Finance Terms You Should Be Familiar With

a) Proprietorship: An unincorporated business owned by a single individual.

Partnership: An unincorporated business owned by two or more individuals.

Corporation: A legal entity created by state law with multiple owners, all with limited liability.

b) Limited Partnership: A partnership where there are general and limited partners. The former are subjected to unlimited liability and control where as the latter are only liable for the amount of their investment in the business, and have no control. 

Limited Liability Partnership: Also known as an LLC is where all partners are only liable for their investment in the business.

Professional Corporation: An incorporated business that offers limited liability to its multiple owners (shareholders) that invest in the business with minimal risk.

c) Stockholder wealth maximization: To increase the company’s ability to generate cash flow, which in turn leads to payouts to stockholders.

d) Money Market: The markets for short-term (less than one year to maturity) highly liquid debt securities.

Capital Market: The markets for intermediate or long-term (1- 5 years to

maturity) and corporate stocks.

Primary Market: The markets in which corporations raise new capital.

Secondary Market: The markets in which existing outstanding securities are traded among investors.

e) Private market: Markets where transactions occur directly between two parties.

Public Market: Markets where standardized contracts are traded on organized exchanges, such as a common stock or corporate bonds.

Derivatives: Financial instruments or securities that derive their value from another security.

f) Investment Banker: A facilitator to help transfer capital from savers to businesses by buying stocks or bonds from corporations and selling them to savers in the form of securities.

Financial Service Corporation: Conglomerates that include several financial institutions under one corporation.

Financial Intermediary: A bank or a mutual fund that takes cash from savers in exchange for its own securities and reinvests the cash in businesses securities.

g) Mutual Fund: Corporations that accept money from savers and use the money to invest in different securities, and pooling funds helps reduce risk to investors.

Money market Fund: Interest bearing checking accounts.

h) Physical Location Exchanges: Types of secondary markets where traders physically meet and trade in a specific location. Examples include NYSE and AMEX.

Computer/ Telephone Network: Types of secondary markets where traders make exchanges over computer or telephone networks and do not meet in person. An example of a computer or telephone networks is Nasdaq.

i) Open Outcry Auctions: An auction where traders meet in person and communicate via shouts and signals to trade.

Dealer Market: A market where dealers keep inventory of traded stocks and list the prices that they are willing to buy and sell at on a computerized quotation system.

Electronic Communications Network: An electronic system that matches market orders to buy and sell at the lowest prices. It then executes the transaction and notifies the parties involved.

j) Production Opportunities: The ability to turn capital into benefits. An example is when a student borrows to pay for college; they expect to get a better job and higher income from their investment.

Time Preference for Consumption: The choice of a buyer or business to save or spend their money in the present or to invest it and enjoy greater spending in the future.

k) Foreign Trade Deficit: When the government imports more than it exports or buys more than it sells on the international market, this debt is paid by borrowing, resulting in a deficit.

How to Wash Your Cat – Humor

Some people have the misconception that cats never have to be bathed. That somehow they “lick” themselves clean. Well contrary to this popular belief, cats do NOT have some enzyme in their saliva that resembles Tide (with or without bleach). Cats, like their nemesis, the dog …. do get dirty and have a variety of odors… from smelling like the outhouse where you camped last year to the same odor as your dog’s breath. (Remember… your dog will try to eat anything.)

Now we all know that cats HATE water. And we know that giving the cat a sedative to ease this process of a bath is out of the question. So, the best approach is both sneaky and direct. Remember now, this is not the dumb dog who can be led to tub with lies and a trail of Kibbles and Bits. Although your cat has the advantage of smarts, quickness and total lack of concern for you …. you have the advantage of size, strength, and the ability to wear protective garments.

1. First …. dress for the occasion. A 4-ply rubber wet suit is suggested, along with a helmet, face mask and welders gloves.

