Down at the kirkland waterfront.

Chris::Mobile

Her's my big purchase. It was another crappy experience as usual. Really, is it too much to ask for a store employee to say hi and not ignore you as they walk past? I can guaruntee you none of my big electronics purchases come from there...

Chris::Mobile

About to head into CompUSA...the employees really piss me off at this branch, but it's the only one on my way home. Chris::Mobile

How crazy, I just got in the car and heard a commercial for the sidekick. I haven't heard or seen any advertising for these up to this point. --Chris

This is the way to shop. Albertsons has coffee holders in their carts, and a Starbucks in the store. --Chris

Thought for the night:

My wife asked me the other day why I was so addicted to the sidekick. I didn't have a good answer at the time, but it came to me this evening.

For my parent's generation, the yuppies of the 80's, things were the social currency. You were important if you had a Benz, a sharp suite, or an Izod polo shirt. Things meant social status.

But now, we've shifted into an all new social currency. Information is of value; though it is no longer who has the information, but who can access it the quickest and act on it. I can now become a dealer of anytime information with my always-on connection. I can increase the value of my network of friends and associates by giving them information. A "for instance": last week I was out with my wife at a home furnishings store. We were walking behind a single mother and her daughter who were looking at new mattresses. They were becoming dismayed at the prices, and slowly realizing they weren't going to be able to afford a mattress. I stepped in and offered to direct them to a mattress outlet that I had purchased a king size mattress and frame at, for a dirt cheap price. I didn't remember the name of the place, but did know there had to be a website for the manufacturer listing their stores. Within minutes we found the website, found the outlet store,got her a phone number and got her directions in Mapquest. The woman saved approximately $600 and was able to get a nice mattress.

I became extremely valuable to her in that time, having instant access to and control of the information that would save her money.

A couple of nice garden examples at the Seattle Home Show. Too bad the rest of the show is the same boring crap. Nice thing though, they let you come back a second day for free.