The Light and Suzi Malin's Artistic Future. ... Artists of the World Unite!

The conflict is between a school and a world renowned portrait artist and author. Suzi Malin has a studio right next door to a school. She has created some of her finest work and some of Britain's outstanding portraits using natural light that feeds into her London, England studio. A school next door wants to expand and in the process it would deprive Suzi of the natural light she needs.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23836074-gallery-chief-backs-fight-to-save-artists-studio.do

The economics of this are fairly simple. For the loss of light Suzi should be paid what is called a compensation due to a negative business externality coming from next door. In the case of Suzi Malin's potential contribution to the art world from the studio as is with the natural light and that without the natural light, we are looking not merely at potential, but capacity. Suzi has the capacity to produce masterpieces that would be essentially priceless. In other words, the cost would be more than the School could afford over many centuries. Such is what economists would argue!

Obviously, the school should not be expanded unless it can afford to pay Suzi a reasonable compensation, such as forty or fifty million pounds. David Hockney supports Suzi!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/7790564/David-Hockney-fights-to-save-Suzi-Malins-studio.html

Suzi is a very reasonable person and she deserves her fair compensation, but the story continues as she is put in the position of having to fight for fair treatment.

http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/jul/lost-light-artist-suzi-malin-turns-developer

Suzi and I shared the studio for a few days in 2004. I would have to agree with her that a studio with such light is worth fighting for. The light in Suzi's studio is amazing.....artist to artist. I would not give it up.

Suzi, fight on! We support your battle for a fairness. Will the school see the light or just take it?

I will definitely follow up on this one.

http://www.thecnj.com/camden/2009/073009/news073009_05.html

Will ye no think kindly on those who would be your friends! May the sun shine with your thoughts, today, and happiness grow in your heart! May you allow yourself some peace of mind.

The Emerging Age of More Cautious Living

Most people have witnessed financial institutions making serious mistakes with their money.   Thus it is that the sensible person takes a hard look at all issues financial and adjusts spending, saving and transaction behaviours.  That this is not easily accomplished is also evident.

With new technologies it seems easier for scammers to make enormous amounts of money which they then hide:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22digi.html?th&emc=th

People gradually are becoming more cautious with their hard earned savings:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22invest.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-18/economy-sets-democrats-for-autumn-of-discontent-commentary-by-albert-hunt.html

But, have the bankers learned anything?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/23/banks-bonuses-boom

The IMF is doubtful:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/21/imf-levy-bank-fat-tax

Should you be more cautious and cynical about what goes on in the housing sector.  Will the banks reform or is more needed?

http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/

You would be foolish to be optimistic about self regulation and a change in personality of banking, especially US banking institutions:

http://www.coutts.com/news-and-insights/market-perspective/monthly-investment-strategy-update/2010/august/

People realize that the environment is precious and that they need to be more aware of the poor governance of our larger institutions and pick them up on the poor citizenry:

The BP Cover-Up
http://motherjones.com/print/71351

(via Instapaper)

Will ye no think kindly on those who would be your friends!  May the sun shine with your thoughts, today, and happiness grow in your heart! May you allow yourself some peace of mind.

Fruit Fly Trap

This time of year fruit flies can be an annoyance. Take a bowl. Put two or three pieces of a cut up pear, or similar sweet fruit. Add a squirt or two of vinegar. Cover bowl with Saran wrap. Puncture a hole about a quarter inch. Place on floor or somewhere you won't notice and out of sight. Fruit flies should find the treat and when they get soused take bowl outside. Remove Saran wrap carefully releasing flies into the wild. Recover and begin stages anew! Gone flies after about three trips.

Will ye no think kindly on those who would be your friends! May the sun shine with your thoughts, today, and happiness grow in your heart! May you allow yourself some peace of mind.