I took a little hiatus from these..but TCT is back.

Fun-ny

A fellow alum of TV Guide Channel is John Fugelsang.  He is a host and a comic and has some of the funniest twitters this side of s-t my dad says.  He is so right on I have to stop from retweeting everything he writes.  I have gone through periods of watching vast amounts of MSNBC and Chris Matthews.  He is kind of nuts, yet, compelling.  Here is a clip of John on the radio doing his imitation of Matthews. So funny.

Great Recession

Feel like this is the elephant, the undercurrent that is always present everywhere, even when not spoken.  It’s a weird time in that I know some people who really aren’t that affected by it.  Other than the shop that sold the best fabrics has shut it’s doors and now they have to find another places to make drapes. But, I spoke to a friend’s husband today who is on month 6 of unemployment.  When I talk to a restaurant owner– of which we obviously know a lot of– it’s not a question of “is your business down?”  It’s only a matter of how much?  20, 30, 40, 50 %

We are business owners and it’s tough.  There are some great nights and some bordering on scary. It’s hard to predict.  I was the co host of a TV show, now I barely get called once a month to do a segment, so I it’s scary in all fields.

But, its not terrible.  But, the worry is there.  How are you all dealing with it?  I remember asking this in the Fall of ’08 and was surprised by how few seemed to be impacted by the recession.  Maybe it’s different now.

Charity begins with small businesses is my motto. I subscribe to all those groupons and other discount sites, but I have only bought them once.  What I do is see some I might be interested in and go and buy the sandwich or what have you a regular price.  If they are doing that site, they need the dough.  Also, if you do go out to eat and charge the meal, try to leave cash for the tip.  Not because the waiter won’t get their full tip.  They will, it’s against the law not to.  But, the owner of the restaurant has to pay 3 to 4% of the sale to the credit company, so they subsidize the tip.

Care Packages

A vet just started working in one of Mark’s restaurant.  A lovely young man who spent 13 months in Iraq.  I was humbled thinking of now that is working in hospitality he will get a complaint about someone’s drink not be cold enough when he was in combat. “I came back with my limbs and my mind, so I am lucky,”  He told me.  Right after I complained about my drink not being cold enough (Joke!)

I said, “hey I hear it’s a drag when you don’t get a care package over there”. He said any piece of mail is welcome.  I am the biggest anti war person going.  It’s my biggest beef with Obama that he has continued Bush#2′s march of war.  But, I feel for the soliders.  So here are a couple of sites that coordinate sending packages to the troops.  Something to think about this holiday season.

Bush’s book tour

Speaking of blood on his hands… W has been doing the book tour thing.  He always came across to me as an affable guy who I’m sure I would think was a charming person if I was sat next to him at a lunch.

But, I know too much. I don’t forgive him. Oh, and Kanye West is suppose to apologize to Bush, but no apology is forthcoming from GWB for what he has wrought.  That was 8 funky years we are still paying for.

Well, hello Kitty!

To conclude on a lighter note.  IS there anyone in their heart of hearts who doesn’t LOVE Hello Kitty?   The Sanrio circus came to town.  I almost missed this. Genius!  If that isn’t a dream car, I don’t know what one is. Dream car with demonic driver