“one trader, responsible for plain vanilla futures hedging”

In their coverage of the ‘unprecedented’ Société Générale trading fraud scandal, Belgian quality newspapers De Standaard and De Tijd are linking the original SocGen press release. A move I applaud and one you see rarely. It is an unwritten rule of (financial) journalism that press releases are an important news source that is seldom acknowledged.

Running press releases unedited is usually seen as a way for newspapers to signal that the news has been censored. In this case however, it is exactly the opposite: not only is the source credited, but it is also reproduced verbatim in an effort to guarantee its authenticity.

whisker wonder

webfinds: ffffound

sights to behold (and share).

Lakers sign DJ MBenga

Your favorite NBA player has just signed a 10-day contract with the LA Lakers! Wait a minute. Didier and the triangle offense? Er…does the LA coaching staff know what they’re in for?

Update: In his first game as a Laker, Didier played 5 garbage minutes (2 reb, 1 st, 2 bl) but did manage to win the 18,997 sellout crowd over by blocking a buzzer shot that held the opposing Nuggets to 99 points, sending the crowd home with two free tacos from a fast-food chain. Sweet.

A long Soul Sunday walk

Discovered by none other than ?uestlove, spoken word artist Jill Scott made her musical debut in 2000, when she dropped Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 at the height of the neo-soul era. And what a masterpiece it was. From the spoken word build-up of ‘Exclusively’, followed by the lyrical beatdown of Gettin’ in the way to the infectiously funky ‘Brotha’, this album never tires. That being said, the song that stirs my drink is the dreamy poetry of A long walk. Over the years, I’ve plugged this song to as many people as possible, so here’s the stripped down remix by Jazzy Jeff. Enjoy.

Jill Scott – A long walk (A touch of Jazz remix, 2001)

Preview and buy (you need this album, trust me) at Sonar Kollektiv or download at zshare.

PS: Dilated Choonz = mad flavor

Get ur freak on

Performance art. That’s what Paul McCarthy’s Head Shop/Shop Head retrospective is labeled. The last time I was near the SMAK building, I went to see Fatman Scoop perform his three greatest hits in front of 30 (yes, 30) people. It was an equally brutal show. The McCarthy exhibition makes the infamous 2 girls, 1 cup video look pedestrian.

pick-up hoops

24.be

Belgian media group Corelio today launched a customizable newsportal, 24.be. Powered by netvibes ecosystem technology, the newsportal allows users to import, centralize and share online media, email accounts, social networks, address books and bookmarks. Setting up yet another electronic account and piecing your digital life together is a bit cumbersome though. And the messy layout also takes some getting used to. Nevertheless, an innovative move by Corelio. Kudos.

there’s a tree growing out of my head

Wrote a small article for biz communication magazine AdRem about wine language and was asked to supply a self-portrait with a tree growing out of my head a bell. Picture taken by Retaxis.

Am so going. Are you?