Culture Junk

Garden Drive In Cleaners, Evergreen Park, IL.

2009-03-29T20:55:00.001-04:00

Garden Drive In Cleaners, Evergreen Park, IL.
Originally uploaded by Roberto41144

I love photos like this....

Another Career Crossroad....

2008-03-28T23:23:00.001-04:00

Crossroad
Originally uploaded by Kristian Hedberg

Right now, I am kind of feeling as if I am at a standstill in my career. I left a great job at AI, which I loved, but there were reasons that I am not at liberty to discuss, but I will say it was very tough to say goodbye. Very bittersweet indeed. Now, I've found out that my gut was right in the sense that there are many changes happening at the old office. The new job that I've taken, while the money is good, it doesn't offer me fulfillment - which is something that is very important to me. When I took this job, I was given a different picture of what was to be expected and am a little disappointed. I am not content to be an order filler - I am all about developing relationships with people and making them last. I guess that it took many years of not keeping in touch with people, that I realized how important it is to have a strong network of people whose relationships evolve over time. Realizing what is important to me is truly helping me map out my future.

the ridiculous jennie-o commercial

2008-02-22T18:04:00.001-05:00

jennie-o turkey store
Originally uploaded by lizzy poo

So, I'm watching TV in the midst of a snowstorm and this ridiculous commercial appears. A woman is walking down the street window shopping for clothes and all she can think of is how the pattern of the dress can inspire her to make some crazy poultry creation. Come on! When I see a mannequin in a store window, I'm not thinking turkey - rather, I am thinking about how the dress always looks better on the mannequin than on a real human being.

Target New Years Eve in Times Square

2007-01-03T10:17:00.001-05:00

Times Square 07 027
Originally uploaded by Rachel Dubler.

These days, it seems that everything is sponsored by someone. When baseball fields and arenas started to take on corporate identities in the 90s, it seemed really odd to me. It shouldn’t be so out of place in our capitalist culture, but something about it feels odd or lopsided.

Now, events and celebrations are named for their sponsor. This year, the Kentucky Derby was brought to you by Yum! Brands (hmmmm, KFC anyone?), and most recently, NYC’s New Year’s Eve celebration was dubbed “Target New Year’s Eve in Times Square.” The new year was unseasonably warm, but for the millions who watched the revelers in Times Square, all we saw was a sea of red. There were 3 times as much confetti as usual, with what they called “wordfetti” with different words of “inspiration” coming down every hour prior to the countdown.

Their objective was for the consumers to connect with the brand in a completely engaging way, using celebration to create excitement. This isn’t the first time that Target has used alt-media to engage consumers – last year, they were the sole advertiser of the New Yorker magazine for an issue – commissioning artists to fuse the ideas of New York and Target.

Is this our future? Well, think of it this way – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has always been that way, so the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Betty & Veronica Get an Extreme Makeover

2006-12-28T12:17:00.001-05:00

archie comics
Originally uploaded by black_coffee_blue_jeans.

I used to read, wait – devour Archie comics when I was a kid. I totally loved Betty and Veronica and I think I may still even have some of the books from the late 70s-early 80s. Anyway, I just read an article talking about a makeover of the characters and I couldn’t believe it! They want an older audience and they want to update the overall look, but the new Betty looks like an Olsen twin and the new Veronica looks like Lindsay Lohan!!! Sacrilidge! (take a look here: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061225/ENT05/612250373/1037)

The thing that really gets me the most upset is that these are iconic characters. Sure, you can look at Barbie and as much as the look and feel may have changed over the years, overall the characteristics have remained the same, classic look. Imagine other comic books losing their overall style – you can’t – I mean, what if Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Pigpen were redrawn for the 21st Century – you just can’t even fathom it, right?

I don’t think the problem of lacking sales has anything to do with the image – the original look and feel of B&V is purely 1940s – something that Gwen Stefani has capitalized on in real life – I think it is more on content and the writing. A bad writer can kill anything, and changing a cast, revamping a wardrobe can’t do much to salvage that. Teens want good content – and teenage girls don’t read comics like B&V anymore as they are too busy devouring Manga or reading series like “Gossip Girl.” The great thing about Archie was that it was an innocent look at teenage life, and it wasn’t trying so hard to be like everyone else.

you don't need to travel alone

2006-12-28T09:45:00.001-05:00

DSC05966
Originally uploaded by Morghannn.

