Yes, finally a course on Grass Cutting coming to a University near you. Lets start with the basics: Make sure your mower has gas, you change the oil (and check it too) regularly, and keep all accessories in their assigned place nearby.
Lesson #1 be sure to never cut the same area twice, oops, what I meant to say was the same path (direction) twice in a row. You see, grass grows better if it is cut in different directions.
So today as I cut the grass I went in a different direction than the last time. Previously I have used the left to right diagonal cut and the right to left diagonal cut both are classic Broussard touches. Today I did the rectangle with the clockwise cut.
Somehow I got completely lost in thought while cutting and began wondering about a concentric circle cut and a parallelogram cut......whew....suddenly I realized I was just a moment off kilter. Happily, I returned to reality and thought about the objective of changing cutting directions was what? Getting the grass to grow better! WTF was I thinking? Do I really want the grass growing better so that I have to cut it better? Truly the dichotomy of this whole situation.
Next time I have class with Mr. Broussard I promise to report further on his infinitesimal and infinitive wisdom as it relates to grass cutting. BTW, Mr. Broussard is a proud, self-proclaimed proponent of Scott's Brand Grass stuff.
Peace Out!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Saturday Morning Thoughts
How do you shake off the dirt associated with last night's experience? Move toward a more positive sphere? How is that for some psychobabble?
We had a second experience (outside the negative sphere of new car buying) worth note and deserving of some thought. After completing the process last night, exhausted, CJ and I went to Serrano's for some Mexican. Sorry, no restaurant report here, we were tired. I just know it was pretty darn good.
However, our server Astrid (who looked like a Jessica, she told us that and we agreed) was very courteous, helpful, and friendly. She was able to somehow smile us and serve us out of our exhausted negative doldrums (at least for a few minutes).
On the way out of the restaurant I stopped to tell the Manager that Astrid had done a good job for us....I prefaced the short talk with the words......"I know you probably are use to getting more complaints than compliments" (a subconscious correlation to my own job). His words were "Yes, we hear about all the complaints and when the experience was good, seldom do we hear about it."
Join me this week, I will be trying to catch people doing a good job and compliment them on it. Look at it as a way to increase the positive energy in the world and feel good about life. Yikes, it sounds a little hokie, but, what the heck.
Peace Out
We had a second experience (outside the negative sphere of new car buying) worth note and deserving of some thought. After completing the process last night, exhausted, CJ and I went to Serrano's for some Mexican. Sorry, no restaurant report here, we were tired. I just know it was pretty darn good.
However, our server Astrid (who looked like a Jessica, she told us that and we agreed) was very courteous, helpful, and friendly. She was able to somehow smile us and serve us out of our exhausted negative doldrums (at least for a few minutes).
On the way out of the restaurant I stopped to tell the Manager that Astrid had done a good job for us....I prefaced the short talk with the words......"I know you probably are use to getting more complaints than compliments" (a subconscious correlation to my own job). His words were "Yes, we hear about all the complaints and when the experience was good, seldom do we hear about it."
Join me this week, I will be trying to catch people doing a good job and compliment them on it. Look at it as a way to increase the positive energy in the world and feel good about life. Yikes, it sounds a little hokie, but, what the heck.
Peace Out
Friday, June 29, 2007
Is it just me?
Just came back from a New Car Dealership where we purchased for CJ her own brand new vehicle:
Why is it that now I feel like I need to take a bath? (having gone through the whole new car buying routine) Is this just me?
Geez, everyone in the fricking place is doing us a favor. They have just cut us the best fricking price. No one else in or near the dealership in a long time is getting this deal. Somehow the salesman or someone overwhelmed the Manager with thoughts that we are such a damn good people that they need to sell us a car for a $1,500 loss. And did I mention? Not everyone else is getting this deal. Just us, because we are so special.
It is a choreographed cliche' filled routine that everyone takes part in. With the salesman, the new car manager, the finance manager, and every person in the place giving us such a good damn deal, why do I feel compelled to take a bath? Or didn't I just do that? (PUN INTENDED)
Classic new car salesman lines:
"We just want to make 200 bucks over invoice"
"Since you are a referral, I'll............"
"I got special permission from the manager and I can only do that because you are a referral"
"I don't waste time trying to deal, I just get to the bottom line"
"What if I can get the manager to do........"
