Ed Icionsub

The company has had two layoffs in the past year and we are down to a skeleton crew. Everyone is being told to work smarter, work harder, put in longer hours, but don’t expect to get any raises or bonuses. In fact, we are supposed to be grateful that we even have a job at all. With unemployment at almost 10 percent, there are lots of people looking for work and certainly someone else more than happy to take your job if you can’t handle it.

So this morning we had a rude surprise waiting for us all – an announcement that we are all expected to take a one week furlough between now and the first of April. We have to schedule the week off immediately. So I’m thinking this would be a great opportunity to go to Mardi Gras and just get crazy.

I wanted to see if there might be a discount airfare from Nashville to New Orleans during Mardi Gras.  Mardi Gras is such a popular event and destination that I’m concerned just booking the airfare won’t be the best deal and I might be better off finding a package so I can get the best prices on airfare plus a hotel room and possibly even rental car deals.

There are very few asian people where I live, so the fact that today is the Chinese New Year had no impact on us and no mention in the local newspaper of any parades or public celebrations. I’m sure that in cities like San Francisco where there is a large asian population that this was a big deal. I wonder if any businesses in San Fancisco are closed in observance? I read on a web site that in China they do close for the day, or if the New Year falls on a weekend then they are closed on the weekday following the official day.

From additional surfing, I found that the color red has a lot of significance to the New Year and that it is a tradition for older and married couple to give younger people a red envelope containing money for good luck and prosperity in the coming year.

Another tradition involves thoroughly cleaning the house to get rid of everything bad from the old year and to start the New Year fresh.

This is one of the really cool things about the internet. If I had not surfed a few sites about the Chinese New Year, I probably would have never learned these traditions.

With everyone cutting back their discretionary spending, a lot more people are staying home at night and either playing video games or watching TV. There have been several news stories about the exploding sales of video games. In fact, that is one outstanding sector of retail sales that continues to do well even as the rest of the economy seems to be going down the toilet.

As much as I watch TV and DVDs these days, I think it is time I upgrade my equipment. The radio talk show guys were discussing the tremendous difference between watching a professional sports game on a regular TV versus watching the game on a large screen HD plasma screen. Asking around the office, I have heard the same report from several of the executives who have recently upgraded their home entertainment systems.

The best company to customize a home theater or entertainment system in North Texas is Precision Electronics Systems. I was reading their web site and was pleasantly surprised to see the price list had several high end packages at an affordable price. They carry all the major brands of electronics and sound systems, and can custom design a package based on your own personal preferences. They can do pre-wiring for new homes under construction, so that you have everything in place before you move in.

Everyone noticed the flub during yesterday’s inauguration as broadcast on TV to millions of viewers worldwide. The Chief Justice did not recite the oath of office correctly as he stated the oath for Obama to repeat. President Obama noticed the difference and hesitated to repeat the words. Upon closer analysis of the complete ceremony, officials decided to proceed with an abundance of caution and have President Obama re-do the oath in a small private ceremony today. This time they both got it right, and now we all feel better, don’t we?

Increased competition in computer chip manufacturing and decling sales of computers has lead to Intle’s decision to close three manufacturing facilities and lay off as many as 6,000 workers in the U. S., the Phillippines and Malaysia.

Intel ended the year 2008 with a decline in fourth quarter revenue and only 84,000 employees. This round of plants closings and layoffs will be about 7 per cent of their total work force. Intel says that some employees in the affected plants will be offered jobs in other company locations.

Technology companies have been reducing inventory and cutting back on their purchases of chips and other computer components. With lowered demand, Intel’s fourth quarter revenue was 23% less than last year’s. In addition to these troubles, Intel is facing competition from new, cheaper chips made by Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD).