Hot Mess Award: Week of 6-26-06

1. Baytown Police Dept. & Library: When a lady was pulled over this week, she was arrested. Why? Not because she was drunk or had drugs in her car, but because there was a warrant out for her arrest because of an overdue library book. Come on! Is it really that crucial? I think not.

2. Global Forum Planning Committee: Global Forum is a conference held in London for new hires at my company. This year the planning committee decided to hold it the week of the 4th of July. This is just WRONG on so many levels! 1. It’s a holiday and people usually have plans (is it proper to celebrate the 4th of July while you’re in Britain?) 2. It’s during quarter financial close which is super busy for us accountants. 3. Because I have to leave the weekend before, I’m going to miss the Essence Festival. For those of you who don’t know, Essence magazine hosts this big event with a ton of great musical acts annually in New Orleans. But this year it will be held right here in Houston. Just my luck that I wouldn’t be able to go the one year it’s in Houston!

And the winner is…
Rev. Jesse Jackson & the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. They are leading a boycott of BP to protest high gasoline prices, as well as what the group perceives to be a lack of African-American representation in the company. Here’s why this is totally bugging me:

• No 1 company pulls gas prices out of the air and says “Hey, I think we should charge $8/gallon this week.) Have you ever taken Economics?
• People complain about gas prices but don't hesitate to pay $2 for a little bottle of water.
• Most gas stations make more profit off of stuff they sell in the convenience store and not the gas from the pump. (gas sales to individual consumers at the pump is a very small portion of an oil company’s revenue)
• BP just sponsored a PUSH conference and has been recognized numerous times for it's support of diversity.