Friday the 13th

It's Friday the 13th and that means that only bad things can happen - I guess. Personally I don't buy into superstitions, a.k.a the old wives tales, folklore, bizarre beliefs,taboos, omens, lucky & unlucky things unless it comes to juggling. Then I am buying.

Before I jump into the random and bizarre world of omens here is the skinny on 3 reasons why Friday the 13th is so unlucky...

Myth 1: There is a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party at Valhalla, their heaven. In walked the uninvited 13th guest, the mischievous Loki. Once there, Loki arranged for Hoder, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Balder died and the Earth got dark. The whole Earth mourned.

Myth 2: There is a Biblical reference to the unlucky number 13. Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest to the Last Supper.

RWC: What if we found out that Judas was the 8th apostle - then 8 would be an unlucky number except for in China where 8 is the luckiest number.

Myth 3: A particularly bad Friday the 13th occurred in the middle ages. On a Friday the 13th in 1306, King Philip of France arrested the revered Knights Templar and began torturing them, marking the occasion as a day of evil.

Myth 4: In ancient Rome, witches reportedly gathered in groups of 12. The 13th was believed to be the devil.

Time for some alphabet soup old wives tale style. Enjoy

ACORN:

An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.

RWC: What if there are no Acorn trees indigenous to the region where I live? Will I die a young a horrible death?

AMBULANCE:

Seeing an ambulance is very unlucky unless you pinch your nose or hold your breath until you see a black or a brown dog.

RWC: What this little trick drummed up during a slow day at the pound? If you are driving and do this you will see an ambulance before you a see a black or brown dog - fo sho!

BEE:

If a bee enters your home, it's a sign that you will soon have a visitor. If you kill the bee, you will have bad luck, or the visitor will be unpleasant.

RWC: But will my visitor die? And if so will I see the ambulance? And then will I have to hold my breath until on of the neighbors lets out their black or brown dog? Oh man, this is getting confusing. What if the bee stings me - then I will be unpleasant but what about my visitor?

BREAD:

A loaf of bread should never be turned upside down after a slice has been cut from it.

RWC: I love these old wives tale threats. Just a threat. What can happen - ANYTHING.... Think about it. You could be killed by a swarm of humming birds. A coconut may fall on your head - DEAD! You may starve to death as you lay paralyzed in front of your fridge - so close to food... Ah the irony. The point is don't mess with the bread after it has been sliced. Before slicing, outside of playing hockey with the bread - you are all good...

CIRCLE:

Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.

RWC: The devil himself with lick out your soul if you jump rope in a square - that is why all gyms are rectangular. Dropping it like it's hot - pun totally intended!

COMB:

To drop a comb while you are combing your hair is a sign of a coming disappointment.

RWC: Dropping your comb in the toilet is a sign of you needing a new comb...

FINGERNAILS:

It is bad luck to cut your fingernails on Friday or Sunday.

RWC: Really? Why? Who says? Give me on example of how this is bad luck - just one! From now on the only days I will cut my fingernails is Friday and/or Sunday...

FORK:

To drop a fork means a man is coming to visit.

RWC: Dropping a cutting knife means Lorraine Bobbitt is coming to visit - Oooops!

PENCIL:

If you use the same pencil to take a test that you used for studying for the test, the pencil will remember the answers.

RWC: They need to start charging more for pencils. What happens if you just let the pencil study while you go out and drink?

PHOTOGRAPH:

If 3 people are photographed together, the one in the middle will die first.

RWC: That means people of average height will always die before short and tall people. Still, I will spending the weekend looking through my pictures to see where or if I am in the middle of any 3 person photos. This old wives tale also fuels polygamists having 3 wives - 4 person husband and wives photos - BAM! Dropped in a polygamy joke - you did not see that coming...

SCISSORS:

If you drop scissors, it means your lover is being unfaithful to you.

RWC: My hairdressers husband is a modern day Hester Prin! Scarlet lettering you on Friday the 13th. I was going to say man whore but when you get a chance to scarlet letter someone you just have too...

And finally in honor of Valentines Day:

If a woman sees a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it means she will marry a sailor. If she sees a sparrow, she will marry a poor man and be very happy. If she sees a goldfinch, she will marry a millionaire.

