| Small, doable steps are path to big goals
Some days my big goal is just getting to work on time. Am I a hopeless slacker? A. No, you're just more realistic than your co-workers. I'm not sure who started the New Year's resolution grand-goal campaign. I secretly suspect it's the same folks who put decadent desserts on magazine covers that also declare the best ways to lose weight or who invented the plastic CD wrapping you can't remove. The reality is that grand goals mostly depress us and make us beat ourselves up and feel deeply inadequate. It's hard to feel inspired when we see a Grand Canyon between where we are and where we want to be. If you want to stay stuck, use a grand goal as a bat and watch your ego turn interesting shades of black and blue. If you are actually interested in change, convert your grand goal into its simplest possible beginning.
Peyton thinks Giants can contend every year
In those four games, Eli threw eight touchdown passes and one interception. "As his brother, obviously I am proud," Peyton said. "But as a quarterback, I just can't tell you how much I appreciate the way he played in those conditions in Green Bay and just coming back from deficits the same way in Dallas and in Tampa." El has had his ups and downs in his four years in the league. His brother thinks the experience as a starter the past three years and his ability to stay calm under pressure has bolstered his game. As for sheer talent, Peyton said Eli has it all. He can throw deep and move in the pocket better than most think. Next up are the Patriots (18-0) and their drive to perfection. The only advice Peyton gave his brother was to stick to his daily routine. "This is obviously the biggest game that he has ever played in," Peyton said.
A vote for Obama, and for something larger
Most of the Obama voters expressed no animosity for Clinton. "If she can win, that would be big too," said Chandler.
But others said they had been distressed in recent days by comments from Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. They felt she had downplayed King's role in advancing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when Clinton emphasized President Lyndon B. Johnson's role in winning passage of the law.
They didn't appreciate her husband telling an interviewer that electing the relatively inexperienced Obama would amount to "a roll of the dice."
Many of the Obama voters said their high hopes were tempered by the reality around them.
Orangeburg, a community of about 14,000, remains stratified. It has neighborhoods of stately homes and broad lawns not far from ramshackle trailers and open trenches that carry sewage along the streets.
Movers: Microsoft, Capital One, eBay, MBIA, Nucor, Qualcomm
After the market closed, Microsoft (MSFT) reported fiscal second quarter net profit rose to $4.7 billion, or 50 cents per share, from $2.6 billion, or 26 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 30% to $16.37 billion. That beat analysts forecasts of 46 cents for EPS on revenue of $15.94 billion. Capital One Financial (COF) posts fourth quarter EPS from continuing operations of $0.85, vs. $1.17 a year ago, from continuing operations, in-line with preannouncement. It says total managed revenue was up 5.7% sequentially, driven largely by revenue margin expansion, seasonal loan growth in its U.S. Card portfolio. It sees 2008 revenue growth to be in the low-single digits. S&P keeps hold. EBay (EBAY) posts fourth quarter GAAP EPS of $0.39, vs. $0.25 a year ago, on 27% revenue rise.
The 2008 Forecast: Cloudy, With Intermittent Sun
Another new year is upon us and it begins with degrees of apprehension in various quarters. Sales in the residential housing market have slowed to a crawl, credit is tight, and home fuel and gas prices have shot up sharply in the last year, fueling rumbles about a possible national recession.
While that information has been tough to digest, there are other positive notes to consider, such as employment levels remaining steady. And even if the economy dips, the Corridor area enjoys what might be considered blanket protection due to the overwhelming presence of that ultimate corporate headquarters, the federal government - which will soon dump even more jobs into the region when the effects of the much anticipated Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) start shifting.
To gain keener insight, The Business Monthly asked business and government leaders in the Corridor and the state for their thoughts about 2008:
Walt Townshend, president, Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber
In a word, the first half of 2008 will be ...
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