Are we running out of new?

I was looking through the sections of books at the new borders express in town and, as they tend to, a thought struck me. There seemed to be lot's of the same novel with different names.
For example, I saw at least five books with bare middrift and breasted girl on the cover about
said girl isn't normal because she deals with hidden underworld of werewolves and vampires.
Reading the backs you see that some details differ. In this one she has to stop war, this one has to find artifact, here she has to navigate old familes and rescue young boy.
Is this just a trend I'm seeing and next month it will be everything with dragons or are ideas simply becoming overused because fresh ideas are hard to come up with? I can come up with original story ideas that have nothing to do with werewolves or vampires or wizards or elves or any of that. Is it so hard to find something new?

Another plan shot

About two weeks ago I told the boys that if they gave up their $2 iced tea everyday (that's eight bucks a day, $56 a week!) and put aside the money after two weeks they would have 108 dollars they could spend on something expensive they wanted. It took a little bit of doing, but I got them to go along with it.
The first few days were fine, but then they all started headaches and acting extra grumpy and craby. We saved about $80. Mr.222 and Hipster gave in first after three days. Boykind was next a day later then finally Headmaster.
They each bought themselves an extra large snapple and explained how it was something expensive they wanted. For once I have agree. Eight dollars a day is worth them being happy.
Mr.222 has already snapped back to his usual self. He's taking a break from games to work on his chinese.
Is there a lesson here? Anyone? Anyone at all?

Commercial vs Good

I was visiting Nate at work trying to find a good cd today and I was overwhelmed by all the crap that's hyped and how good stuff is barely stocked. What's up with that? Can something still be good and commercial? And why is it 'offical good' seems to always be whiny twenty something guy whining/mumbling into a microphone? Am I just getting old? Is that it? Is that why Fallout Boy sucks? Would music be better if I was a brain dead teenager wearing black eye shadow and t shirt that said "You don't own me"?

The Absurdity Point?

I was playing FF12 last night and I felt cheapened. There's no story difficulty to this game. In the old days of RPGs there were parts where you had no idea where to go and you had to wander around for while til you either accidentally found where yo were supposed to be or remembered that vague clue some minor said fifteen game hours ago.
FF12 though has a map with a giant red X on where you should be and an explaination at the bottom of what is there.
My question. Are things being made easier for everyone on purpose by 'The Man' or am I simply reaching the Absurdity Point*?

*Absurdity Point-a point in which a person becomes so skilled and versed in something that it no longer holds any challenge. You become so good, it's absurd.
Developed in late 90's by Edmont Inc.