Found out what happened to my Xmas shoppers. I did some of my own shopping yesterday, which of course involved a large toy store. When I walked in, I was greeted by racks and racks of musical instruments. Guitars, amps, drums, keyboards, PA systems (actually karaoke boxes). All dirt cheap. Even cheaper than mine. I watched more musical instruments fly off the shelves in ten minutes than I sold in the entire season. No wonder my business has been hurt. So much for the lowest prices in town. Now I find myself with no markets left to tap. I've lost the low end and the high end. There aren't any buyers in the middle.

Maybe next year. Those that stick with the toy store ISO's will be wanting something better. Most will find them too frustrating to make music with and quit forever.

Tom Ridge ratchets up the terrorist threat level. From the sound bites, it seems obvious that this isn't just a scare like the last few. They're really concerned. Los Angeles keeps popping up as a target, and so do international flights. Great. Guess where I'll be on Xmas eve... LAX. Sitting on top of the fullest jet fuel tanks on the planet.

So, I find myself actually reading the spam for anxiety meds. Wonder if any offer overnight shipping? Of course, I have no respect left for that popular overnight package delivery. Lessee, they were bringing me six boxes from Brisbane - which is all of thirty minutes from here. It's been a week and a half, and five of them have slowly dribbled in. Still waiting for the last one.