RWC: What if any of the three birds drop a deuce on her? Does that change anything or is just part of the game. I have read that it is good luck if a bird poops on you. So if a goldfinch poops on a woman on Valentines Day maybe she will marry a billionaire or Madoff......

So what do you do?

Yesterday I dashed your hopes. Crushed your dreams. And made you return lingerie that was either too small or too big. I have taken your fragile dreams, put them in my hands and crushed them... No pain, no gain...

Let's take a turn away from the don'ts and let's look at 10 things you may want to do on the 14th to impress that special someone...

We won't stop until we reach the top! Let's countdown the top 10 -

10. Send a gift to work

This is a catch 22. First, is your relationship at that "level"? Second, where does she work. Third, you may want the world to know that the two of you are dating but does she? Unlike men, women's lives are complicated so before you go sending a midget signing telegram about how she has touched your heart in big and small ways (come on - laugh, midget jokes are funny) find out where she is at emotionally and if midgets scare her. If your relationship is at that oh so special level that everyone knows about it, then yes send her something at work. That written, be smart guys. Don't be a dog marking his territory by sending some flower bouquet that is 30 pounds... Be cool man, be subtle, just be.... The movies might make a cubicle full of flowers and balloons look cool but in reality it's not.

9. Make a homemade Valentine

After the 14th, if your fingers are not glued together then you can email me, cursing my advice and existence. This tip is not an excuse that allows you to show your vulnerable cheap side, "Sorry I missed dinner but the fumes from the spray paint put me in the ER. PS, I Heart You." Dummy! When I give advice I mean it. So per the homemade Valentine - it's simple. Get a card and instead of relying on some knuckled head in Tulsa, OK to pre fill out your card expressing the feeling you have for that special someone - get a blank card. Go to WallGreens and get a picture of the two of you printed out. Staple it on the front. Write something nice on the inside. Done!

8. Cook for her

Like the homemade card - be careful. Don't come out of the gate with a 21 year old day aged steak, mushroom - garlic mashed potatoes and a pear glazed salad. Maybe you start with chicken, rice and some bottled sauce to jazz up your dry chicken. Take it easy turbo. You can make an amazing and simple dinner or you can go fancy pants, burn down your home and ruin the 14th for both you and her. Great story, but that story is not ending with Kiss from K or a visit to Jared...

7. Remember romance

Not that I have to remind you but I do. I do. The 14th, all the red, all the flowers, all the goofy balloons, all the hearts, chocolate, champagne - add it all up and it equals romance. We, being men, would not need the 14th if we could remember romance - but we can't so the kind women of this world picked a day for us to openly fail. 85% of men will fail, forgetting romance (that is a scientific fact made up by me); 10% will remember romance but do nothing; 5% remember romance and want to do something but are dating women that are rocking black on the 14th giving the day the finger. The rest of you - you have fallen into a trap (yes I get that the percentages add up to 100% - role with me. You are the same person that goes to see Superman and just bumps their gums about how people can't fly. Let it go. Laugh. Enjoy the column) where your lady friend tells you that the 14th doesn't mean anything - that it is just another day and kiss from you is fine. Sucker! Remember the romance. Do something different. At the least let the 14th be a day where you set the bar a bit higher for yourself in how you will love her the rest of 09 - think of it as stage two of a new years resolution.

6. Turn off the electronics

By this I mean your computer, cell phone, PDA, etc. This is her time, your time, whatever... It's not cool to be texting your bookie on the 4 way parlay you dropped a gerr on. Yeah I know you want to find out if the number 2 horse on team Water Boy at the Polo Sport Club is playing but now is not the time. Treat that information like a gift on Christmas morning and wait to open it on the 15th...

5. Write her a love letter

It is good advice to a few of you out there but not all of you. Don't just grab this gem and run with it. If you have the chops drop her a line of love. Chose your words carefully. Understand your relationship. Don't freak her out with a ranting love letter that runs longer then War and Peace. I know, you have a ton to say but you may want to practice a little "zipit.com"

4. Let her pick the movie

When I write let her pick the movie, I mean let her pick the movie. Don't pick a movie you think she would like - pick the movie she requested. You can do it. Walk in with your dark glasses on and your hood up and (try not to bump into all the guys dressed liked you in the local Blockbuster) and grab that movie. Rent it in shame and most importantly return it so you don't get the VM that the movie, Mama Mia is 15 days late and you know own it!

