miercuri, 22 aprilie 2015

Damn Cool Pics

Damn Cool Pics


Man Gets Gored By A Bull On A Rampage

Posted: 22 Apr 2015 05:07 PM PDT

This man became a target during a bull run in Spain. His run ended with him getting gored right in the butt by an angry bull.


















Female Stars That Grew Up To Be Drop Dead Gorgeous

Posted: 22 Apr 2015 04:44 PM PDT

Like a fine wine, these women only get better with age.

Emma Watson



Anna Chlumsky



Allyssa Milano



Christina Ricci



Christine Lakin



Christine Taylor



Claire Danes



Danica McKellar



Danielle Harris



Drew Barrymore



Jennifer Love Hewit



Katie Holmes



Lacey Chabert



Kirsten Dunst



Madeline Zima



Melissa Joan Hart



Michelle Trachtenberg



Natalie Portman



Soleil Moon Frye

Moz's 2014 Annual Report - Moz Blog


Moz's 2014 Annual Report

Posted on: Wednesday 22 April 2015 — 02:14

Posted by SarahBird

Moz has a tradition of sharing its financials (check out 2012 and 2013 for funzies). It's an important part of TAGFEE.

Why do we do it? Moz gets it's strength from the community of marketers and entrepreneurs that support it. We celebrated 10 years of our community last October. In some ways, the purpose of this report is to give you an inside look into our company. It's one of many lenses that tell the story of Moz.

Yep. I know. It's April. I'm not proud. Better late than never, right?

I had a very long and extensive version of this post planned, something closer to last year's extravaganza. I finally had to admit to myself that I was letting the perfect become the enemy of the good (or at least the done). There was no way I could capture an entire year's worth of ups and downs—along with supporting data—in a single blog post.

Without further ado, here's the meat-and-potatoes 2014 Year In Review (and here's an infographic with more statistics for your viewing pleasure!):

Moz ended 2014 with $31.3 million in revenue. About $30 million was recurring revenue (mostly from subscriptions to Moz Pro and the API).

Here's a breakdown of all our major revenue sources:

Compared to previous years, 2014 was a much slower growth year. We knew very early that it was going to be a tough year because we started Q1 with negative growth. We worked very hard and successfully shifted the momentum back to increasingly positive quarterly growth rates. I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far. We still have a long ways to go to meet our potential, but we're on the path.

In subscription businesses, If you start the year with negative or even slow growth it is very hard to have meaningful annual growth. All things being equal, you're better off having a bad quarter in Q4 than Q1. If you get a new customer in Q1, you usually earn revenue from that customer all year. If you get a new customer in Q4, it will barely make a dent in that year, although it should set you up nicely for the following year.

We exited 2014 on a good flight path, which bodes well for 2015. We slammed right into some nasty billing system challenges in Q1 2015, but still managed to grow revenue 6.5%. Mad props to the team for shifting momentum last year and for digging into the billing system challenges we're experiencing now.

We were very successful in becoming more efficient and managing costs in 2014. Our Cost of Revenue (COR), the cost of producing what we sell, fell by 30% to $8.2 million. These savings drove our gross profit margin up from 63% in 2013 to 74%.

Our operating profit increased by 30%. Here's a breakdown of our major expenses (both operating expenses and COR):

Total operating expenses (which don't include COR) clocked in at about $29.9 million this year.

The efficiency gains positively impacted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) by pushing it up 50% year over year. In 2013, EBITDA was -$4.5 million. We improved it to -$2.1 million in 2014. We're a VC-backed startup, so this was a planned loss.

One of the most dramatic indicators of our improved efficiency in 2014 is the substantial decline in our consumption of cash.

In 2014, we spent $1.5 million in cash. This was a planned burn, and is actually very impressive for a startup. In fact, we are intentionally increasing our burn, so we don't expect EBITDA and cash burn to look as good in 2015! Hopefully, though, you will see that revenue growth rate increase.