Finance Manager line:
"You don't have to get the credit insurance, but, if anything ever happens to you......"
"The best I can do is 6.45% (our answer: well we can do better at the Credit Union) Finance Guy: Wait a second, let me try this.......phone call......if they have a high credit score what is the best I can do?........oh, hey they knocked another 1.5% off"
If the best they can do at one moment is not the best they can do overall, then that begs the question.....What is the best they can do? Obviously, screw the customers.
I get the distinct impression that everyone at the dealership expects us to THANK them for all they did for us.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (The actual sound of the screaming in my head) after having this experience.
Peace Out
Why is it that now I feel like I need to take a bath? (having gone through the whole new car buying routine) Is this just me?
Geez, everyone in the fricking place is doing us a favor. They have just cut us the best fricking price. No one else in or near the dealership in a long time is getting this deal. Somehow the salesman or someone overwhelmed the Manager with thoughts that we are such a damn good people that they need to sell us a car for a $1,500 loss. And did I mention? Not everyone else is getting this deal. Just us, because we are so special.
It is a choreographed cliche' filled routine that everyone takes part in. With the salesman, the new car manager, the finance manager, and every person in the place giving us such a good damn deal, why do I feel compelled to take a bath? Or didn't I just do that? (PUN INTENDED)
Classic new car salesman lines:
"We just want to make 200 bucks over invoice"
"Since you are a referral, I'll............"
"I got special permission from the manager and I can only do that because you are a referral"
"I don't waste time trying to deal, I just get to the bottom line"
"What if I can get the manager to do........"
Finance Manager line:
"You don't have to get the credit insurance, but, if anything ever happens to you......"
"The best I can do is 6.45% (our answer: well we can do better at the Credit Union) Finance Guy: Wait a second, let me try this.......phone call......if they have a high credit score what is the best I can do?........oh, hey they knocked another 1.5% off"
If the best they can do at one moment is not the best they can do overall, then that begs the question.....What is the best they can do? Obviously, screw the customers.
I get the distinct impression that everyone at the dealership expects us to THANK them for all they did for us.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (The actual sound of the screaming in my head) after having this experience.
Peace Out
Thursday, June 28, 2007
WTA: Wife Joins the Party
Exciting news at the Edwards household: Wife Joins the WTA Party. Yes, Cynthia Jean steps up to the plate. How, you may ask? A retail store offered to have something done for a charge (which was resonably priced) but used an outside contractor to complete the service. CJ asked the contractor if they offered this service outside of the purview of the retail store and at a lower amount (key words). Yes, was the answer and a bargain was struck. Classic example of eliminating the "middle man". The "middle man" has for years made money for nothing more than being the go between or hook up between people. Go directly to the source and we all save money, shouldn't we? Definitely a proud moment down here at the ole homestead. CJ has joined the party!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
WTA: Subtle vs. Overt
These are actual (color that real) cases of WTA from our files:
Friend J calls someone he has contracted with to do work at a profit at his business and asks for a favor = Overt use Working the Angle.
Friend R uses the term "Big Dave" and is allowed entrance into an entertainment venue = Subtle use of Working the Angle.
Which is better.....Subtle, of course....there was no pressure for the subtle WTA to work and that is the beauty of it. Also, there is usually more joy for having worked that kind of angle.
Friend J calls someone he has contracted with to do work at a profit at his business and asks for a favor = Overt use Working the Angle.
Friend R uses the term "Big Dave" and is allowed entrance into an entertainment venue = Subtle use of Working the Angle.
Which is better.....Subtle, of course....there was no pressure for the subtle WTA to work and that is the beauty of it. Also, there is usually more joy for having worked that kind of angle.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Sky Wars: American vs. United
Just recently the wife and I and some friends had the pleasure or disgust to travel on both American Airlines and United Air Lines. Actually we traveled on both Airlines and they only traveled on American. Their return trip was just as harrowing as the going trip.
