Reuniting with the Lions

We've been following this "older" news story. It was on the 'Today" show today, and daughter and I watched the story of the guys who bought this tiger from Harrods, raised it till it was too big to manage, and released into it's native Africa.

I want to say I too was teary eyed while watching. I do hope it wasn't just a photo opp for the "boys", Enjoy the You-Tube Video!
http://www.today.com/video/view/christian_the_lionthe_full_story_in_hq/play-ytadYbFQFXG0U/



Like Meredith Viera on the Today Show, this brought tears to me and daughter's eyes.

Cats and Dogs Love them all - All Sizes Please Apply.

fout to go - to Africa to See the Lions

Jonas Brothers and Live Nation Ticket Charges

Today I heard a radio advertisement announcing the Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavillion in Raleigh, NC on July 30, 2008. Since LiveNation was advertising on radio, I was hoping that maybe the concert still had seats available for our tweens daughter who loves Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne.

I went to LiveNation (Ticketmaster) website, and looked on the event schedule for August 30 in Raleigh, NC. I clicked into "purchase tickets", only to see a "membership sign up form" for LiveNation. Urghhh - I hate providers that "make" you sign up just to get information. I filled out limited information, and after becoming a "LiveNation member" was able to choose lawn tickets for this event.

At first I chose the Family 4-pak ticket special package for $18.95 per ticket, thinking we could find one of daughter's friends to go with us. Step 3 was to go to "billing" and view the pricing. It went a little bit like this:

4 tickets @ $18.95 = $75.80
4 Handling Charges at $6.55 per person = $26.20
4 Facility Charges at $5.50 per person = $22.00 (what the heck is that for lawn seating. Maybe mowing and grooming the lawn?)

Total cost for the concert a whopping = $125.00 not counting parking, programs, CD's. food.

Wow! Talk about sticker shock. I was very surprised at the handling/facility charges equal to 50% of the ticket price. I used to think $3.00 or so per ticket for the handling charge was outrageous.

Then I checked the 3 ticket option (scrap that nice girlfriend I was thinking of). Sticker shock #2, the 3 ticket price was $27.75 per person, or $9.00 more per ticket than the 4-pack, and the per ticket surcharges were higher each than the 4-pak.

I decided the Jonas Brothers are a totally cool group, but LiveNation had far outpriced the tickets for their tweens/teens market. Hope that concert goes great without our three-to-go credit card purchase.


Raleigh is just a mid-market area, so I wonder what a larger market price might have been. We love the Jonas Brothers' CD, and will listen to it with $100 shock and awe tomorrow night.

Thanks Ticketmaster renamed LiveNation I don't like that Ticketmaster retains exclusive ticket rights for concerts, and that in the years since they "won" the sole ticket sales, ticket prices have far outpaced buyers expendable income.

Four-Non-Concert Goers - Not Going

Pet Paradise Pet Sitters Is Such A Great Service

Pet Paradise located in NC (the Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Holly Springs area) has been helping out with Freckles our new Cocker Pup. Duane (the owner) comes to our house two days a week to take Frecks out for a walk, gives him fresh water, a little lunch, and a little TLC. It's so nice to have a service so dependable and trustworthy. Duane leaves a little note for us each day about his visit, which helps us know how Frecks is behaving without us.

I was so nervous about getting a new puppy, because I work just far enough away that going home for lunch every day was not working for me, especially with the cost of gasoline. Now I am free to work during my lunch hours, or get chores and errands done around town, knowing Frecks doesn't have to be alone all day, or being afraid he will have a potty accident from being left so long.

Also, we have started Puppy Kindergarten at Town and Country Aminal Hospital. The instructor breeds, raises and trains Golden Retreivers for show, so she really knows her stuff. We are learning just real puppy basics right now, which is great for us and better for Frecks, since he knows what's expected of him now, and he's always willing to please.

Four To Go Going Somewhere Every Day!

Going on Saturdays to Water Aerobics

Over the years (and there have been more than many), I have taken water aerobics. This Summer our subdivision pool committee has offered a water aerobics class on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, which is taught by staff from Rex Wellness Center in Cary, NC.

