View #2:  It is better to buy butter than it is to buy guns.

View #3:  The opportunity cost of studying 280 hours for an economics test is neglecting my blog for over a week.  Or is that the other way around?

View #4:  If I don’t write a post for a week, the demand for a post is higher than if I write a post every day.  Or not.

Let’s face it, y’all.  Lulu is not an economist.  Nor does she want to become one.  When I signed up for this Macroeconomics course, I had no idea that I would be faced with graphs, charts, calculations, slope lines…and complete and utter boredom.  Sigh.

So, instead of boring you with any more of my muddled viewpoints, let’s just move along, people.  I would much rather bore you with the highlights of last week…

Monday:  Thanks to an invite from Sophie, I attended a Yahoo! event at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead to launch their new women’s blogging/news/entertainment/etc. Web site—Shine.  You can go here to read about the new site, because I just don’t have the time to tell you about all of the wonderful features and people involved.  But I do have time to show you all of the wonderful swag that I scored at the event (which includes some fabulous MAC cosmetics!):

But just one question…how do you wear these colors without looking like you’ve been punched in the eye?

Tuesday:  I bought myself a birthday present.  And let’s just forget for the moment that my birthday is seven months away.  I’ve had this little jewel on my mind for quite a while now, and finally decided to break the bank:

Now, if I can only figure out how to use the darn thing.  To be honest with you, I’m afraid to touch it.  Perhaps I’ll just keep it stored in the box and take it out from time to time to lick it.

Wednesday:  The adorable Mrs. W over at Mrs. W’s Kitchen awarded me with the You Make My Day award!  Aww.  Thank you, Mrs. W!  You always make my day with your delicious recipes, advice on where to eat in Atlanta (and NY), and your love of the Waffle House!

Friday:  I took the day off to go with the ailing GR (he’s sick—mind, body, and spirit), his niece and nephew, sister, and parents to visit the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta.  I had a fabulous time, especially since we ate at The Varsity afterwards!  On the other hand, GR was a big bundle of sickness and family stress as you can see from this display here:

Why I subject myself to going places with him is beyond me.

And finally, I’m going to leave you with a couple of pictures that I took in downtown Atlanta of the lingering tornado damage of a few weeks past.  Many of the windows are still boarded up…

Until next time…

The following items are respectfully requested…

Swiss Chalet Pet Estate.  “Comprehensive interior design services are also available…with a variety of interior details such as window treatments, moldings, paint colors, furnishings, rugs and flooring including wood, marble or Mexican tile.”  $8,000 

Queen Charlottte Pet Pavilion.  “Inspired by an original made for Queen Charlotte this opulent design has water gilded detail and is available with finely detailed gilded or brass finials.”  $16,990

The Love Seat in Jaguar $185

Pet High Chair $72

Pet Stroller (Special Edition) $199

Mom & Me personalized jewelry collar.  “A playful blend of Swarovski crystals, sterling silver hearts, rhinestone balls and a Swarovski crystal heart charm set in sterling silver.”  $140

Patio Park Potty.  “Patio Park is an adorable dog potty. However, the real beauty is not from the charming picket fence design and mock fire hydrant, but the fact that it uses real grass, turning your terrace into Central Park for your pet.” $199

Cash, checks, and money orders are also gladly accepted to help defer the costs of pee-pee pads, kibble, and soiled carpets.  Forever and ever, Amen.

Finally.  GR has decided to kick one of his bad habits.  But only one.  However, it’s a biggie.  He’s going to try to quit smoking.  Hallelujah and Amen, y’all!   

*If you’re here solely for the Thursday Thirteen, then feel free to scroll down past my rambling commentary…

GR went for his first complete (yep, I said complete, people) physical in seven years.  It had been a while, and it was his decision to go, mainly so that he could get some help to quit smoking.  And even though it was his decision to go to the doctor, it was me that called to make the appointment for him, and me that reminded him about his appointment every day for two weeks, and me that freaking filled out the paperwork that the doctor’s office mailed to him.  GR is my child.  Oh, and did I mention that I sent him with a list of various issues to discuss with the doctor?  I probably should have gone with him.  You know, to hold his hand and take him for ice cream afterwards.

Anyhow, apparently it was a productive visit, and GR rambled on to the doctor about every personal issue (health related or otherwise) he could think of.  Which according to GR, consisted of this:

• the fact that his 1986 model truck does not have air-conditioning.
• that he thinks he can self-heal any kind of ailment that he contracts—but no offense to the medical profession.
• that our dog died 6 months ago.
• that he’s thinking about buying an HD television set, except for he’s not sure because it’s for the basement, and he only goes to the basement to watch sports, and maybe he should get one for upstairs, because that’s where we mainly watch television.  And what do you think, doc?
• that in his twenties, he was an optimist, but now that he’s in his forties, he’s a realist (i.e. a pain in Lulu’s ass).
• that his wife (me) says that he snores, but he thinks that I’m not telling the truth.

