Because I have some free time
By Dan on Apr 19, 2009 in Beer, Blog, Family, Local, Music, SJ-R, Sports, advertising
Take Our Beer, Please
Qik-n-EZ is advertising a special for lovers of imitation, beer-like beverages. Coors Light is selling 18-packs for $10.99 with, get this, a $7 mail-in rebate offer. Not accounting for the devaluation of the dollar in the time it takes for the rebate check to arrive, that comes to $3.99 per 18-pack or 22 cents per golden bottle. Party on, Rockies fans.
If you’re worried about Molson-Coors’ profit margin on such an offer, perhaps they should be as well.
I remember reading a cautionary account of another brewer who offered a similar deal back in the 1980s. A marketing company convinced them that offering a significant rebate on a case of beer would increase sales by a significant percentage, but that only a small percentage of purchasers would ever get around to mailing in their rebate form. I believe that the assumption was that after downing the 24th beer, most would forget to cut the form from the box and simply throw it into the gas stove, as was their custom.
Well, long story short, the drinkers of this particular low-end beer proved to be a particularly thrifty lot and they redeemed their rebates in great numbers, causing great damage to the brewer’s bottom line. But that was a long time ago, so why not try it again during an economic downturn when people are doing everything possible, short of not buying beer, to save money.
The First Church of the Prescription and Over-Prized Sundries
When the Walgreen’s on Monroe relocated across the street to a new building, I felt that their previous home was destined to remain abandoned. The building is too big for a cellular service center or a nail salon. Even most restaurants, of the casual variety, don’t require that much space, except for maybe those buffet operations. A dollar store? Perhaps, but that retail model seems to have grown stagnant.
I’d almost given up hope when the answer finally appeared, as if by divinity, on the front page of the Friday SJ-R – the former drug store could become a house of the Lord. As the story relates, churches are buying up commercial space on the cheap, at least when compared with building their own steepled-and-stained-glassed temples.
I suppose that religion, as beer, does fare well in times of economic hardship.
I Called This One
You’ve probably all seen the video of Susan Boyle, the unassuming contestant on Britain’s Got Talent who wowed the audience with a beautiful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.
I am not an American Idol fan, in fact, I’m a detractor. I’ve seen enough of it to be disgusted with all of the caterwauling, melisma-izing, and general "look-at-me" vocalization that pervades that stage. I’ve said, on more than one occasion, that if a contestant would come out and perform a song from Les Miz – with even half of the grace, beauty and humility with which Frances Ruffelle brought to her singing in the role of Eponine – then that person would shame the competition. She probably wouldn’t win, I conceded, but she would reveal how fraudulent that show is as a showcase of talent.
I simply can’t tolerate the superficiality of it all.
Neither of these women is Susan Boyle.
I Am Un Chien Andalusia
You’re unlikely to find Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV (aka Black Francis, Frank Black) prostituting himself to the American Idol demographic (see: Tarantino, Quentin), but I did find him and the Pixies in the Wii store. Victor and I can now rock to Debaser and Monkey Gone to Heaven on Guitar Hero.
I Was Published in California
Nothing new to plug this week, but my recent story on homebrewers was published in the Ridgecrest, California newspaper. Finally, the people of the Mojave can read my stuff. How fortunate for them.
Four Leaves Win! Four Leaves Win!
The Shamrocks netted their first goals and posted their first victory of the season, despite being without several key players, a feat that can only be attributed to deft coaching. Tessie continues to improve and Victor was a bulldog in pursuit of the ball, especially late in the game when the Shamrocks were protecting a 3 to 2 lead. He was sweating so much that by game’s end he looked as if he’d been doused by a Gator Ade bucket.
Maria’s team had a bye this week and Mark’s team took it on the chin, although he did play hard, when not grandstanding.
Several times during the game Mark would be running down the field – moving with small, quick steps, as is common among his kind – when suddenly he would lengthen his stride and pump his arms in an exaggerated manner. Each time he did this, he would look to the sidelines to see if anyone was checking him out. Mark also stopped once mid-play to chat up the opposing team’s rather attractive coach, who was on the field reffing.
Mark may never develop the soccer skills of David Beckham, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Posh Spice on his arm at kindergarten graduation.
Living to Eat Another Day
After the Shamrock’s big win, a couple of the families retired to D’Arcy’s for post-game sustenance. Maria, Tessie, Victor and I joined them. Of course, you can’t go to the Pint and not order a ’shoe, but for better or worse, it’s gotten to the point where I feel guilty about it. It weighs upon my conscience almost as heavily as the calories weigh upon my gut. I ended up skipping dinner last night as penance, but know that someday, I will sin again.
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“Even most restaurants, of the casual variety, don’t require that much space, except for maybe those buffet operations.”
Dan, I know we’re old but not old enough to say things like “those buffet operations.” Sounds like something our Dad’s would say.
Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV (aka Black Francis, Frank Black)……he’s a millionaire you know?
M.B. | Apr 20, 2009 | Reply
I’m sorry, I meant to write “buffet concerns.”
If Charles is a millionaire, he’s not living like it. You should check out the documentary of their reunion tour.
Dan | Apr 20, 2009 | Reply
Quick and Ez must have a special cause they advertised Miller Lite 24 packs for a $8 rebate too….. Our Neighbor took advantage of it for us and bought a case. Sad thing is one address per entry……… thank God for family….rebate checks are on there way.
Yellowdog | Apr 24, 2009 | Reply