Times Are Tough

We have a 15.3% unemployment rate in Michigan right now. Because of that, we are seeing more creative ways to make a living of any kind. I found this at the bottom of driveways during my daily walk. The sign is asking for used books and is placed in a ziplock baggie with two stones used as weights. 

It is a sign of how hard things are getting here. At the same time it is uplifting, as this is an example of a person looking for alternative ways to earn some kind of income. I like this a lot, as it encourages recycling while helping someone at the same time. This is the first step for any entrepreneur. I wish him luck!

This made my heart melt!

I found this notice posted on the community bulletin board at a local coffee shop. A nine year old entrepreneur working to market his dog walking business. How can you not want to support this young man? 

Very industrious! Love it!

Fun at the market!

What a great way to market your blueberries! When I saw this, I knew I had to snap the shot. A creative, eye catching display to increase your sales. Who says, art isn't important?

Oh no, you didn't!

This poor fellow shown in the picture is the owner of Ypsilanti Gold and Diamond Exchange. Why is he a poor fellow? Well, he hired someone to produce a commercial for him that has been running on cable TV for a while now. The problem is they aren't pronouncing the name of his business correctly. Ypsilanti is pronounced Ip-si-lanti, NOT Yip-si-lanti. And Ypsilanti is not his name, it is the name of the city his business is located in. 

Frankly, I'm surprised that he hasn't pulled the add or demand that the voice over be redone to pronounce the city name correctly. It can't bode well on his business in a city that takes enormous pride in it's heritage. What are they thinking?

Oh, really?

If you can't read this, it says...

"CARIBOU COFFEE CARES

In an effort to reduce waste and take care of our environment, Caribou now offers the option to take a coffee sleeve or leave it if you prefer"

Hmm. That sounds good. Yea, I like that. Well, wait a minute. Don't they only serve there beverages in either plastic or paper cups? Even if I want to drink my beverage in their store? So, doesn't that make them a hypocrite? Come to think of it, they also use plastic cutlery. But wait, they will give you a plate! Uh, so they CAN and have the ability to wash items. So what is up with the glassware? 

It irks me to no end when a company CLAIMS to care about the environment, when in reality they don't actually practice what they preach. Hypocrisy at it's worst. Shame on you Caribou Coffee!

Huh?

If I was the purchaser of this house I don't think that I would want to advertise that I paid cash for my new home. Think about it. 

How many people pay cash for a home? Not many. But for those that do, doesn't it imply that you probably have lots of disposable money? Enough that this might be a really good house to rob? 

Isn't it an advertisement to neh-er-do-wells that maybe the odds are in their favor to find good loot here? 

I don't see why this is something that needs to be disclosed. Sold seems good enough to me.

Creative Advertising

I love it when you see something that is extremely well done. Cleaver beyond the norm. That is what I thought when I saw this. When one thing has an unintended second use that works on this level, I can't help but compliment it. The fact that it involves smoking is all the better....

Good luck to those who still smoke. One day you are going to quit. Why not make it today? And yes, I DO know how hard it is as an ex-smoker myself. You'll feel better, smell better and live longer. I promise. Okay I can promise the first two, the third is a good bet.

A word of caution...

When you are seeking sponsor's for your various sports teams apparel, it is imperative that you secure the services of a good translator. Otherwise, you may end up wearing uniforms such as these....

Ouch!

Happy Mother's Day!

It's that time of the year again. 

Enjoy! 

Be nice to your Mom. You wouldn't be here without her!

It's flip-flop season!

Yes. Now is the time we bare our toes in the invention known as the flip-flop. Which leads me to make two comments.

First, my friend who sells shoes for a living reminded me several years ago when I bought a pair, that the skin between your toes needs to be slowly broken in. Yea well, shoot, that makes sense. But did I remember  that good advice yesterday? No. I went for a two hour walk in the park in my flip-flops and I am regretting it today. I cut a bandaid in half, put germ ointment on each piece and placed them between my toes. They still hurt! Heed the good advice of not going for long walks when you first air your toes in flip flops. Your tootsies will thank you!

Second, I saw the advertisement for this shoe in Sahalie. In the description they state, 'why you can even wash them in the dishwasher!' Uh, really? And that's a selling point? Does it sound remotely appealing to put your shoes in the same machine you put what you eat off of in? Sometimes I wonder about marketing departments. Now a washing machine makes sense, but a dishwasher? Ick.

Hellriders do good!

One of my long time friends lives near Peach Mountain in Washtenaw County. We walk the wooded area occasionally. More when my dogs where alive and less frequently now. 

Anyway, last time we were out walking, we found these markers on trees that had been obstructing the pathways. These were placed by a motorcycle group that maintains the woods. 

Thank you to the Hellriders for making my walk easier. And it is smart of you to advertise your good deeds. It is one of the easiest ways to promote your good work.

And for those of you that don't know, I suspect their name comes from their proximity to Hell, Michigan. Yes, I've been to Hell and back many times. It's a charming small town with an unusual name and a fantastic ice cream shop! You'll need something cool while you visiting Hell.

What were they thinking?

This just in from the Associated Press:

Parents whose children died or suffered lifelong disabilities after suffering from shaken baby syndrome are demanding an investigation as to how Apple Inc. permitted an iPhone application called Baby Shaker to be distributed this week. 

"There are people out there who think it is funny to shake and kill a baby," said Patrick Donohue of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, named after his 3-year-old daughter, who at 5 days old was shaken by a nurse and today still suffers from brain damage. 