Using an online dating service is very standard these days – I don’t know anyone who hasn’t tried Match.com at least for one date or hasn’t completed eHarmony’s crazy assessment test (which is pretty clinical). Speed dating and friending has become a bit of a phenomena (which is a really strange concept to me), and now travel-based introduction services have started to pop up all over the place

Hitchsters is a site where you can split a cab to and from the airport here in NYC. It’s a good idea, but there are some kinks that need to be worked out. Whoever exits the taxi first is responsible for 60% of the fare (which is to ensure that the other person isn’t left with the tip) and there really is no guarantee. The matching part to the airport seems good – you are matched with someone coming from the same area and going to the same airport, but on the way back, you need to be lucky enough to be on the same exact flight as your ride, which means you really can’t rely on the service to get home.

AirTroductions is another start-up that matches people on the same flight as you for traveling companions – it is based on a social networking platform that users register for. Once on the site, you enter your itinerary and AirTroductions tells you how many members are on the same flight as you. You still pick your own seat, but you can look at profiles and contact other members before the flight. Once you are at the airport you can decide if you’d like to sit next to each other during the flight. People are using the service not just for a budding romance, but for business networking as well.

Tripmates is another travel social networking site that works by getting the honest opinions of locals and fellow travelers. This is a way for people to avoid relying on tour guides that can be unreliable – plus, what better way to explore a city than by people who live and breathe it? Oh, and if you can’t find a hotel, try couchsurfing.com which lets you crash in someone’s apartment while in the city of your choice.

People want to expand their world – they want to meet others that are outside of their own friends. With the web weaving us all together, the world is really not so big and we connect with people from all walks of life. Millennials are truly a generation that live and breathe in the Global Village, and want to absorb as much culture from others as they can.

Microsoft Crashing the Party

2006-07-06T21:38:00.000-04:00

Short Stack 2.0
Originally uploaded by *nathan.

When I think of Microsoft, the first thing that comes to mind is how much of a pain in the ass working on a PC is. The minute I switched over to using a Mac, I could not believe that all I needed to do to use any peripherals was just plug it in. With a PC, you need installation cds, run the application, install it...and so on. When Apple launched the iPod, a new generation of Mac users was born - more and more people made the switch over and the House of Jobs became a sacred temple. The iRevolution has changed the face of how we buy and listen to music - and some can say that Apple has saved the music industry.

Now, we all knew that Microsoft wouldn't just be standing in the sidelines and looking like a punching bag. Actually, they've been quietly developing their iPod killer for a while. The difference is that the Microsoft player will have Wifi so users can download audio and video content wirelessly. All in time for the Christmas shopping season. Honestly, I think that Microsoft is crashing the party a bit late, but since Apple does control 80% of the market, competition is a good thing.

Oh, and by the way - don't you think that Steve Jobs already thought of this? I think he has. All we can do is wait and see.

Let Them Have Cake

2006-07-05T23:33:00.000-04:00

Office Birthday Party
Originally uploaded by NWC021792.

Imagine if you will a world without office birthday parties that included the all-important cake. People look forward to the cake. In fact, that's usually the only thing cubicle workers look forward to break free from the monotony of the computer screen. Okay, well no one really looks forward to the singing. Now with companies becoming obo-phobic, some places are banning certain foods from the premises - including that 4 o'clock chocolate rush. Making a healthy celebration is sure to drive the party to the local bar afterwards - I mean who blows out a birthday candle on a rice cake?

For the most part, bringing healthier foods to the office is a good thing - BUT employers should not force employees to only eat approved foods on their premises. Some places are really smart about it - revamping vending machines and charging more money in cafeterias for a burger and fries or a bag of peanuts than a grilled salmon entree or a pack of Ring Dings. Prohibiting foods that employees bring into offices is awful - these are adults and they can bring what they want- but changing the face of what's offered in the break room is another story. Maybe instead of individual birthday cakes for each employee, a good compromise would be to just have one cake for the month's b-days. Come on, it's only once a month!

You WILL Conform!

2006-07-05T21:14:00.000-04:00

Mac & Cheese
Originally uploaded by Woupidy.

Mac & cheese is one of those dishes that everyone loves. I almost can't believe that I tried this quintessential comfort dish only a year ago.

In the past few years, a bunch of single dish restaurants have been popping up around NYC - you have Pommes Frites, Grilled Cheese NYC (which is now closed), Peanut Butter & Co., Dumpling Man, and now S'Mac - the new mac n' cheese spot in the East Village that has been getting quite a bit of press attention over the past week. The micro menu trend is getting more and more attention because it stands out from the crowd. Most restaurants serve dishes one way and don't build upon it - here, you have one base dish, and so many variations of it. I'm sure too, that owners are banking on the fact that you, the consumer will start to associate your cravings for that dish to their establishment - which can only lead to growth.

