It’s too damn hot this year. Seriously. There was no winter this year. Quite literally, the coldest it got was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and it lasted for about six and a half hours over the course of a cloud less evening sometime in January. It was pathetic and just another wonderful reminder that it’s about time to get the hell out of the San Fernando Valley. On the upside, it’s January, people got money to spend and a few trade shows are going to be taking place over the first quarter of the year that appeal to my inner conflicted and rightfully dichotomized consumer self. Namely, NAMM and CES! WOOHOO!!!

Oh the joy of newly announced products in the world of music and audio recording technology at NAMM, and everything electronic at CES. Among the hustle and bustle of eager vendors, enthusiasts, and consumers alike over softwood trade show flooring and carpets, you can feel the rush of fresh dollars signs ringing up behind the eyelids of everyone involved. The sheer magnitude of these events is enough to boggle the mind of someone not used to BIG and LOUD events outside of music festivals.

Without getting into too much detail, a who’s who of the corporate world of consumer electronics use these spaces to announce their next hot product. 4K televisions being demoed by young Nebraska coeds in bikinis paying their way towards a (possible) internship at one of these companies. After all, that tuition isn’t going to pay itself, unless of course, you’re on that academic scholarship. Which seems unlikely if your most basic avenue towards future employment is an unpaid gig strutting your silky smooth skin and complexion in tacky make-up and un-necessary (or is it) near-nudity to make sure one of the largest miners of conflict minerals breaks a profit on that new TV at the end of the fiscal year… but I digress… I’m pretty sure I said I wouldn’t get into too much detail…

It’s too hot.