon in Salad.
12.  Mix all together adding dressing if you feel it is necessary. 

I loved it!

NBC is currently having its healthy living week.  But I have been living on my own for the past couple of months and have been cooking again. I’ve noticed that there isn’t really a simple recipe section devoted to guys who want to cook fast and eat well.  I was watching Wolfgang Puck the other weekend on HSN and he did a recipe that I thought was super tasty and easy to do and something a  man would eat.

I bought a stainless steel pan.

1.  Preheat the pan – medium heat.
2.  Get a NY Strip steak
3.  Marinade the steak with olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper.
4.  For Medium rare cook the steak 6-8 minutes per side.
5.  Once the steak is done remove steak and put on a plate.
6.  Dump the leftover oils into the sink but leave steak bits on pan
7.  Add wine to deglaze the pan (I chose a cheap Cabernet but it was good)
8.  Add heavy cream
9.  A little BBQ sauce (you can also add some Dijon mustard)
10.  Kosher salt
11.  Black pepper
12.  Cook the sauce for about six minutes while stirring with a wooden spoon
13.  Pour sauce over steak and eat.

The dish takes less than a half hour.  The meal has very little sugars and is delicious! 

Possible healthy side dish:

1.  Cutt off the ends of some Asparagus.
2.  Steam the Asparagus for six minutes to keep them al dente
3.  Wash off the Asparagus when done with cold water to preserve color.
4.  While the Asparagus is still warm, in a bowl add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and mix together with the Asparagus.

This whole meal takes 30 minutes to make, is delicious and good for you.  Plus dudes can enjoy it.

Man up!

So The Fan Club continues to grow.  I am actually going to photograph a model with one of the jacket samples I received to try and make the store a more exciting place to visit and give our members a reason to shop there.  But I also have to work on my regular job’s store and that subject is a little dry-er and I therefore am feeling a little lacking in inspiration for the graphics and set up.  Most of the store is done but I am waiting for something to hit me so that I can make something my supervisor will like.

I am feeling good about photographing someone again.  It will be nice to do some portrait work.  Also my nephew’s second attempt at writing a song I feel is way stronger.  He really went all in with this one and I am so impressed by how fully realized it is.  Plus he has started on his own Jazz piece which also is really good but has a “smooth jazz” sound which I know is not for everyone.

Had a nice lazy weekend.  Went food shopping, watched Wolfgang Puck on HSN which made me go to Target and get a stainless steel saute pain.  I have decided I want to go stainless steel because it is what the PROs use. I haven’t used the pan yet but I plan to make one of Wolfgang’s dishes tonight.  Its a NY steak cooked in the pan.  Then you remove the steak from the pain.  Deglaze the pan with red wine, add dijon mustard, bbq sauce, heavy cream, salt and pepper, and you have the sauce for the steak. YUM! I might take photos and post later.

Senator Graham announced today that comprehensive energy reform would not work. That a scaled down version could be passed and would be effective. For once I have to agree with this guy. There ARE some reforms that could get unanimous consent so make the bill smaller. Nat gas for trucks, wind power, some solar, some nuclear, the grid, lets pass some stuff that will create jobs, improve our security, stop sending money overseas and do something good economically for the nation. Take offshore oil drilling off the docket. Make it something to debate another time.

So the market is about to sell off like a mofo or at least it has for the past 1000 points base of fears that the Euro is boned. As an American focused investor I don’t give a frog’s fat ass about the Eurozone. As far as I am concerned I knew this was going to happen when Obama got elected. I wanted this! A strong dollar was inevitable. There is a climate bill in Congress right now to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including a big subsidy to put our trucks on natural gas. 3 jobs are created for every rig you transfer to nat gas. there are are currently 3 million rigs on the road. You do the math. I think this market is going to come roaring back in the 3rd quarter. I would be averaging down in American energy stocks right now like CHK, CLNE, HES, ATN etc. Go long energy and short interest rates and forget about the Banks because they are fucked.

This is a penny stock:  OTCBB: OXIS

OXIS International, Inc. is engaged in the research, development and sale of products that counteract the harmful effects of “oxidative stress.”

