We all know about the possibility of finding coal in our stockings due to being on the “bad list” and we have all heard of the Grinch and his devious plan to rob Christmas and even a few of us have had an Ebenezer Scrooge as a boss but this year’s Christmas culprit could come in the form of a “troll”.
Even though there was a slight increase in people spending during this past Black Friday holiday (doesn’t it seem like its receiving more and more attention every year?) the increase was minute and does not make up for the lack of spending that has taken place the past few years.
This lack of spending is due to our struggling economy, but piggy-backing on the economies broken back are unnecessary hikes in product prices forced upon businesses by “patent trolls”.
Patent trolls are, simply, companies who look to buy patents off from bankrupt or struggling businesses or firms for the sole purpose of targeting bigger and more successful businesses that have a product or service that has infringed upon their patent in order to bring a lawsuit against them.
Many times the businesses with the infringement will settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to avoid a lengthy and costly court process. Now, what does this have to do with our Christmas shopping?
Well, once these businesses have paid off their patent litigation, they will have to increase the cost of their product and service so that us the consumers can make up for the loss. This is similar to what is taking place in the medical field, hospitals and doctors are required to charge much higher based upon any litigation or future litigation that is brought against them.
So when it comes this Christmas season make sure to give a big “Merry Christmas” to your local patent troll!
What to do about Willie? And of course I’m referring to Willie Nelson. The iconic country singer was arrested in the west Texas town of Sierra Blanca, for what? Marijuana possession of course! The arrest took place Friday morning just over two weeks prior to his stop here in Tyler on December eleventh. Of course he posted a twenty- five hundred dollar bail and went on his way, but I doubt the incident will serve as any kind of wake- up call for the seventy seven year old musician.
The arrest brought a lot of criticism to our state, by readers and bloggers, who found Nelson’s arrest ridiculous and harassing. It’s my guess they must have been California readers. Look I’ll admit I’m torn. Telling Willie not to smoke pot is akin to telling a Kennedy to remain monogamous. It’s really for the best, but will he do it? Please… I have this vision of the country legend lighting up about a mile down the road from the police station after his release. That may be cynical, but it’s also very possible.
So what to do with Willie? According the article I read his arrest took place about nine in the morning when the office in question smelled smoke coming off the bus. Of course that particular bus is probably so saturated that the relatively uninitiated like myself, could get high on the preexisting fumes. Listen California. Please allow me to explain since many of you don’t seem to understand. We Texans are very much into personal liberties like keeping what we make, living where we want or protecting ourselves, our families and what we own. We’re generally not comfortable with widespread chemical addiction. I know Austin… I know… but for the most part we are generally conservative folks.
In the case of Willie Nelson I suggest that he spend the majority of his time in an atmosphere that allows him to pursue his… hobbies and interests, and only really venture out for concert appearances etc. When outside the commune participating in those aforementioned activities is taking chances but those are his to take. Just don’t get mad at us if he lands in hot water from time to time.
This whole story and subsequent discussion, coincides with Mr. Nelson’s visit to Tyler, which is rapidly approaching. I actually really enjoy his music and would certainly attend the concert given the opportunity. Here’s to hoping he can stay out of trouble long enough make it here. For more info on Willie Nelson’s Oil Palace concert, visit their website at www.oilpalace.com.
Thanksgiving night, lines out the door, why? Some deals are good, some are not worth it. Makes me wonder how many of these people actually would buy this stuff if it wasn’t on sale. One of my favorite things that I use to tell my husband when I buy something on sale is “it was 50% off, I saved you $20”. Of course he isn’t impressed and says “you could have saved me $20 if you didn’t buy it in the first place.” I don’t say that anymore. But I do admit I was in line Friday morning at 3:00 for a camcorder that I had talked myself into “needing” (60% off of original prices, it was a must have). As I stood there for two hours repeatedly asking myself why I was there with only five other people in line fighting to the death over the thirteen available camcorders, I was rather entertained by the Wal-Mart employees.
As you walk into the store, you could feel the fear of the employees, as if it was the quiet before the storm. The store was mapped out. Each large sale item was marked by lettered balloon and two clueless employees. The balloons were spread across the store for flat screen televisions, Playstation 3, Blueray players, and this year’s popular item, a laptop on sale for $200. As I stood alone for the first hour in “line” for the most unpopular item manager after manager asked me what line I was standing in line for. They had no idea what was going on. Employees and managers even came up to me asking where the line for some desktop computer was. I was following their map and instructions that they didn’t even understand. The smaller sale items, such as movies, video games, and popular toys, were wrapped in plastic wrap and an employee guarded them like a hawk.
Once the clock struck five the wild rumpus exploded. You could barely walk down the aisles and if you were pushing a shopping cart you were entering a death trap. Not to mention the frustrating older ladies that would stop and talk to their friends right in the middle of the traffic, while you stood behind them unable to move your cart around them as they talk about how many people are in the store.
Something surprisingly impressive happened that day, something I never have seen and probably never will see again. Wal-Mart had all of their cash registers opened at the same time. Well done Wal-Mart!
So next year as you are getting ready for the big sales I recommend Tyler TX Wal-Mart (especially on Troop hwy.) but make sure you know what you are doing because the employees are no help.
We all know about the possibility of finding coal in our stockings due to being on the “bad list” and we have all heard of the Grinch and his devious plan to rob Christmas and even a few of us have had an Ebenezer Scrooge as a boss but this year’s Christmas culprit could come in the form of a “troll”.