Do you have a permit for that lemonade stand?

Hey kids,

This weather sucks! I'm schvitzing! I had to do an in-home wine tasting last night and it was held in the sun porch. It was hotter in the sun porch than it was outside! I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and tie and everybody at the event was pretty casual. It was rough, but eventually the wine tasting portion was moved inside because it was unbearable in the sun porch. Most of the people were chilling by the pool. Other than the unbearable heat and humidity the rest of the event was just fine.

Driving to the event yesterday I noticed a lemonade stand on the side of the road (on Telegraph...not the best place for a lemonade stand). As far as I could gather it looked like assorted flavors of Kool-Aid in pitchers and bottled water. It takes me back to a simpler time. I remember when a few of us kids from our apartment complex made a piece of crap stand out of scrap wood from the neighboring field. We pulled our money together and walked to the Plaid Pantry (a nearby convenience store)and bought some powdered lemonade mix. I think we lost money on the deal. Nobody seemed to want cold, refreshing lemonade. What was up with that? It was hot out that day. So...I noticed the bottled water and assorted Kool-Aids and sort of smiled. I miss the innocent days of my youth. I didn't notice, however, anyone manning the table. It was just sitting out there for anyone to take. Was this some sort of Jonestown trickery? I'm sure the kids were just inside because it was TOO FRICKIN' HOT TO BE OUTSIDE! But then I also got to thinking about laws and such. Do you need a permit to run a lemonade stand (or a $.05 psychiatric stand)? I'm sure you do, but I'm sure that cops and city officials look the other way when it's run by kids. I could just imagine an official from this fair city shutting down a lemonade stand with extreme prejudice. If kids get away with it could I? I could always use some extra cash. I should start a lemonade stand on the front lawn. There's a fair amount of foot and vechicle traffic. I could charge more to add vodka. How about a refreshing Pimm's Cup? I'm sure they'd cart my ass away. I'm really surprised in this day and age that the kids aren't being hauled off either. Anyway, kudos to young entrepreneurship! Just don't drink the purple Kool-Aid...

Last week I Netflixed the original The Ladykillers from 1955 starring Sir Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom, and Peter Sellers. What a great film! I clicked on the Biography link for Alec Guinness and read something pretty fascinating about him. Did you know that he was the first Allied soldier to land on Sicily during World War II? His boat landed accidentally landed an hour before all the others. Very interesting. I think I'm getting Kind Hearts and Coronets soon from my queue...

I also just watched a great documentary on the American Hardcore scene appropriately called American Hardcore. It was very well done and covered the whole scene inclucing Black Flag, SSD, DRI, Negative Approach, Necros, 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, TSOL, Circle Jerks, Jerry's Kids, Flipper, Teen Idles, Wasted Youth, Cro-Mags, Bad Brains, SOA, DOA, MDC, Adolescents, Descendents, Big Boys, DYS, Battalion of Saints, Poison Idea, and many others. It was pretty cool to hear some of the interviews. Regretfully I'm too young to have seen any of these bands the first time around...

I also watched a really good documentary on the Minutemen called We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen. Very cool! It's a shame that D. Boon died so early. At least Mike Watt is still around and one of the greatest bass players ever!

I went to Farmer Jack the other day and all seafood was 50% off and all frozen food was 20% off. I loaded up on some frozen shrimp and a few other odds and ends. I went back today and the frozen food is now 30% off. Nice! It should be going to half-off soon. I also went to the new Meijer in AP for the first time. It was crazy busy but it's a nice store. I guess I'll drive a little further to shop at Meijer rather than shop at the kraptastic Kroger. They have a lot more food! I think it's kind of funny that it's a bit of a workout to leave. You have to push your loaded shopping cart uphill to your car in the lot. I'm going to miss Farmer Jack, but I'll cope...

Something very good finally happened at work. Things should be getting better, but not without a challenge. At least we finally have something to smile about.

The wine distribution system in Michigan is currently in a MAJOR tizzy. It's really F'ed up! The monopoly is on its way. The big boys are moving in and it's going to get even uglier. I'm so confused...

Cheers,
Jason