3. Offer her a massage

Ok, relax guy. I wrote offer her a massage not try and get her pants with fun smelling oils and candles. For once, just once do something for her on this romantic day that does not have an agenda. Give her a massage - end of story. Let her drift off to sleep. Then grab your in home Staples button smack it and hear, "that was easy." You have done something good my friend...

2. Consider spreading gifts throughout the day

A cup of joe in a heart shaped mug (hard to drink out of but the thought is there), plant a couple of romantic notes in her purse, on her vanity, in the fridge. Give her a call (not a text) mid day just to say how much she means to you. Then do the evening fun stuff - dinner, romance, kisses, chocolates, fun... This is her day, not her evening - her day...

1. Just relax

10 don'ts yesterday. The doe's today. You have two days.... Start planning. Don't try to climb Everest and stress out. Just do all that you can to show her that you love all of her - including the inside. Finally, don't ramble on about how much work you put into the evening. Let her talk, let her glow for a whole day while you shut up, listen and make sure your plan is not falling apart at the seams.

Hearts, Flowers, Candy, Seas of Red...

Women will either be dressed in some awful red heart attire making their Christmas sweater collection look like the new items at Nordstrom Rack or the women around you will be dressed in black, rocking a black arm band as if they were coming together as a band of "sisters" to stop the importing of blood diamonds or more importantly stop the red sea known as Valentine’s Day because they are single, sad and lonely... That is their excuse, not mine...

So where does that leave us guys? Still in the dark. Guys, I can help you... Here are 10 things you should not do on or before the 14th of this month (3 days away).

1. Don't forget

Do it with me guys, get on your outlook calendar and set up a reminder for the 14th. Oh, wait the 14th is a Saturday - what now? Open up your cell phones and set an alarm for the 14th with a plan - wine, flowers, champagne, dinner (cook her dinner or pick up an already cooked dinner and put it on a plate at your place - another reminder, tell your 5 roommates that you get the house for a romantic dinner this Saturday...)

2. Don't buy kitchen appliances

I get it - you two decided that your relationship would have a budget and that means more home cooked dinners and blockbuster nights. That's cute. However, that does not mean that you can buy her a waffle maker that makes heart shaped waffles. The red mixing bowl set is also a bad call. The Hoover XL72 with dual suction bright red vacuum is a winner gift... Get it! She will love it and you...

3. Don't do the same thing you did last year

She could be the same girl you where dating last year. She could be a new girl. Either way, don't do the same thing you did last year. Unless last year you got a private jet, flew her to Paris, had a picnic dinner under the Eiffel Tower and then enjoyed champagne on the flight home... Then do exactly what you did last year! If this was not your plan - get a new plan. Dinner, movie, champagne... That can be the plan but mix up like where you eat and change the movie - exchange Pretty Woman for something new and interesting Space Chimps.

4. Don't give her lingerie

But, but, but, but.... Don't do it! Let me give you two reasons. 1. The 14th is all about her not you scoring some action. 2. You will get the wrong size - too small and she puts it on and feels fat; too big and she thinks you think that she is fat. And this loss is a loss that will haunt you for years to come... You are welcome.

5. Don't have unrealistic expectations

Sure the 14th lands on a Saturday - all day, all night and sleeping in on the 15th. But before you get ahead of yourself make sure your expectations match up. You may want fireworks and belly dancers - she may want a night in with a snuggie (best buy of all time - well that and the ShamWow!), movie and just some talk time. The 14th is her day sooooo - say it with me - "do what she wants to do." Oh, and pray to God she realizes we are in a depression and just wants to stay in and chill with you....

6. Don't overspend

We are in a depression. Don't blow your future car payment on the day. This goes back to setting a realistic expectation. You can do something special with her without breaking the bank.

7. Don't talk about an ex

So you got a date on the big day... Good for you big guy. Now lets work on keeping our mouths shut. Starting with why you are on a date on the V Day. Ending with how you did not start your day running errands; first stop the pharmacy... Sure your ex is the one that cheated, broke your heart and ensured that you would be taking Valtrex for the rest of your life to avoid outbreaks but still find the joy in dating, safe sex and bike riding (What? I watch TV and caught the commercials - plus that is funny). That written - let's save that little gem for date 2 or 3.