For people to wait on half hour lines in 90 degree heat for hearty winter fare must mean that S'Mac must be doing something right. With enough options to keep customers satisfy their cravings, the lines won't get shorter anytime soon.

Crazy Changes!

2006-07-05T00:24:00.000-04:00

If anyone reads this blog and is wondering why there's been a lack of posts, just wanted to let you know that no, I am not becoming a part of the abandoned blog graveyard! Actually, a lot has been going on - I just moved from Jackson Heights to Williamsburg and also started a new job within one week of each other, so I've been adjusting to both.

Yeah, so rather than reading up on branding, I've been obsessed with Gothamist, Free Williamsburg, Curbed, Brownstoner, and Chowhound. I've been researching every iota of what's happening on Grand Street which is right around the corner from me here in East Williamsburg which does in fact exist! It's really exciting to be in the part of the general Williamsburg area that is still rough around the edges and the energy is real good here.

Alright, enough of this - let's get back to Culture Junk!

Wrestling as a Lifestyle

2006-07-05T00:18:00.000-04:00

Old School
Originally uploaded by tikkirulz.

Ah, the WWE...I remember when I was in junior high and wrestling was the shit. Back then, it was the WWF and WrestleMania was still a new thing. Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper, Macho Man and Elizabeth, George "The Animal" Steele and Sgt. Slaughter - all names I remember. I actually went to a few matches with my Dad at Nassau Colisseum - not the most girly thing to do, but back then wrestling was a total phenomenon. It was so big that Cyndi Lauper got in the ring once with Captain Lou and he was in the infamous "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" video.

There was a WWF Magazine back in the day as well, and I remember reading stories that featured Macho Man and Elizabeth, have interviews with other wrestlers and give a recap of what happened in the ring. It was very guy focused, but I'd read my Dad's copies. It was back in the so-called golden era of wrestling - the mid to late 80s. So, when I read about the so-called launch of a brand-new WWE Magazine to be fashioned after Maxim or FHM, I immediately thought "wait, they've done that before and pulled the plug."

You see, in the late 80s, there weren't any magazines that were anything like the current men's magazines that are out now. You had GQ and Esquire with Details just coming out. Plus, people weren't as interested in wrestling as they used to - the fad faded, therefore they scaled the publication back with Raw and Smackdown which was focused on the ring to sell to the diehards. Will wrestling ever be the truly awesome phenomenon that it was in the 80s? I don't know if that's something that can be recreated at this point.

Trying to Make Dad's Day Pay

2006-06-14T00:27:00.000-04:00

best buy wall o' tvs
Originally uploaded by elevatedprimate.

My father is a simple man. We were probably the last people on earth to replace a rotary phone with a touch tone. We didn't have an answering maching until just before I started college and my Dad just discovered how awesome cds are a year ago when he got his first cd player standard with his car. He still scoffs off the thought of replacing the VCR with a DVD player (that's partially because my mother has an addiction to "General Hospital" and records it every single day). So, shopping for him is a no brainer - get a couple of cds and he's a very happy man.

Retailers, of course are trying to make this a big deal with a big payoff - saying our dads need that plasma tv, the iPod, and the turbo barbeque grill. There was even a Father's Day promo at a local furniture store chain that threw in a free grill with the purchase of a recliner (because we all know that Dad is synonymous with couch potato and grill master). But in the end, I know from my own experience - that buying the gadgets for Dad isn't really practical - they sit there collecting dust. Guys just want something they can use and enjoy - and it doesn't have to be big. A couple of cds and my dad will gleefully sing off tune.

What Happened to 99 Bottles of Beer on The Wall?

2006-06-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

200600281
Originally uploaded by bradmohr.

Every summer when I was growing up, my Dad would pack us all in the car and we'd go to some state park upstate. I liked watching the scenery pass me by - totally loved seeing new things. Sure, we'd talk and listen to the radio, and when I became a teenager, I brought along my Walkman to provide the soundtrack to the landscape.

I never thought the day would come where we'd have "in-car entertainment" and the ability to watch movies on road trips. With road trip season on the verge of beginning, it looks like 70% of parents will be bringing along DVDs to pass the time and to pacify cranky young'ins. A Blockbuster poll stated that watching movies on the road was second only to listening to music & traditional road trip activities like car games, singing and reading took a backseat. Even video games didn't come in close (just wait - with the slew of new portable systems that recently launched this is guaranteed to become a big road trip activity). I guess that now, people don't really care so much about travelling as they do the final destination. Getting there has become a chore that we need to be entertained in the process.

