This post is long overdue.  It’s been too long since I have posted last, but I figured this was just the post to break the hiatus.

I want to give a shout out to the Live Writer team at Microsoft for shipping Beta 2. 

You can download the installer for Writer Beta 2 at http://writer.live.com.

JJ, Charles, Spike, Bonnie, Joe, Rebecca, Sophy, Pooja, Ron, & Flora, CONGRATULATIONS!

If you’re reading this, have your own blog that you post to, and don’t use Writer, try it out.  That team knows how to ship kick ass software!

Abnormal Returns has a great post, that aggregrates some other info as well, supporting the case for international diversification in your portfolio.   

Link to Natural international hedges - Abnormal Returns

One of the problems I ran into when I first started using apps within Office 2007, such as Word and Excel, was finding certain commands within the Ribbon which replaces the long used toolbar + menu UI. 

For those that haven’t started using Office 2007 yet and don’t know what I am referring to, below is a screenshot of the ribbon used by Word.  Notice that the usual menus for File, Edit, View, etc. are no longer available.

When the time comes that you switch over to Office 2007, I think the following will be very helpful.  Below are links to command reference guides that show you where to find commands within Office 2007 apps.  The command reference guides do this by showing you the 2003 version of the app for selecting your command, and from that, maps you to the command within the Ribbon UI of the 2007 version.  They are very helpful.

Interactive:  Word 2003 to Word 2007 command reference guide

Interactive:  Excel 2003 to Excel 2007 command reference guide

For more information on the Ribbon, follow the link below.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA100898951033.aspx

My buddy Stephen (wearing the Ramirez shirt in the header photo) sent me a link to this YouTube video today.  Another great ESPN commercial.

Specs and photos are out now for the new M3 that is slated to be available in North America in 2008.  Each time BMW comes out with a new M3 lineup, I think that the next line couldn’t offer that much more, but then they always seem to outdue themselves.  This M3 will have a 4.0 liter V8 in place of the 3.2 liter straight-six used on the past model.  The new V8 is even lighter than the straight-six. 

AutoWeek coverage of M3 production release

Autoblog’s M3 photo gallery

Autoblog’s link to video coverage

I also noticed on BMW’s site today that there is an updated version of the 5 Series coming out as well. 

BMW 5 Series Update

I’m actually not a big fan of Mercedes autos because I prefer the BMW line over Mercedes, but the AMG CLK 63 Black Edition is sweet.

Link to VIDEO: AMG CLK 63 Black Edition in the flesh - Autoblog

After switching hosting providers and blog services from Blogger to hosted WordPress, I’m leaving my old posts behind and starting anew.  Well, actually, the posts are getting left behind because I forgot to move them off of my old web host before the account expired.

What better way to start off the new blog than with a great YouTube video of action from Fenway Park.  Watch the video, it’s hilarious.