What am I talking about? On June 7, 2008, there was a “Baby Boomer’s Show” at the Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. I attended that, and they have another one coming up in November. I will not be attending that one.
I have to say that I was there rather early. In fact, I was there before the wine garden opened. Who ever heard of a wine garden opening after the event has been open for a couple hours? Then again, who ever heard of a wine garden open for breakfast? I don’t drink wine, so I don’t know about these things. I just remember the countdown to the opening of the wine garden, and I did NOT feel a breeze rush by as people ran for it.
In fact, only one guy seemed to be anxious to get to it, and I think it is more than a hobby for him. He left a presentation early to get to it. How rude is that? Oh, rudeness will be handled in one of my blogs too. Don’t worry that I am letting that slip by.
As far as attendance, it really seemed like a bust when I was there. There was plenty of elbow room, knee room, in fact a LOT of body room, plenty of candy left in their bowls, and to tell you the truth, I think the only people entering the drawings for gift baskets were other exhibitors. They were wandering around bored as heck. Fortunately, not many of them tried to hustle me into their corner of the world to sell me.
I can’t be sold anyway. I used to sell, so I know the tricks. Would you like 4 cans of this pesticide, or will 3 be enough? “I only came in here for one” But you said the bugs are taking over, and I think the 6 cans you were looking at would be a good selection. Of course, if you want to go cheap, we could go for only 5 cans. So, should I charge these 8 cans to your credit card, or will you be giving me cash?
Of course, I didn’t reach into the trap to take candy out of their bowl unless they were looking the other way. I know how to play the mousetrap game, and I got a few pieces scott free. Ooops, I don’t want to offend our Scottish friends, but I am part Scottish so I can do that. I got it Scott free.
If I needed a sun room with lights pointed into it, new windows to protect me from glare of the fluorescent bulbs, water by bottle or osmosis, elective surgery, laser procedures, a new body, financial planning and investment advice (several of those), candles, diets, catering, barbeques, hot tubs, banks, laser, doctors, investment advice, makeup, laser, doctors, investment advice, or travel, it was the perfect place for me. Oh wait, I think it was all about the wine garden. Did I mention that they charged to get into the wine garden? Just go to Trader Joe’s and buy a few bottles of wine for that price.
Come to think of it, I guess that is what Baby Boomers need. Laser and investments. And wine. Oh, and don’t forget the big motorcycles there for mid life crisis. Let’s head to Sturgis. I only want to see Mt. Rushmore and the big carved Crazy Horse. Honest.
It really wasn’t very big, I thought it would have much more. I was very disappointed. I ended up with my bag of goodies. Other than the few candies I tossed in it real quick, I did my job of recycling. I am glad I wasn’t an exhibitor there. Of course, I have nothing to sell but dry wit, and that doesn’t go with dry wine from the garden. It left me wanting more, and wondering why I parked in the lower parking lot and walked up that hill.
Maybe it was because I was expecting more, maybe it was because the website looked good, or maybe it was because I was sold the extra cans of pesticide, I decided I needed to go. I got home with an empty feeling, and realizing that maybe they sold me after all.
The Opinionator
