Off The Walt

At 11:45am Eastern Time, I sat with anticipation as I watched a man walk out of a hall who did not smile a victory, who did not gloat or high-five people. He walked with a determined stride and confidant look on his face.

Millions of Americans in Our Nation’s Capitol frantically waved flags, showing their support.

11:49am: Pastor Rick Warren offers a prayer and encouraging words. Words met cheers from citizens and tears from my own face. I don’t attend church, but if Pastor Warren was in South Florida, I’d seriously consider it. When he finished, I clapped at my computer screen as I watched the streaming video @ hulu.com.

11:54am: Aretha Franklyn sings "My Country Tis of Thee." Patriotic images flood past the screen as she sings in the background. Proud Americans shed tears along with me, others smile uncontrollably. President Elect looks at the signer with admiration.

11:57am: As every American in the audience stands, Paul Stevens swears Joe Biden into office as Vice President. Biden speaks with great conviction and authority.

Noon: An assembly of talented musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, plays an amazing classical piece composed by John William. If not for their playing, you could hear a pin drop. Enjoying the performance, they smile to each other as they play.

12:04pm: As Mrs. Obama holds a Holy Bible, John G. Roberts, Jr. swears Barack Hussein Obama into the office of the President of the United States of America with a little verbal stumbling. Cannons fire. Hail to the Chief plays. Americans everywhere cheer.

12:08pm: President Obama addresses the crowd, "My fellow citizens…" Indeed. His voice did not tremble once. He addressed the war in the Middle East. He discusses the economy, jobs, home losses, health care, education and more. He promises our challenges will be met. "…[we will] begin the work of remaking America." Despite reading from prompters, his words are passionate, commanding. He tells us that America will lead once more.

Nineteen minutes later, the crowd erupts into thunderous applause. Obama walks to former president and vice president Bush & Cheney, offering them hugs, then to his wife for a kiss.

12:29pm: A poet speaks and Obama watches her. Frankly, I’m already tired of her after 20 seconds. She seems to pale in comparison to President Obama. Three minutes later, she leaves and people clap. So do I. She’s done. I clap.

12:33pm: Reverend Lowery delivers a benediction. The interest of many Americans seems to wane as he speaks and they begin to disperse. Like them, I’m consdiering the rest of my day now. Everyone to follow is sure to offer praise to the new Presidency.

12:35pm: I’m done watching now. The neighbor’s little yippy dogs are barking at each other and I’m focusing on other things now.

Dear President Obama,

I look forward to seeing the words from your great speech put into action. I look forward to Our Nation leading the world as you have promised and I will help you where I can, when I can. I look forward to your good health and that of your family, much as I do my own.

I embrace this new beginning.

Thank you,
Walt Snider

In 1949, Samuel S. Wurtzel opened the first Wards Company retail store in Richmond, Virginia. By 1959 Wards operated four television and home appliance stores in Richmond. The company continued to grow and acquire more stores in other locations including Albany, New York; Mobile, Alabama; Washington, DC; and Costa Mesa, California. During the 1970s and early 1980s it also sold mail-order under the name Dixie Hifi, advertising in the hifi magazines of the day. In Richmond, Wards experimented with several retail formats including smaller mall outlets branded "Sight-n-Sound", "Circuit City", and lastly "Ward’s Loading Dock", its first big box format. The large format store clicked with consumers, as did the Circuit City name. They were combined into the retail format "Circuit City Superstore", which then went national.

I can’t say that I’m sad… virtually every time I’ve been to a Circuity City, I’ve been disappointed, insulted, accosted and ripped off. In fairness I can’t say Best Buy was significantly better, but it has always been better.

The problem now is that Circuity City is liquidating all its assets and is out of business. Here in South Florida, Best Buy is the only major competition and with it gone, prices are sure to skyrocket. With the economy what it is today, I don’t know that we’ll see viable competition. Here’s for crossing my fingers.

Source: The history portion was taken from Wikipedia.

Update: The Consumerist has published an interesting blog post on the subject.

I was happy when my friend, Mark Reed, asked me to help out here and there (small things like reviewing, graphics/layout advice and so on) with his company’s RPG book, Bounty Head Bebop .

I’m further happy to see it hitting print as well!

Mark’s a great guy and this is a great, solid book. If you like RPGs, give the PDF a look. If you’re more into getting a freebie, subscribe to our RPG gameplay podcast where we’ll be giving away a couple copies (I think April or so).

Bounty Head Bebop Core Book as PDF $14 | Print $25
Bounty Head Bebop: Jacked Up! (supplement) as PDF $4

I hope you’re happy, healthy and looking forward to a new year! Things may not be as bright as we’d all like, but if we all move forward with a positive attitude, it will be a great year!