8. Don't give her a generic card

Oh thank heaven 7-11, a great place for late night food but not the place to buy a card for her. No matter how big the card may be. Maybe you can make her a card - just kidding. I realize that you are no Martha Stewart. So, go to Papyrus and get a special one off card that has plenty of space for you to write down how much you love her. Or just write "I Love You" really big and then get some heart stickers because the hearts you draw suck...

9. Don't do guy stuff

How do I count the ways to tell you - it is her day! If she hates golf, don't take her golfing - take her to the beach to have some wine and watch the ocean. Be smart and that means don't follow your gut - follow mine... If you hate long walks, hand holding and window shopping - bingo, that is what you do. It is all about her, so make her feel that way!

10. Don't wait until the last minute

Don't wait until the last minute. Start making plans today. Even if you are just staying home, you still need to make plans. This is not beers with the guys. This is all about letting the woman in your life know how special she is. Planning, even if it is a bad plan shows that you tried and in the end all they want is our goofy hearts and an effort. Women have a great capacity to deal with the rest - unless the woman in your life has a really small butt and you always leave the seat up. A woman will only fall into cold toilet water so many times before kicking you to the curb...

Tomorrow - 10 things you can do for the 14th. And no, making out in Kmart and showing off your juggling or magic skills are not on the list....

If you want my body and you think I'm sexy....

In the land of dating there are two items missing - 1. Thomas Guide (oddly enough the most stolen item out of cars in Southern California) a road map that will guide you along your journey showing you where the dead ends are and where the freeways are - FYI: the Internet, a.k.a. the information super highway is not a freeway it is the carpool lane of lazy daters. 2. Common sense is also missing with both men and women but if we are honest, women take the lead over men in the lack of common sense. Women are either blindly open running into the arms of any guy that will give them wink or women are so jaded that their emotions are hidden behind a wall that makes the Hoover dam look like a Dixie cup holding water...

Let's focus on the ladies today and look at the men they go for. Helping you ladies out today is Glamour magazine. Glamour mags columnist Jake, wrote a ditty on what guys women need to avoid - bottom line, it needs some rewashing! Jake is not honest with you ladies, so I will take on that job...

1. Rebound Guy

Knowing how bummed I’ve been since my ex Claudia left for Europe, my buddy tried to set me up with his “hot coworker.” Very kind of him, but I declined. With my heart stuck in international customs, there’s no way I could make a connection. Not that I wasn’t tempted. We men secretly hope we’ll never have to deal with our feelings and instead can “fix” our sadness with a new woman. Problem is, we’re always comparing her to the ex—how she is in bed, how her butt looks in jeans. Real mature stuff that you’d be wise to avoid by dating us after we’ve healed.

RW Insights: It is like this guy is writing a column hoping to get some letters (with pictures) so that he can get some action and super charge his pathetic dating life. Your heart is stuck in customs - is he writing when Harry met Sally again in Paris while in customs but Harry was going to Turkey and Sally was going to her native Canada but neither knew where each was going??? Oh no, love and customs. Add in all the wake 9/11 terrorist security measures with your heart locked in customs, well love and life are dead Gitmo style... TOOL! Here is the reality for both men and women: Men, take some time to deal with the loss of the woman if she was important to you and collect what made her special to you - the intangible items that you enjoyed and look for those and more in the next woman you meet. BTW - it is okay to go on a date to get out of the house, shave your Noah Esq beard - you know, be social! It is okay to have one date just to remind yourself what it is like to be around a woman. Now to you women - one: you may need a single date to get your sea legs back; second: men are attracted to a variety of women's figures so be comfortable and secure with yourself and the right man will find you attractive; three: sex is not just physical but emotional - requiring communication, love, respect and understanding... That is reality check number 1...

We don't stop till we get to the top.

2. Disappearing Guy

Some seemingly normal guys have a bad habit of vanishing. Excuses like “work’s really busy” may be true, but there’s often something else going on. My old roommate tried to woo his new girlfriend while still dating his old one.

I also know someone who told a woman he was single in New York, although he was married in Ohio. Both guys checked out for days at a time.When you’re just starting to date, it’s not like you’re tracking a person’s every movement. Still, the giveaway is erratic contact—is he in touch every day and then suddenly MIA? Does he often cancel plans? Or does he suddenly want to meet up in an hour, after not calling all week? Beware.