Let's check in on some other Moz KPIs:

At the end of 2014, we reported a little over 27,000 Pro users. When billing system issues hit in Q1 2015, we discovered some weird under- and over-reporting, so the number of subscribers was adjusted down by about ~450 after we scrubbed a bunch of inactive accounts out of the database. We expect accounts to stabilize and be more reliable now that we've fixed those issues.

We launched Moz Local about a year ago. I'm amazed and thrilled that we were able to end the year managing 27,000 locations for a range of customers. We just recently took our baby steps into the UK, and we've got a bunch of great additional features planned. What an incredible launch year!

We published over 300 posts combined on the Moz Blog and YouMoz. Nearly 20,000 people left comments. Well done, team!

We continue to see good growth across many of our off-site communities, too:

Our content and social efforts are paying off with a 26% year-over-year increase in organic traffic.

The team grew to 149 people last year. We're at ~37% women, which is nowhere near where I want it to be. We have a long way to go before the team reflects the diversity of the communities around us.

Our paid, paid vacation perk is very popular with Mozzers, and why wouldn't it be? Everyone gets $3,000/year to use toward their vacations. In 2014, we spent over $420,000 to help our Mozzers take a break and get connected with matters most.

PPV.png

Last, but certainly not least, Mozzers continue to be generous (the 'G' in TAGFEE) and donate to the charities of their choice. In 2014, Mozzers donated $48k, and Moz added another $72k to increase the impact of their gifts. Combining those two figures, we donated $120k to causes our team members are passionate about. That's an average of $805 per employee!

Mozzers are optimists with initiative. I think that's why they are so generous with their time and money to folks in need. They believe the world can be a better place if we act to change it.

That's a wrap on 2014! A year with many ups and downs. Fortunately, Mozzers don't quit when things get hard. They embrace TAGFEE and lean into the challenge.

Revenue is growing again. We're still operating very efficiently, and TAGFEE is strong. We're heads-down executing on some big projects that customers have been clamoring for. Thank you for sticking with us, and for inspiring us to make marketing better every day.


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Seth's Blog : Demand higher standards

Demand higher standards

On a long flight a little while ago, I saw two couples watch movies while they let their six kids run around like maniacs from take off to touchdown. A seven-year old actually punched me. (I didn't return the punch).

A few days later, I saw the now-typical sight of kids in a decent restaurant eating french fries and chicken fingers while watching a movie on a tablet.

And it's entirely possible you have a boss that lets you do mediocre work, precisely whenever you feel like it.

I wish those kids had said, "Mom, Dad, raise your standards for me. I deserve it."

And the sooner you find a boss who pushes you right to the edge of your ability to be excellent, the better.

Even if the boss is you.

       

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marți, 21 aprilie 2015

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis


Caught on Video: Police Smash Woman's Phone as She Tapes Crime Scene; How to Stop "I am Above the Law" Mentality

Posted: 21 Apr 2015 07:42 PM PDT

In yet another cops are above the law incident Watch U.S. Marshal Crush Camera.
Nosy neighbors caught a video of a law enforcement officer in California snatching a bystander's phone and smashing it after U.S. Marshals realized she was recording their bust of a biker gang meeting. The 53-second video, taken from across the street, shows a gun-toting marshal grabbing the woman's phone out of her hand, throwing it to the ground, and finally kicking it. According to a spokesperson for the marshals, the video "is being reviewed."


How to Stop "I am Above the Law" Mentality

The only way to stop this kind of "above the law" mentality is to immediately suspend, without pay, any police officer guilty of such behavior. A second offense is grounds for dismissal. As an added incentive, fired officers should lose 100% of all accrued benefits.

And in this case, repayment for the phone should come directly out of the suspended officer's paycheck (at say a 500% of damages rate).