Lunch? What's That?

2006-06-13T01:00:00.000-04:00

fat lunch
Originally uploaded by malyousif.

Looks like we all really are wage slaves after all, according to a survey that was just released by KFC. Lunch breaks are now an office myth, just like the 9-5 work schedule and fully paid benefits. More than half of US workers take a half hour or less to eat, spending the rest of the time on errands, checking personal email, or shopping online. More people eating at their desks more. Have we become so good at multitasking that we only need a few minutes to gobble down some food? Some workers feel that they are deemed more valuable and dedicated if they work away, not taking time for a breather. In the UK, this perception seems to ring very loud and according to a survey taken their, the average lunch break is 19 minutes and workers take 3.5 minutes to actually eat! Crazy - aren't they going to get sick from eating so fast? I have worked in both environments that encourage you to get out and places that encourage the desk lunch. From experience, I would say that productivity and motivation is personally higher for me when I get out and clear my head for a bit. When I would stay at my desk every single day, just going out to pick up food and quickly bring it back, I suffered from extreme burn out. That just shows you the long term effects of this crazy work ethic we've bestowed upon ourselves.

More Proof That Starbucks Runs the World

2006-06-11T09:06:00.000-04:00

Starbucks
Originally uploaded by zingersb.

Starbucks is everywhere. They have gone from quirky Seattle based coffee chain to global brand in what seems like no time at all. They have also singlehandedly taken an everyday cup of coffee and made it a premium experience. Back in '92, I wouldn't spend more than a buck on a cup of coffee, but now I spend about $4 and upwards for chai, cappuccinos, and lattes. Now, when most people think of a brand associated with coffee, Starbucks is number one on that list.

Yesterday was the first ever Starbucks Coffee Fesival - which seems like a no brainer event for coffee lovers. It was held at the Reston Town Center in Reston, VA near DC. It featured coffee tastings, seminars, along with lessons on food pairings with coffee (whoda thunk that?). More proof that coffee is becoming more like wine and Starbucks is there, front and center.

Getting Out of The Gap

2006-06-11T08:48:00.000-04:00

GAP auf zwölf Uhr!
Originally uploaded by status6.

The Gap used to be one of my favorite stores. They had all the basics, and sometimes had some other great finds. But something happened in the mid 90s when their Old Navy brand launched. It looked like the Gap had taken a back seat to it's sassy, cheap-chic sister. The ads popped out more with a tongue in cheeck retro style that caught on rather quickly and there was a great sense of excitement. The thing was, the merchandise would crank out faster at Old Navy than Gap - and teens were buying it. The Gap, which is pretty much the same as Old Navy - casual basics, tried attempts at changing. They had a couple of collections that just didn't seem to go anywhere and smart customers were starting to feel that if they can get the same jeans at Old Navy, why shell out an extra $20 at Gap - they are the same company anyway.

Now, it looks like Gap - the flagship brand that seems to be the middle child to sophisticated Banana Republic and the fun, young Old Navy - needs to get back to being relevant. Enter the shop-within-a-shop concept which was tried out when the launched their Forth & Towne brand last year (whatever happened to that, anyway?). For the Gap, there will be four distinct shops : denim, T-shirts, activewear and "clean" - workwear basics like khakis and button-down shirts. In the test market, there was a positive response and the new plan allows new merchandise to enter the mix a lot faster - just like rivals H&M do so well. The new format will launch at all Gap stores at the end of July, when the first of the fall collection come in.

Re-Innovating Wendy's

2006-05-29T10:20:00.000-04:00

First Wendy's 1
Originally uploaded by JPHansen.

In the greasy world of fast-food, there is no other chain that has the reputation for fresh, quality food like Wendy's. The thing people love about them, is not only are they the underdog, but they have an ever-expanding menu and are very adaptable to the changes in their customer's tastes. They were the first chain to feature a salad bar, had a chicken sandwich in 1980, offer stuffed baked potatoes and chili, and have a 99 cent menu introduced in 1989.

