December 26, 2006
Feel the Joy

Well, how was your holiday? Are you secretly glad it is over? Are you happy that things are
getting back to normal. Lets define normal. I would say it is the state of existence without the
craziness of Christmas shopping, standing in line to make a purchase, fighting heavier than
usual traffic, rushing, running or otherwise being even busier than usual. In other words, You have
had about all the joy you can stand. Now it is time to settle down get back to life's normal insanity.
Did you know that today is National Boxing Day, National Whinning Day, and National Take
Back that Ugly Gift Day. So, stop your whinning, box up that ugly gift and take it back! And if
everyone does that, you get to stand in line, fight traffic, rush, run and get really busy. And you
thought things were going to settle down. Can't you just feel the joy? That is the insane America
we live in.

December 20, 2006

Small Business

Occasionally something will catch your eye that just seems unusual, out of place.
This happened to me recently while driving through Leland, MS.
I was cruising down the road, doing my best to stay within the 45 mph
speed limit when to my amusement I spotted a sign in front of Leland Tire Co.
It read, "Deer Processing". Now maybe it is just me but I have some reservations about
having something I plan to eat butchered and wrapped in a tire store.
You would think there might be a health code violation lurking somewhere.
But nevertheless some industrious, enterprising person has found what must be a niche market,
Tires and butchering. Imagine the sales possibilities have your tires rotated while getting that big
buck ground into sausage. Or what about a discount on a set of tires if you contribute a tenderloin
to the store Christmas party? You never know what you might run into around the delta .
Everyone seems to be trying to make a dollar. I wonder what other totally different profession
could be combined into a niche market. How about a book store and a gas station, or a barber
shop and transmission repair, or junk yard and day care? Keep an eye out for these new and
exciting business'. Entrepreneurship is what made our economy and built America.
That's America and it's greatest asset.

December 11, 2006

Security Guards

How's your holiday shopping going? Is it just where I live or does it seem more dangerous
than ever to shop? Have you noticed all the security guards? What could be the cause of this
sudden need for security? Is the crime rate so out of control that it is too dangerous to
shop at KMart, Wal-Mart, or even Dollar General? Is the guard there for the customer
or the store. My guess it is for the store. But the presence of security guards does not stop
at discount stores, you can find them in McDonalds, Burger King and other fast food places.
Am I to assume it is not safe to visit these family friendly establishments? This tells me that
there is something terribly wrong with our society. Could things be getting out of control?
Our local State Health Department even has a security guard. He looks to be about 80 years old
and sits at a desk near the door watching TV, that is when he is not asleep. I am always careful
not to slam the door, I dont want to wake him. I know the employees all feel safe. The
security guard business must be a thiving industry in this area. I guess you could say that crime
is good for the economy. It has provided jobs for a whole group of elderly people who can
once more feel useful and provide a secure enviroment for the people. I wonder how much of a
deterrent the guard really is to the average robber or purse snatcher. Can you imagine an 80 year
old attempting to assist a victim or chasing an 18 year old purse snatcher? I don't see that
happening. So the next time you are out and you patronize a business with a security guard,
remember, that guard is not there for your benefit. He is there to satisfy some insurance
requirement or just to make the store look like it is concerned about your welfare. Rather than
feeling more secure, you should wonder why the store feels a need to have this person present.
Things are not always what they seem. But that's American, smoke and mirrors.

December 6, 2006

Headlines

The headlines flashed across my computer screen, "Cheney's Gay Daughter is Pregnant".
Hmmmmm! Now I am confused. The words gay and pregnant are two things
I never put in the same sentence. But we all know Christmas is the season of miracles.
That's just one of the weird headlines that I saw today.
Hears another one. CNN reported that a "Passenger's Flatulence Forces and Emergency
Landing" I hope so. If the situation was that serious I would expect the pilot to land, Now!
How about this one. "Mom Has 12 year old Son Arrested for Opening Christmas Presents".
Boy! She was serious about that rule. I have threatened but never actually had the warrant served.
Maybe we should watch this case to see how it works out. This could be a new discipline tactic
other parents could use. How about 30 days house arrest for not eating you veggies. Or ten days
community service for talking back. The possibilities are endless. Weird headlines are a nice
comic relief to the rest of the headlines. It gets depressing constantly reading about war, death,
e-coli break outs, mad cow disease and politics. The world is full of bad news and I admit the
weird headlines usually declare some bad situation. But if you only read the headlines they can
be quite comical and then make up your own news. Thats when the fun begins. The New York
Times has been making up news for years. Their slogan is "All the news that fit to print". Whats
good enough for the New Your Times is good enough for me. And if you do it my may you will
always have news you can use and enjoy. That's America.

December 03, 2006

Service with a Scowl

Have you noticed a trend in service related business in our area?.
Is it just me or do the people who work in convenience stores seem resentful?
Do they seem as if they have been inconvenience by your presence?
You go in to buy bread or a soft drink an approach the cash register with your items.
The person behind the counter looks almost insulted that you bothered them. With little more than
a grunt the clerk mumbles something which you assume is the price. At this moment you have a
choice, do you ask for a repeat, risking another even less intelligible response or thanks to
modern technology, you look at the display and shell out the money? My choice is the display.
I don't want to bother anyone. Lord help me if I expect them to do their job. I see this behavior
a lot. I call it "Service with a Scowl". The behavior is not limited to convenience stores,
I see the same thing in department stores, restaurants and hotels. I realize the pay is low and the
job is not the best but it is not my fault they have a crappy job. These people seem to forget that
the customer is the reason they have a job. A smile would be nice but a thank you would be
even better. After all, they are working in a service related business. A little service would be
great. Maybe this attitude is a symptom of the many social ills our country suffers. "Service with
a Scowl" is just another example that's america