I am open to negotiation on the terms mentioned above. But the terms must be severe enough to cause an immediate attitude change.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot

Yield on Chicago School Bond Offering Hits 5.63%; Debate Over Risk; Miracles Not Coming; Bankruptcy the Sensible Option

Posted: 21 Apr 2015 11:25 AM PDT

Today a $295.7 million bond offering by the beleaguered Chicago Board of Education hit the market.

The Yield Hit 5.63%. That is 285 basis points higher than Municipal Market Data's benchmark triple-A scale.

Debate Over Risk

Municipal Market Analytics (MMA) says Despite it All, Chicago Schools' Default Risk is Low.
Peel away the layers of negative headlines and patient investors will find low default risks and underlying credit strength in this week's $300 million Chicago Board of Education deal, according to Municipal Market Analytics.

"BOE debt is well insulated from default risk by significant 'belt and suspenders' protections," MMA wrote in a market piece authored by Matt Posner & Kevin McGuigan Friday. "We understand that negative headlines, downgrades and Chapter 9 speculation have all damaged value but believe the case can be made for a considerable underlying credit strength that exists for patient investors."

The bonds' value has been hurt by a stinging series of negative headlines, from multi-notch bond rating downgrades to Gov. Bruce Rauner's comments that no state bailout looms and bankruptcy is an option.

"Regardless of statements by the governor, Chapter 9 is likely a low probability outcome, allowing for a less cynical reading of CPS' otherwise strong pledged security," MMA wrote Monday in its weekly outlook authored by Matt Fabian, Lisa Washburn, and Bob Donahue.

"This security presents only minimal payment default risk," Monday's outlook piece said.
Debate Over Risk

I strongly disagree the MMA's assessment. While it's true that municipal bankruptcies are rare, the odds of this deal working out well are poor.

The only saving grace at the moment is that Illinois does not allow municipal bankruptcies.

And Rauner pledged "The taxpayers of Illinois are not going to bail out the city of Chicago, that ain't happenin. But there are things we can do to help them restructure and get their government and their schools turned around, and I'd like to help them.".

Simple Facts

  • The Chicago Public School System has a $1.1 billion budget bole in a $5.9 billion budget
  • The 2015 budget kited two months of property taxes from the fiscal 2016 budget
  • A $228 to $263 million derivative time bomb just triggered on the Chicago Board of Education
  • Chicago Public Schools may be out of cash in 30 days
  • Corruption investigations plague the school board
  • The school district faces a pension payment in 2016 of about $700 million.

No State Rescue

Where is the school district going to get $1.1 billion? Where is it going to get a $700 million pension payment?

The state? Think again.

Illinois Budget Deficit is $9 billion

Don't expect the state of Illinois to come to the rescue!

Crain's Chicago Business says Illinois' Budget Deficit is Twice as Bad as You Think.
Illinois' fiscal woes are significantly deeper and more serious than generally realized, with the state facing a $9 billion operating deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

That's the horrific bottom line of a report released late today by researchers at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs, a study that may raise the eyebrows even of Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has been warning of huge financial problems ahead.

The conclusion: The actual deficit is about twice what is commonly reported, with the hole in the current fiscal 2015 budget not $2 billion to $3 billion but $6 billion, and rising to a projected $9 billion in fiscal 2016 and hitting $14 billion by fiscal 2026, assuming no changes in law or spending practices.
No Miracles Coming

How is a state that is $9 billion in the hole going to bail out a single school district that is $1.1 billion in the hole?

The obvious answer is that it won't and can't. There are no miracles to be had. The Chicago Public School system is bankrupt. All it will take to trigger bankruptcy is for the legislature to allow just that.

Bankruptcy the Only Sensible Option

Since downstate voters will not want to bail out Chicago, we may easily be approaching the point the Illinois legislature realizes it has no choice other than to allow municipalities the option of declaring bankruptcy.

This won't come easily for the legislature, but it's the right thing to do. Upstate vs. downstate politics may be enough to tip the tide.

