Mark Gallagher's First Home Page
Your Path to . . .
Wisdom . . . Movie Reviews . . . Some Computer Stuff . . . Music of All Kinds . . . Color Photography . . . A Killer Recipe . . . . A Shocking True Story About Me . . . An Inspirational Closing Statement.
The Wisdom of History
"I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion." Thomas Jefferson
"Liberty without learning is always in peril and learning without liberty is always in vain." John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Contemporary Wisdom
"Yes, we are in the midst of a once-every-200-years economic transition. And, yes, it means trauma for the foreseeable future. But it also means matchless opportunity . . . . In the brain-based economy, victory will go to the perpetually curious." Tom Peters, August '94
"You cannot begin to understand the nexus of all these new technologies until you jump in and experiment. Open your mind to new ways of perceiving and processing. Learn the unique properties of this new universe. That takes patience, the patience to pursue the possibilities of unintended consequences. Knowing that should not be inhibiting, but liberating." Barry Diller
Sponsor of the Month
Movies Worth Renting a Second Time
The Last of the Mohicans (1992, D: Michael Mann) Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe.
This is an adventure movie that I have watched probably six times in the last two years. Mann is a great film maker. Lewis is at his best and Madeleine Stowe glows on the screen.
Men Don't Leave (1990, D: Paul Brickman) Jessica Lange, Joan Cusack, Chris O'Donnell.
Not seen by many people, Brickman makes few movies (Risky Business) but they are each unique and well made. More than just a tear jerker, this is an unpredictable drama, sometimes comedy with quirky, interesting characters. A bad title and lack of a formula ending may have kept it from doing better at the box office.
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991, D: Jon Avnet) Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Jessica Tandy.
One of the few contemporary films where you really get to know the characters and care about them.
The Player (1992, D: Robert Altman) Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi.
A sophisticated Altman view of California lifestyles. Robbins is very believable as Hollywood producer slime. Very clever film making.
Fearless (1993, D: Peter Weir) Jeff Bridges (Highly Recommended).
One of the best films of the last few years. Not everyone gets this film. But for those that do, it hits deep and you think about it a long time. This subject (near death experience) has been done many times before, but never like this. Bridges will be appreciated much more many years from now for this kind of work. Weir does an amazing job with the ending.
COMPUTER STUFF
I use two "web browsers" on my computer, these include the windows versions of NCSA Mosaic, and the much talked about Netscape. Mosaic can be downloaded for free with very few licensing restrictions. Netscape also has a free version with many licensing restrictions. Information on each of these with sites to download the software can be found at the links above or by going to my Bookmarks/Hot Lists at the link provided below.
Investment Advice for 1996
The asset allocation I recommend for 1996 is as follows: 30 percent in two year Treasury notes, 15 percent in short-term tax-exempt money maket funds, 30 percent in a blue chip stock mutual fund, 10 percent in a technology stock mutual fund, and 15 percent in a growth stock mutual fund.
Note: I am not a professional financial planner. This advice may be worth what you are paying for it - nothing. Good luck. (Last revised: December 18, 1995)
Music I Keep Going Back To
Mary - Chapin Carpenter, Come On Come On (1992)
Annie Lennox, Diva (1992)
U2, Achtung Baby (1991)
Tony Bennett, Berlin (1987)
Roy Orbison, Mystery Girl (1989)
Los Lobos, Kiko (1992)
Soundtrack: Out of Africa (1985)
Vince Gill, When Love Finds You (1994)
Tom Petty, Into the Great Wide Open (1991)
Frank Sinatra, The Capitol Years (1992 re-release)
A Sample of My Photography
I photograph rural landscapes, some cityscapes (Chicago) and interiors of museums. I look for combinations of color and line that strike me in their simplicity and beauty. The wisconsin road at the top of this page and the cityscape below are good examples of my work.
Madison Street Bridge, Chicago
Ro's Killer Appetizer Recipe "Little Pizza's"
Ingredients: 1 lb. bacon (fried crisp and crumbly), 2 bunches green onions (tops only and chop fine), 2 pkgs. shredded sharp cheese, Mayonnaise, 1 loaf Pepperidge Farm cocktail rye bread (party rye).
Mix all of these ingredients together with just enough mayonnaise to make the mixture spreadable. Then spread on the individual Pepperidge Farm cocktail rye bread and place on a pizza pan. Broil in oven for a few minutes, just until the cheese is bubbly.
A True Story About Me
I work for a large financial institution in Chicago where I created a savings product for parents and grandparents called "College Savings Bonds". I am currently working on a special project with the State of Illinois to use technology in all levels of education to expand learning opportunities and expand technology in state government to enhance productivity and communication. I am also a member of the State Board of Education - the governing board for K-12 education in Illinois. My wife and I live in the Chicago area.
Robot Vacuum
The following are words I have added to the home page to attract robots that are doing searches for words on the web: mosaic, netscape, enhanced mosaic, super mosaic, navigator, tom cruise, mpeg player, quicktime movie player, bill clinton, al gore, madonna, seinfeld, melrose place, olympics, pulp fiction, atlanta, tom hanks, olympic schedule, us olympic team, letterman, top ten list, internet, o. j. simpson, windows 95, harley davidson, infobahn, wired, streisand, shareware, freeware, roger ebert, magazine, television, forest gump, oscars, steven spielberg, meaning of life, academy awards, michael jordan, chicago bears, frank sinatra, pearl jam, harvard, northwestern, university of illinois, harrison ford, jesus, mtv, records, beatles, toy story, friends and apple pie.
Drop Me a Note
The opinions expressed above are my own and not those of my evil twin.
Good Luck.
Mark Gallagher