New Year's Superstitions - The Traditional and New

Over the course of dinner on New Year’s Eve, I was told to remember that I can’t wash clothes tomorrow or clean the house.  I asked why and was met with varied responses.  Puzzled, I decided to search the Internet for a more in depth explanation.  The Internet did not disappoint and after reading about a bunch of New Year’s superstitions, the hamster in the wheel in my head was in motion and started to question if they made sense.

A couple of these seem to revolve around not doing household chores; which makes me wonder if their origins are rooted in someone having a hangover or was simply too tired from staying up late. Something to perhaps examine at a later time.

No washing clothes on New Year's Day?

Don’t wash clothes:  There are a number of reasons I found for this.  According to TheSpruce.com, some reasons are that in the coming year you could be “washing a loved one away”  or “washing a fortune down the drain” or that one will have an inordinate amount of laundry to do in the coming year^[1].   

Of course I wondered if you launder money for a living.  I would think “washing a fortune down the drain” is probably more applicable if you did.   Additionally, does this washing also apply to the washing of dishes? Perhaps it does. Because another superstition has you breaking dishes on your neighbors’ doorsteps^[2].  I’m assuming these are dirty dishes, because it just seems the most efficient.  Ultimately, I just hope this “not washing of things” doesn’t extend to showers.

Don’t take anything out of the house:  In other words, don’t clean the house.  Garbage, packages, food for the neighbors; nothing should leave the house on the idea luck could leave the home and not come back in.^[3]   Maybe whoever thought of this should have told the dish breaking people (mentioned above) about this tradition. 

Additionally, what if you shower or go to the bathroom?  Just about everyone I know has a house or an apartment with modern plumbing.  So, something is leaving the house in that case.  Moreover, what if you’re in an RV and your wastewater holding tank is full? I would think that needs to be disposed of quickly.

What do you do on New Years if your RV's waste tank is full?

Don’t eat chicken or lobster:  These creatures walk backward and if one wants to move ahead in the new year, these are the foods one stays away from.   As a New Year’s Eve tradition I tend to have crab, which move sideways.  Hmm ... never mind, this one might have some merit.

Open the doors and windows at midnight:  This is to let the old year out and the new one in.  In cold areas this also lets the heat out and the cold in.  If it also happens to be windy, snowing, or raining; it could also let in leaves, debris, or even precipitation in … which would have to be cleaned on New Year’s Day.   It’s a vicious mind game cycle.

New Superstitions:

The above are all great and traditional superstitions.  But I think new and more modern ones are needed.  Here are 4 that I’m proposing to get the ball rolling. 

Don’t launder money: you could be washing away a fortune in the New Year.

Don’t ask someone to solve a device’s minor technical issue:  If you haven’t tried to figure it out try searching the web or YouTube first.  Otherwise technology may leave you behind in the New Year.

Make Ice: For a solid new year

Take Metamucil: So you poop well on New Year’s Day.   This is so people don’t think you’re full of sh*t in the New Year.

References:

[1] Leverette, Mary Marlow. (Jul 18, 2022). "New Year's Day Laundry Superstitions and Resolutions" TheSpruce.com.  Accessed Jan 1, 2023

[2] Lord, Debbie. (Dec 29, 2022). "New Year’s Day superstitions: Don’t wash clothes; do look for a tall, dark, stranger; eat greens" kiro7.com.  Accessed Jan 1, 2023

[3] Lattimer, Dustin. (Dec 30, 2022). "New Year’s superstitions that might be worth tryings" wgntv.com.  Accessed Jan 1, 2023

Read More

LuLa … Sorry Roe

I was aware of this Multi-Level Marketing company (or MLM) called LuLaRoe and that they sold leggings with funky patterns.  So, I perceived it to be like Avon, Mary Kay, Herbalife, or Amway.  

I started watching LuLaRich on Amazon’s Prime Video and what I didn’t anticipate is how cultish it is.  From the love of the products to the leadership rallies; it just seemed that everyone (at least at some point in their career at the company) had this irrepressible enthusiasm for the company.  I’ve never participated in an MLM; so other companies could very well be this way for all I know. 

According to this docuseries, the company gets its name from Mark and DeAnne Stidham’s eldest three granddaughters:  Lucy, Lola, and Monroe to form LuLaRoe.  As I watched this there hashtags; such as #LuLaLovliness or #LulaBelles; being shown on the screen.  Then the retailers (as they are called) start talking about being LuLaFamous and one even wanted to get her husband a vanity license plate that read LuLaBro.   

