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November 2002: Paul Smith - He comes but once a year you know.
'Twas the month before Christmas, and all through the shop, not a peripheral was moving, not even a mouse. It doesn't rhyme and actually it's wrong; I'm sure you're very busy. I know it's only November, but your frantic Yuletide season should have kicked off a while ago. Heaven knows, supermarkets have been selling decorations since September, and you always know that Xmas is around the corner when there's a stack of Celebrations tins around every corner.
Now, Editor Dale asked me to suggest five things that'll be big in the shops this crimbo, and so far I've come up with three: Pushing, Family Arguments and that sad/angry feeling you get when you're paying for something you know will be half its current price in four days time. Bah-humbug, etc. Ok, let's talk turkey: I still think Digital Cameras (check out the Fuji FP2800 if you get a chance. It's a beauty for the money) and their accessories, plus firewall/anti-virus packages (I'm one for practical gifts) and Broadband deals will all be going down well this year. Some sort of 'web site in a box' solution could be a handy thing to stock too, if such a beast exists.
Console jockeys won't go far wrong with a pile of GTA Vice Cities to adorn any lucky (eight)teenagers stocking. I know that's stating the obvious, but you're the independent retailer, I just work in an office. It's not easy for me to tell you something you don't already know.
I was updating my CV recently and was struck by just how often it contained a repeated phrase. Nothing as predictable as 'I was responsible for…' or '…to seek fresh challenges', but rather 'Now Closed'. It brought home to me just how nebulas this industry is, and also that I've killed or near fatally injured almost every firm I've ever worked for in it. Yet, somehow I've always survived to rise again, phoenix-like from the ashes. Now I realise why I'm known in certain circles as 'The Cat'. It's my nine lives, and not the fine hair that covers my entire body after all.
We work in a world where great big names like Tiny can be gone in a flash(5), and it happens with shocking frequency. Datrontech, CHS, Dan, Bobs Exotic PC Emporium. All gone, but not forgotten. To get all religious on your ass for a moment (and why not, it is almost Christmas after all) we really have built our houses on shifting sands. I like to think the worst times have passed, and the tide may be turning. But perhaps I'm just a stupidly optimistic, naive Cnut*.
A cheery note to end on: I've just left my job, so if you have something you think I'd enjoy doing, please e-mail your offers of exciting jobs to me at: Info@snapsandbytes.co.uk. Unlike Santa Claus, I didn't get the sack, I resigned. Ho ho ho.
*This is the accepted modern way of spelling the name of King Cnute, and not a typo.
501 words Dale. I resign tomorrow, by the way.
Paul
Note: And I did. I was frog-marched from the building, so I had a chance to give my usual leaving speech: "No, no. Take your hands off me. I can walk out by myself thank-you-very-much..."