Get out of the left lane!

...what a great salesperson!

2012-01-26T21:53:00.000-08:00

It seems like every commercial on TV is for a prescription drug. And yet consumers can't buy them without a doctor's approval. So why target consumers with these ads? Here's how the U.S. became one of the only countries in the world where pharmaceutical companies peddle drugs to ordinary people.

FDA loopholes...

The United States and New Zealand are the only countries in the world that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals. Most countries banned the practice in the 1940s. The direct-to-consumer market was pioneered not in a corporate boardroom, but by Joe Davis, a regular salesman who sold packaged goods. At the time, pharmaceutical companies marketed only to physicians through print mailings, visits, and free samples, with the patient knowing little about the drugs they were taking. The physician told them what to take, and they followed directions.

Davis went to his friend, an executive at the medical advertising company Medicus in the mid-1980s. The advertising problem was that the FDA required any drug ad to include a full list of possible side-effects, which often took several pages of tiny print....hard to do that in a TV spot.

So the two devised a way to recommend drugs in ads that did not mention the name of the medication, but only the positive effects of a hypothetical drug with the exact attributes of a specific pharmaceutical. Commercials ended with instructions for the consumer to 'see their doctor' for more information. By omitting the name of the drug, the two were able to slide their ads through a loophole in FDA regulations.

The unnamed drug they marketed was Seldane, which they tagged as an "antihistamine that did not cause drowsiness." When patients asked doctors for this exact type of drug, they got Seldane. Over the next few years, Seldane went from sales of $34 million a year in 1985, to $800 million per year. (Seldane, interestingly, was removed from the U.S. market in 1997 after it was found that the drug could cause heart arrhythmias.)

Advertising to consumers puts physicians under a new kind of pressure. If they want to keep you as a patient, and if giving a prescription for a drug that you asked for keeps you happy, they might do it.

Pharmaceutical commercials often have a strangeness as well, dominated by cartoons, unusual scenes, 'blankets with eyes,' and just about anything that can be done to convey a general sense of wellness and direct you to your physician.

The Nielsen Company determined that there are, on average, 80 drug commercials every hour of every day on television. Say it ain't so Joe.....

...the "Green Thing"

2012-01-20T13:15:00.000-08:00

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right about not having the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day. (p.s. it also didn't matter too much if your older sibling was the same sex or not...)

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana . In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right.

We didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smartass young person.

Remember: Don't make old people mad. We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to piss us off.

-Dr . Sherif K. Mazhar, Ph.D.

....a bad penny always turns up

2011-10-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

BAD PENNY -- The phrase usually is heard in this country (U.S.) as 'A bad penny always turns up,' meaning that a no-good person can be counted upon to come back again and again. The expression was originally English and the unit of currency referred to was the shilling.

“A bad penny always turns up” is a very old proverb that dates back to at least the mid-18th century and is probably much older. The general sense of the phrase is, as the Oxford English Dictionary puts it, “the predictable, and often unwanted, return of a disreputable or prodigal person after some absence, or (more generally) to the continual recurrence of someone or something.” A “bad penny” is a person whose presence is unwelcome on any occasion, but whom fate perversely employs to torment you by making said person appear (“turn up”) repeatedly, often at the worst possible times.

The nephew who appears only at family weddings, funerals and holiday dinners, never invited but always mysteriously materializing at your elbow and asking for a loan, is the classic “bad penny.” Former romantic flames can also be counted as “bad pennies” if fortune (or fanaticism) dictates too many accidental reunions (“Don’t stalk him! If you turn up like a bad penny every time he leaves the house, he’ll think you’re a bunny boiler,” Cosmo Girl, 2004). (“Bunny boiler,” of course, is a reference to the behavior of the character played by Glenn Close in the 1987 film “Fatal Attraction.”)

A “penny” to us here in the US is a coin worth one cent (from the Latin “centum,” one hundred), or 1/100th of a dollar. The origins of “penny” are uncertain, but it’s a very old word with relatives in many languages, and may have come from a root meaning “pledge.”

Pennies today are viewed as nearly worthless by many people, but when the term “bad penny” first appeared in the 18th century, pennies were serious money. This made them ripe targets for counterfeiters, and to reach into your pocket or purse and discover that you had ended up with such a counterfeit coin, a “bad” penny, was a depressing and annoying experience.

The only recourse available if you were stuck with a “bad penny” was to try to spend it as quickly as possible and hope that an inattentive shopkeeper would take it. But because everyone was trying to unload their “bad pennies” this way, according to the common wisdom of the time, your odds of encountering one, or even the very same one you had gotten rid of a week earlier, were quite high. Thus “bad penny” became an idiom meaning “an unwanted thing that keeps showing up.”

Oh no, bad news for Pinocchio! I was 'yet again' awarded one of your precious client projects that I am sure you thought was 'yours to begin with.'

This time I took it away from the Barista Boy...guess you could call me your bad penny, eh? Thanks for the business. Your team's lack of closing skills has made this an excellent year for me...and for that I must take the time to say thank you.

....70 percent of employees are "disengaged"

2011-09-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Gallup Organization, famous for its research, estimates that 70 percent of employees are "disengaged," meaning they’re no longer committed to the company. It's evident in positions from executive officers to front-line employees. This "I don't care" attitude is hurting businesses in a big way. What’s going on? Why all the apathy? It could be that the wrong employees are being rewarded.

Most organizations want to blame employee apathy on wages and benefits, but they actually do not play a big role in why people stop caring about their jobs. The overwhelming majority of employees stop caring because of the way they are treated every day. Surveys show that lack of appreciation, lack of teamwork and the perception that the company doesn't care about loyal employees are consistently the highest-ranked reasons for low job satisfaction.

Many managers are nice people who manage by negative reinforcement—demonstrated not by what they do but, rather, by what they don't do. Chances are, these same managers are focusing their energy and attention on those employees with behavioral problems. If loyal employees aren't recognized and appreciated for their contributions, they'll be far less motivated to care about the success of the company. Sometimes, even the best employees will go through rough spots but will bounce back with more energy and loyalty when the company stands behind them with clearly defined expectations, quality training and positive feedback.

Gallup estimates that actively disengaged workers in the United States miss 118.3 million more work days per year than their actively engaged counterparts. Harder to measure are their higher healthcare, workers’ compensation, and safety costs.

But disengaged employees who show up and simply go through the motions of work cause the biggest problem. It's reflected in everything they don't do and their constant complaints. It's the negative effect their attitudes have on their co-workers and customers. This problem has become so common as to create a new word, "presenteeism."

Gallup found that the cumulative effect of disengaged employees consistently reduces customer loyalty, sales and profit margins. An "I don’t care" attitude by employees translates to an "I don't care to do business with you" attitude by customer.

Sorry...but I care too much and have far too much pride in my work.....to simply go through the motions. That must be what sets me apart from the 70% that do.....

...America in the "black?"

2011-08-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

Since world currency is essentially based on oil prices....good news for the home team!! America is sitting on top of a super massive 200 billion barrel Oil Field that could potentially make America Energy Independent and until now has largely gone unnoticed. Thanks to new technology the Bakken Formation in North Dakota could boost America’s Oil reserves by an incredible 10 times, giving western economies the trump card against OPEC’s short squeeze on oil supply and making Iranian and Venezuelan threats of disrupted supply irrelevant.

In the next 30 days the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) will release a new report giving an accurate resource assessment of the Bakken Oil Formation that covers North Dakota and portions of South Dakota and Montana. With new horizontal drilling technology it is believed that from 175 to 500 billion barrels of recoverable oil are held in this 200,000 square mile reserve that was initially discovered in 1951. The USGS did an initial study back in 1999 that estimated 400 billion recoverable barrels were present but with prices bottoming out at $10 a barrel back then the report was dismissed because of the higher cost of horizontal drilling techniques that would be needed, estimated at $20-$40 a barrel.

It was not until 2007, when EOG Resources of Texas started a frenzy when they drilled a single well in Parshal N.D. that is expected to yield 700,000 barrels of oil that real excitement and money started to flow in North Dakota. Marathon Oil is investing $1.5 billion and drilling 300 new wells in what is expected to be one of the greatest booms in Oil discovery since Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1938. The US imported about 14 million barrels of Oil per day in 2007, which means US consumers sent about $340 Billion Dollars over seas building palaces in Dubai and propping up unfriendly regimes around the World, if 200 billion barrels of oil at $90 a barrel are recovered in the high plains the added wealth to the US economy would be $18 Trillion Dollars which would go a long way in stabilizing the US trade deficit and could cut the cost of oil in half in the long run.

Let’s go America….do something for the “USA” this time instead of feeding other countries! Stop saying "no" all the time and finally say: "YES we can."
What about me and my needs? (Forget the battery cars)....

...CandleSUCK Park...

2011-08-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Football is just a game. Spectators are there to 'watch' the game...not to participate. San Francisco, with its troubled past in an attempt to get back to 'the good old days' showed a side that no one needed to see....no one.

Why? Two men are fighting for their lives after one was savagely beaten in a Candlestick Park bathroom during the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders exhibition game and another was shot several times after the game in a double shooting in the parking lot. A 24-year-old man, who was wearing an "(Expletive) the Niners" T-shirt, was shot two to four times in the stomach before driving his truck to Gate A and stumbling to security. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital in critical condition.

Another man in his 20s was shot near Lot V about 20 minutes earlier and had superficial face injuries and was taken to the same hospital. The first shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m., about 15 minutes after the game ended.

Police pulled a man off a party bus before it left the parking lot and are calling him a suspect. He was wearing an Oakland Raiders jersey. In the fourth quarter, around 7:15 p.m., a 26-year-old San Rafael man was assaulted and knocked unconscious in an upper level men's restroom. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, he said.

News on this crime? "The San Francisco Police Department is investigating a shooting incident following Saturday's NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders outside Candlestick Park. No other information regarding the incident is available from the 49ers at this time."

The 49ers beat the Raiders 17-3 Saturday night...but Niner fans....you suck!

....'bye-bye Chip'

2011-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

One day after BYU was chastised by people across the country for living up to their honor code and suspending one of their best basketball players for the remainder of the year for having premarital sex with his girlfriend, Oregon football could be in some deep trouble for possible recruiting violations....or will they?

The sleeze-fest that is college football continues churning out gut-wrenching stories about the underbelly of society putting its greed and desire to win in front of morality. It's Oregon popping its head up this time, reportedly in the midst of recruiting violations stemming from paying a man $25,000 to help steer star running back recruit Lache Seastrunk to the school a year ago.

Oregon has stated that it paid the man, Willie Lyles, for recruiting services. But the amount and Lyles contact with Seastrunk are what have caused the NCAA to investigate.

The Pac-12 has a recent history of violations and controversy. But has it been enough to make it the poster-child conference of non-poster-child behavior?

Oregon did make the NCAA aware that they were paying Lyles to help with recruiting, but the NCAA is examining if Lyles' recruiting was on the up-and-up. Right now, they are still investigating so there is no definitive answer to whether or not any rules were broken.

That said, things certainly don't look good for the Ducks right now, especially coming off the high of appearing in the first BCS National Championship Game. We have to wait and see where this whole thing goes.

One question I have is why Oregon would even bother putting the $25,000 payment on an expenditure report if the school was violating a rule? Is it a case of hiding something in plain sight or is Oregon clean?

If the Ducks are clean, then they should have evidence of what they purchased from Lyles. This doesn’t seem to be a hard concept to grasp: If they paid Lyles for videos, then those videos should be in the schools possession, right? The NCAA still could question Oregon for what it paid so much for Lyles’ services, but at that point all the school would have to say is, “Hey, we got ripped off.”

...."hey Portland meter maid!"..."kiss my ass!"

2011-06-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

The City of Portland meter maids have no brains...they just walk up and down the street all day looking to make quota.

How low have we actually gone with the "invention" of airlines charging for pillows....and now Portland "splitting-hairs" on the ordinance regarding license plates?

I received a very large fine for not having my front plate "adhered" to the bumper while in a public parking space.....she actually "lifted" my wiper blade to place the ticket...over my plate on in the dashboard...in plain sight. For those of you who are not familiar with Portland meter maids, please allow me to introduce you to the "ill-speaking" Russian that provided my ticket. This is the second time I have had the honor to scrape her dog shit from the bottom of my boot.....thank you ma'am. You are an idiot.

See, in the state of Oregon, there are a few basic laws regarding the display of license plates that new or current residents should know. All license plate renewal fees are covered when registering a vehicle. Additional fees are added to the registration fee of any vehicle that opts to display "special group" or "personalized" plates. Oregon laws stipulate that any personalized plate can be made up of any combination of six letters or numbers with one space (or hyphen) than can be used anywhere within the display characters. The only exception is that a personalized plate cannot have three letters followed by three numbers or three numbers followed by three letters, since those are reserved for standard issue plates.

One-plate Display--If only one plate is issued, it must be attached to the rear of the vehicle. This applies to mopeds, motorcycles, trailers, campers and special-interest vehicles.

Two-plate Display--If two plates are issued, one of the plates must be attached to the front of the vehicle in a clear area (obviously seeing it on the dashboard through clear glass does not count). The front plate may not be displayed on the dashboard within the vehicle. It must be affixed to the framework on the outside of the vehicle. The second plate must be affixed to the framework at the rear of the vehicle. Both plates must be clearly visible.

Tag Display--The month tag (numbered one through 12) is your permanent "anniversary" registration tag and must be displayed in the lower left portion of the license plate. The year tag must be displayed in the lower right hand portion of the license plate. These tags must be affixed to the license plate itself: Tagging on any type of plate cover or license frame is prohibited.

Don't make the same mistake I made. Please stay away from the extremely skinny, ill-mannered, missing-tooth Russian in downtown Portland.....and make sure you have both plates on your car....the mayor cannot find another way to gain additional revenue for his bike paths.....

...“Is there any way you can go lower?”

2011-04-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Sausage Vendor said he bought his sausages for a buck, and sells them for $.95. When challenged as to how he would make money, he said, “No problem, I’ll make it up in volume.”

Business owners focus on Revenue when they should be focused on Profit. If they focused on Profit, they would raise their prices more often.

The old saying is wrong – “If you’re worrying about sales, profits will take care of themselves”.

Neither Revenue nor Sales are a good place to focus financially – we need to focus on profit (actually cash flow, but that’s another story.)

What barriers do you encounter in communicating your pricing to potential clients?

Competition, market conditions, aging industry, complex service, fear, not understanding how to price? Probably a little of most of the above. When we aren’t sold on our pricing, what does that communicate to the potential client? It communicates that all of the above (competition, market, fear, etc.) are all good reasons not to buy my product or service from me. The best way to create pricing problems is to not believe in our own pricing.

A caterer friend gave his “best, lowest” price to a potential client, skimmed of any “excess” profit, and the client’s response was “Is there any way you can go lower?” When we aren’t confident in our prices, we mentally set up shop in a place that attracts bottom-feeders like the guy above. Getting a lot of pushback on your prices? It’s possible its because your prices are too low!

Joel Spolsky is the co-founder and CEO of Fog Creek Software, said “I often meet people at parties and conferences who are starting companies, and they will invariably ask me, “Say, Joel, do you have any advice for start-ups? Since I know next to nothing about these people or their businesses, or even their industries, I usually just say, “Yes! You should raise all your prices!”

And we both have a good laugh, ha ha ha, then the founder ignores me. But my advice was most likely right. That’s because almost every start-up I have ever seen has set its prices too low.

Of the three business owner Profiles – Market Focused, Systems Focused, and Product Focused, the Market Focused entrepreneur is most likely to have good pricing, and the Product Focused craftsperson will have the worst.

The problem – the overwhelming number of businesses are started by Product Focused craftspeople. (The Systems Focused manager loves accounting-driven pricing that ignores all market conditions; they also start the fewest businesses.)

What makes for the most profitable company? One that focuses on providing VALUE, not COST! Lower prices is not value, it is simply lower prices (and may communicate less value).

FIND VALUE OUTSIDE OF PRICE! If relationships are equal, there are only two other buying questions – 1) How much does it cost? (price question), or 2) Can you do it? (value question). If you’re getting the “How much does it cost?” question too often, you’re not focused on adding value or you’re not confident in the extra value you’re delivering. Either one will lose you clients much more than your pricing itself.

What does having slightly higher prices communicate to the customer? We are confident in how our product performs.

How do we get confidence?

1. Understand the value to your clients. Ask them – why do you buy from me? What are you buying that you don’t think I even know I’m selling? It’s the best question you’ll ever ask them.

2. Stop thinking about how YOU think you perform (internal/craftsmen view), start pricing based on how you benefit them (see #1 above.)

3. Get some support – have somebody hold your feet to the fire on WHEN you will raise your prices.

Raising your prices is usually the fastest way to create new PROFIT. If you’re already covering all your costs, then every penny of higher prices falls directly to the bottom line. Want to make more money in less time? This is one of the best ways to do it.

...number 100...time to reflect

2011-03-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

On my number 100 blog posting on this site...I wanted to share what I like...maybe you like some of these as well.

Vacationing on a hot sandy beach, Mexican beer, playing with my dog-Dillan, computer digitizing, dead-ball era baseball, new technology, gravy and biscuits, factory tours, mustangs (with over 400 horses), silver-age comics, 900 thread count, golf (only when I play well), cooking, old toys, traveling, old log cabins, old hand tools, digital photography, bird watching, mp3 music, old tube radios, science fiction, private jets, organized garages, baseball caps with worn brims, model railways, DVD movies, embroidery, swimming pools, rock music, maps.........

...iced tea, old box scores, ’sunny’ days, strategic planning, impact sprinklers, die cast cars (1/18), wall clocks, HDTV, ancient history, surf fishing, professional networking, model buildings, 3D drawing programs, digital renderings, gardening, afternoon naps, college football, xbox360, interior design, water features, teapots, people watching, pro football draft, hand-washing my Saleen, shade trees, charcoal drawings, having a full pantry, wool rugs, leather furniture, smell of wet concrete, 7 channel sound, newly-mowed lawns, believing in God, hardwood floors, bird feeders, wind chimes, smell of candles, afternoon sunlight, vine maples, rocking chairs, buying tires, bird baths, eggs Benedict, dogwood trees, Bluetooth, Broncos, Fringe, stepping on home plate, positive attitudes, patio furniture, hot fudge Sundays, yellow eyeglasses, Florida, all SEC football teams, Bose headphones, smell of a fireplace in Winter, sound of Dillan taking a drink...........

....fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies, payday!, falling back in the Fall, potato soup, going to breakfast early on Saturday mornings, smell of mock orange blooms, falling asleep in front of the TV, JoJo’s eyes, laughing so hard your face hurts, a hot shower, hot towels out of the dryer, bubble bath, running through sprinklers, laughing at an inside joke, going to a really good concert, watching the sunrise, road trips, surfing the Internet, my garage, having a brain that keeps memories, the hope for eternal life in heaven, the color ORANGE, pecan pie, sweet tea.......

..air conditioning, crickets, peanut butter, elephants, hot cinnamon buns, chilly mornings, slippers, vanilla scented candles, sipping hot chocolate, homemade soup simmering on the stove, BLU-RAY!!, extra blankets on the beds, morning coffee, I love my courage, recently rediscovering a passion for life, Detroit Lions.....

..watching JoJo get excited about planting a garden in the Spring, breaking-out the Christmas music for her to listen to each year, the cold side of the pillow, animals, stars on a clear night, bear hugs, action movies, cuddling on a snowy day, free stuff I might actually use someday, freshly washed blankets and sheets after a long, hard day, boxes that hold my secrets and past, inside jokes, soup on a snowy or cold day, a good back scratch, long, hot showers, a clean, immaculate car, paying off a credit card - and cutting it up, trivia, ocean breeze, buying a CD and loving every single track, roses, holding hands.....

....going through old pictures, road trips, loving someone so much that just hearing their voice makes me smile, watching TV, mouth-puckering sour lemonade, finding an ink pen that writes just perfectly, green lights all the way home from work after a horrible day, high-speed Internet , flip flops, traveling, getting perfect seats at the movie theater, going to the bookstore and spending hours there, flipping through magazines and catalogs, accents - British, Irish, and French, music, the sound of waves crashing on the shore, sleeping in, sitting on the couch all day in my pajamas watching movies, finishing a huge project, oatmeal, finishing my taxes in January…………

...visiting with my dad, helping a customer, keeping an open mind, staying positive, clean leather seats, no punch list, James Taylor, Elton John, taking pictures of old barns, wine-tasting tours, Sweetpeaz.....

...hitting a sales quota, smiling, voting for the correct candidate, getting the mail with Dillan, 1080p, Florida vs. Alabama, painting the garage, giant stones, pulling against the Ducks, rumble of a V8, a sense of humor, knowing I make a difference in someone’s life, laughing so hard you snort, crossing the finish line, cooking with JoJo, Haggard songs, falling asleep on the couch...

...BBQ on the deck when it's chilly outside, money with holes in the center, tractors, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, Black Keys, being witty, getting positive feedback, expressing myself, building a reputation, being successful, doing good quality work, being in the zone, being inspired, waking people up, being free, hearing people’s stories, turning my life into a lesson, being responsible, doing what’s right, feeling fulfilled, connecting with people I’ve never met...

...making a positive difference, changing people for the better, changing myself for the better, feeling connected, turning off my ego, turning my back on fear, expressing courage, enjoying the flow of fingers on the keyboard, hearing the clanking of the keys, typing fast with two fingers, brainstorming, finding the third alternative, doing something unique, writing something new, creating information out of thought, manifesting pure thought in physical form, putting nonlinear concepts into a linear structure, storytelling, coming up with good analogies, simplifying complicated ideas, being understood, being loved, being loving, allowing people to know me...

...sharing energy, being wrong (sometimes), accepting all outcomes, being detached from outcomes, letting people know I care about them, giving hope to people who’ve lost hope, encouraging people who are discouraged, learning from mistakes, being human, teaching people it’s OK to make mistakes, teaching people not to be so afraid, releasing my own fears, bringing light to darkness, seeing someone smile, deepening my connection, growing, changing, changing my mind, knowing I’m on the right path...

...sharing discoveries, making people laugh, making people cry, being discouraged and still being able to encourage someone else, listening to music while writing, smelling vanilla, losing track of time, being in a state of joy, being relaxed, writing on paper, the natural friendship that lies within a marriage, the unconditional love of a grandmother, the pure innocent and never wavering love of a pet, the solid trust that comes with true friendship, a warm bed on a cool day, especially when you know you don't have to leave it!, the heat of a summer sun on bare skin, an ice cold swimming pool on a hot day, a super hot bath, as hot as I can stand it.....

...walking into an air-conditioned building on a scorching hot day and feeling the cold air rushing into your face, crawling into a freshly made bed, feeling my wife snuggled up on one side and my dog snuggled up on the other when I wake up in the middle of the night, setting a goal and reaching it-no matter how unimportant it may be to the rest of the world, I love researching a great variety of topics-the rewards are those moments in which I find that bit of information I was seeking, one of my greatest joys is when I know I have helped someone else find a small amount of peace in their life, finally pulling the car into your driveway after a long road trip, coming home to a dog that has missed you, The companionship of friends and family, knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be, discovering that peace comes from INSIDE, becoming part of the solution, an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, hard earned paradigm shift finally sinking in, embracing the difference between "want" and "need." ...the ability to dream. …

…discussing things with JoJo, soft chocolate chip cookies, library books, art supply stores, lightning bugs, lemons, mashed potatoes, crayons, glass jars, yard sales, plane tickets, farm stands, dictionaries, bubble gum, old gymnasiums, elevator buttons, photograph, old suitcases, chocolate cake, black pens, art museums, road trips, crazy quilts, sunlight, clawfoot tubs, swimming pools, college-ruled notebook paper, crushed ice, old school adidas, attic bedrooms, flashlights, paint chips, clover honey, bare feet, ocean waves, cornbread, moonlight, super heroes, aluminum foil, fortune cookies…

…doodling with black ink pens, shopping for a new magazines, stone and wood in a home, large fire places, vaulted ceilings, JoJo’s smile, researching travel, first bite of an apple, perfect jeans and flip flops, finding a real bargain, a new haircut, Hawaii, staying up late playing xbox, the length of my marriage, grocery store exploring, a good buzz and stopping there, shotguns, gladiator sandals, a great laugh, carpeted floors, softened water, warm weather, a “why not” lifestyle, sleeping in, people who state their mind, without being aggressive…

...government-imposed loss of sleep

2011-03-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Ben Franklin—of "early to bed and early to rise" fame—was apparently the first person to suggest the concept of daylight savings....gee thanks.

While serving as U.S. ambassador to France in Paris, Franklin wrote of being awakened at 6 a.m. and realizing, to his surprise, that the sun would rise far earlier than he usually did. Imagine the resources that might be saved if he and others rose before noon and burned less midnight oil, Franklin, tongue half in cheek, wrote to a newspaper.

It wasn't until World War I that daylight savings were realized on a grand scale. Germany was the first state to adopt the time changes, to reduce artificial lighting and thereby save coal for the war effort. Friends and foes soon followed suit.

In the U.S. a federal law standardized the yearly start and end of daylight saving time in 1918—for the states that chose to observe it.

During World War II the U.S. made daylight saving time mandatory for the whole country, as a way to save wartime resources. Between February 9, 1942, and September 30, 1945, the government took it a step further. During this period daylight saving time was observed year-round, essentially making it the new standard time, if only for a few years.

Since the end of World War II, though, daylight saving time has always been optional for U.S. states. But its beginning and end have shifted—and occasionally disappeared.

But does daylight saving time really save any energy? Daylight Savings Time…It should really be called Daylight Shifting Time.

Like everything except Jiffy Pop, Daylight Savings Time was invented by Benjamin Franklin. It's become particularly popular in modern industrialized societies because in nicer summer months it shifts one hour of “sleepy-oh-geez-I-have-to-go-to-work-now time” from the morning to the “hey-let's-BBQ-tonight evenings.”