I started to feel sorry for the third granddaughter.  It started to become LuLa <something> - LuLa <anything> really.   Roe seemed to get pushed aside with some of the corporate messaging.    Of course, by the end of the series it is clear the company is receiving a lot of unwanted attention.  Maybe it’s a good thing for Roe to be left out of some of that messaging.   

Read More

The Holiday Creep

A lot of people, including myself, are really getting sick of the holiday creep.  Now, I’m not talking about the strange dude, who is always alone and never makes eye contact, that you see roaming the mall once a year in cut off jean shorts who seems to be stalking you  --  I’m talking about the start of the holiday shopping season that gets earlier and earlier each year.

Photo taken in September of a Holiday Display

I was shopping for a birthday present in early September, saw this holiday display, and was kind of horrified.  When I was a kid, I remember as fall would approach the Halloween merchandise would be displayed; Halloween would arrive and the Thanksgiving décor would make an appearance; and then Christmas displays would appear as Thanksgiving would draw closer.   Personally, I was fine with this progression because I absolutely loved unique feelings that each of those holidays brought. Now it seems that Halloween and Thanksgiving have been all but forgotten and Christmas is something I’ve grown to dread rather than anticipate.

I understand that the Christmas season is important for most retailers.  They have shareholders to please and payroll to meet. Plus it’s not difficult to see that some retailers are simply in trouble (J.C. Penny, Kmart/Sears, and Aeropostale come to mind right now).  But there has to be a more creative way to try to boost sales rather than extending the Christmas shopping season.

It seems to bet getting to the point that in my lifetime I will see one, year long, holiday shopping season. (Side thought: maybe that’s what Christmas Tree Shops was aiming for).  It’s easy to see how this could evolve too:

Holiday Back To School
One day the holiday season displays will be coupled with Back To School.  I could imagine the marketing campaigns surrounding that.   They’d probably simply bundle the two together and have notebooks and pens next to wrapping paper and bows.

Christmas in July
This idea is already in place, but it would take on a whole new meaning.  I suppose we could think of it as a half-Christmas. You know kind of like a half birthday, which (as a Catholic) seems somewhat fitting.  “Christmas in July. Get your half-Christmas stuff today!”

Holiday Easter
Easter is already a holiday, but I don’t think it has the broad shopping appeal as Christmas.  I think there’s only so many eggs that you can buy for someone before they’re used as rotten projectiles on Mischief Night (ya … think about eggs rotting for 6 months).  Maybe with the general worry about obesity something may happen, like the government stepping in and declaring one sugary candy or chocolate holiday every 6 months … one for Valentines day, one for Halloween. As a result, Easter would have to be re-purposed.  There’s such synergy here I could see that before long some marketer will simply tie it together to try to lift sales:  “He has just risen, but don’t wait, get your shopping done now before he’s born again!”

Holiday Valentines Day
Here, I could see simply tying love with the love for Christmas shopping. Christmas trees adorned with engagement rings.  After all, getting engage is special.  Getting engaged at Christmas time is even more special. So, just make Valentines day a little more special ... by adding a Christmas Tree.

The Yearlong Christmas
Finally, stores would just have yearlong Holiday time sales rationalizing, “if Q4 is our best quarter because of the holidays, then why don’t we just leave the holiday stuff displayed and just celebrate the holidays all year long. This way every quarter could be like Q4.” Of course someone at the other end of the conference table would be like “Beautiful! I love that idea! Run with it!” Stores would then just have a holiday department. It wouldn’t be called ‘seasonal’ anymore and there wouldn’t be any lawn and garden supplies stocked there in the off season … it would need to be called “The Holiday Department.”

I have nothing against the holidays (both religious and secular aspects). I also have no problems with merchants making money either.  Where I do have the problem is trying to over-exploit the emotional ties to the end of year holiday in order to do so.  If stores need to have a sale to move merchandise, then have a sale.  I just hope that eventually retailers stop trying to make it special by making the Holiday shopping season earlier and earlier.  I am more inclined to not shop somewhere if the Christmas time stuff is out before Halloween.   Personally, I don’t see it changing though I really  hope I am wrong.

Read More

Conversation. Sponsored by ...

Corporate messages seem to pepper our communications.  If you’re sending an email, you may see “sent from my iPad” at the bottom; if you’re making a phone call, you might hear an AT&T chime; and there countless advertisements on Google, Skype, and Facebook.

It seems that the only part of the popular communication sphere that isn’t propagated by corporate messages is regular conversation. I’m not talking about interoffice conversation … that’s something completely different.  I’m talking about daily conversations.  

