The last week has been hectic. That's not to say it's a bad thing to be busy, but there is a lot of different things going on right now. Unfortunately, that means that posting sort of gets put on the back burner.
Of course, being able to balance everything and not taking on too much is important, too. So I'm going to keep posting, but I am going to try to make them more fluid - which is another way of saying stream of consciousness. I am just going to write and hope something moderately intelligent, or at least intelligible comes out.
Here's hoping.
But, assuming I can manage everything, it will hopefully also be a temporary shift. I like to consider topics and focus on one idea. It results, generally, in a much better post. I must admit, however, that just writing like I am now is somewhat freeing, and far less stressful. I've put more on the page in the last 5 minutes than I have in two weeks. And even if its repetitious, poorly written, and boring, I could at least make the argument that something is better than nothing. You may disagree.
Fortunately for me, however, since I most of my readership doesn't post comments anyway, I don't really have to worry about negative feedback. There are a few exceptions, of course (Mom), but honestly, the advantage of humming your own tune is twofold: Either you drown out everyone else, or you don't even realize they aren't listening. You've just got make sure you don't stop.
Hmmmm...Uh, hello?
Friday, October 23, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Tuxedo Effect
An amusing anecdote from yesterday, highlighting the many hilarious facets of the human mind (quotes may not be verbatim, but pretty darn close):
Last night I went to play poker with some friends. I've spoken about this before: it's a great group, and Brian and Jesse's home outside of Tampa is beautiful. Unfortunately, due to where its located, it can be a real bear getting out there during Friday's rush to get home. Last time took about an hour and forty minutes! To help skirt this, and save time, I met the other half of the group at Westshore mall to carpool and leave before the dreaded traffic struck. The problem is, of course, that I live in the opposite direction, so I didn't have time to stop at home to change - I was still in my formal work attire.
Now, as a brief precursor, several studies have come out recently regarding the placebo effect, and the power of the mind to influence situations. These studies got me thinking, and made me decide to try a little experiment. Knowing full well I wouldn't have time to change that evening, I packed a bag of clothes to change, and dressed up in some of my sharper clothes (black shirt, grey pants, silverish-grey tie - very snazzy). I might not be worth a million bucks, but I only had to convince people that I was.
I wandered around for a little while, and then stumbled upon the perfect store: Brookstone, home of the expensive gadget that is really cool but you certainly don't need.
Merely walking into the store confirmed my suspicions: Like a moths to a flame... locusts upon a field... they descended. Salesmen - hunger in their eye.
I actually walked in, unintentionally, at the same time as another group wearing faded t-shirts. I believe the salesman said something like this: "How are you folks do -- Sir, are you looking for something in particular?"
He had been carefully placing items on a low shelf, but some sixth sense must have alerted him to my prescence - in a moment, he had suddenly stood bolt upright, head just peering over the display - like some prairie dog out of his hole, sniffing the wind.
And when I made the mistake of turning away for but a moment to check some newfangled holographic clock/toaster gadget, he was upon me: "Perhaps you would like to try our new deluxe shoulder massager? It's like having your own personal massuese on hand 24/7."
I actually feel kind of bad, because I intentionally said, "Oh no, thank you, I'm just looking," and then made a bee-line directly to the biggest display in the store, to where the most outlandish armchair I had seen in a long time waited.
"That's the newest in our UltraRelaxtion line. It actually senses how you are sitting and analyzes your muscle tension to create a personalized massage experience."
"Really?" In my most delightfully surprised voice.
"Oh yes, and we're having a special promotional offer." He cooed.
Out of curiousity, I actually checked the price tag at this point: It was $150 dollars off... of a $2000+ armchair. Hooray for <5% off!
And then the salesman tossed me a softball I simply couldn't resist: "You know, I could tell you more, but it really is the type of thing you must experience."
"Oh, I don't know... I don't think I could - it seems like the type of thing where if I tried it, I simply couldn't say no." I definitely felt a twinge of guilt at that one, especially when he responded, right on cue.
"Well, now you simply must try it!" He was really excited at this point.
At that point, although I actually did want to try the chair, I simply couldn't string the guy along any further. Another gentlemen walked into the store, and so I politely excused myself as best I could. I know its the salesman's job to do it, and he has to deal with failure constantly, but it still bothered me to string the guy along when there was absolutely zero chance of me buying anything. I might as well let him work on another customer who actually might purchase something. Perhaps he was just good at seeming interested (and a good salesmen will), but I have never gotten that level of attention, and so quickly, before. He actually seemed disappointed when I left, like the big one that got away.
But it was an entertaining and enlightening experience. My goal was to really see how much of a difference The Tuxedo Effect would make... and what a difference. It is something we all realize, but it is shocking to experience at times. And honestly, it wasn't just in Brookstone where I suddenly recieved so much more attention. I guess I just looked like a man with money burning through his pockets.
Power suit, indeed.
