Lofty Matters

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the premier championship rodeo event in America. Wrangler Jeans is the title sponsor for this 10-day event. The NFR is held annually in the beginning of December.

Since 1985 the NFR has been held in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. There is a lot of rivalry between Las Vegas and Oklahoma City for hosting privileges of this exciting event. Oklahoma City was the original home of the NFR, but in 1985 the event was switched over to Las Vegas as a result of a tumultuous struggle between the two locations.

To date, Oklahoma City is outbid for hosting every year by Las Vegas…however this may at last change because of the new construction of The Ford Center in Oklahoma City. This new facility is larger than the facility in Las Vegas and Oklahoma City is hoping that this fact will influence future bidding.

The first NFR was held in 1959 in Dallas. The Wrangler NFR has sold out every one of the last 220 performances, going back over two decades.

I don’t know about you, but getting National Rodeo Finals tickets a few rows up from the dirt would be like a dream come true for me. The opportunity to go and see the finest men and women riders compete in this amazing sport would be something to grab if it came along.

Americans and just about everything that we like to buy are testaments to SUPERsizes.

However, rising commodity and fuel prices are driving up costs for everyone, including manufacturers. When presented with a choice between raising prices or quietly putting less ounces in a bag, carton or cup manufacturers are choosing the latter. Just this month, Kellogg’s started shipping some of their popular breakfast cereals with an average of 2.4 fewer ounces per box.

Other planned product reductions include: Tropicana orange juice containers are shrinking from 96 ounces to 89; Wrigley’s is dropping its the 17-stick PlenTPak in favor of the 15-stick Slim Pack; Dial soap bars now weigh half an ounce less.

Most people know prices but they don’t know how much is actually in a package. Reducing the size of products as a way of increasing prices is not new. This is definitely an effect of rising food costs and rising fuel costs, however.

Other areas of business have made similar moves to pass on higher costs to the consumer without raising prices directly. American Airlines is now charging for checked luggage.

To keep track of prices, the best way to compare products if you’re not sure if sizes have changed is to look at the “unit price,” which breaks down the cost per ounce or per quart.

Attention small business owners! Awesome information ahead:

Microsoft Small Business is offering some economic tips they are calling Bump the Slump. This is tailored for small business owners to help them learn how to thrive in this down economy. The combination of high gas and food prices along with a souring economy is hitting many of us where it hurts a lot. Anything that can help is surely appreciated. These tips designed specifically for the small business owner may help these vulnerable businesses survive a downturn and even come out in better shape.

What’s more- enter and have a chance to win 5,000 gallons of gas!

Press Release:

Microsoft Small Business Addresses the Slumping Economy

Gas prices have gone through the roof and are in danger of hitting passing birds. The rise in prices not only affects how high your blood pressure gets when at the gas pump, but it’s making the cost of living and doing business go up and up. Gas prices aren’t solely to blame for the down economy, but they definitely have a huge impact. That’s why Microsoft is giving away 5,000 gallons of gas to one lucky small business. Microsoft is also offering 5 money saving tips that any small business can use in this slumping economy. The chance to win and the tips are available at http://www.bumptheslump.com/.

Although the current downturn isn’t enjoyable, it definitely isn’t all bad news—especially not for small businesses that are uniquely positioned to prosper in these tough times. Because they are more nimble and in-touch with every aspect of their operation, small businesses can cut costs faster and make efficiency changes in a way that much larger business cannot.

With this in mind, Microsoft Small Business wants to help small businesses make the changes necessary to adjust to the current economy and not only survive but thrive. At bumptheslump.com , customers will find a link that can put them in contact with a Microsoft Small Business Specialist who can consult a small business on a number of areas where businesses can cut costs and become more efficient. And while at bumptheslump.com , small businesses should make sure to register for their chance to win 5,000 gallons of gas. Even at 20 mpg, that’s 100,000 miles. It’s the type of prize that literally goes a long way.

America’s resilience is under assault. A sense of powerlessness is chipping away at the Americans’ historic conviction that our destiny can always be commanded with sheer determination and will.

There is a sense of helplessness prevailing in our spirit. It is even reflected in the current presidential election. Each contender is offering their spin on a sense of order — and don’t forget hope as well.

Republican John McCain is promising an experienced hand for this frightening time. Democrat Barack Obama is promising bright and shiny change.

Americans are getting more and more discouraged by the continuous attack of dispiriting things. The American spirit ingrained in all of us is conditioned to expect things to get better…but so far that hasn’t happened.

Case-in-Point:

• Floods are engulfing Midwestern river towns.

• Food is becoming scarce and expensive because of increased consumption in growing countries such as China and India and rising fuel costs.

• Fuel prices are skyrocketing creating financial burdens for many, many Americans.

• People living in Washington, D.C. and surrounding suburbs repeatedly lose power for extended periods of time due to mere thunderstorms.

• In California people are warned to use less water due to the unrelenting drought.

• Need a vacation? The weak US dollar has made traveling abroad out of reach financially for many people.

• Want to just kick back and watch a good show? A writers’ strike halted your favorite TV show production for half a season.

• Your hardcopy newspaper delivered to your doorstep may soon be a relic of the past in this Internet age.

• You can’t even count on escaping into the world of sports anymore. Baseball’s Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are accused of enhancing their accomplishments with drugs.

• Basketball referees are accused of cheating.

• There’s also the annual Tour de France coming up again and there is sure to be something corrupt about the Summer Olympics, too.

• Wildfires are blazing out of control again in California.

There have been times of comparable hardship for America. The economic woes of the 70s, the Iran hostage crisis, The Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Depression of the 30s…and more.

All of these periods of hardship were followed by optimistic periods where the American people were blessed to have their confidence restored. Will this happen again?

It’s important to note that each of these periods was followed by a change in the party controlling the White House. This is obviously what is fueling much of what we are witnessing in the presidential election.

This is the 21st century, right? We must have the evolved knowledge and intellect and technology necessary to fix these problems…right?

Perhaps…maybe this is the purpose of the 21st century — a big and necessary reorganization of things long taken for granted.