From what I hear, brand ambassadors do something similar, where they look like they’re casually hanging out at a bar  but they’re really pushing Bacardi or Stoli.  But that is someone hired to do that job and (for the most part) represent one brand.  

Perhaps a new advertising medium that could work for companies is pay per phrase (or, maybe call it paid viral speech) where everyday people, not under the direct employ of companies, use key phrases in regular conversation and get paid in the process.  The idea here is that words and phrases such as “proactive,” “synergy,” and “straw man” aren't typically used in daily life but rather corporate settings .... and people aren't being incentivized for using those 'company' words.

So, in a similar fashion, companies can create key catch phrases to be used in normal conversation to help promote their brand(s) and have it make as much sense as "synergy".  I’m not sure how it could be tracked. But perhaps when the under the skin tracking implants, like we saw in the Hunger Games, reach critical mass we may have a more effective way to measure successful campaigns.

I’ve given this a little thought and have tried to create a few phrases to start.  
 

• That’s so Apple.
• How Warner Brothers of you.
• Don’t make me go Olive Garden on your ass.
• Hummmmvveeeeee!!!!!!  (maybe used when in a roller coaster)
• Gatorade it up
• No Way Band -Aid
• Don't pull a Blackberry
• I'm so Starbucks today
• I need to get all Walgreens
• That worked like Quaker Oats

Admittedly, I don’t know what they all mean. But the rhythm of the phrases sounded appealing. So, draw your own conclusions and feel free to suggest some more.  If we can start injecting these into daily culture soon, we are on our way!

Read More

Good, Better, Best – A Christmas Story

Loosely, building on an idea that I wrote last year, "Christmas – What is "Good?", I got to thinking of this Good, Better, Best hierarchy.

Ah ... Good, Better, Best: the clichéd adjectives used just about everywhere.  It seems, to me anyway, that good implies the status quo; potentially average or, worse, below average.  Better is higher in the pecking order so that’s like a silver medal to that of the bronze "good".  Finally, who wouldn’t want to be associated with Best.  Best just blows everything else away.  It’s the gold medal … and I think that’s why Apple never made a product anything less than the best (so they say).

When it comes down to getting presents from Santa one has to be good.  So I would imagine that as long as you don’t fall into the bad category you’re probably guaranteed a pair of socks and maybe a sweater.  But if you fall into the better or best categories … you may be cashing in.  Again, somehow that seems to be the case for Apple.

Let’s imagine that Nick isn’t a terrible person, but he’s a guy in his late 20s that doesn’t do the greatest things.  He’s still a child at heart and maybe (just maybe) still believes in Santa. So, let’s just imagine what that letter may look like:

Dear Santa, I know every year I ask you for presents, but my behavior seemed to have gotten worse over the past few years.  But I’ve done so much this past year to show that I deserve a Microsoft Surface with a blue touch cover keyboard. As you know, a couple of years ago I was not faithful to my wife and that probably led to not getting the iPad with the retina display that I really wanted. But this year, I’ve been better. I only cheated on her a total of 6 times with only 3 other women; compared to the 17 times and the 16 other women from the previous year.  That shows improvement! I have also been improving on my relations with the elderly.  I know I’ve been harsh to them, especially when they’ve been crossing the parking lot at Target and I blare on the horn and yell swear words at them.  While I’m still a ways from helping them cross the street, I’ve show a tremendous restraint and now only beep the horn at them. See, I’ve done better and certainly hope to have a Surface in my stocking on Christmas Morning. Very truly yours, Nick

While, Nick certainly isn’t a saint, he is doing better.  If we go by the Good, Better, Best hierarchy; then since he’s doing better than the previous year he falls into the second category thereby bypassing the good category.   I mean … he’s doing “better” … it’s not “best” but it certainly supersedes “good”.  Then again, if this is the “best” possible behavior he can deliver, then he certainly must be worthy of at least a Google Nexus 7.

I’ve pondered this fictitious scenario a few times and bounced it off of a few people.  Personally, I think the improvement warrants presents, but I may be alone in this one.

Read More

The worst she could say is "No"

I'd consider myself a bit introverted and I definitely lack the self-confidence needed to "put the moves" on a girl at the bar. I remember having this discussion with a few female friends of mine to help me try to build self-confidence. 

After stewing on their encouragement for a while I decided that this simply isn’t true. I concluded that the worst thing I have to process is “no”.  Realistically, there are things that far, far, worse to be heard than “no”.  Here are a few ... 