RW: This guy knows some real winners. Make sure that when you are dating him that he sets your hot gf up with one of his friends, especially the guy who lives in Ohio but travels to NY. Common sense and understanding come into play here - if the guy has a tan line on his ring finger, married - not a birth defect. If he suddenly wants to meet up, look at the time - is it 2am or 5pm for happy hour and then dinner. Take the time to go out with the guy if it is 5pm and talk with him about his lack of communication throughout the week. Finally, ask yourself the question - what do I want? Are you looking for a relationship or are you just dating and don't really care. Of all things we have, there is only one that when it is lost we can never get it back - TIME. How valuable is your time? And no, not your biological clock time but time in general...

3. Slick Guy

With his sporty car, high-tech cell phone and Swedish designer toothbrush, my college roommate managed to hide his insecurity behind hip stuff. He never let women get close for fear they’d find him out. So women wound up feeling rejected when he was the one who sucked.

My advice: If his life looks like a magazine spread, steer clear. Say what you will about the guy who has a painting of poker-playing dogs or a mountain of laundry, but I promise you this: He’s real.

RW: My advice - don't listen to this guy. Here is the real skinny ladies. Some guys are 30 thousand dollar millionaires that go into debt or use cool stuff to hide. But others just like cool stuff. If you are gadget queen then the guy with the latest high-tech cell phone and Swedish toothbrush is your guy! If you are a clean freak, then the guy who doesn't do laundry will not only freak you out but also drive you crazy! And the promise of a guy being real - the guy that farts is real, do you want the, "hey babe, pull my finger" guy? Nope.

NEXT!

4. Rude Guy

I’m amazed at what men get away with. A partial list of nasty moves I’ve witnessed: checking out the waitress, fiddling with a BlackBerry during dinner, asking the cute bartender for her number when his date is in the bathroom. If a man lets the door slam shut instead of opening it for you, make that all the closure you need.

RW: I'm amazed this guy has a column. Sorry. To the real advice. Ladies - it is all about what you are looking for. To be honest, you ladies date and for some unknown reason love the rude guy. You, that being ladies, love the challenge of changing a guy - it is your own personal MTV show from G's to Gents. Here is the reality ladies, rude guys will go the way of the Dodo bird when all of you drop them and unite to date real men, men that know who to treat women. I could rant on about Feminism being an oxymoron and how you force yourselves into too much make0-up, bad shoes and crazy hair but that is different topic at a different time...

5. Grabby Guy

Hands on thighs, stroking things that didn’t ask to be stroked, sexual innuendos when you barely know each other—he may try to explain these things with an “Oh, I’m so attracted to you I can’t help it” line. But no matter how smokin’ hot you are, he can help it. And if you’re not getting the respect you want early on, he probably won’t surprise you with it later.

RW: Ladies what do you expect from the guy that is wearing a t-shirt that rocks, liquor up front - poker in the rear.??? If the guy grabs your butt or is a little to grabby during the date say, "stop." If he doesn't then leave. I know, I know - it makes you feel good to be wanted but there is a difference between being wanted and being grabbed. Just like you should not go for a rebound guy that is going to be a stage 5 emotional clinger - don't go for Octopus guy because you are not secure in who you are. Get to know yourself before you date - love and respect yourself, that will show the people in your life how you like to be treated.

And finally....

6. Last Year’s Guy

Long nights and a fear of being single forever can make going back to an ex seem mighty attractive. I’ve been guilty of it twice, both during lonely times in the dead of winter. Recycling romance seemed far easier than the unknown, and it was...for the two months before we rediscovered exactly why we broke up in the first place. What’s the lesson here? Move forward, not back. And know that it’s better to be out there looking than stuck on a couch with some guy you’re just going to wind up dumping anyway. He might be happy, but you deserve more.

RW: Candy coat it anyway you want - booty calls don't turn into love. Your genitals are lonely and you need a friend that will eat popcorn with you and naked wrestle with you. Stop! Go get all the seasons of Seinfeld and watch Jeffy take Elaine for all the money she has while she jumps back into the sack with David Puddy over and over again.... Now that you have done that realize one thing - if you love yourself and understand yourself then you will not find yourself in this situation (sensing a theme?)...

