Suggestions From PacSun

It has been reported that American Apparel has been having some financial problems as of late.  The retail chain recently sought restructuring advice from a prominent corporate law firm, the news of which sent American Apparel's stock tumbling.  Now, I'm not some sort of business expert, in fact, I failed the one and only business class I took in college, but I do have an idea about how to American Apparel's bottom line:  Piss off conservatives.

A story making the rounds last week was one of Judy Cox, who bought the entire stock of a certain line of t-shirts from one PacSun retail store, t-shirts that she thought was pornographic.  There have been many different reactions to this story.  My reaction was "I wanna buy some of this thing that other people think if not right for me."  I am not alone in this.  There are several cases of people who said on twitter that they had bought some of Van Styles's apparel, referencing the Judy Cox story as they did so.  Why can't American Apparel do the same?  It wouldn't take much for American Apparel to do it.

Have you never seen a merkin on a mannequin before?  American Apparel

Is that a 62 year old lingerie model?  American Apparel

Is that Eastern European pornography?  American Apparel

See, it's that easy.  Now to sit back and wait for another example of controversy creating cash.

St. Louis Cardinals 2014 Season Projections

With Spring Training beginning to ramp up, many baseball fans can feel the 2014 Major League Baseball season fast approaching.  There are many storylines coming into the new season: Will the Boston Red Sox be able to recreate the success of last year?  Will the moves made by the New York Yankess bring them back to the playoffs?  Will the addition of Robinson Cano lead the Seattle Mariners back to the top of the AL West?  And, will the grand experiment of infusing the payroll with a fuckton of cash finally pay off for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  While I will be following all of these storylines in a passive manner, my personal area of focus will be on the St. Louis Cardinals.

The venerated franchise, who over their history have won eleven World Series championships, went 97-65 last season, finishing first in the NL Central and losing to the Red Sox in the World Series.  While many franchises may see such a season as highly successful, such a season is seen as a disappointment to the Cardinals due to their two World Series championships since 2006.

Pitching has always been an area of focus for the St. Louis Cardinals, and, with the naming of Adam Wainwright as their opening day starter, the Cardinals look to have a solid rotation going into the season with the continues ascensions of Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez.

With the front office actively working to make the entire organization better, and Matt Carpenter looking like he's returning to form, it looks like the St. Louis Cardinals are poised to make another run at a World Series championship.  If no major long term injuries plague this team, and they keep their focus, success is all but assured for this franchise.  Focus, however, may be a problem due to the Cardinals recent foray into social issues, specifically the contentious issue of how religions handle divorce.

Project Buy A Fashionable House

I've hit a few speed bumps in my pursuit of Project Buy A House due to some recent medical bills in connection to having a pair of teeth ripped out of my head.  I am still dedicated to buying my own home, and as such I am still looking for clues as to how to furnish, accessorize, and otherwise bedazzle my future home.  New York Fashion Week is going on.  Due to this I have seen read many articles on many various websites having to do with fashion, stylish ways of life, and other things that I would otherwise never encounter due to me living in a place where such things are seen as threats to the public.

One of these articles has to do with the New York apartment owned by Karlie Kloss, a Victoria's Secret model pictured above.  Hillary Crosley, a writer for Jezebel, recently posted an article about an article written for The Front Row View.  In the article about another article, Miss Crosley derides the style exhibited in the pictures of Miss Kloss's apartment, saying: 

"The only problem is — and no, I don’t know much about 21-year-old Karlie — but photos from this place look like the apartment belongs to a 40 year old.

There are pieces, like the gold circular fan wall fixture or the fur covered vanity stool, that look like they are extras from Dynasty. Even the living room looks like I should refer to it as the sitting room, what with the fur throw, glass table with gold legs and a chair that looks like it has wings?"

While it can be tough to say what exactly Miss Crosley is objecting to, due to the blog post she references having been taken down, I don't see a problem in the pictures provided in the article about the article.  Sure the accessories may be a little too garish for my taste, but I'm broke.  If I actually had money I'm sure I'd accessorize everything I had control of in a more garish fashion.  Besides, who's to say that this is actually an exhibition of Karlie Kloss's style.  This may be a case of an interior designer gone amok.  Besides, as Miss Kloss is quoted as saying:

"As models, we're dressed in everyone else's design, but this is my space. It's definitely an opportunity for me to learn who I am."

Yes, this is an experiment, she's still learning what kinds of things actually suit her.  She could junk this all tommorrow and leave old pizza boxes and leftover concert tickets strewn about as a kind of 24/7 performance art piece.

Uh oh.  I really don't have a ending or a summarizing statement for this piece.  Hey look, a kittie!

I Choose The Later

I'm not well acquainted with business tactics.  As a matter of fact, I failed the only business class I took in college.  I'm also not well acquainted with negotiating tactics, but I do know this: In order to be successful in any negotiation you need to provide a counteroffer that, while not completely what the other side is offering, is at least within the realm of what the other side might want.  That way the other side can counteroffer with something closer to what you want, then you go back and forth untill both sides reach a conclusion that is mutually acceptable.  You may not get exactly what you want, but, by going forward with this strategy, you can make progress toward that goal.

Mass Killer Threatens Hunger Strike for Bigger Gym, Newer Playstation

"In a letter sent to The Associated Press and other media, Breivik writes that the hunger strike would continue until his demands are met or he dies."

Okay, I choose the later.