You would know, if you've ever had a conversation with me for more than two minutes, that I like to tell a joke. In an era when joke-telling is being killed by the email forward, I consider my propensity an essential service to our language. And as a writer and an orator - where every sentence of mine is carefully crafted, each word selectively chosen - I'm acutely aware that writing a joke requires different tone, pace, and pauses than telling a joke out loud.

You see, I'm a big fan of language. So I was saddened to learn that there is no clear origin for the phrases 'Bull market' and 'Bear market' (remembered by me because a bull's horns toss things higher, while a bear's claws drags things lower).

Several options can be located. But on most of these I call 'Bull'.

Speaking of which, how well are you keeping up your communication with staff during the downturn? Are you providing them with clear and regular updates on your business (which is also theirs)? Or are you leaving them to believe all the bull that they hear?

Raging Bull to Growling Bear (pdf)

Brisbane alone has now had 335 people to Thrive, not Survive events in February, and they're all optimistic about moving through the current bear market into the next upswing. Timing is critical, and here are some tips for timing your industry cycle - if you want to discuss this or ask questions, head to Shirlaws Online.

‘Investing' in Iraqi Dinars

If you haven't yet combined your risk profile with your bull filter, then here's the opportunity for you! Don't risk buying junk bonds in Iraq - their currency is the next big thing!! (Or not)

Magenta is not a Colour

It is believed that women, some in particular, see more colours than men, so I believed this article was an interesting visual exercise, and a solid lesson in the colour spectrum. I must thank the world's geek community for quickly weighing in on this with actual evidence to claim that yes, Virginia, Magenta is a colour.

Two days, no bull?

This is a final reminder for those considering the Shirlaws International Conference in Australia on Thursday and Friday of next week. I'll be sending next week's newsletter from Sanctuary Cove, and I don't want to be encouraging you to fly to London or San Francisco because you couldn't find time to come to the Gold Coast.

Raging Bull

And, of course, no email on Bulls in an Academy Award week could avoid linking you to this classic Scorsese film and Robert de Niro's Oscar winning role. If you're looking for something more recent, I'll happily vouch for Slumdog Millionaire, while maintaining The Reader and Revolutionary Road are both superior films.

Intranet Joke of the Week

Something that makes me angry is people constantly incorporating the words ‘You know' into their sentences.

As in ‘You know that's fraud', ‘You know you'll get caught for that', and ‘You know the police are waiting in your office'.

Until next week,

Jacob Aldridge and the Shirlaws Queensland Team

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