12.01.21 | Shop Talk looks at four business books recommended by a former Starbucks exec. Caught My Eye warns you against wearing a leather coat in North Korea so as not to offend the Highest Dignity, Kim Jong-Un. Also, a woman must relinquish her coffee table of 50 years—a stolen Roman mosaic from the reign of Caligula. Robert W. Welch Jr., born December 1, 1899, is our Business Birthday. He was most known for the candy Sugar Daddy and as the Founder of the John Birch Society.

11.30.21 | The new Trump Bar in Trump Tower has a Presidential theme with drinks named accordingly—like The Mar-a-Lago Spritzer. Notably absent is the addition of bitters to any drink! But first, a few conservative Nebraska legislators want the State to take over the education of students from local school boards. This way LGBTQ curriculum could be erased from the prospect of being taught. Then, a recent study shows that gay men are more likely to have college degrees than their straight counterparts. No so much with lesbian versus straight women.

11.24.21 | Shop Talk covers an article that believes the pandemic changed our buying habits when it comes to conspicuous consumption. We also look at The Peanuts Thanksgiving Special from the 70’s and some of the innocent and coded characters that we all know so well. Caught My Eye asks what you should do on the job if you found out you were second choice by accident? Also, RuPaul is not pleased with Wish.com and the “Unauthorized Xmas Ornament of The Supermodel.” The memes and comments are worth a scan. Dale Carnegie, born November 24th, and most known for his book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is our Business Birthday.

11.23.21 | Dave Frishberg of “Schoolhouse Rock” fame died this past week at 88. What a mark he made on American culture. Then, a restaurant in England denies a gay autistic man entry due to his leopard print pants. Apparently, they did not adhere to the restaurant’s “smart casual” dress code. Finally, a Florida homeowner is threatened with a $1,000 fine for putting up his Holiday decorations too early. The homeowner’s association wants him to take them down despite his offer not to turn them on until after Thanksgiving.

11.17.21 | Our Business Birthday this week celebrates drag’s most famous Queen, RuPaul Andrew Charles. Happy 61st RuPaul! Caught My Eye explores the increased demand for home generators now that many have turned their homes into their own little office park. Also, John receives a direct mail piece that entices him to give until he discovers his name was misspelled—rendering his mailing return labels useless. Finally, Shop Talk looks at unique social and economic concerns facing LGBTQ Generation Z.

11.16.21 | Navy Vet, and LGBTQ Icon, Harvey Milk was honored by the US Navy with a ship named in his honor. Milk was one of four civil rights leaders given such an honor as part of a fleet of newly commissioned naval supply ships. But first, Prince Charles made Sir Elton John a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government over a long period of time. Then, Hertz had a glitch in their system which resulted in over 150 people being arrested and or accused of stealing their rental vehicles—despite having valid rental contracts. In some cases, people were held in jail for a few months.

11.10.21 | Shop Talk looks at the origins of some popular business idioms. Caught My Eye explores the new phenomena of job seekers who ghost employers after accepting employment. The tables have turned as employers are getting a taste of their bad behavior in the treatment of applicants. Also, three Class Action Lawsuits have been filed against Kellogg’s for lack of strawberries in Strawberry Pop Tart products. Our Business Birthday is Jeremy Stoppelman, born November 10th and he is 44 today. The co-founder of YELP, he is a voracious reader of non-fiction and worth about $243 million.

11.09.21 | Perennially confused, and Harvard educated Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, thinks that people who don’t have kids should not be teachers. He attacked 35-year educator Randi Weingarten, who is lesbian and, the President of the American Teacher Federation. On a happier note, the majority of the Salt Lake City council will be LGBTQ after last week’s election results. Red state Mormon Utah has come a long way. Finally, in honor of National Brush Day, Tropicana Orange Juice launched a marketing stunt around orange flavored toothpaste and conducted a poll about other things that don’t go well together. Brushing your teeth right after a glass of OJ of course came in first.

11.03.21 | Shop Talk looks at the Worst Colleges for LGBTQ Students. All 180 schools on the list are religiously affiliated. Caught My Eye highlights the founder of SPANX, who is awarding all employees with a trip and cash bonus—where would you go? Tim and John share their destinations. Also, a Thai woman cuts the rope of a crew trying to fix her building 30 stories up. Finally, school boards continue to unwind with parents behaving badly. Our Business Birthday is Harrison McCain, born November 3, 1927. Harrison and his brothers founded the world’s largest providers of frozen French fries and potato products. Harrison died at 76 in 2004 of liver disease.