Daylight time is not so popular among farmers who must get up in the dark or among their dairy cows, which for a rough month or so of biological adjustment must hold that full udder what seems like a very long extra time. However, cows can't vote yet and there aren't many farmers left. So, they lose.

So, enjoy the government-imposed loss of an hour of sleep tonight because somehow sometime you'll get it back probably. (Gee, if government can regulate our clocks, wristwatches and cell phone time displays, what's next? Light bulbs?)

....money doesn't make you smarter (obviously)

2011-02-27T19:46:00.000-08:00

It is really sad....that coming off the most-watched Super Bowl of all time, reality is about to hit football fans hard.

Owners and players must agree to a new collective-bargaining agreement by March 4, or the owners will lock out the players, essentially suspending pro football indefinitely. Behind the NFL's recent success are stark concerns. Here are five of the most important 'sticking points' to be overcome to avoid the league's first labor-related work stoppage since 1987.

#1. Player pay-cut

National Football League revenues come to about $9 billion a year. The league says about 60 percent of that goes to player salaries, and owners say that is too much. They want to shave 18 percent off the pool of money that is used to calculate the overall league salary cap.

The owners argue that, while the league is immensely successful as a whole, many owners have gone deep into debt to finance new stadiums in the past decade – anticipating revenues that never materialized because of the recent recession. Before agreeing to a pay cut, NFL Players Association (NFLPA) executive director DeMaurice Smith is demanding line-by-line audits of teams to prove expenses are, in fact, rising faster than revenue. The NFL has so far refused, saying that it has never offered the figures to the union before.

#2. An 18-game schedule

One potential solution to the revenue-sharing problem is to expand the season from 16 to 18 regular-season games, replacing two preseason exhibitions with the real thing. This would make the overall revenue pot larger, meaning owners could cut players' share of the revenue, yet players would not see a significant dip in pay.

But players chafe at the idea of having to play more without getting a raise. They argue that starters see far more playing time in regular season games, and that the intensity level is also much higher, increasing the risk of injury. Some owners have also privately shared worries about the risks to their primary investment, players.

#3. Rookie wage scale

Another potential way to tackle the revenue-sharing problem is to introduce a rookie wage scale. Having untested players who don't even shave yet making tens of millions of dollars isn't in the best interest of the league.

Under Mr. Smith, the NFLPA has stepped back its opposition on the rookie wage scale, opening the door to pay restraints similar to what the National Basketball Association has, where each pick in the draft order has a preset salary affixed to it. For this concession, Smith wants rookie contracts to be a maximum of three years – allowing players quicker access to potentially bigger contracts through free agency. The league wants rookie contracts to be a minimum of five years.

#4. Benefits for retired players

With the average NFL player staying in the league only 3-1/2 years according to the NFLPA, and recent news coverage documenting their struggles to recover from injuries, the union will demand a retroactive benefits increase for retired players. During previous contract negotiations, the union favored money in hand versus future benefits.

#5. Personalities and intangibles

The futures of hundreds of unrestricted free agents could be thrown into doubt and hundreds of millions of dollars in salaries could be lost – not to mention public goodwill if the Super Bowl is the last game played in 2011.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he'll cut his salary from $10 million to $1 if there's a lockout. But many players don't believe the owners are negotiating in good faith. In 2008, the owners decided to opt out of the current collective-bargaining agreement, leading players to think the owners were girding for a lockout.

Representing 1,900 players, Smith is entering his first collective-bargaining negotiation and is keen to make his mark. He is rallying players to his cause and trying to convince the public that million-dollar athletes need a fairer shake. The big question is whether Smith will blink before a lockout.

How much is enough fellas? Seriously?....Be careful Union. You might be getting-in over your heads.

...are you spaced out?

2011-02-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

Businesses are constantly evolving whether it is through expansion, downsizing or reorganization.

With world markets in a state of flux, many commercial and office spaces don't have the same function as they had, maybe 18-24 months ago....my, my how the times have changed. Space (or lack of) is much more important than ever.

Different staff levels, pressures on manufacturing processes and amended working practices often result in an office space feeling disjointed and worn around the edges.

We all want a working environment…a “space”…. which looks and feels great, but sometimes the money isn't available to spruce things up. However, there might be a deeper problem that needs considering. As they look to pull out of recession, businesses could find themselves, not only with atheistically dated offices, but without offices capable of expansion or the flexibility to change. It’s no longer just enough to be doing business, they have to be able to function efficiently and without the basic structure in place, they will find it a struggle to keep up with growing demand.

Look around. What isn't working?

Companies have understandably shunned investment in their commercial offices over the last few years, looking to invest their available budgets in core manufacturing equipment, or making do with temporary solutions. These years however have seen huge advances in communication technology and a dramatic reduction in the cost of data storage. This can allow a business to shed bulky filing cabinets and shelves bulging with out-of-date business directories streamlining their archival and information retrieval measures.

Companies are using their new found office space for the increasing trend of having 'breakout' areas, or meeting spaces. Most recognize the value of having face-to-face meetings, giving department heads the opportunity to brief employees on changing fortunes, or getting team leaders to motivate staff. This reduces the reliance on lazy internal email practices, and encourages a more effective approach to business that promotes ideas and interaction from the bottom up.

There will always be the need to store equipment, files and stationery in an office environment but rather than bulky cabinets, many companies are looking to storage walls as the solution. Not only creating clean lines within an office space, they can also offer greater storage with the option to go from floor to ceiling. The crisp finish will inspire even the worst paper hoarders to make an effort and keep the office tidy.

Workstation Efficiency -- Extra space can give companies the ideal opportunity to look at the layout of workstations. Cramming staff into a small space is often counterproductive, so if new space has been made available through the reorganization of storage areas, then there is the scope to take a fresh look the office space plan.

A study of staff and visitor traffic flows will show a company where areas of high volume and acoustic problems might be an issue. Companies can plan space, taking advantage of natural light sources and power sources enabling them to keep infrastructure work to a minimum. Workstations can then be situated in the best possible positions and with adequate space between them optimizing the working environment.

Conference Rooms and AV Equipment -- Good presentation skills are important when attracting new business and conference rooms or meeting areas are a key element in that process. Media walls, which conceal plasma and LCD screens, are a must for any business taking presentation seriously. It was great to have a plasma screen 18 months ago and that was enough to make them look state-of-art compared to companies that use projectors, but it now looks dated and awkward if just mounted on an old desk in the corner of the boardroom.

Conference rooms also have to work harder and will often have a dual purpose, such as extra office space for seconded staff, or transforming the space completely to offer lectures or seminars. They now have to be linked into the main network to avoid all that fumbling around with flash cards trying to load up the 'company laptop'.

Merging Locations and Changing Spaces -- Many businesses have entered what can diplomatically be called a period of 'consolidation'. One way to reduce overheads during this time has been the practice of merging locations. Finding new premises to house both parts of the business, or moving one part of the business into the commercial building of an existing part can achieve this.

Finding a new building can often be the more expensive option, so many are looking to keep one building and making that work for their new staff levels. A good office space planning company will find innovative ways of merging the two parts of the business by examining the complete space and planning where each element would be best placed. Extra structural expansion might also be needed and they will advise on solutions such as partitioning, mezzanine floors and extensions.

What's the Next Step? -- The commercial space planning process will start with a study of existing practices and an examination of the future needs of the business. Plans and 3D visuals are then produced in order to finalize the design and are presented with a breakdown of costs and timescales. Most commercial space planners will also take on any landlord liaison and deal directly with the local planning office. All that is left for the company to do is plan for the expansion and the increased productivity the well planned office will provide.

Space...more important than you think!

....space, the final frontier

2011-02-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

Space: The final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship, Enterprise...Its 5 year mission--To explore strange new worlds.

To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before. (Which should read: To go boldly...but who cares).....

Let's talk about space for a moment: At the onset of a search for office space a real estate broker will invariably want to know right away how much space will be needed by the prospective tenant.

Space....ahhh...space....that word again.

If you have been through this estimating the right amount of space required for a new facility can be tricky. Leasing too much space and cash flow can be hobbled by an excessive rent payment and under-utilized space, too little space and staffing growth will be limited...space...how much?

This may result in the need to relocate, prior to your lease expiration—potentially a very expensive exercise. Adding the architect and office furniture expert to your leasing team early in the process to develop reliable space requirements (before you begin looking at potential lease spaces) can make all the difference in leasing the right size and type facility for your company. Why?

If you are the owner or leader of the company, an experienced architect and office furniture expert will arm you up front with all the crucial information, so you can confidently make the correct strategic real estate decisions for your firm. This will save you precious time and effort. What? How can an early furniture decision help me pick my new space? Well, what if your current furniture won't fit in the new space....what if breaking the workstations down, hauling them across town...and re-installing them are as much as new or used cubes? What if? And what about the company down-time? Can you afford that?

Having this information in hand when you begin looking for space will allow you to pre-screen potential lease spaces and quickly zero in on only those spaces that really meet your long term business plans. The overriding goal is to make sure that when the dust settles your new space not only meets your functional requirements, but reflects positively on you and your company throughout the duration of the lease term.

If, on the other hand, you are the person responsible for finding facilities for a larger organization, you know that relocating your corporate offices or opening a new branch office can be a very challenging experience, one that will demand the most from you and your team.

What’s most important is that the transition be as painless as possible for all involved, users and management alike. Your 'team' should help you get moved in on time while avoiding any bumps along the way. This is best accomplished by having a clear program of the space and functional requirements early on, and this is best collected by a professional architect and furniture provider. This program information will assure you there are no surprises for upper management and provide them with a clear picture of the size of the office being considered, as well as the projected head count for this particular site.

Bottom line! Start Early!

Don’t get caught rushing. A mistake in this early preplanning stage will most likely mean you’ll soon be going through the process all over again.

A little up front analysis and planning, through the help of a professional architect and office furniture professional (with experience in office planning); can go a long way in laying the necessary groundwork for a smooth transition to your new office. Assuming your planner has performed the proper analyses and documented accurately your needs for the new office, you can be assured that ultimately your new company home will be a good fit for your organization. And just as importantly the subsequent phases of design and construction will go more quickly and without surprises.

More about space next time....(end of part one)

....help me with my office! (part 3-final)

2011-02-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

Part 3 and final of: 'Help me with my office!'

Remember....Once you’ve identified your biggest issues, decide which ones you want to attack. I recommend that companies evaluating an office redesign project identify four or five priorities to tackle, such as increased collaboration, improved productivity, or more efficient use of space.

Goal: Weigh the merits of a redesign or “restack” versus relocating to bigger digs.

Once you’ve identified where your workplace lacks logic, it’s time to assess what can be done. Depending on the scope of your problems, your imagination, and your budget, the next thing you’ll have to decide is if it’s better to reinvent existing space or move. This is tough to do without an office professional.

Typically companies try to stay where they are as long as they can. It’s very expensive to move. When companies are bursting at the seams, the solution is often a “restack”: reorganizing cubicles into smaller spaces — such as a six-by-six instead of eight-by-eight — in order to fit more people onto a floor. I am sure all workers are excited about this corporate decision (yawn...)

Of course there are downsides to extensive redesigns. They’re often so invasive, noisy, lengthy, and messy that a company may need temporary space during the design’s execution, which is why some companies decide that moving to a preconfigured space is easier than living through a reconfiguration. Today companies that know they’re in growth mode often are able to secure short leases — meaning that leaving a crowded space is easier than in the past.

Technically Speaking--How much office do you need?

Here are some space guidelines:
• Executive office space: 241 square feet (down from 291 square feet in 1987)

• Senior professional: 98 square feet

• Call center employee: 50 square feet

• President/CEO/Chairman: 250 to 400 square feet

• Vice President: 150 to 250 square feet

• Executive: 100 to 150 square feet

• Employee: 80 to 125 square feet

• Conference room: 25 to 30 square feet per person

• Lunch room: 15 square feet per person for dining, and a food-preparation space roughly one-third of the dining area

• Reception area: 150 to 350 square feet

Goal: Improve upon your design over time by continuing to ask for feedback and make adjustments.

After an office remodel, it’s easy for companies to sit back and rejoice that they’re “done.” But larger challenges may need to be hammered out over time. If employees don’t take to a new design after several months, you can’t force it.

The best approach is to acknowledge such issues and explain how you plan to handle them. Remind employees that this does not mean the design was a failure: That’s the attitude that begets the need for a big, expensive overhaul in five or ten years. Continual adjustment is a saner, cheaper, and more flexible way to keep spaces up to date.

Some adjustment difficulties, of course, are psychological rather than physical. This is especially true if the company’s office redesign or relocation came on the heels of a merger or acquisition — a time when the combination of changes in cultural and physical space can unsettle employees. Human resources may need to get involved in order to massage egos accustomed to bigger or more luxurious spaces.

Checklist

A clean, well-lighted place--in a recent report titled “Innovative Workplace Strategies,” the U.S. government’s General Services Administration (GSA) offered a list of “Hallmarks of the Productive Workplace.” If you’re overseeing a redesign post-mortem, or if you plan to take a periodic look at how the workplace continues to function in the coming quarters, here is a list of elements the GSA recommends examining:
• Spatial equity: Do workers have enough space to accomplish tasks?

• Healthfulness: Does the workplace offer clean air and water, sufficient artificial and natural light, and freedom from distracting noises and smells?

• Flexibility: Can the workplace be rapidly adjusted to respond to industry-related challenges?

• Comfort: Can workers adjust light, temperature, furnishings, and acoustic levels to their preferences

• Connectivity: Can on- and off-site workers share the same networks and data and communicate easily? Is there connectivity for workers who change work modes often — such as working from home and rotating among offices in “hotel” cubicles?

• Reliability: Are technology systems and physical plant systems (heat, cooling, and water) reliable and consistent? Are upgrades necessary as an expanding office pulls on resources?

• Sense of place: Does the workplace decor (office furnishings) and atmosphere mirror the company’s brand or mission? Does the workplace create a culture appropriate to the work done there?

Gone are the days when offices were typically cubicle, surrounded by white walls and lit by white fluorescent lights. Architects and designers constantly reexamine the changing workplace to solve problems and accommodate needs. Some of their innovations have played better than others.

Isn't it time you moved to the next level with your office environment by talking to an office environment expert? Need help? Call me...

....help me with my office! (part 2)

2011-01-31T13:00:00.000-08:00

Continued from part one-'Help me with my office!'

Bad office layouts are made, not born. An office configuration that suited the way business was done even five years ago might be irrelevant now.

The best way to find out if your office is dysfunctional is to conduct a formal study. Create an “activity portrait,” a drawing of traffic patterns around the office, by shadowing employees for several days in a row.

Goal: Find out what they need up front, and keep them in the loop to avoid backlash.

Involving employees in an office redesign is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s vital to know how they operate in order to create a space that’s more conducive to their work. On the other, asking them what they want can lead to unrealistic demands. As you gather input, be clear that you will try to address all concerns but that no one design can be perfect for everyone....at least mention it.

Once the new design has been chosen, let employees know what to expect, especially if the change will be significant. Make sure employees understand why the company is making each specific change. For example, if you’re moving people out of offices and into cubes, remind staff that the office now offers other perks: a souped-up dining area or benefits like concierge services, showers in bathrooms for lunchtime workouts, or a better cafeteria.

Two types of redesigns create “cultural revolt”: a move from closed-door offices to open office space, and a move in which two companies are merging and creating a new culture. With an office-to-cubes situation, companies need to up the ratio of conference rooms from one conference seat per three people to one conference seat for every two people. With a merger, managers should remind employees of their role’s significance, reassure them that their importance continues, and then offer a rational business context for why they may have to move desks or cede space.

Big Idea...

If the physical environment is bad — it’s cold, smells, or makes workers distracted — then employees won’t work well. No amount of organizational shoe-shining will change that… It’s Maslow’s pyramid — Psychology 101….the hierarchy of human needs as outlined by Abraham Maslow in 1943. According to Maslow, humans seek to satisfy a hierarchy of five types of needs, starting with the most basic physiological needs and ascending through a sense of safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. If workers feel unhealthy they won’t be able to tap their higher selves in the office.

Goal: Make a list of the top priorities you want your redesign to address.

Once you’ve identified your biggest issues, decide which ones you want to attack. I recommend that companies evaluating an office redesign project identify four or five priorities to tackle, such as increased collaboration, improved productivity, or more efficient use of space.

At Group Health, a Washington-based insurer with 10,000 employees in more than 50 buildings, an in-house study quickly illustrated what the company’s design goals should be. The firm enlisted its employees to track their habits and found that at any given time, 40 percent of all cubicles or offices were sitting unoccupied. Many workers were in conference rooms or down the street at Starbucks, where they could more easily meet in teams. Others were toggling between multiple buildings and facilities. William Biggs, executive director of administrative services, asked his assistant to track his whereabouts. It turns out he spent less than 5 percent of his time at company headquarters.

This is the truth for a number of company leaders. Our work has moved from individual to team-based. We need to loosely pull groups together and then dismantle them, but that is difficult in a poorly-designed space. Based on the study, Group Health defined three design goals: First, the office needed more conference space. Secondly, cubicle sizes could shrink somewhat since workers were increasingly spending time outside of them. Finally, mobile workers like Biggs needed “touch-down” space where they could check their e-mail and make phone calls when visiting different divisions of the company.

Essential ingredients in the today's office....

Isn't it time you worked with an expert?
Furniture-Planning-Installation
rosecityoffice.com
-end of part two

....help me with my office! (part 1)

2011-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

Gone are the days when offices were typically cubicle, surrounded by white walls and lit by white fluorescent lights. It is all about attracting that perfect employee...the new "it's all about me generation."

Years ago when I started in this industry....it was all about 'just jam as many people in a space as possible.' It is not like that anymore...and if you are an employer that "doesn't get it"....it might be too late for you. Seriously!

A whole new set of workers are on the horizon Mr. Employer...so think twice before you buy that super inexpensive laminate desk from China. The economy is starting to change and the oppressed worker wants more than a $59 chair with no arms.

Thanks to corporate giants like Google and Pixar that have demonstrated tremendous success despite their unconventional workplaces, more people are embracing the idea that creative work environment helps stimulate minds and inspire innovation.

According to a recent survey by Gensler, the prominent corporate architecture firm, half of all employees say they would work an extra hour per day if they had a better workplace. So why do so many companies maintain dark, cramped, ugly, or poorly designed offices?

Studies show that a well-designed office is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to retain workers and make them more productive. General Electric, Microsoft, and major West Coast insurer Group Health are just a handful of major organizations reaping the bottom-line benefits of smart, worker-oriented designs.

But if you want to do the office correctly....and attract talent (real talent)....how much should the boss budget for the office? ---Between $3,870 per person (open office design) and $6,447 per person (closed office design) to outfit an empty building, according to the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA).

Goal: Understand how well — or poorly — you’re using the existing floor plan.

Bad office layouts are made, not born. An office configuration that suited the way business was done even five years ago might be irrelevant now. The best way to find out if your office is dysfunctional is to conduct a formal study. Create an “activity portrait,” a drawing of traffic patterns around the office, by shadowing employees for several days in a row.

Whether you conduct an in-house study or hire a design consultant, the three key methods for gathering information are shadowing employees on their paths through the office; visiting conference rooms and desk areas every half hour to determine how they are being used; and asking employees to track their own movements and report back on how they spend their time. Here’s what to look for:

Space Layout---Study whether the layout of the building is helping or hindering employees in the quest to get work done. Shadowing workers for a few days will reveal wasted motion and inefficient organization of space.

-Red flags:

Collaborative spaces are bunched at the far end of the building
People whose jobs are highly collaborative do not naturally come into contact with colleagues during the workday
Employees spend a lot of time in transit to meeting rooms, printers, copiers, and fax machines

Space Usage---Find out how often people are using existing spaces. Check in on what’s happening by stopping by cubicles and conference rooms every half hour.

-Red flags:

An area is always empty
An area is overcrowded
Workers are competing for certain furnishings or equipment and not using others

Workarounds---Look closely at whether workers are using their space, furnishings, and equipment as intended. Does the environment support their process, or have they been forced to circumvent it?

-Red flags:

Employees meet at a coffee shop because they can’t find common space
Workers use drop-in space on another floor because the area around their desks is too loud
They bring lamps from home to avoid harsh fluorescent lighting

If your study reveals a number of red flags, it’s time to hire an architect or office environment expert and find out how a redesign can improve the efficiency of your space.

Isn't it time you worked with an expert?

Furniture-Planning-Installation

rosecityoffice.com

-end of part one

....now let the "big dogs" eat!

2011-01-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

I gave it a day...actually a few days. I haven't thought about it because I knew what the outcome would be from the beginning. I haven't talked about it with my friends, or with the guy down at the local Shell station (he loves the Ducks). I still haven't watched Sports Center simply because I don't want to watch it all unfold again. But I think I'll try and give it a shot right now.

First, the Ducks played an amazing game, and it was one of the hardest fought battles in BCS history. Know what is weak though? Nike has a new advertisement that pays homage to the Oregon Ducks, losers of Monday night’s BCS title game against the Auburn Tigers. The ad reads “Everyone Loses Games. Few Change Them.” What part of the game Oregon changed, however, is up for debate. They took on an SEC team....and lost (even the experts predicted it). You knew Auburn was better.

Oregon is Nike’s pet football program, thanks in large part to the fact that Phil Knight, the company’s co-founder, is an alum (he donated $100 million to Oregon athletics in 2007). In addition to the donation, Knight also makes sure that Nike outfits the team with 384 possible uniform combinations (including those crazy neon socks they wore in the title game).

As for the advertisement, I’m not exactly sure what it’s implying. I think what it’s saying is that Oregon somehow changed “the game” because of their bold sartorial choices. In essence, “Okay, we lost, but we looked great doing it.”

Give me a break! Are you serious?

"Oregon is one of the fastest teams in the nation, and we wanted them to look fast," Todd Van Horn, Nike's top football uniform designer, told the press. Visually, the colorway of the uniforms is meant to bring your eyes to the fastest moving parts of the player's bodies -- the hands, and in particular the shins, which move twice as fast as the thighs do while running. The bright yellow socks, which blended seamlessly into the cleats, drew attention to that fact.

Those color contrasts are functional as well. "We hear constantly from teams and quarterbacks that having a bit more visual acuity and contrast on the field makes things easier," says Van Horn. The white jerseys and grey pants, combined with the green accents, allowed the players to stand out vividly against their Auburn opponents.

You might have also caught sight of those flashy helmets -- the swirling pattern on the outside emphasizes the fact that Nike's padding system on the thighs and shoulders contain carbon fiber plates (layered over breathable foam and a moisture wicking base). Nike worked with a company that usually applies custom graphics to cars to create the special decals applied to the helmet. Combined with the green highlights of the Oregon "O," these created a visual vibration you could probably discern on your TV as an almost moiré pattern effect.

Monday’s national title game had an interesting corporate subplot: the Ducks are outfitted by Nike, while the Auburn Tigers’ uniforms are made by upstart apparel company Under Armour. The BCS title represents the first major sports championship won by Under Armour, and the fact that it was over Nike probably sweetened the pot a bit.

Drawing the focus to the Oregon players may have helped the QB to find his receivers. However, the relative drabness of the Auburn players may have enabled them to sneak in for the two picks they got.

The challenge I saw was in the function over the form. Both teams were slipping and sliding all over the place, however it seemed Oregon more than Auburn. Same issue appeared with TCU in the Rose Bowl with "specially designed" equipment supposedly designed by Nike just for the Rose Bowl.

But please Duck fans...please stop saying 'what if.'

"What if" Darron Thomas (QB) hands the ball to LaMichael and he walks in for a touchdown at the start of the second quarter instead of making a 'bonehead read on the defensive tackle. ..."What if" Cliff Harris' second interception wasn't called incomplete and the Ducks take over. Then Newton doesn't throw a touchdown pass to Kodi Burns on the next play...... "What if" Kenjon Barner doesn't get stopped at the one on fourth down and scores a touchdown? Or "what would have happened" if the Ducks had decided to kick a field goal instead of going for it?

But what really happened was...with just under two minutes left in the fourth the Tigers had a first and ten on their own forty. They would hand the ball off to Michael Dyer and he'd pick up about seven yards after being brought down by Eddie Pleasant.... Dyer got up and looked for a ref to hand the ball to, and then all of the sudden he took off down field. He ended up picking up 37 yards on the play...a whistle had never blown the play dead.

"What if" Dyer had been ruled down on the play? Would Auburn still have picked up enough yards to kick a field goal? Maybe. But we'll never know. But you need to know the 3 main things to contemplate about Oregon's loss to Auburn.

#1) It wasn’t Oregon’s fault. The turf was slippery, the crowd and the broadcast was pro-Auburn, and the head referee spoke in a tone that seemed to say, “We’re gonna put you slimy hippies from the West in your place.” Forget the fact that the Ducks were cheated out of an interception and a wrist does not make a running back down in the 4th quarter of the BCS Championship- this one wasn’t meant to be.

#2) Wait- maybe it was their fault. Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas played resiliently and threw a handful of pinpoint passes, but he made the incorrect read on option plays all night long and he smiled and laughed way too much immediately following the game. Many would also like some questions answered about the play calling. Why pound the middle- the strength of the Auburn defense- all night long? Why go for it on 4th down when the red zone offense had no traction whatsoever? Why stick with a ground-based strategy that your QB was struggling to execute? Hindsight is certainly 2020- which will more than likely also be a year that marks a decade since the Ducks let one slip away.

#3) God likes the SEC. The brass at Auburn is convinced that the man in the sky is a big fan. In post game interviews, both Cam Newton and coach Gene Chizik suggested that God himself (they noted God is male) is entirely preoccupied with making the world know that both they and Auburn University are incredible entities, which the 21-year-old Newton explained to us is how God displays His own greatness.

