Courtesy of Nattering Naybob.
Summary
Discussion, critique and analysis of the potential impacts on equity, bond, commodity, capital and asset markets regarding the following:
- Slingbox: Application, Technology, History, Customer Service Issues
- Industry Convergence, Cable and Satellite, Cord Cutting Implications
- SlingTV, DISH Network in Pain? Demographic’s Changes Industry
With additional spread widening in a self reinforcing process, many expect and have placed their bets accordingly on further downside for Italian bonds and bank stocks. Which could precipitate a domino effect or chain reaction within Euro based bond, equity and currency markets. This spread widening is cause for concern as already stressed Italian bank balance sheets hold €286 billion of toxic NPL’s, and a large amount of Italian bonds. - Once In A Lifetime?
Today’s headlines from Italy… Not more than 72 hours AFTER the YES vote was quashed by the public in Sunday’s referendum, NOW an ugly Italian banking crisis rears it head in the MSM narrative for public consumption. Funny thing how leading up to the vote, that potential fallout was largely ignored in local media. But it gets better, as it always does.
Early Retiree indicates there exists a not widely known twist to the story, which has since been reported in some newspapers and has been subject to public prosecution. Any “bail in” might also be for many depositors. As public investors these bank customers were either forced and or conditionally CONNED, into buying and holding the bank debt by their local branches.
Hence, any attempted bail in would probably be denied from the EU seat. Timing is everything, the flot plickens and Machiavelli is smiling ear to ear. Indeed, times like these call for a…
Big Lebowski?
The 1998 Coen Brothers cult classic, The Big Lebowski, has spawned all things Dude, Dudely-ness, The Tao of The Dude, Dudisms and even annual festival’s around the globe celebrating the “Dudely Lama” himself. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.“
As a result of mistaken identity, “The Dude” aka Jeffrey Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a bachelor slacker and avid bowler, is assaulted in a “shake down”. After which The Dude learns that a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski was the intended victim. The Dude, a shambling version of Philip Marlowe, (the film is set in Los Angeles and most Chandler-esque) seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.
The millionaire Lebowski’s trophy wife is kidnapped, and he commissions The Dude to deliver the ransom to secure her release; but the plan predictably goes awry in unpredictable and unimaginable fashion. John Goodman, Julianne Moore and Steve Buscemi also star in this ensemble cast with Ben Gazzara, David Huddleston, John Turturro Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, Tara Reid, David Thewlis and Flea appearing in supporting roles.
As I watched this film for the first time, I wondered what the director and screenwriter were on or thinking during production? Bowlers sitting around, drinking and smoking while engaging in inane conversation? Anything but, as that “suits the retro side of the movie, slightly anachronistic, which sent us back to a not-so-far-away era, but one that was well and truly gone nevertheless.” – Joel Coen
The laid back, seductive and surrealistic nature of this farcical crime drama reels one in and prevents them from pulling away. By the end of film, one has laughed their ass off, is surprised that two hours have actually passed, and is left shaking their head in disbelief while craving for more. How addictive is The Dude? One can watch it repeatedly as each time, more subtle nuance based in absurdity is discovered.
The incomprehensible plot and the all too comprehensible visual references homages to the film noir tradition. With a veritable plethora of idiosyncratic characters embedded in profoundly banal settings, bizarre dream sequences, unconventional dialogue, narration, and eclectic soundtrack, there is always something fascinating about following the Coens’ rapt gaze as they peer into the American nut bowl. IMHO, the Coen Brothers masterpiece and one of my all time favorites.
Note: If you encounter strange vernacular while reading this missive, fret and worry not, just let The Stranger, be your guide. Since we are now in the Dude’s realm, Dudism’s in italics, will be translated from the Lebowski lexicon into English (in parentheses), for your reading benefit and nihilistic pleasure of course. This guy walks (a person is lying).
All The Young Slinging Dude’s?
Being fans of all things “The Dude“, SlingMedia co founder Blake Krikorian and I, held an affinity for The Big Lebowski and “Dudely-ness“. Circa 2002, Blake and his brother Jason missed watching their SF Giant games while on the road, and so Sling was born. Mark it (acknowledging one’s success). Proving again, necessity is the mother of invention.
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