The 99-cent app, launched Monday and pulled from distribution Wednesday, let users shake their iPhone until the on-screen baby stopped crying and a large red "X" appeared over each eye. The application was designed by Sikalosoft. 

"Shaken baby syndrome is a violent form of child abuse," said Donohue, who stood outside the Apple Store in Soho Thursday with several other parents protesting Apple's approval of Baby Shaker.

It's funny what people find offensive and what they don't. I find this offensive, but I also find lots of other things offensive that others think are okay. Babies off limits. Kids playing video games where women are raped and maimed-killed-tortured... okay. Now why is that?

Eye Candy

That is how a new drug is being marketed. 

Are you unfulfilled because you have skinny eyelashes? Did you know the definition of Hypotrichosis is to have inadequate or not enough eyelashes. Have you often wanted to have lots of long and lush eyelashes? Well have no fear. There is a new prescription drug that you can use every day for the rest of your life so that your tiny lashes will become plump! Just think. Now you can take a pill to make yourself skinny and use another drug to make your lashes fat! 

We truly have become a society that wants it all and with little work on our part. Putting drugs onto your body for a minimal difference in a eyelash seems absurd to me. They say the only side effect may be temporary itching of the eyes. Or how about skin pigmentation changes that may or may not go away. And then, of course, once you stop using this drug, your eyelashes go back to being skinny. 

I can't imagine using a new (unknown really) drug for the rest of my life for eyelashes. We are truly becoming a society that wants a pill and quick fix for everything.

Vanity plate misunderstanding

One Colorado woman's love for tofu has been judged X-rated by state officials. Kelly Coffman-Lee wanted to tell the world about her fondness for bean curd by picking certain letters for her license plate. She asked for her plate to say:  "ILVTOFU." But the Division of Motor Vehicles blocked her request because they thought the combination of letters could be interpreted as profane.

Department of Revenue spokesman Mark Couch said, "We don't allow 'FU' because some people could read that as street language for sex."

Officials meet periodically to ensure state plates stay free of letters that abbreviate gang slang, drug terms or obscene phases.

Well, I see their point, but how sad is that? All she wanted to do was promote her a staple in her families diet because they are vegans. 

Good Grips misses mark

This timer is produced by a company called Good Grips. They originated as an alternative for folks who had trouble gripping items. They began with the potato peeler with a wide handle. It was so successful that they have expanded to areas such as timers. 

Frankly, I don't understand why this is different than other timers as the buttons are small and the stop/start button is annoying as heck. But that is not really the reason I posted this. No, the question that I had concerns the packaging. This timer came in a blister pack that was exceeding difficult to open. It was one of those thick packages that are hard to cut open. Then when you've cut it open it is near impossible to pull the pieces away from the timer. 

So, my question is, shouldn't someone be paying attention to the packaging as well as the product? Who cares if the product is easy to use, if you can't get it out of the package? Yet another example of good design ideas poorly executed through to the last step. I see this everywhere.

Weight loss advertising

It is obvious that we are into 2009. I was home today with a cold and watching a program on TV while blowing my nose and consuming lots of liquids. 

Commercial after commercial were advertisements for weight loss gimmicks. I say gimmicks, because the only true way to loose weight and keep it off is through lifestyle changes. Diets and pills might help you to loose the weight but unless you address the issues in your life that got you where you were, you will gain all the lost weight back. 

The latest to join the market to prey on hopeful folks in the Smart for Life diet. Their tag line is who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? The diet consists of replacing real food with cookies. Really? Cookies? How affective in the long run do you think this diet will be? We have become a society that consumes in excess and wants quick fixes to problems. 

If you want to loose weight, add exercise to your routine and learn to eat real food in proper portions. It's really that simple folks. The problem is most people look for an easy way out and are not really willing to put the effort in to make the changes necessary to have a more healthful life. 

Don't waste you time or money on the quick fix gimmicks. They don't work. Start with short goals and work toward achieving each one. Be realistic and reward yourself for the baby steps that are necessary to attain the long term goal.

Now get out there and take each day one at a time!

It's almost Christmas!

Do you need a last minute gift idea? Well, this is not recommended for you or anyone else for that matter. 

It doesn't mean I didn't want to share it. At one time, not so long ago, this was a real suggestion for  a gift for every family member. 

And some American's wonder why the world thinks we are a violent society? This ad and serial killers (another American product) are good examples. Hmm.

Merry christmas!

Flame broiled body spray

Yes, this is what it says it is. Burger King is making a body spray for men that smells like a flame broiled whopper. You too can own it for a mere $3.99. But why would you want to smell like a hamburger? Now a french fry I understand. But how many women are going to go 'ooohh, hamburger, must have a bite'. And not to exclude the gay crowd, would men think the same about another man? Can't image that. Who does this appeal too other than the marketing department?

Tattoo Gun!

'Tis the season for marketing! 

Now who in the heck decided that this was a good idea? 

This is so wrong on so many, many, many levels.

This could very well define "toxic toys" in a different light.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Frankly, I'll be glad when this election is over. I'm tired to the news being all about the details of the daily schedule of the candidates. 

It's gotten a little ridiculous over the past few months with the negative and outright false accusations. I'm hoping that the public has finally woken up and is thinking for themselves. 

Still there are folks who just believe everything that comes across their desk and TV. I see it everyday. It makes one wonder how those people keep their jobs. Incompetence is rampant. Only 17 days to go. I'm anxious for it to end, but fearful for another Republican outcome. 

I want Sarah Palin to go home to Alaska! Click here to have a little fun at her expense.