Indeed, we learned a lot about the Universe on a Monday night in Arizona. Peering into the theories of Newton and Chizik, the entire college football season was a mere game of tiddlywinks by the big man above, a predetermined and intricately orchestrated celebration of the gruff coach and the scandal-laden quarterback, who moments after the game told America that God is personally ‘using me as vessel every single day’. Many now wait with anxious anticipation to see how a vessel of God does on the Wonderlic test.

We also learned...the game is over so move on Duck fans (and let’s be honest…the SEC will likely be back again…and again…and again in the title game for years to come….not the Ducks). The SEC is a conference of proven winners. Let's see if you get by Utah next year.

Oregon, your 15 minutes of fame has ended....now let the "big dogs" from the SEC eat!

...we can do it!

2011-01-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

In 1942, a UPI photographer visited a metal pressing factory outside Detroit and took a snapshot of a slim, fresh-faced brunette leaning over a machine. The picture enchanted the graphic artist J. Howard Miller, who had been hired by the Westinghouse Company to design a series of motivational posters aimed at boosting female factory workers’ morale.

He incorporated a pretty young subject’s face and polka-dot headscarf into one of the posters, which features a determined-looking woman flexing her right bicep under the slogan “We Can Do It!”

President Roosevelt calls in January, 1942 for production of 60,000 planes, 45,000 tanks, 20,000 antiaircraft guns, and 6 million deadweight tons of merchant shipping. His $59 billion budget submitted January 7 has more than $52 billion earmarked for the war effort, whose emphasis is initially on stopping Hitler in Europe.

With American men enlisting in the war effort, the work force quickly diminished. Who would "man" the assembly lines in the factories to produce the many needed items for the current war? Filling a gross shortage of manpower, through the factory gates flooded an army of woman power. Mothers, daughters, secretaries, wives and even schoolgirls picked up the factory duties the men had left behind.

More than six million female workers helped to build planes, bombs, tanks and other weapons that would eventually win World War II. They stepped up to the plate without hesitation and gave up their domestic jobs to accomplish things that only men had done before them. They became streetcar drivers, operated heavy construction machinery, worked in lumber and steel mills, unloaded freight and much more. Proving that they could do the jobs known as "men’s work" created an entirely new image of women in American society, and set the stage for upcoming generations.

One very important worker was ‘Rosie the Riveter’ ….the name given to the woman depicted on many of the propaganda posters. In the most famous one, she is wearing that red and white bandana to cover her hair, and she has rolled back the sleeve of her blue coverall to expose a flexed bicep. The expression on her face was confident and determined. The caption above her head reads, "We Can Do It!" in bold letters.

That woman was ….Geraldine Hoff Doyle, the real-life inspiration behind the iconic poster, who died on December 26 in Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 86. Just 17 when the photographer captured her, she had taken a factory job after graduating high school, one of 6 million women who entered the workforce during World War II to plug gaping holes in the industrial labor force.

Decades later, the poster became one of America’s most recognizable emblems of women’s empowerment, spawning countless imitations and reproduced on everything from mugs and magnets to postage stamps.

Actually, more than four decades would go by before Doyle learned of the poster’s existence and discovered that her likeness had inspired a pop culture reference. Paging through a magazine one day in 1984, she spotted a photograph of the poster and recognized her younger self.

In a 2002 interview with the Lansing State Journal, Doyle, who began making frequent appearances in Michigan to sign posters, explained that motherhood and daily life had kept her too busy to realize she had become the face of Rosie the Riveter. "I was changing diapers all the time," she said.

One of many in Miller’s series, the poster was barely seen outside Westinghouse factories in the Midwest, where women were making plastic helmet liners. It was not until later, when feminists rediscovered the poster during the 1970s and 1980s, that it achieved its iconic status and became associated with the World War II-era character.

Despite the way they were discarded at the end of the war, these female workers had much to do with the success of the United States during World War II and their contribution should not be forgotten. In a very direct way, women helped win the war.

Thanks Rosie!! We "could" do it once before...but I wonder if we still can today...to be honest.

...2010 Fantasy Champion

2010-12-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

Told you this was going to be the result. Enough said. Winner!

...cue the violins

2010-12-22T22:52:00.000-08:00

For many of us, Week 16 represents our Fantasy League's championship game. Both of my teams from two different leagues…are ‘ready to rumble’ in the big game. The end of the line. Where winners are crowned and losers obsess over their lineup errors for the next six months.

Losers!..Losers…I will win, I am confident of it. Mostly because of my superior intellect (and Michael Vick). C’mon Michael! You proved you can kill dogs…now go do it on the field. (I cannot stand the fact that he did that to dogs, but he has paid his debt to society).

But just because it's your last matchup of the season doesn't mean it's time to rest. Chances are you didn't breeze your way to the finals with your feet up and your finger off the mouse (like I did). In fact, being that this is the last game of the season win or lose several players on your roster doesn’t hold the same appeal as before. And unlike the previous weeks, knowing which players you're going up against before your game is important, and it could impact how you maneuver your lineup.

First things first: Set your lineup in advance. That determines who you'll likely start -- and subsequently determines who on your roster is expendable. Do you have two DSTs when you only need one? Been carrying an injured player hoping to get him back in time for this game? Got a dud wasting space on your bench? Anyone who you know you're not starting, and more importantly, don't think will help your opponent, is not worth owning. For instance, if you own Drew Brees and David Garrard, and your title-game rival this week has Michael Vick, then Garrard is a dead spot in your lineup. You don't need him, so drop him. Remember; don't cut anyone your fellow owner would consider picking up and starting himself.

Or just kiss your ass goodbye now…because I have Vick.

What do you do with this newfound space? If it were any week but this week, you'd claim the hottest players off of waivers. But this week it's not a bad idea to steal players your opponent might consider starting. For instance, let's say your Week 16 nemesis limped into the title game with Adrian Peterson on his or her team. Peterson was a surprise inactive in Week 15 and could easily find himself ruled out again on Sunday night. If your opponent doesn't have Toby Gerhart, he'd be a guy to target as well as any other good rushers on waivers. I'd recommend doing the same thing if you're going up against Arian Foster this week (which I am unfortunately) -- he was dinged last week and the Texans aren't playing for anything. Perhaps Derrick Ward will pick up a start against the Broncos in place of Foster. That’s why I grabbed Ward this morning off waivers.

What if your opponent is loaded and doesn't need to make a roster move? In that case it's all about maximizing your roster with good talent and eliminating the waste. You might even speculate on a second option for a starter who you're not 100 percent sure on. Let's say you've been disappointed with Dwayne Bowe's stats lately and while you'll probably start him in Week 16 vs. Tennessee, maybe you want to have another option. In that case you could pick up a receiver and drop that second DST or kicker. There's always room for improvement.

Something that's been bothering me all season: How come everyone on the bus in Atlanta bops their head to the rhythm of the music except Arthur Blank in that commercial? Blank has certainly seen things from the dark side. Just three years ago, the franchise was in shambles. Star quarterback Michael Vick headed off to prison for running a dogfighting ring (did I mention I don't care right now?)... Coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team for the University of Arkansas after just 13 games.

The Falcons started over — new quarterback, new coach, new general manager — but those who thought it would take years to bounce back were way off the mark. The Falcons (11-2) have already gotten a third consecutive winning mark out of the way, setting their sights on much loftier goals. (Oh, did I mention I have Michael Turner as well?). It pays to be brilliant.

Just remember, it's go-for-broke week. You worked hard to get to this point, so don't stop fighting now.

Or…hand me the trophy now before you get whipped….see ya in the winner's circle. Cue the violins!

...I want 'Chucky' for Christmas!

2010-12-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Denver Broncos wanted Josh McDaniels to bring the New England Patriots' winning ways with him to the Rocky Mountains when they hired Bill Belichick's brash, young disciple 22 months ago.

What they got instead was the ash-gray hoodie and their very own videotaping scandal to go with a pile of losses and personnel blunders that cost him his job not even halfway through his four-year contract.

McDaniels, the successor to Mike Shanahan in Denver, began his Broncos coaching career with a bang, going 6-0. But since then, the team has gone just 5-17. The loss to the Chiefs on Sunday was their seventh defeat in eight games, dropping the Broncos' 2010 record to 3-9.

He was fired Monday in the midst of the franchise's worst skid in four decades. Spread the word on facebook, twitter and to all your friends. Woo Hoo!

'Baby Josh' might be best known for his decisions to trade quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall over the past year as well as his surprising decision to select Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft.

The Broncos traded Cutler and a fifth-round draft pick to Chicago in April of 2009, in exchange for Kyle Orton, first- and third-round picks in 2009 and a 2010 first-rounder. Denver then shipped Marshall to Miami after the 2009 season, following McDaniels' late-season benching of Marshall for disciplinary reasons. And to top it off.... the Broncos unloaded Peyton Hillis just prior to the 2010 draft, sending him and a pair of draft picks to Cleveland for Brady Quinn. What? My Fantasy Team trades better than that!

And...the organization was embarrassed by McDaniels' role in a videotaping scandal that resulted in the firing of a Broncos cameraman and league-imposed fines of $50,000 for both McDaniels and the team. A former team employee was found to have improperly taped a 49ers practice the day before the 49ers beat the Broncos in a game played at London's Wembley Stadium on Oct. 31.

The ex-employee, NFL investigators found, offered to show the tape to McDaniels, who refused to look at it and ordered it destroyed. But McDaniels failed to inform team brass or the league about the matter as required by league rules relating to the integrity of the game, leading to the fines.

Hey! Could there be a second John Elway Era in Denver?

Today, Broncos Chief Operating Officer Joe Ellis publicly stated what has been known for some time — that the franchise’s all-time greatest player has been serving as a consultant for the Broncos. John Elway’s involvement has been predominantly on the business side, but recent developments suggest his role could quickly be expanding within the Broncos organization.

Ellis seems to recognize (and indicates that Bowlen recognizes) that they need to change the model. Ellis graciously admitted that the Broncos may have ensured McDaniels' failure by giving him way too much responsibility. It sounds like they will be changing the model going forward.

First, there was Elway’s address of the players during practice a few weeks ago, a move clearly outside his capacity as “business consultant.” Then, there was a groundswell of media support for Elway’s increased involvement within the franchise, potentially in a pro personnel/front office role.

Denver news reported that Pat Bowlen had dinner with John Elway at the Cherry Creek Elway's restaurant. It seems more and more likely that John Elway will be brought back into the fold.

“One of the things that (Broncos Owner) Pat (Bowlen) asked him to do was come back in the building and get involved with the team,” Ellis said during the team’s press conference Tuesday. “He’s been at practices and in the course of meetings we have on the business side, he’s shared thoughts about the team (and) he’s expressed an interest to some of you in the room.

“I don’t take that lightly and Pat doesn’t take that lightly, that’s for sure,” Ellis continued. “The conversations we’ve had with John clearly indicate one thing. He loves the Broncos, and loves Denver.”

Those conversations, however, are very preliminary. “I don’t know where that’s going to go, if anywhere, I really don’t,” Ellis said. “But, I respect the fact that he’s interested in helping the Broncos. He has a lot of qualities that perhaps could lend themselves to helping the Broncos. But, I don’t know if that’s going to advance at this point or not.”

Will The Duke’s comeback be in a full-time front office role? Is Elway aptly armed for such service? (Yes, I just questioned Elway’s arm). I’m honestly on the fence on this one folks. On-field prowess does not necessarily translate into off-field football acumen, and Elway has no scouting experience. I sense Pat Bowlen is on the fence on this one, too, or Elway would already be signed, sealed and delivered.

We have some time, Mr. Bowlen. Let’s do our due diligence here. Talk to John, and see what he can bring to the table. He’ll bring ticket sales and fan excitement and unquestioned support, for sure — but will he make the Broncos better? And if, Mr. Bowlen, you ultimately decide to bring him in, bring in some checks and balances as well — something I’m sure you wish you had done two years ago with Josh McDaniels.

Then go and get Jon Gruden at any cost! Chucky! John and Jon!

...Minnesota's 'cash for clunkers' program

2010-11-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Brett Favre. Today the Vikings quarterback will make his 296th consecutive start against the Washington Redskins, but he’ll do so under the weather...and does anyone care?

Favre told ESPN that he’s been sick most of the week and he might have pneumonia. Favre received a steroid pack, had an injection and missed a portion of team meetings on Saturday because he was resting, according to the report.

Favre has told the media he wants to start the final six games and then retire for good. Thank God! He is 41 years old, has thrown an NFL-high 17 interceptions, and his 69.8 passer rating is the second-worst in the league.

What a difference a year makes. It was last year at this time when Brad Childress had plenty to be thankful for. Mainly, Brett Favre! Favre completed an amazing 88 percent of his passes in a sold-out Metrodome where the Minnesota Vikings routed Seattle 35-9 and improved their record to 9-1.

The Viking fanatics gave Favre a standing ovation. Seattle head coach Jim Mora gave Favre a chance to quit while he was ahead.

“Would you please retire?” Mora pleaded to Favre.

Of course, Mora’s father is best known more for his infamous 2001 post-game tirade as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts: “Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game.”

Had Brad Childress not been fired as the Vikings coach Monday morning, he could have used the same line at his weekly press conference. Vikings assistant Leslie Frazier should’ve used the line when he was introduced as the Vikings’ eighth head coach Monday afternoon.

Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Frazier just hopes this disheveled group of Vikings can win at least one more game this season.

Last Sunday’s embarrassing 31-3 loss to the Packers put a fork in the 3-7 Vikings. They are as done as that 25-pound turkey Clark Griswold overcooked in National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation.”

“Save the neck for me, Clark.”

Obviously, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has had better seasons. The future Hall of Famer leads the league with 17 interceptions. His 69.8 passer rating is the lowest of his career since his rookie season. I know I said that already...but "come on man!!"

The Vikings, who lost in overtime in the NFC championship game last season, are 3-7. Favre reportedly was at odds with former coach Brad Childress, who was fired and replaced, on an interim basis, by defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Favre is still capable of big performances. In Week 9, Favre passed for a season-high 446 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions as he led the Vikings to a 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

He still can sling it…but too much has happened this year Brett…give it up. Do something that no one would expect out of you. Quit. Not at the end of the year…quit now. Go home and mend your relationship with your wife that has been your supporter through thick and thin.

And since you have trouble deciphering the two…this is a “thin” time sir. Mora was right…retire.

...can you generate customer loyalty?

2010-11-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

That may be one of the toughest questions your organization has to answer. A consumer might be completely satisfied with a brand, but does that mean she won't jump at a chance to save money, become more efficient, etc?

It can be hard to stay loyal when there are many options available, and simply providing world class customer satisfaction is no longer enough.

Walker Information Inc. recently polled consumers on the topic of loyalty. Their research indicated "there's still a yawning gap between the percentage of people who say they're satisfied with a business and those who consider themselves 'loyal' to that business-intent on maintaining the relationship and continuing it into the future. Many companies have figured out how to deliver satisfaction, but they've not yet figured out how to earn loyalty anywhere near those levels."

With increased competition, and focuses on cost, all companies must continually exceed their client's expectations and focus on building long-term, profitable relationships. Delivering results, at a fair price and with the right level of attention has never been more important or challenging.

Every company spends a huge amount of time and resources on retention. I once worked for a company that each month, we implemented new strategies to 'save' customers from switching to other companies, all while trying to balance profitability and customer satisfaction. The one thing we failed to do was to prepare for our customers' future needs. Most of the time, when we were at the point of trying to retain them, it was already too late.

Anticipating those customers' needs lets them know that you care about their business, and you want them to reach their goal. Instead of focusing on how to simply retain, companies need to think about building rock-solid relationships that have customers wanting to do business with them over their competitors.

Is your company focused on meeting customers' future needs?

..next-5 steps to getting there...

...Cincinnati soon found out

2010-11-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

Sparky Anderson was as much a storyteller as he was a baseball manager. Games come and go. Wins and losses are forgotten. But the stories endure.

And that is why Sparky and Casey Stengel are the two managers most prevalent in the memories of fans. They had substance and a pleasantly fractured style that made us want more of them. But we’ve gotten all we’re going to get of Sparky. He died Thursday of complications with dementia shortly after being placed in hospice care at his long-time home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

He won 2,194 games and three World Series with the Cincinnati Reds (1975, 1976) and Detroit Tigers (1984). And he won over countless people to the game he loved with a passion. There was a reason behind much of what many labeled simply as Sparky being Sparky. Using his gift of gab to take the pressure off his players exemplified that approach.

Anderson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame five years later, joining many of the players who had been instrumental in racking up all those wins. And he made clear in his induction speech how much his players had meant to him.

"Let me tell you this, and get it straight, and I hope every manager that follows me will listen very carefully: players earn this, by their skills," he said. "Managers come here, as I did, on their backs, for what they did for me. I never believed different, I will never believe different, and I think that's what made my career so lucky."

When Anderson landed in Cincinnati on Oct. 9, 1969 when I was just a kid, for his introductory press conference, he was greeted by a Cincinnati Enquirer headline that shouted the thought on everyone's mind: "Sparky Who?" No one had ever heard of this guy.

Cincinnati soon found out. The Reds went 102-60 in Anderson's first year, making the playoffs for the first time since 1961. They fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games in the World Series, but the bar had been raised on the banks of the Ohio River (I cried when we lost by the way). After a brief fall back to 79-83 in 1971, the Reds reeled off five consecutive seasons in which they won at least 95 games.

For years as a young boy I watched from Lexington, Kentucky as Sparky built the ‘Big Red Machine.’ I loved watching him and the Reds as they set the bar higher than even the experts predicted they could as the 'team of the decade.'
You will be missed...and don't step on the chalk line as you enter the gate.

p.s. You even turned me into a Detroit fan years later….

...people can be so damn rude!

2010-11-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

People can be so damn rude. A prima donna plops herself in front of everyone standing in line at Fry’s. A guy sitting next to his date is ignoring her as he furiously texts someone else.

A motorist...who either forgot or did not bother to prepare for an upcoming turn.... cuts off three lanes of traffic just to make it work. These are not hypothetical situations, but a few fine Portland examples.

And obviously discourtesy is not limited to the Pacific NW, but instead rears its ugly, rotting head throughout the entire U.S. of A.

SURVEYS:
• A full 69 percent of folks who answered an August Rasmuseen Reports survey of 1,000 adults across the nation said people are generally becoming ruder and less civilized

• Nearly 70% questioned in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll said people are ruder than they were 20 or 30 years ago. The trend is noticed in large and small places alike, although more urban people report bad manners
• A mere 14 percent, perhaps those who don’t get out much, said people were becoming kinder and gentler while 17 percent were “not sure.” (Maybe they were too busy texting during a date to give the question much thought)

• Other poll results had 62 percent saying Americans were ruder to sales personnel than they were 10 years ago and, in turn, 57 percent saying the sales personnel were also ruder to customers than a decade hence.

So why are people becoming cruder, ruder and more barbaric?

We could easily blame TV and call it a day, since TV is already behind most of the world’s woes. Or we could play with a few other theories. Technology could be to blame. Rudeness often comes from loud cell phone conversations, blaring ringing in the middle of meetings and yes, folks furiously texting or yapping on their phones while out on a date or in other social situations.

Cell phones can also indirectly lead to rude driving. Drivers blabbing on cell phones are perhaps not necessarily attempting to be rude but have instead become so oblivious to the road that they have no clue what they’re doing.

Entitlement is another possibility. Some folks today act as if they are entitled to everything, from being at the front of the line to owning last 50-cent sale item in the clearance bin. They will thus push, shove or steamroll others just to fulfill that entitlement.

Lack of manners can also stem from upbringing, with parents and schools feeding kids the idea that they can do no wrong. Children are applauded simply for breathing. They are gifted with new toys and cars just because they exist. Such children grow up expecting the world and everyone in it, to bow at their feet – or at least not blink an eye when they abruptly cut the Starbucks line.

So what should we do when accosted with such crude actions?

• Only a slight majority of those surveyed – 51 percent – said they have actually confronted someone for the person’s rude behavior in public.

• A full 44 percent let it go without comment while 5 percent said they were “not sure” if they’ve ever said something about another’s uncivilized actions

Yeah right...I am not sure how people are “not sure” but wonder if they took a beating after the confrontation that could have clouded their memories.

Letting rude behavior slide might be the easiest thing to do, but it also threatens to turn us all into a stack of doormats, letting rude people claw their way to the top of the pile and continue to stomp.

Americans' fast-paced, high-tech existence has taken a toll on the civil in society. From road rage in the morning commute to high decibel cell-phone conversations that ruin dinner when eating out, men and women behaving badly has become the hallmark of a hurry-up world.

An increasing informality — flip-flops at the White House, even — combined with self-absorbed communication gadgets and a demand for instant gratification have strained common courtesies to the breaking point.

A slippage in manners is obvious to many Americans. Peggy Newfield, founder and president of Personal Best, said the generation that came of age in the times-a-changin' 1960s and 1970s are now parents who don't stress the importance of manners, such as opening a door for a female.

So it was no surprise to Newfield that those children wouldn't understand how impolite it was to wear flip-flops to a White House meeting with the president — as some members of the Northwestern women's lacrosse team did in the summer.

• A whopping 93% in the AP-Ipsos poll faulted parents for failing to teach their children well

"Parents are very much to blame," said Newfield, whose Atlanta-based company started teaching etiquette to young people and now focuses on corporate employees. "And the media!!"

Sulking athletes and boorish celebrities grab the headlines while television and Hollywood often glorify crude behavior….not to mention the parents that film their kids fighting on youTUBE.

It is NOT getting any better people. Perhaps it is time to take little Johnny out to the ‘wood-shed’ like we did when I was a kid.

...can Napoleon Pete survive?

2010-10-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

The story of three envelopes is a business classic for dysfunctional organizations. It starts with an incoming 'my way or the highway CEO' replacing a recently fired outgoing CEO.

Pete had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three envelopes number 1, 2 and 3. "Open these if you run up against a problem you don't think you can solve," … “when things get really tough, open these one at a time." the departing CEO said.

Things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales took a downturn and Pete was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit's end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, "Blame your predecessor." Pete called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. He concocts a story that pins the problems on the previous CEO and deftly sidesteps blame for the issue.

Satisfied with his comments, the press -- and Wall Street -- responded positively, sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.

About a year later, the company was again experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize!" …. “Blame your coworkers,” it advises. He does, and once again avoids taking the fall for a problem he caused.

This he did well (blaming others), and the company quickly rebounded.

After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. Pete went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, "Prepare three envelopes." ...

A person’s character can be neatly judged when we see how they handle mistakes or tough times. We are all human; we all fail. When confronted with that failure, our next move paints a picture of how we handle responsibility and blame. Do you step up and really own the problem, or do you reach for an envelope?

Good people step up. They acknowledge the problem, accept the blame, and work hard to correct the problem. It is a sad commentary on our world today that most people are pleasantly surprised when you do this. While you may not be able to completely rectify the problem, you will earn some measure of respect by taking ownership of the issue. The problem may not be fixed, but your character is intact.

Bad people step away. They look to blame anyone except themselves, and will sacrifice anyone to protect themselves. Blaming predecessors and coworkers will work for a while, but you will eventually run out of envelopes. The problems remain, but you will not. And your character will be irreparably tarnished….or your nose will continue to grow like someone I (thought) I used to know…..

Sales drive the company mister!....not a predecessor on paper.

..any color you want...as long as it's black

2010-10-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Automobile manufacturer Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863, on his family's farm in Dearborn, Michigan. From the time he was a young boy, Ford enjoyed tinkering with machines.

Farm work and a job in a Detroit machine shop afforded him ample opportunities to experiment. He later worked as a part-time employee for the Westinghouse Engine Company. By 1896, Ford had constructed his first horseless carriage which he sold in order to finance work on an improved model. After two unsuccessful attempts to establish a company to manufacture automobiles, the Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903 with Henry Ford as vice-president and chief engineer. The infant company produced only a few cars a day at the Ford factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies.

Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company proclaiming, "I will build a car for the great multitude." In October 1908, he did so, offering the Model T for $950. In the Model T's nineteen years of production, its price dipped as low as $280. Nearly 15,500,000 were sold in the United States alone. The Model T heralds the beginning of the Motor Age; the car evolved from luxury item for the well-to-do to essential transportation for the ordinary man.

Henry Ford realized his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient. This vehicle initiated a new era in personal transportation. It was easy to operate, maintain, and handle on rough roads, immediately becoming a huge success.

Ford revolutionized manufacturing. By 1914, his Highland Park, Michigan plant, using innovative production techniques, could turn out a complete chassis every 93 minutes. This was a stunning improvement over the earlier production time of 728 minutes. Using a constantly-moving assembly line, subdivision of labor, and careful coordination of operations, Ford realized huge gains in productivity.

In 1914, Ford began paying his employees five dollars a day, nearly doubling the wages offered by other manufacturers. He cut the workday from nine to eight hours in order to convert the factory to a three-shift workday. Ford's mass-production techniques would eventually allow for the manufacture of a Model T every 24 seconds. His innovations made him an international celebrity.

The company began construction of the world's largest industrial complex along the banks of the Rouge River in Dearborn, Michigan, during the late 1910s and early 1920s. The massive Rouge Plant included all the elements needed for automobile production: a steel mill, glass factory, and automobile assembly line. Iron ore and coal were brought in on Great Lakes steamers and by railroad, and were used to produce both iron and steel.

Rolling mills, forges, and assembly shops transformed the steel into springs, axles, and car bodies. Foundries converted iron into engine blocks and cylinder heads that were assembled with other components into engines. By September 1927, all steps in the manufacturing process from refining raw materials to final assembly of the automobile took place at the vast Rouge Plant, characterizing Henry Ford's idea of mass production.

It's been a long ride to the Saleen Boss 302 Mr. Ford....nice job!

p.s. Thanks for Grabber Orange!

...Kentucky cracks Top 10....(the hard way)

2010-10-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Steve Spurrier worried about the hangover against Kentucky. He kept reminding his South Carolina players not to get too high following an upset of defending national champion Alabama last week.

