Over the past week I've noticed four businesses in my neighborhood that have all recently shut down. Some of these I frequented, others I didn't; but they have all been open as long as I've lived in Houston (nine years). Now they're all closed:
-- Palais Royale
-- Avenue
-- Taco Bell
-- Yen Jing Chinese Restaurant
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Inflation, Anyone?
Looks like it may be a slow summer for posting. Anyway, here's a little bit more of the inflation news trickle:
WASHINGTON — Nine months into the fiscal year, the federal deficit has topped $1 trillion for the first time.
The imbalance is intensifying fears about higher interest rates and inflation, and already pressuring the value of the dollar. There's also concern about trying to reverse the deficit — by reducing government spending or raising taxes — in the midst of a harsh recession.
The Treasury Department said Monday that the deficit in June totaled $94.3 billion, pushing the total since the budget year started in October to nearly $1.1 trillion.
The deficit has been propelled by the huge sum the government has spent to combat the recession and financial crisis, combined with a sharp decline in tax revenues. Paying for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also is a major factor.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6527058.html
WASHINGTON — Nine months into the fiscal year, the federal deficit has topped $1 trillion for the first time.
The imbalance is intensifying fears about higher interest rates and inflation, and already pressuring the value of the dollar. There's also concern about trying to reverse the deficit — by reducing government spending or raising taxes — in the midst of a harsh recession.
The Treasury Department said Monday that the deficit in June totaled $94.3 billion, pushing the total since the budget year started in October to nearly $1.1 trillion.
The deficit has been propelled by the huge sum the government has spent to combat the recession and financial crisis, combined with a sharp decline in tax revenues. Paying for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also is a major factor.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6527058.html
Friday, June 26, 2009
PROPS to McCarran
PROPS to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. It has FREE wireless internet access throughout almost the entire airport.
This is one of the few major places I've been that realizes it's 2009.
This is one of the few major places I've been that realizes it's 2009.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Day Pop Died
The L.A. Times has just reported that legendary pop singer Michael Jackson is dead. He arrived at UCLA Medical Center in a deep coma, and evidently, died shortly thereafter.
Say what you will about Michael Jackson, but he was one of the greatest performers of the 20th Century. His 1982 smash album Thriller arguably contains some of the best pop songs in the history of the genre.
I contend that if "Billie Jean" was released tomorrow it would still be a huge success. I also contend that the video for the song "Thriller" is absolute genius. Before you dismiss this, consider that when it was released, MTV didn't play African American artists, and in fact debated whether to show a Michael Jackson video at all, out of fear of alienating their core audience. Little did they know that Michael Jackson would soon define that core audience.
Jackson's post 1980's life was marred by scandal and controversy, usually involving children. I personally believe that he was innocent of any crime, and that the media blew it way out of proportion. That said, sometimes Jackson didn't do himself any favors -- claiming he owned the remains of the Elephant Man, or claiming that he slept in an oxygen chamber, or having underage children sleepover at it his house -- none of these things helped his perception.
All of this said, in my opinion Jackson was a musical genius. And there is no entertainer alive today that comes close to the impact Jackson had on music and pop culture.
Michael Jackson, August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009.
R.I.P.
Say what you will about Michael Jackson, but he was one of the greatest performers of the 20th Century. His 1982 smash album Thriller arguably contains some of the best pop songs in the history of the genre.
I contend that if "Billie Jean" was released tomorrow it would still be a huge success. I also contend that the video for the song "Thriller" is absolute genius. Before you dismiss this, consider that when it was released, MTV didn't play African American artists, and in fact debated whether to show a Michael Jackson video at all, out of fear of alienating their core audience. Little did they know that Michael Jackson would soon define that core audience.
Jackson's post 1980's life was marred by scandal and controversy, usually involving children. I personally believe that he was innocent of any crime, and that the media blew it way out of proportion. That said, sometimes Jackson didn't do himself any favors -- claiming he owned the remains of the Elephant Man, or claiming that he slept in an oxygen chamber, or having underage children sleepover at it his house -- none of these things helped his perception.
All of this said, in my opinion Jackson was a musical genius. And there is no entertainer alive today that comes close to the impact Jackson had on music and pop culture.
Michael Jackson, August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009.
R.I.P.
104
I saw on CNN this afternoon that it was 104 degrees in Houston yesterday. Needless to say, I didn't believe it. Mostly because much of what the national news reports is exagerrated, if not outright false. But also because yesterday afternoon I was out driving around in it, while wearing a suit. And while it felt hot, it didn't feel that hot.
Looks like I was wrong.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that it really was 104 yesterday afternoon, and that this set a new record for June. Houston is now under a "Heat Emergency". I didn't know what a "Heat Emergency" was until I read the article, but I do suspect it's something that didn't exist 25 years ago.
Of the summer months, June is usually the coolest in Houston. Let's hope that's not true this year.
