To All, Hodge Podge: 1. My former American Capital workmate, Margie Patel, made the cover of Barron's Mutual Fund section today. She is a brilliant bond manager. We were friends, but were never as good a friends as we could have been as she talks very low and I am slightly hard of hearing. It was a strain for us to hang out together too often. <g> American Capital, during the time I was there, had the brightest bunch of bond managers in the industry. My buddy, Dave Troth, now retired, constantly had the best performing Investment Quality fund. And Margie regularly had the best performing closed end corporate fund. The Junk Bond fund, managed by Jim Maglen, did very well despite the fact that the Board of Directors did everything they could to reduce performance. And, of course, there was me. 'Nuff said. <g>
2. My honeymoon with Bluefly is officially over. They were great on ties and dress shirts, but can't seem to get their act together on men's suits. Too bad, because the merchandise is fabulous. I related my problem with them mis-keying in my credit card information and costing me a first rate Luciano Barbera dove grey suit. Well, the Vestimenta suit I ordered arrived and the suit was not within 8 sizes of the size on the label. Fair enough, people make mistakes. But while the $1400 suit I bought for $425 was on its way to me, Bluefly raised the prices to $595. Their mistake, but I can't exchange it for the same suit at the same price. I will get my $425 back, but if I want another suit, I have to pay $595. If it were my mistake, I could understand that. But since they screwed up, I'm getting screwed but not getting kissed on this one. |