Also over the years, water aerobics has been the secret to my exercise success. It is not stressful on bones or joints (good for my bad left hip), and it truly gets one in shape and tone quickly. The class is fun, in the pool (think no sweating in summer), and you get to exercise with oldie music (depending on the instructor's age). Water Aerobics works not only one's core group muscles (stomach, spine, legs), but also focuses on upper body strength.

This is an excellent exercise for both genders and all age groups. It is also safe for folks with joint and joint pain (always ask your doctor and the aerobics instructor). There is very little stress on the bones and joints, but wonderful benefit due to water resistance. The improvement in hips, thighs, waist size is quick.

For more information on water aerobic exercise please visit Rex Hospital's website at www.rexhealth.com/Classes_and_Resources/Classes/

Grab and Go Gas Station - A Whole New Meaning

Today during my lunch hour, I ran some errands and drove thru Wendy’s for a salad, but didn’t get a beverage. As I was driving back to work, I got close to the little Grab and Go gas station at the corner, and decided I really did need something to drink with my lunch. I pulled in and got out of my car. I went through the door and ahead of me was a scrawny little tall boy (maybe 14). He went straight to the counter to pay for $2.00 of gas. I thought well he must not being too far today.

I went on back to the beverage cooler, and as I was looking for an iced tea, the Asian clerk shouted and waved his arms saying to someone on the other side of the very small store “hey bring that up here.” then he repeated it saying “yes you, bring that up here.” I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw the same scrawny kid who went in before me bringing up something to the counter.

It was right about then that I thought I’ll bet he’s trying to steal something. Right here, in the middle of day, on a busy street corner, at a busy gas station. There was some more dialog between the clerk and the man, but by then I was trying to just stay in the back of the store. I heard something about “no I don’t have the money”, and then the kid left.

I proceeded to the counter as the clerk was refolding a yellow bandana doo rag. I said to the clerk, “looks like someone was trying to pull a little ten-finger lift.” He said “yes.” As I was leaving the store I thought about the kid. He wasn’t trying to steal anything of value, nothing useful, nothing to eat – only the yellow bandana that he could have gotten at any Dollar Store 2 for a $1.00.

Why?

How About Going to Starbucks

I saw in the newspaper over the weekend that only one Starbucks in our area would be closing. That's good news for the 100 Starbucks or so in just our Triangle area. I wonder if this is just the first rounds of Starbuck closing in their "retrenchment" plan.

For me it used to be a treat to go to Starbucks, and it used to be a little drive to get to one. No one else even had frappucinos for sale. As for regular coffee, there was only undefined restaurant coffee, and sometimes old, burnt, or cheap joe, in the Burger Kings, McDonalds, and Hardees. But the novelty and newness of Starbucks coffee being brewed and stirred and whipped up right in front of the customer by the barista was part of the treat.

Then about 3-5 years ago the Starbucks gave way to overgrowth and finally to cannibalization of their market share. In addition to their freestanding stores, Starbucks suddenly began appearing as kiosk type stores in the major grocery chains (even if the stores were mere blocks from each other), malls, airports, and even hospitals. Certainly Starbucks was mindful of their highly trafficked areas, and carefully matched their marketing growth plan within those targeted areas.

Other similar coffee shops began springing up in unlikely places, gas stations, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, and the seemingly never-struggling McDonalds announced plans to come out in 2008 with their own in-store fresh brewed upscale coffee menu, with which Starbucks would have to compete. So people can now get coffee treats almost anywhere they stop.

In 2008, after Starbucks had grown beyond their market share and in the face of fierce competition, fast escalating gas and fuel prices that took a bigger bite out of consumer’s expendable income, and the U.S. economic downturn, consumer’s $5.00 coffee expenditures were pared back, causing additional revenue loss for Starbucks.

Oversaturating a market and cannibalizing one’s existing markets has two effects. On the positive side the oversaturation in the short term creates larger corporate revenues, and for the 3-5 years that saturation has added significantly to Starbucks’ shareholders’ pockets. Also these kiosk type stores are less expensive to build, and easier to shut down than free standing real estate would be. On the negative side of aggressive growth, there is both a price point and competition entering the market that will drive down revenues, and result in stores closing and employee layoffs.

What I wish is that I had some early Starbucks stock (and a Latte).

fourtogo may be going to Starbucks for a Latte.