Looks like I was wrong.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that it really was 104 yesterday afternoon, and that this set a new record for June. Houston is now under a "Heat Emergency". I didn't know what a "Heat Emergency" was until I read the article, but I do suspect it's something that didn't exist 25 years ago.
Of the summer months, June is usually the coolest in Houston. Let's hope that's not true this year.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Anecdotal Inflation - H1N1
Today I noticed that the price of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer has increased to more than $3.00 a bottle. Six months ago, around here, you could find shelves full of the stuff at the local "Dollar Tree" store.
That's a 200% increase in less than six months.
While there is obviously a strong positive correlation between the H1N1 ("Swine Flu") virus and the demand for hand sanitizer, isn't a 200% price increase excessive even under these circumstances? Especially considering that the price of sanitizer began to increase way before the current H1N1 scare?
Finally, how effective is an ANTI-BACTERIAL hand sanitizer going to be against a VIRUS?
That's a 200% increase in less than six months.
While there is obviously a strong positive correlation between the H1N1 ("Swine Flu") virus and the demand for hand sanitizer, isn't a 200% price increase excessive even under these circumstances? Especially considering that the price of sanitizer began to increase way before the current H1N1 scare?
Finally, how effective is an ANTI-BACTERIAL hand sanitizer going to be against a VIRUS?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Aughts
I think this decade, whatever historians end up calling it, is probably going to be remembered for three things:
1. 9/11
2. The Iraq War (and by proxy the W. Bush Administration)
3. Reality TV
As I consider this very short list, I can't help but feel hope for The Teens.
1. 9/11
2. The Iraq War (and by proxy the W. Bush Administration)
3. Reality TV
As I consider this very short list, I can't help but feel hope for The Teens.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Economic Deflation. Wait, What?
I read an article today that discusses the pluses and minuses of economic deflation. The article seems to assume that deflation is a given. This is in direct opposition to my prediction of a serious round of economic inflation before this year is over.
Despite this article's professed certainty, I still believe it is inflation that is inevitable. I just don't understand how you can pour a trillion dollars into the U.S. economy without devaluing the dollar itself.
A small piece of today's article is cited below:
The government reported Friday that consumer prices fell over the past 12 months at the fastest rate since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. Prices were flat in April after dropping 0.1 percent in March, leaving the Consumer Price Index 0.7 percent lower than it was a year ago, according to the Labor Department. That's the biggest 12-month decline since June 1955.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30751842
Despite this article's professed certainty, I still believe it is inflation that is inevitable. I just don't understand how you can pour a trillion dollars into the U.S. economy without devaluing the dollar itself.
A small piece of today's article is cited below:
The government reported Friday that consumer prices fell over the past 12 months at the fastest rate since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. Prices were flat in April after dropping 0.1 percent in March, leaving the Consumer Price Index 0.7 percent lower than it was a year ago, according to the Labor Department. That's the biggest 12-month decline since June 1955.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30751842
Sunday, May 10, 2009
What Price, Plane Seating Karma?
Last week I attended a reading convention in Minneapolis. I checked-in online for my return flight and moved myself to an exit row aisle that had only two seats in it. There was a seat to my right (the aisle seat), and an empty space on my left - then the exit door. One of the better seats on the plane, all things considered.
But what price, plane seating karma?
Instead of waiting for the final boarding call, which I sometimes do, I boarded as soon as allowed because I had a large bag I didn't want to check. I easily found a spot for my bag, and all was going fine.
Right before the plane doors closed, however, one of the largest airline passengers I've ever seen came shuffling down the aisle. She was one of those passengers you hear about that might be required to buy two seats - she was that large. (Though perhaps that requirement is an urban legend, because I've never seen it in practice).
Anyway, it was at this point I realized the seat next to me was still empty, and that my fate was sealed.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been. The lady was self-aware of her enormous presence, and made a good-faith effort to be as unobtrusive as possible. She even went so far as to tell me to tap on her shoulder if she snored too loud. Fortunately, though she went to sleep almost immediately, no shoulder-tapping was required.
Still, it wasn't comfortable, and my right arm was a little creaky towards the end of the flight. Which, finally, brings me to the point of this post.
As the plane began it's final descent, one of the flight attendants came by and saw a small 16 ounce pillow on the floor in front of the plane's exit door. It had been there since takeoff. It's one of those pillows that airlines include on flights to help people pretend that it's easy to sleep on a plane. (For the record, the lady next to me was not using a pillow to sleep).
Upon seeing the pillow, the attendant stopped and asked me to remove it, "because the exit door cannot be blocked". Normally I wouldn't have given this a second thought. Airline safety is important, after all. In this situation, however, I gave his request a lot of thought (while moving the pillow).
Because think about this.
There's a 450 pound woman sleeping in this exit row's aisle seat, and the flight attendant is worried about a 16 ounce pillow.
