And That's All Folks

I decided against publishing the "Worst of 2004" list because....why bother? Donald Trump, Michael Moore and Major Media cover most of that terrain and the rest is tedious.

As for Ellisblog, the time has come to retire it as an "active site." I will use it as a place to post links to articles I write for other publications and journals, but I will no longer "blog" regularly or irregularly. The demands of my real job require a single focus.

For those who inquired about Skype, yes, I think it is a truly disruptive company in the telecom arena (we're investing in the VOIP "space"). I think it forces the "majors" to rethink their business models and not in the abstract.

For those who inquired about Visible World, yes, I think it changes advertising budgets at every major business-to-consumer company.

For those who inquired about Albertson's, I was wrong. Roger Simon, among others, set me straight.

As to my appraisal of Mitt Romney as the GOP's best hope in 2008, no, I do not speak for the "Bush family." I think he's enormously talented and capable and smart. And since Governor Jeb Bush and Vice President Cheney have said they aren't running in 2008, you gotta pick from the remaining cast. I admire Senator McCain, but age and health may preclude his running. So Mitt it is.

Thanks for reading. Best wishes for a great 2005.

Best and Worst of 2004


Best Player: Mia Hamm. An extraordinary career.
Best Movie: "Million Dollar Baby." At the age of 75, Clint Eastwood triumphs.
Best Advertising Campaign: Apple Computer. True to the brand, fresh.
Best Columnists: Peggy Noonan, George Will. Smart and true.
Best Blogger: Kausfiles. Strange, but true.
Best Political Source: Real Clear Politics. All you needed to know in 2004.
Best Newspaper: The Wall Street Journal. And getting better.
Best Governor: Mitt Romney (R-MA). The GOP's best hope in 2008.
Best Fun Restaurant: Gigi's in Rhinebeck, NY. And the food's good too.
Best Restaurant: The Four Seasons in New York City. Elegant and delicious.
Best Airline: Jet Blue. Begs the question: how hard is it?
Best Automobile Company: Toyota. The greatest automobile company ever.
Best New Advertising Technology: Visible World.
Best New Media: XM Radio. A transformational company and Major League Baseball to boot.
Best P2P Technology: Skype. 42 million downloaders can't be wrong.
Best Business Story: Skype. They started at zero. A year ago.
Best Shoes: Merrells. Indestructable, comfortable.
Best Computer: Apple G5. An amazing machine.
Best Rock Star: Avril Lavigne. Hard rocker, hard worker.
Best Yankee: Derek Jeter. Pinstripe DNA.
Best Magazine: The Economist. No contest.
Best Wings: Robin Hood Restaurant, Hamilton, Bermuda. Who knew?
Best Golf Courses: Shinnecock, Mid-Ocean, Sand Hills, Quaker Ridge, Winged Foot, Carnoustie. Especially Carnoustie.
Best Hotel: Mansion on Turtle Creek. Dallas, Texas. Perfect.
Best Coffee: Dean and DeLuca. House Blend.
Best Bagel: H&H Bagels. Always.
Best Burger: Louie's Lunch, New Haven, CT. Beyond great.
Best New Golf Technology: The Rac-7 Driver, by Taylor. You'll never go back.
Best Golfer: Vijay.
Best Sports Performance: Tie: Roger Federer and Retief Goosen at their respective US Opens.
Best New York Institution: The Public Library.
Best Quarterback: Peyton Manning. Hands down.
Best Iraq Analyst: Bruce Hoffman, Rand Corporation.
Best Grocer: Whole Foods.
Best Customer Service: American Express.
Best TV: HBO.
Best Drug: Advil.
Best Departing Cabinet Member: Colin Powell.
Best New Cabinet Member: Carlos Gutierrez.
Best White House Aide: Andy Card.
Best Political Reporter: Tom Edsall. Disregard the lefty slant.
Best Bookstore: Amazon.com. Better and better.
Best Anchorman: Brit Hume. Wry on news.
Best Movie Star: Brad Pitt.
Best Narrative: James Lileks.
Best Political Operative: Ken Mehlman.
Best Democratic Operative: David Boies.
Best IPO: Google. 2x and counting.
Best Entrepreneur: Rick Adam, Adam Aircraft. (We're investors. Sue me.)
Best Book: Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton.
Best Night: Game Seven, ALCS.
Best Day: November 3rd, 2004.
Best of All: The men and women of the United States Military.