Myrtle Beach Has a New Hard Rock Adventure Park

For all those folks who live in the Northeast (New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania), and are willing to drive 10-12 hours to get to Myrtle Beach SC, you know what I mean. Here on the Carolina Coast we can get to the ocean within 2-3 hours and be on the beach. The water was 81 degrees on July 4th, which made for great skim and boogie boarding, and daughter's newest created sport swim tube wave riding.

Between beach time and bedtime, there's so much to do in the North Myrtle/Myrtle Beach area. The newest coolest attraction to come to Myrtle Beach this Spring is the Hard Rock Theme Park. The park is located in an area full of good restaurants and other activities. The best thing is that it's only 30 minutes from our condo in North Myrtle Beach. Check it out!! www.hardrockpark.com

Our Condo on Cherry Grove Beach (North Myrtle Beach) is for sale on owners.com, property ID WTJ2055. It's far enough from the Myrtle Beach traffic and crowded restaurants, and the beach is that wonderful white sugary sand. We can literally walk for almost 2.5 miles along that section of beach. The Cherry Grove fishing pier is bustling with activities, fishing, eating, and just hanging out. Pier fishing is very popular in Cherry Grove, and the pier is open until midnight during summer.

Anyway sadly our Condo there is for sale. Lives and priorities change, so our nice condo there will become another families dream for adventure and beachbbum living. I have posted a picture of our condo and maybe you'll become that new family.

We All Live In A Circus Cage

Above photo is Little Mommy and Freckles sleeping off their crazy beach bum weekend on the way home on July 4th. This was the sweetest they were all weekend, believe me!

Our new Cocker Freckles is getting very tall and very strong, must be that Eagle Pack Holistic dog food he's been getting. While spouse has built multiple linking gates to block him into one area, he just jumps up, and the walls tumble down just like Humptey Dumptey over the wall in the nursery rhyme. We've had to continually upgrade the wall system, and we have baby gates at every other opening. Now all of us are inside the circus cage.

Frecks has already outgrown his baby crate and on Friday we bought him the two story tall condo Life Styles crate. If he outgrows this crate, we are all in trouble.

Daughter decided to play a trick on him and got in his crate. He was not too happy to share his new house.

I hope all my readers enjoys my new pics and story about our FourToGo group.

What's This Study Going to Be About - Liz Clairborne And Domestic Violence Among Teens

On CNN on Monday night (7-6-08) I heard some statistics about teen relationships. including technology and sexual abuse among 13-18 year olds in teen relationships. The way the data was presented in the report, one would have thought that teens in relationships were being beat to death and physically abused by the teen boyfriends and girlfriends. Being a female with a degree in marketing and 20+ years in marketing research, and experienced in the use of statistics to prove (or disprove) all types of marketing research data, I wanted to learn more about this research, including why Liz Claiborne, the clothing mogul, would be involved in teen relationships.

A quick Google search provided some insight to the study which was conducted by a research group Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) for CAEPV Member Liz Claiborne Inc. Teens surveyed range in age from 13-18 as part of Liz Claiborne's Love Is Not Abuse program.

I clicked into the link and was able to view data supported by nice graphics, charts, and analysis, which asked apparently pointed questions to some 600 teens and some 400 parents regarding teens abuse by peers and boyfriends and girlfriends using cell phones, text messaging, social groups, and computers. Additionally the questionnaire asked questions about sexual activity in relationships, and the fact that a large percentage of parents were unaware that teens were having oral sex with their significant others (like we told our parents about that kind of activity).

I am very concerned about the relationship between Liz Claiborne and an agency advocate for Domestic Violence Against Teens in Relationships. I know that statistically you can prove, skew, or disprove almost anything, and design a marketing research questionnaire to prove a client's theory or support their marketing dollar. I read where there is some 3.3 Billion in Federal Money that may be approved for teen abuse programs, and the specific data from this report was cited on that news website.

I believe teens have always been in tumultuous relationships with peer girls and boys, gender rivalry, parents, and the siblings (siblings who are also often verbally, mentally and physically abusive). Ages 13-18 is a time of self discovery and sexual discovery and in relationship truths and heartbreaks.

The survey says teens are text messaged 10,20,30 times an hour by their significant others inquiring as to their whereabouts and activities. Well teens in the "old days" had to rely less on text messaging and IMing and more on the princess phone and hand written notes to keep up.