• Leave me alone or I’ll call the cops


• Excuse me, but I have to look over here now (turns back)


• I don’t speak English (Said in English)


• Gives you a number (probably fake). Starts making out with the next guy trying to pick her up


• I don’t want to kill you, but I will if I have to.


• Are you kidding, I’d never go out with someone as ugly as you!


• Drinks beer, belches in your face.


• Hahahahahahahaha!

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a “no.” Even the kind ones found some way of rejecting me by politely saying “You’re nice, but I don’t think it’d be a good idea.”  But, I have to think that whatever is said somehow translates into a “no.”  It’s an ego defense mechanism.

Fortunately, I don’t think of this anymore and haven’t for some time.  I’m reminded about what Al Bundy said:  “… I have something at home that doesn't care what I look like, accepts me for what I am and is always there when I need it, my couch."

Read More

SciFi Movie Gadgets

I'm kind of a geek.  I've been interested in computers since the 386 microprocessor has been out and I even have a "post PC" device or two.  I don't think I'm addicted to gadgets. I don't need the newest iPad or Galaxy tablet to date, but I think I have enough of an interest in techy gadgets that the reality of owning them has ruined my perception of their role in SciFfi movies.

Let's face it, the high tech stuff we see on the screens are cool. But in my opinion, even if those worlds had a semblance of reality to them, big corporations (whose existence seem ignored in these movies) would be the ones bringing these gadgets to market. As with any big corporation, if there's money to be made they will find a way to do it - then they would have the cash to plow into R&D and develop really cool new things like Lightsaber2 or Holodeck Vista.

So as I watch these big budget, special effects laden, flicks, my mind wanders and I often wonder if there's an untold "reality" of owning these techy gadgets.

The Lightsaber.
Let's take the Lightsaber from Star Wars as an example. As a kid I walked out of the movie house with an adrenaline rush (maybe a bit of a sugar rush too); completely fascinated with the Lightsaber. It was awesome. My mom had to pull me close to her side so I wouldn't bump someone while I swung my hands in a sword-like motion and impersonating the Lightsaber sound.  But as an adult I think that it's another gadget to show off to other Jedi - why else would it be available in different colors? Of course, as with any other gadgets, they're bought and sold.  I'm sure the Empire or the Alliance got a group rate for Lightsabers just like companies get a group rate for cell phones.  And as with cell phones, the Lightsaber rep had to sell them on saber-care ... because Lightsabers look awesome but they never tell you that the light cores in these things burn out quickly; that the battery isn't easily accessible and need to be replaced by the company.

The Holodeck and Transporter
Never been a Star Trek fan, but these were two legendary gadgets that just about anyone would want - one that could simulate environments and one that could send you places without having to check baggage.  Of course the one thing they don't tell you is that the Holodeck requires regular updates. You pay a one time fee for the current version, but if you don't download the updates regularly ads start to come up.  I hear it kind of sucks that an ad for vulcansmeet.com pops up when you're in the middle of an intense combat simulation.

The Transporter on the other hand is probably subscription based. If have to wonder if there are limits in the amount of matter that can be transferred.  Based on today's data plans I would think there would be. Also, if you go over that monthly amount, they probably charge you 39.95 space bucks for each additional Kilogram.  When the transporter was first released they probably offered "Unlimited Matter" plans.  But as the popularity began to grow and their networks stressed they had to throttle those users who were grandfathered into those contracts.  Of course they probably got a lot of complaints because transporting your feet is quick enough, but your thighs just take forever - and if you only have a few seconds to act before some Klingon is about to d'k tahg you, getting throttled can be a bit of an inconvenience.

I can only imagine how the technology would really evolve. As we get closer to that "galaxy far, far away" would the fiction envisioned match the reality of the time.  I won't be around to see it, but at least I can dream about their frustrations.

Read More

My New Year's Resolutions

"I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don't have one, then you are never disappointed. And, I gotta tell ya - it feels phenomenal"

-"Peter La Fleur"  from Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

At the end of every year I like to organize my desk because I like to start off the new one with it clean and in order.  I rationalize that if it starts off neat and organized it'll end the year neat and organized.  Luckily, it usually does.

Like many I used to begin the year with a list of resolutions. You know, that list of positive changes you swear you'll do to lose weight, reach for accomplishments, or turn your life around:

• Quit Smoking & Start Jogging


• Learn to play the clarinet


• Stop playing Xbox all day and get a job

When I set goals like this for myself, I usually fall short and wind up sulking for much longer than I should.  I remember my 2003 resolution was to quit smoking and start exercising. That wasn't successful so I spent the next two years remaking the resolution and feeling sorry for myself that I couldn't do it. Of course when I felt sorry for myself, I'd light up a cigarette.  I finally kicked the habit some time in 2006; coincidentally when I had given up trying to quit up smoking.