2. A Bathtub with a glass enclosure is preferred to the one with a shower curtain. A frenzied cat can shred one of these in about 3.5 seconds.

3. Have the Kitty Bubbles and towel in the enclosed bathtub area before hand. No … blow drying the cat after the bath is not suggested.

4. Draw the water, making it a little warmer than needed as you still need to find the cat. Position everything strategically in the shower, so you can reach it even if you are face down or prone in the tub.

5. Find your cat. Use the element of surprise. Pick the cat up, nonchalantly as if you were simply carrying him/her to the supper dish. No need to worry about the cat noticing your strange attire… the cat barely notices you anyway.

6. Once you and the cat are inside the bathroom …. speed is essential. In one single liquid motion .shut the door to the bathroom, step into the shower, close the sliding doors, and drop the cat into the water. While the cat is still in a state of shock, locate the Kitty Bubbles and squirt whatever part of him is above the water line. You have just begun the wildest 45 seconds of your life. Remember that cats have no handles and add the fact that he now has soapy fur. His state of shock has worn off and he’s madder than a wet hornet.

7. As best, you can, wearing welder’s gloves, try to field his body as he catapults through the air toward the ceiling. If possible, give another squirt of Kitty Bubbles with his body now fully exposed.

8. During the 5 seconds you are able to hold onto him, rub vigorously. No need to worry about rinsing. As he slide down the glass enclosure into the tub, he will fall back into the water, rinsing himself in the process.

9. Only attempt the lather and rinse process about 3 times. The cat will realize the lack of traction on the glass by then and will use the next attempt on the first available part of you.

10. Next, the cat must be dried. No…this is NOT the easiest part. By this stage, you are worn out and the cat has just become semi-permanently affixed to your right leg. We suggest here that you drain the tub and in full view of your cat . reach for the bottle of Kitty Bubbles.

11. If you have done step 10 correctly, the cat will be off your leg and hanging precariously from your helmet. Although this view of the cat is most disgusting, he will be in a much better position for wrapping the towel around him.

12. Be sure cat is firmly wrapped in towel before opening tub enclosure. Open bathroom door …. put towel wrapped cat on floor and step back quickly. Into tub, if possible, and do not open enclosure until all you can see is the shredded towel.

13. In about 2 hours …. it will be safe to exit the bathroom. Your cat will be sitting out there somewhere looking like a small hedgehog while plotting revenge.
http://www.geocities.com/heartland/hills/6354/lol-catwash.html

Mother’s Advice to her Daughter

This is a translation from Arabic, of a vintage poem or story about a mother giving advice to her daughter that got married and was leaving to live with her husband. Although people may see this as backwards and that a woman is being told to put herself in a position lower than her man, the truth is that when these basics are fulfilled there is more of a chance both parties will be content.

O my daughter, if it were deemed unnecessary to give you this advice because of good manners and noble descent, then it would have been unnecessary for you, because you posses these qualities, but it will serve as a reminder to those who are forgetful, and will help those who are wise.
O my daughter, if a woman were able to do without a husband by virtue of her father’s wealth and her need for her father, then you of all people would be most able to do without a husband, but women were created for men just as men were created for them.

O my daughter, you are about to leave the home in which you grew up, where you first learned to walk, to go to a place you do not know, to a companion to whom you are unfamiliar. By marrying you, he has become a master over you, so be like a servant to him, and he will become like a servant to you.

Take from me ten qualities, which will be a provision and a reminder for you:

The first and second of them are: be content in his company, and listen to and obey him, for contentment brings peace of mind, and listening to and obeying one’s husband pleases Allah.

The third and fourth of them are: make sure that you smell good and look good; he should not see anything ugly in you, and he should not smell anything but a pleasant smell from you. Kohl is the best kind of beautification to be found, and water is better than the rarest perfume.

The fifth and sixth of them are: prepare his food on time, and keep quiet when he is asleep, for raging hunger is like a burning flame, and disturbing his sleep will make him angry.