American Airlines:
Scheduled to depart NOLA for Dallas and then on to Reno on American Airlines. Start with an hour wait for departure (the back door sensor was going off although the back door was locked, someone had to sign off on it) from NOLA to Dallas, followed by a 30 minute wait for a gate in Dallas (it was occupied); we were then rerouted to another gate and had to wait another 30 minutes (the guy that directs the plane into the gate was not available) to deplane. Then we moved quickly (it took us 5 minutes) from our now new arrival gate to 8 gates down to board our connecting flight that had been held for us.........we boarded the flight to Reno and the announcement came that they were holding the flight for some more passengers coming from another connecting flight. They finally boarded after about an hour and then another announcement (another sensor problem and again someone had to sign off on it) so another 30 minutes to resolve the problem and we were airborne. From 8:45am to 5:45pm we were on board a plane all but 5 minutes. There were many announcements during the different situations that occurred on these planes and every time the announcement came it told us that in about 15, 20, or 45 minutes everything would be resolved. When we deplaned in Dallas I noticed that the crew was gone.....no where to be found.......usually they are there to greet you as you depart......not this time.
Of note: We all envisioned a nice leisurely lunch during the "wait time" between flights (which ended up with us moving quickly down 8 gates under extreme time pressure). No lunch. However, on board they did serve (for a nominal fee) a turkey wrap and some tater chips. Several comments made by the group later in the day indicated that the food came at an opportune time, but, that everyone had eaten so fast that no one was exactly sure the overall quality of the food. Suffice it to say, we were hungry and we didn't care.
Now the return trip!
United:
We arrived at the airport just about 7ish for an 8 o'clock departure. No lines through security and we were at the gate in no time at all. As we entered the gate area the wife and I noticed that the departure time being shown on the electronic board manned by UA employees indicated 7:45 am. A quick check of my flight info showed a 15 minute discrepancy. Before we could check this we were summoned on the plane and pulled away from the gate 15 minutes in advance of projected departure time.
The flight went without any hitches and we arrived ahead of schedule into Denver where we were able to leisurely enjoy a nice lunch from the Steak Escape. The fries with malt vinegar were great. Onto the next gate were we sat and saw two passengers for Orlando arrive at their gate (located in front of us) about 5 or more minutes before departure only to find the plane gone. One, in fact it appeared, had stopped off at the TCBY concession to pick up a snack that he was eating on only to find his plane had left him behind. After several angry minutes of him chewing on the UA employee (who by the way held his own and explained that in order to depart at the correct time one must be boarded within 30 minutes prior to take off and find themselves strapped into their seat). The UA employee rebooked the passenger and presented him with new tickets, pointed him in the direction of his new gate and the passenger apologized profusely for having come off like an ass. This whole attitude that our planes will be on time and in fact will leave as soon as possible was a refreshing one for us to encounter coming off the AA experience. Kudos to United! You won the this Sky War. BTW, again we backed away from the gate a good 10 minutes before take off and upon conclusion of the flight into MSY we found the flight crew at the door to greet us and thank us for flying United.
Early reports from our friends return trip included text messages about on plane delays, missed connections, and a call (in further disgust) about their general opinion about future usage of AA.
Winner of this War: United Airlines, Hands Down.
Peace Out.
American Airlines:
Scheduled to depart NOLA for Dallas and then on to Reno on American Airlines. Start with an hour wait for departure (the back door sensor was going off although the back door was locked, someone had to sign off on it) from NOLA to Dallas, followed by a 30 minute wait for a gate in Dallas (it was occupied); we were then rerouted to another gate and had to wait another 30 minutes (the guy that directs the plane into the gate was not available) to deplane. Then we moved quickly (it took us 5 minutes) from our now new arrival gate to 8 gates down to board our connecting flight that had been held for us.........we boarded the flight to Reno and the announcement came that they were holding the flight for some more passengers coming from another connecting flight. They finally boarded after about an hour and then another announcement (another sensor problem and again someone had to sign off on it) so another 30 minutes to resolve the problem and we were airborne. From 8:45am to 5:45pm we were on board a plane all but 5 minutes. There were many announcements during the different situations that occurred on these planes and every time the announcement came it told us that in about 15, 20, or 45 minutes everything would be resolved. When we deplaned in Dallas I noticed that the crew was gone.....no where to be found.......usually they are there to greet you as you depart......not this time.