Ladies, how many ways can I drill this into your head - let me count the ways. Throw away the magazines. Lose the advice columnists. Get off Wikipedia. Go the mirror. Do you love and respect yourself? If not then don't, I mean it, don't start dating... If you do date while you are on an emotinal journey that looks more like a walk about then a skip, you will find yourself with one of the men above. When you love yourself and respect yourself you will find a person that will do the same... It is simple math. Don't make it more complicated then it is. Stop looking at what to avoid and start looking at yourself... Trust me, this works every time.

Thinning the heard...

Remember Circuit City and Linen N' Things? Like the dinosaurs, they are extinct. No longer with us. An evolution is happening in the business world of epic proportions and no amount of TARP money will pry open consumers wallets and get them spending - why you ask? Because the TARP money is only going to banks, none of the money is going directly into the consumers hands.... Not one dime but so I digress.

Here is the reality party people, like the once famed Hollywood Video, the store fronts that populate strip malls, malls and food courts across America are turning into "dead zones." Here is a snap shot of some stores that are predicted to become the ambient white noise that was a real business:

Rite Aid. (Ticker symbol: RAD; about 100,000 employees; 1-year stock-price decline: 92%). This drugstore chain tried to boost its performance by acquiring competitors Brooks and Eckerd in 2007. But there have been some nasty side effects, like a huge debt load that makes it the most leveraged drugstore chain in the U.S., according to Zacks Equity Research. That big retail investment came just as megadiscounter Wal-Mart was starting to sell prescription drugs, and consumers were starting to cut bank on spending. Management has twice lowered its outlook for 2009. Prognosis: Mounting losses, with no turnaround in sight.

RW Insights: One - you can get a great deal cough syrup so kids, time to booze it up on the cheap! Two - you can't beat Wal-Mart, you just can't! Three - I have never shopped at a Rite-Aid, I like Longs Drug... great beer prices.

Claire's Stores. (Privately owned; about 18,000 employees.) Leon Black's once-renowned private-equity firm, the Apollo Group, paid $3.1 billion for this trendy teen-focused accessory store in 2007, when buyout funds were bulging. But cash flow has been negative for much of the past year and analysts believe Claire's is close to defaulting on its debt. A horrible retail outlook for 2009 offers no relief, suggesting Claire's could follow Linens 'n Things - another Apollo purchase - and declare Chapter 11, possibly shuttering all of its 3,000-plus stores.

RW Insights: Never heard of this chain. I feel bad for anyone named Claire that is a teen and remotely feels trendy... Can you be trendy, teen and have the name Claire. The answer is NOPE.com! But good effort. Actually poor effort. With all the wacky names for kids and hip items Claire's was destined to fail! Erika B. named her new born Mars... Feel me Leon Black - you rename this store, cut some prices and you will have a winner! I would call the store, Grilled Sunglasses and BBQ'ed pumps!

Chrysler. (Privately owned; about 55,000 employees). It's never a good sign when management insists the company is not going out of business, which is what CEO Bob Nardelli has been doing lately. Of the three Detroit automakers, Chrysler is the most endangered, with a product portfolio that's overreliant on gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs and almost totally devoid of compelling small cars. A recent deal with Fiat seems dubious, since the Italian automaker doesn't have to pony up any money, and Chrysler desperately needs cash. The company is quickly burning through $4 billion in government bailout money, and with car sales down 40 percent from recent peaks, Chrysler may be the weakling that can't cut it in tough times.

RW Insights: Put your hand up and wave good bye.... For all of you that bought the 300M with the Bentley grill, this is a reminder - YOU BOUGHT A CHRYSLER, NOT A BENTLEY! Like the coolness of your car fading when you pull up next to a real Bentley - Chrysler is fading away...

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. (DTG; about 7,000 employees; stock down 95%). This car-rental company is a small player compared to Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis Budget. It's also more reliant on leisure travelers, and therefore more susceptible to a downturn as consumers cut spending. Dollar Thrifty is also closely tied to Chrysler, which supplies 80 percent of its fleet. Moody's predicts that if Chrysler declares Chapter 11, Dollar Thrifty would suffer deeply as well.

RW Insights: Car rental companies that are only tied to travelers will never survive. The other companies in this space also do insurance replacement to keep their cars on the road and revenue coming the door. Plus, I don't want to rent a car from a place called Dollar - some thing just shouldn't sound cheap and car rentals is one of them.

