This morning, a micro decision forced me to evaluate my “what to do on a Saturday night” decision-making process on a macro level.*
Here was my choice:
Option 1: Norm MacDonald
Option 2: Keith Barany
Key considerations were:
DRIVING DISTANCE
- Norm: 30 minutes
- Keith: 7 minutes
VENUE
- Norm: Hard Rock, Hollywood, FL – Last time I visited (circa June 2009) I left a $0.25 tip at Johnny Rockets because the waiter wouldn’t flirt back.
- Keith: New York Comedy Club in Boca Raton – Confusing. This could be a trick..
SOCIAL BENEFIT
- “Whoa! You saw Norm MacDonald?! Awesome!” = Good.
- “Norm MacDonald? Really.. you paid $28 to see him? Wow.” = Bad.
and most notably..
PRICE
- Norm: 28 (delicious) donuts
- Keith: 18 (delicious) donuts
Norm took an early lead due to name recognition, but as I reached for my debit card I did something that immediately seemed strange to me. I began evaluating whether or not this well-known comedian was worth a Saturday night in my life and future donut fasting to avoid yet another “over-budget” email from Mint.com this week.
And then I placed the decision on a larger scale. Entertainers are constantly up for sale in the minds of potential audience members. Should I go see someone showcase the skill they’ve spent their life crafting or should I go out with my coworkers for sushi next week? Will I get just as many laughs for less money watching dive bar karaoke?
That’s what Norm and Keith are up against.
A few YouTube reference videos and the “Seinfeld writer” resume notch moved Keith to the inside lane, but don’t feel bad Norm. Even Tom Petty got the budget axe last year and honestly, your venue just made me fear that after a couple beers I’d crave a double bacon cheeseburger and I’m not ready for the natural entree garnish I earned last time.
Let’s see what you’ve got Keith and please, if you are choosing to read my posts over eating donuts, I ask that you immediately unsubscribe (and call me).
*That International Marketing course I took at Oxford just earned a little ROI.
That International Marketing course I took at Oxford just got a little much-needed ROI.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm slightly befuddled, yet I would still trust you to make important decisions for me based on this logic… you win.
As you can see, I like combining many relevant decision-making factors and then picking something arbitrary as my decision anchor. Let me know when you want some help..
I loved being a bystander in the dichotomy of Norm and Keith, highly entertaining. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Shannon! Glad you enjoyed and I must now recommend Keith. He put on a great performance.
Now though if you saved a few hundred donuts you might even go to see David Copperfield and become a model, no?
Man, I was fished into this post because I really like donuts, but damn, none to really be found. Now I'm hungry and no donut shops within a reasonable distance from the office. Thanks Jenny.
I'm not sure if that's a diss or a good idea?
Shit.. where ARE the donuts. Seriously.. I'm about to go to sleep and I see donuts on my site…