Right Idea

Rauner has the right idea on taxes, on bankruptcy, and on a bailout of Chicago.

Not a penny of taxpayer money should go to fund a lost cause. I find it hard to believe that Emanuel himself does not know the school system is truly bankrupt.

When you are bankrupt, the only sensible thing to do is admit it.

That said, the law does mandate that parties in a chapter 9 bankruptcy dispute attempt to negotiate a settlement. Bankruptcy law must be adhered to. Realistically speaking however, history shows that unions will not concede benefits as they believe them to be sacrosanct, even though court decisions prove otherwise. Detroit made a huge mistake time-wise attempting to forestall the inevitable. Rauner needs to give an out of court settlement a chance, but for the sake of Chicago and Illinois, that chance should be of limited duration.

For more details on the miserable state of affairs of the Chicago Public School System, please see Credit Swap Event Triggers for Chicago Schools: Out of Cash in 30 Days, Cooking the Books to Oblivion.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot

Euribor Goes Negative, Banks Paid to Borrow from Each Other; ECB Risks Freezing Repo Market

Posted: 21 Apr 2015 09:04 AM PDT

Banks Paid to Borrow From Each Other

Via massive QE purchases of bonds, ECB president Mario Draghi is flooding Europe with cash that European banks don't want and cannot use.

One curious result of unwarranted QE is a negative interbank lending rate: Banks Paid to Borrow as Three-Month Euribor Drops Below Zero.
Banks in the euro area can now get paid to look after each others' cash for three months as the European Central Bank's bond-buying program floods the region's money markets with excess liquidity.

The euro interbank offered rate, or Euribor, for that time period dropped to minus 0.001 percent on Tuesday, according to data from the European Money Markets Institute. That's the first negative reading since Bloomberg started collecting the data at the end of 1998. The index represents the average rate at which the region's banks say they see each other lending in euros for three months.

Money-market rates have declined after several moves by the ECB. In June it introduced a negative deposit rate, meaning that commercial lenders were required to pay a fee to park their excess cash overnight with the Frankfurt-based institution. The ECB lowered the rate to minus 0.2 percent in September. Then in March this year the central bank started buying government bonds under a 1.1 trillion euro ($1.2 trillion) quantitative-easing program aimed at boosting growth and staving off deflation.

"Excess liquidity keeps flowing into the system week by week because of the QE program," said Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, a strategist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in London. "Banks find themselves inundated with deposits but they don't want to pay the ECB for parking their money there. Instead they'd rather lend the cash in the interbank market."

"It's good news for borrowers, not so good news for lenders," O'Hagan, Paris-based head of European rates strategy at the French bank. "Mr. Draghi wants us to spend the cash, not keeping it in Euribor. The purpose of QE is to get us to take on some risk."
ECB Risks Freezing Repo Market

An ICMA official says ECB Risks Freezing Repo Market.
The European Central Bank (ECB) risks secured-lending or repo markets grinding to a halt unless it works more closely with national central banks (NCBs) to improve liquidity, a senior trade association official told Reuters.

Godfried de Vidts, the chair of the International Capital Market Association's European Repo Committee, said unless the ECB took action within the next few months, investors might start avoiding euro zone bonds.

"Investors could become reluctant to invest in euro zone debt," he said, noting that his committee had voiced its concerns to officials at the ECB. "We are scared about the market freezing," de Vidts said.

In recent weeks, one 10-year Bund became so scarce that market players paid up to 2.5 percent to lend cash in exchange for the German bond, dealers said.

De Vidts said the ECB's "securities lending" framework also relies too heavily on NCBs offering their own lending programs, and many of them have not yet put systems in place.

NCBs are responsible for 80 percent of purchases under QE, with the ECB directly buying the remaining 20 percent in the roughly 7-trillion-euro euro zone government bond market.

"We are driving without headlights in the dark," said de Vidts, proposing that the ECB centralizes the scheme in Frankfurt.