The 10th-ranked Gamecocks seemed as if they'd keep it together before freshman running back Marcus Lattimore went down with an ankle injury.

Then they could only watch as Kentucky's Randall Cobb caught a 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:15 remaining then added the two-point conversion to cap a furious second-half rally and give Wildcats a stunning 31-28 victory, ruining South Carolina's chance to get a leg up in the jumbled SEC East.

"Give Kentucky credit, they kicked our tails," Spurrier said.

Mike Hartline threw for a career-high 349 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats (4-3, 1-3 SEC), who had lost 10 straight to the Gamecocks (4-2, 2-2) and never beaten Spurrier in 17 tries.

It appeared Spurrier was ready to make it 18 for 18 when the Gamecocks stuffed Cobb for a 4-yard loss, setting up a 4th-and-7 at the Kentucky 24.

Hartline calmly set his feet and faked a slant to Chris Matthews. The South Carolina defense bit and Cobb found himself wide open at the goal line. He then swept over left tackle for the 2-point conversion to put Kentucky up three.

South Carolina drove to the Kentucky 20 in the final minute but quarterback Stephen Garcia's heave into the end zone was intercepted by Kentucky's Anthony Mosley with 4 seconds remaining. Hartline took a knee to set off a raucous celebration and end two decades of torture at the hands of Spurrier.

"We just can't, as they say, put the nail in the coffin," Spurrier said. "We can't put a team away. We just can't do it. I don't know why. We just can't do it."

Not without Lattimore anyway.

The budding star had 212 yards of total offense and three touchdowns but spent most of the second half on the sideline after rolling his left ankle while getting tackled early in the third quarter.

"I just heard it crack and I thought something really bad had happened, but it's just a sprain," Lattimore said.

It was enough to force him to watch his team implode while he sat on the bench.

Kentucky shut the Gamecocks down over the final 30 minutes, holding them to 103 yards - 49 of which came on the desperate final drive - while slowly chipping away at the lead.

"We challenged our guys at halftime, that we were in a street fight," said Kentucky coach Joker Phillips. "We're in a street fight. I'm in a street fight. I want to see who has my back."

Hartline hit LaRod King for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cap a 95-yard drive and bring Kentucky within 28-17. Then Hartline found Matthews for a 38-yard score to get within 28-23. Matthews finished with 12 receptions for 177 yards and a score.

Given one last chance with 7:31 remaining, Hartline guided Kentucky to the South Carolina 24. Facing fourth down, he pumped the ball once and lofted the ball to a wide open Cobb in the end zone. Cobb bulled over left tackle for the 2-point conversion to put the Wildcats up three.

Garcia, who finished with 382 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, quickly moved the ball to the Kentucky 20 with 11 seconds remaining.

The Gamecocks used a timeout and opted to take a shot at winning in regulation. Garcia threw it up to 6-foot-3 receiver Lamar Scruggs. The ball was tipped and Mosley snagged it out of the air.

"I should have thrown it a little further outside," Garcia said. "I don't know. The guy made a good play."

Hartline took a knee and Kentucky had its first win over a ranked team since beating then-No. 1 LSU in 2007.

"We never lost faith, we never for one second thought we were going to lose that game," Cobb said. "We've had struggles at times but we found a way to win."

The giddy celebration hardly seemed possible after a first half in which the Gamecocks did whatever they wanted behind the precocious Lattimore.

The freshman bounced off Kentucky's would-be tacklers on handoffs or ran past the overmatched defensive ends who had the unfortunate assignment of covering him on pass routes out of the backfield.

Lattimore came into the game with 81 yards receiving all season. He had 133 in the first half, when the Gamecocks victimized Kentucky's overzealous pass rush by sending Lattimore on wheel routes out of the backfield.

Three times Lattimore ran by a Kentucky defender and into the open field, gaining huge chunks of yardage. A 48-yard reception set up his own 10-yard touchdown run, and later added a 47-yard scoring pass in which he sprinted past defensive end Taylor Wyndham then easily sidestepped another Kentucky defender at the 10 before strolling into the end zone.

The score gave the Gamecocks a 28-10 halftime lead, and things could have been worse. South Carolina turned it over three times in the half, and the Wildcats turned two of the miscues into points.

"I thought we'd play better tonight but we didn't," Spurrier said.

Instead it was Kentucky who responded. The Wildcats dropped three straight games after a 3-0 start, including a 37-34 heartbreaker against Auburn last week in which the Tigers kicked the winning field goal on the game's final play.

The loss could have been deflating, yet the Wildcats found a way behind the play of Hartline. The oft-maligned senior has spent three years searching for respect. He may have finally found it on the defining night of his career. Hartline completed 32 of 42 passes and never pressed even after the Wildcats fell behind.

He gripped the ball tightly while being mobbed by fans that stormed the field after Kentucky saved its season.

"I wanted this one so bad," he said. "It was just a big, emotional win for everybody. I wasn't going to give up that ball."

Way to go Cats!!

...ahhh, the joy of a salesman...

2010-10-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

If you stop any sales person on the street and ask them if they are good at what they do, chances are, they will all say “yes!”

But ask their manager, marketing department, customer service area, human resources department (or any other function of the firm), and chances are the answer is “no.” The difference in defining sales competence is a matter of perspective.

So what is ..."sales?" A competent sales person has the ability to move into any organization and gain the trust of the decision-makers. They work to create a situation where buying can occur within an ethical environment at a fair price. They have the knowledge to speak to a CEO, the front-line manager, or the newest employee about what issues and challenges they face. Most of all they strive to increase their knowledge, skill, and motivation so they can be the best at what they do.

Well I personally think that "sales" is actually the wrong term for the profession. It's really about 'service.' Customer service is one area where small companies can outshine their competitors and cultivate intense loyalty among regular customers. But exceptional customer service goes beyond mere politeness into nuanced relationship building.

Why are customer relations so important, particularly for small companies?

Service is a real differentiator, no matter the size of the organization. Small companies particularly need to differentiate themselves because they don't have the advertising and exposure that larger firms do. One of the best ways to differentiate in your relationships with customers is to focus more on listening than on talking.

Companies sometimes are so anxious to sell their services that they do way too much talking. The only way you can meet or exceed customer needs is really listening—not just to what they're telling you, but to get beyond that and understand their unstated needs. Once you do that, not only will you have a better connection, you'll be able to exceed their expectations.

When people feel listened to, valued, and important to a company, it's rare. That's because great service and effective communication are more than a set of skills. It's a mind-set of respect and accountability where you do what you say you're going to do for the customer. If every associate in your firm models that mind-set, you'll create a great experience for everyone.

Is excellent customer service really that rare?

Yes, it really is. Despite the fact that many companies tout their focus on service in advertising, the research shows that overall customer satisfaction is declining. A global benchmarking study looked at showed a reduction in customer service satisfaction from 82% to 68% in the last year alone. Additional studies show that 68% of customers leave a business relationship because of a perceived attitude of indifference on the part of the company. It's not that the associates are actually indifferent—it's the perception that they are.

So a customer may get what she needs from the company, but if it was delivered with indifference, that interaction still won't leave a positive impression. Similarly, 63% of consumers said the last time they stopped doing business with a company it was partly or wholly due to a poor customer service experience. Another very similar study showed that two out of three consumers said they'd stop buying from a company if they had just one bad customer service experience.

Those are dramatic numbers. What accounts for them?

One factor is that customers are not as easily satisfied as they used to be. They have much higher expectations for service as they face far greater demands in their own lives. Another factor is that companies themselves aren't quite sure how to deliver great service. They think they're doing enough by talking about it in a company policy manual or telling their associates to do it. But you can't just put it in a document and assume it's going to get done.

What constitutes excellent service—how do you measure it?

Customers want to feel they have a relationship with a firm. They want to make a connection and feel important. If a customer brings up a complaint, how is it handled? Is your company representative spouting information, citing policies and procedures—or is he genuinely interested in helping? Just listening to a complaint, instead of cutting it off, will increase the chances of maintaining that customer's loyalty.

Some entrepreneurs don't realize they need to make connections with their clients, and that they need to do that with courtesy, empathy, and professionalism. The poor "salesperson" just tries to stay ahead of the sales "quota" ....and service is the name of the game!

...yabba...dabba...doo!

2010-10-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

What a killer few months we have had! Sweetpeaz is having a banner year and I had the best sales quarter in a year....man it feels good...to 'feel good again.'

Isn't that weird that we sometimes "forget" how to enjoy life?

It often is not until something happens...like the shitty economy for us to love the feeling..... of being happy again. Happy? Well when I was a kid I could NOT wait for Saturday morning cartoons and I loved the Flintstones...now 50 years old. 50 years old!

I know some smart-ass young adults that might think..."man, you are old!" But you know what? I earned what I have....like Fred earned what he had in the cartoon. Nothing is "given" in this generation...you work for what you have.

The idea that something so "old" can show so much of the technology. Often the "prehistoric" analogue to a modern machine uses an animal. For example, when a character takes photographs with an instant camera, inside of the camera box, a bird carves the picture on a stone tablet with its bill. In a running gag, the animal powering such technology breaks the fourth wall, looks directly into the camera at the audience, shrugs, and remarks, "It's a living."

Other commonly seen gadgets in the series include a baby woolly mammoth used as a vacuum cleaner; an adult woolly mammoth acting as a shower by spraying water with its trunk; elevators raised and lowered by ropes around brontosauruses' necks; "automatic" windows powered by monkeys on the outside; birds acting as "car horns," sounded by the driver pulling on their tails or squeezing their bodies; an "electric" razor made from a clam shell, vibrating from a honey-bee inside; a washing machine shown by a pelican with a beak-full of soapy water; and a woodpecker whose beak is used to play a gramophone record.

The Flintstones were cool...things you might not know about them are:

---The Flintstones was originally aimed at an adult audience and the first two seasons were co-sponsored by Winston cigarettes. But by the third season it was being written for children and was sponsored by Welch’s, who produced grape juice and jellies. The show's famous theme tune, "Meet The Flintstones", was not used until the third series. The musical theme for the first two seasons was called “Rise and Shine”.

---Fred and Wilma Flintstone were the first couple to be shown in bed together on prime-time television when the show first aired on ABC between 1960 and 1966.

---Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble fronted a TV advertising campaign for Winston cigarettes - a move that would be unthinkable for children's television characters today. Can you imagine how Oregonians would react? OMG! I can hear it now, especially from (Kitzhauber for Governor)..."Can we tax that for the State?"

---Many critics believe that the show was a Stone Age parody of the 1950s US TV sitcom, The Honeymooners, which featured two newlywed couples living in New York. One of the show's creators, William Hanna, once confirmed the rumour, but his co-creator Joseph Barbera maintained that it was a myth. And, William Hanna also produced the hit children's TV shows Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo and Yo Yogi.

---The Flintstones held the coveted title of the longest-running prime-time TV cartoon before The Simpsons took on the mantel. The 1959 unaired pilot episode was called "The Flagstones". “The Gladstones” was also mooted before The Flintstones was finally decided on.

---The series was set in the town of Bedrock, although in some early episodes it was referred to as Rockville. The furniture in the Flintstones’ house changed in almost every episode. The family's barking pet dinosaur, Dino, changed colours throughout the program. Its main colour was purple.

---The cartoon was originally aired in black and white. The Flintstones was home to several major-league sports teams. The Bedrock Giants, Bedrock Dodgers and the Green Bay Pachyderms all appeared on the show. Several popular celebrities took residence in the showbiz quarter of Bedrock - Hollyrock. Cary Granite, Alvin Brickrock and Stony Curtis were the biggest stars. Mick Jadestone and the Rolling Boulders were Fred and Barney's favorite band.

Man....the joy on those Saturday mornings were spectacular....Dad getting donuts for us as we had our eyes glued to the set. Those were happy days....and these last few months have been extremely happy as well! Sales are up and we are feeling great.

Now as long as I can stay away from the "doom and gloom" people in the world....let's see how next quarter goes!! Thanks for all the orders. Seriously...thank you.

...the right office design can help

2010-09-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

It’s a sad truth, but most workers spend their work days in terribly uninspiring environments. There are some progressive companies, however, who push the envelope of design to provide their employees with a truly invigorating work environment.

Ask yourself…is your office design drab and uninspiring? Do thoughts of going into your office dampen your spirit? It may be time to consider your office design and your productivity.

You may not have the time or budget for an office design makeover, but a few simple ideas can go far in boosting your business productivity….ok how? Match Your Brand: An important element of business marketing is the branding and image of your company…right? Whether you entertain clients or not, your office design should match your brand!

(What?)… Successful branding requires you to look and "feel" the brand. Having glossy business cards and a high-tech image but out-of-date office furniture and equipment, will make you feel like an imposter and you will have difficulty projecting your “brand” to customers.

Bring in Nature: Spending long hours in an unnatural environment can be hazardous to your health. Locating your office in a space with windows if possible is important. Consider nature photos to make your office a more pleasurable place. Add real plants to have fresh oxygen in your workspace.

A cautionary note for start-up companies “not thinking about office design.”

Many start-ups high on hope and low on cash will be tempted to NOT spend on office design or proper furniture. Look before you leap…but be honest with yourself. Begin with frugality in mind…but realize that you are at the office more than you think. The right office design can help you reduce stress, improve productivity, and in the end, enhance the profits of your business.

Isn’t it time you worked with an expert? Maybe you should be working with me on your office design, layout, and furniture.

...Indian Summer? Why not?....

2010-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Right out of the box Monday morning, Los Angeles was on track for a record-setting day. A flow of air from the deserts set the stage for the Los Angeles' hottest day ever recorded in the downtown area Monday.

According to Western Weather Expert Ken Clark, "The City of Angels had their hottest day in 20 years on Sunday with a high of 105 degrees." Sunday was the hottest day downtown since the mercury climbed to 107 degrees on Oct. 10, 1991. Temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees above average were being felt as far north as Portland, Ore., and as far south as San Diego. Temperatures in San Francisco Bay Area were projected to peak near 90 Monday and the 80s on Tuesday.

Is this an Indian Summer?

An early American writer described Indian Summer well when he wrote, "The air is perfectly quiescent and all is stillness, as if Nature, after her exertions during the Summer, were now at rest." This passage belongs to the writer John Bradbury and was written nearly an "eternity" ago, back in 1817. But this passage is as relevant today as it was way back then.

The term "Indian Summer" dates back to the 18th century in the United States. It can be defined as "any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in late September, October or even early November." Basically, autumn is a transition season as the thunderstorms and severe weather of the summer give way to a tamer, calmer weather period before the turbulence of the winter commences.

The term "Indian Summer" is generally associated with a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions ushered in on a south or southwesterly breeze. One explanation of the term "Indian Summer" might be that the early native Indians chose that time of year as their hunting season. This seems reasonable seeing the fall months are still considered the main hunting season for several animals.

It is about time with the "Poor Summer" we had in Oregon this year....the year of "no tomatoes."

....Joker...Joker.....Joker!!!

2010-09-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

Kentucky heads south to start SEC play with Florida this weekend.

Starting 3-0 for the third time in the last four seasons, the University of Kentucky football team heads south to Gainesville, Fla., to begin Southeastern Conference play against the ninth-ranked Gators in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Kentucky is 21-53-2 in 76 conference openers, having won two of its last four lid-lifters with wins against Ole Miss in 2006 and Arkansas in 2007. Florida began SEC play last week at Tennessee, notching a 31-17 victory over the Vols in Knoxville...but they just didn't look like the old Gators.

Last Saturday, Kentucky posted a 47-10 win over Akron to move to 3-0 on the season. The Wildcats put together an all-around performance against the Zips, totaling 544 yards of total offense and holding the Zips to only 172 total yards. The 544 yards of total offense was the most by a UK team since posting 568 yards against Eastern Kentucky University in 2007. UK had balanced offense with 200 rushing and passing yards for a school-record third-consecutive game.

The Wildcats are looking to snap a 23-game losing streak to the Gators. The battle on Saturday against Florida will mark the 21st consecutive time UK has played a ranked UF team. Kentucky is 3-27 all-time against ranked Florida teams.

New Coach Joker Phillips talked a big game over the summer about how he was going to bring the "Mildcats to another level"……he gets his chance with a night game at the Swamp. The one playmaker on Kentucky is Randall Cobb, who will line up at WR and occasionally take direct snaps, being a former QB. Mike Hartline has not distinguished himself at QB in 3 years, and doesn’t worry the Gator defense. Derrick Locke leads the SEC in rushing, but so did Tauren Poole of Tennessee, until he ran into (repeatedly) the Gator defense.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, or “The Swamp,” is widely recognized as one of, if not the toughest, environments for a visiting team in all of college football. Several facelifts after the stadium’s original construction in 1930 have made Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium the state-of-the-art facility you see at today’s game.

Without a bad seat in the house, "The Swamp" ranks as the largest stadium in the state of Florida. The Gators’ average attendance last season of 90,544 ranked ninth in the country. Florida’s home record of 106-13 (.891) since 1990 is the best mark in the country during that time, proving that at "The Swamp," only Gators get out alive!

Except this year....go BLUE! Joker...Joker.....Joker!!!

...."it's just a day in the life of an Interior Designer"

2010-09-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionality of a client’s space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or residential. Interior designers work closely with architects and clients to determine the structure of a space, the needs of the occupants, and the style that best suits both.

The position is a combination of engineer and artist, and it takes a unique type of mind to handle both of those concepts well. Interior designers have to be good with more than color, fabric, and furniture; interior designers must know materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee the ordering, installation, and maintenance of all objects that define a space.

They also have to know about electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from 'interior decorators.' Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors, other vendors and clients alike, planning and implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles to miles of carpeting —and all this usually must be done within a fixed budget (and often in a hurry).

Interior designers are hired for their expertise in a variety of styles and approaches, not merely their own personal vision. Therefore, they have to be able to balance their own tastes and their clients’ tastes—and be willing to put their clients’ tastes first. This requirement can be frustrating at first for many who enter the profession. Interior designers are often asked to begin their planning before construction of a space is finished; this means that they must be good at scheduling and comfortable reading blueprints.

This element of the job comes as a surprise to many new interior designers, who expect to have less of an administrative and technical role and more of a role in influencing the overall feel and appearance of a space. Those who thrive in the industry say this ability to balance the practical with the aesthetic is crucial to being a successful interior designer. Interior design is hard work, but those who do it well find the work very satisfying.

I have learned a lot in the last year from one designer in particular, here in Portland...congrats on a well deserved project! You are one of the best I have worked with in the past 20 years. Again...great job!! I watched as you controlled your client while providing excellent answers to the same question...over and over. Your demeanor and expertise actually 'disarmed' the client and literally "won" the business for us. I am proud to work with you on this project.

I know you would just say, "It's just a day in the life of an Interior Designer."

....not a square to spare....

2010-09-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

How in the world did we get to this point? What happened? When did we decide as a country that we need to be 'politically correct' about everything? On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department called on Americans to "stand up" and denounce the planned Quran burning as "un-American" and as an inappropriate commemoration of the 9/11 attacks.

I can certainly sympathize with the great responsibility political leaders have in our country during this time of tragedy. I understand that they must be careful to do their part in restraining and discouraging any persecution of citizens of Middle Eastern descent.

However, we have reached a point of "politically correct" insanity. When our country was founded, "toleration" never meant approval or agreement. Suddenly, many of our political leaders and media spokesmen have become theologians, teaching the country that there is no difference in the major religions and that it somehow "hatred of people" to teach that another religion is false.

What's in this book that is sacred that it cannot be looked upon as producing evil? Let's state some facts that are in the book...shall we?

---"Believers, do not make friends with any but your own people...They desire nothing but your ruin....You believe in the entire Book...When they meet you they say: 'We, too, are believers.' But when alone, they bite their finger-tips with rage." (Surah 3:118, 119)

---"Forbidden to you are...married women, except those you own as slaves." (Surah 4:20-, 24-)

---"Seek out your enemies relentlessly." (Surah 4:103-)

---"Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends." (Surah 5:51)

---"Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them." (Surah 9:121-)

---"Try as you may, you cannot treat all your wives impartially." (Surah 4:126-)

---"...make war on the leaders of unbelief...Make war on them: God will chastise them at your hands and humble them. He will grant you victory over them..." (Surah 9:12-)

---"Prophet make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home." (Surah 9:73)

What? This is Holy Scripture? How did we get to this point?

Well...for them, Jews and Christians are regarded as being part of the great mass of infidels: first, because they have deliberately rejected the truth, and second, because of their connections to Western colonialism and Zionism. Both Jews and Christians are viewed as being part of a wide-ranging conspiracy to corrupt, divide and destroy Islam. This effort was instigated by the Jews and Christians of the 7th century, and it continues down through today.

The Obama administration is working on changing the language of the National Security Strategy to more politically-correct terminology. Counterterrorism officials say the goal of the new version is to emphasize that the United States does not view Muslim nations through the lens of terrorism.

The National Security Strategy document, which outlined the Bush Doctrine of preventive war, currently states: "The struggle against militant Islamic radicalism is the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century."

During a visit to Cairo last year, President Obama promised a ‘new beginning’ in the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world. "Do you want to think about the U.S. as the nation that fights terrorism or the nation you want to do business with," said National Security Council staffer Pradeep Ramamurthy, who runs the Obama administration’s Global Engagement Directorate.

Karen Hughes, who served as President Bush’s top diplomat to the Muslim world in his second term, urged the White House to avoid using religious language. “Whenever they hear 'Islamic extremism, Islamic jihad, Islamic fundamentalism,' they perceive it as a sort of an attack on their faith. That's the world view Osama bin Laden wants them to have,” Hughes said.

This nation and much of the Western world are in a war, not against a generic "terrorism" but against a particular and brutal strain of Islamic extremism that wants to do as much damage as possible to our freedoms and way of life.

George W. Bush was wrong to call this the "War on Terror." But he was right to focus on it as he did in the aftermath of the murderous and cowardly Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America by Islamic extremists.

Politically correct I have never been....so allow my point of view. No one would say a word if someone in Yemen wanted to burn a Bible.

So lay low terrorists and all will be well....stir it up...lay your rugs and blankets in the middle of the street to pray during rush hour traffic...build a shiny mosque near 'ground-zero'....and someday you will get your ass kicked. You may have our president and leaders fooled...but the average person can see right thru your bullshit.

....I could be driving a Volvo

2010-08-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

The heart of the Parnelli Jones Edition is its Boss 302 engine. Ford wanted to keep the Boss label for a future project, so although the 302 appears in oddly familiar script around the vehicle, the word Boss is nowhere to be found. That's ok! In place of the 4.6-liter SOHC V8 of lesser 'Stangs, the PJ has a true 302. It starts out as a 4.6, but Saleen strokes and bores it to make it a Five-Point-Ohhhhhh. They also add bigger injectors, ported aluminum heads, performance camshafts, forged-aluminum pistons, forged-steel connecting rods, a forged-steel crank and dual exhausts with bitchin' big oval tips. Oh, and that huge Shaker scoop up top.

This is a race car remake so the Saleen team made sure the Mustang handles like a race car, but one suited for the street. The Saleen Racecraft suspension system is standard on this car, like on all Saleen Mustangs. The shocks, struts, and sway bars are designed by Saleen to help offer the extra grip and excellent road feel. The wheels check in at 19x9 up front and 19x10 out back and are branded with the Saleen/Parnelli Jones logo. Stopping power is provided by Saleen 14-inch brakes.

Turn the key and it does indeed shake. It also sets off car alarms within 4 parking spots of yours. Really. It revs freely and keeps going well past what you feel it should. Especially if you've driven other recent muscle cars. The whole time producing a wonderfully sonorous wail.

The transmission is possibly the weak link here. Saleen uses the standard Ford 5-speed manual, albeit with a nifty PJ billet short-throw shifter. Reassuringly firm, but a bit sloppy at times. Traction control is standard and helpful, rather than intrusive. You can spin the tires a bit before it intervenes, or shut it off and wait an extra tick or two before the tires hook up and launch you down the road.

It makes for a very satisfying driving experience. Overall, this has to be one of the best naturally aspirated powerplants ever made by Ford.

Watts linkage. Remember those two words. That's what takes this Mustang from acceptable to damn near perfect. As much as anyone would like the sweet-sounding, rev-happy motor, the suspension is what really convinced me this was the Mustang to have. The Parnelli still uses a solid-beam rear axle, but two Saleen-developed Watts links are added in place of the stock Panhard rods on each side. This allows Saleen to use PJ-specific RaceCraft Suspension pieces like a thicker anti-roll bar and stiffer springs, bushings and shocks all around.

The handling and braking of this car is great. The word balance keeps coming to mind. The Watts links really make a huge difference in giving a driver the confidence it takes to truly take on the canyons. It begs to be driven harder, which is very endearing. The steering was nicely weighted and the pedals and other controls gave great feedback so you knew what was happening at all times too. It all adds up to a winner in any book.

The high compression engine also features forged internal components, high revving valvetrain, and an aluminum flywheel. The computer has been calibrated using Saleen's PowerFlash technology. Adding visual excitement under the hood is a set of valve covers bearing the legendary 302 logo.

At the end of the day, this is one fine car. The best Mustang out there to say the least. That strong, free-revving engine, beefed up suspension and retro racer look make it the total package. With performance on par with BMW M3s, Audi RS4s, and Aston Martin Vantages, it can even be seen as somewhat of a bargain. And let's not discount the limited edition nature and the name on the dash. When you buy a car like this, you're buying a piece of the legend that surrounds it.

I have been asked, " How in the world can you put miles on this car Tracy?"...."It should be on blocks in your garage."

My response is..."I could be driving a Volvo."

.....Fantasy what?

2010-08-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

Five years ago I read about (and thought about joining) a fantasy football league...thinking at the time how silly it must be to sit and look at numbers and “points” to generate a win in a football game. This is a game built around an alternate state of reality.

Now…everyone seems to have an opinion on fantasy football, and there's no mushy middle to inhabit. You're either with the fantasy players or against them, and the debate is almost entirely dominated by the true believers who worship the game. This scared me a little. What the hell is wrong with people and this must be a "fad" that will not last very long.

