Comeback special... starbucks and the economy!

So it's been a 2 week hiatus! I'm really sorry for not keeping updated. I promise to update more often nowadays. To be honest, I broke out of my rhythm and didn't know what to do about it. You know, like how those ants totally freak out when you place a rock on the line, and they start scrambling like it's the end of the world? If you don't, feel free to give it a try. Be sure not to crush our little buddies though =)

In any case, I lost my rhythm, but I'm slowly picking it back up again. I do have to say though, life has not skipped a beat. With each day that passed by, it seemed the longer it took me to get back in the game, the more I things I had to figure out or just let pass by, and I do have to say, leaving things be might be a great thing sometimes, but in general, you don't want to let things be! You want to be the mover and the shaker. We move, we shake, and we set the pace in this life. Because life's no fun when you're trying to catch up!

On that note, I was thinking, as I always do. As you all know, our economy is in near shambles. The fed keeps making these cuts and loans to try to keep the economy going, but in all honesty, our country is in some serious financial trouble, and I can't help but think about what my folks told me today about the new starbucks that opened across their shop.

So yes, big bad starbucks has pitched up tent and decided to make a splash into the little commercial area that's slowly turning into lots and lots of condos and apartments. Never mind the whole credit/housing crisis for now, and let's think about the other aspects of our little mess, that which is unemployment and high oil prices.

Now, we're currently all a bit tight on money. We gotta pay for rising gas prices, rising food prices and also for some of the unfortunately growing minority, we gotta figure how to acquire that next paycheck. Yet, despite it all, when the starbucks opens shop, people rush on over to buy their $3 lattes which not only costs just under a gallon of precious gas, but it also cuts into the lunch they will have to buy a few hours afterwards.

Why? I wonder, when I think about these same people, most of whom work for not-for-profit agencies earning barely enough to get by, that they would condone such action and try to thrive within it? I guess it makes sense considering the current spending habits of the average american, but it does make you wonder, doesnt it, of where the priorities are.

Of course, I could certainly entertain one thought that has come across me from some notes from the great depression. Most of you may not know, but the 1930's were some booming times for hollywood. People came out to see movies despite the brutal reality of their once wealthy lives be washed away as each day passes.

And the reason? Suppposedly these movies provided a quick escape and some hope for the american people, and therefore, no matter how broke people were, they still came out for a movie, or two, or three... oh heck... how about 10!

Well, as I flash forward to 2008, I wonder, then if the latte has a similar holding. $3 here and there adds up, but it's not so significant that it'll cost you a paycheck or two. You might starve a meal, or force yourself not to drive out to play once a week, but perhaps the latte is the current American hope? That no matter how horrible life might be, we can still live our great southern california dream... sipping our lattes in the forever burning and brightly shining sun, hoping that someday, we can have some cake or salad with our latte.

Whatever it is, I hope that this current economic recession will be a time of learning for all of us, and for those of us few who are wise and responsible enough, that the enduring times of today will lead us to thrive within these hard times, and shoot even higher when the good times roll. We have a few years before the market and the economy picks up again.

Where will you be when it happens? Make the most of the next couple of years, and let's kick some major butt. Success is not too far away. Put your mind into it! Put yo back into it! Let's go! =)