Feeling like a Star in my stunner shades

I was having coffee at my favorite observatory, Starbucks, with a friend.  We sat outside and the sun was glaring into my eyes.  I sadly stated, "I broke my sunglasses" and moved my chair.  He prompted, "Do you buy expensive sunglasses or cheap ones".  I said, "I used to buy cheap ones, but would lose them and now I buy expensive ones".  He asked me a very interesting question.

"What makes you lose the cheap ones, but not the expensive ones?"

I replied, "Because I take care of them better because they cost more"... and when i was saying it .. it sounded so ridiculous and I giggled.  He asked why I would take care of them more if they cost more money.  And I laughed and said I didn't have a good answer and knew what he was getting at.

Shouldn't we take care of any items we receive or purchase regardless of the price?  The dollars we spend on any item are equally earned no matter how it's spent?

Which brings me to my observation...We are brand driven.  While I would agree if you purchase a cheap pair of sunglasses they may not be the quality that a more expensive pair are, but should you "lose" them more often?

Interesting views:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/09/why-expensive-sunglasses-might-make-more-sense/

http://consumerist.com/2010/07/15/6-reasons-why-designer-sunglasses-are-a-rip-off/

Modern Day Soap Operas

Reality shows continue to gain popularity and the cast members are instant stars.  Are reality shows the modern day soap opera?

With the same story lines and cliffhangers... we are drawn into the drama, suspense, sex, lies and relationships.

"Soap opera storylines run concurrently, intersect and lead into further developments. An individual episode of a soap opera will generally switch between several different concurrent narrative threads that may at times interconnect and affect one another or may run entirely independent of each other. Each episode may feature some of the show's current storylines but not always all of them. Especially in daytime serials and those that are screened each weekday, there is some rotation of both storyline and actors so any given storyline or actor will appear in some but usually not all of a week's worth of episodes. Soap operas rarely bring all the current storylines to a conclusion at the same time. When one storyline ends there are several other story threads at differing stages of development. Soap opera episodes typically end on some sort of cliffhanger, and the Season Finale ends in the same way, only to be resolved when the show returns for the start of a new yearly broadcast" (Full Wikipedia Article).

The reality shows are now even accommodating working women, by publishing the shows during evening prime time.

According to Wikipedia, "Reality television has faced significant criticism since its rise in popularity. Much of the criticism has centered around the use of the word "reality", and such shows' attempt to present themselves as a straightforward recounting of events that have occurred. Critics have argued that reality television shows do not present reality in ways both implicit (participants being placed in artificial situations) and deceptive or even fraudulent, such as misleading editing, participants being coached in what to say or how to behave, storylines generated ahead of time, and scenes being staged or re-staged for the cameras. Other criticisms of reality television shows include that they are intended to humiliate or exploit participants (particularly on competition shows), that they make celebrities out of untalented people who do not deserve fame, and that they glamorize vulgarity and materialism."

So the next time you are worried if Jaxx is sleeping with Kristen on the Vanderpump Rules.. just remember Stassi is being paid for her every emotion and the more drama the better.  

What does the future hold for reality tv?  Get ready to host your own YouTube channel offering your audience a daily subscription to your version of Housewives of (add your city her). Get enough views and an advertiser will pay for your daily drama!

Is the internet making us smarter with fun facts?

Remember the old days with that building called a library filled with knowledge ( You may not have stepped into one in a while)? When a question would pop into your head like "What does a fox say?", you would think about it and if the question lingered long enough, you might look it up in a book at your next visit to your local library or you might ask someone.  However, the chances were slim you would get an answer.

With the Internet, we can instantly find out answers to questions we may have just let pass through our mind previously. I find I know more about the little things in life like the old sayings like "lets hit the road" or what "deadline" really means and the history behind it!  We can also find lyrics instead of going years singing the wrong ones...

Enjoy the technology age!

CEO of MY LIFE

I’ve been working since a young age… for employers and for my own company.  Like most people, I desire to be successful.  The definition of success is determined by the individual.  For some, it is having an 8-5 job that pays their bills.  For others, it’s climbing the corporate ladder.   In reading a blog from my former employer’s CEO, who states he missed some important times with his family for work and is proud of being the CEO of a multi-million dollar company. He stated, “I could not attend the holidays at our (second) home. (I) had to make sure one more deal closed before the end of the quarter.”

I believe in working hard, but being there for my family during the “life” moments is my true definition of success.  While success in business means making sacrifices…   what are you willing to give up for a deal? And how important is your presence to your family – do you think they would pick a second home over you “being there”?

Wishes

Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.   Heard millions of times in all kinds of situations.  BUT, what happens when they get what they wish for .....they don't know how to accept it.  So, I think the saying should but modified...

If you get what you wish for - CELEBRATE!

After the rain...a beautiful rainbow...

Some days are good, some are not so good, either way, life has a way of reminding us to be thankful for the "little" things.  When throwing myself a pity party - complete with tears, tissues and something sweet - I was reminded there are people who cannot change their situations. It's okay to have a pity party, but throw out your guests when the party is over.. don't let them linger.   Most certainly, you will realize that after the rain comes a beautiful rainbow...

Is Starbucks like a bar?

I went into Starbucks last week and found the same people in the same chairs hanging out. Which made me question... is Starbucks like a bar? 

You have your "regulars" who the baristas  know by name and their specialty drink.  They sport a gold card. They are harmless, unless you take their seat. Next you have your "salesperson" who holds their sales pitches for whatever they are selling this week.  They wait at their table as you unsuspectingly order your beverage then they pounce on you like a lion and ask you several "general" questions or give you a compliment to open a conversation for their sales pitch.  Then you have the "singles" doing their version of speed dating.  They hook up on internet websites like e-harmony and consider Starbucks a safe public place to meet.  You can spot this type of action easily... dressed up, giggly and grins from ear to ear... unless of course... they are a victim of false advertising.  "Creatives"  are people who meet for business to exchange ideas or business information over a cup of joe.  I suppose this is more acceptable than a bar meeting these days.. but similar to the "let's have a drink" (at the bar) in the past.  Of course from time to time you even get someone on the "ex"s club..two people meeting to exchange information about their former partner - or the "gossip girls" who meet to discuss the latest drama.  The people in the drive thru are simply trying to get their caffeine buzz on the go, mom's in sweatpants, commuters, etc. 

Who am I?  I am the "observer"... and yes, I'm watching you....