So let’s see…in the last five years…..the housing bubble burst, the stock market tanked, and the economy almost slid into a capital-lettered second Great Depression, but fantasy football is bigger and thriving more than ever. That point was soundly driven home to me again when I read that the NFL announced the league was jumping with two feet deeper into the ever-expanding world of fantasy football.

I read that for the first time, NFL.com has launched a new fantasy platform (and don't you know it's all about the platforms these days), featuring "the world's only NFL fantasy game with video and extensive in-game highlights.'' The press release goes on to say that player projections are tied to Madden NFL 11, which seems about right, since that seems to link a fantasy game that really doesn't exist in reality... to a video game that really doesn't exist.... in reality. All by a league that may not play any real games itself next year if it doesn't get its labor situation figured out.

How perfect.

NFL at its March owners meeting heard a pitch from former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, who along with current Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is marketing a hand-held video device called Game-Day Vision that would be available to fans in their seats at the stadium, allowing them to keep track of everything that unfolds around the league while they're at the game.

You get the feeling we're headed for all access, all the time, with fantasy football furthering its grip as this sports-crazed nation's favorite pastime while watching its favorite game. In the NFL world, fantasy is the clear-cut king. Even if non-believers like me have our reasons for not liking it, it's not about to go away or decrease in popularity. From the looks of things, to think otherwise is pure fantasy.

Now excuse me...my fantasy draft starts in 13 minutes and 11 seconds.....and I have the second overall pick.

...what a Barista Boy can't teach you

2010-08-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

With the growing number of corporations adopting teaming strategies, the workplace is rapidly evolving. Bringing people together is only half of the collaboration equation.

The physical environment must support the group by providing the right tools for effective problem solving, strategic planning and brainstorming. Which factors should you consider when designing a team space?

Casual Collaboration: The environment must be designed to foster interaction. Casual meetings at the coffee machine, photocopier or even the washroom result in spontaneous creativity. As companies recognize the importance of these impromptu water-cooler meetings, architects and space planners must respond accordingly and encourage these interactions with facility design. Although environment alone cannot guarantee the brightest ideas, workspace design does have a measurable impact on team productivity.

Variety – the Space of Life: Variety is key when designing team space. Making both closed and open meeting spaces available is necessary to support different work styles. Dedicated office areas can double as meeting spaces for smaller groups. Larger, private areas like war rooms or project rooms are also needed. To maximize the benefits of collaborative work, finding suitable meeting spaces should be effortless. Diversity in room size, layout and design will ensure team members will always have an appropriate meeting space.

Collaborative Communication: Sharing visual information is often an important component of team communication. Concepts are acknowledged and validated, which reinforces the individual, causes cohesion within the team and creates team spirit! Effective team spaces must be equipped with the tools to display the group's concepts, solutions and ideas.

The Right Tools: What types of tools can be used to effectively capture information in team spaces? Flipcharts, dry-erase marker boards and notepads have been used in the past, but organizations are recognizing the limitations of such equipment. We are seeing Fortune 500 companies planning meeting spaces that include productivity tools to help team members manage the information generated during group collaboration. With products such as electronic and interactive whiteboards, teams can capture ideas directly to a computer for printing, e-mailing or saving. As companies recognize that time spent in meetings is actually a corporate investment, they will seek ways to effectively record all that transpires in team sessions. Keeping a record of all the notes coming out a meeting is invaluable.

Flexibility: A group space should be flexible enough that a team can adapt the space when necessary. Open team space and adequate connectivity provide the flexibility for reconfiguration. Designers need to consider telecommunication and IT infrastructure as part of the design-build process. Non-territorial workspace with appropriate connectivity allows teams to pick up and plug in. Teams should have access to voice mail, e-mail, fax and networked information wherever they decide to meet. Consulting with information technology professionals throughout the design process results in flexible spaces that support natural fusion and fission common in work teams. All of the "Big 5" accounting firms are currently using such alternative officing strategies with telecommunications, software – and countless other industries are following the movement toward free-address space.

Designing a true team space is more than simply erecting four walls and throwing in a flipchart. Take a holistic approach by considering space availability, diversity, connectivity and flexibility to create an ideal environment which support the two-heads-are-better-than-one theory. With well-thought out space planning, corporations are experiencing increased productivity, faster product cycles and heightened employee morale.

Now isn't that better than a cup of Joe?...or as the kids say today a Raspberry Mocha Chip Frappuccino- Espresso Macchiato- Triple Tazo Citrus and Cream- Gingerbread Latte Grande? (nonfat of course)...

Tips & Warnings (if working with a Barista)

Don't mumble
Slow down, (I may not have made your drink before, or I may be new)
Your Barista is not an idiot, but he is human
Don't be jerk if your barista makes a mistake: things happen and nobody is perfect
Some stores do not train their baristas as well as others. (Keep this in mind when traveling)

This method of ordering is for Starbucks only, though it will probably work just fine at most other family establishments.....

....another Pinocchio story

2010-08-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

Ole Miss dropped a bombshell a few weeks ago when Rebel coach Houston Nutt invited former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to Oxford in hopes of luring him into attending graduate school--and while he's there playing a little football--at Ole Miss.

This is the quarterback who pled guilty to stealing a laptop computer and guitar from a fraternity house at Oregon. He also was caught driving a car with marijuana in the glove box.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly kicked Masoli off the Ducks team, and remember….this was a player who was touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Masoli has earned the reputation as the bad boy of college football much like Lane Kiffin has earned the reputation as the bad boy of college football coaches. But Masoli now tells a very different version of the events that led to his downfall at Oregon. He claims he did not take anything, and in actuality not one witness ever saw him with any of the stolen merchandise. The problem came from the fact that Masoli lied to the police and to Kelly about being at the fraternity house that night, which he was.

Now he writes that it was a ‘misunderstanding.’ It makes for interesting reading. If his version is correct, then Ole Miss would be getting a terrific quarterback just at a time the Rebels need one. If the national perception is right, then Ole Miss could be getting a headache waiting to happen...

My guess? He won’t be able to compete with the real athletes in the SEC Conference. Big diff from running the option against Washington State or UCLA….then it is against Florida, Bama, LSU….and the rest…..we will see soon.

Hey, since he has lied a few times in the past…if it does not go well at Ole Miss…he can just say he was “never there”…right?

Another Pinocchio story…

....hey man, what about Napoleon Pete?

2010-08-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time...I worked for a ‘family-owned’ company (problem was...I wasn't part of the family).

We have all had a boss who drove all his employees’ nuts. "Pete" would start wandering the hallways at 4:30 or calling-in to make sure no one left work before 5, he would give assignments but then micromanage them to death, he seemed to enjoy being in everyone's business...reading all the emails of every employee, and he rarely gave good performance reviews (that could be the reason only ‘family’ is left in the company) -- unless somehow it reflected back on him. Everyone referred to him as Napoleon Pete.

All-in-all, Pete drove everyone in the company crazy, and little-by-little every member of the company left (except Pete's family of course). Pete is a perfect example of the workplace axiom that job-seekers join great companies but leave because of bad bosses.

Maybe you have a boss who is sexist or racist…or perhaps a boss who takes all the credit for himself. Maybe your boss thinks you have no life outside work and makes you stay late…..or perhaps a boss who gives out too many tasks with impossible to meet deadlines (or constantly changing deadlines). Maybe your boss is a pathological liar…..or perhaps the boss plays favorites.

Bad bosses -- whether ogres, control freaks, jerks, micromanagers, or bumbling fools -- can be found in all organizations. Pop culture loves to make fun of bad bosses, from the pointy-haired boss in the Dilbert comic strip, to the completely insipid boss from "The Office," to the anal-compulsive and mean boss of the movie Office Space... but bad bosses are no laughing matter when you have to face him every working day. And, unfortunately, with the rightsizing of the last few years, there are probably more overworked and undertrained bosses than ever. It's also possible, though, that bad bossing is just part of the organization's corporate culture….trust me…I know first-hand.

One study found that almost 80 percent of the employees surveyed identified their boss as a lousy manager. And almost 70 percent in that study conducted by Delta Road stated that their immediate superior had "no clue" what to do to become a good manager. Author Harvey Hornstein, Ph.D., estimates that 90 percent of the U.S. work force has been subjected to abusive behavior at some time. He bases his conclusions on a survey of nearly 1,000 workers over eight years (unfortunately it took me nine years).

So, what can you do if you are working for a bad boss? Find the tools you need to manage the situation as best you can, but remember that sometimes the only solution is transferring to a different part of the company -- or switching employers…..

The worst thing you can do is simply to do nothing, hoping the problems will get resolved. No job, boss, or company is worth losing your health, sanity, or self-esteem. If you can't find a way to resolve these issues and/or your boss simply will never change his behavior, you should immediately start working your network and begin looking for a new job -- outside the organization.

Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives or friends, with no regard to merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos (meaning "nephew" or "grandchild").

Hey man...you are either blood....or not....

.....don't forget your dog!

2010-07-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

The weekend has finally arrived...now get ready for some heat! Saturday and Sunday are going to sizzle with highs getting into the low to mid 90s…or higher. The ridge of high pressure will keep things sunny and dry all the way into your work week.

We all suffer in hot weather. However, for elderly and disabled people and those with chronic health conditions such as vascular disease or diabetes, the weather does not have to hit 100 degrees to cause heat stress or even deadly heat stroke….and don’t forget your dog!!

As we age, we gradually lose the ability to perspire and regulate our body temperature. This is why older people tend to overdress—they don't feel heat the same way anymore. Heart rates do not speed up-or return to normal-as fast during exercise. Older skin also thins and offers less protection from the sun. Poor circulation, heart, lung and kidney diseases, and high blood pressure increase the risk for heat-related illness. Being overweight or underweight also increases risk....and don't forget your dog!!!

A Naples, Florida, man was convicted of cruelty recently when his dog died after being locked in a car for four hours on a warm day. The dead dog’s temperature was still almost 110ºF a full two hours after police removed him from the car. The man was sentenced to six months in jail and slapped with a $1,000 fine for “animal cruelty by abandonment.”

I always try to have sympathy for defendants before making a decision,” the sentencing judge told the man. “I don’t have any sympathy for you.”

Why was the judge so unsympathetic? Because he believed that the man, a doctor, should have known better than to leave a dog in a car for hours with one window cracked just an inch. Indeed, all of us should know better, especially when temperatures climb into the 80s and 90s like they are this weekend. But even a mild day can be dangerous. In May, a dog died after being locked in a parked car on a sunny, 67°F day in Albany, N.Y., even though the car windows had allegedly been left open a crack.

During the “dog days” of summer, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to well above 100ºF degrees in just a matter of minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paw pads. Their PAW PADS! So when you are walking your dog on a hot day....on the sidewalk....think!!

In this weather...heatstroke can come on quickly and result in brain damage or death. Watch for symptoms such as restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, and lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, or lack of coordination. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get her or him into the shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Lower the animal’s body temperature gradually by providing water to drink, applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest, or immersing the dog in lukewarm (not cold) water.

Many people don’t realize how quickly animals left in a hot car or outside without shade or water can succumb to the heat.

Never leave a dog in a parked car. On a mild 73ºF day, the temperature inside a car can reach 120ºF in 30 minutes. On a 90ºF day, the interior of a vehicle can reach 160ºF in minutes. Next time I see this in Portland...a dog in the car on a hot day with the window slightly cracked....prepare yourself when you come out from your shopping spree....I'll have a surprise for you! (a well-ventilated car)....

Please...don't be stupid.

.....2 out of 3 ain't bad!

2010-07-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

No doubt you've been on the receiving end of lousy customer service a time or two. You've come to a company with questions only to be told by some sterile voice to press this or click that until you arrive full circle to your starting place with no help at all. Or, worse, you've reached some bored CSR (Customer Service Representative) who calls you by name but delivers only the infamous phrase, "I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do."

Now you are on the other side of the equation. You own a business or you manage a department or you are now in sales and you want your customers to be happy, to come back for more products or services, and to tell others wonderful things about your company. What do you do?

Whatever it is that your company does, no matter how you do it, you make a promise to each and every customer that darkens your virtual door. You enter into a contract, even if the terms aren't explicitly stated. The consumer pays you something, and you promise to provide a product or a service. There are pledges of quality and quickness. Customer service involves living up to your word on these matters, but it really gets to shine when something goes wrong.

Here's the thing. Mistakes are opportunities -- golden ones. Here's why. Studies show that a satisfied customer will tell 2-3 people about his experience with your company. A dissatisfied consumer will share their lament with 8-10 people and some will push that number to twenty.

But here's the opportunity. An unhappy customer will become a loyal consumer if you fix his complaint and do it quickly. Eighty percent (80%) of these folks will come back to you if you've treated them fairly. That percentage rises to the upper 90s if you respond immediately. Every day you have the chance to transform your mistakes into returning customers -- the kind who will tell other people good things about you. Imagine that.

Authority to resolve problems is what your front-line people need to keep your customers happy. Companies that don't trust their CSRs or sales people engender fear in the employees that becomes an unwillingness to provide the "on-the-spot" solutions that create loyal customers. "I'll have to check with my supervisor", is a formula for disaster. There is a high correlation between excellent customer service ratings, a solid bottom line, and employee loyalty. Build these strengths into your structure. Teach your CSRs to say, "I can fix that," and give them the authority to do it. They won't give the store away. They will deliver profits.

Service that goes beyond expectations. If you've made a mistake, fix it, and then provide a perk for the customer-something that says, "I'm sorry," and, "I care". When all is said and done and the dust has settled, follow up with the customer. "How did we do?" "Is there something else you need?" Chances are you'll get another order on the spot.

A forum that gives a voice to the silent customer. Fewer than 10% of dissatisfied customers actually complain to a company, but they do complain to each other. They'll tell other people what you did wrong, even if they never tell you. Remember the statistics, and give these people every opportunity to tell you how you're doing. What you don't know can certainly hurt your company. Call them. Send them an e-mail. Write them a letter. Ask them if they're happy and what they need from you. Much of this will lead to more requests for your services or products.

Now, none of this takes into account the occasional customer that is rude, irate, and unreasonable. They're out there and despite what you've been told, they are not always right. But this is true, they are always human and chances are they will cool off and get their wits about them when they realize that you are listening, that you can help them, and that you care. Most customers will respond favorably to good manners.

Price and value weigh heavily in the minds of consumers, especially in tough economic times. Many consumers say companies haven't done enough to improve their approach to service in this economy. But it gets tougher to 'beat everyone's price....have the highest qualiity product....and provide the best customer service.'

Can we say...best 2 out of 3?

...don't let your boss design the office!

2010-07-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Seems like all the employer wants to do today…is to ‘cram’ as many people in a space as humanly possible. "Tracy, it's all about saving money!" "We need to save in today's uncertain times."

But didn't we learn from our mistakes from the past? Didn't we already do this back in the 20's and 30's?

Back when "they" wanted to save money because of the times....Really?..is it saving you money? Or perhaps you don't know how to "ask" for help from a professional? Space planning is important!

Ask the clients that expect it to be 'free' when working on a complex project. (It's all about saving money....so the vendor has no value any longer). "I can find it cheaper on the Internet Tracy." Well, what if it doesn't fit in your office....or a column is in the middle of an employee's station? Can you imagine? Well, it happens everyday to the employer that knows little about planning....or the "assigned" info-gatherer on the project.

There’s several practical and real return on investments (ROI) that a new or refurbished office could deliver to any business …even in today’s economy. Start with the planning and the rest (even your choice of cheap furniture) will fall into place.

Increasingly people are the greatest asset of a business. An office plays a role in keeping staff, and in attracting the best new recruits. The mechanism does vary but in general people prefer a productive workplace to be efficient….believe it or not.

Just as a data network is vital for computer systems, so a human network makes a business better. An office interior that fosters and frees-up communication can significantly benefit a company. Glass partitioning, low furniture-heights and office 'nodes' that are given consideration and importance all contribute to internal communication.

Offices are including space to create alternative environments away from desks and cellular rooms. These alternative spaces support people to work in different ways. Typical is a space where staff can think and interact. People respond to bright, open spaces with more expansive thought processes, whereas structured and more enclosed areas are best for concentrating on tasks.

Most jobs have a variety of tasks. A desk is good for clerical activities, but when concentration is needed a quiet space might be better. Similarly, interaction within a small team isn't always practical with a few desks in the way. To get the best productivity at work...give staff the best setting for the task. This is the same principle as a factory floor, just applied to the office.

Back problems, sick building syndrome, respiratory illness due to poor air condition...all examples of how an office can have a negative impact. A well designed office will mitigate the problems of absenteeism.

A good office will encourage clients to travel to meet at your location, rather than travelling to theirs. This reduces unproductive travel time, reinforces your company image and adds to the 'buzz' that good offices have.

And finally, the daily tasks of filing and retrieval, accessing company information and knowledge, and printing and copying should all be as streamlined and productive as possible. Poorly designed offices can often sap hours from a working week through inefficient storage, inadequate provision of services and spaces for report collation etc. A good office will underpin any design scheme with the practical facilities everyone needs in a working week, saving time.

And doesn't that save money? Someday...someday....it will be an "employee" market again. Don't you want an environment that 'attracts and retains employees?' (If you don't...you will).

...the customer is NOT always right

2010-07-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking, I have lost my mind…. of course the customer is always right. Sorry to say but that is bad thinking. Now, the customer is always KING, that will never change but you have to understand that a customer is not always right.

A lot of the time the customer is wrong. Wrong about what is good for them, wrong about their needs, wrong about what furniture works well in their environment.

Always treat the customer as KING but don't fawn over them and agree with their choices if you know the choices are not good for them. Now, many times you won't be able to change a customer's mind. That's fine. You have done your best and that is all that matters. You can live with that.

Always strive to be the best person you possibly can no matter what position you have at a company. Remember, whether you pick up a paycheck or not you are still working for yourself. Always strive to be a better person today than you were yesterday. Always look for growth as a person, as a salesperson, and as a business person. You won't regret.

But let's be honest...the customer is NOT always right.

One woman who frequently flew on Southwest, was constantly disappointed with every aspect of the company’s operation. In fact, she became known as the “Pen Pal” because after every flight she wrote in with a complaint.

She didn’t like the fact that the company didn’t assign seats; she didn’t like the absence of a first-class section; she didn’t like not having a meal in flight; she didn’t like Southwest’s boarding procedure; she didn’t like the flight attendants’ sporty uniforms and the casual atmosphere.

Her last letter, reciting a litany of complaints, momentarily stumped Southwest’s customer relations people. They bumped it up to Herb’s [Kelleher, CEO of Southwest] desk, with a note: ‘This one’s yours.’

In sixty seconds, Kelleher wrote back and said, ‘Dear Mrs. Crabapple, We will miss you. Love, Herb.’”

The phrase “The customer is always right” was originally coined by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridge’s department store in London in 1909, and is typically used by businesses to:

Convince customers that they will get good service at this company
Convince employees to give customers good service

Fortunately more and more businesses are abandoning this maxim – ironically because it leads to bad customer service. Why?

#1: It makes employees unhappy
Gordon Bethune is a brash Texan (as is Herb Kelleher, coincidentally) who is best known for turning Continental Airlines around “From Worst to First,” a story told in his book of the same title from 1998. He wanted to make sure that both customers and employees liked the way Continental treated them, so he made it very clear that the maxim “the customer is always right” didn’t hold sway at Continental.

In conflicts between employees and unruly customers he would consistently side with his people.

“When we run into customers that we can’t reel back in, our loyalty is with our employees. They have to put up with this stuff every day. Just because you buy a ticket does not give you the right to abuse our employees . . .”

So Bethune trusts his people over unreasonable customers. What I like about this attitude is that it balances employees and customers, where the “always right” maxim squarely favors the customer – which is not a good idea, because, as Bethune says, it causes resentment among employees.

Of course there are plenty of examples of bad employees giving lousy customer service. But trying to solve this by declaring the customer “always right” is counter-productive.

# 2: It gives abrasive customers an unfair advantage
Using the slogan “The customer is always right” abusive customers can demand just about anything – they’re right by definition, aren’t they? This makes the employees’ job that much harder, when trying to rein them in. Also, it means that abusive people get better treatment and conditions than nice people. That always seemed wrong to me, and it makes much more sense to be nice to the nice customers to keep them coming back.

#3: Some customers are bad for business
Most businesses think that “the more customers the better." But some customers are quite simply bad for business. Danish IT service provider ServiceGruppen proudly tell this story:

One of our service technicians arrived at a customer’s site for a maintenance task, and to his great shock was treated very rudely by the customer. When he’d finished the task and returned to the office, he told management about his experience. They promptly cancelled the customer’s contract.

Just like Kelleher dismissed the irate lady who kept complaining (but somehow also kept flying on Southwest), ServiceGruppen fired a bad customer. Note that it was not even a matter of a financial calculation – not a question of whether either company would make or lose money on that customer in the long run. It was a simple matter of respect and dignity and of treating their employees right.

Remember: Any customer worth keeping appreciates the effort you've put into trying to maintain their business, while protecting your own. They'll also admire you because you don't waver from what you know to be good advice, just because they've challenged you.

You know? Sometimes it's ok to say no to a customer...regardless of the economy.

...when I was a kid!!

2010-06-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning....Uphill. Barefoot...BOTH ways, yadda, yadda, yadda.

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap on today's kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that I'm over the ripe old age of...well let's say "over 30"... I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!

Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!

There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone rendering it useless. Cause, hey, that's how we rolled, Baby! Dig?

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!

There weren't any freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends." OH MY GOD !!! Think of the horror... not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah, right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, the collection agent....you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high-resolution
3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your screen guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen....Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel!!! NO REMOTES!!! Oh, no, what's the world coming to?!?!

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-finks!

And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove! Imagine that!

And our parents told us to stay outside and play....all day long. Oh, no, no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside... you were doing chores!

And car seats - oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you hung on. If you were lucky, you got the "safety arm" across the chest at the last moment if she had to stop suddenly, and if your head hit the dashboard, well that was your fault for calling "shot gun" in the first place!

See! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1970s or any time before!

....wipe that smile off your face!

2010-06-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Be honest...are you positive or negative? I had a boss that thought he was "keeping everyone upbeat"...when in reality...he was the problem! So ask yourself....
what am I doing to make my life better....for me?

Positive thinking in the workplace is extremely important. Positive thinking is a mental attitude. What we think affects how we behave. It is therefore important for us to begin with our thoughts.

It is a mental attitude that expects good and constructive results. However, it does not deny the existence of negative results or things beyond one’s control. It is a way of looking at things from a different perspective. For instance, one that concentrates on solutions rather than problems.

When our thinking is positive, our attitude is positive and we transfer a feeling of success to our colleagues and clients. In other words – we transfer energy and enthusiasm to those around us. People feel good towards us and are more willing to help us.

Positive thinkers know that when things go bad or unexpected result occurs, it is only momentary. That positive result is achievable. If you are new to applying positive thinking, here are 3 simple steps I suggest:

Practicing Positive Thinking in the Workplace #1

One cannot pay lip service to positive thinking. You need to practice and make positive thinking your prevailing attitude towards life. This will transfer towards positive thinking in the workplace. So, how do you make it a prevailing attitude? Entertain positive thoughts. It takes as much effort to think about the negative as it is for the positive. Concentrate on the positive and expect a positive result. Associate with colleagues with a positive attitude. Read inspiring quotes. These are simple ways to create a habit of positive thinking in the workplace.

Practicing Positive Thinking in the Workplace #2

Positive thinking in the workplace is solutions thinking. For example, when a project goes poorly and not in the desired direction…a positive thinking person concentrates on solutions instead of the problem. Ever noticed some colleagues have a natural tendency to point fingers when things do not go right? They tend to whine and complain instead of starting to work on a solution immediately? We have ALL had to suffer with idiots like that! And….what if your boss is super negative? Positive thinkers live up to the challenge of the problem and commit themselves to seeking a solution to the problem. They do not dwell in unproductive activities.

Practicing Positive Thinking in the Workplace #3

How many times have you thought – “Oh no, I am never ever able to do this.” When that happens, you end up dwelling on it and wasting precious time. Positive thinking in the work place involves thinking in these words – “I can”….”I will”…….."I am able”…….. "I am ready." It also involves taking the initiative to seek answers and solutions. And to be proactive in learning about the information needed to complete the assignment at hand. A positive thinker in the workplace concentrates on the assignment and is not distracted by negative thoughts.

Is positive thinking in the workplace easy? Well, it is as easy as you want it to be. It is also as difficult as you expect it to be. There will be times when you cannot help but feel negative. When such feelings arise, remind yourself it is as easy to look for a positive angle to things as it is for a negative angle.

Or do what I did…..turn your keys in.... and find another job! It helps to be around other "positive" people.

...what color are you?

2010-06-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

Whether we’re aware of it or not, color plays a major role in our lives. We’re drawn to certain colors in the same way that we’re naturally attracted to a specific piece of art or even another person. Often, our response to color is so strong that it can create an appeal to a physical location or place. While we often can’t control the exterior design and color of our office building, chances are that we do have a say in the interior colors. And, while “color psychology” isn’t a topic we likely talk about during board meetings, it is often more important than we’ll ever know. After all, we could be sending the completely wrong message to employees and visitors just because of the shade or our office walls.

Understanding Color Importance: Marketing and branding teams spend weeks designing company logos and developing products that will appeal to customers. These groups know how important color is on a potential customer’s senses and attitudes. If customers feel drawn to a specific product, chances are it’s because the color scheme works. Similarly, if they feel turned off, the marketing team has likely failed at choosing a color pattern that sells. Therefore, shouldn’t we look at our interior colors with the same focus as we do our product development?

Using Color as a Tool: Different colors have different effects on both employees and clients. Because we want employees to be happy and productive at work, the color scheme of an office should promote the right energy. The same goes for clients. If we want our clients to feel attracted to our business, color just might be the best way to keep them in the door. So, what color trend is best for which room in your office?

