One Down, Eight To Go

Vacation Day One is almost over. We filled up the kids pool and let
them splash around, set up the canopy swing in the backyard (getting
ready for our new fence tomorrow), and picked up our new (to us)
stainless steel refrigerator.

After spending half the morning tracking down the seller of our
refrigerator and looking for a truck, we finally rented a truck from
Home Depot that had a bed so high it was almost impossible to load and
unload. In fact, the refrigerator started to get away from us
unloading and it got a couple dents in the side and one of the door
handles. Now we're trying to find a new handle and figure out how to
get the dents out of the side (and no, Ding King does not work).

Tomorrow morning our yard will finally be fenced in (after 2-1/2
years). We'll probably hit some yard sales after the fence crew
arrives, then come home and set the kids trampoline up (I haven't put
it out since someone tried to steal it two years ago and I almost hit
it in the middle of the street). It'll be nice to let the kids and
dogs run free in the yard for a change.

As bad as the dings in the refrigerator may be, it's a lot less
stressful than going to work would have been. And to end the day on a
positive note, the Reds smashed the Indians 10 to 1.
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Vacation Day One

Nine glorious days of vacation begin today. We have a couple small
projects (a new refrigerator today, our fence being installed
tomorrow, setting up the kids trampoline) and a few small outings
(Indy Zoo, the Creation Museum) planned. Most importantly, no work for
nine days. Man have I needed this break!

Think I got this all set up, mobile blogging to multiple site at the same time.

post@posterous.com Mass mobile blogging?

Just set up mobile posting with Blogger from my phone. Now I can make short updates to my blog -- maybe a way to post more frequent snippets.

Customers - Who Needs 'Em?

If there is one thing I have learned in the past several months of
working in the Retail business, it's that customers are not worth the
hassle. Seriously.

I don't know if it's a result of the Obama era or what, but customers
have just become unmanageable. I won't try to play the same angle that
many in the business world play, talking up how great and wonderful
customers are and how we must go out of our way to "distinguish"
ourselves from the competition, blah blah blah.

Frankly, my life would be much simpler without customers. Sure, they
are the ones who pay the bills, but I just don't think that they're
worth it anymore. Each day in my business I encounter customers who
feel ENTITLED to something for nothing. Like they're doing me a favor
just by darkening my doorstep and I should GIVE them everything just
to keep them coming back. And when they don't get what they want
(goods or services free or steeply discounted) they think they can
call some pencil pusher in some far away office and get their way.

When did people forget that businesses providing them goods and/or
services are in businss to make a profit and that they can only stay
in business by making enough of a profit? If we weren't in business to
make a profit we'd change the sign over the door to Salvation Army or
something.

I just don't get it anymore. I don't act like that when I'm on the
customer side of the transaction. Why do so many people feel like it's
okay to expect so much for so little?

Your comments are very welcome.

Haven't Been 'Round Here Much Lately

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Haven't Been 'Round Here Much Lately

As things have been incredibly hectic at work lately, and with other responsibilities I've taken on in our subdivision, I haven't been around here much lately.

One week ago I took on a new career challenge: same company, new position. The job will pay me a bit more money but will be quite challenging for a time. Challenges that will ultimately prove rewarding, I hope. It's also a nice break from the same old routine of the past six years.

On the homefront, I've been asked to be the Crime Prevention Coordinator of our subdivision. A position that the IMPD doesn't recognize because they have an officer that is supposed to fill that role for interested communities. That's probably for the best, though, as I'm afraid the increased demands at work will prevent me from being the best Crime guy I could be.

Additionally, our home A/C unit has gone out on us at the hottest (so far) time of the season. Not the way I would choose to spend $5000 if I had the option. But it has to be done, because I like to sleep without sticking to the bed.

As if all of that wasn't enough already, the other evening while working from home, the motherboard in my Sony Vaio gave up the ghost without warning. Man, I hate computers! I'm blogging right now from my Palm Lifedrive, which is currenty my primary means of accessing email, etc.

Anyway, it's likely to stay a bit quiet around here for a while. I'll make occassional posts as time permits (and when I have something worth saying), but there won't be many reviews or other commentary for a while. But don't give up ... all will be restored to normal eventually. Until then, I enjoy the best distraction a man from Cincinnati can hope for: a hard-charging first place Reds team.

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