I realized that maybe it's not about striving for sweeping positive life changes. But rather perhaps listing negative actions on the New Year's resolution list. Because when it ultimately falls short the actual outcomes are much more positive. I've done this every year since 2006 and I find that I don't brood over unachieved goals.

So, this New Year's resolutions will be:

• Restart smoking


• Drink Heavily


• Investing all hard earned savings in lottery tickets.


• Eat more fried foods.


• Put on 30 more lbs of pure fat.


• Watch 3 more hours of Game Show network and 2 more hours of Cartoon Network per day

I think it's doable. But, if don't reach them I'm certainly not going to sulk. I'll have to see come December 31, 2012.

Read More

Christmas - What is "Good"?

It's Christmas time again. While doing my holiday shopping I've been finding myself eavesdropping on the conversations around me.  It's not like I've been purposefully doing it; I just find it very difficult to not listen when you're elbow to elbow in the checkout line of Toys "R" Us. 

I've noticed parents telling their kids that Santa will bring them presents if they are "good."  I don't disagree with this idea. After all, how long do we have to manipulate the children into eating their vegetables and being quiet during a movie with the promises of a fictitious being bringing presents.

So ... what exactly is "good" ?

I know this isn't a new thought. Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote about this topic in his book "How Good Do We Have To Be."  But that related to something more profound and spiritual. I'm talkin' about being commercially "good" and how it relates to the promise of presents from a bearded fat guy.  So I have to wonder …

The Santa defined "good" seems be an idea defined and perpetuated by parents. Consequently, "good" seems to have a mercurial quality.  For the most part it seems to mean being well-behaved and brushing your teeth every night.   Though, some parents add the responsibility of having A's on your report cards.  But what if some kids (like me back in the day) were just incapable of earning an A. Sure she’s smarter, but would that make my sister more "good" than me?  … And is the quality of my presents reflected in this parental “good” scale?  It would kind of suck that this is the best possible “good” I can deliver and I get a new sweater instead of that Atari 2600 game I wanted.

What if children are rated on an individual good scale rather than one big measurement system.   I may not be able to deliver more than straight B’s on my report card, but I could get tremendous amounts of praise during piano recitals. I would imagine those kind of accomplishments should be factored in.

On the other end of the scale, what if this is a family of super villains.  Consider that Harley Quinn and The Joker had a little super villain kids.   One of the kids hatches a plan that wounds one of the little Batkids (not critically though – just a skinned knee) on the Gotham City Public School playground.  After getting called into the principal’s office the Batkid is the one who gets suspended.  You would have to think that Harley and Joker would think good of their kid and tell them that Santa would be bringing them a Tyco Battery operated Joker Van or something.

This Christmas season I find myself reflecting upon past Christmases and gifts that I’ve received over the years.  For the most part, I think I was good … Santa never seemed to disappoint. I may not have been the ideal kid; and Santa probably should’ve considered me bad some years.   As Christmas day draws closer perhaps “good” doesn’t refer to how well-behaved one is, but maybe … just maybe … how “good” the economy is.

Read More

Rock Stars: Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll … and Benefits?

I can recall from my teenage years being enamored with the idea of being a rock star.  I idolized these guys; partly because they seemed to live sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.  I used to see them in magazines like Rip, Metal Edge, Circus, and Hit Parader.  I was jealous. These people got to play music every day, gain the attention of female fans, drive fast cars, reside in high places, and lived what seemed to be a nonstop party.

Now, close to 20 years later my perception has changed.  Don’t get me wrong, if I could drop everything today and be able to play music tomorrow I would certainly do it.  The difference now is that it’s for a general love of music.  The genre wouldn’t matter, but I would need to be able to make a decent living and have adequate health coverage.   What drew me into wanting to be a rock star decades ago is not what would draw me into being a musician today.

As I grew older; a sobering, harsh, and daydream shattering reality that bands are companies made itself more apparent. Like PepsiCo or Microsoft or Georgia Pacific, bands have a product to sell in a marketplace of consumers. While I have no work experience in this industry, I started to perceive that they’re worried about branding and image; are concerned about numbers (consumer products sales, record sales, ticket sales, etc.); or on the lookout for anything that could threaten demand for their sound.

Recently, I’ve broken out some of the old Dream Theater CD’s and have almost forgotten that the Glass Prison was one of twelve musical pieces about their drummer’s, Mike Portnoy, experience with alcoholism.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed some rehab or drug use news. Bon Jovi noted that, Richie Sambora will be entering rehab and Steven Tyler announced that he and Joe Perry did drugs as recently as 2008 despite having been clean for years.

