The other night I was walking through HEB picking up a few things for dinner and I thought I heard sleigh bells.  Sure enough, Christmas music was pumping through the speakers in the store.  November 10th.

I think I might post something about this every year, but I feel like stores and everyone in the retail market, push the Christmas season marketing and decorations sooner and sooner.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but I just have a hard time walking around in November hearing “Let it Snow” and “Jingle Bells” non-stop in every store.

I also understand that given the current condition of the economy, retailers are pulling out all the stops simply trying to generate revenue in an already low spending consumer market.  Even Macy’s here in The Domain have set up their huge Christmas tree.  Invitations have already gone out about the lighting ceremony and big musical production to follow.  Even Jordan Sparks will be here.  (Which I admit was a little surprised to see)

All in all though, I just always feel like the Christmas season is pushed so soon with no regard to Thanksgiving.  Has it always been this way or am I just more aware now that I am an adult?

How soon is too soon for you?

Regardless of the location and patronage, do you think Starbucks grew too much, too fast?  I remember a few years ago when Starbucks was tooting their horn on how many stores they were opening each and every week. I also remember that some market analysts speculated that the rapid growth of the retail stores would one day come to bite Starbucks in the butt.  It looks like that time has finally come.

The majority of retailers out there forced to close 600 stores would consider this a huge loss.  Granted Starbucks is taking quite a hit for many of these stores.  The one in South Austin alone hasn’t been open for more than a year.  But given the 1000’s of retail locations they currently have open, is this truly a hit in the pants?

I love a Starbucks drink just like the next person.  But I have to admit it’s not always a place that I frequent.  I’m on a budget and Starbucks is one of those places that I use for a “treat” or the occasional meeting place.  I stick to the packaged Starbucks coffee and brew at home at a substantially lower cost.

Does anyone else think that Starbucks grew too much, too fast?

I thought at one point, it was a bad hard drive. Now, after new hard drive and trying to install Windows six times last night, I reazlied that it has to be something else.  I think it’s either the motherboard or something else that is causing the entire system to malfunction.  And it’s coming at one of the worst times ever.  We are slammed with work, both my side business and my full time job, and a lot of paperwork and accounting stuff to catch back up on.

I have to get this fixed soon. Oh and did I mention that I don’t really have the fundage to get a new one right now!  Sweet!