If teens are that technologically abused, I say tell them to turn off the darned cell phones, and log off their computers and go to bed. Parents of teens this age are usually excluded from sexual activities, and maybe about their peer contacts and abuses. It's part of figuring out the whole world.

To waste money on a limited teen research (600 teens spanning the whole U.S. demographics) is not representative of the population as a whole, and to ask questions that are limited in scope and narrowly worded, and to extend that date to the population as a whole is skewing data and statistics.

I say if teens are not smart enough to turn off the technology, then the Liz Claiborne money is not well spent, trying to save teen relationships, that no doubt will resolve themselves and ultimately result in smarter and more well rounded young adults. I do believe, however, the Liz Clairborne corporattion is trying to be a good corporate steward and their willingness to reach out is commended.

To read more about the research study and the data collected link to:
http://domesticviolenceworkplace.blogspot.com/2007/02/liz-claiborne-sponsors-technology-teen.html

We Were Coming Home From July 4th - Scary Thoughts

Today's E-mail to NC DOT

I would like to report a potential NC State Highway Safety
Citizens Safety Issue

On Sunday evening July 6, 2008 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. on
HWY 40 East from Wilmington to Raleigh between Benson and
Garner 40/440/70 exit we were in stop and go traffic for
almost an hour. There seemed to be no reason for it, and
even traffic from the beach to that Benson exit was normal
to light for a Holiday weekend. We were almost out of gas,
and our patience was thin. We thought we'd go to the 1680AM Travel Channel, but there was only a highway maintenance announcement. (btw the maintenance had been suspended for the Holiday Weekend, but this was not mentioned on the 1680 Radio Channel). Then we tried 511 (Traveler Information Phone Number (8 times). We couldn't get past the automated prompt announcement that stated "if you want information about the wildfires in Eastern Carolina, please press 1 (?). For main menu, say "main menu". I said "main menu" (like 9 times), and then the automated attendant said "I'm sorry, I am having trouble with your selection, please call back later" - and I was disconnected (8 times). I tried the "if you would like the touch tone selection, please press or say 88". I did that and couldn't get past the beginning prompt there either. I did leave feedback 4 times - since that was the only prompt that worked. Our family needed accurate up-to-date traffic information, not some automated wildfire information. It was very stressful. We never did see or get any information from any source. We tried 511, 611, 911 (I was disconnected - maybe by my cell provider), 0, *98. What if we had a real emergency? What if my family was lost, kidnapped, in a serious car wreck. What if my child was dying on the side of the highway. The 511 system should be checked and updated - ESPECIALLY on a HOLIDAY weekend when hundred of motorists were left without information. We saw only one overhead road sign (1 only). It listed estimated travel time as 12 min (it was 50 minutes). No overhead signs with emergency information were utilized (like using the Amber alert signs as emergency information signs, and or no Trooper providing information or direction assistance. Literally on that stretch of the road it was like being in a time warp. The NCDOT system did not work.

Someone needs to take responsibility for this problem. I have forwarded this message to the HEAD of the NCDOT. I will be sending this message to all news media and state police media. We did see the usual speeder deterent unmanned patrol cars parked in the median along that stretch of road. Since everyone knows, and can see, that these cars are unmanned - they are not much of a deterent, and undermines citizens' intelligence.

Kind of reminds you of the Emergency Alert System ...this is only a test, if this would have been a real emergency...we hope Verizon Wireless 911 would have worked, troopers would have been available giving direction and information, AM Radio 1680 would have been manned by a real person (not a loop taped system), and Travel Information 511's automated attendant would have had her real person button turned on. Scary to think it might not have been different.

Four to Go - All Stressed Out from Going

Patriotism, History, and Recession

The past few days the media, television, radio, newspaper, have all ran segments on being an American and the meaning of Patriotism. Everyone who responded to an interview, online survery, or television/radio talk segment has their own idea of what that word means. Typically people who have served in the military gives that very pat, trained, military answer of being proud to serve my country and do my tour of duty. Celebrities also are ready with their scripted answers of I'm proud to be an American, and all this country has done for me and my fellow artists - read - (make me rich and famous). Students when asked that question (having no frame of reference to history and the past) state that it's the freedom that they value. Mothers are more likely to say because America is a great place to raise my family. All in all, yesterday wherever you spent your holiday, did you get tears in your eyes when they played the "Star Spangled Banner", did you put your hand over your heart (an often missing lately element in public outings like ballgames), did you remove your hat in respect for your country and your fellow man. Did you sing to the star spangled banner with joy in your heart, mouth the words, or worse remain silent and apathetic.