So I have to wonder …

When a big name band recruiting is someone, do they have a benefits package that they tout?  Do these guys get full medical and dental coverage?  Would the band’s medical plan then cover chemical addiction and/or counseling?  Maybe rockers’ are considered high risk because of their exposure to sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.  If this is the case, perhaps coverage doesn’t extend to S.T.D treatments or chemical dependency; or at the very least, maybe rock stars pay higher premiums … I mean, don’t insurance rates increase if one’s a smoker?

What about other benefits?

Lately, I’ve been watching The Spirit Carries On; the reality TV webisodes of Dream Theater auditioning new drummers. After the audition, the band sat down and proceeded to interview the drummers.  When they were chatting, I didn’t hear any discussions about how many weeks of paid vacation the drummer would get or any mentioning of a generous 401(k)?   What about short and long term disability – why wasn’t that part of the discussion?

I would imagine that musical bands actually do have benefits; but a wide-eyed, awestruck, 15 year old drummer who idolizes these people, probably doesn’t care about full medical or dental.  After all, a 401(k) with generous employer contributions probably isn’t the reason for them wanting to become a rock star – it certainly wasn’t for me.

Then again, maybe the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle is the only benefit really offered – it’s all I’ve ever really seen in those metal magazines as a kid.

Read More

FINTY - Let's Give Social Media a Buzzword!

Social Media Badges - why can't it this be called a FinTY placement?

It’s no secret ‘social media’ is hot right now.

With Facebook’s skyrocketing popularity, it seems like traditional tech bellwethers scurried to try get some footing in this space. Yahoo! launched Pulse, Google had Buzz, and Apple debuted Ping. Even Wal-Mart is throwing their hat into the ring by buying Kosmix, demonstrating that brick and mortar retailers want in on the social media club.

I know the majority of the sites I go to tell me to visit or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Linkedin; usually in that order probably because they’re ranked left to right by popularity.  Facebook and Twitter seem to lead in the popularity race. Youtube probably isn’t that far behind, most likely because it has the resources of Google behind it, and LinkedIn is picking up steam especially in the wake of a high profile IPO.

Sometimes I'll see a Wordpress or Blogspot badge but, I have a tendency of not lumping them in with the social media outlets with stronger brand identities.  Myspace, Digg, and Tumblr icons sometimes make appearances but I rarely think of logging into them just to follow a company, brand, or personality. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Linkedin just have more mindshare and most companies/sites let the websphere know that they too are represented on these popular social media mediums.  Just check out the badges proudly adorned on their site.

I am surprised that there hasn’t been the term popularized regarding the placement of these icons.  I think there should be.  These badges should be rearranged on sites; listing it as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and YouTube and referring to as a “FinTY” placement.  I’ve seen passing references to it, but I’m surprised there hasn’t been an industry wide adoption of this term.  Personally, I could see this happening. I could even see site developers using this as a value-add on.

Developer: “Ok, here are the spec’s. The site will have breadcrumbs, dynamic menus and a customized login page. Did you also need a FinTY placement?”

 You: “Oh yea. Almost forgot about that.  Yes. FinTY it up.”

Social Media is in, it’s happening, and everyone wants a piece of it. I’m no different. I wouldn’t be blogging or on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Digg, Tumblr, Google Buzz, Yahoo! Pulse, AOL Lifestream, About.me … (ok you get the idea) … if I didn’t want just a little social media attention.   The Internet Marketing industry on the whole already has terms like SEO, Bot, Geo targeting, Pay-Per-Click or PPC, Inbound Link, Retargeting, and CPC (to name a few) … FinTY is just another term that could complement it.

So … pass it along . Help popularize it.  Give “FinTY” a chance and make it come alive!

Read More

A Rock Band Game (um ... before the Xbox)

When I was younger my friends and I would often play a rock band game.  This was in the 90s and the Xbox was a few years away.  It wasn't something that required an electronic console or even a pen and paper.  Just a little imagination.  Usually we'd play over a few drinks so it was a pretty good laugh ... at least we thought so.  All of us loved music and we all had very different musical tastes.  It made for good time trying to think about what bands should tour together.