For the past 3 years, it's been a little tough for Wendy's since founder Dave passed away. It almost seemed as if they have lost their soul, their voice. Advertising became clunky - remember the totally awful Mr. Wendy spots? People kept going, but there was nothing new other than a chicken and salad revamp to get excited about. If Wendy's is about innovation, why were they trying to reinvent the wheel? Enter the new advertising and in store displays featuring the "do what tastes right tag" and start getting innovative again. With the intoduction of the deli-quality Frescata line, adding healthy alternatives to kids' menus, and developing a brand new breakfast line. Their test kitchen is busy again and Wendy's has posted the first month of growth in an over a year long slump. Being innovative does pay off in the end.

Accommodating the 5 Senses

2006-05-29T07:21:00.000-04:00

Oil Blends
Originally uploaded by Eggybird.

Aromatherapy has been in vogue for a couple of years and hotels, well they've always been around (some more fashionable than others). It looks like many hotels are developing and implementing signature scents to accommodate all 5 senses to add to the experience of staying at a particular hotel. Most recently, Omni Hotels has created a Sensory Advisory Board, that includes companies like Elizabeth Arden, Whole Foods, and the Juilliard School of Music to develop the Sensory Bar in each room. Along with a cd, the bar includes pomegranate lip balm and mojito flavored jelly beans. At Westin, they are using the tag "sensory welcome" and has enlisted the Mayo Clinic to understand the effects that travel has on mind, body, and spirit. You'll also find signature lighting, music, and their white tea based scent.

Hotels aren't looking to just provide you with a bed to stay in during vacation anymore, they are looking to entice you and give you an experience that you will remember and look forward to again and again.

Learn While You Travel

2006-05-21T09:34:00.000-04:00

The Contiki Bus
Originally uploaded by Andy and Tony.

If you see a tour bus unloading, don't assume they are all gray haired with fanny packs. The idea of vacations are changing as people both young and old would rather take the opportunity to actually DO something as opposed to laying out in the sun doing nothing.

It looks like a bunch of travel tour companies have built upon the idea of learning vacations and from the research I did, each company has clear goals of who they want to target. Some are going after the boomer set, with Da Vinci code tours, culinary expeditions, and art history jaunts. On the flipside, there are tour companies like Contiki going after the Millennial and X-er set with a more extreme view of touring by going to historic sites, camping, wine tastings, and "mixing it up with the locals." STA Travel caters to the college set too and makes it easier for students to study abroad. Tours aren't just about sightseeing anymore, they are about learning about different cultures and taking a participatory role in them.

Tastes Like Homemade

2006-05-20T16:53:00.000-04:00

IMG_0165
Originally uploaded by FoxyCropper.

Making dinner after work for working families used to require a lot of effort. You'd get home around six, settle down for a couple of minutes, change, and then start cooking. For many families, getting a home cooked dinner meant eating at 8 o'clock in the evening with the television on, rather than at 6:30 when most families sit down. The time families had to spend together was dwindling - what to do?

The 30 Minute Meal revolution began, with the ever-perky Rachael Ray showing us how we could have great meals including prep and cook time in a half hour. But what happens on those nights when it's just easier to heat up some prepackaged meal or when the takeout menus are calling your name? Enter the advent of prep kitchen chains.

The concept goes like this - you go to a prep kitchen center where you can prepare anywhere between a week to a month's worth of food that you freeze and reheat. Sometimes, reheating can take up to an hour, but most people (mostly working moms) who have been to the centers feel that it is a big time and moneysaver and has also become a community center of sorts for the women. There are events held at the centers, and you can host a prepping party onsite. You can choose your menu ahead of time and when you get there, some chains like Dream Dinners feed you to as you are assembling your meals.

This trend is likely to spread like wildfire - ever since I first read about this in the New York Times in March, press attention has been getting louder and louder. Working moms have always been looking for ways to save time in the kitchen and bring their families together at the dinner table. It'll be no time before major brands court these centers providing their products exclusively.

Hot Topic Not So Hot

2006-05-19T13:56:00.000-04:00

hot topic is so not punk rock 1
Originally uploaded by getthebubbles.

When I first saw a Hot Topic store in the New York area, it was in Roosevelt Field on Long Island well after my high school days. I thought it was cool, but a sellout. You see, I started high school in the late 80s, we had to go to places like 99X or Trash & Vaudeville in the city or Utopia on Long Island. Being goth, punk, new wave, or anything alternative required effort and lots of creativity. You really had to trek to the city to get a pair of Docs or Manic Panic hair dye. St. Mark's was not a punk rock Disneyland - it was true hardcore and some parts of the East Village were quite sketchy.