Station Casinos. (Privately owned, about 14,000 employees). Las Vegas has already been creamed by a biblical real-estate bust, and now it may face the loss of its home-grown gambling joints, too. Station - which runs 15 casinos off the strip that cater to locals - recently failed to make a key interest payment, which is often one of the last steps before a Chapter 11 filing. For once, the house seems likely to lose.

RW Insights: The ding, ding, ding sound of slot machines - back when change was just that change those dings meant dollar bills... Now that change is gas, a burger on the dollar menu, even a cup of java from that clown called Ronald... Without change these off the strip casinos that live and die by the chain smoking gamblers of Vegas will die... No more stops at these Stations...

Sbarro. (Privately owned; about 5,500 employees). It's not the pizza that's the problem. Many of this chain's 1,100 storefronts are in malls, which is a double whammy: Traffic is down, since consumers have put away their wallets. Sbarro can't really boost revenue by adding a breakfast or late-night menu, like other chains have done. And competitors like Domino's and Pizza Hut have less debt and stronger cash flow, which could intensify pressure on Sbarro as key debt payments come due in 2009.

RW Insights: Some of the most calorie rich and fat rich mall foods can be found under the heat lamps of Sbarro... Double stack, triple cheese, quadruple meat pizza - good clean American mall food living. A slice of that will power you through a day of shopping and ensure that you will be buying a larger size of everything you need. The slimming of malls starts at the food court and ends with the consumers waist line... Smaller wallet - smaller butt!

Six Flags. (SIX; about 30,000 employees; stock down 84%). This theme-park operator has been losing money for several years, and selling off properties to try to pay down debt and get back into the black. But the ride may end prematurely. Moody's expects cash flow to be negative in 2009, and if consumers aren't spending during the peak summer season, that could imperil the company's ability to pay debts coming due later this year and in 2010.

RW Insights: If only global warming would speed up. Hotter summer days could equal more people soaking up the chlorine and urine filled waters of Six Flags. Six Flags my note to you - have college days with beers, DJ's and beers. Forget the prepubescent kids that once populated your storied wet and wild rides and go for the crowd that has money and doesn't know how to save or take you to court after they rack their dome rocking some water slide head first - 21 to 35 year old partying people. Work with local radio stations, get some buses and hire some real life guards. Then buy some trucks to haul all your money around....

Blockbuster. (BBI; about 60,000 employees; stock down 57%). The video-rental chain has burned cash while trying to figure out how to maximize fees without alienating customers. Its operating income has started to improve just as consumers are cutting back, even on movies. Video stores in general are under pressure as they compete with cable and Internet operators offering the same titles. A key test of Blockbuster's viability will come when two credit lines expire in August. One possible outcome, according to Valueline, is that investors take the company private and then go public again when market conditions are better.

RW Insights: My online rental que is full and I have more in the wings. Plus I burn through 3 movies a week from these cats. Bottom line, I will never go back to Netflix so Blockbuster - you can't go away! I don't love Blockbuster but when it comes to online renting and DVD's by mail - they kill Netflix....

Krispy Kreme. (KKD; about 4,000 employees; stock down 50%). The donuts might be good, but Krispy Kreme overestimated Americans' appetite - and that's saying something. This chain overexpanded during the donut heyday of the 1990s - taking on a lot of debt - and now requires high volumes to meet expenses and interest payments. The company has cut costs and closed underperforming stores, but still hasn't earned an operating profit in three years. And now that consumers are cutting back on everything, such improvements may fail to offset top-line declines, leading Krispy Kreme to seek some kind of relief from lenders over the next year.

RW Insights: Personally I have cut out donuts. It was a toss up - no more beer or no more donuts. I left the puffy pastry behind and have not looked back. With the death of Sbarro coming and cattle call that is Krispy Kreme, America might not only have a thinner wallet but also a thinner waist line. The economic downturn that could also be diet plan - the healthy side of this depression!

If your company is on the list above - start spending and tell your friends too. Or maybe, just maybe it is time for the heard to thin down. Maybe we need to let some of the companies above go.... Except for Blockbuster of course. What? It's my blog and I am selfish plus my online que rocks! No go sign up for Blockbuster via mail and if you have the time grab a slice of Sbarro...