Cool colors include shades of blues and greens that have a calming effect by reducing stress and tension. They work well in hospital waiting rooms where patients might nervously await a doctor’s appointment.

Warm colors include bold reds and yellows and are better suited for more social offices that seek to stimulate. Lounges, lobbies, cafeterias, or other places where conversation should be encouraged are good spots for warm colors.

Available light also plays a role in a room’s color scheme. Colors that reflect light reduce shadows, which help to increase visibility. In turn, better visibility means more productivity in the office.

Visual accents and wall decorations such as paintings, mirrors, or other wall accessories can work well for short-term spaces that don’t see a lot of repeat visitors. For example, a doctor’s office examination room can benefit from visual accents that work to stimulate a patient who likely only visits the room a few times throughout the year. On the other hand, heavy traffic rooms such as the office boardroom are better off with fewer visual accents that won’t be seen over and over by employees. In rooms that are frequently visited by the same group of people, it’s better to balance color and mix tones for fresh, interesting looks.

Accentuate the Positives: The truth behind most any office design is that each room has its positive and negative features. Stunning hardwood floors should stay as the room’s focus by blending coordinating colors that won’t take attention away from the room’s strengths. On the other hand, unattractive tile floors would be better off downplayed with a contrasting color scheme to divert attention away.

While the importance of color in the workplace is most certainly an interesting concept, few of us are true color psychologists. Rather than taking a stab at designing the office’s interior color schemes, consult professional office interior designers who make it their job to understand color. Let the professionals work their magic and the office will soon make a statement all on its own.

I am an office environment expert. Contact me for more details.

....why is this ball smiling?

2010-05-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

CINCINNATI - Moments after Jay Bruce caught a routine fly for the final out, the public address announcer called everyone's attention to the standings board behind the right-field seats, the one that was about to reflect a seismic shift in the NL Central.

Finally, the Cardinals had been knocked off their perch. The Cardinals had been in first place since July 31. The defending champions opened a five-game lead before going into a pronounced downturn, losing nine of their last 12.

Now, for the first time since the middle of last season, they're looking up.

Alerted by an announcer, the 26,712 rain-soaked fans pointed at the NL Central standings board and cheered when it reflected the change at the top after the final out. The Reds moved into a half-game lead by winning seven of eight.

Cincinnati hasn't been in first place this deep into a season since June 8, 2006.

I grew up with the ‘Big Red Machine’ so I am looking for any “little” victory I can find with the Reds today…(keep your eye on Bruce in right field)….

Ahhhhh… The Big Red Machine

In 1975, the Big Red Machine lineup solidified with the starting team of Johnny Bench (c), Tony Perez (1b), Joe Morgan (2b), Dave Concepción (ss), Pete Rose (3b), Ken Griffey (rf), César Gerónimo (cf), and George Foster (lf). The starting pitchers included Don Gullett, Fred Norman, Gary Nolan, Jack Billingham, Pat Darcy, and Clay Kirby....but it didn't start off that way.

On Opening Day, Rose still played in left field, Foster was not a starter, while John Vuckovich, an off-season acquisition, was the starting third baseman. While Vuckovich was a superb fielder, he was a weak hitter. In May, with the team off to a slow start and trailing the Dodgers, manager Sparky Anderson made a bold move by moving Rose to third base, a position where he had very little experience, and inserting Foster in left field. This was the jolt that the Reds needed to propel them into first place, with Rose proving to be reliable on defense, while adding Foster to the outfield gave the offense some added punch. During the season, the Reds compiled two notable streaks: (1) by winning 41 out of 50 games in one stretch, and (2) by going a month without committing any errors on defense.

In the 1975 season, Cincinnati clinched the NL West with 108 victories, then swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games to win the NL pennant. In the World Series, the Boston Red Sox were the opponents. After splitting the first four games, the Reds took Game 5. After a three-day rain delay, the two teams met in Game 6, one of the most memorable baseball games ever played and considered by many to be the best World Series game ever. The Reds were ahead 6–3 with 5 outs left, when the Red Sox tied the game on former Red Bernie Carbo's three-run home run. It was Carbo's second pinch-hit three-run homer in the series. After a few close-calls either way, Carlton Fisk hit a dramatic 12th inning home run off the foul pole in left field (which is considered to be one of the greatest TV sports moments of all time) to give the Red Sox a 7–6 win and force a deciding Game 7. Cincinnati prevailed the next day when Morgan's RBI single won Game 7 and gave the Reds their first championship in 35 years.

Now that...was baseball.

...remember the 'Pelican Brief?'

2010-05-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

1993: In suburban Georgetown a killer’s Reeboks whisper on the front floor of a posh home… In a seedy D.C. porno house a patron is swiftly strangled to death… The next day America learns that two of its Supreme Court justices have been assassinated. And in New Orleans, a young law student prepares a legal brief… To Darby Shaw it was no more than a legal shot in the dark, a brilliant guess. To the Washington establishment it was political dynamite.

Darby Shaw, a Tulane University Law School student, decides to research the two justices' records and cases pending before the Court, suspecting the real motive might be simple greed, not politics. She writes a legal brief speculating that the assassinations were committed on behalf of Victor Mattiece, an oil tycoon wanting to drill for oil on Louisiana marshland which is a major habitat of an endangered breed of pelicans. A court case on appeal, filed on his behalf to gain access to the land, is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court.

Suddenly Darby is witness to a murder — a murder intended for her. Going underground, she finds there is only one person she can trust — an ambitious reporter after a newsbreak hotter than Watergate — to help her piece together the deadly puzzle. Somewhere between the bayous of Louisiana and the White House’s inner sanctums, a violent cover-up is being engineered. For someone has read Darby’s brief. Someone who will stop at nothing to destroy the evidence of an unthinkable crime….but wait, was the crime the murders or the off-shore drilling?

2010: In the month since an offshore drilling platform exploded, killing 11 workers, BP has struggled to stop the leak, trying in vain to activate emergency valves and lowering a 100-ton box that got clogged with icy crystals. Over the weekend, the oil company finally succeeded in using a stopper-and-tube combination to siphon some of the gushing oil into a tanker, but millions of gallons are already in the Gulf.

Oil spills have long been known to wreak havoc on coastlines, blackening otherwise sandy beaches and killing off birds, turtles, fish and other wildlife. This time could be even worse. Louisiana’s coastline, which has become the latest battleground against oil’s slimy march, is made up of miles and miles of delicate marshland — shallow waters comprised of high emerald green grass.

This habitat is a perfect breeding ground for small fish, shrimp and crabs that support a multimillion—dollar fishing industry. Exotic animals like alligators also reside in Louisiana’s swamps, while a huge variety of birds attract watchers to the state’s national parks.

Louisiana’s fragile marshes face long—term destruction if the grass comes into contact with some of the heavy oil that is making its way through the Gulf of Mexico….and now

…. Chemicals being sprayed underwater are helping to disperse the oil and keep it from washing ashore in great quantities, but researchers said that in recent days they have discovered miles-long underwater plumes of oil that could poison or suffocate sea life across the food chain, with damage that could last for a decade or more.

....snap!! Wake-up...this isn't a book..and BP doesn't know what to do...

...is the draft broken?

2010-04-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

The draft was once an innovative solution for distributing college talent to pro teams, but that was 75 years ago. The economics of pro football have gradually made it less effective, and as the college game becomes increasingly different from the NFL, players have become even more difficult to scout.

The league gives its worst teams first crack at incoming college talent in the name of parity, but instead of giving bad teams a leg up, it often forces them to draft players they don't really need at prices they can't afford. Many top picks hold out of training camp before they sign, only to end up with enormous contracts that have little to do with their true value to a football team.

What's more, NFL teams have a 50% chance of blowing a first-round pick entirely—the sort of costly gaffe that can set a franchise back for years.

What's surprising is that the NFL, a league with a long history of making sweeping rules changes, hasn't much changed its draft format since the draft was first held in 1936.

As it's laid out now, teams start out with one pick in each of the draft's seven rounds. Each player is paid more or less according to his draft slot, his position and a rookie pool that limits the amounts teams can spend on draft picks. Based on the multiyear guaranteed portion of first-round draft picks' contracts from the past three years—including the $41.7 million that last year's top pick, quarterback Matthew Stafford, got from the Detroit Lions—this year's likely first pick, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, can expect to make $47 million guaranteed during his first multiyear contract.

In a draft system, there's no way of knowing what a player is actually worth on the open market. In 1998, the Indianapolis Colts used the first pick to draft Peyton Manning, who has gone on to become an excellent NFL quarterback. A year later, the Cleveland Browns used their top pick on Tim Couch, who was considered light years behind Mr. Manning in talent. But Mr. Couch still got a nearly identical salary of $48 million and a signing bonus of about $12 million. Mr. Couch played only 62 games before retiring (in style).

Isn’t it time we said enough to this?

Under a new proposed plan (that I think would work), all 32 teams would be given seven picks. They would have to abide by a spending cap that would go higher to lower—with the worst team (based on its record the previous season) having the most money to spend. When the bidding opened, the most sought-after players would draw multiple bids. Teams could then raise their bid as high as they'd like for a player they coveted.

Theoretically, a team could get any player it wanted—so long as it was prepared to pinch pennies on everyone else. Meanwhile, a team that didn't want to break the bank on any particular player could pick up lots of useful parts by spreading its money around evenly. Teams could also thrive by focusing on the bidding and looking for bargains.

In any case, there's some evidence the draft could be the next fix for a league that fixes everything. One NFL executive said patience is running thin. "There's a huge trail littered with guys who got the big dollars but were a bust," this person said.

Let's see how this draft fairs with the others since 1936....

Tebow to Denver?

...my...my...how time flys....

2010-03-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

I did the unthinkable one year ago this upcoming week.

Some people seem to think that if you’re not too busy, you’re not really crucial to the organization. These people revel in having full schedules, long working hours and too much work.

Repeat after me: Work does not give you stress. Feeling bad about work gives you stress.

This means that changing your work hours, your responsibilities, your priorities or your work environment is meaningless, unless it also changes the way you feel at work.

Those stress management courses will not do the trick either, unless they can achieve just that. If you’re stressed, you must take charge and make whatever changes are necessary to go from feeling anxious, inadequate or drained at work to feeling appreciated, proud and energetic.

In the midst of this economic turbulence we're facing, I decided to leave my job as a vice president of a company to pursue some long-neglected passions of mine: building a positive atmosphere and teamwork, not listening to someone “drone-on about his financial situation”, helping companies with commercial interiors, and something so self-indulgent I can hardly bear to utter it (getting paid).

What I'm leaving behind is admittedly a middling (but respectable) career in upper management, but one, from the point of view of the working class people, you just wouldn't throw away a big title. My parents didn't go to college, and to them "pissing away" a position as a vice president is about as stupid a move as you can make....but they won't say anything of course.

My grandmother (God rest her soul), for whom was in her teens and early twenties during the Great Depression. Those are the days of waiting in line for blocks of government-issued cheese. I wouldn’t have told my grandma what I’m doing…..leaving a job during very difficult times. She wouldn't get it.

If you're sensible, and lived through such tough times, right now you're thinking about "How to Protect Your Job in a Recession," this is the title of a recent Harvard Business Review article. And here I am throwing mine to the wind! (It was the wind that woke me up one night after announcing to my wife that I was quitting -- is it the word "quit" or the memory of the rattling window that now sends a chill down my spine?) I've always been prone to digress from the straight path, and now I suppose I'm putting my money where my mouth is.

Speaking of money, I do have some savings, but most businesspeople reading this would probably gasp at my foolishness if I told them how much. A few months ago I almost told it to someone I know when I bumped into him at a restaurant while having lunch - he'd apparently been laid off from the banking industry. We briefly commiserated about the uncertain economy and our places in it, but I got the sense he had a pretty thick financial cushion. The tip-off was when he mentioned he had just returned from a trip to the Far East...to "clear his head about it." I thought to myself...here this guy is out of a job and he goes to Asia for several weeks. I had General Tso’s chicken last month…does that count?

Face it…job dissatisfaction is rampant and the work environment may consist of anything from bad bosses, demanding clients, unrealistic expectations. Do not discard it as a minor annoyance as it can make you despondent, cynical and negative. So don't wrap 'happiness' in a gift box and throw it in a dustbin but rather carry it on your face as wide as possible. This is the factor that is going to build your personality and your character....and set you free from bosses that are 'full of themselves.'

Wake up! Face it, even though you dislike it…..your workplace may be filled with people who wait for a chance to hurt you or pull you down or lock you in a dark cave. But equally there will be someone who cheers you up every time you fall. So find coworkers you like and enjoy working with them. Spend your maximum time with them. You can choose to be happy at work with your choices of work companions.

It’s a relatively small step from "liking your job" to loving it. It doesn’t take much and the things we need to do are relatively easy and available to all of us. But the difference in outcome is humongous. As long as you like your job, you’re only a pale reflection of what you could be if you loved it. You’re realizing only a small fraction of your full potential. You’re not having nearly as much fun as you could have.

Millions of people settle for jobs they like. The problem is that when you like your job there isn’t much pressure on you to change. Liking your job isn’t bad for you. It’s certainly much, much better than hating your job – which can make you sick or even kill you.

But when you love your job you are in a completely different league.

So I’m saying that we shouldn’t settle for any less anymore. Let’s make happiness at work the norm rather than the exception. It may take some work, but each and every one of us can get there.

First make that decision for yourself – decide that from now on, you will be happy at work. Then find out what you can do to get to love your job or what you can do to get a job you love. Then do it.

I did.

Size and length actually matter....

2010-03-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Most mowers have adjustments for raising and lowering the mowing height. Be sure to set your mower on a solid surface such as a driveway or sidewalk and determine what height you get from various settings. Then, set your mower’s cutting height to match the appropriate height of cut for your particular grass.

I have been mowing lawns since I was a kid, and have never really liked it...at least that is what I tell myself. Neither did my dad (in his t-shirt, shorts and dark socks with dress shoes).

My first source of income was mowing lawns. Ahhh...the joys of mowing and getting paid for it. So why do we do it? The thing is that lawn mowing makes absolutely no sense, if you think about it.

Power mowers are dangerous, loud, and probably bad for your hearing (maybe that’s why I don’t always answer JoJo sometimes). They also put out lots of emissions (far more per gallon than your catalytic-converter-outfitted car). At least that's what I tell myself while I put the mowing off until another day.

Lawn mowers also kill off the plants that would otherwise serve as homes for insects, birds, and usually other animals as well. And they sometimes kill the animals (snakes, frogs, etc.) themselves. Yeah that’s it…”back to nature.”

From what I gather, talking with neighbors and friends, a lot of us mow because we feel we have to fit in, or because some towns have so-called weed ordinances (laws that specify how wild our lawns can get), or because our wives tell us to.

Go ahead, by the way, and tell me I'm sexist (see "wives" above), but the reality is that mowing has, since I was a kid back in the 60s and 70s, always been primarily a man's job. When I see a woman mowing, I usually figure she's lesbian, or single, or, if the lawn is really long, that she's pissed off enough at her husband for putting the mowing off that she's taken matters into her own hands.

There's always the occasional man or woman who claims to like mowing. I sometimes hear people actually say they like it for the fresh air or exercise. Of course if people really mowed for fresh air and exercise, they would use natural, emission-free, hand-powered push mowers—the reel kinds, with no engine.

So why do we really do it?

For most people, though, the main reason for mowing is aesthetic. People think the lawn should look a certain way—i.e., "look nice." Or they think their neighbors feel that way (which they probably do).

If the motivation is genuinely aesthetic, though, then something just doesn't make sense. An uncut lawn actually has variety to it. It can have anything you want, from wild cup plants to luscious fruiting and flowering bushes—the kind of stuff people drive off into the country for hours to see when they're on vacation trying to "get away from it all."

Sometimes with a glass of iced-tea I still see my dad in my mind's eye... in his dark shoes and socks mowing our lawn when I was a kid. I was actually shy about his appearance then, but sometimes long for those days now as an adult. Thanks dad for teaching me how to mow the lawn properly and actually enjoy doing yard work properly. I too want my lawn to look as nice as yours always did years ago…I will just be doing the job in tennis shoes instead.

And my next book? "How to mow the lawn." --Fixing a faucet. --Carving the Thanksgiving turkey. --Impressing the fairer sex. --How to behave when a lady faints. --Mixing the perfect martini or mowing the perfect lawn. Being a man has become a lost art, but help is on the way. With more than one hundred "lost arts" documented throughout the book, “How to Mow the Lawn” will never let readers feel as if they don't know what to do should a manly situation come up.

Things I can use in everyday life....*The Great Outdoors: how to defend yourself against wild animals * The Perfect Host: getting rid of guests politely. This is a book that teaches men the basic survival skills they need to win the hearts and minds of the women they love and get through the pitfalls of life.

I guess my dad was right....mowing the lawn is important.

..."Daffodils" (1804)....

2010-03-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

OK...let's face it...2009 was a shitty year and we don't need to revisit it again...record unemployment, stock market crashes, swine flu...damn.

Spring is here. It's God's way of saying there is hope that things will 'renew' again. New leaves, new grass...and the season favorite..new daffodils. Count on them! They say in one 'bright hello' that we have hope again. Perhaps if you look deep into the daffodil...most of the pain of such a crazy year seems to drop-off a little. Maybe ...just maybe things are getting better.

The Dow is up, the sun is shining, Dilly is feeling better and more importantly we have all had the time to heal from last year. Let's focus on what the daffodil has to offer...a fresh 'new beginning.' Take the time to enjoy....and let's move into the future...but first, let's visit the past. Let's go back to 1804: Territory of Orleans organizes in Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark set out from St. Louis for Pacific Coast. Senate and Tribune declare Napolean leader of France. Haiti gains independence from France. New Jersey becomes last northern state to abolish slavery. Congress orders removal of Indians east of Mississippi to Louisiana...and the daffodil started that spring...like this one.

"Daffodils" (1804)
I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

....from 20%...to more like 60%....and climbing!

2010-02-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

I am soooo happy to say that Dillan has shown GREAT signs of improvement. We are so blessed that he is walking under his own power....has a ravenous appetite.....and started to play again.

The swelling in his brain has subsided and we are hopeful that we caught the problem in time. Of course I say "we" when JoJo gets the credit for diligently finding the doctors and hospital that actually "knew" what the symptoms were...and knew how to treat him. Thank you NW Vet Specialists in Clackamas...you are the best! Thank you doctor for fixing my baby boy...he may not be completely out-of-the-woods....but he is headed toward the clearing...and for that I thank you and thank God. Thank you for listening.

I have to ask myself why it was so damn hard (with 4 other visits) for some people to do their job correctly? Now don’t get me wrong…I have my weaknesses as well…but seriously! What has happened to the fabric of the people that “used to do a good job?”

Everyone today agrees that truly great employees are rarer than the proverbial hen’s teeth. It makes no difference if you are an employee yourself, or if you are a manager who is wondering how to actually find a great employee to fill a role, you know that great employees are at a premium.

What exactly is it though that makes an employee great?

Attitudes project your beliefs and values, and what you think of your job, coworkers and boss. It is shown in the quality of your work. The boss is aware of your individual attitudes at work and is watching them every day. They are as important as the work that you produce. A "positive" attitude does not always mean "happy", but it is better to be upbeat at work rather than brooding and angry, "Positive" can also mean proactive, which means you go after things and don't wait for them to come to you (using initiative). Add some flair to what you do all day.

How do you go about doing your job with flair? The first way to make sure you are doing your job with distinction doesn't involve much flair at all - it simply involves doing your job and doing it well. Know exactly what your responsibilities are and attend to them every day. Don't let any of the things that come under your job description fall by the wayside because you think they are unimportant. If you are unsure exactly what all of your responsibilities are, ask your boss for a meeting and discuss your job description with them.

Another way to do your job with flair is to add to the good morale in the office. Everyone has at least one person in the office that is like a black cloud hanging in the air. Gloom, doom and pessimism don't really have a place in the office. Even if you feel like you are heading for a fall with the way a certain project is coming together (like a recent one that comes to mind) or because someone on the team is not pulling their weight, look for solutions instead of standing around and complaining about it.

What I learned with this Dilly experience is that you MUST be a great listener. The first habit of listening is to pay attention to the person who is speaking. Give them your full attention -- and visibly so. Attend not only with your ears but with your whole body. Turn to face them. Gaze intently at them. The trick to full attention is to do it from inside your head, not just by moving your body. If you can be truly interested (which is often just a matter of attitude) then your body will happily follow your mind.

Sometimes the speaker is having difficulty getting their point across. Maybe they are not that good at speaking or are seeking to explain a complex concept. You can help them and yourself by positive encouragement…and listening.

Good listening also includes acting in a way that is considerate of the other person. As a part of listening, you should seek to help the person feel good about themselves. Having someone pay close attention to you and show interest is very flattering and usually feels good.

A fundamental attitude to support this is to value and accept all people, even if you do not agree with what they have to say or how they say it. Thus, if you disagree, disagree with the argument and not with the person. Show your acceptance of their right to differ with you, whilst stating your opposition to what they say.

Finally, be careful with how you react to what the other person says.

It is easy to be put off by listeners who show a marked lack of interest, who do not seem to understand what you are saying or who seem more concerned with criticizing you and showing how they do not need to listen to you.

Before you comment about what the other person has said, pause before you dive into a response. Notice your own internal inferences and biases. Think about what you would say and the effect that it would have. Consider if this is what you want to achieve. A doctor should never say,”Well, there will always be the dead and dying"…when your dog is near death.

And for that statement (the first place we took Mr. B when we were in great pain)….listen closely when I tell you to kiss my ass. I love my dog....and you obviously have come to the end of your road as a doctor.

...get well Mr. B....papa loves you!

2010-02-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

Today I feel like I have died. The news of 'Mr. B' was not good...he has a swelling of the brain and was diagnosed with encephalitis. He is in intensive-care at the hospital.

Young dogs, primarily but not exclusively small breeds, can occasionally develop encephalitis.

A more common form of encephalitis in dogs is immune-based (which seems to be the case with Dillan). This means the body's own white blood cells (the cells that normally fight infections) are attacking the normal brain. Commonly called GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis), this type of immune encephalitis has a "bad rap." The veterinary literature portrays this disease as fatal, but this is often not the case.

Common clinical signs of encephalitis are confusion, bumping into things, imbalance and stumbling....all of which Dillan portrayed. The MRI combined with examination of spinal fluid can provide an accurate diagnosis and lead us to corrective treatment....we are awaiting the spinal test information later today.

I don't care what the Internet says about the long-term life of a dog after being diagnosed with this stupid ass decease...I love my Mr. B and he will survive this! We have stabilized him and he is no longer in pain...

Of course I am angry. Why? Mainly because my neighbor of 10 years has a dog that lives in her backyard, 24/7, with no human touch...no love...no warmth...and that "barking bastard" is still alive and in good health.

Know why Mr. B will make it? Because I believe that God would never let such a wonderful dog be taken from us...not yet! I love you Mr. B!!

...learn to "balance your checkbook!"...

2010-01-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon voters approved two special tax measures Tuesday designed to close a $733 million state budget gap. With 95% of the vote counted, Measure 66 garnered 54% of ballots and Measure 67 received 53%, the Associated Press reported.

What they didn’t report is that Oregon “over-spent” 4.6 BILLION last year during the heart of the economic shortfalls. That’s right “billions.” And have increased spending on average of 30% over the last 30 years! But it is 'all about the children' (especially all the new Spanish-speaking teachers we need today).

Oregon voters have spoken up in defense of state programs and schools (like they always do because they watch stupid commercials) and they will soon see a larger portion of the state's revenue coming from both individuals who earn higher than average incomes, and Oregon corporations. County and state educators breathed a sigh of relief after voters approved a tax hike Tuesday that will ward off deeper cuts into school budgets this year.

"Passage of these measures means we keep core services of education, health care and public safety that Oregon families, businesses, and communities count on," said Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt, a Democrat who represents Clackamas County. Defeat, he said, would have forced the state to cut nearly a billion dollars more from such services.

The twin ballot measures also served as a gauge of anti-business populism and highlighted a nationwide debate over whether to fix state budgets by targeting the affluent. But they also fueled resentment of "tax and spend" legislators, as well as public-employee unions whose members enjoy job security at a time when thousands here have lost jobs.

But allow me to piss on the victory chant for just one moment to inject a small dose of reality: What Oregonians might have said in voting "yes" for Measures 66 and 67 is that taxing wealthy people and business owners is simply too hard to resist, especially when misleading ads suggest that business owners only contribute $10 a year to government services.

You see? Most Oregon businesses don't pay state corporate taxes because they aren't C corporations. They pay taxes on their business income through the personal income taxes of their owners. (You will see them moving out of Oregon soon).

For now, it seems to me that all we know from the "yes" votes is that most voters believed that more money for government is a good deal when it costs a minority group rather than everybody.

Measures 66 and 67 will hurt businesses' ability to restore jobs Oregon has lost in this recession, and they will hurt Oregon's venture-funded startups. But these permanent tax hikes -- the biggest tax increase in the state's history -- affect more than just startups. They are bad for all businesses.

Oregon's current economic challenge, the worst in 70 years, is the loss of more than 131,000 jobs -- more than 9 percent of Oregon's private-sector employment -- since November 2007. That's why state revenues haven't grown.

In addition to expressing faith in and thanking voters, supporters of Measures 66 and 67 should start writing thank-you notes to the state's wealthy people and business owners who will pay the higher bills. And they should keep some notes of sympathy on standby for any private-sector employees who soon could be out of work as a result of increased business taxes in a time of recession.

Oh, and when the businesses refuse to move to Oregon and many move to others states…hear me clearly when I say that is way too far for you to ride TriMet or your little bicycle. Grow-up you idiots! You have no idea what you just approved.

New boss...same as the old boss....