The seventh and eight of them are: take care of his servants (or employees) and children, and take care of his wealth, for taking care of his wealth shows that you appreciate him, and taking care of his children and servants shows good management.

The ninth and tenth of them are: never disclose any of his secrets, and never disobey any of his orders, for if you disclose any of his secrets you will never feel safe from his possible betrayal, and if you disobey him, his heart will be filled with hatred towards you.

Be careful, O my daughter, of showing joy in front of him when he is upset, and do not show sorrow in front of him when he is happy, because the former shows a lack of judgment whilst the latter will make him unhappy.

What do you think?

Currently Designing:

I am currently working on:

Icons and background for an iPhone Application.

A logo for a NY based Record company.

A blog header.

A logo for a blog/ twitter.

Using People

It seems as though it is human nature to use people for what you need them for. They are worth as much to you, as the benefit you get from keeping them around.

It is something we all do.

We all have the friends that listen when we have to vent, and the ones that we listen to when its their turn. We keep some because they make us feel wanted, needed, and important. Others because they are the ones who we need, and probably they thrive on the significance we give them in return for their attention and time.

Why does it bite when you loose your status with one of the users? Why does it hurt when they take that “petty” “superficial” attention away from you and give you a cold shoulder?

I guess I would have to say its a reflection of our own petty superficiality.

Open and shut case Johnson.

Gaza

STOP the cold blooded murder, torture, and isolation of innocent civilians.

Cry about justice and democracy.

Scream “Human rights violation!” America is disgraceful for letting this happen and supporting terrorism.

Blatant murder of innocent people.

War on terror? How can the US or better yet Muslim nations ever talk about fighting terrorism when they let something like this happen and turn their backs like nothings going on.

Even a hypocritical condemnation would look better than nothing at this point.

Stop bullying people with no defenses.

Stop killing innocent people after occupying their land.

You know damn well you have no business there in the first place.

Immigration: Go Home

There is plenty of space in the US for people to come live here. Take a road trip anywhere and you’ll have your fair share of reminding.

You are not leaving your position at God knows where to do the mineal jobs they are willing to get done – efficiently if I might add.

Laslty, you came from somewhere else too. If you believe that they need to go home, then I suggest you get a head start on your packing.

The Perfect Candidate

To eat…

“The best place to eat is Portelli’s”

Is it in walking distance?

“I will take you there.”

Thank you.

“Not a problem…Here are all the night clubs and bars…Chicago’s great nightlife”

“…I always take my kids through here, the less curiosity the better…”

Interesting strategy. How old are they?

“They’re done with college except for one.”

Mashallah.

“We lived in Chicago and moved to Skokie and now were back here.”

It is something to put kids through college.

“Ana wa zawjti Laila, me and Laila my wife, we worked very hard to …nrabbi awlaadna...raise our kids..”

There’s a lot more to this city than the last time I saw her. Like New York but cleaner and less crowded

“For several years now I’ve been driving this taxi.” he said with a sense of pride, raising the index finger on his right hand.

“I have a question I want to ask you.”

etfaddal – please do, she immediately replied.

“How is my English?” He asked, and glimpsed into the rear view mirror for a second and looked back at the road,

“Is it good, or so so…” he asked with a new energy, one of a person who asks for an opinion in complete confidence that they will get positive feedback.

His anticipation for the reply was amusing. It let the little boy in him shine right through.

“Its very good.” she replied almost immediately.

And it was.

He nodded in agreement with his head tilted to the right – so as to hide his smile, like a teacher who got the correct answer out of his best student.

There was a slight accent on his English that labeled it his second language at best but it was reduced to a Frenchy hint on the end of his words and the way he sang his phrases told that he had worked hard to improve it.

“Aside from English, wal 3arabi - and Arabic, I speak Turkish, French and Spanish fluently.”

Thats amazing.

