Author Archives: Scott Bowles

Buzzin’ Around Your Hive


Actually, they’re called Guard Bees. They hang at the hive to protect the Queen, often fighting wasps and other colony invaders to the death. And yes, bees can get drunk — usually from fermented nectar or overripe, fermenting fruit. And when they do, the hive doesn’t take kindly to it. Drunk bees:

That’s where the guard bees come in. If a forager shows up drunk, smelling like alcohol or acting weird, the guard bees won’t let them in. Some studies even show guards will bite, wrestle, or drag intoxicated bees away from the entrance. No data was available on their ability to spot fake IDs.

Cumulus

Cumulus

The sky forgets its name
and folds into itself,
a silence made of wool.

No drama of rain,
no brilliance of light—
only moments between intentions.

The trees hold still
as if waiting for a verdict.

Somewhere, a bird sings
a note that doesn’t echo.

You walk through it,
parting the gray
like a dreamer waking slowly—
not for anything urgent,
but because morning is here.

Even shadows seem thoughtful,
less certain where to fall.

The world
wears a soft indecision,
and you—
you match it.

Is there a certain kind of clarity
in the blur?
A truth
best whispered
without name?

Cloudy days do not answer.
They let you ask.

Bezos Blinks. Again.


Amazon nearly did something brave. It was going to show us the truth: how much Trump’s tariffs are jacking up the price of everyday stuff.

Not in a footnote. Right next to the price tag.

That kind of honesty doesn’t go over well in politics.

The White House called it a “hostile and political act.” Trump called Bezos. A day later, Amazon folded. Transparency lost.

So did we.

Bezos has tried to make peace with Trump. He went to the inauguration. Made the Washington Post cross the line into boosterism.

Didn’t matter. Trump wanted control, not courtesy.

And when Amazon even considered telling the truth about tariffs, Trump threw a fit. Bezos backed off. Like he always does.

So let’s say Amazon hadn’t blinked. We here at The HollywoodBowles prefer facts over fascists. So here’s what you’d see:

  • Bluetooth earbuds: $20 → $49
  • Phone case: $10 → $24.50
  • Desk lamp: $30 → $73.50
  • Wireless charger: $15 → $36.75
  • Power bank: $25 → $61.25
  • USB-C cable: $12 → $29.40
  • Smart plug: $18 → $44.10
  • Laptop stand: $40 → $98
  • Headphones: $50 → $122.50
  • Fitness tracker: $35 → $85.75

That’s the price of policy. Not inflation. Not greed. A 145% tax on Chinese imports, passed right to your cart.

Temu and Shein are already showing the tariff hit. Their prices are spiking. Amazon almost did the same. Almost.

Instead, we get silence. A few whispers from the Haul division. A phone call. Then nothing.

Bezos didn’t want a fight. But Trump picked one anyway. And the guy who built the world’s biggest retailer backed down without a word.

So next time your cart total feels off, remember this moment. The truth was almost right there, in black and white.

Then it vanished.