Of note: We all envisioned a nice leisurely lunch during the "wait time" between flights (which ended up with us moving quickly down 8 gates under extreme time pressure). No lunch. However, on board they did serve (for a nominal fee) a turkey wrap and some tater chips. Several comments made by the group later in the day indicated that the food came at an opportune time, but, that everyone had eaten so fast that no one was exactly sure the overall quality of the food. Suffice it to say, we were hungry and we didn't care.
Now the return trip!
United:
We arrived at the airport just about 7ish for an 8 o'clock departure. No lines through security and we were at the gate in no time at all. As we entered the gate area the wife and I noticed that the departure time being shown on the electronic board manned by UA employees indicated 7:45 am. A quick check of my flight info showed a 15 minute discrepancy. Before we could check this we were summoned on the plane and pulled away from the gate 15 minutes in advance of projected departure time.
The flight went without any hitches and we arrived ahead of schedule into Denver where we were able to leisurely enjoy a nice lunch from the Steak Escape. The fries with malt vinegar were great. Onto the next gate were we sat and saw two passengers for Orlando arrive at their gate (located in front of us) about 5 or more minutes before departure only to find the plane gone. One, in fact it appeared, had stopped off at the TCBY concession to pick up a snack that he was eating on only to find his plane had left him behind. After several angry minutes of him chewing on the UA employee (who by the way held his own and explained that in order to depart at the correct time one must be boarded within 30 minutes prior to take off and find themselves strapped into their seat). The UA employee rebooked the passenger and presented him with new tickets, pointed him in the direction of his new gate and the passenger apologized profusely for having come off like an ass. This whole attitude that our planes will be on time and in fact will leave as soon as possible was a refreshing one for us to encounter coming off the AA experience. Kudos to United! You won the this Sky War. BTW, again we backed away from the gate a good 10 minutes before take off and upon conclusion of the flight into MSY we found the flight crew at the door to greet us and thank us for flying United.
Early reports from our friends return trip included text messages about on plane delays, missed connections, and a call (in further disgust) about their general opinion about future usage of AA.
Winner of this War: United Airlines, Hands Down.
Peace Out.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Make Me Stop
I have spent two hours a day for the last three days.....cutting grass, weed eating, cutting the rose bushes, re potting two plants, cutting things off my trees that is just growing out of them. Sure it is only a total of 6 hours. But, it is obviously an attempt by my subconscious to be rather Mike Broussardish. Help me. Is there no one out there that can make me stop?
Tomorrow I have plans to clean the garage! Yikes, yes, there I said it GARAGE. I know this area of my domain (the garage) is bound to stay clean for what three maybe four days? Until I clean it again in what 6 to 12 months?
Do I need to tell you what Broussard's garage looks like? C'mon, not a thing out of place! Perfect, damn it! Not only that, amongst the confines of his nice and neat little garage area he has a KEG FRIDGE. God Bless Him. About 6 or 6:30 most evenings he gently pulls on the handle to release the golden cold draft liquid. God Bless Him, I say. He is such a good guy that he shares his de oro frio cerveza. Everyone wants to be Like Mike. But there is a lot of work involved. I will just choose to me. In the meantime, someone please stop me.
Peace Out
Tomorrow I have plans to clean the garage! Yikes, yes, there I said it GARAGE. I know this area of my domain (the garage) is bound to stay clean for what three maybe four days? Until I clean it again in what 6 to 12 months?
Do I need to tell you what Broussard's garage looks like? C'mon, not a thing out of place! Perfect, damn it! Not only that, amongst the confines of his nice and neat little garage area he has a KEG FRIDGE. God Bless Him. About 6 or 6:30 most evenings he gently pulls on the handle to release the golden cold draft liquid. God Bless Him, I say. He is such a good guy that he shares his de oro frio cerveza. Everyone wants to be Like Mike. But there is a lot of work involved. I will just choose to me. In the meantime, someone please stop me.
Peace Out
Monday, June 11, 2007
Restaurant Review
The Great Wall - Chinese take-out tucked in the Rouse's Supermarket Shopping Area in Mandeville. Order: Mandarin Chicken, Shrimp Fried Rice, Vegetables, and Egg Roll. The wife had Boneless Chicken and the rest. She needed the Mandarin sauce because the chicken was too dry. None of either of these meals were of note. Cost $15.20 for take-out. There was a good amount of food. Rating - Just OK.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)