Oxidative stress refers to the situations in which the body’s antioxidant and other defensive abilities to combat free radicals (a.k.a highly reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen) are overwhelmed and one’s normal healthy balance is either lost or severely compromised. 

ERGOTHIONEINE…THE SUPER ANTIOXIDANT FOR NUTRACEUTICAL, COSMECEUTICAL AND THERAPEUTICS ERGO is naturally occurring, water soluble, amino acid multifaceted antioxidant produced by microbes in the soil and most commonly found in (but not produced by) various species of mushrooms and grapes, meats and dairy products. However, it is not commercially practical to extract ERGO from these natural sources and it essentially impossible to ingest a diet that provides enough ERGO to take full advantage of its potential health benefits. Humans and most animals typically have low levels of ERGO since the amount of ERGO in the diet is relatively small.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND SCIENCE BACKGROUND

Our intellectual property for ERGO includes three patents and two patent pending applications that cover the synthesis of highly-purified ERGO and the protective effect of ERGO on mitochondria and other pivotal body structures and functions. A number of peer reviewed scientific papers referenced in the Monograph on this website indicate that ERGO is one of the most potent, multifaceted biological compounds with both appreciable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and other protective properties. ERGO acts by itself, or in combination with other natural compounds to improve the body’s own intrinsic defenses against oxidative stress. Accordingly, Oxis is focusing its efforts on developing products that deliver the benefits of ERGO taken by itself and in combination with other elements that enhance various health protective systems. BENEFITS OF ERGO Some of the potential benefits of ERGO include its ability to:

•Conserve and maintain the levels of other antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C and glutathione; •Increase respiration and the oxidation of fat (possibly contributing to increased energy and exercise capacity);

•Protect mitochondria from damage (this is important because potentially damaging reactive oxygen species are generated when oxygen is normally metabolized in mitochondria,

•Reduce the damaging effects of environmental ultraviolet radiation (likely to be important in protecting the eyes against cataract producing oxidative injury);

•Neutralize increased oxidative stress by providing an ROS (reactive oxygen species) and RNS (reactive nitrogen species) scavenging capacity, a property that protects key molecules in the body; and,

Protect against the effects of neurotoxins that are believed to have a casual role in the development and progression of cognitive decline.

Consumer Products

OXIS’ consumer products strategy addresses very important health concerns including aging and age-related disorders that are increasing with trends in US demographics.  These concerns include:

• Brain health
• Immunity against diseases
• Anti-aging/skin health
• Inflammation
• Detoxification
• Blood sugar regulation

Our market entry and expansion strategy includes potential alliances with highly respected, credible and iconic thought leaders in each product category. Typically, these individuals or companies have established consumer followings or the ability to build meaningful and loyal customer bases.

Our plan is to develop on-going relationships with our customers and to be regarded as a health partner to individuals of all ages based on the products and educational content that we provide to them.

Channels for communicating our message and building sales being established include:

• Multi-level marketing
• Internet sales
• TV Infomercials
• Long and short form radio infomercials
• Direct mail
• Traditional retail approaches

We are planning two product launches for summer 2010

• “Ergo-Pur™”  – ERGO-Pur is a pure form of our highly potent multifaceted antioxidant which we anticipate will be used in some cases in concert with:
• “Ergo-Plex™” – ERGO-Plex is a combination of ERGO plus other functional nutraceutical ingredients directed at Joint Health.

Other products are being evaluated and include a line of skin care products. In addition we will develop other nutraceuticals and functional foods such as nutrition bars, energy beverages and single serve shots that lend themselves to traditional retail distribution

http://www.oxis.com

Oxis on Twitter

Oxis on facebook

I worked at Police Week 2010 to promote  books and I have to say it was cool.  The best part is when different police units play the bag pipes.  It was a cool site, I am so mad I forgot to bring my camera.  They came in with storm clouds in the background, and started to play dressed in full garb meaning Kilts, white boots etc and then wailed away on those pipes while the snare drum gave that marching beat and the bass drum gave that heavy feel.  I also managed to see the cherry blossoms bloom in DC this year.  I have uploaded some photos:

My favorite thing about our Nation’s phallic symbol is that it tells all foreign dignitaries:

“if you’re going to come to this country, be prepared to get fucked”