Monthly Archives: July 2013

Please scan your mafia card

Ask any mobster.  The mafia business model is simple: Offer convenience and cures.

If you need a loan, you can get it from the mafia quickly.  It’s convenient.  Then, if you get over your head in debt, they’re there to help.  They’ll burn your restaurant down and collect the insurance.  That’s the cure.

Need something else?  They’re open all day.

So, how is the CVS business model any different?  If you need a snack, you can get it quickly.  It’s convenient.  Then, when you’re sick with diabetes, they’ll set you up with some insulin.  That’s the cure.

Need something else?  They’re open all day.

No, CVS won’t burn your house down.  But, they might kill your family.

What’s the cost of do not disturb?

For my music at work, it’s $3 per month.  That I paid to Pandora.

For my readers at lifeisnoyoke.com, it’s a typo here and there.  That’s a cost not paid to an editor.

For the writer, it’s a longer walk to a quieter Starbucks.  That’s paid in his time.

The costs to avoid interruption are small.  But, to avoid commercial breaks, pop-up ads and loud talkers, the costs are completely worth it.

So, if the costs are so small, how come more people don’t pay?

Bruce Willis and Resent

Bruce Willis fans stop here.  Or, at least be warned: He’s teaching today.

Why?  According to Kevin Smith, Willis, these days, is just a paycheck player.

On the set of Cop Out, Willis refused to shoot until noon.  Whined on set every day.  And despite everyone else taking massive pay cuts to make the movie, Willis made sure to let everyone know he wasn’t getting paid nearly enough for “this shit”.

Whining about being underpaid transcends Hollywood.  And, if you choose to do it, the outcome is always the same: Your team resents you.  And you aren’t given any more money.