2010-01-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

"To build a lasting foundation for America’s economic prosperity and security, we’ll organize around the core challenges facing Americans and their families — energy, health care, and education. By acting together, we can overcome the obstacles that for too long have prevented real change on the critical issues that Americans face day in and day out. Now is the time to leave behind the status quo and build support for real solutions to ensure that President Obama succeeds in fulfilling the promise of change. .....

....We will not rebuild our economy on the old model of bubbles and busts. We'll only climb out of the current crisis by creating a new, sustainable foundation for our economy's future -- and make the tough choices to put our economy back on the road to long-term prosperity." ~Organizing for America: President Obama’s official website.~

OK Mr. ‘two-face’…you promised over-and-over about “yes we can!” (Politically correct or not…you are having great difficulty telling the truth). Quite honestly Mr. President, you remind me of a boss I used to work for (not work with)…he couldn’t tell the truth on a consistent basis either. Let’s see how you have done sir!

Lie: Despite promising to keep lobbyists out of his administration, Obama has broken his word again and again (making 17 exceptions to this promise in his first two weeks).

Lie: Obama promised to eliminate income taxation for seniors making less than $50,000 a year. He has broken this promise despite numerous opportunities to keep it, including the economic stimulus package and his administration's first budget proposal.

Lie: Obama made it part of his agenda to "allow withdrawals of 15% up to $10,000 from retirement accounts without penalty (although subject to the normal taxes). This would apply to withdrawals in 2008 (including retroactively) and 2009," but didn't include this measure in the stimulus package or his budget proposal.

Lie: Obama did a shameless 180 degree turn on earmarks by sharply criticizing them (and bragging that he would pass legislation without a single one) and then signing a spending bill with literally thousands of them.

Dumb: In his first private meeting with Congressional Republicans, instead of "reaching across the aisle" and seeking earnest dialogue, he smugly told them that he should have his way because "I won."

Dumb: Taking a page out of the Bush Administration's playbook, Obama applied shrill, frantic, fear-mongering rhetoric to assure passage of his stimulus package.

Dumb: Obama's appointment of Hillary Clinton to the office of Secretary of State was unconstitutional.

Dumber: His movement of the United States Census out of the Department of Commerce and under the direct control of the White House was unconstitutional, politically motivated, and a dangerous, undemocratic expansion of executive power.

Dumb: His lavish inauguration also cost $170 million.

Dumb: Obama's Earth Day flights burned more than 9,000 gallons of fuel.

Dumb: Blaming Bush for America's deficits, but then increasing spending. This is after saying on the campaign trail: "There is no doubt that we’ve been living beyond our means and we’re going to have to make some adjustments."

Lie: Choosing purebred dog, "Bo" for the White House family's "first dog" instead of adopting a dog from a shelter like Obama promised.

Lie: The President also boasted during his campaign that "During 2009 and 2010, existing businesses will receive a $3,000 refundable tax credit for each additional full-time employee hired," and has failed to keep his word.

Last one for now: Obama promised a different tone in Washington D.C. and a move past bitter, partisan rhetoric. It took him less than a week as president to berate Republicans and sully the dignity of his office by picking a very public rhetorical fight with a private citizen, Rush Limbaugh.

It is easy to remember the truth..and harder to remember a lie. Just ask my old boss!

...hungry...sleepy...smelly...on level 6....

2009-12-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

The video game gender debate has been going on for years now, fueled mainly by complaints that the video game industry continues to make games that primarily appeal to males (woo hoo for that!). Perhaps it's not the fault of the video game industry, but a result of a psychological tendency.

A new study reports that men's brains are more responsive to video games than women's.

According to MRI scans, the zones of the brain associated with reward and addiction are much more active in men's brains when they played a simple video game. Last year, there was an effort to get the American Medical Association to classify video game addiction as an official disorder -- perhaps these folks now have some more evidence to support that claim.

So why does it seem like guys like video games more than women? I'm sure there are plenty of women who like to blow stuff up and battle pixilated monsters or throw a 90-yard bomb. But, it's mainly a guy thing. So why is that?

That's what Fumiko Hoeft wanted to figure out. She's a researcher with the Stanford School of Medicine. She arranged a pretty cool experiment. She got 22 Stanford undergrads -- 11 men and 11 women -- to play a video game inside an MRI scanner, a machine that allows scientists to see what's happening inside the body.

As the young gamers were in the MRI machine happily playing away, Fumiko took a look at what was happening inside their brains. "What happened was that both men and women showed activation in regions that are related to the reward and addiction circuitry, but what was interesting was that there was significant difference in the amount of activation and the amount of coherence, how they were moving together."

Specifically, men's brains were much more active. And it wasn't because the game was particularly violent. If fact, it was pretty boring -- just clicking a bunch of balls bouncing off a wall at the middle of the screen.

Researchers designed this video game with a specific "gain-loss" component, which is a fancy way of saying that players have to nuke the red dot before it gets too close to the wall. If you nuke the dot, you gain territory; the space on the left gets bigger. That's the mission. If the ball hits the line before you nuke it, you lose territory. Researchers didn't explain this goal to the players. They wanted their natural instincts to take over. Many would argue men, by nature, are more territorial.

Men got more of a "reward" feeling than their female counterparts, and when the participants played a video game that had no territorial aspect, there was no difference in men's and women's brain activation. While this is obviously a new area of research and a small sampling, researchers say the gender differences may help explain why males are more attracted to video games and more likely to become "hooked" on them than females. It's also interesting to note that the computer games that are popular with males are territory and aggression-type games.

But the object of the game was telling. By clicking the balls in a certain way, the players could gain or lose territory. And men were significantly more hyped up by this challenge.

So in the end, Fumiko's point isn't that men like video games more than women (or men are smarter). That probably depends on the game. It's about how males seem to be more hard-wired than women are to get excited about claiming and conquering territory. Maybe that's why so many video games are about war and mowing down wave after wave of enemies. They're designed to appeal to the 'cave man' conqueror in men.

I should probably call in sick tomorrow...I am only on level 6 right now....

...excuse me....Merry Christmas!.....

2009-12-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

We can't say Merry Christmas anymore..?

" . . . every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart." Sound familiar? Anyone who had the pleasure of reading Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" or have seen the many versions of it on television or in the theatres will recognize this quote from Scrooge himself. The word "Christmas" has more venom in today's society then a angry rattlesnake on a hot summer day. The question we have to ask ourselves is WHY?

To give an example; an atheist organization put a sign celebrating winter solstice next to a Nativity scene at the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington. The sign reads "religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." This organization claims the sign is important for atheists to see their viewpoints validated alongside everyone else's.

That's it...let's make sure EVERYONE is covered. All people are happy. Obama would be so proud of such a 'socialist' view...

When you see Christmas lights on houses in shapes of Santa Claus, snowmen, and other Christmas icons, not "Holiday', not "Winter Festival" but Christmas icons, what do you think of? You think of Christmas even if you do not believe in Christmas. These are the symbols of love. Why is it so wrong for Christians to display symbols of love one month of the year?

Again, the battle begins over Christmas. Those who think they are politically correct call it the "Holiday Season." Christmas was originally meant to celebrate Christ's birth. He came to this world to be crucified and rose in victory to save anyone from the consequences of sin who believes on His name and accepts Him as their personal Savior.

Liberals would not want Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to be changed to Black Liberty Day, they want to celebrate the holiday to honor Mr. King, which I certainly respect, and I don't believe that he himself would want to change the meaning of the Christmas Season, as he was a fine Christian man.

Oh, I apologize...does Martin Luther King fall under "Kwanzaa …a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement?"

Kwanzaa, a fake "African" holiday that was contrived in 1966 by Ron Karenga (born Ron Everett) who was a Black Panther that was kicked out of that violent racist club, and he then created the United Slaves Organization that was the Panther's rival and was worse than the Black Panthers.

What bothers me most about Kwanzaa is that duped people and the Gov't (US Postal Kwanzaa stamps) are starting to give legitimacy to this racist 'holiday' without acknowledging it's background and purpose. It is not a 'holiday' which all people can celebrate; it is a holiday for Blacks to separate themselves from the rest of America.

So next time someone says "Happy Kwanzaa" just remember they are talking about a fake holiday created by a Marxist Racist Black criminal in the '60s to lead Blacks away from the 'white man's' Christmas.

And I am supposed to be PC by not saying Merry Christmas? Not going to happen....Merry Christmas!

a wedge or 9-iron?.....

2009-11-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

Tiger Woods has cancelled plans to attend his own golf tournament in southern California because of injuries he suffered near his Florida home early Friday, the pro golfer said in a statement today.

"I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week," Woods said of the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California. "I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I'm very sorry that I can't be there." He also canceled a Tuesday news conference for the start of the tournament, which helps raise money for Tiger Woods Foundation programs.

As Tiger Wreck Watch 2009 lurches into its fourth day with little new information, fans and media are combing over every element of this case. There's brick wall after brick wall in this story, but one of the largest and most well-fortified is this: just who is Elin Nordegren Woods, anyway?

If you were to design the perfect wife for a privacy-hungry superstar like Tiger Woods, she'd look a whole lot like Elin -- low-key, accustomed to celebrity, and, from all appearances on the golf course, totally devoted to her husband's career. But does that change behind closed doors?

Which is what makes the current questions about her recent behavior -- why did she smash a window in Tiger's Escalade? Is she responsible for his injuries? Did she beat his ass with a wedge or 9-iron?

"The only person responsible for the accident is me," Woods said. "My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false." (As he flinched when she walked into the room).

Tiger Woods has shot down rumours his wife Elin was trying to attack him before the car crash outside their house, saying she "acted courageously" and "was the first person to help me". (OK Tiger...we get it, she was there first...but did she hit you?)

Who is Elin Nordegren Woods? The facts about her: She grew up in Stockholm, and while she did some modeling in her teens, the idea that she was a "Swedish supermodel" is one of those urban legends. But she was around the world of golf long before she met Woods, serving as the nanny to golfer Jesper Parnevik. She met Tiger at the 2001 British Open, and it wasn't exactly a romantic introduction for the ages.

According to SI, Tiger was so nervous about asking her out that he had a friend do it for him. Initially, she declined. But Woods persisted, she relented, and they married in a lavish $1.5 million ceremony in Barbados. That wedding was the stuff of tabloid heaven, with Hootie and the Blowfish as the house band and Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley in attendance.

Being married to the world's richest athlete (now one billion dollars) apparently has done little to change Elin's public persona. We don't see her doing reality shows, we don't see her on the covers of magazines every month, and aside from releasing some photos, she doesn't parade around her children seeking publicity. It's refreshing, really, to see someone in the limelight apparently unconcerned with the fame-hungry world of modern celebrity.

What's certain is that the Woods camp would love a mulligan on many elements of this case, and the image that's been created -- or, more accurately, not created -- of Elin up until Nov. 27 may very well be at the top of that list.

Have we finally found someone that can beat Tiger?

Turning green ....

2009-11-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

Sustainable design, also referred to as green design, eco-design, or design for the environment, is the art of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability. It ranges from the microcosm of designing small objects for everyday use, to designing buildings, cities, and the earth's physical surface. It is a growing trend within the fields of architecture, construction, and landscape design.

Interior design is usually associated with aesthetics. It is the final construction step that carries out the personality of the business owners and senior management. It even makes it easier for people to decipher what function the structure serves. Hospitals are for white-painted walls. Wide see-through windows are for museums. A lot of interior design features make what a building is. And what makes this profession a further appealing endeavor is the new approach it currently performs the green design.

Green interior design is a post-construction step that is most likely similar to other ecological construction tasks. The materials used are eco-friendly. The techniques and principles used are inclined to answer to sustainable business practices. However, green interior designing is much keener in details as it involves specified furniture and fixtures, wall paint and paper, door and window treatments and other space features, complete with the entire finishes and textures.

Turning green does not deprive you of stylish ways to design. Currently, natural material furniture, energy-saving and cost-effective appliances, non-toxic paint and other green products are actually more elegant looking. Designing green does not compromise style.

Interior designers are beginning to address environmental issues as they acknowledge the importance of sustainable interior design. While some interior designers are using environmentally sustainable design criteria in their design solutions, research that investigates how they apply it as a component for design problems has not been done. Knowing the state of practice will provide a base to develop education strategies for sustainable interior design. Interior design educators can identify less frequently applied components of sustainable design and develop teaching methods to improve the understanding of specific components.

Governments, communities and industry are all working to prevent pollution and overconsumption from ruining the planet and the natural resources we all rely on like oceans and forests. To support this, there is an urgent need to make all industrial products and processes 'sustainable' good for people, profits and the planet....think about it next time.

"I hate to lose more than I love to win."

2009-11-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

Face it!...I am a Denver Bronco fan....I cannot help myself. We just lost number four-in-a-row. "I hate to lose more than I love to win."

I've been having a raging internal debate (with myself) lately about what's more important for a Bronco fan -- the love/passion for winning or the "never say die" mentality of a comeback artist. I've asked some good friends who are true competitors which is more important to them, and the margin is definitely tilted towards the "hate to lose" end of the spectrum. And, for those that know me, I daresay I'd be considered one who hates to lose.

In the world of ‘The Broncos’ and our new coach, I think I've reduced it to this: if you're born with unbelievable talent and grace, you have the luxury of loving to win. Things kind of fall into place, you have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and winning is expected. Don't misunderstand -- those that love to win work as hard as anyone, and make their luck. But there is a subtle distinction between expecting to win and refusing to lose. I'll get back to that in a second.

If you don't have the talent and grace of those chosen few, you must have a mentality of hating to lose in order to win. You have to overcome soooooo many obstacles, so many naysayers, so much negative and contradictory feedback, so many gatekeepers that keep you from decision-makers that it is only through sleepless nights, torn and crumpled piles of paper, 99 misses for every 100 swings, and screaming in the mirror that you will find the path. It requires undying passion and relentless head-against-the-wall sessions that only those that hate to lose more than anything can make it through.

But in a pinch, I'd rather have those that hate to lose on my side. Watch any movie, any sporting event; read any book on the history of warfare; ask any CEO. Those that hate to lose have a grimace, a grunt, an expression on their face (with sweat flying no doubt) that says it all: "I'm not done yet! This isn't over!" Those that love to win are pleasant to be around; they're gracious, wonderful people. And I've never met anyone who loved to win who didn't work as hard as the other guy (or even harder).

But, when push comes to shove, I've ultimately concluded that those who love to win are not as hungry as those who hate to lose. And hunger, my friends, is what ‘being a Bronco fan’ is all about.

I am a Bronco fan: "I'm not done yet! This isn't over!"

"The nature of terrorism is changing"

2009-11-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest (even though the media and our President cannot be), the idiot that killed "our" soldiers, on "our" land is a terrorist! What was going through the mind of Army Major Nidal Makek Hasan as he fired hundreds of rounds into innocent soldiers and civilians at Ft. Hood, TX?

If you read most of the reports circulating through various media sources, Hasan was “stressed” and harassed” by his fellow soldiers. He was having “anxiety attacks” out of fear he would be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (Allahu Akbar doesn't like it when Muslims harm Muslims). But that didn't stop him from taking tax money..."our" money to go to school.

So how is it that Americans are getting most of the real reporting on this tragedy from the British media rather than our own? It is the British that discovered his ties to Anwar-al-Awake, a radical Yemeni-American cleric with al-Qaeda ties! Please don’t tell me Interpol knew all this and the CIA didn’t!

Many American media services “dismiss” this dialog between the two as studies Major Hasan was conducting on U.S. Muslim soldiers and their emotions serving with the army.

If one is to believe the version being presented by most news sources at this time, Hasan was a lonely soldier who had a personal “meltdown” because of his fear of deployment to a war zone. He was a Palestinian immigrant with just a healthy conscious. The media must think I am an idiot.

Nowhere other than a very few American experts and the British media is it being told about eye witness accounts to his bizarre behavior for many months before the massacre.

And why is that? Could it be that those who favor “political correctness” are reaching for the “victim card” rather than the very possible answer of organized terrorism within our own military? General George Casey, the Army chief of staff, was on the Sunday talk shows warning against “jumping to conclusions.”

Yet, here is a man in a responsible position, a Muslim and a track record for religious radicalism, proclaimed “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” as he opened fire on scores of innocent and unarmed people.Remember... it was Osama Ben-Laden who referred to Americans after the “Black Hawk Down” incident in Somalia as “the soft part of our struggle.”

Will we as Americans dismiss this act of terrorism as just another criminal act? Will Hasan be judged by the media and have an “O.J. trial”? How long will this country stand by and allow this to happen?

Is there even one “apologizer” for this murderer who doesn’t think that people who want nothing more than to disrupt American lives and kill us are smiling? The reaction thus far can only ignite their efforts to pursue even more outrageous behavior elsewhere.

And if you were them and you’ve already penetrated and destroyed our landmarks and the military in their beds, what’s there to stop them more outrageous targets with more “experts” begging us to forgive their troubled souls. Give me a break! Those people laying dead on the floor were the victims...not this idiot with a gun. It is almost as if it is "trendy" to root for the Muslims...no matter what they do (shhhh! yelling “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” before you fire-off a few hundred rounds does not mean you are a terrorist).

After another deadly attack on American citizens on U.S. soil, authorities are busy reassuring Muslims that they have nothing to fear – from Americans!

--Some Muslims fear backlash after rampage: In the wake of Fort Hood tragedy, U.S. authorities try to assure that faithful steps are being taken to keep Muslim followers safe.--

I’m just waiting for some PhD to come on a talk show and call critics of Major Nidal Malik Hasan racists....because isn't that what we do when we "don't like the way we are being addressed?"

No wonder Muslims are so confused and torn. Referencing the Koran:

1. If you don't believe, "you are condemned to hell" (Koran 9:49, 9:68, 9:73)

2. If you don't believe, "your head is cut off" (Koran 8:12, 47:4)

3. If you don't believe, "you're set on fire" (Koran 33:64, 48:13, 76:4)

4. If you don't believe, "burning oil is burned down your throat." (Koran 18:29, 44:43-46)

They are not sure if this is scripture or a horror movie...this sounds like something Clive Barker wrote. This is what Hasan read outloud at a medical conference (and was then promoted to Major).

"The nature of terrorism is changing"

Why is Sandy such a bitch?

2009-11-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

The Sandy River originates high on the slopes of Mt. Hood, located about 50 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The headwaters are beneath Reid and Sandy Glaciers at 6000 feet in elevation. (Hint: The water NEVER warms-up).

From there the river flows due west through the Hoodland Corridor. It cascades past the communities of Welches, Brightwood, and Sandy, then turns north to enter the Columbia River near Troutdale, which is 10 miles east of Portland, Oregon.

The Sandy River is a geological product of the same dramatic forces that shaped the rest of the West Coast of North America. The river drops swiftly through rugged canyons. It has deep boulder-studded pools with clean, gray gravel bars often shaded by tall, wet green trees.

The character of the river is unpredictable. A few inches of water can change the holds. Twenty feet of water can change the whole river bed to the point that your favorite drift is now on the other side of the canyon.

The river bottom experiences terrific bed load shifts. Because of this, the aggregate never has a chance to compress and remains soft and very permeable.

Now that we have a history lesson about the river....why doesn't everyone know the history before they try to "walk or swim" across it?

ANOTHER man is missing in the Sandy! This weekend claimed a 55-year-old man on a fishing trip (trying to walk on logs across the river...to get to a better spot). He slipped and was swept under the current...never to be seen again. The Sandy River can be deceptively tranquil at first glance. A closer look, however, shows these currents are moving fast.

The missing man was wearing waders in the 48-degree water. Though waders keep an angler dry, the rubberized pants also quickly fill-up and drag someone down - like an anchor.

While its waters seem calm and gentle, there's a violent current that lies below the water's surface of the Sandy. We see it early in the Spring when the temperature first reaches 80-degrees...someone drowns. Later (every Summer) when the water reaches 54-degress...someone drowns.

Please people! Learn from history.

'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'....(she can act)

2009-10-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

I loved the 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'...but I have some questions.

In "Transformers," there was this giant battle in the middle of downtown Los Angeles -- excuse me, Mission City -- that was witnessed by thousands of people at the very least. But somehow the government was able to cover up the whole thing, and now the existence of alien robots is just an internet rumor? How did they do it? Pay off everyone who was there and quickly fix millions of dollars in damage? Also, didn't Keller (Jon Voight) go on TV and tell everyone we were being attacked by "a technological civilization far superior to our own"?

There are two pieces of the Allspark cube left: the military has one under lock and key, and Sam discovers another. The Decepticons steal one and bring Megatron back to life. But when Sam (Shia LaBeouf) wants to bring back Optimus, he has to find the Matrix of Leadership on the other side of the globe. Why not use the other piece? Mikaela (Megan Fox) has it in her backpack the whole time. It brought his kitchen appliances to life, why can't it do the same for Optimus?

Speaking of Megatron's rebirth, when the Decepticons venture deep into the ocean to revive him, the Navy crew tracking them reads five contacts. When they get down there, they tear apart one of the robots for parts to rebuild Megatron. Then as they rise to the surface, the same Navy guys say they spot six contacts. The little "Doctor" robot popped out down there, but he's about a third of the size of a person. Would he have shown up on sonar?

That reminds me: even if I were to forgive the Doctor's German accent -- and director Michael Bay is asking me to forgive a lot of ridiculous accents -- why would a robot need glasses? He has little lenses that flip in front of his mechanical eyes. Couldn't he just get his eyes adjusted? You'd think with all the laser guns, someone could perform a Lasik procedure.

Apparently, Transformers can look like people now. How? And how is it that even though the robo-girl (Isabel Lucas) is made of metal, she can still straddle Sam without crushing him. And if Bumblebee knows something's wrong with her, why does he spit antifreeze at her instead of telling Sam? Yes, his voicebox is broken, but wasn't it fixed at the end of the last movie?

The Fallen is the last of the Primes, since they all sacrificed themselves to stop him from destroying the sun. But then he says that Optimus is a descendant of the Primes. First, Transformers have kids? And second, how could he descend from them if they were all dead? And if the Fallen could only be destroyed by a Prime, why didn't the originals just gang up on him back in the day? And what makes Optimus so special, anyway? Megatron beat him earlier, but all it takes is a few spare parts from creaky old Jetfire for him to take out the Fallen?

Sam, Mikaela, and Simmons (John Turturro) go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. to find Jetfire. Then they walk out the back onto a wide open field with old planes and mountains in the distance. When did the National Mall start to look so much like to Tucson, Arizona?

The geography is just as bad when they go to Egypt. The stone city of Petra in Jordan is over 250 miles away, over mountainous terrain, with few paved roads and the Israeli border between them, so how can they drive from one to the other in a couple of hours. And the Pyramids are said to be shooting distance from the Mediterranean, but they are actually well over 80 miles inland. Even if the Navy ship had a secret rail gun, and even if the captain would take an order to fire from a former agent of a government branch that no longer exists (over a walkie-talkie that inexplicably starts working again), how could it hit a moving target from that distance?

Sam briefly dies and goes to Robot Heaven. Robot Heaven?!?!

Where does Sam's bandage come from? What about his extra sock? Why does Sam's roommate not contribute anything at all? What was the Fallen doing for those thousands of years Megatron was frozen in ice? How does one satellite receive transmissions from everywhere on the planet? Why does Wheelie hump Mikaela's leg? Why do we have to see John Turturro's thong? Why are robots who join together to become Devastator also seen fighting the Army at the same time? Why does the government want only our military fighting Decepticons when our weapons seem unable to make so much as a dent on any of them? Why did the ancient Egyptians build a pyramid around the sun-destroying machines instead of just breaking it? Why is the Matrix of Leadership bigger in the Fallen's hand than in Sam's? And how do Mikaela's pants stay so clean?

Which leads me to the next point. She is the best actress I have ever seen on the screen....no really!

Tough Initiation to 'Six and Zero'

2009-10-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

When the Denver Broncos replaced long-serving head coach Mike Shanahan with 33-year-old Josh McDaniels, eyebrows were raised at the choice of a rookie to take charge of an underachieving team and a difficult locker room, honestly I thought Pat Bowlen (owner) just "lost it." I loved Shanahan (when he was winning).

McDaniels had a tough initiation as head coach when a dispute over a potential trade for Jay Cutler became a media soap opera in the off-season and ended with the disaffected quarter-back leaving for Chicago. McDaniels' intended replacement, former New England back-up quarterback Matt Cassel, eventually joined Kansas City, leaving the coach with the much less-fancied Kyle Orton from Chicago.

McDaniels then had to handle a tricky situation with wide-receiver Brandon Marshall, whom he suspended for two pre-season games after being unhappy with his attitude in training.

The quarterback change, just one part of a major overhaul of the roster, has worked out well so far, with the steady but unspectacular Orton fitting neatly into Denver's offense. Marshall's return to the team has seen him score four touchdowns in the last three games, including two against the Patriots.

But the biggest change has been the creation of a defense which is currently the second best in the NFL and which has helped produce six wins that open up the real chance of a first play-off place since 2005.

Experienced cornerback Champ Bailey places the credit for the team's turnaround from their 8-8 record last season firmly with McDaniels and the changes he has made. "I tell you what, just being under Josh McDaniels for a few months now, he's a guy that is going to have you as prepared as you can be for a game and that's something that throughout my 11 years I haven't had a lot of."

"I've had some great coaches including Shanahan, but he's (McDaniels) definitely one of a kind in the way that he approaches the game," he said before Monday's clash. "With the guys we brought in and the guys that were left here, we got rid of a lot of bad apples and we brought in a lot of good ones and I think that that was the key to really getting this thing turned around," he said.

And last week, the highly symbolic win over Belichick's Patriots saw McDaniels celebrate in a manner unthinkable for his famously dour mentor -- racing to the home fans and punching the air and screaming in delight. Such outbursts are rare for NFL coaches, but McDaniels, whose father Thom built a reputation as a college coach in Ohio, is hardly bashful about letting his enthusiasm for the game pour out.

But that is EXACTLY what this team needs....