"You are getting this scenario - which is a nightmare for the repo market – of a re-nationalization of a market that had developed to become European."

Last week, ECB President Mario Draghi said the bank saw no evidence QE was creating a shortage of bonds, or that this might happen in the future.
Come Hell or Frozen Water, Program Will Continue

De Vidts believes excess liquidity might cause a freeze. On April 15, Mario Draghi made the claim "Stimulus is Working".

"European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said the bank's stimulus efforts are beginning to take hold in the European economy and batted away concerns in financial markets that the bank may have to end its more than €1 trillion ($1.1 trillion) asset purchase program early."

If it's working, why wouldn't Draghi welcome ending the program early? Of course if it blows up in his face with unintended consequences, he may be forced to end it early.

Either way, Draghi has put himself into a box that says he will continue his plan come hell or frozen water.

The market may have something to say about that, perhaps sooner rather than later.

Stunning Arrogance

The arrogance of central bankers  in spite of the fact they recently brought the world to the edge of financial collapse is stunning. Now they have created equity and junk bond bubbles of massive proportion and don't even see it.

The program must continue. Why? Because we said so. All in the foolish belief they need to stop consumer prices from falling.

Even the BIS recognizes the foolishness of the idea that falling consumer prices are damaging. For discussion, please see Historical Perspective on CPI Deflations: How Damaging are They?

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Damn Cool Pics

Damn Cool Pics


This Is What Your Finger Length Can Reveal About Your Personality

Posted: 21 Apr 2015 02:40 PM PDT

The length of your finger is a secret window that offers a look into the ways of your personality. Which category do you fall under?

A) The charming but pragmatic one.

This one is me! People who have a ring finger longer than the index finger tend to be charming and irresistible to some at least. A's are the ones who can talk themselves out of just about any situation. Additionally, they're aggressive and excellent problem solvers. They tend to be incredibly compassionate and are often scientists, engineers, soldiers, and crossword puzzle masters.



B) The confident, get-it-done type.

People with shorter ring fingers than index fingers are the self-confident, get-it-done types. They love solitude in which to work and accomplish the things they need to do, but that doesn't necessarily indicate introversion. They're very goal oriented and don't like to be disturbed. They appreciate what they have but often hunger for more.




C) The peacenik

C's are the peace-loving conflict-avoiding types. People with even ring and index finger length are well organized and want nothing but to get along with everyone. They are faithful in relationships, tender and caring partners, but beware: C's have a fiery core that while suppressed in normal day-to-day activities can be dangerous if unleashed. They might be peaceniks, but please, stay on their good side.

Ivory Hunter Gets Trampled To Death By An Elephant

Posted: 21 Apr 2015 01:48 PM PDT

Last week big game hunter Ian Gibson tracked his last elephant. He spent 5 hours tracking the elephant and when he got too close to it the elephant snapped and charged him. Gibson managed to fire off one short before the elephant trampled him and ended his life.

Ian Gibson (55) spent 5 hours chasing a young elephant


The elephant was in "musth," a highly aggressive state related to reproduction, so it turned and trampled him to death



Safari hunts like the one shown here by Chifuti Safaris net much-needed conservation funds, but at the cost of an elephant's life



The hunting community called Gibson an avid conservationist, though some animal rights supporters celebrated the incident as a form of gruesome justice



Even professional hunters can't always tell what a wild animal will do next!

Celebrities That Used To Look Good But Got Fat

Posted: 21 Apr 2015 12:10 PM PDT

Looking good is pretty awesome, but then again, so is pizza.

Val Kilmer





Britney Spears





Alec Baldwin





Jessica Simpson





Steven Seagal





Kelly Clarkson





Russel Crowe





Brendan Fraser





Matthew Perry





Kelly LeBrock





Edward Furlong





Elvis Presley





Laurence Fishburne





Scott Hall