I watched a documentary on History channel yesterday on the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. The moderator went on the street asking a few "Fact" questions, like tell me the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, how many presidents have we had, who was the first president to serve in the real White House? Repeatedly, people of all ages did not have the correct American answers to such basic questions, that my husband and I (who knew the answers by the way), had been taught with great detail in that nasty thing Public School...but not the public school of today, where kiddos are taught the State EOG Test. We went to school where American History was not just a 90-day elective subject, but was taught every afternoon for 5 years. Believe me we learned what it took to become free.

The Iraq War is not about being free for them. Their country's past histories of wars and takeovers and religious strife is the norm. Our American values of democracy and freedom are being forced upon their people, destroying their country, killing our soldiers. Not all countries can be free. The old 13 original states Revolutionary spirit can't be transferred like a baton to other countries...they have to want it the same way early Americans did. They have to take charge of their own destinies.

We did travel 400 miles from home for 4th of July. No recession seen on the roads coming to Myrtle Beach, no recession seen in the lines at the stores here, no recession seen on the umbrella to umbrella beach, and the glorious fireworks display by North Myrtle Beach town, says America is alive, well and working just the way it's supposed to - even if it was just for one day - Our Independence Day.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Holiday!
Four to Go Has Gone For the 5th.

We're Going To Have A Serious Talk with Freckles

Well for my readers who haven't read past my last few blogs, we have brought a new Cocker pup into our house. Never mind he is the most stubborn puppy we've ever seen, and may actually be part of an alien combat group. Today when Frecks and I were doing our morning snuggle, he reared back his head and caught his canine tooth on the side of my nose, slashing about a 1/2 inch cut. He was just being a pup, not being mean though.

On the reverse side of being mean, and it was 102% our fault, we left Frecks in our "gated off" kennel area in our kitchen, without supervision as a result of a hurry up and go to last night's swim meet when we didn't confine Frecks to his crate. When we came home at almost 10:00, we expected a little potty mess. We cleaned it up without yelling (since it was our fault), and all went to bed.

Today when daughter went to put on her 4-day old Sketchers Callie Gear shoes, www.sketchers.com she discovered that Frecks had escaped (like Houdini) his crate, went on a household adventure, and found daughter's shoes in his mouth. How do you think that happened??? Anyway, Dad thought he might have to call the Trauma Center this morning to rescue Daughter's pain. Daughter said she would NEVER rub Frecks belly again.

What did the Best Dad do? He went to the Mall and went store-to-store until he found the EXACT unchewed replacement model. Better than that, he got a puppy "sorry" card from Frecks and Frecks asked that his belly be rubbed again, and that he was sorry.

Frecks deceased "sister" 14 1/2 years ago ate a grey leather glove at about the same age. Urghhh! Gotta love a bad puppy.

That's our going, going, gone story today.

Fourtogo - madder than a bad Cocker Spaniel!

Is This the Right Time to Buy Beach Property?

I've been browsing the internet looking to see the types of beach property for sale in between Wrightsville, Ocean Isle, Atlantic Beach and Myrtle or North Myrtle Beach. There is plenty of property for sale, and the prices for most property are below what that same property would have been worth even last summer. I'm sure that makes it a good buyer's market.

Traditionally following each housing downturn, when the market corrects itself (and it will), the property jumps back to or above the value before the downturn. It's always a gamble with the investment property market. Hold em or Fold em?

We purchased our condo in North Myrtle Beach 4 years ago when property again was on the lower end of the pendulum. Then it swung way high, and the price of our property went way up in value. At that time all the economists were warning of the bust that came in 2008. We had tried to sell to head off our loss, but didn't sell in time. Now we are selling our property on owners.com for some $35,000 below market value (based on last year's valuation).

At some point we'd like to buy a house at the beach, and now would be the perfect time on the buyer's market side. But first we need to sell our condo! Anyone want a great fully furnished condo in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Check ours out at www.3togo.info or owners.com Property I.D. WTJ 2055. And for all the other fun things to do in North Myrtle Beach visit their website at
travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-479252-north_myrtle_beach_vacations