i have two words for you, Donald Trump, and it's not, "you're fired"

Ross Perot.

Some say Trump's the new Sarah Palin, but I find him mostly reminiscent of another businessman who thought that having money automatically meant that his opinions might actually mean something.

"All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me — consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected — Donald Trump

why must I be surounded by frickin' idiots?

Dr. Evil may have wanted to (mistakenly, in 90s currency) steal ONE MILLION DOLLARS, but I think he even would have agreed with me that what Scott Miracle Gro has done to the brand and concept of Smith and Hawken is just, well, evil.

I have already posted a link to a more detailed account on facebook, but it bears re-sharing, as this story is not about hard times for retailers in a bad economy, but one of greed and primarily, stupidity. A big company bought something it didn't understand. They didn't know what they had, and they didn't take any time to try and make it work—to the detriment of a thirty-year company and 700 lost jobs.

I used to shop at the SoHo Smith and Hawken when I lived in New York. It was definitely a downtown oasis. When I moved to D.C. I was happy to visit the Georgetown store. Both stores were regular haunts during the holidays—many of the ornaments on my Xmas tree were purchased there. Living in the city, I was more likely to buy a potted orchid than garden supplies, but it was always a fragrant, tasteful, pleasant place to visit, whether making a purchase or just browsing. Browsing is highly under-rated.

Like the lunkheads who killed Gourmet magazine, this decision just screams, "Huh?" No one thought about building up the online business before closing all the stores? Why would they have them all close mid-November and miss the holiday season? Why was there not more fanfare? I found out after-the-fact. Why must we be surrounded by such frickin' idiots? Like I said, I don't have a garden, but you can be sure there won't be any Scott product purchases in my future.

mean girls and boys

Recently posted by a facebook friend was a link to a website only in existence since August, 2009, People of Walmart.

I started flipping through the photos of bad fashion, etc. and then flipped away. I can't argue with the fact that some people wear some pretty short shorts or see-through outfits that most folks would be afraid to sport in public. But to write a nasty caption below each picture just seemed juvenile and nasty. And posting someone's unflattering photo online without their consent, while not strictly illegal, definitely is not a positive human action.

Sorry, not a "LOL" as advertised.


Lolcats

I kept thinking about the crappy site, considering a caveat on facebook, and then flipped back and looked at the "About Us" section, to see what was the justification for this exercise in humiliation. What a bunch of cowards. "AJK," "ADK," and "LDW" could have included photos of themselves in some horrible outfits in the superstore's aisles and then it might have been a little less depressing, or at the very least a lame attempt to get in on the joke.

I recently read a comment on a website that pointed out a link to obesity and lower-incomes. Poorer folks don't have the money to spend on a lot of the other distractions - nights out at the theater, expensive clothes, jewelry, etc., etc. that make some folks who have the money to spend on such entertainments feel like they are treating themselves. But a poor person can surely super-size their meal or buy some Krispy Kremes for a snack. In its posting of pictures of folks shopping, this website was pointing out mostly fat people. And ridiculing them. Sigh.

I hate to be ageist, but I truly think that the crew of idiots who put this together and others who might think that it's LOL-worthy must be, frankly, twenty-somethings. Being twice as old as these jokers I just don't find it worthwhile to hide behind a veil of superiority to make myself seem "cool." That is a pose sought by the young. At least I hope they are just young and stupid. Only someone who hasn't lived, hasn't struggled, has been so far in their lives cosseted from depression, loss, or bad luck could put something like this together.

They at least are featuring their critics along with their fans. My fear is that link on their site is just some smart-ass cocky badge of courage. But there is no courage here. Only meanness.

that is SO last century...

Capital One has been calling me for over a week with a "great opportunity." A woman named "Linda" has called from Ontario, New York, California, Pennsylvania and many other disembodied locations. Sometimes Linda leaves her pre-recorded message, sometimes not. On Sunday Linda called three times between 8:30 am and 9:45 am.

Is this company mental?

Do they really think

1. That I will answer their obvious telemarketing call?
2. That I will ever call them back (800 number notwithstanding)?
3. By leaving no information whatsoever as to what this "great opportunity" is, that their call will pique my interest?
4. That I don't have caller ID?
5. That it isn't as easy as pie to do a reverse look-up on the number when Linda doesn't leave a message?
6. That I want to hear from them on a weekend morning (or any other time)?
7. That I haven't heard of the National Do Not Call Registry?
   

Does telemarketing even work in this digital day and age? Not for me. I want to see "great opportunities," if they even exist, in black and white, and most likely discovered by me or by a friend's word-of-mouth, not through some lame advertising ploy.

Excuse me while I go find my scissors. I have enough credit cards already, anyway.

gonna keep on tryin', 'til I reach the highest ground

Bush has been trying to put some sweeping, terrible legislation in his final hours as head honcho. Luckily, Obama is watching and plans to stop the madness.

Makes you wonder what exactly is going on with W. He has already pissed away most of his "legacy." Anyone remember his plans for social security? Is he just trying to put the last nail in his presidential coffin?


Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it wont be too long

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
'Til I reach the highest ground

the artist formerly known as prince

Last night we were watching the American Music Awards on television. My daughter enjoyed bouncing around to the mostly insipid performances, while I struggled with having to accept that what was on display was the current state of music. Except it wasn't.

Most of the performances were lame Madonna-MTV-video-staged rip-offs. And either the sound system was completely out of wack, or most of the performers couldn't sing in tune live, from Coldplay to the Disney Jonas brats. I'm afraid I tend towards the latter, as Miley Cyrus and Beyonce sounded fine.

But when the Pussycat Dolls hit the stage all I could think of was Prince and his revolving door of babes through the years that sang or danced their way through his performances and videos. At least the Prince girls were trashy and fun. The Dolls were neither dolls nor fun. Just loud, fast and trashy.

And what ever happened to the Purple One? Well, appparently he has ditched Minneappolis for L.A. and is proseltyzing door-to-door. A recent interview with The New Yorker proves that Prince is just as strange and mysterious as always. But not necessarily in a good, crazy rock star way. The description of his "pad" versus the religiosity of his sound bytes doesn't mesh at all. I'm not sure our new president (or anyone in Washington, Democrat or Republican) would understand Prince's take on politics. Sigh.



At least we'll always have Raspberry Beret (insert you favorite tune here.) I'm not sure how he reconciles songs like Gett Off or Cream with his belief system. Of course he does have purple thrones, platform flip flops and a hot tub. God bless him, he's a dinosaur.

I could have been president if it wasn't for you meddling kids!

"That one."

?!?!?!?!?!?!

The focus group folks aren't your friends.

"Main Street" has heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

You are so out-of-touch.

Watching you careen around the stage...

Excellent Scooby Doo ending, Shaggy.

eight is enough

I prefer to comment on pop culture rather than politics, but this takes the cake.

What a sexist choice. And disrespectful of women and those 18 mil votes. Whatever. As if Hillary/woman is equal to Palin/woman.

Clearly, as his opponent put it, he and his camp just don't get it.