We weren’t thinking about the good shows these bands or artists would put on. We were trying to think of band’s names that had the best synergies to create an attention getting marquee.  Personally, I think this is a pretty addicting game and still find myself thinking about this when mowing my lawn.  Here are a few that we came up with back then and a few that have resulted in this game played recently:

• Foreigner with Bad English


• Live and The Grateful Dead


• Kiss and Saliva


• Styx with The Stones


• Police and Warrant


• Prince, Queen, and King Crimson


• Europe and Asia


• U2 and The B52’s


• Def Leppard with Blind Melon


• Chicago and Boston


• Slaughter and The Killers


• Train, The Cars, and Jefferson Airplane


• Blue Man Group, Pink Floyd, Green Day, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers

This is all I could think of in one sitting … but if YOU think of any, feel free to comment ...

Read More

The Logic of Superstition Part II – The Good Luck

In my last post, The Logic of Superstition Part I - The Bad Luck, there were some of the bad luck superstitions that didn't make sense (to me anyway).  In this part II of II post on superstitions, I have to wonder about the "good luck" superstitions. 

Rain on your wedding

I remember attending the wedding of a close family friend.  As soon as Pachelbel’s Canon in D starts playing and the bride and her father line up at the top of the aisle, it began to pour. It was a summer Saturday and the doors of the church were open and we could hear the rain rapidly hitting the pavement.  A friend had uttered an empathetic “aw” about the rain and said “well, they say ‘if it rains on your wedding day it is good luck.’”  I would imagine this is the case because ten years later they are still married and have two wonderful children.

But I have had to think about this one.  Is it limited to just rain or could it be any precipitous event?  If it’s a winter wedding is snow or sleet just as lucky?  If it’s not the precipitation but an unfortunate or unanticipated event, then would the limo getting into a fender bender on the way to the church be considered lucky?  Or, what if all the guests are delayed by an hour because of a burst water pipe on the highway … certainly those unanticipated events must be better luck than that of a common rain.

Knock On Wood

"We're right on schedule, knock on wood."  Admittedly, this one I have a hard time understanding.  From what I understand, the phrase was originally "stomp wood" because way back in the day people would stomp on wooden floors for luck.  When houses moved to tile, carpet, or even linoleum; why didn't the phrase evolve along with it rather than the "wood" part of the phrase staying and the motion being moved to the hands?  Personally, I think "stomp tile" has a timeless quality to it.

That aside, I have to wonder there are acceptable levels of  wood types.  For example, is knocking on a piece of solid finished oak more lucky than an a piece of particle board? Also, if it's painted then does that qualify as wood? Technically, that's knocking paint.

Getting Pooped on by a Seagull

I couldn’t believe this one when I heard it.  At first, I thought it was someone joking around with me. But others have come forth and have told me the same thing: “getting pooped on by a seagull is good luck.” I wonder if this is applicable to cars because my car seems to be very lucky when I go to the beach.

Why is this limited to just sea gulls?  It seems equally plausible that a blue jay pooping on you would be just as lucky – maybe even luckier.  I have seen more sea gulls at the beach than I do blue jays in my back yard, so the chances of a blue jay happening are rarer and the luck would seem much more valuable.  And why is this just limited to sea gull poo?  It would stand to reason, the bigger the poo, the luckier it is.  I’ve never seen anyone stepping in dog, deer, or moose droppings and sincerely say “Goddamn that’s lucky!”

Admittedly I throw salt over my shoulders, don’t step on any cracks, and even have a lucky horse shoe.   I suppose I don’t really have a hard time believing; I probably just have a hard time understanding.  There are so many superstitions and old wives tales that it makes just as much sense to believe them in at face value as well as its reciprocal.  I’m also inclined to believe in the compounding of them. But who knows if the day will ever come.  If you see me get pooped on by a sea gull on my wedding day and it rains you know I’ll be playing the lottery very soon because there’s a good chance I can win … knock on wood.

Read More

The Logic of Superstition Part I - The Bad Luck

"... Pythagoras was right: To find truths, we must invert"

- You Have More Than You Think by the Motley Fool

Regardless of the origins of many superstitions, many have made their way into our everyday culture and we take them at face value.  A black cat crosses your path is bad luck, walking under a ladder is bad luck, breaking a mirror is 7 years bad luck.  Then there are the good luck superstitions: Rain on your wedding day is good luck, knocking on wood to preserve you current luck, getting pooped on by a seagull is good luck. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a believer in rituals and superstitions – I wouldn’t be running my hands up and down either side of the slot machines after each spin hoping for the big payoff if I didn’t. But as they prove to not to improve my luck I begin to start mulling over the intensity of luck based on characteristics of the situation or even the plausibility of the inverse.  I have picked up a heads up penny many times only to have a bad day to follow – so I have to wonder.

