And so it beings

This out today!

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Matthew Cowley as a Money Talks columnist in North America. With Matt on board, the Money Talks column will complement the existing contributions from Asia and EMEA. Matt will write about major topics across fixed income markets, addressing areas of interest to a broad audience.

Big week for DJ

As a big week begins for Dow Jones, with Rupert Murdoch's Newscorp about to complete the takeover, some hints from a former Murdoch editor:

So the Murdoch men are being flown into Manhattan to help the Master re-mould the Journal to his wishes. Ponderous and bureaucratic Dow Jones still does not know what is about to hit it. Decisions will suddenly be taken with the speed of light, Murdoch will be involved in every major one and his lieutenants will soon fill all the key posts.

Articles will become shorter and pithier, the Chinese wall that separates news from comment will be torn down, the news agenda will start to reflect the paper's editorial line (which is already robustly rightwing and hence to Murdoch's taste) and political and non-business coverage will be beefed up, all the better to take on the New York Times, which may be about to face as much of a culture shock as the staff of the Journal.

Light entertainment

Some light entertainment today...first of all, rude gas bills in Spain, and next, crazy Japanese playing football.

(Thanks Emily, Andrew!)

UPDATE: Also, the first moves seem to be happening in the Murdoch takeover. It's supposed to wrap up next week, the 13th, I think, but already we'll have a couple of new top bosses from Murdoch's U.K. operations.

Blame the opposition

The NYT has a good angle on Venezuela's opposition.

The surprising defeat of a referendum over the weekend to accelerate President Hugo Chávez’s socialist-inspired revolution has given new energy to his long-suffering opposition.

But just how long that momentum lasts will depend on whether his opponents can keep within their ranks the Venezuelans who defected from Mr. Chávez to vote no on the proposals.

All go!

First snow of the year on Sunday, and I'd played tennis on a (admittedly frozen) court in Central Park the day before. Also on Sunday, Chavez lost a vote in Venezuela, the first in nine years, Corinthians of Sao Paulo is relegated! It's all go. And I officially start my new job - though the transition is a little painful what with the holidays coming up fast.

Boston for Thanksgiving

 

We took off for Boston for the long Thanksgiving weekend. We nearly struck out - everything was closed on Thursday, practically nowhere to eat!! By accident we ended up at the one restaurant open in town, a complete fluke as we'd been asking and no one had come up with any suggestions. The rest of the weekend was a combination of walking round Boston's historic places - Faneuil Hall was my favourite - and plenty of good food. We also traipsed around South Boston, heavily Irish and home to some of the most fervent supporters of the IRA during the Troubles....very interesting if a bit chilling.

Talking sense

From the Economist:

Only a paranoid fringe in America thinks the country's constitution or the values underpinning it face an imminent threat of being overturned. That fringe is in charge in Iran.

At times like these, you have to have faith in the strength of the institutions that underpin your society. Undermining them is the quickest way to a full surrender.

Eliminatorias!

Que suerte que tuvieron los brazzucas!!!

Embracing change

Huge few weeks of change and I've thoroughly neglected this blog. So here's a commitment to start trying harder! This week I became a columnist and saw our baby alive and kicking (though still in the womb) for the very first time. I'm not sleeping very much, as you can imagine. But it's all quite fantastic. Seeing the fetus kicking and bouncing around - and even sucking its thumb - was truly an incredible experience. It's still early days, Macarena is coming to the end of the first trimester, and so far so good. We're in a sort of limbo, there's not a whole lot we can start doing yet - except run lotion on Maca's belly!

Great friends

It's always great to catch up with old friends. It's quite amazing how much changes and yet how little changes. Cello and Kal have been friends since halls in our first year at university. Meeting up in Leicester Square has become a bit of a tradition, hopefully soon they may come over to NY for a visit as well. Abrazo!

Ashburton Grove

Well, I'm very sad to say I never made it to Highbury while it existed, the joys of trying to support a team long-distance. I've been determined to make it to the new stadium at Ashburton Grove, and managed it twice this week. The first one was thanks to Toby and his bro, Sam. Straight off the redeye from NY I dropped my bags off at Vardens Road and legged it up to North London. It may have only been Derby, but it was 5-0, which was fantastic to see. Having seen it live just makes it so much better now I see it on TV!! Then back in midweek with Andrew and Dad to watch Newcastle get knocked out of the Carling Cup 2-0.

Is this Sao Paulo??!

Philadelphia

Philly rolls out the red carpet

New and old

Cheese, wine and beach in the Hamptons

First trip to the Hamptons (posh part of Long Island), in a tour organized by a cheesemonger in the Essex Street Market (and spotted by Danielle and Matt). Two hour bus trip out to a vineyard, quick tour then down to the serious business of drinking wine and eating cheese. Then a swing by a dairy farm where they make cheese (as well as pigs and turkeys) and then on to the beach at Southampton. What a day!

Two oceans in two weeks

Two oceans in two weeks; sunset over the Pacific and sunrise (well, ok, slightly after sunrise) on the Caribbean.

Two sides of tourism

Two sides of tourism in Costa Rica - one week in a top notch resort, and one week in a little cheapo posada in a tiny little village. Is staying at one being a better tourist than at the other? I went with the impression that there was a difference; I come away wondering whether there's that much difference after all.

Up front again

On holiday in Costa Rica- and jumping on an air taxi to cut across some corners. It's been years since I was in the cockpit!!

Blue