Seriously? If this plane would have crashed, no one else on it, including my enormous exit row companion, would have gotten out of this exit row door. No way. Simply not physically possible.
But we're worried about a small pillow blocking the aisle.
Define irony.
Fortunately, the plane didn't crash, my right arm stopped creaking, and the woman was gracious enough to allow me off the plane first.
But what price, plane seating karma?
Instead of waiting for the final boarding call, which I sometimes do, I boarded as soon as allowed because I had a large bag I didn't want to check. I easily found a spot for my bag, and all was going fine.
Right before the plane doors closed, however, one of the largest airline passengers I've ever seen came shuffling down the aisle. She was one of those passengers you hear about that might be required to buy two seats - she was that large. (Though perhaps that requirement is an urban legend, because I've never seen it in practice).
Anyway, it was at this point I realized the seat next to me was still empty, and that my fate was sealed.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been. The lady was self-aware of her enormous presence, and made a good-faith effort to be as unobtrusive as possible. She even went so far as to tell me to tap on her shoulder if she snored too loud. Fortunately, though she went to sleep almost immediately, no shoulder-tapping was required.
Still, it wasn't comfortable, and my right arm was a little creaky towards the end of the flight. Which, finally, brings me to the point of this post.
As the plane began it's final descent, one of the flight attendants came by and saw a small 16 ounce pillow on the floor in front of the plane's exit door. It had been there since takeoff. It's one of those pillows that airlines include on flights to help people pretend that it's easy to sleep on a plane. (For the record, the lady next to me was not using a pillow to sleep).
Upon seeing the pillow, the attendant stopped and asked me to remove it, "because the exit door cannot be blocked". Normally I wouldn't have given this a second thought. Airline safety is important, after all. In this situation, however, I gave his request a lot of thought (while moving the pillow).
Because think about this.
There's a 450 pound woman sleeping in this exit row's aisle seat, and the flight attendant is worried about a 16 ounce pillow.
Seriously? If this plane would have crashed, no one else on it, including my enormous exit row companion, would have gotten out of this exit row door. No way. Simply not physically possible.
But we're worried about a small pillow blocking the aisle.
Define irony.
Fortunately, the plane didn't crash, my right arm stopped creaking, and the woman was gracious enough to allow me off the plane first.
Monday, May 4, 2009
H1N1 - Intelligent Conversation Before a Movie
Yesterday, while waiting in line at the movies, I had a conversation elderly African-American gentlemen. He brought up the topic. The conversation is reproduced below:
Gentleman: "How many people die each year from the regular flu? 9,000?"
Shakal: "Around 36,000, actually."
Gentleman: "See, then why is everybody worried about this Swine Flu? It's just like the regular flu. How many people have died from the Swine Flu? Like 150?"
[He was still using last week's media-scare numbers. The actual current data show less than 30 worldwide deaths. Still, his point was obvious].
Gentleman: "You know your chances of catching and dying from the Swine Flu are like winning the lottery and getting struck by lightning at the same time."
Shakal: [laughing] I'm totally with you.
Gentleman: "They don't close schools just because kids get the flu, do they? So why are they closing the schools now? "
Shakal: [nodding in agreement]
[And then I kid you not, unprompted, he said the following].
Gentleman: "Every year the press tries to make up something else to scare people. Remember the West Nile Virus? With people walking around spraying the air with mosquito spray [chuckles]? This is the same thing. Just the press trying to scare people."
I wanted to kiss this old man. Finally, in the midst of one of the most over-hyped events of my lifetime, a random guy in line behind me at the movies was making more sense than all of the news channels combined.
This conversation, while brief and anecdotal, helped me reaffirm a belief that not everyone wants to buy what the media is selling.
Gentleman: "How many people die each year from the regular flu? 9,000?"
Shakal: "Around 36,000, actually."
Gentleman: "See, then why is everybody worried about this Swine Flu? It's just like the regular flu. How many people have died from the Swine Flu? Like 150?"
[He was still using last week's media-scare numbers. The actual current data show less than 30 worldwide deaths. Still, his point was obvious].
Gentleman: "You know your chances of catching and dying from the Swine Flu are like winning the lottery and getting struck by lightning at the same time."
Shakal: [laughing] I'm totally with you.
Gentleman: "They don't close schools just because kids get the flu, do they? So why are they closing the schools now? "
Shakal: [nodding in agreement]
[And then I kid you not, unprompted, he said the following].
Gentleman: "Every year the press tries to make up something else to scare people. Remember the West Nile Virus? With people walking around spraying the air with mosquito spray [chuckles]? This is the same thing. Just the press trying to scare people."
I wanted to kiss this old man. Finally, in the midst of one of the most over-hyped events of my lifetime, a random guy in line behind me at the movies was making more sense than all of the news channels combined.
This conversation, while brief and anecdotal, helped me reaffirm a belief that not everyone wants to buy what the media is selling.
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