“I used to be an aid worker when I was younger, I left Iraq and lived in many countries. Lil Hilal al Ahmar – for the Red Crescent”

She was thoroughly impressed.

“Nothing more rewarding than helping people in need. Wallahi il 3atheem – I swear to God.”

“Here, I drive this cab. Alhamdulilah, rizq Halal – All thanks to Allah, it is lawful money”

“Aham shay. Nrdi rabna- the most important thing is to please our Lord”

fe3lan - indeed.

“In Washington, I was offered 100 thousand dollars a year to work for the government.”

Thats a lot.

The River is breath taking.

” Istani 3laya – let me finish – bidhom inni ashta’3el mutarjim - they want me to work as a translator.”

It runs between highrise buildings, a natural entity for which man-made symbols of civilization and modernity part and make way, almost as though out of respect.

“Ana rafathta- I refused it.”

“Hatha maal Haraam – that is unlwaful money. Fahma 3laya- are you following what Im saying?“

She nodded. The man has principle, that is something not too many ppl have anymore.

“I cannot feed my kids with that money.”

Very true.

“Hathal Portelli’s, ” He said pointing out to his right.

Thank you she said opening the van door.

A light breeze reminded her of how amazing the weather was.

Okazaki – 2

An Okazaki fragment is a piece of DNA that is made in the opposite direction of the normal strand. It is a part of the new DNA, but has to be glued to other fragments to make a complete strand. An enzyme called ligase sticks them (fragments) together and when it is part of the bigger strand it can be translated into a functional protein. But on its own, it doesn’t code for anything and is a nonsense piece of genetic information.

Like I would be, If i didn’t have my other fragments

So I guess were all O-frags and MAS is our glue and when we work together we make functional proteins.

Wild analogy.

I know.

Home: A Year and 52 minutes

He narrowed his eyes as he exhaled.
He did it out of habit now,
because the smoke didn’t bother him that much anymore.
Eyes searched aimlessly through the fog,
And settled for following the grey clouds as they lazily drifted by.
He missed being home.

Tapping the cigarette lightly, he paused before taking another drag
A car refused to start somewhere in the distance,
He missed the busy streets, the constantly honking horns…
The ashes fell to the ground and dissolved into the wet asphalt.
Others just zoomed by with indifference.
The lively music blaring from taxis.

He liked the fluctuating glow as he inhaled.
Humming one of his favorite tunes, he snapped along with his right hand
Originally right handed, but smoking while driving…
…had now trained him to use his left.
Bobbing his head to the beat, singing with a cracking voice.

This was the best part of the song
Where the singer paused, and the drums carried the rhythm
He missed the brightly colored hand written signs,
What was it about this place?
…their imperfect presence looming above small shop entrances.
Spiritually muted, so void of the livelihood he once knew.
Like the constant chatter of bystanders in the market
It crushed his pride, or what little of it he had left.

Here, the days shadow each other,
with no clear divisions.
Back home, time was a function of prayer.
Each melting into the other, without warning.
The athaan proved an artful means of dividing the day

He watched the glow creep towards the filter
Home was so far away.
Like the effect smoking had on him
Although the breeze carried the smoke away…
His lungs still paid the price.

He exhaled one last time…
The smoke danced off into the distance
Beautifully weightless
I do this for them,
Forming bizarre fluid shapes
And fading into the afternoon.
So they can have better lives…

He let it drop to the ground
Putting it out with his shoe, he noticed a stain on the cuff of his pants
And wondered what possessed him to wear white to work
He hoped he would live to see his home again.

His wife would kill him for it
He worked three jobs to stay afloat
She always reminded him,
“You don’t have to look like you do.”

He shook his head looking at his watch
It was getting cold…
Maybe I could try and wash it out in the morning
…Before she notices.

He retied his apron as he went back inside
Almost done with college.
The usual messy counter awaited him.
“Excuse me…you’re out of brown sugar.”

He nodded silently.
52 more minutes to go…