May 21, 2010

• My 29 year old friend is dating someone and didn’t know what getting to first, second, or third base meant.  I referred him to Google.   

  My American Apparel stock took a 60% hit the past month.  They are short factory workers after an immigration crackdown.  Did you know Rock & Republic also filed for bankruptcy protection last month? 

  I don’t think the American economy is going anywhere, contrary to news reports.  I think we’ve stabilized, but still won’t be moving anywhere, for at least another year.   My ticket sales across the nation have been okay, but the activity hasn’t picked up that much versus last year, which leads me to believe that economically things are the same.   People will pay big money for a couple of the big shows, but everything else is a crap shoot.  Tickets that used to fly two years ago move much slower.   Compared to last year?  About the same, or maybe 10% more activity.  Or maybe it’s that I’m 10% more selective in what I decide to sell. 

  Lakers playoff tickets have not been a cash cow.  I have the cheapest seats and I’ve been struggling to sell them for at or near cover price (they did raise our season ticketholder playoff costs 40% the last two years, keep regular season at the same price).  My friends all think I’m raking it in until I tell them reality of things.  Add up all my gains from the playoffs, we are talking a total of $200.  People with lower level higher priced tickets, a lot of them are taking losses.  Now if the Lakers play Boston in the NBA Finals, then all is well. 

  If you don’t think Europe’s troubles affect us, well, let me explain it to you.  If Greece defaults on their loans, then the money they owe, say Switzerland can’t get repaid, then the money Switzerland owes Italy can’t get repaid, then the money Italy owes England can’t get repaid.  You get the idea.  That’s why it’s panicky over there right now and also why the Euro might drop a bit more.  Snowball!

  Sunday we start our new Fast Action Basketball League in Irvine.  My cardio fitness is whack, but for the first time in 2 years, my feet, ankle, and legs feel healthy.  Ankle pain… gone.  Plantar Fasciitis… I think I found some stretches to avoid it.  I am so gonna lose 10 lbs. this summer! 

  I will be at the Shout Out Louds show tonite at the El Rey.  After I have Soon-do-bu.  Tomorrow is $15 an hour Chinese massage day and Cambodian cat-thieu noodles (pardon my spelling, the noodles are like pho, but better).  Have a great weekend!  

  • 12:20 pm
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