Shanahan who?

An autobiography--'The Perfect Dog’- by Mr. B

2009-10-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Dillan Hall--writing under the name of Mr. 'B'--and this is co-authored by my papa....

Description & Appearance:
I am a Maltipoo. A what? A hybrid dog crossed from a Maltese and a Poodle. This cross gives me a smooth silky wavy coat and I am a well-proportioned dog with impressive agility. (Oh, and I like to eat)...

I can make a great therapy dog and have an uncanny instinct to gravitate towards an ill or needy person, whether a child or an adult. The size of a Malitipoo will vary depending on its pedigree but generally malitipoos are between 5 and 12 lbs. (It's none of your business what I weigh)....

Temperament: I am very personable, playful, bright and spunky. I enjoy romping around with other pets, cats or dogs, but very much prefer to chase my own toys. Much like my Maltese heritage, I am bounding with energy and love a ‘good’ game of chase. And like my Poodle heritage, I am much, much smarter than you will ever be…. and pick up obedience tasks easily. (and I really like to eat).....

I am very gentle natured and not very mischievous. Housebreaking is not a long arduous chore (and I prefer a clean pee-pad). Smart and capable, I am always eager to learn new tricks. Of course, I make a great companion dog and do well with children (if I have to…but I prefer my mama and papa only).

Health: I am very healthy benefiting from gene mixing and avoiding many of the hereditary health problems such as Luxating Patella and White Shaker Dog Syndrome Maltese and Poodles purebreds occasionally exhibit. (I like to eat).....

I will enjoy a long life of 12-15 years….or longer.

Care & Grooming: I would do well in an apartment but do enjoy the occasional walk or romp at the park…I do love my multi-story home…I love running up the steps. I love toys....I love toys....

I DO NOT shed (yuck!), making me a great hypoallergenic breed. I have a full coat of hair that should be trimmed monthly to keep my hair from matting. Regular brushing will keep my coat clean and tangle free. The occasional bath is necessary as I am not afraid to get my paws a little dirty. I dislike haircuts.

Books from my reading list: 1) The Dog's Mind--Understanding Your Dog's Behavior by Bruce Fogle 2) Think Dog--An Owner's Guide to Canine Psychology by John Fisher 3) Don't Shoot the Dog!--The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor

My favorite song: 1) I love my dog by Cat Stevens

“So, I love my dog as much as I love you,
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.
I love my dog, Baby, I love my dog. Na, na, na...”

(That’s all I can remember…)

History: As a hybrid breed, my history is short. Generally, Maltipoo breeders aim to breed one generation of Maltipoo from purebred Yorkshire terrier and Poodle parents. This is to take advantage of hybrid vigor and the Heterosis effect which results in a healthier, more vigorous dog with a reduced chance of genetic disease. Pure breeds and inbreeds often carry genetic disease.

Heterosis is the phenomenon where crossing two inbred lines can yield a offspring with superior genetic constitution. This increased health and vigor does not create a superior breed, but the advantages obtained from it are what produce hybrid vigor. This goal in this scenario is not to create a new breed, but to create a happy and healthy pet.

The deliberate cross breeding of the Maltese and Poodle creates a wonderful new crossbreed (me!!). I share the qualities of both pure breeds. Did I mention already? I am extremely intelligent, eager to please, and very loyal to my family.

p.s. I like to eat!

How the heck did he blow that call?!

2009-10-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

During last week's playoff game at the $1.5 billion dollar Yankee Stadium, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins hit an 11th-inning fly ball down the left-field line that landed clearly fair, a foot inside the line. As millions looked on, umpire Phil Cuzzi, who was standing just 10 feet away, fixed his eyes on the spot and gave his signal: Foul.

Phil Cuzzi knows what you were thinking. He was standing right there, barely 10 feet away, with an unobstructed view. He saw the ball curve down the left-field line and bounce. He is an umpire with decades of experience, working at the highest level in his sport. How the heck did he miss that call?!

Cuzzi had called it foul, negating a leadoff double, and he spent much of the next 24 hours trying to figure out what happened. Part of it, he thinks, was playing an unnatural position - baseball only uses umpires along the outfield foul lines in the postseason and for the All-Star Game.

"We're not used to playing that far down the line,” Cuzzi said. "The instant the ball is hit, we usually start running. I think I may have been looking too closely at it. I never had a feel for where the left fielder was on the play." (In other words, he was too close to the ball to make a call).

“Phil Cuzzi saw the ball as foul, called what he saw,” said the umpire crew chief, Tim Tschida, who acknowledged that the call was wrong after seeing a replay. “There’s a guy sitting over in the umpire’s dressing room right now that feels horrible.”

Not as horrible as my mom now feels for whipping my ass back in 1972 after the Southeastern USA Regional All-Star tournament. That's when I yelled out in total disbelief (for being called out) after clearly beating a throw to first base on an attempted bunt single, “What the &*#@ is wrong with you ump... you are blind as a bat!"

(See mom...it's true...they really are blind)...I knew I was safe on that call....

Hey! Those socks are cool....

2009-10-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

I am still surprised that the Bengals are sitting atop their division with wins over the Steelers and Ravens. That’s crazy talk. If not for that miracle reception in Week 1 by Denver, the Bengals would be the undefeated team everyone was talking about instead of the Broncos.

Speaking of Denver, the Broncos took it to overtime against New England, where Tom Brady has never lost, but the coin toss went in Denver’s favor.

I have to say that the Broncos are legit now that they have beaten two shaky but worthy opponents, the Patriots and the Cowboys. But those throwback uniforms are not legit (especially the socks).

I’m impressed with Josh McDaniels and his Hulk-scream celebration after the game while Bill Belichick looked like a lost puppy in the middle of the field, but I don’t expect this team to go undefeated much longer. They’re scraping by in too many games so far to keep it up. So let me enjoy it for awhile.

A 98-yard drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter (sure, a taunting penalty and a great offensive line helped), and then the drive in overtime to beat the Patriots and one of the all-time franchise quarterbacks, Tom Brady. But Orton was a bit lucky. He almost threw an interception on the play before the winning field goal.

The Broncos are 5-0. The last time they started like that was in 1998, and they won the Super Bowl. So Orton might have a chance to show if he's a franchise quarterback. Right now, you'd still have to say that Orton is to Cutler as Cutler was to Elway. Maybe in February Orton will show otherwise.

But those uniforms! Ah, the 1960s. Back when every color except for white, black, mustard yellow, and maroon hadn't been invented yet. When players' helmets looked like Herbie the Love Bug. When everyone looked like the original Wolverine costume. The great thing about the 1960s is that it is not the 1960s right now.

The Denver defense was fantastic, shutting down – and shutting out – the Patriots high powered offense in the second half. Although they gave up a season high 17 points in the first half, as has been the case all season, they righted the ship at half-time and took control.

The Broncos continued to surprise the skeptical pundits – This is fun!

Side effects may include...

2009-10-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

Commercials that advertise prescription medicines on TV are my pet peeve. Doctors should be prescribing the drugs people need without the rest of the world being subjected to these irritating commercials. I’m sure many others agree with me. Chances are you've seen more prescription drug commercials than you can count — Viagra, Cymbalta, Celebrex, and Yaz are just a few that I can name from memory. Oh yeah, Yaz!

Yaz, a birth control pill may be linked to several serious side effects such as strokes, blood clots and heart attacks, has been the subject of a misleading marketing campaign. Deceptive Yaz commercials prompted the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Bayer a warning letter, and the company was forced to correct its false advertising. Unfortunately, the correction came too late for many women who had believed Bayer's false Yaz promises. When I was younger, you used a rubber and guess what? No side effects.

The ads are pervasive and influential and pharmaceutical companies know that. From 1997 to 2005, drug companies tripled their spending in television ad campaigns from $1.3 billion to $4.2 billion. In 2008 that number bumped up even further to $5.6 billion.

Though the ads do inform consumers of what's available to them, health advocates say they present drugs and symptoms in very general terms and can confuse consumers into thinking they have something they don't. A national study found that one-third of all Americans have asked for a drug they saw on a commercial and of those that asked, 82 percent were given a prescription of some sort. Let's ask Michael Jackson how well that went for him...oh yeah, it KILLED him.

Only the United States and New Zealand allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their medications directly to consumers, according to the FDA.

And don't forget. Side effects may include: Allergic skin reactions, including hives, blurred vision and vision changes, drowsiness, dry mouth, fluttery heartbeat, headache, high body temperature, mental confusion (especially in the elderly), nausea, nervousness, painful or difficult urination.

Rapid heartbeat, vertigo, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, gas, heartburn, inflammation of nasal passages, muscle aching or weakness, possible involvement in formation of stomach ulcers and bleeding, rash, small amounts of blood in stool, stomach or intestinal discomfort.

Tiredness, impaired coordination, irritability, memory impairment, lightheadedness, joint pain, trouble sleeping (insomnia), anxiety, abnormal involuntary movements, decreased or increased sexual drive, depression, confusion, muscle twitching, weakness, fainting, numbness, increased or decreased salivation, stomach pain, upper respiratory tract infection, ringing in the ears, fast heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, change in appetite, weight loss or gain, menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunction, water retention, accidental injury, back pain, bone/joint pain.

Cases of life-threatening liver failure have been reported. As well as, malaise, muscle ache, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, signs of severe allergic reactions, ringing in the ears, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the throat. Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating), breakthrough bleeding, spotting, change in menstrual flow, amenorrhea, temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment, edema, melasma that may persist, breast changes (tenderness, enlargement, secretion),change in weight or appetite, migraine, mood changes (including depression).

Gallbladder disease, hepatic adenomas, benign liver tumor. Dizziness, flushing, headache, indigestion, runny or stuffy nose, body pain, abnormalities in thinking, decreased libido, runny nose, sore throat. Constipation, cough, vaginal itching or burning, increased vaginal discharge, stomach discomfort, cramps, skin rash, headache. abdominal cramps, bloating, breast enlargement, breast tenderness and secretions, change in amount of cervical secretion, changes in vaginal bleeding patterns, chorea (irregular, rapid, jerky movements, usually affecting the face and limbs), depression, enlargement of benign tumors, excessive hairiness.

Hair loss, inability to use contact lenses, reduced ability to tolerate carbohydrates, spotty darkening of the skin, especially around the face, skin eruptions (especially on the legs and arms) with bleeding, skin irritation, skin redness and scaling, vaginal yeast infection, yellow eyes and skin, hepatitis, light headedness, inflammation of the esophagus, burning/tingling/prickly sensation on the skin, cold/warm sensation, neck/throat/jaw pain, increased blood sugar, unusual taste in the mouth, nipple soreness , swelling of the face, extremities, eyes, lips, tongue, delirium, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, irregular and unpredictable bleeding, vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), weight gain, acne, viral infections such as colds, sore throat, sinus infection, mood swings, pain at the site of insertion.

More serious side effects may include: coughing blood, or sudden shortness of breath (possible clot in the lung); persistent pain in the calf (possible clot in the leg); crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack); sudden severe headache or vomiting, numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke); sudden partial or complete blindness (possible clot in the eye); yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, or light colored bowel movements (possible liver problems); severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in the abdomen (possibly indicating an ectopic pregnancy, a ruptured or twisted ovarian follicle, or gallbladder or liver problems); breast lumps; difficulty sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, tiredness, or sadness (possible severe depression); heavy vaginal bleeding.

Priapism, or an erection that won't go away, is an uncommon but serious side effect . If you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, you should get medical help right away. If any of these events occur, seek immediate medical attention.

Can you say over-medicated?

Thank you Lord!! (That I am not a Raider fan)

2009-10-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

Raiders...you really, really suck!

The Oakland Raiders offense has been nearly unwatchable for the first four games. They have not been able to run or pass the ball with any effective consistency. If this offense is causing flashbacks to the 2006 Art Shell-Tom Walsh debacle, that is because this team is on pace to be even more inoffensive than that benchmark of ineptitude.

Through four games, the Raiders have yet to break the 1000 yards mark for total offense, having only gained 834 yards. Their 208.5 yards per game average is good for dead last in the league, trailing the Kansas City Chiefs by 38 yards.

Yards are nice, but it is points that are the true aim of an offense. The Raiders are 30th in points scored, ahead of only the St Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers. However, the Raiders only have a five point lead over the Panthers, despite having played in one more game.

The passing game has gained a woeful 479 yards, which is dead last in the league. That is 42 yards less than the Minnesota Vikings that have only played three games. In fact, five other teams have only played in five games are ahead of the Raiders in total passing yardage.

What of that running game that was supposed to set the league on fire? The Raiders have the 25th ranked rushing attack in terms of total yards. To give some perspective on that ranking, four of the teams behind them in total rushing yards have played one less game. They are 27th in yards per game on the ground.

Good job Raiders. You have a big, strong, black, not that bright, expensive, overweight, 39% QB rated, big arm, poor work ethic, smart ass for the cornerstone of your franchise....but he can still throw the ball 80 yards in the air...on his knees.

Sad! Please, face the facts. Russell is another Ryan Leaf. Good news though. You can always move back to L.A.

Broncos 4-0 (wow!!)

2009-10-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

A daunting schedule released in April that includes eight of the past nine Super Bowl champions, doesn't look so horrible. The Broncos overcame a sluggish first half and rallied to beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-10 Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High.

The victory kept the Broncos (4-0) in the same unbeaten ranks as the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints as winners the first four weeks. The Minnesota Vikings (3-0) host Green Bay on Monday night. Two other unbeatens -- Baltimore and the New York Jets -- lost for the first time today.

The Broncos defense again proved as stifling against the NFL's top rushing team as it did in Denver's first three games.

Denver held Dallas to just 74 yards rushing and stopped the Cowboys on a fourth-and-goal from the Denver 2 when Tony Romo's pass was batted down by Champ Bailey.

Denver never led until Kyle Orton connected with a cross-field throw that Brandon Marshall plucked over the reach of Dallas cornerback Terrance Newman. Marshall then cut toward the middle of the field before reversing to the right and avoiding several Cowboys tacklers before scoring on a 49-yard jaunt with 1:46 left.

The Broncos' next four games are Sunday at home against New England, then Oct. 19 at San Diego, Nov. 1 at Baltimore and Nov. 9 against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers....(ouch!).

But Sunday the Broncos' defense proved they are for real. Especially on Dallas' last drive to try to tie the score. Romo escaped from the Broncos' defensive pressure on fourth and 3 at the Dallas 27 to complete a 53-yard pass to Sam Hurd to the Broncos' 20. Only a Brian Dawkins tackle saved the tying touchdown.

Dallas moved the ball to the 2 (and honestly I thought we would cave). After Romo downed the ball to stop the clock, Denver denied two passes into the end zone by Romo, the last swatted away by Bailey. The Denver defense responded time after time and kept the score close when the Broncos' offense sputtered in the first half. Denver, which finished with 337 yards, had just 104 yards in the first half. Dallas had 184 yards in the first half, but had only 132 total yards in the second half.

The Broncos defense must have heard Troy Aikman before Dallas' final drive. The former Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer said, "I don't know if (the Broncos) are a great defense; maybe they are. But I do know that great defenses close people out, and here is their opportunity"

Now, even with a daunting schedule ahead, the Broncos have an opportunity to surprise even more NFL experts if they can continue to stay unbeaten. We are still unbeaten...so please shut the hell up and let me enjoy this for awhile!

Remaining Schedule

5 Sun Oct.11 VS. NEW ENGLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
6 Mon Oct.19 at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
7 BYE WEEK
8 Sun Nov. 1 at Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium
9 Mon Nov. 9 VS. PITTSBURGH INVESCO Field at Mile High
10 Sun Nov.15 at Washington FedEx Field
11 Sun Nov.22 VS. SAN DIEGO INVESCO Field at Mile High
12 Thu Nov.26 VS. NEW YORK INVESCO Field at Mile High
13 Sun Dec. 6 at Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium
14 Sun Dec.13 at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium
15 Sun Dec.20 VS. OAKLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
16 Sun Dec.27 at Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field
17 Sun Jan. 3 VS. KANSAS CITY INVESCO Field at Mile High

Theodore Roosevelt never said 'yes we can'

2009-09-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Theodore Roosevelt Accomplishments

President Theodore Roosevelt was surely one of the greatest United States presidents. He was a man of many accomplishments. Teddy Roosevelt was a volunteer Rough Rider in the Spanish-American War. Before becoming president, he was Secretary of the Navy. Roosevelt was a published author. What many people may not know about Theodore Roosevelt is the deep gratitude we owe him. Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to seriously think about saving some of the beauty of the United States for future generations. With Roosevelt in office, more than 200 million acres of land in the United States was conserved.

Theodore Roosevelt the Conservationist--Passenger pigeons became extinct about the time of Roosevelt's presidency. Roosevelt then established the first National Bird Preserve in Florida in 1903. This was the start of the Wildlife Refuge System in the United States. This would be the first of many acts by President Roosevelt to conserve land and important historical and archaeological sites throughout the United States.

The United States Forest Service was established while Teddy Roosevelt was president. Many national parks and preserves were set up by President Roosevelt. Some of the areas that President Roosevelt placed under protection were the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake National Park, and the Mesa Verde National Park.

Theodore Roosevelt's Antiquities Act--Theodore Roosevelt also passed the Antiquities Act in 1906. This act allowed presidents to preserve sites as national monuments without needing approval of Congress. The very first national monument established by Theodore Roosevelt was the Devil's Tower in Wyoming. This act also allowed Theodore Roosevelt to protect the Grand Canyon after failing to make it a national park. Since the Antiquities Act was passed, it has been implemented more than 100 times.

Tell me more!

---The Teddy Bear is named after Teddy Roosevelt. While hunting in Mississippi during his presidency, a few of the men in Roosevelt's party treed a small black bear and summoned Roosevelt so that he could take the shot. Roosevelt decided that killing the young, trapped bear was not sporting, and spared it. A New York toymaker heard the story, and asked Roosevelt's permission before styling a child's stuffed toy bear as the "Teddy Bear". Roosevelt gave his permission, noting that he did not expect many sales.

---Roosevelt had a photographic memory. He could read a page in the time it took anyone else to read a sentence.

---In 1912, Maxwell House coffee once asked the President what he thought of their product. He responded: "It’s good to the last drop". Sound familiar?

---He was the first President to ride in an airplane. He flew for four minutes in a plane built by the Wright Brothers on October 11, 1910.

---Once while preparing to give a speech on October 14, 1912 in the Milwaukee during a campaign, a crazed man attempted to assassinate Roosevelt, and shot him with a pistol at nearly point blank range. Roosevelt declared "it will take more than that to kill a bull moose!" and finished the lengthy speech before visiting a hospital. Even though the bullet entered his lung, he still gave the speech!

---Oddly, Roosevelt's wife and mother died on the same day, February 14, 1884.

---After Roosevelt retired from politics, he led an expedition in South America to find the source of a river known as "the River of Doubt". Most of the party died, and Roosevelt caught the fever yet survived. The river is now named "Rio Roosevelt."

---Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace prize in 1906 for his role of peacemaker in the Russo-Japanese War. Although an aggressive president when it came to military matters, he is the only president to have been awarded the honor while President of the United States andthe first American to ever win the award.

---After he left office in 1909, Roosevelt went on an African safari that netted many of the specimens that now stock the Smithsonian Institute.

---Roosevelt welcomed "the strenuous life"--engaging in daunting physical tests and venturing into hostile locations, even though, taking inflation into account, he was likely the richest president in history due to his family's estate.

---Most of the original National Parks and the National Park system were created by Roosevelt.

---Roosevelt was the first to dub the executive mansion "The White House".

---Roosevelt authored over 25 books.

Well...now we have Obama. Here is a partial transcript of (then) Sen. Barack Obama's remarks after he won the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina.

“Don't tell me we can't change. Yes, we can. Yes, we can change. Yes, we can. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can seize our future. And as we leave this great state with a new wind at our backs and we take this journey across this great country, a country we love, with the message we carry from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire, from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast, the same message we had when we were up and when we were down, that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we will hope.”

“And where we are met with cynicism and doubt and fear and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words -- yes, we can.”

Obama….please stop campaigning…become a real President. Stop saying we can…and learn from the past...learn to do!!

What the hell happened?-part 4

2009-09-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

"There are two things that I want you to make up your minds to: first, that you are going to have a good time as long as you live - I have no use for the sour-faced man - and next, that you are going to do something worthwhile, that you are going to work hard and do the things you set out to do."

- President Theodore Roosevelt
Talk to schoolchildren in Oyster Bay, Christmas-time 1898

Understanding Craftsmanship…’what happened to America?’

Earlier this year, on Independence Day, many Americans observed the 233rd anniversary of their country's independence. They drove to the lake or seaside, barbecued, drank, watched fireworks, or otherwise celebrated, but few contemplated the meaning of independence. For those that did, several questions presented themselves: What happened to America? What happened to her independence? What happened to the promise of this once great land?

In 1959 America was the envy of the world, a beacon of freedom. It was still rejoicing in its vibrant, post-war economy, its population had exploded due to the "baby boom," and its people were the freest in the world. It was a nation aware, and justifiably proud, of its accomplishments. It produced more than any other nation. It had large stable families in which men and women worked together to raise strong future adults.

America had industrial and political leaders that took pride in their social responsibilities. It had the lowest crime rate in the world, with a correspondingly low incarceration rate. It had shining cities that were the jewels of the world. Its infrastructure was second-to-none. It had the best healthcare system, an honest government, low taxes, and a booming economy. Its people were rightly proud of it and loyal to it. What happened in the intervening half century?

Today, America's decaying inner-cities are cesspools of crime and blight. Assault, muggings, robberies, home invasions, carjacking, rapes, and murders are the norm. Graffiti and decay are everywhere. Elderly people are afraid to venture out - day or night. The poverty rate is rising even faster than the tax rate that overburdens America's working class.

Diseases like tuberculosis, that had once been eradicated, have returned. New problems like AIDS and H1N1 pop-up semi-regularly. Ideas like civic duty, patriotism, religion, and freedom are openly scorned. Its healthcare system is failed and its education system is corrupt - focused on teaching "tolerance" and other socialist ideologies, rather than giving its students an education useful in the real world. Political and financial corruption are rife, its economy is dying. Its good-paying, manufacturing jobs are off-shored and unfettered mass immigration allows hostile, third-world invaders in to take the service jobs that can't be sent overseas. Those invaders are then given social welfare largely unavailable to the average American and taught to resent White America. Don't believe me? Then you are an idiot and in a coma.

White American women are having 1.3 children per each - the non-white replacement level is 2.8. Aggravating this problem is the facts that, increasing numbers of the children white women, are having, are non-white. White America is going extinct. This deplorable fact is frequently lauded by corporate and civic leaders alike. Even our 44th President is not black as they all mention...he is half-white but let's make sure we never mention that...white is bad now. Why? Even during his inauguration some idiot mentioned, "Now is the time for white to get it right." Kiss my ass! What a stupid statement. But that's America today, say anything...anytime you want...no responsibility!

World-weariness and civic indifference grow daily. Attacks on constitutionally protected freedoms are frequent. Increased substance abuse-especially abuse of prescription medications - abounds. The institution of family is ridiculed and subverted. Every kind of sexual deviancy is advanced as normal. Everyone, including children, are encouraged to be as promiscuous as they like. At the same time abortion and birth control are heavily promoted leading to a dangerous decline in our birthrates.

What the hell happened in just 50 years?

Who says the government schools and the welfare state don’t work? They work perfectly. They were designed to put the American people into a political coma, and that’s what they’ve done. The objective would never be framed that way. The politicians would say that the purpose was to create unity, patriotism, and gratitude toward those who “protect our freedom,” that is, the government. But in fact, the purpose was to induce a political coma, and it’s done so.

How else to explain that few people give a hoot that we were obviously lied into war by the president of the United States, the vice president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, and others, without a proper congressional declaration, and led to believe that Saddam Hussein was both willing and able to launch so-called weapons of mass destruction against us on 45 minutes’ notice?

How else to explain that hardly anyone notices that with respect to criminal suspects the Constitution has been all but consigned to the paper shredder, with American citizens and others being held indefinitely without charge and without the right to go before a judge to challenge such treatment?

How bizarre that for most people, sticking American flags on the car and front lawn is the highest sign of love for America, and questioning the president’s honor and veracity is the surest sign of treachery. After years of fruitless WMD searches in Iraq, the politically comatose are satisfied with their leaders’ and the media parrots’ inane responses: “We’ll find them eventually.” “We know Saddam Hussein had them back in 1988.” Or: “Hussein was the real weapon of mass destruction. Besides, we liberated the Iraqi people, didn’t we?” Didn't we? How many years has it been?

The question that takes the cake is, “Don’t you support the troops?” The non-comatose would know that to oppose sending Americans into unnecessary war is support. But that question is only supposed to change the subject. It’s the kind of thing the politically comatose say when threatened by the reality of facing responsibility.

Do you realize it has been eight years since Islamic terrorists flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon? It’s one of those defining moments in time when you’ll always remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard the news. Do you remember how our nation responded in the days and weeks following 9-11? Although tragic, it was a time that made us all proud to be Americans.

Fast forward eight years to 2009 and we now have a country that thinks we shouldn’t be at war with Muslim extremists, and a country that elected a President named Barrack Hussein Obama and thinks that we should end this war. In 2001, Barrack Obama was unknown to most Americans outside of Chicago. What would you have thought, if on September 12, 2001, you somehow were able to peer into the future and see a newspaper from January 2009 with the following headline: Barrack Hussein Obama Sworn-In as 44th President of the United States. I know what I would have thought. The terrorists have won with a name like that.

So what happened between 2001 and 2009 that caused such a u-turn in the American psyche? Are we no longer the nation that fought for freedom from British oppression and defended Europe from Nazi and communist schemes to conquer the world? What happened to that America?

The truth isn’t pretty these days. But there it is. Look for yourself. If you can feel proud about it, I don’t understand you.

....enough said about America....