Rena and I had a major videoke session over the weekend. Imagine 4-5 hours with just 2 people. Now that's cool. We sang around 20 each. Is that a cool or what?

So the Toto concert was a sham. Coming from an old fan, you've got to believe me. They spliced and diced every song that the crowd knew. Take out I'll Be Over You and Lea, half the crowd wouldn't have been there. Take out Georgy Porgy and 99, you'd lose another quarter. And that's exactly what happened. Pity.

Old Aids

The language of the country somehow defines its culture. For example, depending on how many words you have to describe something will indicate how important that thing is to that culture. It's the same deal with expenses. The percentage of expenses allocated to a particular expense group like food or leisure also tells something about you.

In my case, my recent expensive purchases include a pair of gel support things for the ball of my feet, an ankle support gizmo and now a knee support brace. Guess what that tells about me? Sigh.

The Wal-Mart-SM-China Connection

I've been on a book spree as of late. Apart from the fantasy types that I read, I've been enamored with corporate stories too. I've read the corporate biographies of Netscape, Google, Amazon, a little Microsoft (it bored me)and I've also finished books about Warren Buffet and Steven Jobs.

The last one I finished was about Wal-Mart called "The Wal-Mart Effect". Since I'm not American, I wasn't aware of how dominant the company was. I just know it's one of the major retailers in the US because of an old, old stock market game I used to play. Apart from that, I couldn't differentiate it from K-Mart or Target. My old MBA teacher used to say that companies position either by cost or by differentiation. Wal-Mart used the former.

And boy did it do so well.

I knew for a fact that the manufacturing trend was towards outsourcing (like in China) and that normal business dynamics were at work (namely competition). What I didn't realize and found very enlightening from the book was that retailers can have the power to force outsourcing. How?

Well, Wal-Mart is so "dedicated" to its "everyday low prices" creed that it forces its suppliers to lower prices every year. I have to admit, that's the first time I've heard of a corporate-induced deflation. How is it forced? If the suppliers to accede to the "request", Wal-Mart walks away not just from the product, but from the supplier. For example, if P&G doesn't want to lower the price of Tide (no I didn't check if they actually manufactured that), Wal-Mart will stop doing business with P&G, not just with the product line. If you can imagine that there's like a Wal-Mart every 15 KMs (or something) for about 70% of the US population, that tells you the extent of the company's distribution system. If Wal-Mart turns its back on you, that's a disaster. However, if you keep doing business with the company, it will erode your profit margin until there's nothing left. Spell dilemma baby.

To be fair though, Wal-Mart is reportedly not just ruthless with suppliers; it is with its employees as well. The book said that there's a class suit against the company by its former employees because the company used to lock them up inside the stores so they couldn't go anywhere. Furthermore, employees were routinely asked to log out and keep working (there's nothing cheaper than free labor).

For some weird reason, these descriptions reminded me of SM. I could be wrong, but hey.

The book also made me think about the commercial that says, "When the buying stops, the killing does too" which is a reference to buying products from near-extinct animals. As a consumer, it really is hard. We all know that there's child labor out there and that factories in other countries don't really factor in externalities in the price. And yet, when you go to a store, how can you say no to the cheaper goods (of equal quality)? For example, in our country, how can you weigh the morality of the act of buying? Do you patronize the inhumane conditions in other country or do you let your family starve? I sure don't want to make that call.

But that's theory. The fact remains that Wal-Marts are sprouting like mushrooms in the US. That means that every day, consumers are voting with their wallets, giving Wal-Mart the thumbs up. Like I said, it's hard to blame them.

I'm guessing this is one of those things that are best left to governments. I don't really want to discuss that now so I'll end this post here.

Geographically Challenged

Here's a random thought. You know how it is when you exit to the freeway and you're wondering if you're going the right direction. After an hour of driving, you suddenly see that you're in Calamba instead of Sucat. Eek. Same thing with Taft sometimes.

Wrestling Moves

Since returning as a WWE fan about 2 years ago (mostly since I didn't find enough brawls in NBA games), I've really favored those that can execute a lot of moves. Really. I guess that's why I'm so bored with Batista. Apart from having no wit whatsoever, the only things I remember him doing are the Batista Bomb and the spear. In contrst, you have someone like Chris Benoit, who used to execute belly-to-belly, German and snap suplexes, a flying headbutt, the Sharpshooter and the cross face apart from many other cool moves. Edge, as another example, would perform the powerbomb, DDT, a cool neck breaker, the spear, missle drop kick and from what I heard, a submission move called Edgecator (but I've never seen it).

Apart from Batista, the other champion, Randy Orton, is also boring. I think he only knows how to do a headlock and the RKO.

I guess this is why I also enjoy watching those that pick on certain body parts. Triple H, Rick Flair and Finley would attack the leg 5-6 different ways before attempting their submission holds. That's cool to watch and it's a smart strategy.

That's that. Until next time.

11 Times the King

Triple H is now an 11-time champion. I can't wait till he regains the belt and defends it in Wrestlemania 24. Spewing water has never been this cool.

Talking about the Linen

Last Friday, I had a treat. I watched John Ford Coley in Aliw Theatre with Rena. And I must say, it brought back some lyrics. Within the concert, I felt like I was having a semi-competition with the gay guy beside me who was outsinging me. Gosh, this guy knew all the lyrics. Tsk. But yeah, I haven't had a dose of nostalgia like that in a while. And just to tell you how authentic the nostalgia was, Rena kept calling everyone there "majonders". I hope I spelled it right.

That Olivia was alright too. I'll watch out for her.

On another note, John Ford Coley kinda sounds like Jeff Foxworthy. Must be the southern twang.