Economic Reality

The popularity of "Reality TV Shows" these days has really taken over. "I'm a Celebrity....", "Strictly Come Dancing" and "The X Factor" are dominiating Saturday night TV this evening.

This got me thinking, coupled with the current economic crisis that is "reality" at the moment, why not a new TV show, something along the lines of "I'm unemployeed and almost homeless, get my life back on track". It starts with 10 unemployeed hopefuls on the verge of losing their homes and sets them crazy, hilarious tasks each week, which are designed to make them think creatively about cost-cutting and living without credit, as a camera team follow them around.

At the end of each week, the two contestants who haven't reduced their debt enough go to the public vote to stay on the show. Three weeks in, two further "surprise" contestants are entered to spice things up a little - one of them a millionaire - although this information should be kept from the contestants. Further tasks are set and the show continues until there are only three people remaining.......

They are then entered into a sing-off, a dance off and a chance to eat some cockroach. This goes to the public vote again, and who ever has the most popularity wins themselves a years worth of mortgage payments and a job. It doesn't have to be a a brilliant job, something with the TV company making coffee would suffice!

It's a ratings winner!

Pick'n'Mix Assets

And so another ‘popular’ British high street name disappears from our shop fronts, in these uncertain economic climates. Good ol’ Woolworths has gone into administration and the mascot puppets “Wooly” (the sheep – how original) and “Worth” (the dog) are now both out of the advertising business and presumably about to be sold to the highest bidder in order to settle any outstanding “Pick’n’Mix” debts run up over the years.

But is it any real big surprise that Woolworths has succumbed to the pressures of modern business? Seriously thinking about it, when was the last time you were in one of their stores to purchase a DVD, music on CD, a non-descript household item, or even a bag of World famous “Pick’n’Mix”? I bet you really have to think back, to a time before the advent of online shopping and Amazon, iTunes and IWantOneOfThose.com either never existed or were unknowns, untrustworthy or inconvenient.

I don’t meant to poke fun at Woolworths, but what were they thinking? Their web presence is pitiful, when it seems the whole world knows that to survive you need to be digital and fast moving. I guarantee that if you haven’t been into a Woolworths store recently, it will still be more recent than the last time you visited their website. Hell, even supermarket Tesco have a more dominant online presence and have moved into all of the spaces that Woolworths previous occupied when at the height of its High Street prowess.

When the Administrators are finally named to sell off the Woolworths business, I will be watching extremely closely with an eye to purchase the “Pick’n’Mix” surplus – and when my bids are successful and accepted and the deal done, be sure to keep a look out for my new online “DigitalPicknMix.com” website, where you’ll be able to generate customised bags of your favourite candies, delivered right to your door. To keep with tradition, my new online service will also let you add a few sweets more in your bag, than you actually declare and pay for at the digital-counter.

Oh Yes, That's Right....

Oh yeah, that's right, "Joe The Plumber", who shot to fame for grabbing the attentions of both President Elect Barack Obama and Ol' Man John McCain during the US election race, has launched his own website. Which you can find....

HERE

You'll also find details "plugging" (appropriate phrasology for a plumber me thinks), his forthcoming book and of course details to join the "Joe The Plumber Fan Club". What scares me most of all is the "Shop Joe" section, where you'll no doubt be able to purchase that "Joe The Plumber" U-Bend and Wrench set just in time for Christmas, what could be a better gift to give this feastive season?

LEST WE FORGET.....

Today is the 11th of November, the day that marks the end of the First World War and a day forever etched as the day to remember those that gave up their freedom and their lives for the future generations. As part of this remembrance, a two minutes silence falls across the country, in a small, token gesture and a remarkable sign of respect.

What I don’t quite understand and agree with is the lowering of the flag to half mast. I realise that it signifies a mournful sign of respect to those deemed important enough to be remembered by our country, but surely today of all days – the day we won a World War – we should fly our flags at full mast, proud and victorious against those who were against us.

In America, they fly their stars and stripes at any given opportunity, they hang them outside of their homes, as bumper stickers on their cars, draped across buildings, everywhere possible. Yet the Union Jack doesn’t get the coverage it deserves in this country, I’m not saying it should be everywhere or we should go crazy and plaster it everywhere, but the UK was once an Empire that ruled half of the world – looking at us today, its hard to believe as our voices are drowned out by Europe.

Our Empire may have been reduced and whatever views take on Europe are a sign of the modern times and the partnerships formed between neighbouring countries and allies, we need to remember that our little island in the Atlantic is ours, ruled by the British and fought for by its people, the flag should be flown at full mast – and we should celebrate with pride and remember those fallen heroes.