Carl from Chicago

Business executive interested in history, economics, taxation and energy policy.

Monocle and Strategy & Tactics

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The masthead of our blog at Life in the Great Midwest used to say that we “shill for no one” and it is true, no one that pays us, at least. But Dan and I are big fans of the magazine “Monocle“. Monocle covers obscure topics – the first magazine covered the modern Japanese navy (which is why I picked up the initial issue on the spot and wrote about it here). The magazine has beautiful pictures from expert photographers and covers topics like the Falklands, Iceland, and other interesting spots around the globe. Fashion and art are also frequent and well-written topics.

I heard that Monocle was going to open stores so I stopped and took a photo as I walked past this shop in London. Unfortunately it was closed at the time but I wish them the best in their stand-alone stores. Dan bought me a subscription to Monocle for xmas which was much appreciated. I send the issues on to my nephew at college when I am done – even if he doesn’t read them he will look cultured to whomever he brings back to his cinder-block dorm room.

Another favorite of the blog is the magazine Strategy and Tactics. This magazine covers military topics from the ancient world to WW2 to today. Every year when I renew my subscription I also buy one for Dan and now Gerry, as well (he might be wondering why that shows up in his mailbox every month). The magazine came from the era of physical (not PC) war games and they used to put a game in every issue – but now most of the magazine focuses on relevant articles.

I particularly like the “for your information” column where individuals write pithy articles of 2000 words or less on topics that I, at least, find fascinating. Here are some highlights from the latest issue:

– the statistic that 2008 was the first year that the US air force added more pilot less drones to the armory than manned aircraft
– an article about how the Israeli army used armored bulldozers to level enemy strong points in their wars in Gaza
– A very good article on Gerald Bull, the artillery genius who designed a long range 155mm cannon and worked on a gun large enough to launch satellites into orbit – he was assassinated (likely by the Mossad) as he worked on a project for Saddam
– an article about the survival of the battle cruiser Seydlitz, which barely escaped sinking after Jutland in 1916

It helps that I already know a lot about these topics, I guess (I added the part about Bull and the Mossad from my general knowledge – I think when he was shot he had tens of thousands of dollars on him that was untouched, which you’d figure an average assassin would have taken).

If you have some time I’d check out both of these interesting magazines. If anyone has shopped at the Monocle store, pop in a comment.

Cross posted at LITGM

International Terminals – Race to the Bottom

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Flying has lost much of its glamor. The flights I have been on recently are invariably packed to the gills, late, and generally unpleasant.

International travel, on the other hand, is thought of as more upscale. First class or business class has some amenities, and there are clubs to get a free drink and relax.

Leaving Chicago you may go through the international terminal. Although I have flown outside of the country before out of Chicago, it has been on US based airlines like American and United which fly out of the regular terminals.

I was astounded by how crappy the International O’Hare terminal is. Going in, there are a few fast food restaurants, a gift shop, and that’s about it. If you go through security, all you can buy is a double vodka and a newspaper – there isn’t even FOOD! We backed up and waited in the lobby before the security gate and at least sat in a fast food court which, relatively speaking, was the lap of luxury.

While the building itself is relatively new and fancy looking, the building is not very well designed for its current purpose. I would have taken a picture but didn’t want to get thrown in the clink, and not much to see, anyways.

London Heathrow recently opened a new International Terminal, also terminal #5, just like Chicago O’Hare. You’d figure that this terminal, understanding the new security requirements, would be better designed.

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Dogs In London

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The British are famous for their love of dogs. Many prominent breeds came from London and of course the Queen has her retinue of Corgis. Recently I was in London and had the opportunity to view this all close-up.

This picture is blurry but I had to put it in the post. We were walking through London and a guy had this little dog in the front basket of his bicycle while he rode through town and the wee dog had one of those “cones” on his head to stop him from licking his wounds (probably had recently been to the vet).

We were in Regent’s Park and a handicapped man had this dog called “Diesel” who was by his side and then kind of roamed around a bit looking at everyone. He was an Alaskan Malamute. He had one blue and one brown eye, as I captured in this photo while he looked at me. Someone was talking about feeding his dog and the owner shouted “NO NO DON’T WANT HIM TO BECOME A SCROUNGER” which I found to be apt and hilarious.

There was a meeting of the French Bulldogs near the “Honest Sausage” restaurant and I got down to eye level with the dogs to take a look. I like the little guy with the black coat in front giving me the stink eye… but you aren’t so tough with your pink outfit now, are you?

Cross posted at LITGM

Hilarious Business Books

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I enjoy going to used book stores and could probably just sit in there day and night, perusing the selections. Recently I was in the “After-Words” book store in Chicago and picked up some interesting books, and saw these used books on the shelf that made me laugh out loud.

The first book is about Jurgen Schrempp, the former CEO of Daimler, who presided over the disastrous acquisition of Chrysler in the United States. Of course the book is the usual puff-piece and it is hilarious given the complete value destruction caused by this merger. Eventually, Daimler basically gave away Chrysler to Cerberus, the private equity firm, which continues to run it into the ground to this day. Even now I can’t imagine how anyone thought the Mercedes / Chrysler merger was a good idea. Don’t forget that Schrempp also presided over the collapse of Fokker, the Dutch airplane maker (remember those WW1 planes?). It is unclear what he ever did to warrant such a book and its existence is pretty ludicrous.

The second book is about John Sculley, who came on in the 80’s and into the early 90’s to Apple, famously bringing his marketing ideas from Pepsi into the computer firm. At the time Apple was having problems and it seemed like some new leadership would help; but in the end he left in a cloud and is now completely and utterly forgotten. Steve Jobs is seen today as a genius, the fore-runner of the iPod and now the iPhone, along with the continually evolving and chic line of Apple computers. This puff piece too is a relic and hilarious – look at John Sculley’s bio on Wikipedia – by the end he is in a 2 man firm that is going nowhere. He is a famous example of the “Peter Principle” where a man who invented the Pepsi Challenge (a very good idea) peaked and then went into a long slow decline.

The fact that these two books are fronting the business section at After-Words either means the clerks have no idea what they are doing or have a supremely intuitive sense of irony.

Cross posted at LITGM

Post Earth Hour Storm

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Last night was the Earth night here in Chicago when they turned out the lights for an hour. I found it slightly ironic that the next day we had a big blizzard here in Chicago, and we have been sorely lacking in any of the promised rise in temperature with another brutal winter. Here is the link to the video.