Something strange happened around 1992, the year I graduated from Cardozo High School in Queens - bands that were considered "alternative" or "college rock" were gaining popularity in the mainstream, and the alternative look hit the runways. Goth and punk also became increasingly popular and Hot Topic was pretty hot. Teens didn't need to trek to the city to get the look of teenage rebellion. Problem is, since it became more and more accepted in the mainstream, Hot Topic started being considered a store where poseurs shop. The store was slowly starting to be seen as a sellout.

The original concept was quite cool - provide teens who seem to identify with music subcultures with clothing, accessories and music that fit their lifestyle and fit their sense of individuality. Now that teens are more open minded with music, they don't want to be stuck in premade slots. As a result Hot Topic has been on a decline of profits. What can they do to remain relevant with today's teens?

Magic's in the Makeup

2006-05-19T09:17:00.000-04:00

What's in my make-up bag
Originally uploaded by Nikita Kashner.

I remember going into the drugstore when I was in high school just to browse in the cosmetic section. The cheapest brand was (and still is) Wet n Wild, and I loved it because they had my black nail polish and eyeliner. Plus it was only 99 cents, so if you really wanted to try blue lipstick, it was no big deal. Wet n Wild has always been great for teens, because they are so affordable and really encourage experimentation and individuality.

Fast forward to the 21st century and the makeup market for teens is huge. There are tons of brands along with cosmetic only stores like Sephora which are wildly popular. A new cosmetic store called Missha which was a Korean chain recently opened their second location in Soho and their third in Queens Center is now open as well. They have a great signature line at very affordable prices, and they are attracting tons of teenage girls looking to try something new. Wet n' Wild is also still very popular on the drugstore circuit - they are having a contest for the next "Fresh Face" in conjunction with teen powerhouses Seventeen and MySpace for a new line of foundation that will be launching next year. Teens can vote online at the MySpace page while participating in the community. It's great that the potential of social networks continues to blossom - and by hitting the teen market, it's just smart.

Changing Fast Food

2006-05-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

mcasian chicken salad
Originally uploaded by scaredy_kat.

Fast food will always be a convenience food. People don't have time to schedule their lunch breaks and they don't have time to cook. We live in 24/7 society, so it's really no wonder that some of us patronize fast food establishments as a last resort.

McDonald's has been under the microscope for quite a while as ground zero for the nation's obesity crisis. After "Super Size Me," McDonald's has been trying to reshape their image and add more "healthful" options to their menu like the McAsian Chicken Salad. And you know something, it's an honest attempt. Plus the Go Active meals that they're selling include exercise DVDs and telling consumers that the only way to beat obesity is to get out and be active. As much as I have critiqued McDonald's in the past, I do agree with this. The problem is not the food that we are eating, but rather it's the fact that no one makes the time to exercise anymore (myself included). Because we live in this fast-paced, multitasking world, we do not take the time out to really care for ourselves.

Instead of a new diet revolution, maybe we need a new fitness revolution instead.

Sears Getting on Target?

2006-05-17T09:47:00.000-04:00

Sears
Originally uploaded by a lih.

When Sears & K-Mart joined forces, no one really knew what to expect. K-Mart was like the middle child, stuck in between the more stylish Target, and the cost-friendly giant called Wal-Mart. If the middle child was going to repolish and get a facelift, they needed to do something a little different. Sears also was going through the same thing, not being an upscale department store like Bloomingdale's but not a discounter like Wal-Mart. What would happen after they joined forces?

Enter "Sears Grand." The result is a new "one-stop shop" where you can get anything and everything for the home with tons of new services that you can't really find anywhere else like free popcorn, internet access, a play area for kids, and instructional classes on home improvement projects. Overall, the customer reaction is pretty good so far and the change is a welcome breath of fresh air.

Not Another Tie!

2006-05-17T08:24:00.000-04:00

Golf lessons from T3
Originally uploaded by Cha-lot.

If your Dad is anything like mine, you are probably scratching your head as to what to give him for Father's Day. My Dad always give me the, "all I want is a hug" routine, but I just want to get him something besides cd's (getting a tie for him is completely worthless - my dad's a jeans and t-shirt guy, and that is just as lame).

Enter Excitations - they are a company that provides experiences to your dad that you can't put in a box. Why give golf clubs when you can provide a lesson with a pro? If your Dad is a car fanatic, he can learn to drive a racing car or drive his dream sports car for a day. In this day and age where everything is customized and catered to your personal needs and wants, giving an active gift along with a memory is way better than a passive gift that may be sitting in a box somewhere.