The Black Cat Superstition

I’ve heard this one a lot, as you no doubt have.  So, is it good luck if a white cat crosses your path? If a black one crosses your path and its bad luck, certainly the opposite must be true.  What about a beige one, could it mean ordinary luck?  What about the size of the cat? Would degree of bad luck depend upon the size of the cat?  I would think so. If a panther crosses your path, I’d imagine you’re about to have a really bad day.

I also wonder why it’s isolated to just the cat - since the second layer to the superstition is the color.  So, if one’s path is crossed by a Black Labrador, would that be good luck? Or would it mean that it’s even worse luck than a small cat.  What about a black bear?  Like the panther, I would think that if a black bear crosses your path, the day is about to get a whole lot worse.

Lastly, what about the path - where does it end? Does one’s luck change the closer the animal is? If you’re traveling down the highway and a black cat that is not in your sight, crosses your path that would still constitute bad luck.  But you were unaware.

I suppose the next time I have a bad day, I’ll have to attribute it to a black cat a mile down the road.

Walking Under a Ladder.

This one I had a hard time with, but I still avoid walking under them so I don’t tempt the fates.  Without researching this, I suppose I could see the logic behind it.  Pre-hardhats or even pre-toolbelts, if you walked under a ladder you probably and regularly got conked on the head by some clumsy carpenter.  If walking under the ladder is bad luck, then climbing over one must be good luck.  I mean … the clumsy carpenter sure had better luck than the poor victim below.

Breaking a mirror - 7 years bad luck

When I was young, I accidentally broke my cousin’s make-up mirror.  I knew that meant 7 years bad luck.  That must have been the case because over the course of the following seven years, I did not win the lottery, marry a Victoria Secret's model, or even become super popular in high school. Now that I think of it, I suppose the bad luck fallout of that mirror lasted 12 years. Regardless, I started thinking that if I glued it back together, would that improve my luck?  I don’t mean that fractured, super glued, “back together” – I mean if I were a glass expert and was able to restore it to its original luster.

Furthermore, what about someone that works in mirror factory?  Imagine someone who builds mirrors for a living.  They make mirrors day in and day out; careful to not break them because it would hurt their profit margins (I suppose that alone would be bad luck).  So, if that person has never broken a mirror but constructs them they must have good luck.  That seems to be the case because as an entrepreneur they started up and are running a mirror manufacturing company.

There's still more to wonder about.

Until Next Time ...

Read More

Vampires – Things I wonder

Admittedly, I know nothing about vampires.    I’ve seen Dracula with Keeanu Reeves and that Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt vampire movie in the 90s, but I have yet to embrace this decade’s vampire fervor.  So … no … I haven’t seen Twilight or even Vampires Suck.

Close friends, relatives, and work related acquaintances would probably agree that I’m a tad mysophobic. So, the rudimentary premise of sucking the blood from their victim raises some questions. I have to wonder if there are vampires that could be afraid of germs too.  In my mind, there would have to be.  They look like people (with some slight physical differences), communicate in human languages, and have some human behaviors.  It would stand to reason there would be that one vampire that carries around hand sanitizer or a wet nap applying it to people’s necks before biting in.

What about bloodborne pathogen campaigns? Some places, like schools, post S.T.D. information to educate people about the dangers of Chlamydia or Gonorrhea and to abstain or be careful who they are with … because if they sleep with someone; they sleep with every partner they had before that.  In my mind, that idea would extend to the Vampire/Human relationship.  Posters would be posted in hallways noting that they should be careful who bites them because you never know who their vampire partner has bitten before.

After pondering some of that, I've also asked myself the inverse: "what if they’re immune to these kinds of things?"  From what I am told there isn’t much that could kill a vampire - back in my day, the lore was a wooden stake through the heart.  So if these are beings that could occupy space, be touched, and perceived then why aren’t there more stories about some being captured and studied to determine longevity or what antibodies exist in their blood exist to fight off colds or even HIV. Additionally, this would lead to more stories about protests for vampire rights or anti-vampire medical testing.

So ... getting away from the germy side of my curiosity, I also wonder if different vampires have a palate for different blood types.  Like someone may prefer a Bordeaux to a Chardonnay, would a vampire prefer an AB positive to an O negative?  If so, is it also like wine where age is a determinant?  Could vampires potentially get suggestions from blood stewards?  Such as: "This is a bold, vintage 70 year old, O Negative."

I can't say that I really have the inclination to investigate the vampire phenom further.  But my ignorance on the matter has made for interesting conversations with friends and coworkers. I'm sure through our discussions I'll eventually find answers to these questions ...

Read More