Last night I went to play poker with some friends. I've spoken about this before: it's a great group, and Brian and Jesse's home outside of Tampa is beautiful. Unfortunately, due to where its located, it can be a real bear getting out there during Friday's rush to get home. Last time took about an hour and forty minutes! To help skirt this, and save time, I met the other half of the group at Westshore mall to carpool and leave before the dreaded traffic struck. The problem is, of course, that I live in the opposite direction, so I didn't have time to stop at home to change - I was still in my formal work attire.
Now, as a brief precursor, several studies have come out recently regarding the placebo effect, and the power of the mind to influence situations. These studies got me thinking, and made me decide to try a little experiment. Knowing full well I wouldn't have time to change that evening, I packed a bag of clothes to change, and dressed up in some of my sharper clothes (black shirt, grey pants, silverish-grey tie - very snazzy). I might not be worth a million bucks, but I only had to convince people that I was.
I wandered around for a little while, and then stumbled upon the perfect store: Brookstone, home of the expensive gadget that is really cool but you certainly don't need.
Merely walking into the store confirmed my suspicions: Like a moths to a flame... locusts upon a field... they descended. Salesmen - hunger in their eye.
I actually walked in, unintentionally, at the same time as another group wearing faded t-shirts. I believe the salesman said something like this: "How are you folks do -- Sir, are you looking for something in particular?"
He had been carefully placing items on a low shelf, but some sixth sense must have alerted him to my prescence - in a moment, he had suddenly stood bolt upright, head just peering over the display - like some prairie dog out of his hole, sniffing the wind.
And when I made the mistake of turning away for but a moment to check some newfangled holographic clock/toaster gadget, he was upon me: "Perhaps you would like to try our new deluxe shoulder massager? It's like having your own personal massuese on hand 24/7."
I actually feel kind of bad, because I intentionally said, "Oh no, thank you, I'm just looking," and then made a bee-line directly to the biggest display in the store, to where the most outlandish armchair I had seen in a long time waited.
"That's the newest in our UltraRelaxtion line. It actually senses how you are sitting and analyzes your muscle tension to create a personalized massage experience."
"Really?" In my most delightfully surprised voice.
"Oh yes, and we're having a special promotional offer." He cooed.
Out of curiousity, I actually checked the price tag at this point: It was $150 dollars off... of a $2000+ armchair. Hooray for <5% off!
And then the salesman tossed me a softball I simply couldn't resist: "You know, I could tell you more, but it really is the type of thing you must experience."
"Oh, I don't know... I don't think I could - it seems like the type of thing where if I tried it, I simply couldn't say no." I definitely felt a twinge of guilt at that one, especially when he responded, right on cue.
"Well, now you simply must try it!" He was really excited at this point.
At that point, although I actually did want to try the chair, I simply couldn't string the guy along any further. Another gentlemen walked into the store, and so I politely excused myself as best I could. I know its the salesman's job to do it, and he has to deal with failure constantly, but it still bothered me to string the guy along when there was absolutely zero chance of me buying anything. I might as well let him work on another customer who actually might purchase something. Perhaps he was just good at seeming interested (and a good salesmen will), but I have never gotten that level of attention, and so quickly, before. He actually seemed disappointed when I left, like the big one that got away.
But it was an entertaining and enlightening experience. My goal was to really see how much of a difference The Tuxedo Effect would make... and what a difference. It is something we all realize, but it is shocking to experience at times. And honestly, it wasn't just in Brookstone where I suddenly recieved so much more attention. I guess I just looked like a man with money burning through his pockets.
Power suit, indeed.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Exhaustive...
It's been a busy week for me, and I'm extremely exhausted. So tired, in fact, that I was about to post a whole other blog entry when I finally realized that it would be unwise to do so (I know you are intrigued... but you won't find the answers here).
Anyway, to make a long story short, here is a blog post about my other blog post, one that is mercifully short for both you and me. If you would like to know more about my exhaustive week (which honestly, why would you? Do YOU like to hear people complain?) I'm sure you can talk to me or someone I've whined to. And if you like to know what I was going to post, well, too bad.
And one final note, for those of you who have noticed grammatical errors, and etc. in my posts and/or commented on it(Not naming any names... NATE!): Indeed, I only perform a quick check over my blog posts for general issues. You will find, as in the case of my title (which should say 'exhausted'; 'exhaustive' could be interpreted in more than one way), that blogging is a release for the week, and an opportunity to simply streamline my writing, and not attack it head on. Editing my novel fills that void. For those of you who keep up with my blog - me sorry for bad grammer and speling, deal with it!
Anyway, to make a long story short, here is a blog post about my other blog post, one that is mercifully short for both you and me. If you would like to know more about my exhaustive week (which honestly, why would you? Do YOU like to hear people complain?) I'm sure you can talk to me or someone I've whined to. And if you like to know what I was going to post, well, too bad.
And one final note, for those of you who have noticed grammatical errors, and etc. in my posts and/or commented on it(Not naming any names... NATE!): Indeed, I only perform a quick check over my blog posts for general issues. You will find, as in the case of my title (which should say 'exhausted'; 'exhaustive' could be interpreted in more than one way), that blogging is a release for the week, and an opportunity to simply streamline my writing, and not attack it head on. Editing my novel fills that void. For those of you who keep up with my blog - me sorry for bad grammer and speling, deal with it!
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