And with that, I’m surprised that GR did not walk out of the doctor’s office with a referral to a psychiatrist instead of a prescription for Chantix.  Anyway, as soon as he I get the prescription filled, hopefully GR will be well on his way to a smoke-free life, and avoid getting that iron lung transplant that I keep warning him about.

And now, on to my Thursday Thirteen.  In keeping with the smoking (or non-smoking theme, as it is), I decided to list 13 slogans and ads that cigarette companies used in the early years to attract their victims….you know, before the victims of smoking became educated victims of smoking? 

So, here goes…(oh, and most of the facts that I list here are direct citations from http://www.tobacco.org/—a very educational Web site that provides a complete history of tobacco and a timeline of the use of tobacco from prehistoric times to present.)  And some of these are fairly shock-worthy and delightfully entertaining (in a warped sort of way)…

1.  In 1907, a Bull Durham ad shocks New York.  The American Tobacco Company signed a contract with the operator of a horse-drawn stage line in New York to lease advertising space.  One very controversial ad appeared for “Bull” Durham, the nation’s leading tobacco brand. “Onlookers were shocked at the sight of the bull’s well-endowed maleness so graphically rendered, and had the driver of the first stage that appeared on the street arrested.”

2.  In 1913, Prince Albert tobacco uses Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians in its ads.

3.  In 1921, RJR spends $8 million in advertising, mostly on Camel, and inaugurates the “I’d Walk a Mile for a Camel” slogan.

4.  In 1925, Philip Morris’ Marlboro, “Mild as May,” targets “decent, respectable” women.  “Has smoking any more to do with a woman’s morals than has the color of her hair?”  A 1927 ad reads, “Women quickly develop discerning taste.  That is why Marlboros now ride in so many limousines, attend so many bridge parties, and repose in so many handbags.”

5.  In 1926, P. Lorillard introduces Old Gold cigarettes with expensive campaigns.  John Held Flappers, petty girls, comic-strip style illustrations and “Not a Cough in a Carload” helped the brand capture 7% of the market by 1930.

6.  In 1926, Liggett & Myers’ Chesterfield targets women for second-hand smoke in the ”Blow some my way” ad.  There is a public outcry.

7.  In 1928, American Tobacco unleashes an ad campaign for Lucky Strike aimed at women: “Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet.”  Candy makers object, and the campaign later targets “over-indulgence” instead.  

8.  In 1946, RJR begins “More Doctors Smoke Camels” ad campaign.

9.  In 1950, Lucky Strike’s “Be Happy, Go Lucky” wins TV Guide’s commercial of the year. (Cheerleaders sing: “Yes, Luckies get our loudest cheers on campus and on dates. With college gals and college guys a Lucky really rates.”).  So, I have yet to figure out how to post a YouTube video on my new blog, so you’ll have to settle for an ad instead of the commercial…

10.  In 1951, TV series “I Love Lucy” begins its run at 9:00 PM.  It is sponsored by Philip Morris.  The animated titles that open the show each week feature stick figures of Lucy and Desi climbing a giant pack of Philip Morris cigarettes.

11.  In 1962, Philip Morris begins picturing a cowboy in scenes depicting recognizable American landmarks, with the new slogan, “Marlboro Country.”

12.  In 1972, Ms. Magazine begins regular publication.  Editors decide to accept tobacco advertising if they include health warnings.  Philip Morris’ brands do, but editors object to the “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” Virginia Slims campaign, as it makes smoking a symbol of women’s progress.  Philip Morris pulls all its brands.

13.  Um, this isn’t exactly an ad, but I couldn’t pass up the chance of putting Mr. Potato Head on my blog.  In 1986, Mr. Potato Head quits smoking.  And thank God, because his skin was starting to look like Kramer’s in that one episode of Seinfeld. 

Surgeon General C. Everett Koop asks Hasbro to stop including a pipe as a Mr. PH accessory.  Mr. Potato Head became the official “spokespud” for the American Cancer Society and the Great American Smokeout.

So, I know that there’s tons more than 13 ads, such as Marlboro Man and Joe Camel, but this is a list of 13, y’all!  And it’s closing in on midnight, so this will just have to suffice.  I’ll be sure to keep you updated on GR’s progress on kicking the habit…

Happy Thursday!

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For today’s Saturday Photo Hunters day, I have yet another photo from London.  And I know that y’all are reeeeally getting bored of this London and Paris crap, but you’ll just have to suffer through it.  I really did try to find another photo for the theme—Fake-–but, I swear I could find nothing!  NOTHING!  Crazy theme, this one.

So, here’s a photo of George Clooney wooing me at Madame Tussauds in London.  And as much as I would love for George to wisk me away to his villa at Lake Como, this is as close as it’s going to get—me staring into the eyes of a glob of good-looking wax.  

That George.  He’s such a fake.

Happy Saturday, y’all!

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