Target conspiracy theory

A new Target store just opened by my house so yesterday I decided to stop by and check it out. As I was walking down an aisle, I got a text message so I glanced at my phone and noticed there was no signal. There were a few jitters, enough to let a text through, but otherwise it was stuck at zero bars. With my head down, eyes watching the signal bar, I robotically started walking back towards the front of the store. As I approached the exit, tantalizing the security guard with the possibility of their first shoplifter, the signal spiked back to 100%. I was trying to recall if this was normal cell phone behavior inside stores, but I seem to remember lots of moms always yapping away at the grocery store. Often in the checkout line! Also, confused husbands making desperate calls to their wives, or mistresses.

I believe Target has purposely blocked cell phone usage in their store for an unknown reason. What might their motive be? To increase checkout speeds? No. They want you there longer to make an impulse buy. (A toenail clipper and some breath mints. Now I'm ready for a date.) I believe their plot is far more sinister. Imagine having your customers' full attention and a PA system to exploit their minds. Brain washing! Subliminal messages to control how you shop. Trained to make purchases for years. Identity. You stop questioning why and accept. You like it. Second nature. Next time you're at Target, don't look at what's on your shopping list. Look inside yourself.

Ginseng vs. caffeine

Conclusion: Ginseng seems better in almost every aspect over caffeine, but I can't get over the taste.

Here's my take on ginseng vs. caffeine. Over the past month or so I've been switching off between drinking coffee and ginseng when I'm tired. First off, I don't drink either too frequently, maybe once or twice a week. Most mornings I have tea, so the effects of coffee or ginseng are quite noticeable. And for clarification, when I say "drink ginseng", I mean "drink a ginseng beverage", specifically water that had (or still has) a ginseng root soaking in it. Usually a small amount of sugar is added to make it more bearable, although it doesn't help much. This and other bizarre drinks can be found at your local Asian grocery store.

On the days I have coffee I feel really hyper. Usually I shake my leg or play air drums to burn off the excess energy. But after the spike it's all downhill. At the end of the day I'm really dragging and I don't feel like using my brain. Ginseng on the other hand is very subtle and sometimes you forget you even drank it. The feeling is hard to describe. If you drink it on a day you didn't get much sleep, it makes you feel like you got the normal 7-8 hours. If you drink it on a day you're refreshed, it gives you more focus and concentration.

But as I stated in my conclusion, the taste of pure ginseng is absolutely disgusting. I know this is subjective and there might be some people who enjoy the flavor. But it's a pretty safe bet this product won't sell in the states. I'd like to see more R&D from companies like Hansen's or Glaceau to produce a better flavored, healthy ginseng drink. Right now though, energy drinks like Redbull and Monster rule the convenient store shelves. So how much marketing is required to open U.S. consumers' eyes to ginseng?