Been a while.

This is my first post on the new computer I bought for my business. So far it is ten times better than my old Dell. It is a Lenovo, which is a Chinese brand that bought IBM's PC division a few years back. If it is as good as the ThinkPad I used at the Commission I'll be quite happy. That Dell was a piece of junk.

I've read a couple articles lately about mayors banning bottled water sales from city offices due to environmental concerns. I never really bought into the whole bottled water phenomenon of the past decade. It seemed strange to pay for something that was readily available at no cost. However, as an investor I'm always looking to profit from the irrational behavior of the masses so, as mentioned in a previous post, I own Coke (Desani) and Pepsi (Aquafina) stock. Pepsi has really benefited from the bottled water craze and Coke is doing alright. Being a bit of a tree hugger, I have to agree with the environmental concerns of the mayors. How can anyone with an ounce of concern about the environment purchase bottled water. The bottles are made from oil, only 20% get recycled, they are transported all over the world, the water is displaced, and it takes tons of energy to process the water. Most waters claim to come from natural springs but you know damn well that most comes from a municipal system and runs through a filter. I realize some people cite poor municipal water as the reason they drink bottled water (some crackpots cite taste) but that seems like a stretch and even if you are concerned about quality, buy a filter, not a case of bottled water every week. Dragan and I always drink the tap water that comes out of our refrigerator filter and it just tastes delicious. Now, some people may call me a hypocrite for owning Pepsi and Coke, and maybe they're right, but I see it as a no lose proposition. If people continue their ridiculous behavior (buying bottled water, soda, even cigarettes) I profit, if they stop and the stocks tank I lose money but I'm happy about the positive impact on the environment and the health care system. Imagine if everyone just stopped drinking soda and smoking cigarettes? Health insurance premiums would probably be cut in half.

Well, I'm spending two days camping next week with my lady friend and then a week later I'm driving out east to pick up my mom and brother from their cruise home from Europe, and hopefully meet with a client. So you may not here from me again for a couple weeks.

Oh yeah, I made an eagle on a par 4 a couple weeks ago. Sand wedge from 75 yards. Not bad.

Take care.

Jonathan

PS - Check out my brother's blog. He has lots of good pictures and stories from his travels through Europe this summer. http://mattphelan27.blogspot.com/