I’m sure it sounds odd that I’d be posting about a soap opera, but growing up so many of my dinner meals involved the family getting comfy in the living room as we watched the day’s episode of “All My Children.”  My step-mom was a big fan of the show and she would have us set the VCR (this is pre-TiVo, kids) to record it while we were at work or school and then we’d catch up on the drama of Pine Valley.

“COMMERCIAL!!  HURRY UP, CARLOS, FAST FORWARD!!!”

My mom would shout this every time the scene faded to black.

“STOPSTOPSTOPYOUMISSEDITOMGGOBACK!!”

This was heard when he went too far.

“AAAAAHHHHH NOOOOO!!!!!” And then there was Friday.

There were three truly dark periods in the Moreno home when I was a youngster; times when the show was interrupted for more than three consecutive days as a result of world events:

1. Princess Di’s death
2. Wimbledon
3. The O.J. Simpson trial

 Dark days indeed.

While I won’t be checking in to see the show finalé today, I’m sure I will be able to find it online somewhere later.  Maybe a nice collected set when they get around to making it?  Maybe I’ll tune into their rumoured webisodes.  I can’t say I was a big fan.  I can’t say I’ve seen a single episode in the last 10 years.  I can give you an idea as to who was screaming “NO!” the loudest, though.  \0/

(original story: http://n.pr/oTgC0j)

Online Agreements Update

Dear CafePress Member,

Thanks for helping make CafePress the world’s destination for customized products. We are updating your Online Agreements. These Online Agreements will be revised effected June 23, 2011, and the material changes include:

• Updates to the Content Owner Agreement (formerly Seller Agreement):

– Section 3.2: Content

CafePress will retain the right to remove content from the CafePress system after 12 months of inactivity. –Sounds reasonable.  Freeing up space on servers?

– Section 4.2: Licensing Your Content to CafePress

(v): CafePress reserves the right to sell Products and/or Content from the CafePress Marketplace at its sole discretion for 3rd party feeds and set pricing. (vi): CafePress reserves the right to sell Products and/or Content available through the CafePress Marketplace to other retailers or wholesalers at prices determined by CafePress. –This, to me, is unacceptable!  They’ve already raised product prices (effectively lowering the commission a shop owner can receive) in order to make a buck.  Your same design yields a MUCH higher profit for CP because their overhead is much lower than the base price of the product.  They don’t make these at cost for us.  They make their profit from the base price.  Anything extra is yours.  They control the price and can set it MUCH lower for 3rd party vendors.

You also become your own competition.  If CP puts your design up on the CP Marketplace at a lower price than your store price, who do you think will make the sale?

– Section 7.4: Processing Fees

The processing fee (inactivity fee) is being increased from $5 to $10. If CafePress owes you accrued compensation that is less than the Payment Threshold for at least 365 days, then CafePress may send you payment of such accrued compensation minus a $10 processing fee. –Processing fee?  $10?  To do what?  NOT send you money?  Is it really that difficult for the office staff to NOT send you money?  Maybe it is.  I don’t know.  If that is the case, however, does the employee who doesn’t processes the payment receive that money?

– Section 7.6: Termination Fees

The termination fee is being increased from $5 to $10. If you or CafePress terminate your Account, and you have less than $25 in accrued but unpaid royalties then outstanding, CafePress may charge you a $10 processing fee when sending you your final payment to cover its administrative costs. –Again… Really?  Poppycock, I say!

• Updates to the Marketplace and Shop Services (formerly Seller Services):

– Bulk Discount

The pricing and tiers for the Bulk Discount program have been updated.

• Updates to the language throughout all agreements including definitions and actions on Prohibited Content and Indemnification responsibilities.

A draft of each of the Content Owner Agreement and Marketplace and Shop Services documents is available for your viewing. Thanks again for your commitment to a world of personalization. If you have any questions, please contact customer service by email or call (877) 809-1659.

Best regards,

CafePress Team

Well they’re not.  Am I bitter?  No.  I may sound it, but I’m not.  Am I disenchanted?  Sorely.

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Now for the exciting news: The COMPLETE* Star Wars Saga is FINALLY being released on Blu-Ray in one complete handy-dandy package with ALL SORTS of extras! It may not be news to some of you, but what may be is the fact that you can get it all for just $89.99 by preordering from Amazon TODAY! That’s saving over $60!!! You lucky guys, you… When I preordered I had to pay $99.99.

Anywho, this load of awesomacity ships out on 16 September 2011. Hop on it! Click through the link so my padawan can stay enrolled at the Jedi Academy. Tuition is expensive.

And May the Fourth be With You!

Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) [Blu-ray]