The Road To Happiness...

The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it, put your whole soul into it -- every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.
- John D. Rockefeller III

Unless of course, that road leads to Iraq. That tends to complicate things.

LLA

Venus Passing

This afternoon, at an establishment I will leave unnamed; when asked by the kindly Grandmother lady how I could be helped, I stated that I needed a certain product – a certain product that can only be purchased at this particular establishment. The “weird fuck,” the guy that always looks like he's strung out on Coke or badly in need of a new kidney, grabbed his head and moaned, “Why now?” I don't know if he was talking to me or some internal dialogue in his head. I asked, "Did I come at a bad time?" He responded that it was “always a good time.” He began to walk around the “employee only” side of the store and speaking in a sarcastic manner for all to hear ranted, "I live for customers. Customers are my life. I love customers. I dream about customers. I have nightmares about customers.” I looked at the grandmotherly lady who appeared mildly embarrassed, yet sympathetic to the “Weird Fuck.”
If this place wasn't the only show in town when it comes to this particular product, I would have walked out.

I ask you, did the passing of Venus between the Sun and the Earth trigger this behavior?

IKEA

After dinner this evening, we went to IKEA. I recently heard that the owner of IKEA has surpassed Bill Gates in wealth. Though the furniture seems like a lot of chintzy retro-type furniture for the masses, to me, I have a theory why the store has become so popular.

I believe there is a well-studied psychology of the consumer built into the layout and presentation of the store. In Paco Underhill’s book, Why We Buy, the author discusses the importance of “The Transition Zone”, (the area just inside the store entrance); and "circulation patterns” (how shoppers move throughout a store). “The Transition Zone” is the area where the time-conscious and wary modern shopper is transformed to a leisured and amenable customer. Underhill states, “Don’t put your best product near the front door. Most people walk right past it.”

To this end, when you first enter IKEA, you are immediately slowed down by the fact that the shopping begins on the second floor and you are forced to take an elevator to get to the action. As you ride the elevator, the outside world is left behind; by the time you reach the showroom floor, you have entered “IKEA World”. We’re it not for the arrowed traffic pattern; IKEA World would very nearly qualify as a giant hay maze at a state fair. Unlike your local grocery store, where you can easily find the vodka on aisle 5, you must navigate your way through the store by way of the traffic arrows.

This marketing strategy, whether consciously measured or not, constitutes a voluntary investment of your time. Perchance time enough to warm up to their chintzy-retro type furniture for the masses.

Well, some of the stuff is cool…

Welcome

I've been wondering what the buzz about blogging was all about.

Well, not really. But, I did want to try one out anyway.

So, here I am. I haven't really gotten the whole web identity thing sorted out. I mean, Am I Zelig, am I Dave? Am I the next Matt Drudge? And, what am I trying to accomplish with a weblog? I mean, blog. Is it for me? Is it for you? Will it affect my employment or credit rating? Will they brand me a Communist? Or worse, a Democrat? Do I need to get a newsman hat, and with pad and pencil in one hand, digital cam and cigarette in the other, report on local functions and activities, harass civil servants and seek out undercover sources?... or even better - comb the local scene for the dark underbelly of American Society? I know, perhaps I could spend my days in the local Coffee Shop, hiding behind dark sunglasses and notebook computer, mining the absurd irony out of the couple at the next table sharing a Macchiato Frappacino - BINGO! That's it! Well, I'd better get out there. I promise not to let you down~! I mean, how could I? I live in the Bay Area!